Cynthia, known in Japan as Shirona (Japanese: シロナ), is a character in the 2006 video games Pokémon Diamond and Pearl.

She is an archeologist traveling across the Sinnoh region researching its mythology and interacting with the player-character at various points, helping battle the villainous Team Galactic.

[5] In the re-release of Diamond and Pearl, titled Pokémon Platinum, she serves a similar role, though she also helps the player traverse the Distortion World and eventually battle Giratina.

[6] Cynthia appears in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver as part of a special event, triggered if a certain Arceus is brought to a location called Sinjoh Ruins.

He attributed to this being how many bases her team covers, feeling that it was the closest one would come to playing against a human player with "game sense and strategy.

"[20] Inside Games writer Sawadee Otsuka attributed the Pokémon Garchomp's popularity in part to being a member of Cynthia's team.

The Gamer writer Stacey Henley praised the battle between Cynthia and Iris in the anime, particularly due to her disguising her Key Stone - an item used to Mega Evolve her Garchomp - as lipstick.

[23] Game Rant writer Levana Jane Chester-Londt speculated that Cynthia could win the World Coronation Series in the Pokémon anime due to her team's power, diversity, and rarity, analyzing her strengths and weaknesses as well as her opponents, particularly Ash and Leon.

[24] Inside Games writer Sawadee Otsuka considered her one of the series' most popular characters, stating that her long hair and black outfit helps give her a more mature feel.

In addition to sexiness, mysterious personality, and the difficulty of her fight as reasons for her charm, Otsuka felt that her frequent appearances helped enhance her popularity.

[29][30] IGN writer Erick Romero discussed Volo's theme, talking about how it is based on Cynthia's, which he praises as incredible.