Cynthia

Cynthia in the anime: the benchmark Ash chased

In Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl, Cynthia first appears in person studying ancient tablets in Hearthome's Amity Square, where she easily beats Paul in a full battle; defeating her becomes a goal for both Paul and Ash. She helps Ash's group against Team Galactic through the Lustrous Orb theft and the showdown at Spear Pillar, and she returns in Best Wishes to host Ash at her Undella Town villa.

In Pokémon Journeys she is one of the Masters Eight, the top Trainers of the World Coronation Series. Ash beats her in the tournament semifinals, a loss that changes her mind about retiring from battling.

Cynthia on cards: from Cynthia's Feelings to Cynthia's Garchomp ex

Cynthia's first English card was the Supporter Cynthia's Feelings in Legends Awakened (August 1, 2008), followed by Cynthia's Guidance in Supreme Victors (2009). The Supporter Cynthia arrived in Ultra Prism (2018), with a full-art Ultra Rare by nagimiso, and was reprinted in Hidden Fates as a Shiny Vault card (#SV82). Cosmic Eclipse (2019) paired her with Caitlin on the TAG TEAM Supporter Cynthia & Caitlin. Cynthia's Ambition followed in Brilliant Stars (2022), where the full art also comes as a Secret Rare (#178), with a Galarian Gallery version by Atsuya Uki in Crown Zenith (2023).

Destined Rivals (May 30, 2025) gave her Owner's Pokémon: Roselia, Roserade, Feebas, Milotic, Gible, Gabite, Spiritomb and Cynthia's Garchomp ex, whose chase versions are a Special Illustration Rare by HICO KIM and a Hyper Rare, plus an Illustration Rare Cynthia's Roserade and the Tool Cynthia's Power Weight. Ascended Heroes (January 30, 2026) added new Gible, Gabite, Garchomp ex and Spiritomb cards, including an Illustration Rare Cynthia's Spiritomb.

Cards to know

• Cynthia's Feelings (Legends Awakened #131)

  Her first English card, a 2008 Supporter illustrated by Ken Sugimori.

• Cynthia (Ultra Prism #148)

  The full-art Ultra Rare of her 2018 Supporter, illustrated by nagimiso.

• Cynthia (Hidden Fates Shiny Vault #SV82)

  Her Supporter in the Hidden Fates Shiny Vault, illustrated by Yusuke Ohmura.

• Cynthia's Ambition (Brilliant Stars #178)

  The Secret Rare version of her 2022 Supporter.

• Cynthia's Garchomp ex (Destined Rivals #232)

  The Special Illustration Rare of her signature Pokémon, illustrated by HICO KIM.

• Cynthia's Spiritomb (Ascended Heroes #244)

  An Illustration Rare by hncl from her 2026 cards.