is a fictional character from the Pokémon media franchise, which is owned by Nintendo and Game Freak. She first appeared in the video games Pokémon X and Y as one of the two main characters players can choose, along with her male counterpart, Calem. Serena also appears in other Pokémon publications, especially in the anime, where she is Ash Ketchum's traveling companion in the Kalos region. Her dream is to become the Kalos Queen, a title given to the best Pokémon performer in that area. In the manga series, where the characters and storyline are different from the video games and anime, she is known as Yvonne Gabena.
Although Serena shares a similar background with other female characters in the Pokémon video game series, she received a positive reception for her appearance in the anime. she was well-received for her appearance in the anime. She gained fame for showing romantic feelings towards Ash Ketchum during the Pokémon XY anime series, which was evident through her blushing and getting flustered whenever she saw, talked to, or was close to Ash. However, this portrayal received criticism for being too exaggerated and not entirely suitable for the target audience of the Pokémon anime, which is children. The scene where Serena kisses Ash in the final episode of Pokémon XYZ became one of the favorite kissing scenes among anime fans in Japan.
Design
Serena character was designed by Ken Sugimori and Atsuko Nishida for the video game series. While the anime and movie was designed by Toshihito Hirooka, and for manga by Satoshi Yamamoto. Her name comes from the French word serein, meaning "calm" or "peaceful".
Serena's voice actor is Mayuki Makiguchi for Japanese, and Haven Paschall for English.
Appearance
Video games
Serena first appears in Pokémon X and Y as a playable character if the player chooses, and also as a rival if player chooses a male character, Calem.
In Pokémon Masters EX, she appears as a Pokemon Trainer and forms a sync pair with Fennekin and its evolutions Braixen and Delphox. She also appears alongside Calem as a Pokémon Trainer trophy in Super Smash Bros.
Anime
Serena first appeared in Pokémon the Series: XY's episode "Kalos, Where Dreams and Adventures Begin!" It is known that she already knew each other with Ash Ketchum when they both attended Professor Oak's summer camp in Pallet Town. During the event, Serena lost her way and fell in the forest before being helped by Ash. Since then, she has had a crush on Ash and when Ash arrived at Kalos, her original intention was to return the handkerchief he had used to bandage her wound. Serena then chose to make a career as a Pokemon Performer after attending Sycamore summer camp. She has a dream to become a Kalos Queen. After Ash finished the event in the Kalos League, Serena then decided to continue her career by going to Hoenn. Before parting, she gave Ash a kiss as well as revealing her feelings that were stored all this time.
Serena is back in a cameo appearance in Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series. She encouraged Chloe to attend the Lilycove City Pokémon Contest. Just before Ash, Chloe, and Goh departed for Vermillion City, she briefly reunited with Ash where they both shared their respective goals to each other. She also promised to support Ash in World Coordination Series.
Other appearance
In Pokémon Adventures chapter X & Y, a female character named Y or Yvonne Gabena is loosely based on Serena.
Serena appeared in Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction and Hoopa and the Clash of Ages manga, serving the same role as in the respective movies they were based on.
She appeared in Pokémon Evolutions anime web series on episode "The Visionary".