Well, as I always get hyped for a new main series Pokemon games, I found it appropriate to get my blog going again with some Pokemon countdown. As you may remember if you're a returning visitor to my blogs, I love doing countdown lists. It's a thing of mine. Anyway, there's been many good battle themes throughout the Pokemon series, first I'll be doing Trainer, and the next blog will pertain to Wild/Legendary Pokemon themes. For Trainer themes I couldn't just pick 10, so it has been extended to 12 for this list. So without further adeu, let us begin:

12. Vs. Lance / Red (HeartGold/SoulSilver remix)

The pounding beat, the intense remix of the actual Pokemon theme itself. When you step foot either into the final room of the Indigo Plateau or on top of Mt. Silver three years after the epic adventure Red took, you know what's coming next is big. It is every bit as good a battle theme as many make it out to be, and while I do like my poppy or energetic battle music more, there's no denying the epic feel this song gives you when you go up against the final challenge that the 60-hour long adventure gives you. Going up against Red and Lance deserves something this... awesome.

11. Vs. Rival (Gold/Silver)

Ahhhh, Silver. To this day he remains my favorite rival when it comes to story. He evolves beyond any previous rival, starting as a desperate, rebellious and cruel person, and eventually becoming a reserved, but kind trainer. And along the way, you get to witness this evolution as you battle him again and again and help him become the better person he becomes. His battle music is also kickass, can't deny that. Whenever he comes outta nowhere and just says "Battle!" and this starts playing a fun time happens, and I really did like the melody to this one.

10. Vs. Steven / Wallace (Ruby/Sapphire)

Steven might not be my favorite Champion (he's not even close, falling behind Lance, Alder, and Cynthia), but he does have one of the best Champion battle themes I've heard in the series. To be honest I never really liked the overdone Red/Blue Champion theme as much as many people do, and always found this to be far better, as well as pretty much any Champion battle music that's not Alder's (oh god why, Alder? Such an amazing character yet your battle theme is just, uhhhh). I have to say, this was VERY fitting final boss music in the Pokemon series.

09. Vs. Hugh (Black 2/White 2)

Let it be known: Hugh is one of my LEAST favorite rivals in the entire series. However, they gave him far and away my MOST favorite rival battle theme. It has the rival battle feel, it has that tense battle feel, and it doesn't overdo itself. It also is much better, in my opinion, than the carnival-soundy rival battle music from the original Black/White (despite the rivals from that game being tied for my second-favorite rivals in the series). Oh Hugh, I wish your story would've been told better, I might've liked you more. But at least you had awesome battle music.

08. Final N Battle (Black/White)

RAVE DRUMS~!! Complimenting my second favorite character in the entire Pokemon series, N gets this truly EPIC battle theme at the end of Black and White, complete with eerie ticking clock, creepy organ, and the aformentioned rave drums. It is a DAMN shame you only get this battle one time in Black/White, but dear god is it amazing. It helps that it compliments the build-up to the fight, where you catch the legendary of your game and he LEADS WITH HIS OWN. N definitely deserves this battle music, it's set up as one of the most climactic fights in the series.

07. Vs. Gym Leader (Ruby/Sapphire)

Arguably my least favorite set of Gym Leaders (in a tie with Unova's), but at least Hoenn got some good music for the battles again these guys. Winona, you will always be THAT ONE BOSS whenever I battle you. Liza & Tate, your Lunatone and Solrock are ungodly overleveled. So many memories with this music, and while I'm not fond of the holders to it, it didn't interfere with how amazing it felt to battle to this music.

06. Vs. Gym Leader (Gold/Silver)

Oh hell yes. Shared by the Elite Four of the games, this intense battle theme keeps you sweating as you fight the likes of Whitney, Chuck, and Clair, all of whom are pretty tough fights half of the time you get to them. Like Ruby/Sapphire's Gym Leader theme, this one helped instill many memories. I still remember the day my Togepi continually lucked his to victory against Jasmine's Steelix which was 20 levels higher. I still remember getting thrashed by Clair despite my Feraligatr being 5-10 levels higher than her Kingdra and having to go refight her. And to this day I still love hearing this when I boot up Gold/Silver/Crystal and get ready to fight the gym leaders of Johto.

05. Colress Battle (Black 2/White 2)

5... 4... 3... 2... 1. I've never heard villainous team boss music this amazing. Ghetsis' theme doesn't quite have the energy, and Cyrus' just doesn't really click well to me. During Colress' short time with Team Plasma (and for rematches with him in the aftergame), he gets this simply impressive piece of music. Honestly, the fight with Colress on the Plasma Frigate is arguably the most epic boss battle I've had in all of 5th generation Pokemon. Yes, N was awesome, however, I really got into fighting Colress. His team of Pokemon and their many resistances also helped set up quite a tough battle. On Challenge Mode during the rematch, he can still KO half my team despite being ~7-8 levels below mine.

04. Vs. Cynthia (Diamond/Pearl)

MOAR RAVE DRUMS!! Boasting one of the most devastating teams a boss has held in a main series Pokemon game, including the likes of the weakness-less Spiritomb, amazing-type-coverage Lucario, durable Milotic, and just INSANE Garchomp, Cynthia has always been a fight I've looked forward to. I don't particularly like her Spiritomb's change of moveset in the new generation (****ing Double Team...), but regardless, this battle music definitely goes well with the intense fight against my favorite character in the series.

03. Vs. Gym Leader (Diamond/Pearl)

Diamond/Pearl will always be very one of my favorite generations of Pokemon, regardless of the lack of love they have from others. Complimenting what is honestly my favorite set of Gym Leaders (design-wise and type-wise) is this piece of win. This is almost amazing as gym leader music gets for me. Every time this comes on my DS, be it from an actual gym leader, or the slight tone changed version used by the Elite Four, my body is ready for the fight. With a memorable melody that I can hum to any moment, I have to hand it to this: Sinnoh has some good boss music.

02. Elite Four Battle (Black/White; Black 2/White 2)

Fantastic. My favorite Elite Four, and it's great they have their own battle music. Honestly, I'm satisfied they didn't change anything in the sequels. I loved this theme so much in the original Black/White. This is honestly some of the most driving battle music I've ever heard in all of Pokemon. I can't really begin to explain why I like this song so much. But everything about it simply fits. Especially in the originals where this music helped the massive build-up to the climactic endgame. You just get all the right vibes from this one, at least I think so.

01. Vs. Gym Leader (Red/Blue)

As much as I appreciate the newer generations and will defend them despite all the hate they may receive, I will not deny this: Red/Blue had, in my opinion, the best gym leader music out of EVERY game in the series. Every second of this epic theme makes you feel the direness of the situation the battle presents. It is a shame that the original Red/Blue only used this for Lance and not the entirety of the Elite Four, because it's just too good. Brock, Misty, Lt. Surge, Erika, Koga, Sabrina, Blaine, and Giovanni. While they're outright memorable for being in a nostalgic, memorable game as Red/Blue, I think we have to give the music that accompanied them its due. Without this amazing theme, they might not've been as revered as they are.

And that's that. Next time I'll be doing my favorite Wild Pokemon battle themes! See ya later~