Griffin Tessly is one of the main human characters from the 2023 reboot of the Bakugan anime series. He is a young teenager from Earth and a close friend of Dan Kouzo and Mia Ono, having been part of their friend group even before the Bakugan arrived on the planet. Griffin has a distinct appearance characterized by a buzzcut of dark brown hair, dark skin, and brown eyes with one slit eyebrow. He wears a white t-shirt under a green and white varsity jacket, dark blue jeans, and a gold chain necklace. His green and white shoes have built-in speakers that he added himself, and he sports white stud earrings in both ears. After the Bakugan arrived, he attached a gold Bakuball pendant to his necklace.

In terms of personality, Griffin is portrayed as a tech fanatic and a self-described geek. He is a superfan of cartoons like Tyranoman and Captain Shadow, often referencing specific episodes during brawls. He has a love for breakdancing and playing loud music. Griffin often acts as a peacekeeper within his friend group, notably stopping Dan and Mia from teasing each other during their first battle and later calming down his own Bakugan partner, Trox, after it arrived on Earth. He possesses a surprisingly keen, almost photographic memory. His motivations center around supporting his friends and becoming a capable brawler himself. Initially, he does not have his own Bakugan, and his primary drive is to be able to participate in brawling alongside Dan and Mia. After brawling is outlawed, he remains determined to continue and helps his friends navigate the new restrictions.

Griffin’s role in the story evolves from a supportive, non-brawling friend to an active member of the main team. He first appeared in the episode Fire In The Sky, where he was seen with his friends during a flashback and in the present day watching Dan battle. In the episode Ready To Rampage, when Dan and Mia go to stop rampaging Bakugan, Griffin acts as their strategist from a distance. He uses technologically advanced binoculars to watch the battle, provides commentary and warnings, and checks on Mia’s safety via phone, showcasing his supportive and tactical nature. His significant turning point comes in the episode Tyrannosaurus Flex. He detects a signal from a new Bakugan using an app on his phone. After the Bakugan, Trox, crash-lands and begins attacking, Griffin is the one who successfully calms it down. This act creates a mystical connection between them, causing Trox to grow into a giant and officially making Griffin a brawler. He later joins Dan and Mia in forming the Misfit Clan, a group of brawlers who do not fit into the other single-species clans.

Griffin’s key relationships include his strong friendships with Dan Kouzo and Mia Ono. He is a loyal and encouraging friend to Dan, cheering him on and warning him to be careful. With Mia, he shares a close bond, often mediating her playful arguments with Dan. He demonstrates the depth of their friendship by inventing and creating the hairclip device that allows Mia to change her appearance at will, helping her hide her brawling activities from her parents. He also has a good relationship with Juno Reyes, with whom he gets along well when discussing scientific topics, despite their contrasting personalities. His partner Bakugan is Trox, a tyrannosaur-based Bakugan with whom he shares a love for comic books. While Trox is initially aggressive, Griffin is able to form a close bond with him. His character development centers on transitioning from a spectator and tech-support friend into a confident and capable brawler in his own right. A key part of his journey is learning the value of his friendships with the Misfit Clan, realizing that they care for him even if they do not share all of his specific interests. One of his most notable abilities is his aforementioned photographic memory, which aids him in recalling information and strategies. His surname, Tessly, is a reference to the famous inventor Nikola Tesla, aligning with his tech-savvy and inventive personality.