Chen Yan

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Chen Yan (陈言) 1
Species/Race	Human; originally from another world 1
Gender	Male 1
Affiliation	Professor Rowan’s laboratory; Grandma’s household near Twinleaf Town 1 37
Occupation/Role	Pokémon photographer, PokéVideo creator and livestreamer; Professor Rowan’s assistant and student 1 29 37
Status	Alive and traveling with his Pokémon 49
First Appearance	Chapter 1, “Chen Yan” 1

Power Progression

Chen Yan’s system tracks professional skills by level and grants abilities, equipment, and rewards through photography-related milestones 1 4 5.

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Photographer occupation; Photography Lv. 5, Cooking Lv. 3, Musical Performance Lv. 2	1	Chooses the photographer occupation after first photographing Pokémon. His initial displayed panel records these skills and 3,821 View Count, which he cannot yet spend.
Journey-triggered system rewards	4	Setting out activates a reward package containing an upgraded Pokémon Camera and Tablet, ten Poké Balls, and Grandma’s Pokédex.
View Count Shop unlocked	5	Capturing Weedle unlocks the shop and grants a ten-pull. Video views convert into View Count at a 100:1 ratio.
Whispers of the Pokémon — golden legendary ability	5	Obtained from the ten-pull; allows him to understand Pokémon speech.
Voice-over Lv. 1	31	Purchases the skill for 8,888 View Count after struggling to narrate an educational video.
Performance Lv. 2 → Lv. 3	31	Receives a random skill upgrade bundled with the Voice-over purchase.
Ho-Oh’s blessing	40	Gains exceptional affinity with Fire- and Flying-type Pokémon while photographing them, plus 1,500 View Count. Publishing the encounter’s photos or video offers another 1,000.

Background / History

Chen Yan arrives in the Pokémon world after his Switch 2 falls onto his face while he is playing Pokémon Champion. He had been exporting photographs before starting the game. Grandma finds him unconscious on a beach with a camera beside him; Gengar and Growlithe fetch help, and Officer Jenny assists in taking him to the Pokémon Center 1 2 7.

After recovering, he stays in Grandma’s courtyard for more than two months. Although he initially intends to find a partner and pursue the dream of becoming a Pokémon Master, he postpones leaving when Grandma becomes seriously ill. With no children and a husband who died more than a decade earlier, she has no immediate family to care for her. Chen Yan stays, taking Pokémon photographs and videos to brighten her hospitalization; her health improves, and she returns home 1.

Grandma eventually encourages him to travel. Originally from Hoenn, she never completed her own journey after meeting her husband and settling in Sinnoh. Chen Yan promises to send photographs home so she can share his experiences. Dragonite’s return to look after her helps ease his concerns, and he leaves with Gengar 2 3.

Appearance

• Black-haired young man with a gentle demeanor 18 27.
• Over six feet tall; Professor Rowan’s borrowed lab coat fits him well 27.
• Usually carries a camera around his neck, keeping it ready for encounters along the road 6 18.
• Can look scruffy after wilderness travel, as he does when first meeting Rowan 18.

Personality

Chen Yan is playful, theatrical, and fond of teasing. He stages mock trials with Gengar, indulges childhood sword-fighting fantasies with a bamboo sword, and uses dramatic poses to celebrate captures. His Pokémon adopt his enthusiasm for stories and make-believe martial arts, sometimes taking it much more seriously than he does 1 4 5 13.

His humor coexists with a strong sense of responsibility. He resists catching every appealing Pokémon because ownership means accepting responsibility for a feeling, independent companion. He prefers asking Pokémon to travel with him over treating a capture as the end of the decision. This concern extends to feeding, medical care, and protecting his companions’ feelings 6 18 19 23.

He notices people whose circumstances prevent them from enjoying the wider world. Grandma, his exhausted working fan, and the wheelchair-using boy each strengthen his belief that photographs and videos can let others experience Pokémon they cannot meet themselves. He also intervenes when ridicule threatens the Bug Catcher’s confidence in his team 1 12 28 33 34 47.

Despite his modest claims about battling, Chen Yan is resourceful and willing to deceive opponents. Against Pokémon Hunters, he convincingly plays a frightened novice, sets an ambush, and rejects their complaints about poison and unfair tactics. His long-term ambition is less about tournament success than enjoying travel, companionship, and the freedom to return home when tired 37 42 46.

Abilities & Skills

Photography and Video Production

• Photography Lv. 5 improves his timing, composition, and ability to notice beauty in ordinary scenes 1 6 11.
• Produces both warm interaction videos and educational material explaining Pokémon behavior, habitats, safety, and training potential 8 31 32.
• Records rare events, including Wurmple’s evolution through Silcoon into Beautifly, a shiny Suicune encounter, and Ho-Oh’s flight 17 28 39 40.
• Uses a camera-equipped drone for aerial observation and search work, locating Rowan’s missing starter Pokémon 23 24.
• Voice-over Lv. 1 enables him to complete detailed narration after his unaided attempts prove difficult 31.

Photographer System

• Displays his occupation, owned Pokémon, skill levels, items, and accumulated View Count 1.
• Converts 100 video views into 1 View Count; concurrent livestream viewers also generate the resource 5.
• Provides a shop for supplies, Pokémon items, and skills. Documented purchases include Toxic Orbs, Voice-over, and a toy for Glameow 27 31 41.
• Issues encounter-related quests, including publishing Suicune footage and photographing the other two legendary beasts in matching shiny forms 16.
• Gives access to item storage that Gengar does not understand, allowing purchases to appear from an otherwise empty backpack 41.
• Requires him to budget his rewards: high shop prices trouble him, and the Voice-over purchase consumes most of his available View Count 8 31.

Whispers of the Pokémon

• Allows him to understand what Pokémon say, beginning with Gengar and Weedle immediately after the ability is awarded 5.
• Helps him respond to companions’ preferences, such as Weedle asking for leaves instead of bread 8.
• Makes Pokémon’s emotional responses explicit; his first test reveals that Gengar considers wherever Chen Yan is to be home 5.

Ho-Oh’s Blessing

• Grants exceptional affinity with Fire- and Flying-type Pokémon while photographing them 40.
• Accompanies the discovery of Ho-Oh’s Feather and a direct View Count reward 40.
• Its documented effect is photographic affinity, not a general battle-strength increase 40.

Pokémon Knowledge and Battle Tactics

• Understands species behavior, evolution requirements, and regional lore. He identifies Gimmighoul’s 999-coin evolution requirement and explains the lake guardians’ locations and symbolic roles 30 36.
• Recognizes the practical value of affordable, fast-developing Bug-type teams; Cynthia, Aaron, and Lucian publicly acknowledge his advice 32 33.
• Directs Weedle to exploit String Shot, terrain, and improvised projectiles against a type-advantaged Staravia 34.
• Coordinates deception and status effects against Pokémon Hunters, using Gengar’s Confuse Ray and his team’s poison to disrupt and subdue them 42.
• Demonstrates a PokéBattle strategy combining Drowzee’s Trick Room and Endeavor with Technician-boosted Fell Stinger and Life Orb on Kricketune. Its effectiveness depends on setup and Trick Room’s limited duration 46 47.
• Distinguishes game mechanics from real Pokémon care, and consults Rowan rather than improvising medical advice about a fan’s evolution problem 26 29 47.

Cooking and Performance

• Cooking Lv. 3: prepares meals for his household, traveling companions, wild Pokémon, and Rowan’s laboratory staff 1 16 36.
• Musical Performance: sings with Pokémon and uses songs to connect with them. His song about Hippo Bay recalls Snivy’s childhood and grandmother 6 36.
• Shares stories that inspire Gengar and Weedle’s elaborate martial-arts games 13.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Pokémon Camera — his primary photography tool; receives a system upgrade when his journey begins 1 4.
• Pokémon Tablet — used to edit footage, upload videos, and show recordings to others; also upgraded by the system 1 4 28.
• Rotom Phone, camera drone, and microphone — expensive equipment supplied by Gholdengo Is Number One for livestreaming and recording 11 12 23 31.
• Handmade Pokémon belt and Poké Balls — prepared by Grandma before departure; the system supplies ten additional Poké Balls 3 4.
• Backpack, winter clothing, and camping supplies — travel provisions from Grandma, much of which Gengar carries in its mouth-based storage 3 6.
• System-assisted Pokédex — displays unusually detailed Pokémon information, including mood, status, affinity, and known moves 4 5.
• Rowan’s purple Pokédex — a personal gift bearing Gengar’s emblem; supports access to Gym challenges 37.
• Laboratory work ID — names him “Assistant and Student to Professor Rowan,” with the laboratory’s stamp and Rowan’s signature 37.
• Glameow’s carrier — purchased to reduce strain on her injured paws and make travel and photography easier 39.
• Miracle Leaves and Toxic Orbs — system supplies used to feed Weedle and support his Poison-type companions’ development 5 8 27 41.
• Ho-Oh’s Feather — a rainbow-glowing feather identified by the system; entrusted to Gengar as a treasured lucky charm 40.

Relationships

Pokémon Companions

• Gengar — first traveling partner, formally placed in a Poké Ball before departure. Their bond combines constant teasing with mutual care; Chen Yan appoints him the team’s protective “big brother,” and Gengar calls Chen Yan his home 2 3 5.
• Weedle → Kakuna — second captured Pokémon and first capture achieved through battle. Chen Yan welcomes him into the group, supports his protective “knight” ideal, and guides the victory over Staravia that leads to his evolution 5 34.
• Glameow — injured traveling companion whose trust develops gradually during treatment. Chen Yan brings meals, checks her recovery, and buys a carrier; she becomes comfortable resting near him while still resisting some attempts at petting 23 33 39 41.
• Snivy — befriends him at Rowan’s laboratory and accepts his promise to show it the sea. After leaving the lab with Rowan’s encouragement, it warns Chen Yan about Pokémon Hunters and helps defeat them, then disappears; no formal capture is documented 36 40 42.
• Growlithe — affectionate member of Grandma’s household. Chen Yan asks it to protect her while he travels, promises to visit, and later sends it a flying disc 1 3 8 40.

Family, Friends, and Supporters

• Grandma — rescuer and non-biological grandmother. Her care gives him a sense of family, and his promise to send Pokémon photographs home becomes a central purpose of his journey 1 2 40.
• Officer Jenny Yi — supportive friend who helped during his rescue and Grandma’s illness. She arranges travel documents, gives safety advice, checks on Grandma, and delivers his photographs and gifts 7 12 13 40.
• Professor Rowan — mentor who recognizes his knowledge and care for Pokémon. Their collaboration develops from recovering Rowan’s research to laboratory assistance, educational livestreaming, and formal recognition as his assistant and student 18 27 29 30 37.
• Nurse Joy and Chansey — friends involved in Glameow’s treatment and rehabilitation. Chen Yan regularly brings them food or coffee and thanks them for their work 23 31 36 37.
• Gholdengo Is Number One / Rich Guy — appreciative fan and equipment sponsor. Chen Yan’s videos ease his work exhaustion; Chen later arranges Rowan’s advice for his Gimmighoul and uses his account for PokéBattle streams 12 26 29 30 46.
• Wheelchair Boy — young admirer unable to undertake the journey he imagined. Chen Yan shares evolution footage, arranges a group photograph, and keeps his promise to deliver a printed copy before leaving 28 37.
• Bug Catcher — young opponent whom Chen Yan later supports after bullying undermines his confidence. Chen Yan’s intervention inspires him to rebuild his Bug-type team and seek a future rematch 13 14 33 34.
• Cynthia, Aaron, and Lucian — prominent viewers who endorse his educational work. Cynthia expresses interest in battling him; all three later watch his PokéBattle demonstration 32 33 46.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Starting the Journey

• Leaves Grandma’s home with Gengar after promising to document the wider Pokémon world for her 2 3.
• Captures Weedle, unlocks the View Count Shop, and gains the ability to understand Pokémon speech 5.
• Learns practical travel responsibilities, including campsite safety and official Trainer paperwork, with Jenny’s help 7 9 12.
• Receives sponsored recording equipment while exploring Twinleaf Town, opening the way to livestreaming 11 12.

Sandgem Town and Rowan’s Laboratory

• Takes five days to reach Sandgem because he repeatedly stops to photograph Pokémon; along the way, he photographs shiny Suicune and rare evolution footage 16 17.
• Recovers Rowan’s stolen briefcase and research papers, earning an invitation to the laboratory 17 18.
• Helps locate escaped Unovan starters and assists with Sinnoh starter distribution 23 24 27.
• Organizes an evolution-themed livestream featuring Rowan, then produces a successful educational Bug-type video 29 30 31 33.
• Uses Weedle’s victory over Staravia to defend the Bug Catcher’s team and restore his confidence; Weedle evolves into Kakuna 33 34.

Toward Lake Verity

• Pursues Rowan’s account of the once-per-decade Night of Evolution near Lake Verity, considering the chance of photographing it worth the risk of finding nothing 36.
• Receives Rowan’s Pokédex and assistant/student ID before departing Sandgem with Gengar, Kakuna, and Glameow 37 39.
• Detours after Ho-Oh, photographs it, and receives its blessing. His mailed photographs and gifts reach Grandma and Jenny 39 40.
• Helps stop four Pokémon Hunters through an ambush coordinated with Gengar, Kakuna, and Snivy, then reports the incident to Jenny 42.

PokéBattle Livestreams

• Answers skepticism about Bug-types with two victories built around Drowzee and Kricketune rather than his virtual team’s more conventionally powerful choices 46 47.
• Explains the strategy’s mechanics, then emphasizes that his real purpose is documenting Pokémon for people unable to travel or keep companions of their own 47.
• Rejects battle strength as the sole measure of a Pokémon’s value and distinguishes simulated battles from the bonds and encouragement that matter in real life 47.

Notable Quotes

“When it comes to Pokémon, I lean more toward ‘Will you come with me?’ rather than ‘I caught you.’” 18

“For a photographer, the word ‘rumor’ alone is enough to make a trip worthwhile.” 36

“What I truly want is to enjoy the journey with Gengar and the others, meet more people, witness more Pokémon, go home to rest when I’m tired, and set off again once I’m rested...” 37

“Come on, I’m already using Poison-type Pokémon, and you’re lecturing me about morals? Do I look like I have any?” 42