Liko

Liko grew up in Cabo Poco, Paldea, and heads off to Indigo Academy. There she picks her first Pokémon, a Sprigatito. Amethio of the Explorers shows up demanding the pendant her grandmother Diana gave her, and it glows to protect her. Friede, a professor and adventurer, rescues her on his Charizard.

Liko boards the airship Brave Olivine and joins the Rising Volt Tacklers, the crew of Friede and Captain Pikachu. Along the way she meets Roy, an island boy who dreams of the Black Rayquaza and carries an ancient Poké Ball, and later Dot, a streamer who stays locked in her room on the airship.

The group learns that Lucius, an adventurer from a century ago, traveled with six Pokémon, the Six Heroes. Liko helps bring some of them back, like Arboliva, Galarian Moltres and Lapras. On one mission, Spinel of the Explorers wipes her memories with a Beheeyem and steals the pendant; she gets both back with Roy and Dot's help. She catches a Hatenna and reunites with her grandmother at a castle in Galar.

Bit by bit it becomes clear that a Pokémon sleeps inside the pendant, Terapagos, searching for Lucius and the legendary place called Laqua. In the season's last episode, fueled by Liko's determination, Sprigatito evolves into Floragato.

Liko starts Terastallization training at Naranja Academy in Paldea. She loses to Gym Leader Katy on her first test and fails with Grusha until she proves to him she won't quit. At a low point, she gets trapped in a cave with Amethio and hears out her enemy's doubts.

Diana reveals the Explorers were founded a hundred years ago by Lucius, Rystal and Gibeon. Through the power of a crystal pool, Rystal appears holding her baby daughter, and the group realizes Liko is Lucius and Rystal's great-great-granddaughter. Terapagos belonged to Rystal, and Liko becomes its Trainer, nicknaming it Pagogo.

To reach Laqua, Liko battles Geeta, Paldea's Top Champion, and the group descends into Area Zero, where the Black Rayquaza finally enters the ancient Poké Ball. In Laqua, Gibeon, one of the Explorers' founders, uses a White Zygarde to seize the place's power. Liko refuses to give up, and Floragato evolves into Meowscarada and beats the Zygarde.

Pagogo takes on its Stellar Form and purifies Laqua with the Six Heroes' help. During the escape, Friede and his Charizard are blown off the airship and their fate is unknown. The Rising Volt Tacklers disband, and Liko goes back to Indigo Academy.

A year passes. Roy reveals that Laquium, Laqua's dangerous crystal, is still affecting Pokémon around the world, and Liko, Roy and Dot team up to clear the Rising Volt Tacklers' name, now with newcomer Ult. Pagogo wakes up to protect Liko, the group rebuilds the airship in Galar and learns Friede is alive. Liko catches a Charcadet, which later evolves into Armarouge, and Hattrem reaches Hatterene. After a crushing defeat by the Explorers, the group trains at Blueberry Academy.

In the final battle, with Amethio on their side, Liko defeats Spinel, who ends up arrested. Pagogo wraps the Laquium Core in a barrier and lifts it out of the way for good. It chooses to stay in Laqua with the Six Heroes to help restore the place, and Liko lets it go.

Liko was created for the anime: she isn't a character from Scarlet and Violet, but she lives in their world, with Gym Leaders, academies and Area Zero. Together with Roy, she replaces Ash, the lead from 1997 to 2023. In Japanese, she's voiced by Minori Suzuki.