Red (Origins)

Red
レッド Red
Red PO.png
Red
Gender Male
Eye color Brown
Hair color Brown
Hometown Pallet Town
Region Kanto
Relatives Mother, unnamed father
Trainer class Trainer, Champion
Game counterpart Red
Champion of Indigo Plateau
Anime debut File 1: Red
English voice actor Bryce Papenbrook
Japanese voice actor Junko Takeuchi

Red (Japanese: レッド Red) is the main character of Pokémon Origins.

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

 
Red and his rival, Blue

Red appeared in the first episode of the series, in which he was called by Professor Oak to see him in his lab. Along the way, he met up with his childhood friend and rival, Professor Oak's grandson, Blue, who was also called there. The boys raced to Professor Oak's lab, where he greeted them and explained that he was done with his new invention, the Pokédex. He explained that his lifelong goal was to make a full encyclopedia on all of the Pokémon in Kanto, but was too old to travel and collect data. He asked them to catch all 149 Pokémon to fulfill his dream, and that whenever they caught a new Pokémon, their data would automatically be input in the Pokédex. On a table, Red was given the choice of either Charmander, Squirtle, or Bulbasaur as both a first partner Pokémon and a token of appreciation for willing to complete this task. He chose Charmander, and Blue went for Squirtle. Each young Trainer then began his journey.

On Route 1, he encountered a Pidgey, but was unsuccessful in catching it. However, when a Rattata came by, Red was able to catch it and add it to the Pokédex. Red's first Trainer battle was with a Youngster, but when he tried to catch his opponent's Nidoran♀ in a Poké Ball, it failed. The Youngster, now suspicious of Red, withdrew his Pokémon and ended the battle. The Youngster pointed to Viridian City as the location where he caught Nidoran♀, so Red decides to go there. On the way, he saw Blue and agreed to a battle. Both Trainers used their first partner Pokémon, but Red forfeited after Charmander was pinned down by Squirtle's relentless Bite.

Brock noticed the disappointed Trainer and talked to him, cheering him up. Later, Red arrived in Pewter City and went to the Pokémon Center to video-chat with Professor Oak. After healing his Pokémon, Red visited the Pewter Museum of Science. As Red entered the Pewter Gym to challenge Brock, a Lass and her friend talked to him and said he had a million years ahead of him before he challenged the Gym Leader. Brock then appeared, and Red recognized him as the Trainer who had talked to him before. Trainer and Gym Leader did battle, with Red becoming the victor after a long match that took out most of his team.

Eventually, he was able to defeat Misty and Lt. Surge. He also encountered a crime syndicate called Team Rocket who had stolen the TM for Dig. Eventually, Red arrived in Lavender Town, where he heard about some ghost sightings in the Pokémon Tower, the town's Pokémon cemetery. Red went to the Lavender Volunteer Pokémon House and met one of its volunteers, Reina. Reina told Red that Team Rocket was near town poaching Pokémon, and how a newborn Cubone had lost its mother to them, and Team Rocket had then taken over the Pokémon Tower as their headquarters and kidnapped the owner of the Pokémon House, Mr. Fuji. Red decided to take Team Rocket on, so he went to the overtaken Pokémon Tower, where he encountered Blue again, who had heard about it too. A ghost then appeared and Red sent out his Charmeleon to deal with it. Blue tossed him the Silph Scope, which he had stolen from a Team Rocket Grunt in order to identify the ghost, which was then revealed to be Cubone's deceased mother, Marowak. Reina appeared with Cubone, who had a tender reunion with its mother. Team Rocket then found the group, but were defeated in battle by Cubone and Red's Jolteon, so they retreated. Red advanced to the Tower's top floor, where he found a tied-up Mr. Fuji. Red returned to the Pokémon House, where Mr. Fuji gave Red a Poké Flute and two mysterious stones. Red then departed from Lavender Town and continued his journey.

Now a more-than-capable Trainer, Red challenged and defeated both Erika and Koga in Gym battles. He found Team Rocket's hideout under the Rocket Game Corner, where he met their leader, Giovanni. Red then went to Silph Co., which had been overtaken by Team Rocket in an attempt to get the Master Ball, where he was able to free the Pokémon they had stolen and was rewarded by a Silph scientist with a Lapras. On the top floor, Red found Giovanni and saw that he was holding the Silph Co. president hostage. Red battled Giovanni with Charizard and lost horribly.

Red left Silph Co. and challenged Sabrina to a Gym battle, which he won. Red also went to the Fighting Dojo and challenged Kiyo, proving victorious again. Red rode Lapras to Cinnabar Island and visited the Mansion first, where he found the Pokémon Mansion journals. Afterward, he challenged Blaine to a Gym battle and won.

 
Red's Hall of Fame team

Red returned to Viridian City to challenge the final Gym, whose Leader was none other than Giovanni. Red had a rematch with him and even though Giovanni had the upper hand at first, Red was able to defeat him after a very long battle finally ended when Charizard defeated Rhydon. This defeat convinced Giovanni to disband Team Rocket, train to become a better person and Trainer, quit his job as the Viridian City Gym Leader, and respect Red as a Trainer.

Red went to Indigo Plateau and managed to get through the Elite Four. He discovered that Blue had become the Champion and challenged him still. The titanic battle was only decided when Charizard defeated Blastoise despite a type disadvantage. Soon afterward, Professor Oak came by to congratulate both Trainers and had Red follow him into the Hall of Fame, where he registered his data as one of the Trainers who defeated the Elite Four and Champion.

He continued his quest to fill up the Pokédex and caught almost every Pokémon, including the legendary birds. Red returned to Professor Oak's lab and saw that Blue had been injured by a powerful being in Cerulean Cave. Red asked Blue to show him, in Red's Pokédex, what Pokémon it was. Professor Oak then realized that Red had caught all 149 Pokémon in Kanto. Professor Oak asked what the stones Red had were for, which Red didn't actually know. He explained that he had gotten them from Mr. Fuji in Lavender Town. He also mentioned that the Pokémon that attacked Blue may have been a then-newly-discovered Pokémon called Mew, which he had read about in the journal in the mansion on Cinnabar Island. Red also remembered reading about Mew being cloned into a Pokémon called Mewtwo, which then escaped from and destroyed the mansion. Professor Oak said that this must have been the work of Dr. Fuji. Red then realized that Dr. Fuji and Mr. Fuji were the same people. Professor Oak, meanwhile, remembered reading about the stones and told Red to hold onto the smaller of the two stones and let Charizard hold the other.

Red then went all the way to Cerulean Cave to find Mewtwo. Upon finding the Genetic Pokémon, a battle commenced immediately. Mewtwo's incredible power overwhelmed Red's entire team, save for one: Charizard. With Red and Charizard almost drowning in the water surrounding the island they were fighting on, Red's Key Stone reacted with Charizard's Charizardite X, which was revealed to be a Mega Stone from the Kalos region. The reaction allowed Charizard to Mega Evolve into Mega Charizard X. Its newfound power allowed Charizard to weaken Mewtwo enough for Red to attempt capture. After a failed capture attempt, Red threw an Ultra Ball at Mewtwo and successfully caught it. He then returned home to a dinner with his mother, Blue, and Professor Oak. Realizing his work on the Pokédex was not done yet, Red ventured off to catch the most elusive of all Pokémon, Mew.

Character

Red starts out as a well-meaning, polite klutz with a heart of gold. His father named him to be warm-hearted with a strong sense of adventure like a powerful fire. However, he's not without faults, as he tends to forget type-match ups, and towards the beginning of his journey, saw Pokémon as tools for battle rather than partners. Despite this, he learns from his mistakes very quickly, which eventually allows him to have the courage to stand up for what he believes is right, even if others disagree.

Like in the games, it is hinted that Red is a prodigy, as he managed to beat Brock with very little experience and later accomplish incredible feats such as capturing Mewtwo and becoming Champion of Kanto.

Pokémon

Red has 150 Pokémon in his collection, including one of each Pokémon featured in Generation I (except Mew); he caught several Pokémon off-screen. During his journey, Red has access to several Pokémon that he often rotates between and the only fixed member of his team is Charizard.

This listing is of Red's known Pokémon in Pokémon Origins:

On hand

 
Charmander → Charmeleon → Charizard ↔ Mega Charizard X

In rotation

 
Rattata
Rattata was Red's first capture on Route 1. It was later sent out to battle Brock's Onix and lost.

None of Rattata's moves are known.

Debut File 1: Red
 
Spearow
Spearow was caught on Route 1. It was later sent out to battle Brock's Onix and lost.

None of Spearow's moves are known.

Debut File 1: Red
 

 
Caterpie → Metapod
Caterpie was briefly seen being registered in the Pokédex on Route 1. Sometime before Red challenged Brock, Caterpie evolved into Metapod and challenged Onix. Despite using String Shot to slow Onix down, Metapod lost after being hit by Onix's Tackle.

Metapod's only known move is String Shot.

Debut File 1: Red
 
Pidgey
Pidgey was only seen being registered in the Pokédex on Route 1.

None of Pidgey's moves are known.

Debut File 1: Red
 
Nidoran♂
Nidoran♂ was sent out during Red's battle against Brock. Despite defeating Geodude, he fell to Onix's Bide.

Nidoran's only known move is Double Kick.

Debut File 1: Red
Voice actors
Japanese
English Cristina Vee
 
Magikarp
Main article: Magikarp salesman's Magikarp

Magikarp was sold to Red by the Magikarp salesman.

Debut File 2: Cubone
 
Jolteon
Jolteon first appeared in File 2: Cubone, Red sent Jolteon to battle a Team Rocket Grunt's Koffing at the Pokémon Tower. Thanks to Cubone's Bonemerang clearing Koffing's Smog, Jolteon was able to defeat the Poison Gas Pokémon with a Thunderbolt, forcing the Rockets to retreat.

Red was seen using Jolteon again in File 3: Giovanni, and this time, it fought Giovanni's Rhyhorn during his Gym battle against the Rocket Boss. However, like Red's Victreebel, Kabutops, and Snorlax before it, Jolteon was defeated before could land a single hit on the Spikes Pokémon.

In File 4: Charizard, Red also used Jolteon at the Indigo Plateau. It first appeared during Red's battle against Lorelei and her Dewgong, presumably defeating its opponent off-screen. Later, during Red's final battle against the Champion, Blue, the Lightning Pokémon was seen facing Blue's Pidgeot before eventually falling to Blastoise's Skull Bash.

Jolteon's known moves are Quick Attack, Thunderbolt, Double Kick*, and Thunder.

Debut File 2: Cubone
 
Snorlax
Red encountered a Snorlax by playing the Poké Flute. He was able to catch it and later used it in his Gym battle against Giovanni, where it was quickly defeated by a Horn Drill from Giovanni's Rhyhorn.

Snorlax's only known move is Hyper Beam.

Debut File 3: Giovanni
 
Psyduck
Red caught Psyduck by fishing with a Super Rod.

None of Psyduck's moves are known.

Debut File 3: Giovanni
 
Lapras
Lapras was given to Red by an employee of Silph Co. to help him defeat Team Rocket members in the building. Since then, Red used it as a means of transportation on his journey to cross water. Lapras was used against the Elite Four, when it is shown defeating Lance's Dragonite. Lapras was also used in the last Pokémon League battle against Blue's Rhydon, where it emerged victorious, but was later defeated by Blue's Arcanine. Lapras was last seen transporting Red inside Cerulean Cave to battle Mewtwo.

Lapras's known moves are Surf and Ice Beam.

Debut File 3: Giovanni
 

 
Haunter → Gengar
Haunter was first used against Sabrina's Alakazam. It reappeared as a Gengar at the Cerulean Cave during Red's battle against Mewtwo.

Gengar's only known move is Shadow Punch.

Debut File 3: Giovanni
 
Victreebel
Victreebel was the first Pokémon used in Red's Gym battle against Giovanni, when it went up against Rhyhorn and lost in one hit.

Victreebel's only known move is Razor Leaf.

Debut File 3: Giovanni
 
Kabutops
Kabutops was used to battle Giovanni's Rhyhorn, but lost despite having a type advantage.

Kabutops's known moves are Slash and Hydro Pump.

Debut File 3: Giovanni
Voice actors
Japanese
English Lucien Dodge
 
Hitmonlee
Hitmonlee was sent out during Red's battle with Giovanni. After a hard-fought battle, he tied with Giovanni's Rhyhorn.

Hitmonlee's known moves are Rolling Kick, High Jump Kick, and Mega Kick.

Debut File 3: Giovanni
 
Scyther
Red used Scyther in his League battles against Bruno's Onix and Blue's Alakazam.

Scyther's only known move is Slash.

Debut File 4: Charizard
 
Dodrio
Red used Dodrio in his League battles against Agatha's Gengar and Blue's Exeggutor.

Dodrio's only known move is Drill Peck.

Debut File 4: Charizard
 
Persian
Red first used this Persian in his Pokémon League match against Blue, where it defeated Blue's Exeggutor, but lost to his Blastoise. Persian later appeared assisting Red in capturing a Fearow.

Persian's only known move is Fury Swipes.

Debut File 4: Charizard
 
Fearow
After the Pokémon League, Red encountered a Fearow and battled it with his Persian. After the battle, he caught it.

None of Fearow's moves are known.

Debut File 4: Charizard
 
Arbok
Arbok was caught by Red with a Great Ball after the Pokémon League.

None of Arbok's moves are known.

Debut File 4: Charizard
 
Tentacool
Tentacool briefly appeared while Red and Lapras passed by it. He was able to catch it and it was registered in the Pokédex.

None of Tentacool's moves are known.

Debut File 4: Charizard
 
Pikachu
Main article: Red's Pikachu (game)

Pikachu was caught by Red with a Poké Ball.

Debut File 4: Charizard
 
Chansey
Red encountered Chansey in the Safari Zone. Initially he had trouble choosing whether to throw a rock or a bait at her, but in the end, he was able to catch her.

None of Chansey's moves are known.

Debut File 4: Charizard
 
Rapidash
Red used Rapidash at the Seafoam Islands to battle Articuno.

None of Rapidash's moves are known.

Debut File 4: Charizard
 
Tauros
Red used Tauros to battle Zapdos in the Power Plant.

None of Tauros's moves are known.

Debut File 4: Charizard
 
Articuno
Red caught Articuno with an Ultra Ball in the Seafoam Islands. Articuno was later used in Red's battle against Mewtwo, but was easily defeated.

Articuno's only known move is Blizzard.

Debut File 4: Charizard
 
Zapdos
Red caught Zapdos with an Ultra Ball at the Power Plant.

Zapdos's only known move is Thunder Shock.

Debut File 4: Charizard
 
Moltres
Red caught Moltres with an Ultra Ball in Victory Road.

Moltres's only known move is Flamethrower.

Debut File 4: Charizard
 
Mewtwo
Red encountered Mewtwo in the Cerulean Cave. It proved to be extremely tough to beat, easily defeating almost all of Red's Pokémon and breaking out of the initial Ultra Ball Red threw at it. However, once his Charizard Mega Evolved into Mega Charizard X, it was able to weaken Mewtwo enough to allow Red to finally catch it.

Mewtwo's known moves are Recover, Confusion, Barrier, and Swift.

Debut File 4: Charizard

Achievements

 
Red's first seven Badges

Badges obtained

Pokémon competitions

Voice actors

Language Voice actor
Japanese 竹内順子 Junko Takeuchi
English Bryce Papenbrook
European French Pierre LeBec
German Christian Zeiger
Italian Massimo Di Benedetto
European Spanish Álvaro de Juan


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  This episode article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of the Pokémon anime.