Like the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon games, the Pokémon Ranger games are relatively underrated compared to mainstream Pokémon, so I expect not everyone has heard of them, which is why I'm here.

        Let's talk Pokémon Rangers!

        Pokémon Rangers are people who dedicate their lives to the protection of nature, people, and Pokémon, just like regular Park Rangers, but with a Fantasy twist. Unlike Pokémon Trainers, they don't train Pokémon; instead, they use special devices called Capture Stylers to convey feelings of friendship to Pokémon, temporarily capturing them, and then releasing them.

        In Shadows of Almia, specifically, the second Pokémon Ranger game, there are School Rangers (those still attending the Ranger School), Area Rangers, and finally, the best of the best, Top Rangers, which is what you eventually become in Shadows.

        Top-notch Top Rangers can use a Vatonage Styler, an improvement of the Top Ranger's regular Fine Styler—gauntlet-like and worn around the forearm—to befriend Pokémon under nefarious or evil influence, such as let's say Team Rocket, but it was Team Dim Sun in Shadows.

        Top Ranger Kellyn made his debut in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl: Battle Dimension, the second season of the Diamond and Pearl anime, in the two-part episode Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu. However, he's not the first Pokémon Ranger to make an appearance in the anime. Solana from the first Pokémon Ranger game made her debut in the Pokémon Battle Frontier anime of the 3rd generation, the generation that came before Sinnoh, which is what Shadows and the third Ranger game, Guardian Signs, are based on.

        That said, here are ten Ranger terms for you guys to familiarize yourself with as you dive into the story:

1.) School Rangers: students still attending Ranger School in Almia.

2.) Area Rangers: Rangers stationed in a specific part of the region. They have their own base, Leader, etc.

3.) Top Rangers: the best of the best Rangers, who have more leeway than Area Rangers and can assign Missions themselves. They work for the Ranger Union in Almia.

4.) Capture Styler: a device Rangers use to convey feelings of happiness and friendship to a Pokémon to capture them.

5.) Fine Styler: a gauntlet-like Capture Styler worn only by Top Rangers.

6.) Vatonage Styler: an upgraded Fine Styler only to be worn by top-notch Top Rangers.

7.) Capture Disc: a spinning top that escapes the Styler when a Ranger announces, "Capture on!"

8.) Capture Line: a rope-like line Rangers use to convey their feelings of happiness and friendship to the Pokémon during a Capture. In the anime and games, the Rangers draw loops with them (don't ask; it's science-fantasy).

9.) Friend Pokémon: the Pokémon a Ranger befriends to help them, but they eventually release them.

10.) Partner Pokémon: a Friend Pokémon who has formed a special bond with the Ranger and has become their Partner. They are usually not released.

        With these ten terms, I hope you have a better understanding of Pokémon Rangers now. I'm not going to go into detail about Shadows of Almia, as I will slowly unfold the region, the game, and the lore throughout the story. As long as you know these ten Ranger terms, you should be good to go.

        Capture on!

- Victoria/Viktoria