Are we expected to view Cynthia as the strongest known-trainer in the anime?

[Cybersai]

That other thread got me thinking, are we suppose to view Cynthia as one of the strongest on-screen trainers in the entire anime?

One might say she's only the champion of Sinnoh, so the other Elite 4 champions like Lance, Wallace, and Steven are all of the same rank she is, but considering Cynthia is hyped up a hell of a lot more by the shows writers, I wonder if she's viewed as one of the best.

Is there anyone of higher status than the Elite 4 champions? Are these four people technically the "Pokemon Masters" that Ash always wanted to be since the beginning of the series?

I don't know if they'll ever introduce some character even more powerful than Cynthia or the other Elite 4 masters, there's nobody in game canon who is higher than them either, so is that what Ash wanted to be since way back in episode 1?

 

[PDL]

The only reason why they're "hyping" Cynthia's portrayal is that she's a part of the current generation, and with a merchandise-driven anime like Pokémon. The new and shiny get promoted to hell and back. The same applies for Piplup and Ash's Aura powers.

Remember how much Munchlax was promoted during the battle frontier 2 years back? What happened to him? He fell by the wayside. That'll probably be the same fate as Piplup and Cynthia as well.

Wait until Gen V. They'll introduce a new champ who's probably even stronger then Cynthia, or just as evenly-matched.

 

[fate]

I don't see her having audiobooks like Lorelei, though. :|

Honestly though, I think it's just hype.

 

[~Piika]

Well, they did have Red in GSC, but since he was based on Ash... yeah.
There's also the rival in Platinum, but unless they suddenly decide to make Jun ultra-good, that's not going to happen either.

So yeah. I guess Cynthia is really the only one who can really be called the greatest trainer. Unless they have an anime only character come in and obliterate her, that is. That'd be interesting.

 

[Cybersai]

I don't see her having audiobooks like Lorelei, though. :|

Honestly though, I think it's just hype.

Yeah, but Lorelei is just a regular Elite 4 member.

Aren't the champions more powerful than the regular Elite 4? They don't call them champions for no reason.

 

[Argy]

Don't they call her "champion master" in Japanese?

 

[hhhhdmt]

shes overhyped, ie how the hell can GArchomp take a blizzard from Weavile without any damage?

 

[Blackjack Gabbiani]

The only reason why they're "hyping" Cynthia's portrayal is that she's a part of the current generation, and with a merchandise-driven anime like Pokémon. The new and shiny get promoted to hell and back.

But they never did that in the previous gens when THOSE were new and shiny. Neither Lance nor Wallace appeared in their respective arcs, and Steven was never mentioned as being the Champion at all.

Also, hhhhdmt, probably the same way Bashou's Steelix can somehow be immune to Solarbeam.

 

[Trainer'sInsomnia]

You used the term champions for a reason. She may be above the Elites, but she's not alone. Like I said, to anyone outside of a bias fanbase, she's the champion of Sinnoh, which is something of high credential, but nothing exclusive to her. She's only getting hyped or viewed in such high regard because she's been shown more and handled better in both the anime and games.

When Ash met Lance back during the Red Gyarados incident, he was viewed in the same light.

 

[Piplup]

Cynthia is the only character that was called "Champion Master" so I guess she's really one of the best trainers we saw until now
I'm not sure but didn't Wallace also said to have been a Champion Master too? but I'm not sure if he still is since now it seems like he's considered more a Top Coordinator than anything else... didn't they call him Contest Master?
Steven was never said to be a Champion... the games aren't the anime so in the anime Steven isn't really anything more than a COTD that isn't related to E4/Champion at all
I think Lance was said to be an Elite Four member and not the Champion
So yeah it seems like Cynthia is one of the best if not THE best we got to see until now

And people should stop comparing Munch to Pip
Munch wasn't treated like Pip at all... not even close to that -_-

 

[PDL]

But they never did that in the previous gens when THOSE were new and shiny. Neither Lance nor Wallace appeared in their respective arcs, and Steven was never mentioned as being the Champion at all.

That's true, but they really didn't bother with showcasing much from the games in previous generations. At that time, they were only interested in showing Ash's very gradual growth as a trainer. Or something.

Or maybe perhaps they're showcasing Cynthia more since she's a female while all the other past champs were male.

 

[Dogasu]

It's simple; the anime is taking more from the games nowadays than they were during the previous sagas. It only makes sense for the champion to get a lot of extra hype as a little side effect.

 

[Luxio2k8]

There giving the Champion of the region more of a spotlight then they ever did, which I think is nice because it's always fun to see more of a mix between the games and cartoon.

Cynthia is simply being shown as one of the best trainers in the Pokémon world. She is the Sinnoh Champion after all.

 

[Evil Raichu]

I'd say she's probably the same as Lance, Steven, Wallace, etc. Lance may not have had all the hype she has, but you still get the point that he's an admired and respected champion. Besides his first appearance (can someone tell me what this pokemon G-men mess is, btw?) he has since made a cameo, where Marina apparently worships him, and appeared again in Hoenn with his shiny red Gyarados. We probably have not seen the last of Lance.

 

[Cybersai]

Yeah, Lance is definitely up there as one of the strongest too, but the guy seems to spend most of his time stopping crimes rather than being a champion.

Both of Lance's appearances were because either Team Rocket or Magma/Aqua were causing trouble, not because he was seen as an special trainer even though we know he was the champion.

 

[Queen Cynthia]

I guess thread like this one are not good for my heart.hdear:

Anyways, the answer to the question is of course a clear YES!
She's not only the overwhelming queen, but undoubtedly stronger than Steven, Wallace and even Lance.
I dare say that she the "Champion of Champions", the Manchester United among the Pokemon Masters, the one and only

And I can only give the same reason which I've already given in the "Cynthia vs. Wallace" thread:

Cynthia is the queen,the one and only queen!!She would take Steven and Wallace apart without mercy.

Steven, because we haven't seen much of his battling skills so far: He was only featured in one episode in which he fought against Team Rocket - but almost everybody can win against the chaotic trio.
Wallace is more a coordinator and entertainer than a fighter. He would show some undoubtedly great combinations but they would be useless in the end.

(...) Tyson wasn't really THAT strong. I would have expected that Lance finished him off more quickly.
So, I think I may rightly claim that Lance is a bit (a BIT!) "weaker" than Cynthia (...)

 

[JB88]

I'm not sure but didn't Wallace also said to have been a Champion Master too? but I'm not sure if he still is since now it seems like he's considered more a Top Coordinator than anything else... didn't they call him Contest Master?

In the manga, he is referred to as "master", so yes.

I was also gonna say it's because Cynthia's the first female champion we've seen, and agree that's going along with the current generation.

 

[Cybersai]

Well Cynthia has another Lucario, I wonder if they'll ever bring up aura with her too? We haven't seen her use Lucario in the anime, but if she has it in the games we likely will.

 

[Mooites]

I think Cynthia:Lucario will be like Maylene:Lucario.

And she's the stongest in Sinnoh, but the other champions are the strongest in their regions. We should get some face-off.

Wait, the strongest trainer is Ash!

 

[Crazy Packers Fan]

Anyways, the answer to the question is of course a clear YES!
She's not only the overwhelming queen, but undoubtedly stronger than Steven, Wallace and even Lance.

Yes, yes, I totally agree! In fact I've written fanfiction based on this idea, that Cynthia is the strongest trainer anywhere, and she takes the idea of "queen" very literally.