Pokemon’s Red Has Accomplished Something Few Others Have in the Franchise’s Canon

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Pokemon's Red Has Accomplished Something Few Others Have in the Franchise's Canon

Highlights

  • Red is one of the few Pokemon protagonists to complete a Pokedex, appearing in various titles as a boss Trainer.
  • While Red and Ash are counterparts, Red completed Professor Oak’s Pokedex in the Kanto region.
  • Some fans believe Red didn’t catch all legendary Pokemon, speculating that Mew may be the one creature he never met.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of Pokémon adventures under my belt, I can confidently say that Red, the original protagonist of the Pokémon games, stands out as one of the most accomplished trainers in the Pokémon universe. Completing Professor Oak’s Pokedex in the Kanto region is no small feat, and it’s a testament to his dedication and perseverance.

In the world of Pokémon, Red, the original protagonist who shares his name with one of the versions from Generation 1, is particularly notable. Among all characters in this universe, he is one of the few confirmed to have filled a Pokedex. Red has been present as an NPC (non-player character) across multiple Pokémon series games since his debut as the first protagonist, and continues to be a beloved figure among fans.

Fans who have followed the Pokemon animated series more closely than the games will easily identify Red as Ash, a character widely recognized as the main protagonist of the show, whose storyline concluded after over two decades. Although Red (from the games) and Ash (from the anime) differ in appearance and personality, they are essentially the same character manifested differently. The Pokemon animated series exists independently from both the game and manga series, creating its own unique continuity.

Why Red is a Special Case According to Canon

Beyond his significant part in the original Gen 1 Pokémon games, Red is also recognized as a prominent Trainer figure in numerous later installments. He’s one of the few players known to have completed a Pokédex. The silent protagonist and his achievements have sparked renewed interest within the Pokémon community, although it’s worth noting that Red isn’t the only protagonist to have filled a Pokédex. The main character in Pokémon Legends: Arceus is also acknowledged as having caught them all, with the game’s central plot revolving around meeting every Pokémon on behalf of Arceus itself. A crucial part of the game only unfolds once the player has achieved this feat.

In the Gen 2 video games, dialogue suggests that Red finished Professor Oak’s Pokédex for the Kanto region because his initial research was successful. The player character is praised in these games if they fill much of the new Pokédex by providing data on Pokémon from the neighboring Johto region, implying they’ve surpassed Red’s progress on the first one. However, some fans argue that Red might not have completed the whole Pokédex alone; they believe he may have collaborated with his rival, Blue.

Fans believe that Red was unable to capture Mewtwo or the legendary birds from the Kanto region because they could be encountered in Generation 2 games. However, it’s worth noting that many legendary Pokemon seem to reappear throughout various games, even though there’s no clear explanation for this. The games’ lore suggests that trainers release these powerful creatures back into the wild after spending some time with them. As Mew was not present as a catchable creature in Generation 1 games, many fans assume that it’s the only Pokemon Red never encountered during his journey, which might explain why he chose to travel alone to the summit of Mt. Silver later on.

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2024-08-13 00:53