Ito Hei

Biodata

Appearance

Ito Hei is a dark-skinned young man. He first appears riding his Ponyta through a forest 3.

Personality

Ito Hei is friendly and competitive. After losing to Liu Xin, he trains his Pokémon and promises a rematch; later, he repeatedly aims to earn Gym badges before Liu Xin 4 7 16 17. He also recognizes when Liu Xin has surpassed him, admitting that Liu Xin faced stronger opponents at the South China Gym 25.

He supports his companions despite the rivalry. After the fire at the Special Energy Area, he rushes to check whether Liu Xin is hurt; when Liu Xin is later cornered by Treasure Hoarders, Ito Hei rides for help 11 40 42.

Pokémon

• Ponyta → Rapidash — Ito Hei’s first shown Pokémon. Ponyta evolves while training near the Fire-type meteorite. Ito chooses Rapidash to receive Giant Dragonite’s blessing; it subsequently develops large, fiery wings and greater speed 3 9 38 42.
• Rattata → Raticate — Rattata loses to Liu Xin’s Shiny Cubone in their first match; Raticate is later part of Ito’s team 4 20.
• Vulpix → Ninetales — Ito catches Vulpix before seeking a Fire Stone. Ninetales later helps him win the Gray Badge and takes part in the battle against Giant Dragonite 7 13 37.
• Metang — Uses Confusion to carry Ito and Liu Xin through the lighthouse’s tornadoes and ease the trial’s Dragon Pressure 34 35.

History

Early rivalry and Gym challenges

Ito meets Liu Xin while training Ponyta and proposes a friendly battle. Liu Xin’s Shiny Cubone defeats both Ponyta and Rattata, prompting Ito to promise a rematch 3 4. They meet again on an expedition seeking Fire Stones, where Ito’s Ponyta evolves into Rapidash 7 9.

The two travel together to Pewter City. Ito passes its preliminary trial and earns the Gray Badge, though he says Rapidash and Ninetales may not have won without their level advantage 12 13. At Mt. Moon, he and Liu Xin meet Sen Anxiang, who joins their journey 16. Ito later earns a South China Gym badge, then concedes that Liu Xin overcame the stronger opponents 25.

Bill’s Lighthouse

Ito joins Liu Xin and Sen near Bill’s Lighthouse, where he helps fight the Treasure Hoarders 27 30 31. He and Liu Xin then enter Giant Dragonite’s treasure trial as a team. Metang and Rapidash help them secure treasures and evade pursuers, while Liu Xin’s traps slow the other competitors 33 34 35 36. Although Dragonite knocks out their Pokémon in the final battle, it concedes after Liu Xin’s team rises again; the pair collect all five treasures 37 38.

Journey onward

After the trial, Ito and Sen ride Rapidash to summon help when Treasure Hoarders ambush Liu Xin. Rapidash’s newly developed wings greatly shorten the return trip 40 42. The three companions subsequently become lost in the mountains and encounter students from Pokémon Academy 42 43.

Relationships

• Liu Xin — Traveling companion, teammate, and friendly rival. Ito admires Liu Xin’s battle strength and tactics, though the two also tease and sometimes blame each other when their schemes cause trouble 3 25 35 39 42.
• Sen Anxiang — Fellow traveler. Ito welcomes her into the group and helps her pursue the Totodile that takes her backpack 16 18.
• Rapidash — Longtime Pokémon partner. Ito learns that she dislikes being ridden for unnecessary short trips, despite his belief that she enjoyed it 19.

Notable Quotes

“Just you wait. Once I'm stronger, I'll come challenge you again.” 4

“I admit it. When it comes to Pokémon, you're far stronger than me.” 25