Red (game)

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This article is about the original game player character whose name was initially Satoshi. For his anime counterpart named Satoshi in Japan, see Ash Ketchum. For the game paired with Pokémon Green Version, see Pokémon Red and Green Versions. For the game paired with Pokémon Blue Version, see Pokémon Red and Blue Versions.
Red
レッド Red
Lets Go Pikachu Eevee Red.png
Artwork from Let's Go, Pikachu!, Let's Go, Eevee! by Megumi Mizutani[1]
Age 11RGBYFRLG [2]
14GSCHGSS [3]
18+B2W2[4]
20+SMUSUM [5]
Gender Male
Eye color Black*, Brown*, Gray*
Hair color Black*, Brown*
Hometown Pallet Town
Region Kanto
Relatives Mom, unnamed father
Trainer class Pokémon Trainer
player characterRGBYFRLG
Battle LegendSMUSUM
Generation I, II, III, IV, V, VII, VIII, IX
Counterpart(s) Red (Masters)
Games Red, Green, Blue, Yellow, Gold, Silver, Crystal, FireRed, LeafGreen, HeartGold, SoulSilver, Black 2, White 2, Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, Ultra Moon, Let's Go, Pikachu!, Let's Go, Eevee!
Stadium 2, Colosseum, Pokémon XD, Masters EX
English voice actor Brandon Winckler[6] (Masters EX)
Japanese voice actor Shouta Aoi (Masters EX)
Member of Indigo League
Rank Champion
Anime series Pokémon the Series, Pokémon Origins, Pokémon Generations, POKÉTOON, Pokémon Evolutions
Debut Pokémon - I Choose You! (Pokémon the Series)
File 1: Red (Pokémon Origins)
The Adventure (Pokémon Generations)
The Pancham Who Wants to Be a Hero (POKÉTOON)
The Discovery (Pokémon Evolutions)
Counterpart(s) Ash Ketchum, Red (Origins)
English voice actor Veronica Taylor (EP001-AG145), Sarah Natochenny (AG146-JN147, MoMP re-dub), Jamie Peacock (MoMP original dub) (Pokémon the Series)
Bryce Papenbrook (Pokémon Origins)
Japanese voice actor Rica Matsumoto (Pokémon the Series)
Junko Takeuchi (Pokémon Origins)
Manga series Pokémon Adventures, Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure, Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All, Pokémon Pocket Monsters series, Pokémon Zensho
Counterpart(s) Red (Adventures), Shu, Red (Pocket Monsters), Red (Ruby-Sapphire), Satoshi (Zensho)
Debut A Glimpse of the Glow (Adventures)
The True Road to Becoming the Strongest!! (JBA)
Shu and Pikachu's Debut! (GCEM)
Introducing the Pokémon Clefairy!! (PPM)
A Formidable Rival! (PRS)
Prologue: Masara Town (Zensho)

Red (Japanese: レッド Red) is the player character in the Generation I games Pokémon Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow and the male choice in their Generation III remakes Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, where his female counterpart is Leaf.

Red is known throughout the Pokémon world as the Champion from Pallet Town, as well as a living legend for his defeat of Team Rocket in Kanto during his quest. He is the final opponent in the Generation II games Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, their Generation IV remakes Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, and Pokémon Stadium 2. He is a participant in the Pokémon World Tournament's Champions Tournament in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 and works as a boss of the Battle Tree alongside Blue in the Generation VII games Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon. In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, he appears as the highest-level Trainer in the game, capable of being challenged after defeating six Master Trainers.

Terminology

Red named イエロー (Yellow) in the manual of Pokémon Yellow
Red named グリーン (Green) on a playing card from the Pokémon Green deck released in Japan
Red named サトシ (Satoshi) by Game Freak
Red and Blue called "Ash" and "Gary" in the Nintendo Power guide

While he had various names in Generation I, from Generation II onwards he is referred to as Red (Japanese: レッド Red) in several core series games where he appears as a non-player character, in Pokémon Stadium 2, and he is known by the same name in Pokémon Masters EX. He is also known by this name in the game data of Pokémon FireRed, LeafGreen, and Emerald, but this is not seen in normal gameplay. He was named after the Generation I game Pokémon Red.

In the player's story as seen in the Japanese game manuals from Generation I, the player name refers to the name of the current game: レッドR, グリーンG, ブルーB, or イエローY (Red, Green, Blue, or Yellow). However, this was adapted as "you" instead in the English version. For instance:

  • In the Japanese manuals of the Generation I games:
    レッド(主人公(しゅじんこう))は11(さい)」 (Red (player character) is 11 years old.)R
    グリーン(主人公(しゅじんこう))は11(さい)」 (Green (player character) is 11 years old.)G
    ブルー(主人公(しゅじんこう))は11(さい)」 (Blue (player character) is 11 years old.)B
    イエロー(主人公(しゅじんこう))は11(さい)」 (Yellow (player character) is 11 years old.)Y
  • In the English manuals (except his age is not mentioned in Pokémon Yellow's English manual):
    "You are an 11-old boy [...]"RB

In the Japanese playing cards, he is named レッド (Red) in the Pokémon Red deck and グリーン (Green) in the Pokémon Green deck. The text 主人公(しゅじんこう) (player character) also appears on his card from both the Red and Green decks. However, in the Pokémon Blue and Yellow decks released later, he is unnamed and simply referred to with this Japanese text meaning "player character".

In some game screenshots from the English manuals, the male player character is named BlueRB, AshY, RedFR, or GreenLG (while the female player character is named FireFR or LeafLG).

He was also named Ash (Japanese: サトシ Satoshi) in some early official media, sharing the name of his anime counterpart. This is also found in the list of default names. The Japanese version is also the name of the creator of the franchise and one of Red's default names.

  • In the Official Fan Book of Pocket Monsters (Japanese: ポケットモンスター公式ファンブック) from 1997, the player is named サトシ (Satoshi) according to Game Freak, in which his appearance (as well as Professor Oak and Giovanni) in the then-upcoming Pokémon Gold and Silver games was teased.[7] This may indicate that this name was originally considered for this game character.
  • In Pokémon: Official Nintendo Player's Guide (Nintendo Power, 1998), the player is named Ash (while the rival is named Gary at this point).
  • In Pokémon Gold and Silver: Official Nintendo Player's Guide (Nintendo Power, 2000), he is usually named Red in several sections explaining the story and mechanics of the games, except he is also named Ash at some point. In Pokémon Crystal: Official Nintendo Player's Guide (Nintendo Power, 2001), some content was reused but the name "Ash" was edited out:
    "Pokémon Gold & Silver also feature the world of Kanto, which Ash explored in Pokémon Red, Blue and Yellow." (Pokémon Gold and Silver guidebook, page 4)
    "Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal also feature the world of Kanto, which originally appeared in Pokémon Red, Blue and Yellow." (Pokémon Crystal guidebook, page 4)

In the Super Smash Bros. series, the male version of the character known only as "Pokémon Trainer" is based on Red.

He is also known by some other placeholder names, which are stored in the game data but not available in normal gameplay: NintenRBY (Japanese: やまぐち YamaguchiRG; ゲーフリ GēfuriB; ゲーフリ1 Gēfuri1Y). At least in Generation I, there are some hidden game mechanics that would display this name, therefore it should become visible if some RAM addresses were changed.[8]

  • The English "Ninten" is short for Nintendo, while the rival's placeholder name is "Sony" in those games. This references the fact that in the years surrounding the releases of the Generation I games, Sony was Nintendo's main competition. Ninten is also the default name of the main protagonist of Mother, a game developed by Creatures, Inc..
  • The Japanese やまぐち (Yamaguchi) refers to Wataru Yamaguchi, an art director that worked on the original games.
  • The Japanese ゲーフリ (Gēfuri) and ゲーフリ1 (Gēfuri1) refer to Game Freak (Japanese: ゲームフリーク Gēmu Furīku).

In some screenshots of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen on the Japanese website pokemon.co.jp, the player is named オサム (Osamu).[9]

In the Spanish version of FireRed, LeafGreen, and Emerald, his placeholder name has the syllables reversed: he is known as "Joro" instead of "Rojo" (while his female counterpart is known as "Jaho" instead of "Hoja").

In the core series games

201
Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.
201

Red is introduced as a curious 11-year-old boy from Pallet Town. According to the instruction manuals of Red, Green, and Blue, Red gained an interest in Pokémon after his best friend, Blue, stopped playing with him and became a bully, although in the games Professor Oak says the two have been rivals since infancy. His adventure begins one day when Professor Oak calls the two to his lab for a first partner Pokémon. Red has a choice of a Bulbasaur, Charmander, or SquirtleGRBFRLG. Depending on the Pokémon that Red chooses, Blue will choose the Pokémon that has a type advantage over itGRBFRLG. In Pokémon Yellow, Red was originally intended to get an Eevee, which was swiped by Blue. As a result, Blue keeps the Eevee and Red receives a Pikachu that Professor Oak caught earlierY. Blue challenges Red to a battle immediately to test out his new Pokémon, thinking he will easily beat Red.

After Red has made his way to Viridian City to the north and taken a package back to Oak in Pallet Town, Oak gives Red and Blue each a Pokédex with which to record data on all known Pokémon in the Kanto region to fulfill Oak's dream of creating a full guide on all Pokémon in Kanto. From here, Red and Blue journey across Kanto, collecting Pokémon to build up their teams, and defeating each of the Gym Leaders in turn, with Blue always one step ahead, showing up from time to time to impede Red's progress.

Red also comes across a gang of Pokémon thieves, Team Rocket, several times through his journey. He first encounters them trying to steal fossils within Mt. Moon. Then he encounters a member who is running the Nugget Bridge challenge to recruit for the organization on Route 24; and another lone member who has stolen a TM from a family in Cerulean City. Eventually, Red uncovers a plot by Team Rocket, infiltrating their hideout beneath the Celadon Game Corner and encountering their boss, Giovanni. Defeating him and ousting Team Rocket from Celadon, Red uses the Silph Scope that Giovanni leaves behind to battle Ghost-type Pokémon and save Mr. Fuji in the Pokémon Tower in Lavender Town, who is being held hostage by Team Rocket. Red soon journeys into Saffron City in the heart of Kanto to find it overrun by Team Rocket, who is attempting to take the recently invented Master Ball from the Silph Co. President, and defeats Giovanni again, ending the group's plots for the time being.

With seven Badges in hand, Red encounters Giovanni for the final time—this time as the Leader of the Viridian Gym, his final obstacle before the Elite Four of Indigo Plateau. Red defeats him in battle, earning his eighth and final Badge—the Earth Badge. He disbands Team Rocket, promising to go into solo training to become a better Trainer.

Making it through Victory Road and finally to Indigo Plateau, Red challenges the Indigo League. First, he defeats the Elite Four and discovers, to his surprise, that Blue has defeated them before him and is therefore the Champion of Kanto. Red defeats Blue in the final battle, becoming the Champion himself, but then continues his training, rather than staying at Indigo Plateau. Encountering an offshoot of Team Rocket in the southern Sevii Islands, lead by Executive Archer, Red reveals with his Earth Badge that Giovanni has disbanded the organization, and, though defeated, the group there intends to revive Team Rocket and bring Giovanni back, having already made plans to force Pokémon to evolve with radio waves.

Red continues as a wandering Trainer, eventually making his way to Mt. Silver Cave, where he trains his Pokémon alone. In the process, he becomes so distant from the people close to him that he does not even talk to his mom via phone anymore.

Eventually, Ethan, Kris, or Lyra arrives at Mt. Silver Cave and challenges Red, identified only as a Pokémon Trainer. If defeated, Red vanishes from Mt. Silver, and returns every time the Elite Four is defeated again by the player of Gold, Silver, Crystal, HeartGold, or SoulSilver.

Some time later, Red has been shown to finally come back into public life, as he enters the Champions Tournament of the Pokémon World Tournament in the Unova region. In Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon, a visibly older Red is invited to work as the boss of Alola's Battle Tree along with Blue. When Elio or Selene first visits the Battle Tree, they will encounter Red and Blue and battle one of them. After RedSMUSUM or BlueUSUM is defeated at the Battle Tree proper, Red will reward the player with a full set of Kanto first partner Pokémon Mega Stones.

Red makes an appearance in Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!. In this continuity, he and Blue completed their journeys and defeated the Elite Four years before the player character started their journey. If the player has defeated at least six Master Trainers and has six Pokémon in their party, Red can be found in front of the Pokémon League building at Indigo Plateau, where he may be challenged to a battle. Like during all Master Trainer battles, the player isn't allowed to use items from their Bag during this battle. After being defeated, Red will grant the player the title of Battle Master before leaving, though he will reappear for a rematch each time the player defeats the Elite Four.

Pokémon

As the player character, Red can have on his team any of the 151 Pokémon available during Generation I. In Generation III, he can have any of the 386 Pokémon available at that time, though only after the player has obtained the National Pokédex.

When he is encountered as an opponent in Generation II and Generation IV, Red has a set team, based on Generation I in-game event Pokémon, and has the highest leveled trained Pokémon yet encountered in the series, with his Pikachu at level 81 in Generation II and at level 88 in Generation IV. In HeartGold and SoulSilver, when he is defeated, all Pokémon in the player's party receive the Legend Ribbon.

In Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, he can be fought in the Pokémon World Tournament's Champions Tournament, using the same team he did in Generation IV, albeit with different movesets.

In Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon, Red once again uses his team from Generation IV, just with altered movesets. When battled in the Battle Tree proper, Red will use a randomly selected team from a preset selection of Pokémon.

In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, Red's team has notable differences to his previous core series teams, including Pokémon that he's never used in any of his previous NPC appearances.

Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal

Red uses two Full Restores.



Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver

Red uses four Full Restores.



Pokémon Black 2 and White 2

Red uses three of these Pokémon in Single Battles, four in Double and Rotation Battles, and all six in Triple Battles.



Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon

First possible battle
Pokémon Sun and Moon



Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon



Battle Tree

Red uses three of these Pokémon in Single Battles and two in Multi Battles.

Single Battle (on 20th consecutive battle)



Super Single Battle (on 50th consecutive battle)



Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!



In the side series games

Pokémon Stadium 2

Red appears in Pokémon Stadium 2. He can be battled in the Kanto Gym Leader Castle after the player has defeated all eight Kanto Gym Leaders, being the final opponent the player must defeat in order to clear the Gym Leader Castle challenge.

During the game's end credits, he is seen having a battle with Blue.

Pokémon

Red uses vastly different sets of Pokémon than in any of his other appearances, only sharing a couple Pokémon with the teams he uses in the core series. Notably, this is the only game where he's not seen using his Pikachu. In Round 2, each of his Pokémon knows Hidden Power.

Round 1



Round 2



Pokémon Colosseum and XD: Gale of Darkness

Red makes an appearance in both Pokémon Colosseum and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness. While he does not appear in the games' Story Mode, he is playable in the Battle Mode when a FireRed or LeafGreen cartridge is used, with a male player character chosen. He can take on Mt. Battle's 100-battle challenge, as well as compete in Colosseum battles.

Pokémon Battle Revolution

Red made a brief appearance in the debut trailer of Pokémon Battle Revolution, having a Double Battle against Leaf, using a Deoxys in its Attack Forme and a Wailord. Despite this, he didn't appear in the final cut of the game.

In the spin-off games

Super Smash Bros. series

Red in Super Smash Bros. Brawl with his Pokémon

Pokémon Trainer

Main article: Pokémon Trainer (Super Smash Bros.)

Red is known as the "Pokémon Trainer" in the Super Smash Bros. series. He has a team consisting of Squirtle, Ivysaur, and Charizard. Rather than fighting himself like most other characters, Red sends his three Pokémon into battle, switching between them in order.

Red debuted as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Brawl. He was absent from Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U, the only game in the series where his Charizard is available as an individual fighter. Red returned as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and additionally Leaf debuted as part of his palette swaps, sharing the same title of "Pokémon Trainer". Red is voiced by Michele Knotz and Billy Bob Thompson in the English versions of Brawl and Ultimate respectively, and 半場友恵 Tomoe Hanba in the Japanese versions.

Other references

Pokémon GO

Main article: Style (GO)

For Pokémon Day 2018, Red's outfit from Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen was released as free style option in Pokémon GO.

Pokémon Masters EX

Main article: Red (Masters)

Red, who is based on the player character, forms a sync pair with Charizard, Snorlax, Pikachu, Articuno, and Venusaur in Pokémon Masters EX. His Charizard is capable of Mega Evolving into Mega Charizard X, while his Snorlax and Pikachu are both capable of Gigantamaxing, and his Venusaur is capable of Dynamaxing. Red became a playable sync pair on February 28, 2020.

In this game, Red is indirectly responsible for the creation of the Pokémon Masters League, as him defeating Lear before the events of the game was what inspired Lear to create Pasio and the PML in order to get another chance at beating him. Red first appeared as an NPC during the second chapter of PML Arc. He also made notable appearances later in the PML Arc, and the Villain Arc. Unlike in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, both Red and Leaf coexist in this game.

Sync Dex Trainer NDex Pokémon Type Weakness Role Base Potential Availability
#084 VSRed Sygna Masters.png Sygna Suit
Red
#0006 MastersIcon0006MX.png Charizard
Bag Charizardite X Sprite.png Mega Charizard X
Fire
FireIC Masters.png
Rock
RockIC Masters.png
Masters Special Strike.png ★★★★★☆EX Ticket Scout (after Victory Road)
Poké Fair Sync Pair Scout
#084 VSRed Masters.png Red #0143 MastersIcon0143.png Snorlax Dynamax icon.png
Gigantamax
Normal
NormalIC Masters.png
Fighting
FightingIC Masters.png
Masters Support.png ★★★★★☆EX Poké Fair Sync Pair Scout
#084 VSRed Sygna Thunderbolt Masters.png Sygna Suit (Thunderbolt)
Red
#0025 MastersIcon0025.png Pikachu Master Sync Pair Mark Masters.png Dynamax icon.png Buddy Move Icon Masters.png
Gigantamax
Electric
ElectricIC Masters.png
Ground
GroundIC Masters.png
Masters Tech.png ★★★★★☆EX Master Fair Sync Pair Scout
#084 VSRed Champion Masters.png Champion
Red
#0144 MastersIcon0144.png Articuno Master Sync Pair Mark Masters.png Buddy Move Icon Masters.png
Ice
IceIC Masters.png
Rock
RockIC Masters.png
Masters Special Strike.png ★★★★★☆EX Master Fair Sync Pair Scout
#084 VSRed Masters.png Red #0003 MastersIcon0003.png Venusaur Dynamax icon.png Buddy Move Icon Masters.png
Grass
GrassIC Masters.png
Fire
FireIC Masters.png
Masters Field.png ★★★★★☆EX Mix Sync Pair Scout

Quotes

Main article: Red (game)/Quotes

Optional names

When starting a new game of Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, if the player leaves the name writing screen without any written name, or with a name composed entirely of empty spaces, Professor Oak says, "Right... So your name is <optional name>", suggesting one of the 19 available names; there are 24 names in total, but there are 5 exclusive to FireRed and 5 exclusive to LeafGreen. The player may answer "Yes" to accept the suggested name, or "No" to return to the name writing screen.

Game Japanese English French German Italian Spanish
Red レッド Red
サトシ Satoshi
ジャック Jack
RED
ASH
JACK
RED
SACHA
PAUL
ROT
ASH
JACK
ROSSO
ASH
GIGI
ROJO
ASH
JAIME
Green (Japan)
Blue (international)
グリーン Green
シゲル Shigeru
ジョン John
BLUE
GARY
JOHN
BLUE
REGIS
JEAN
BLAU
GARY
JOHN
BLU
GARY
PIPPO
AZUL
GARY
JUAN
Blue (Japan) ブルー Blue
ツネカズ Tsunekaz
ジャン Jean
Yellow イエロー Yellow
サトシ Satoshi
ジャック Jack
YELLOW
ASH
JACK
YELLOW
SACHA
PAUL
GELB
ASH
JACK
GIALLO
ASH
GIGI
GUALDO
ASH
JAIME
FireRed
LeafGreen
レッド RedFR
グリーン GreenLG
ファイア FireFR
リーフ LeafLG
サトシ SatoshiFR
ケン KenFR
シゲキ ShigekiFR
シゲル ShigeruLG
ツネカズ TsunekazLG
サトル SatoruLG
ジャック Jack
ジャン Jean
ジョン John
カモン Kamon
タカシ Takashi
テツオ Tetsuo
トオル Tōru
ヒロキ Hiroki
マサオ Masao
タカオ Takao
タケヒロ Takehiro
ケイ Kei
ヒトシ Hitoshi
ヒロアキ Hiroaki
REDFR
GREENLG
FIREFR
LEAFLG
ASHFR
KENEFR
GEKIFR
GARYLG
KAZLG
TORULG
JAK
JANNE
JONN
KAMON
KARL
TAYLOR
OSCAR
HIRO
MAX
JON
RALPH
KAY
TOSH
ROAK
REDFR
GREENLG
FIREFR
LEAFLG
DANNYFR
GURVANFR
GONTRANFR
YANLG
MAELLG
DAVYLG
POLO
ZACK
MARIO
LORIS
MAX
DAMIEN
TOM
GREG
KAMEL
FRANCK
RALPH
AYRTON
TOSH
VINCE
ROTFR
GRÜNLG
FEUERFR
BLATTLG
SVENFR
GERDFR
HANSFR
GARYLG
HUGOLG
MICHAELLG
JACK
JAN
JOHN
DANIEL
HELGE
ULI
TOBI
UDO
BERT
JON
RALF
UWE
CHRIS
ROLF
ROSSOFR
VERDELG
REDFR
GREENLG
ASHFR
DIMITRIFR
ATTILIOFR
GARYLG
DAMIANOLG
FABIOLG
MATTIA
SILVANO
LUCIO
KAMON
KARL
GABRY
OSCAR
DINO
DANIEL
MANUELE
RALPH
IVANO
PAOLO
ENZO
JOROFR
VERTELG
GUEFOFR
JAHOLG
FURIOFR
LLAMÍNFR
CANDELFR
BOSCOLG
FLORENLG
SILVIOLG
JUNO
JUAN
JUANMA
ÁLVARO
RAL
MARINO
TOILO
NER
MAX
MOREL
RAFA
VER
LERIO
RODI


In the TCG

This listing is of cards mentioning or featuring Red or his Pokémon in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Red's Pokémon
Cards listed with a blue background are only legal to use in the current Expanded format.
Cards listed with a silver background are legal to use in both the current Standard and Expanded formats.
Card Type English
Expansion
Rarity # Japanese
Expansion
Rarity #
Red's Pikachu Lightning       SM-P Promotional cards   270/SM-P
Pikachu Lightning Cosmic Eclipse Rare Secret 241/236 Dream League CHR 054/049
PikachuV Lightning Lost Origin TGV TG16/TG30 VMAX Climax CSR 222/184
PikachuVMAX Lightning Lost Origin TGV TG17/TG30 VMAX Climax CSR 223/184
Other related cards
Card Type English
Expansion
Rarity # Japanese
Expansion
Rarity #
Red's Challenge Su Unbroken Bonds Rare Holo 184/214 Double Blaze R 088/095
Unbroken Bonds Rare Ultra 213/214 Double Blaze SR 107/095
      SM-P Promotional cards   370/SM-P
      Tag All Stars   159/173
      Tag All Stars SR 201/173
Red & Blue Su Cosmic Eclipse Uncommon 202/236 Alter Genesis U 090/095
Cosmic Eclipse Rare Ultra 234/236 Alter Genesis SR 108/095
 


In the TFG

There are three Trainer figures based on Red with his design from Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, except with different names and colors.

The Red figure is part of the single released set, Next Quest. The other two sets were not released, so the Green and Yellow figures were not released either.

Counterparts

In the anime

Main series

Main article: Ash Ketchum
Main article: Ash Ketchum (M20)
Ash Ketchum, Red's anime counterpart

Red's loose anime counterpart, introduced in the first episode, is the anime's main character, Ash Ketchum. Like Red, Ash is from Pallet Town, on a journey to become a Pokémon Master. Unlike Red, Ash's journey did not end with Kanto, and Ash continued through every other region introduced in the core series games until Galar, as well as the Orange Archipelago south of Kanto, taking the place of the player characters of Generation II during Johto and Generation V during Unova, and being joined by the anime counterparts of May, Dawn, and Serena during the Hoenn, Sinnoh, and Kalos sagas respectively. Instead of starting with one of the standard three Kanto first partner Pokémon, however, Ash began his journey with a Pikachu, inspiring Pokémon Yellow's creation, as well as causing some to consider Red and Ash to be exactly the same person, most especially due to Red owning one as well.

Red has another anime counterpart, an alternate Ash Ketchum, who appeared in I Choose You!, The Power of Us, and Secrets of the Jungle; these movies are set in a timeline separate from the main series. This Ash shares the same basic characteristics as the main Ash, but goes on a different journey compared to the main series.

Pokémon Origins

Main article: Red (Origins)

Red also had a direct counterpart that appeared as the main character of the Pokémon Origins mini-series, which takes place in a separate continuity. This counterpart shared Red's name, in-game role, and design from FireRed and LeafGreen. The mini-series follows Red as he challenges the Indigo League and fights Team Rocket with his first partner Pokémon, Charmander.

Pokémon Generations

Another direct counterpart of Red appeared in Pokémon Generations. He first appeared in The Adventure, where he caught a Pikachu in Viridian Forest. He then went on to experience various other adventures with his Pikachu across other regions, during which he encountered various wild and Legendary Pokémon.

Red briefly reappeared at the end of The Challenger, having just defeated the Elite Four at Indigo Plateau, and preparing to challenge Blue for the title of the Champion.

Like the core series games, Red is not heard speaking during his appearances.

Pokémon
Red's Bulbasaur
Bulbasaur
Red was shown to own a Bulbasaur. While in Viridian Forest, he sent it out to battle a wild Pikachu, which he successfully caught.

None of Bulbasaur's moves are known.

Debut The Adventure
Red's Pikachu
Pikachu
Main article: Red's Pikachu (game)

Pikachu is one of Red's Pokémon and has been used by him in many of his battles.

Red encountered Pikachu while in Viridian Forest. He sent out his Bulbasaur against it, but caught it in a Poké Ball without battling. After catching it, Red immediately let it out its Poké Ball and had it battle a Caterpie.

Pikachu continued to travel with its Trainer throughout Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, and Kalos, battling against Pokémon such as Wooper, Vigoroth, Probopass, Regigigas, Volcarona, and Noivern.

Debut The Adventure
Voice actors
Japanese Fumiko Orikasa
English Fumiko Orikasa
  • When Red caught Pikachu, he was revealed to have already obtained at least two other Pokémon besides Bulbasaur.
Achievements
Badges obtained

This listing is of the Badges Red has obtained in the Kanto region:

POKÉTOON

Red in POKÉTOON

Red appeared in The Pancham Who Wants to Be a Hero. He was the Trainer of an Arcanine that became the hero of a wild Pancham ever since it stopped an Impidimp from stealing Pancham's Berry.

Pokémon
Red's Arcanine
Arcanine
Arcanine is Red's only known Pokémon. It is said that Arcanine trained near a waterfall and became so powerful to the point of being able to split the waterfall in half with a single Fire-type move.

Arcanine's only known move is Flamethrower.

Debut The Pancham Who Wants to Be a Hero

Pokémon Evolutions

Red briefly appeared in The Discovery, standing on Indigo Plateau.

Pokémon
Red's Charizard
Charizard
Main article: Red's Charizard

Charizard is Red's only known Pokémon.

Debut The Discovery

GOTCHA!

Red briefly appeared in GOTCHA!, using his Charizard, Blastoise, and Lapras.

In the manga

Red, like most player characters, also has several counterparts in various Pokémon manga series.

Pokémon Adventures

Main article: Red (Adventures)

Red appears in Pokémon Adventures, and also appeared in a fantasy in Pokémon Ranger the Comic: Double Mission.

Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys

Red was briefly mentioned in Falkner The Bird Keeper's Challenge!! by Professor Oak, who said that Gold looks similar to him. However, due to the manga ending soon after Gold reaches Cianwood City, Red was never physically seen.

Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure

Red in Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure

Red first appeared as a silhouette in JBA5. He then physically debuted in JBA6. He was first mentioned by Blue after 's battle with the Viridian Gym Leader. Jō later encountered Red when he reached the top of Mt. Silver, ready to battle him.

Pokémon
Red Pikachu JBA.png
Pikachu

The Electric Tale of Pikachu

Main article: Ash Ketchum (EToP)

Red's anime counterpart, Ash Ketchum, appears in The Electric Tale of Pikachu.

Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All

Main article: Shu

Shu from Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All is based on Red.

Pokémon Pocket Monsters

Main article: Red (Pocket Monsters)

Red shares his game counterpart's name and appearance in Pokémon Pocket Monsters.

There is also a character in Pokémon Ruby-Sapphire named Red who is a rival of Red and is much stronger than him. This character is based on Red's appearance in Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen.

Pokémon Zensho

Main article: Satoshi (Zensho)

Satoshi from Pokémon Zensho is based on Red.

Gallery

Artwork

Early Lapras sketch.png Early Red and Rhydon sketch.jpg Mart Sketch.jpg Red Green Red.png
From Capsule Monsters by Ken Sugimori From
Red & Green
Pokémon Craft DX cover.png Red on bike.png Red on computer.png S2 Red artwork.png
Pokémon Craft DX1 Charizard Set
Cover
From Red & Blue From Stadium 2
FireRed LeafGreen Red.png Sun Moon Red.png Red Concept Art.png Red LGPE concept art.png
From FireRed & LeafGreen From Sun & Moon Concept art from Sun & Moon Concept art from Let's Go, Pikachu & Eevee!
HM Cut artwork.png HM Flash artwork.png Sugimori1996.png RGB guidebook.jpg
Artwork showcasing Cut and Flash from the Pokémon Daisuki Club Early artwork with
Blue, Charizard, and Pikachu
Red & Green
guidebook cover
Bandai Jumbo1 Back.jpg Bandai Jumbo2 Back.jpg Bandai Jumbo5 Peeled.jpg Bandai Jumbo4 Peeled.jpg
Artwork from the Pocket Monsters Carddass Trading Cards
Kotobukiya ArtFX J Figure Red Pikachu.png Sugimori Red and Pikachu.png Kotobukiya ArtFX J Figure Red Charmander.png Game Freak Red.jpg
Red and Pikachu artwork for
Kotobukiya ArtFx J figurines by Hitoshi Ariga
Red and Pikachu artwork for
Kotobukiya ArtFx J figurines by Ken Sugimori
Red and Charmander artwork for
Kotobukiya ArtFx J figurines by Hitoshi Ariga
From the GAME FREAK website
Pokémon 16th Anniversary Artwork.png Pokémon Day 2022 Kanto Artwork.png RedsChallenge TOKIYA.jpg Naoki Saito Red & Charizard Pokemon Trainers Merch.jpg
20th Anniversary artwork from
Pokémon Center Online by Emi Ando[10]
Pokémon Day 2022 artwork by Megumi Mizutani[11] Uncropped art of the Red's Challenge
Full Art card from Tag All Stars by TOKIYA
Pokémon Trainers merch line artwork by Naoki Saito

Sprites and models

In the core series

Spr RG Red 1.png Spr RG Red 2.png Spr RB Red 2.png Spr Y Red.png Spr GS Red.png Spr FRLG Red.png FRLG Red Intro Translation Documents.png FRLG Red Intro.png Red FRLG Credits.png
Sprite from
Red, Green,
and Blue
Title screen sprite
from Red and Green
Title screen sprite from
Red, Blue, and Blue (JP)
Sprite from
Yellow
Sprite from
Generation II
Sprite from
FireRed, LeafGreen,
and Emerald
Early intro sprite from
FireRed and LeafGreen
Intro sprite from
FireRed and LeafGreen
Credits sprite from
FireRed and LeafGreen
RedRGBwalkdown.png RGB Red Back.png Y Red Back.png Red II OD.png FRLG Red Back.png E Red Back.png Red FRLG OD.png Red E OD.png
Overworld sprite from
Generation I
Backsprite from Red, Green, and Blue Backsprite from
Yellow
Overworld sprite from
Generation II
Backsprite from
FireRed and LeafGreen
Backsprite from
Emerald
Overworld sprite from
FireRed and LeafGreen
Overworld sprite from
Emerald
Spr HGSS Red.png Spr B2W2 Red.png VSRed.png Spr SM Red.png VSRed PE.png
Sprite from
HeartGold and SoulSilver
Sprite from
Black 2 and
White 2
VS sprite from
Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun,
and Ultra Moon
High-poly model from
Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon
VS model from
Let's Go, Pikachu! and
Let's Go, Eevee!
Red IV OD.png Red OD.png Red SM OD.png
Overworld sprite from
HeartGold and SoulSilver
Overworld sprite from
Black 2 and
White 2
Overworld model from
Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon

In other games

S2 Pokémon Trainer Red.png Colo Red.png XD Red.png
Portrait from
Stadium 2
VS sprite from
Colosseum
VS sprite from
XD: Gale of Darkness

Trivia

Names

Language Name Origin
Japanese レッド Red From Pokémon Red
English, French,
Brazilian Portuguese
Red From Pokémon Red
German Rot From Pokémon Rote Edition (Pokémon Red)
Spanish Rojo From Pokémon Edición Roja (Pokémon Red)
Italian Rosso From Pokémon Versione Rossa (Pokémon Red)
Korean 레드 Red Transcription of his Japanese name
Chinese (Mandarin) 赤紅 / 赤红 Chìhóng From 赤 chì / chek (red) and 紅 / 红 hóng / hùhng (red)
Chinese (Cantonese) 赤紅 Chekhùhng
Thai เรด Ret Transcription of his Japanese name


Placeholder names

Pokémon Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow

Language Name Origin
Japanese やまぐち YamaguchiRG From Wataru Yamaguchi, an art director that worked on the original games
ゲーフリ GēfuriB From Game Freak
ゲーフリ1 Gēfuri1Y From Game Freak
English, French, German,
Italian, Spanish
Ninten From Nintendo


Pokémon FireRed, LeafGeen, and Emerald

Language Name Origin
Japanese レッド Red From Pokémon Red
English, French Red From Pokémon Red
German Rot From Pokémon Rote Edition (Pokémon Red)
Italian Rosso From Pokémon Versione Rossa (Pokémon Red)
Spanish Joro From rojo (red) with the syllables reversed, from Pokémon Edición Roja (Pokémon Red)


References

  1. Red's Challenge (Unbroken Bonds 184)
  2. Pokémon Blue Version manual, page 2: "You are an 11 year-old boy living in Pallet Town with your mother." (Emphasis added.)
  3. Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal take place 3 years after the Generation I core series games
  4. Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 take place 2 years after Pokémon Black and White, but an unspecified amount of time after the Generation II/IV core series games.
  5. Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon take place 2 years after Pokémon Black 2 and White 2.
  6. Brandon Winckler on Facebook
  7. ボツポケモン応援隊 (archived copy)
  8. Intresting and funny in Pokemon Red Acmlmboard
  9. ポケットモンスター ファイアレッド・リーフグリーン - Pokémon.co.jp
  10. https://youtu.be/P4wtIPuBrYI?t=108
  11. https://web.archive.org/web/20230219005012/https://twitter.com/megtany/status/1497836624121450502
  12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5F1hpXj3f-Q



Player characters
Core series RedLeafEthanKrisLyraBrendanMayLucasDawn
HilbertHildaNateRosaCalemSerenaElioSelene
ChaseElaineVictorGloriaReiAkariFlorianJuliana
Side series WesMichaelNateCyndy
Spin-off games MarkMintTodd SnapLucy Fleetfoot
LunickSolanaKellynKateBenSummer
HeroHeroineTim GoodmanScottieBettie


Non-player characters in the core series games
Kanto Professor OakMom (Kanto)Mom (LGPE)RedBlueGreenTraceDaisyOld manBillCelioMr. FujiSafari Zone WardenCopycatPrimoKoichi
Pokémon Fan Club ChairmanErik and SaraLostelleTealaSelphyCalSteven StoneMayleneMinaCameronMr. GameMorimoto
Team RocketGym guideGym LeadersElite FourProfessors' aidesMagikarp salesmanName RaterDay-Care PersonMr. Hyper
Johto Professor ElmProfessor OakMomEthanLyraSilverMr. PokémonEusineLanceRedKiyoBaobaMagnusEarlKurtCarrieDude
MaryBuenaRadio DirectorHaircut brothersWebsterMasterLiWilmaPrimoMaximoJetCaitlinCynthiaCameronMr. GameFelicityTeala
Team RocketGym guideGym LeadersFrontier BrainsKimono GirlsWeek SiblingsName RaterPoké SeerDay-Care CoupleProfessors' aides
Alola Professor KukuiMomLillieNebbyHauRotomProfessor BurnetMolayneSamson OakRyukiMohn
RedBlueWallyCynthiaGrimsleyColressSinaDexioLookerAnabelNecrozmaMorimotoIwao
Team SkullAether FoundationUltra Recon SquadTeam Rainbow Rocket
Trial CaptainsIsland kahunasElite FourName RaterJudgeMr. HyperGester


Pokémon Champions
Core series BlueLanceRedStevenWallaceCynthiaAlderIrisDianthaTraceLeonMustardPeonyNemonaGeetaKieranDraytonMost player characters
Masters EX BlueLanceRedStevenCynthiaAlderIrisDianthaLeonScottieBettieAshNemonaGeetaCalemSerenaMarnieBedeHopLeafNateRosaSilver
Other
spin-offs
Ronald (TCG GB)Mark (TCG GB)Mint (TCG GB)Glenn (Pokkén)
Anime LanceCynthiaWallaceAlderDianthaStevenAsh KetchumLeonIrisNemona
Other animation Blue (Origins)Red (Origins)Calem (Generations)Edgar Troy (PttP)Ava (PttP)
Adventures Professor OakRedSidneyPhoebeGlaciaDrakeStevenWallaceCynthiaAlderIrisDianthaLeonMustardPeonyNemona
Other manga Shigeru (Zensho)Satoshi (Zensho)Rald (Battle Frontier)


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Project CharacterDex logo.png This game character article is part of Project CharacterDex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each character found in the Pokémon games.