Rika (Pokémon)

Rika has received generally positive reception and has been identified as a popular character by ''Inside Games'' writer Sawadee Otsuka, who felt she embodied "gap [[Moe (slang)|moe]]," a term referring to an affection towards someone's personality not matching their look.<ref name="IG2">{{cite web |url=https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2023/03/05/144434.html |title=浴衣姿に屋台で働く様子も…？『ポケモンSV ゼロの秘宝』発表でチリちゃんの“集団幻覚”を見るファン |work=Inside Games |last=Otsuka |first=Sawadee |date=March 5, 2023 |accessdate=May 1, 2025 |archive-date=March 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240323044745/https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2023/03/05/144434.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="IG3"/> He believed Rika was the most popular character from ''Scarlet'' and ''Violet'' at the time, and noted that she received a substantial amount of [[fanart]],<ref name="IG2"/> including by ''[[Hakuoki]]'' character designer Kazuki Yone.<ref name="Nijimen">{{cite web |url=https://www.excite.co.jp/news/article/Nijimen_0000000000436495/ |title=ポケモン界一の“イケ女”チリちゃんをカズキヨネ先生が描く！「イケ…ウーマン過ぎて辛い…」 |work=Nijimen |date=December 20, 2023 |accessdate=May 1, 2025 |archive-date=May 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250502005609/https://www.excite.co.jp/news/article/Nijimen_0000000000436495/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Inside Games'' writer Oonappa stated that the character became a trending topic on [[Twitter]] in February 2023 after it was announced illustrations of Rika would appear in an official game strategy guide.<ref name="IG3">{{cite web |url=https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2023/02/02/143626.html |title=『ポケモンSV』チリちゃんの“アクセサリー資料”に、ユーザー大歓喜！ピアスの数を知るために、本屋を訪ねる夢トレーナー続出 |work=Inside Games |author=Oonappa |date=February 2, 2023 |accessdate=May 1, 2025 |archive-date=March 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240323044745/https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2023/02/02/143626.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Fellow ''Inside Games'' writer Yabata praised both of the character's Japanese voice actors, opining that Rika became more attractive and popular after getting a voice.<ref name="IG6"/>

Rika has received generally positive reception and has been identified as a popular character by ''Inside Games'' writer Sawadee Otsuka, who felt she embodied "gap [[Moe (slang)|moe]]," a term referring to an affection towards someone's personality not matching their look.<ref name="IG2">{{cite web |url=https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2023/03/05/144434.html |title=浴衣姿に屋台で働く様子も…？『ポケモンSV ゼロの秘宝』発表でチリちゃんの“集団幻覚”を見るファン |work=Inside Games |last=Otsuka |first=Sawadee |date=March 5, 2023 |accessdate=May 1, 2025 |archive-date=March 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240323044745/https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2023/03/05/144434.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="IG3"/> He believed Rika was the most popular character from ''Scarlet'' and ''Violet'' at the time, and noted that she received a substantial amount of [[fanart]],<ref name="IG2"/> including by ''[[Hakuoki]]'' character designer Kazuki Yone.<ref name="Nijimen">{{cite web |url=https://www.excite.co.jp/news/article/Nijimen_0000000000436495/ |title=ポケモン界一の“イケ女”チリちゃんをカズキヨネ先生が描く！「イケ…ウーマン過ぎて辛い…」 |work=Nijimen |date=December 20, 2023 |accessdate=May 1, 2025 |archive-date=May 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250502005609/https://www.excite.co.jp/news/article/Nijimen_0000000000436495/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Inside Games'' writer Oonappa stated that the character became a trending topic on [[Twitter]] in February 2023 after it was announced illustrations of Rika would appear in an official game strategy guide.<ref name="IG3">{{cite web |url=https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2023/02/02/143626.html |title=『ポケモンSV』チリちゃんの“アクセサリー資料”に、ユーザー大歓喜！ピアスの数を知るために、本屋を訪ねる夢トレーナー続出 |work=Inside Games |author=Oonappa |date=February 2, 2023 |accessdate=May 1, 2025 |archive-date=March 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240323044745/https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2023/02/02/143626.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Fellow ''Inside Games'' writer Yabata praised both of the character's Japanese voice actors, opining that Rika became more attractive and popular after getting a voice.<ref name="IG6"/>

Rika's design has received praise for being attractive. ''[[Nintendo Dream]]'' staff conducted a poll of readers' favorite characters in ''Pokémon Scarlet'' and ''Violet'', stating that common responses to the poll included surprise over her being a woman and how cool they found her. They also identified her contrasting manners of speech and personalities as strong qualities of the character.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ndw.jp/pokemonranking-sv/ |title=【ニンドリS・V総選挙】『ポケットモンスター スカーレット・バイオレット』キャラクター人気投票、結果発表！ |work=[[Nintendo Dream]] |date=June 21, 2024 |accessdate=May 1, 2025}}</ref> In a survey by ''Numan'' asking who respondents would give chocolate to on [[Valentine's Day]], Rika was among the top results.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.excite.co.jp/news/article/Numan_sXGjO/ |title=堂々１位は『テニプリ』跡部様！バレンタインにチョコを贈りたいキャラ、『ポケモン』チリ『コナン』安室は何位？ |work=Numan |date=February 13, 2023 |accessdate=May 1, 2025}}</ref> ''Den Fami Nico Gamer'' staff praised her design, calling it the best in the world and praising her Poké Ball throw animation in particular. They also expressed appreciation that so much fanart of her depicted her with Clodsire.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.denfaminicogamer.jp/kikakuthetower/221207b/2 |title=『ポケットモンスター スカーレット・バイオレット』のストーリーが今までで一番面白いと思ったので好きなとこ書きまくった【完全ネタバレ】 |work=Den Fami Nico Gamer |date=December 7, 2022 |accessdate=May 1, 2025}}</ref> ''Magmix'' writer Tunakan felt that Rika was a handsome character due to her long legs, long green hair, and outfit, stating that she felt similarly to a male role in a [[Takarazuka Revue]] performance. Tunakun noted that Rika has attracted a large female fanbase, attributing this to her friendliness, Kansai dialect, and personality shift in battles.<ref name="Magmix">{{cite web |url=https://magmix.jp/post/137307 |title=「ポケカ」を高額でも入手したいファン続出！　『ポケモンSV』人気キャラ |work=Magmix |author=Tunakun |date=February 14, 2023 |accessdate=May 1, 2025 |archive-date=February 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250207074429/https://magmix.jp/post/137307 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Inside Games'' writer Hibiki also considered her a handsome character, stating that many Japanese female content creators have shown attraction to Rika and that some players have commented that their "[[Sexual orientation|sexual preferences]] have been destroyed."<ref name="IG">{{cite web |url=https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2022/12/04/142285.html |title=『ポケモンSV』夢女子続出！？四天王の「チリちゃん」に心を奪われたトレーナーたち |work=Inside Games |author=Hibiki |date=December 4, 2022 |accessdate=May 1, 2025 |archive-date=March 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240323044745/https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2022/12/04/142285.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Hibiki fewlt that Rika had too many good qualities to count, including how serious she is when interviewing the protagonist, her easygoing personality, and how she interacts with Poppy.<ref name="IG"/> A writer for ''Nijimen'' opined that Rika was the most attractive female ''Pokémon'' character, remarking that despite Rika being a woman, she still found herself falling for her.<ref name="Nijimen"/>

Rika's design has received praise for being attractive. ''[[Nintendo Dream]]'' staff conducted a poll of readers' favorite characters in ''Pokémon Scarlet'' and ''Violet'', stating that common responses to the poll included surprise over her being a woman and how cool they found her. They also identified her contrasting manners of speech and personalities as strong qualities of the character.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ndw.jp/pokemonranking-sv/ |title=【ニンドリS・V総選挙】『ポケットモンスター スカーレット・バイオレット』キャラクター人気投票、結果発表！ |work=[[Nintendo Dream]] |date=June 21, 2024 |accessdate=May 1, 2025}}</ref> In a survey by the website ''Numan'' asking who respondents would give chocolate to on [[Valentine's Day]], Rika was among the top results.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.excite.co.jp/news/article/Numan_sXGjO/ |title=堂々１位は『テニプリ』跡部様！バレンタインにチョコを贈りたいキャラ、『ポケモン』チリ『コナン』安室は何位？ |work=Numan |date=February 13, 2023 |accessdate=May 1, 2025}}</ref> ''Den Fami Nico Gamer'' staff praised her design, calling it the "best in the world" and praising her Poké Ball throw animation in particular. They also expressed appreciation that so much fanart of her depicted her with Clodsire.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.denfaminicogamer.jp/kikakuthetower/221207b/2 |title=『ポケットモンスター スカーレット・バイオレット』のストーリーが今までで一番面白いと思ったので好きなとこ書きまくった【完全ネタバレ】 |work=Den Fami Nico Gamer |date=December 7, 2022 |accessdate=May 1, 2025}}</ref> ''Magmix'' writer Tunakan felt that Rika was a handsome character due to her long legs, long green hair, and outfit, stating that she felt similarly to a male role in a [[Takarazuka Revue]] performance. Tunakun noted that Rika has attracted a large female fanbase, attributing this to her friendliness, Kansai dialect, and personality shift in battles.<ref name="Magmix">{{cite web |url=https://magmix.jp/post/137307 |title=「ポケカ」を高額でも入手したいファン続出！　『ポケモンSV』人気キャラ |work=Magmix |author=Tunakun |date=February 14, 2023 |accessdate=May 1, 2025 |archive-date=February 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250207074429/https://magmix.jp/post/137307 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Inside Games'' writer Hibiki also considered her a handsome character, stating that many Japanese female content creators have shown attraction to Rika and that some players have commented that their "[[Sexual orientation|sexual preferences]] have been destroyed."<ref name="IG">{{cite web |url=https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2022/12/04/142285.html |title=『ポケモンSV』夢女子続出！？四天王の「チリちゃん」に心を奪われたトレーナーたち |work=Inside Games |author=Hibiki |date=December 4, 2022 |accessdate=May 1, 2025 |archive-date=March 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240323044745/https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2022/12/04/142285.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Hibiki fewlt that Rika had too many good qualities to count, including how serious she is when interviewing the protagonist, her easygoing personality, and how she interacts with Poppy.<ref name="IG"/> A writer for ''Nijimen'' opined that Rika was the most attractive female ''Pokémon'' character, remarking that despite Rika being a woman, she still found herself falling for her.<ref name="Nijimen"/>

It was speculated by Japanese players that Rika may be from Johto, the region of [[Pokémon Gold and Silver|''Pokémon Gold'' and ''Silver'']], due to her Kansai-like dialect being used in Johto, as well as her using Clodsire, a Pokémon evolving from [[Wooper]], which comes from ''Gold'' and ''Silver''. The fact that the dialect was rare in Paldea only furthered this theory for ''Inside Games'' writer Sawadee Otsuka.<ref name="IG4">{{cite web |url=https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2022/12/25/142759.html |title=『ポケモンSV』チリちゃんの出身はジョウト地方？特徴的な方言と“相方”から考察膨らむ |work=Inside Games |last=Otsuka |first=Sawadee |date=December 12, 2022 |accessdate=May 1, 2025 |archive-date=December 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241228132324/https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2022/12/25/142759.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Rika was a popular request by fans to return in ''Scarlet'' and ''Violet'' DLC, including by Otsuka, who bemoaned the fact that she could not be met after beating the game.<ref name="IG5">{{cite web |url=https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2023/01/21/143319.html |title=チリちゃんにまた会いたい！『ポケモンSV』もしDLCが配信されたら期待したいコトは？ |work=Inside Games |last=Otsuka |first=Sawadee |date=January 21, 2023 |accessdate=May 1, 2025}}</ref>

It was speculated by Japanese players that Rika may be from Johto, the region of [[Pokémon Gold and Silver|''Pokémon Gold'' and ''Silver'']], due to her Kansai-like dialect being used in Johto, as well as her using Clodsire, a Pokémon evolving from [[Wooper]], which comes from ''Gold'' and ''Silver''. The fact that the dialect was rare in Paldea only furthered this theory for ''Inside Games'' writer Sawadee Otsuka.<ref name="IG4">{{cite web |url=https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2022/12/25/142759.html |title=『ポケモンSV』チリちゃんの出身はジョウト地方？特徴的な方言と“相方”から考察膨らむ |work=Inside Games |last=Otsuka |first=Sawadee |date=December 12, 2022 |accessdate=May 1, 2025 |archive-date=December 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241228132324/https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2022/12/25/142759.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Rika was a popular request by fans to return in ''Scarlet'' and ''Violet'' DLC, including by Otsuka, who bemoaned the fact that she could not be met after beating the game.<ref name="IG5">{{cite web |url=https://www.inside-games.jp/article/2023/01/21/143319.html |title=チリちゃんにまた会いたい！『ポケモンSV』もしDLCが配信されたら期待したいコトは？ |work=Inside Games |last=Otsuka |first=Sawadee |date=January 21, 2023 |accessdate=May 1, 2025}}</ref>