The games that kicked off the entire franchise, Red & Blue set the foundation for some of the most iconic characters that we still have today. Running all the way through the series, Kanto is littered with some eccentric characters that provide entertainment and serve greatly in some of the stickiest situations.
Both friends and rivals put their stamp on the story and make generation 1 what it is, trainers can’t have a great victory without some remarkable rivals to beat. As much as they’re on the wrong side of history, the bad guys deserve their credit. At the end of the day, the whole cast of characters kicks off the franchise with a bang.
10 Professor Oak
One of the first characters we were introduced to in the entire franchise, Professor Oak has been with since day 1. He is responsible for giving you your very first Pokémon while simultaneously being the grandfather of your rival, Blue.
While he helps players at various stages on their journey through Kanto, the most exciting is but a glitch in the system. Shocking the player with a surprise battle, trainers will have to work the system before they can access it. Be prepared, because if you take on the challenge Oak’s team is tougher than even the League champion’s.
9 Misty
Holding one of the most difficult gyms in the series not only by skill but placement. Getting through her without the help of a Bulbasaur or Pikachu is a tough challenge, her Starmie alone is enough to take out a beginner team.
An avid swimmer it’s no surprise that trainers will have to mount a solid defense against anything Water-type. She also mentions wanting to travel once she becomes a better trainer, a line that hints strongly at her role in the animated series with Ash.
8 Brock
One of the more frustrating gym leaders strictly for his type placement, trying to get through the Rock-type Pokémon is a real hassle when players have a Charmander or Squirtle.
Being a Pokémon Breeder was always one of Brock’s long term goals, fans who have seen the anime will remember his avid love of breeding techniques and Pokémon diet. As hard as his demeanor may seem on the outside, he ends up being one of the most loveable characters in the series.
7 Blue
The grandson of the trusty professor and all-around antagonist, Blue will push you to your limits both in the battle and outside of it. Players will have to deal with the constant cocky and overall obnoxious attitude for most of the game, despite the two trainers being friends in their childhood.
He goes so far as to leave the Silph co. under the control of Team Rocket and leave all the dirty work down to the player. Though he is strong, Blue is the final challenge after you defeat the Indigo Plateau and taking away the title is key. He eventually replaces Giovanni as the leader of Viridian Gym.
6 Giovanni
A main staple throughout the franchise, Giovanni serves as the overarching antagonist in the entire series. Controlling Team Rocket and causing chaos throughout the entire game, players will have to battle the boss a total of 3 times.
It is only once the other 7 gyms have been cleared that it is revealed he is the 8th gym leader. Luckily, he doesn’t pick a particularly hard type to plan for and defeating him ultimately leads to him disbanding Team Rocket. The powerful ground move you receive doesn’t hurt either.
5 Team Rocket
Though it consists of many different members, the organization in and of itself is iconic. With so many different versions of the company popping up throughout, the somewhat hopeless group has made a permanent name for themselves. Especially in Red/Blue when they seem to be taking things a little more seriously.
Their main goal is to steal rare and valuable Pokémon to both sell and auction off. Most of the time these plans are thwarted by the player or end up in disaster, other times some pretty disastrous things can happen. Whether you focus on the justice in taking them down or their incompetence to pull off a plan, Team Rocket remains one of the focal points of most generations.
4 Bill
Another researcher to make the list, Bill is the reason trainers can store all their Pokémon in the storage system he invented. Influencing many regions of the Pokémon world, his work is widely used while his name is seldom spoken.
Throughout the main games, there are many references to him, whether it be through an abstract family member or an excited colleague. His inventions even allow for the trade of Pokémon through time with his trusty time capsule.
3 Mewtwo
The final entry in the original 150 strong Pokédex, Mewtwo is the hardest capture of the game. Its backstory is also so tragic and compelling that they gave it its own movie. To catch it players had better save beforehand, it starts at level 70 and puts up a challenging fight.
Created in a lab by a twisted science who mutated the ever adorable Mew, Mewtwo is now jaded and cold towards humans, a trait that becomes a real issue with all that power it holds.
2 Sabrina
Psychic types being notoriously overpowered in the Red/Blue games makes Sabrina one of the most demanding gym leaders players will come up against. Even getting to her is a problem with tiles that warp and shift as you step along them, forcing you to battle the other trainers throughout the gym.
Psywave is the prize for winning, a move that comes in especially handy at this stage in the game. The legend of Sabrina travels far, with trainers all the way in the Sevii Islands knowing of her terrible power.
1 Koga
Koga is a real issue inside and outside of the games, with Poison-type Pokémon really testing the patience of a restless trainer. He often rides the line between bad and good, going from protecting trainers from wild Pokémon in the Safari Zone to enjoying the despair the Poison-types can inflict on his opponents.
He later becomes apart of the elite 4 and hands his gym down to his daughter, carrying on the deadly art of ninjutsu. Though a hard trainer to figure out, Koga becomes one of the key members of the series with his constant weaving in and out of the good side.
NEXT: The 10 Best Water Pokémon, Ranked
