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rex-shadao · 1 year

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Ash and Red: Timeline of Appearances

I plan to make a long essay talking about the connection between Ash and Red throughout the Pokémon franchise, but since the franchise is over 27 years old, and much of the old Internet is scattered and lost to time, I decided to make a timeline of the early years of Pokémon to compile all the evidences in chronological order, most consisted of their first appearance, the mention of their names in various media, some forums talking about the two, and any other misc information. I also included links to each specific media to keep track of where I found such information whenever necessary.

I know for certain that I'm missing some media here or there, but I'll be updating this post whenever I find new information. If you have any new information, I'll be happy to include it in this massive timeline doc.

Also note, the timeline will not extend beyond 2010 because by that point, Ash and Red have been officially considered to be two distinct characters. This is merely a timeline to document how Red rose into prominence in the Pokémon fandom and at what point was he considered to be a separate character from Ash rather than just Ash with a different name.

February 27th, 1996: Pokémon Red and Green came out in Japan. The player Pokémon Trainer made his debut. Three optional names were offered in Pokémon Red: レッド Red, サトシ Satoshi and ジャック Jack. Three optional names offered in Pokémon Green: グリーン Green, シゲル Shigeru, and ジョン John.

April 1996: CoroCoro Special released "The Strange Pokémon Pippi", the first chapter of Pokémon Pocket Monsters. Pokémon Trainer named Isamu Akai (nicknamed Red) and his rude Clefairy companion.

October 15th, 1996: Pokémon Blue released as a CoroCoro Comic special. Three optional names: ブルー Blue, ツネカズ Tsunekaz and ジャン Jean.

September 1996: Pocket Monsters Carddass Trading Cards released in Japan. Pokémon Trainer featured, though no official name was given.

March 3rd, 1997: Pokémon Special released its first chapter, featuring a Pokémon Trainer named Red. His rival was named Green.

April 1st, 1997: Pokémon anime debuted. Pokémon Trainer named Satoshi featured as main protagonist alongside Pikachu. His rival was named Shigeru.

April 1997: Pocket Monsters Carddass Trading Cards released with a special promotional, rainbow-framed card featuring Pokémon Trainer and three Kanto Starters plus Pikachu. CoroCoro also released the first chapter of Dengeki! Pikachu, manga adaptation of the anime.

May 20th, 1997: Official Fan Book of Pocket Monsters (ポケットモンスター公式ファンブック) released. Heavily featured the Pokémon anime on the front and back cover along with TCG and the video games. Player Pokémon Trainer of Red and Green teased to return in Gold and Silver, and was named Satoshi. Pokémon Special was also featured with an image of Red.

December 16, 1997: "Computer Warrior Porygon" episode aired. Seizure Incident. Footage of Pokémon anime was broadcasted overseas for the first time on news channel. Also on that same day, Pokémon Special Volume 2 was released in Japan, featuring Red getting his Eevee that can switch back and forth of its three Eeveelutions.

January 1998: Nintendo Power announced that Pokémon will be arriving in North America later this year.

February 1998: Pokemon Craft DX Book featured Pokémon Trainer, his Rival, and an unnamed Female Trainer. The name Red does not appear in book.

April 1998: Pokémon Zensho released. Pokémon Trainer was named Satoshi. His rival was named Shigeru.

May 1998: Nintendo Power covered the Pokémon franchise and the craze in Japan. Anime and TGC mentioned. Pokémon Trainer Satoshi was only referred as Pokémon Trainer. No mention of his English name.

July 18, 1998: Pokémon the Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back released in Japan.

Summer 1998: A Sneak Peek at Pokémon released. Satoshi was renamed to Ash Ketchum. Shigeru renamed Gary Oak. GameBoy footage of Pokémon Red and Blue shown, with the player Pokémon Trainer clearly named Ash.

August 1998: Nintendo Power released a magazine mini-series called Pokémon Power. Included strategy guide. Used English names Ash and Gary for player and rival respectively. Reused again for Player's Strategy Guide.

September 7th, 1998: Pokémon anime released overseas in North America.

September 28th, 1998: Pokémon Red and Blue released in North America. Three optional names in Pokémon Red: Red, Ash and Jack.

September 12th, 1998: Pokémon Yellow released in Japan. Three optional names: イエロー Yellow, サトシ Satoshi, and ジャック Jack. Rival was given an Eevee as his starter.

November 27, 1998: Dengeki! Pikachu released as The Electric Tale of Pikachu.

March 1999: Pokémon Getto Da Ze! (aka Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All!) Volume 1 released in Japan. Pokémon Trainer was named Shu.

October 7th, 1999: "Rival Showdown! Satoshi VS Shigeru!!" released in Japan. Gary was revealed to have an Eevee, which he used against Ash.

November 12th, 1999: Mewtwo Strikes Back released in North American theaters.

November 21st, 1999: Pokémon Gold and Silver released in Japan. Previous Pokémon Trainer and Rival were given canon names: Red and Green. Red's team composed of Pikachu, Espeon, Snorlax, Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise.

November 22nd, 1999: Time Asia posted an interview with Pokémon creator Satoshi Tajiri. He distinguished Ash and Red's relationship with their rivals to be different (Gary is Ash's superior, Green is Red's rival). However, he also referred to them by the same names respectively: Satoshi for both Ash and Red, Shigeru for both Gary and Green.

July 6th, 2000: Pokémon Special was released overseas as Pokémon Adventures. Red made his oversea debut. Rival renamed Blue.

October 2000: Nintendo Power released Pokémon Gold and Silver: Official Nintendo Player's Guide. Unlike the last Player's Guide, this guide referred the previous Pokémon Trainer and his rival as Red and Blue instead of Ash and Gary.

October 11, 2000: Pokémon Gold & Silver: Prima's Official Strategy Guide released. Pokémon Trainer and Rival referred as Red and Blue respectively.

October 14th, 2000: "Rival Showdown! Satoshi VS Shigeru!!" released in USA as "The Rivalry Revival." The first Johto episode, dub title "Don't Touch That 'dile", aired on the same day as well.

October 15th, 2000: Pokémon Gold and Silver released in North America. Previous Pokémon Trainer and Rival were given canon names: Red and Blue.

November 2th, 2000: "Blacky! Battle During a Dark Night!!" released in Japan. Gary was revealed to have evolved Eevee into Umbreon.

December 14th, 2000: Pokémon Stadium: Gold and Silver released in Japan. Pokémon Trainer named Red served as the final boss of the Gym Leader Castle challenge. His teams were:

Round 1: Meganium, Feraligatr, Typhlosion, Jolteon, Scizor, Tauros

Round 2: Raikou, Entei, Suicune, Dragonite, Snorlax, Espeon

March 26, 2001: Pokémon Stadium: Gold and Silver released in North America as Pokémon Stadium 2.

July 23, 2001: Pokémon Crystal: Prima's Official Strategy Guide released. Allegedly, it referred Pokémon Trainer and Rival as Ash and Gary respectively.

August 8th, 2001: Pokémon Special Volume 9 released in Japan, featuring Round 115 "VS. Forretress" aka which revealed that Red's Eevee evolved into Espeon.

October 20th, 2001: "Umbreon! Battle During a Dark Night!!" released in North America as "Power Play."

August 4th, 2002: The first documented screenshot featuring Special Red's profile on Netkun.

November 4th, 2002: Dragon's Love fan fiction published online. Considered Red (Pokémon Adventures) to be the same as Ash.

September 13th, 2003: Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen announced to be in development.

November 4th, 2003: Neoseeker forum posted thread titled "pokemon to beat ash." Question refers to how to beat Red in Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal. However, majority of the users referred to him as Ash (because he looks like Ash), while others thought his name was Red.

January 29th, 2004: Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen released in Japan. Featured a newly redesigned Pokémon Trainer alongside his female counterpart.

November 23, 2004: Netkun released Red's profile during the FRLG arc of Pokémon Special.

December 24, 2004: Ash Ketchum's page was created on Bulbapedia.

February 26th, 2005: Red's page on Bulbapedia created. Only referred to Gen I and II player protagonist.

April 5th, 2005: Bulbapedia designated Pokémon Trainer of FireRed and LeafGreen to be Red from Gen I and II for the first time. Also placed a statement that Red is arguably a Pokémon Master.

April 24th, 2005: The first time Bulbapedia made mention that Ash was likely based on the main character of Pokémon Red and Blue. Linked to Red (game).

November 13th 2006: Bulbapedia page for Red included a Misc Information section stating that Ash and Red are not the same person, noting that many fans have made that mistake. Mixing the two, it claimed, was a big error.

November 14th, 2006: Bulbapedia page for Red claimed that Ritchie, regarded as '"perfect" manefestation' of Ash, is closely designed to the original Red.

November 17th, 2006: Bulbapedia proofread the page and added several other of Red's media counterparts.

October 27th, 2007: Edit war over whether Red's team could be considered a reference to the anime or Pokémon Adventures.

September 12th, 2009: Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver released in Japan. Red appeared in his FRLG redesign. Red's Espeon replaced by Lapras. Red's Pikachu's moveset was changed to reflect Ash's Pikachu's moveset in Diamond and Pearl anime.

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