Canonizing the Protagonists

[Psytrainer]

Well before the game was released, Masters has established its intent to favor certain protagonists as canon. That is to say, at least for this title. With six protagonists that are currently playable, I figured now would be a good time to start digging through dialogue and other relevant information in order to figure out who this game considers canon. I’ll start with my own findings and, if anyone has anything additional to provide, please do so as this will be edited frequently.

Kanto: Red

• A lot of Blue’s dialogue and some of Brock’s (From in-game experience but also from this post: View: https://cuteskitty.tumblr.com/post/188265619329/cuteskitty-some-interesting-parallels-blue
  )
• Also it’s just obvious.

Johto: Leaning toward Lyra.
- Lyra mentions that she fought Red (View: https://twitter.com/hanakumiii/status/1182291232636096512?s=21
).

Hoenn: Brendan
- Stated to be Norman’s son.

Sinnoh: Unknown
- Barry mentions his rival but does not specify who they were.

Unova: Leaning towards Hilbert and Rosa.

• Dialogue from Chapter 18 indicates that he and Cheren know each other personally.
• The fact that Rosa is the only BW2 character with a starter very likely means that Nate is going to show up with one of his Battle Subway Pokémon.

Kalos: Serena

• Calem’s partner in this game is Espurr. Considering how most rival characters have been using their non-Starter mainstays (e.g., Hau’s Raichu), this practically confirms that Calem’s appearance in this game is as the rival.
• Calem's dialogue entails callbacks to stuff he has said as the rival (e.g., his recruitment quote).

Alola: Unknown
- Same case as Sinnoh.

Edit: Updated for the new story additions.

 

[prog rocker]

To tell the truth, I'm surprised they canonized Lyra instead of Ethan or Kris.

 

[Psytrainer]

To tell the truth, I'm surprised they canonized Lyra instead of Ethan or Kris.

I know, right? Reading that dialogue for the first time really threw me for a loop. That said, I’m gonna wait until Ethan comes out before stating it as such.

 

[RileyXY1]

I don't think that this canonizes anything because I don't think that Masters is canon to the main series.

 

[Psytrainer]

I don't think that this canonizes anything because I don't think that Masters is canon to the main series.

You are correct. Whether or not this game is canon is purposefully being kept vague by the game's developers. As such, I am specifically referring to the canonization that occurs within the game (e.g., How Brendan is referred to as Norman's son), not how Masters shapes the core series' canon. In other words, this is specifically about what is established for the player characters in the context of Masters.