Raihan

Leon's rival, and the selfies

Sword and Shield open with Raihan battling Leon in an exhibition match. He calls himself Leon's rival, and his League Card admits a ten-nil losing streak against the Champion while noting that no other Trainer has knocked out as many of Leon's Pokémon. The same cards explain his habit of snapping selfies on his Rotom Phone: it began as a way to remember the sting of each defeat and grew into photos of his training and fashion.

In the anime, Raihan debuted in Pokémon Journeys: The Series episode "Toughing It Out!", losing to Leon when his Duraludon fell to Charizard. As one of the Masters Eight, he later lost a World Coronation Series match to Ash in "Aim For The Eight!", the win that sent Ash into the Master Class.

Raihan on cards: from Evolving Skies to the Galarian Gallery

Raihan is a Supporter that rewards a knockout: it can be played only if one of your Pokémon was Knocked Out during your opponent's last turn, and it attaches a basic Energy from your discard pile to one of your Pokémon, then lets you search your deck for any card.

The card arrived in Evolving Skies (2021) in three versions: an Uncommon illustrated by take (#152), an Ultra Rare by kirisAki (#202) and a Secret Rare by kirisAki numbered 224, above the set's printed total of 203. A Silver Tempest Trainer Gallery printing by take (#TG27) followed in 2022, and Crown Zenith (2023) added a Holo Rare by Hideki Ishikawa (#140) and a Galarian Gallery Ultra Rare by GIDORA (#GG65). Raihan also appears in the artwork of two Duraludon cards, Duraludon V from Evolving Skies (#198) and a Silver Tempest Trainer Gallery Duraludon (#TG21).

Cards to know

• Raihan (Evolving Skies #152)

  The first Raihan card, the Uncommon Supporter illustrated by take.

• Raihan (Evolving Skies #202)

  The Ultra Rare version of his debut Supporter, illustrated by kirisAki.

• Raihan (Evolving Skies #224)

  A Secret Rare numbered above Evolving Skies' printed total, also by kirisAki.

• Raihan (Silver Tempest Trainer Gallery #TG27)

  A Trainer Gallery printing illustrated by take.

• Raihan (Crown Zenith Galarian Gallery #GG65)

  The Galarian Gallery Ultra Rare illustrated by GIDORA, his most recent printing alongside Crown Zenith #140.