The world of Pokémon in the Kanto region is brought to life not just by its geography and history, but by the complex and often mysterious characters who inhabit it. These figures, from the silent protagonist to the tyrannical crime boss, each contribute a unique layer to the region's lore, shaping the player's journey and revealing the deeper truths of their world.
### The Protagonist: Red, The Silent Legend
Red, the player character of the first generation games, is a figure shrouded in intentional ambiguity. As a silent protagonist, his story is meant to be the player's own. However, his lore is solidified in subsequent games, where his journey culminates in him becoming a legendary figure.
* **The Boy Who Became a Champion:** Red's adventure is the quintessential Pokémon journey. He begins as a boy from the small, peaceful Pallet Town and, through sheer determination, becomes the most powerful trainer in the region. He defeats all eight Gym Leaders, overcomes the Elite Four, and, most notably, dethrones his rival, Blue, who had just become Champion moments before.
* **The Master of Mount Silver:** The lore of Red is truly cemented in the Generation II games, where he is no longer a playable character but the final and most powerful boss. It's revealed that after his victory, he left Kanto and retreated to the secluded, snow-covered Mt. Silver to train in solitude. His powerful, high-leveled team, which includes a Pikachu, Venusaur, Charizard, Blastoise, Snorlax, and Lapras, is a testament to his incredible strength and dedication. He represents the pinnacle of what a Pokémon trainer can achieve and stands as a silent, mythic figure at the end of the game, a legendary hero who has transcended the need for words.
### The Rival: Blue, The Prodigal Grandson
Blue, the grandson of Professor Oak, is more than just a rival; he is a foil to the protagonist and a character with his own compelling, albeit often tragic, arc. His journey is a reflection of the protagonist's, but his motivations are driven by a desperate need for validation.
* **A Fierce and Arrogant Competitor:** From the very beginning, Blue is portrayed as cocky and arrogant, always one step ahead of the player. His desire to be the best and to prove himself worthy in the eyes of his esteemed grandfather, Professor Oak, is a core part of his character. This rivalry is the emotional engine of the games, pushing both trainers to new heights.
* **The Mystery of his Raticate:** One of the most famous fan theories in Pokémon lore centers on Blue's Raticate. The player battles Blue on the S.S. Anne, where his team includes a Raticate. The next time the player sees him is in Lavender Town's Pokémon Tower, a graveyard for Pokémon, and his Raticate is gone. Blue's dialogue at this point is particularly somber, as he asks the player if they know what it feels like for a Pokémon to die. This has led to the widespread belief that the Raticate perished from injuries sustained in their battle and that Blue was at the Tower to mourn his lost companion, an event that adds a tragic, humanizing layer to his character.
* **From Champion to Gym Leader:** Blue's story doesn't end with his defeat. He momentarily achieves his goal of becoming the Kanto Champion, only to be immediately defeated by the player. In later games, he takes on the role of Gym Leader in Viridian City, filling the position left vacant by Giovanni. This suggests a more mature and responsible Blue, one who has grown beyond his youthful arrogance and now dedicates himself to training the next generation of trainers.
### The Antagonist: Giovanni, The Man of Two Faces
Giovanni is arguably the most significant villain in Kanto lore. As the leader of Team Rocket, he is a ruthless criminal, but he also maintains a facade as the charismatic Gym Leader of Viridian City. This duality makes him a complex and dangerous character.
* **A Criminal Empire:** Giovanni's motivations are simple: power and profit. He is responsible for some of Team Rocket's most heinous acts, including the murder of a mother Marowak in Lavender Town and the illegal acquisition of powerful Pokémon. His plans are ambitious and far-reaching, from controlling the Silph Corporation to creating the ultimate weapon in Mewtwo.
* **The Master of a Dark Art:** Giovanni's lore is intertwined with his Persian, the Pokémon that is almost always by his side. It's said that he formed a deep, if twisted, bond with the Pokémon, which he values as a symbol of his power and control. His use of Ground-type Pokémon is also significant, representing his desire to dominate and manipulate the very earth of the region.
* **The Final Showdown:** Giovanni's defeat at the hands of the protagonist is a climactic moment. His final words before disbanding Team Rocket, "I have to admit... you are an impressive Trainer... I will not forget this day," show a grudging respect for the player's skill and a hint of a more honorable side to his character. However, his future appearances in later games, where he re-forms Team Rainbow Rocket with other villainous leaders, prove that his ambitions were never fully quelled.
### The Enigmatic Supporting Characters
Kanto's supporting cast also holds crucial pieces of lore.
* **Professor Samuel Oak:** More than just a friendly professor, Oak is a former world-class trainer and a highly respected researcher. As revealed in the games, he was once a formidable trainer himself, with a rivalry against the Elite Four member Agatha. He is the one who entrusts the protagonist and Blue with their starter Pokémon and the task of completing the Pokédex, a legacy he himself was unable to complete.
* **Mr. Fuji and Blaine:** These two characters are tied to one of the most significant and tragic events in Kanto lore: the creation of Mewtwo. Mr. Fuji, a kind old man who cares for orphaned Pokémon in Lavender Town, is revealed to have been a key scientist involved in the genetic experiments on Mew. Blaine, the Gym Leader of Cinnabar Island, also has a dark past. His research notes in the Pokémon Mansion detail his involvement in the creation of Mewtwo. This connection reveals that two seemingly benevolent figures in the games are deeply implicated in one of the series' greatest scientific tragedies, each seeking to atone for their past sins in their own way.
* **Sabrina, The Psychic Prodigy:** The Saffron City Gym Leader, Sabrina, is a powerful psychic with a complex backstory. She is so powerful that her psychic abilities have caused her to develop a split personality. Her Pokédex entry for Alakazam reveals that she is a woman who, through her intense psychic training, has essentially become an extension of her Pokémon, losing a part of her own humanity in the process. In the anime, she is even more chilling, turning trainers into dolls and ruling her gym with a cold, almost unfeeling demeanor.