Pokemon Trainer Red -- Designing For Legacy

Designing For is a series which looks at one specific level, character, or idea in gaming and breaks down the central theme to that element to figure out what it's, well, designing for! In this episode, we look back at the original journey to be the very best, and the trainer that players walked with to climb to that plateau! But while Pokemon Trainer Red was a neat player character, it's what he represents for the Pokemon franchise - that initial champion for all others to not just aspire to be, but be better than - that makes him truly a Pokemon Master.
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Patreon: / designingfor
Twitter: / designing4games
Discord: / discord
Director/Writer/Voice Over/Footage: Tommy Eyler/Pyrrhickong ( / pyrrhickong )
Video Editing/Additional Direction/Script Editing: Silvery
( / @silverymp )
Intro Animation By: / @tarvouldsquest
Intro Theme By: / tracks
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Also check out our episode on Pikachu, and how it remains the perfect mascot of the Pokemon series not just through design, but gameplay and theming, too: • Pikachu: The Perfect M...

[@sharzinlalebazri5673]

I love how Red's characterization has been cemented as "the weirdo quiet kid". Like, even when previous protagonists get to talk and gain their own unique personalities, Red's lack of communication makes him stand out.

[@tonberry2670]

Except for that literally one time in Masters EX

[@sharzinlalebazri5673]

@@tonberry2670 He does speak (heck, even in the original game, he was implied to speak thanks to dialogue options and certain NPC reactions), but it is what separates the weirdo quiet kid from an actual mute.

[@theknightwithabadpictotall7639]

@@sharzinlalebazri5673 Not only implied, the Copycat literally confirms that he speaks

[@chaoscomets]

​@@tonberry2670three times I think? he speaks like once a year in that game

[@runningoncylinders3829]

@@chaoscometsSo he is like Ferb in that game.

[@smashers6971]

Meanwhile Leaf is just sitting in the corner hoping people remember that she exists.

[@user-cn9sg5fy7k]

Her hat is better than Red's

[@JoanSlugXAkaJerkyBogard]

Not Coming out on the Original Kanto Games really has a disadvantage. Pokemon Red/Blue/Green/Yellow and Gold/Silver Lacked a female protag cuz they though girls wouldn't buy and play the games for lack of interest. Little they knew, girls were after the mania too. Later on they started making female protags for the games. Debuting with Kris on Pokemon Cristal, Joining Ethan on the johto adventures. Leaf firstly appeared on the GBA remakes of Kanto, Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen. Completely Outshadowed by The Legend Red, The GBC Ethan and Kris thanks to the Retro Compatibility The GBA had with GBC Games, and even the newly Hoehn recruits, May & Brendan. Mostly because May was on the anime during that era. And speaking of the anime, Misty was the female companion on the early days. Later Dawn took the role. Hilda: *Hahaha, Its Chewsday!.* And sooo on....

[@RandomGuyOnYoutube777]

Everyone knows who she is it’s just that no one gives a shit and frankly neither do I sorry

[@mikeval1525]

​@@JoanSlugXAkaJerkyBogardthey wanted to put a female protagonists in the first games but couldn't because of time constraints.

[@octanproductions6492]

Why does KZbin say there are four replies? I am the 5th reply according to youtube.

[@stevenmattrell3448]

Fun fact - Red's moveset for Pikachu in HGSS was specifically meant to be a reference to Ash as it was the same moveset Ash had on his Pikachu in the Diamond and Pearl anime which was airing at the time.

[@castform7]

I always found that really cool as a big fan of the DP anime. It even holds the Light Ball so it basically hits like Ash's Pikachu too.

[@ZA-GOAT]

yea, but pls read manga red, bro is menacing

[@ohhellwhereami2574]

Why are you suggesting it this way ​@@ZA-GOAT

[@connormcnulty6377]

The best part of Red is that in order to challenge him, you go to him, and you meet his eyes. You need to start a battle with him as if he’s still the player character.

[@smbroos8316]

... Holy Shit, you are right... He is still the main character... You are the npc in the battle on Mount Silver

[@anygamebutmostlypokemonfan4582]

No he just know how it like being forced to battle without being ready and chose to make sure your ready before for a fair fight@@smbroos8316 *cough* blue *cough*

[@castform7]

The battle on Mount Silver is probably still in the top 3 biggest spectacles in the series. Climbing this giant mountain, where the strongest Pokemon lie. Getting to it's peak only to see him. The guy you controlled three years later. While you put him down for a new chance to test yourself, he never stopped working with his favourites, always wanting to go even further and journey to keep learning about the world while keeping the spirit of the past alive. A force that invokes respects with little else to say than "...". A true legend.

[@PlebNC]

It was a very "oh sh*t" moment playing Pokemon Silver, beating Kanto and realising Red was my character from Yellow. Or more specifically I saw it as fighting Ash from the anime because they look the same roughly and have similar Pokemon.

[@AlriikRidesAgain]

... Oh crap, Designing For Duology. This is what all true Pokemon Masters strive for.

[@jeremyrossi2716]

It’s kinda a shame that none of the other Protags really got a chance to shine like Red. I’d love to encounter Gold, Hilda, Serena in a game that isn’t notoriously easy, etc.

[@smashmaster521]

...Okay, first off, it's Ethan. Secondly, did you just call Johto easy? The reason that is super-stingy with money and is thus harder to stock up on healing items before the Elite Four and Champion gauntlet? Did we play the same Johto games?

[@p.e.miranda2038]

@@smashmaster521wah wah

[@jeremyrossi2716]

@@smashmaster521 I was calling Kalos easy. Which considering the Pokémon you go against and what you have access to is very fair.

[@justinalicea1590]

​@@smashmaster521It's Gold. Get your Ethan and Lyra trash out of here.

[@Magma-Idiot-2001]

​@@justinalicea1590to be fair, he answers by both those name's across numerous media sources, his name is (mostly) interchangeable between Gold and Ethan (and Heart?). Why you picking on Lyra?

[@gongon1050]

Blue even got his Desiging For video right before Red. Smart usage of staggering release.

[@codycarney2311]

At 3:57, I'm mad at myself for just putting together that Blue caught the Cubone that went to grieve for its dead parent. What the actual hell.

[@Silver_Sonic_23]

12:33 "You can top yourself. You can always top yourself." And yet I've never seemed to be able to beat Red before.

[@thomasffrench3639]

6:03 wait so you’re telling me that silent protagonists aren’t terrible like modern video criticism had told me?

[@madnessarcade7447]

2:32 that’s what makes it so unique Although the stories do get more complex later on

[@----x-----]

Red's truly one of the most memorable videogame characters, he'll have that spot forever. I still remember the surprise and hype when I found him at the top after going as far as possible in what was clearly the last big adventure of the game, no way I was ready for that. New Pokemon games lack a real challenge like that. It's funny that new protagonists are told they are special and have great potential very early by everyone but Red was told the opposite, adults looked down on him and he was told he couldn't make a difference but he still managed to become a hero.

[@knox7945]

You don't beat Red, you survived him.

[@user-rv8yv4yh9n]

I see what you did there, Even in video format, Blue beats Red to the punch

[@purpleisdebeste]

oh my god... this video has a red version and a blue version

[@stevenmattrell3448]

"... ... ... ... ... ... Words are unnecessary!" - Red (Pokémon Masters EX)

[@Zythria]

I always get small shiver when I see Red in any of the games I play. Just because it is one of the ultimate tests. Red is far and away one of the best trainers. Having to face him is always a rush, because you know when you fight him. You choice when you are ready to beat him, and Red will always be there waiting for you to beat him. I was a child who grew up on Yellow and Silver, so running into Red, seeing just how strong he got, how strong MY pokemon had gotten... As I used the four starters you get in yellow. It was my team, as a child it hit a sweet spot that now I always look forward to Red. Look forward to seeing my pokemon again, seeing just how strong they have gotten. I want to love pokemon as much as I use too. They just, don't make the games good. Pokemon barely ever stable, Gen 1 and 2, some how worked, but then you get Gen 7 8 and 9 and what 10? X/Y, Sun/Moon, Sword/Shield and Scarlet/Violet. The games are just messing something, be it story, drive, or the game just working... and now the very pokemon we want to catch, they just lacking. I hate that we need a pokemon statium again. We need enough pokemon games in one system, that will have all the pokemon, even if not in one game, so we can connect and link to pokemon statium and battle with all of the pokemon. All we need is animation, stat blocks, no gimmicks, so we can just battle. Just focus on menu, animations and battle system, nothing more would be needed.

[@alansmithee1412]

I appreciate the little differences between the scripts and visual gags alike between this and the Blue video. It's a great touch, and both videos are fascinating deep dives!

Bro, this was beautiful, I had a rough week, like a really rough one, and today in a friday night I found your video and watched it. I was eating alone in my kitchen watching it, it was beautiful, remembering my first adventure and even tho I've never ceased to play Pokémon, this made me cry when the credits appeared, just a blast of nostalgia. Thank you. I really needed to remember how much time has passed and how much I've grown. Thank you so much!

[@madnessarcade7447]

Didn’t expect another one 😅 Hope we get more episodes on the other rivals one day

[@bananacat3109]

OH THE THUMBNAILS GO SIDE BY SIDE TO MAKE ONE IMAGE THAT'S CLEVER

[@LordofDestruction123]

I was wondering when I saw the lyrics in the Blue video

[@Jozombies115]

5:22 Why Red is so badass...

[@1wayroad935]

Red is the true Final Boss of Pokemon.

[@Doddleproductions]

Designed for naming.

[@jmaldonado790]

Posting the blue video the day before this one is genius.

[@Zistheone2]

Gets to the closing statement of the video: *I’m not crying, you’re crying!!* 😭

[@Eichro]

i like to think that between RBY and GSC, Red became a pokémon hermit monk. Isolating himself on the top of a mountain living with mons and not uttering a word when he finally sees another human being. i can understand why they just made him the "quiet kid" later but can i have my headcanon please

[@airstep001]

I chose to believe he went there to learn how to throw fireballs

[@kalarse]

both today's and yesterday's video hit me in the nostalgia feels hard :')

[@Ariamaki]

I appreciate all the little mirrorings and duplicated (but slightly altered) bits between this and the Blue video.

[@adriantallent8557]

Red is a character whose very core is about growth. From humble beginnings he rises on the strength of his character and dedication to his pokemon to become the absolute best. This is why it always burned me up that in nearly 20 years of continuous pokemon anime he never stopped being a ten year old idiot. It was great see him at the end of the games Sun and Moon as a sharp-eyed adult at least, becoming a true parable for the franchise's lasting legacy.

[@Pimp.My.Forklift]

To this day, I think the fight against red is one my favorite gaming moments. It simply felt right, while many other such callbacks felt cheap.

[@ce4879]

Love how fast this follow-up was from Rival Design! Keep up the great vids! 🍿

[@segadoeswhatnintendont]

9:52 terry the tangela!! Disgning for found it!

[@Nal-Nation]

I love that you guys made these videos like Pokemon games: a pair of similar yet different games that complement each other.

[@meandmyboys8728]

Never ask a Woman her age Never ask a Man his salary Never ask Red what happened to Blue’s raticate on the SS Anne

[@dylancollins227]

That was beautiful. Even as I write this, I still have goosebumps. You captured the majesty of what I lost sight of without even knowing about loving Pokémon and its message. I forgot the feelings and passion I felt about all of this. I forgot what it really felt like when I played my first game. In one video you've given me a wonderful new perspective. This was truly heartwarming, and comforting. It reminded me exactly how I felt when I played Yellow. My first ever Pokémon I ever had being a snobby little Pikachu, and over time his sneers became smiles. He began to follow me not because he had to, but because we were inseparable. Thank you. Thank you so much.

[@Wyxill]

Your love for pokemon is bright. I can see it in this videos. Nice work brother.

[@Vulpas]

Nothing can top the first 2 generations of Pokemon, it doesn't matter how many technical advancements occur.

[@tlst94]

What if in an alternate timeline, the GameBoy was as powerful as the DS and Pokemon Gens 1-2 had all great features and characters introduced in later Gens like 200 unique species per-Gen(like Arceus in Gen 2), breeding, female protagonists, and NPCs like Cynthia? And if the series ended after Gen 2? While under contract preventing Gen 3 onwards from existing?

[@jaredhebert942]

Dang, TWO Designing For episodes within 36 hours *_and_* a Peasant's Perspective stream for tomorrow? We eatin' good this week!

[@Pop5chan]

Just discovered your channel and watch the video on blue as well this was very entertaining and I love how you broke it down because red does do things like a filler episode and try to help out and I would love to see you do more characters from the games of Pokémon.

[@scarlightprince]

Representing the true spirit of Pokémon trainers and fans (both old and new), Red's been swingin' and ruling the land for 2 and a half decades. In a juggernaut of a franchise such as Pokémon, there are countless highs and lows. While G1 can be a constant source of material, it's ultimately the blessing of Red being a mute protagonist: Despite the same character, no two runs of the game are the same. I could go on a tangent as to why this helps explain the appeal of a constant desire for combat, but that's a whole other story. One involving battle-hungry foes, or the sole desire to keep on learning. Thanks for another great vid, man!

[@MattDustyParker]

Love your videos 😊 great work!

[@Exgallion13]

There is a reason why, despite new challengers appearing, Red is considered one of if not the strongest Pokemon Trainer by the fans.

[@yahair9451]

this was beautiful bro

[@VirgilG819]

You perfectly described why my Pokémon Go avatar has always been Red since the day I could make it my outfit. Thank you. I’m sharing this with all my homies bc you perfectly summed it up in under 20 min👏

[@may20th2000]

Wow great video I've always loved Red glad someone respects him as much as me :)

[@jameslawrenson1208]

Version exclusive videos for the win!

[@TheJacoliexp]

3:47 Bill once had some sweet memories...

[@maxlimit9129]

TWO IN A ROW BAYBEE

[@IndexInvestingWithCole]

Really like what you did with the red and blue thumbnails when looking at the channel page

[@ryannyainaandrianarison6690]

Man you made me love pokémon again

[@Rafix]

hey, i am a game developer and game student on college and your games help me A LOT!!! thank yooou :D

[@NateHenry405]

Absolutely masters piece 👏👏👏👏. Can you make video about Ethan, Dawn and Serena.

[@kaimobley5324]

Red actually does talk and in Gen 1 at that. Go to the copy cat girl house and that gives you the earliest form of Red dialogue. If I'm remembering right you don't hear Red talking in game again until Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee

[@TonyRhodes00]

Red is a good kid til he ends blues raticates life 😢

[@AkonuGaming]

I should have excepted this video was going to happen.

[@pokeperson1000]

Except no one expects the Spanish Inquisition

[@leonardomartins8944]

Designing for ... ...

[@sarahthompson2179]

I kinda wanna see you go into Gore magala from monster hunter , particularly monster hunter 4 with the storyline and in particular how gore magala fits into it alongside the hunter you play as.

[@sinisternorimaki]

Now that you're going with Pokémon, a video on N could be pretty interesting.

[@ThePonderer]

Two in one!

[@tposingukiki]

A two for one deal? Man oh man, am I glad I subscribed and rang the bell to receive the notification! I’m going to leave a like after I’m done with this comment!

[@GoldChevron]

I'm a simple person, I hear Kris being called best protag I upvote.

[@pokemonboy59832]

I know you did designing for Rivalry for King K. Rool on SSBU but I came up with an idea for him for Designing For Donkey Kong December. From Regal to Insanity of King K. Rool

[@misterjersey5460]

Back to Back Gen 1 Videos.

[@gaidencastro9706]

Can you do one on the Pokemon designs themselves?

[@Lolbitdrangonmaster]

I've only played:shield,vilote,and ledgends arcaus. And i grew up with ash.

[@demi-femme4821]

I do wish that Red was a bit more of a proper challenge beyond just being overleveled as fuck.

[@tlst94]

What if in an alternate timeline, Gen 1 introduced both an optional female player(Leaf) and a female rival(Daisy)? With the gender you didn't pick would become your sibling and rival's friendly sibling? And if the player was always one-step ahead and became Champion first? With the League being recently-invented lore-wise and the player becomes the world's first Champion? And if there were more post-game contents like rematching Trainers & Gym Leaders(now stronger), and beating the rest of Team Rocket while on your way to Mewtwo? How'd the first game's lore have been like? And how'd all of you have liked that with altered memories and experiences?

[@jasontachin]

RW:in short Pokemon took the world by storm

[@EGRJ]

I see what you did there. With the thumbnails.

[@Firemarth]

13:22 hahahha I loled

[@fra7210]

Was it really canon that Gold beat Red?! Wasn't he undefeated?!

[@knox7945]

I think it was kinda unconfirmed if one another beat each other. Simply because there are no other witnesses to see the final outcome except for Red and Gold. It was on top of a snowy mountain and away from civilization after all, making the battle intense.

[@user-AADZ]

This is my motto for all Pokemon: ignore the bad, admire the good

[@Markm8]

See red is just like us, a old dude that likes gen 1

[@theknightwithabadpictotall7639]

Gotta say, I get that Pikachu is the mascot of the franchise and all...but why not just evolve the damn thing? It's overwhelmingly easy to go against even while it's essentially on steroids

[@belodie]

I'm a newer fan of Pokémon compared to those that this is made for - my first Pokémon game was HGSS, and the first I beat was BW - but this made me tear up multiple times. Wow.

[@Chipconehead]

Red is honestly a pokemon master and probably the best like gold is good but red is better

[@vitorsanches7290]

could you create a "Design From" of the game series Shantae

[@missingLEGACY]

I would have referenced Brundlefly during bill's experiment, instead of Cronenburg.

[@sn0wblake]

do gold/ethan or silver next

[@jasonkim11]

The Eevee he got as a gift? You mean the one he stole while trespassing?

[@Sjono]

Is Leaf going to get her own vid

[@woos057]

Lemme guess. Tomorrow we'll get a vid on Ash

[@vtubermissingno]

Being on reds team was an absolute treat. Hes an incredible trainer and my best friend

[@TyTy-rw8qe]

So thats why red turned into ash😂😂😂

[@notachargeshot6325]

As someone who listens to most videos on this platform, this video as well as the previous video on Blue just feel too engrossing to leave at only listening. The editing is too good to not watch, and I have to love any video that will use the GSC credits as a template.

[@maugos]

PINK MENACE!!!

[@Supreme0757]

7:20

[@bluethemew9273]

Feel kinda annoyed a bit while most all others you didn’t mention any of the side games he was featured in like how he has appeared in smash bros a little bit and how it sticks with his character in his journey

[@DesigningFor]

I dislike Red in Smash Bros, mostly because I don't think it's representative of Red. "Oh but he uses the starters and collects them and each one has different uses for different parts of the match" yeah I get it, but it's at the cost of stripping him of his name and proper attributes. There's no feeling of growth, Pikachu being added means he's missing his signature Pokemon, it is made to entirely embody the gameplay aspect of Pokemon whilst committing to Gen 1 despite making an incredibly fun and flexible idea. It's a good first draft that they messed up the first time, then brought back and made functional, did nothing else with it because Ultimate did NOT have time to change it up significantly, and left. Like it's a good fighting game character, a good concept, represents the Pokemon series well. I will never consider PT to be emblematic of Red as a character unless they MAJORLY changed the character. And called him Red/Leaf.

[@joshuaheins4018]

I still think he should make a Pizza Tower video before 2024.

[@VICTORZITOSS]

Yeaaaah Let's get this video to a lot of views in the first hour so that it gets love from youtube Algorithm bless this video which i liked even before watching it because it's that good Seriously, sometimes i end up pissed off because i can't like it again after watching it, fix that youtube Lots of words lots of engagement, yadda yadda

[@hobojoe285]

I do hope the final is covering Cynthia. How they managed to create fear in a series that lacks it almost universally.

[@EWOODJ]

Fear? She was just another obstacle.

[@thomasffrench3639]

@@EWOODJ​​⁠that is the most Designing For comment of I’ve ever seen.

[@smashmaster521]

@@EWOODJ Obstacle? Oh no, Cynthia's not an obstacle in your journeys...You're an obstacle in HER journeys.

[@sombra_rex1212]

I never understood the hype around her she's just another champ you beat

[@smashmaster521]

@@sombra_rex1212 ...I know Geeta has diminished the title of Champion for some people, but Cynthia is the Champion of Champions. In order to beat her, you have to bring your A-Game and then some. She's insanely powerful, but she's also a fun character in her own right due to her research into Sinnoh's lore.

[@GardevoirBoy]

Lance's team is full of dragons or dragon look-alikes. Why are there flying Pokémon in his team, he was going for a dragon themed team as many of his Pokémon are modeled after mythological dragons.

[@tlst94]

What would've been like if Charizard, Gyarados, Aerodacyl, and Slowbro were part Dragon Types in Gen 1? And if Dragonite resembled its pre-evolutions?

[@NightshroudTCG2400]

Pokemon trainer Green*.

[@gracekim25]

Wait is Pokémon the game my age? 😅

[@sinisternorimaki]

1996

[@Hack_Man_VII]

I want to be the very best That is my only wish! Ash Ketchem can't compete I'll make him look like my bitch!

[@RedEyd]

... ... ...

[@shadowthief6471]

I don’t like red the only thing I like is when he has a espeon that’s it