Pokémon Red and Blue may have been released over twenty years ago now, but they still hold a special place in many gamers' hearts. They were the two games that started it all! Pokémon games may have changed immeasurably since our first hero set off from Pallet Town, but there's nothing like a bit of nostalgia to remember the franchise's roots. Red and Blue got many of us hooked on a gaming series that's still going strong today. We're eternally grateful for its release!

The popularity of Red and Blue have led to quite a few myths, theories, and urban legends springing up in certain corners of the fandom. We all know that fans love to speculate about secrets and hidden meanings in their favorite games, but Pokémon lovers take it to a whole new level. These theories have been two decades in the making—you'd better believe they have the evidence to back them up!

Whether it's the backstories of characters, the secrets behind many Pokémon, or hidden messages left by Nintendo, Pokémon fans have a theory for pretty much every aspect of Red and Blue. While some are totally off-the-wall and unlikely to have much merit, others have been basically confirmed by either strong evidence or actual proof. The extended Pokemon universe of the games, the anime, and the manga leave pretty much no valid theory unconfirmed! Here are just a few of the ideas fans have come up with that will change how you see Pokémon Red and Blue forever.

25 Kanto Wasn't Always A Peaceful Land

Have you ever wondered why there are so few adults in the world of Pokémon Red and Blue? The playable character has a mom but no dad. His rival has no parents and lives with his teen sister. Even in the routes and towns of the game, most of the NPCs are kids, teens, or elderly people. Where did all of the adults go? According to this theory, the explanation is pretty sad.

Kanto's adults perished in a war. 

Many fans believe that shortly before the events of Red and Blue, Kanto became involved in a conflict with their neighboring region, Johto. The adults went off to fight, and very few of them came back. The confirmation? Vermillion City's gym leader, Lt. Surge, states that his beloved Pokémon defended him on the field of a recent battle. Clearly, Kanto wasn't always a peaceful place.

24 Giovanni Has A Secret Son

Every self-respecting Pokémon fan knows that Giovanni is the mafia-like boss of the evil Team Rocket. He spends most of Red and Blue trying to dominate Kanto with his criminal exploits, only to be thwarted by the protagonist. However, in-game we learn very little about Giovanni's background. Why did he choose the criminal life? Does he have a family?

The answer to this second question, at least, seems to have been answered. In FireRed and LeafGreen, the reboots of Red and Blue, the Fame Checker states that Giovanni has a red-haired son. Eagle-eyed fans were quick to conclude that this child could well be Silver, the rival of Pokémon Gold and Silver. Turns out they were right! This familial link was confirmed in the manga series Pokémon Adventures. Silver was taken as a child and only discovers his true parentage later in life. So much drama!

23 Mr. Fuji Is More Than Just A Friendly Old Man

As Pokémon characters go, Lavender Town's Mr. Fuji seems to be a pretty sweet and wholesome guy. The player has to rescue him in Pokémon Red and Blue after kindly old Fuji goes to challenge Team Rocket over their mistreatment of Pokémon. Upon first glance, he looks like nothing more than an elder who likes to foster and adopt Pokémon in need.

However, there's more to Fuji than meets the eye.

Fuji didn't always live in Lavender Town. He formerly resided on Cinnabar Island, setting up a Pokémon Lab—otherwise known as the derelict Pokémon Mansion that the player explores in Red and Blue. Dr. Fuji was the head of this lab, and in Pokémon Origins it's heavily implied that he was involved in the creation of the destructive Pokémon Mewtwo. Did he regret his experiment, and retire to Lavender Town to repent for his mistakes? Quite possibly...

22 Red Is Actually The Bad Guy

In Pokémon Red and Blue, it's easy to assume that the playable character, Red, is the protagonist of the game. After all, why would we play as the bad guy? Well, some fans believe that actually, Red's rival Blue is actually supposed to be the hero. We as the player are not as kind-hearted as we'd like to think.

The greatest evidence for this theory comes from the mystery of Blue's missing Raticate. On the S.S. Anne, the player battles their rival, defeating said Raticate in the process. We next see Blue at the Pokémon Tower—a place where Trainers go to mourn their late Pokémon. Moreover, Raticate is no longer in Blue's team at this point. Could it be that Red has cold-heartedly despatched of one of Blue's beloved companions? If so, it becomes very difficult to view the playable character as the "good guy"...

21 Ditto Has A Pretty Strange Origin Story

Out of all of the 151 original Pokémon, Ditto has to be one of the weirdest. It's essentially a small pink blob that has the power to transform into any other Pokémon it encounters. While it's very useful for Pokémon breeding purposes, its origins are still pretty mysterious. How did this genetically unstable entity come to exist? Well, many fans think they've found an answer.

Ditto is a failed clone of Mew.

Think about it. Scientists managed to clone Mew to create Mewtwo—but surely they didn't succeed on the first try. Ditto is the same shade of pink as Mew, and the two Pokémon both learn the move Transform. Plus, in Red and Blue Ditto can only be found in the Pokémon Mansion—aka, the building where Mewtwo was created—and in the cave where Mewtwo lives. These links can't just be a coincidence!

20 Cubone's Story Is Even Sadder Than We Thought

Anyone who's read the Pokédex entry for Generation One Pokémon Cubone has come away feeling just a little bit sadder. So, you know how it wears a skull on its head? Well, that skull apparently belongs to the creature's deceased mother. That poor Cubone is a little orphan child who carries its mom's bones as a memento.

Most people assume that a Marowak is a Cubone's mother—the former is the latter's evolved form, after all. However, fans suspect that Cubone is actually the child of a totally different creature. The skull that Cubone wears looks a whole lot like the head shape of a Kangaskhan. Plus, Cubone closely resembles the baby that lives in a Kangaskhan's pouch. The two Pokémon are also often found in the same areas in each game. There are too many links between Cubone and Kangaskhan for this to be simply coincidental...

19 Gengar And Clefable Have A Strange Link

Upon first glance, Gengar and Clefable are two Generation One Pokémon that don't have much in common. Gengar is a Ghost/Poison type that evolves from Haunter solely through a trade. Clefable is, in Red and Blue at least, a Normal-type that you need a Moon Stone to acquire. Gengar looks downright creepy, while Clefable is pink, pretty, and non-threatening.

If you look closely, though, the two are definitely linked. 

Look at the body shape of both Gengar and Clefable. As many fans have noted, they're pretty much identical. The only real difference is Clefable's curled hair and tail. The two could be reflections of each other if you took away their coloring! We know that Gengar is a 'Shadow Pokémon' from its Pokédex entry. Could it be the shadow of Clefable? It's hard to believe otherwise when you consider that the two Pokémon are almost perfectly mirrored...

18 Mt. Moon Came From Outer Space

Speaking of Clefable, it's well known that this Pokémon and its pre-evolution Clefairy both reside in Mt. Moon. This cave separates Pewter City from Cerulean City, and it's a source of mystery in Pokémon Red and Blue. It's one of the few places you can find Pokémon fossils and Moon Stones. It houses various rare Pokémon. But how did all of these strange objects and creatures come to be in Mt. Moon? What's its secret?

Well, Pokémon fans think they have the answer. True to the cave's name, they believe it comes from outer space! Specifically, some fans think Mt. Moon is a giant meteor that crashed to earth millions of years ago. The impact of this huge collision ended a lot of Pokémon, hence all of the fossils! And the Moon Stones? Well, they're clearly just space rocks! The clue's in the name!

17 The Mystery Of MissingNo Has Been Solved

Anyone who's played Pokémon since the Red and Blue days has at least some knowledge of MissingNo. For those unaware of this particular phenomenon, MissingNo is possibly the best-known glitch in Pokémon history. It was a "creature" that could appear in a variety of physical forms, but always with that same name: MissingNo. Often, managing to "catch" MissingNo caused players' games to corrupt, graphics to scramble, or generally weird stuff to start happening.

But how did MissingNo come to be?

For years, fans speculated why MissingNo was accessible in Red and Blue. Was it a secret Pokémon that they'd discovered? If it was a glitch, how did Nintendo not notice it? As it happens, Nintendo actually released a statement regarding MissingNo's origins. It represents a Pokémon that was ultimately deleted from the Pokédex, making it a "missing number". They also discouraged curious players from seeking MissingNo out, with little success!

16 Farfetch'd Make For A Tasty Meal

Have you ever thought about what humans in the Pokémon world actually eat? Since Pokémon are often akin to animals—Miltank being a cow, for example, and Tepig a pig—do they end up becoming food on trainers' plates? It's a pretty disconcerting thought, but one that seems to have a disturbing truth to it. Fans often speculated that Pokémon are, in fact, both friends and food—or at least, some of the creatures are.

The confirmation of this theory comes in the Pokédex entry of the Generation One bird Pokémon Farfetch'd. According to the Pokédex in the Pokémon anime, "Farfetch'd make a delicious meal, especially when cooked with leek. Because of this, Farfetch'd is nearly extinct." Oh dear! Poor Farfetch'd. Sure, trainers have to eat... But there must be a better way!

15 Who Is That Guy At The Start Of Every Gym?

Whenever you enter a Pokémon Gym in Red and Blue, the same bespectacled man—affectionately known as "Gym Guy"—gives you advice about the battle ahead. He gives you tips on the leader's strengths and weaknesses, and always makes sure to cheer you on. It's all very lovely—especially since this man seems to be a total stranger to the protagonist!

The question is, who exactly is Gym Guy?

Sure, he could just be some random dude... But some fans have other ideas. One particularly popular theory is that Gym Guy is actually the protagonist's long-lost father. The story goes that he left the family young, hence why the character doesn't recognize him. He's too ashamed to meet his son and admit his mistakes, so instead finds a way to cheer him on by becoming the Gym Guy. This theory isn't implausible, but it's also really sad!

14 Psychic Pokémon Are Weak To Our Greatest Fears

From Pokémon Red and Blue onwards, Psychic-type Pokémon have been some of the toughest creatures in the game. Who doesn't have flashbacks about trying to defeat Sabrina's impossibly tough Alakazam, after all? Psychic-types are notoriously difficult to defeat, being weak to only Dark, Bug, and Ghost-type moves.

Of course, this wouldn't be Pokémon without the fandom choosing to make the Psychic-type matchups into a giant metaphor. The theory surrounding this group of Pokémon suggests that Psychic-types represent the human mind, and their weaknesses—Dark, Ghost, and Bug-types—represent our greatest fears. It actually makes a lot of sense: the dark, bugs, and ghosts are three things that many of us are scared of! Plus, Psychic-types do rely on their minds to harness their power. Were Pokémon's creators really thinking that deeply when they created these intriguing weaknesses? Very possibly!

13 Voltorb Has A Ghostly Secret

Ah, Voltorb—the Pokémon that everyone mistakes for a Poké Ball until it starts to attack you! This electric-type Pokémon is much more than an inanimate object, eventually evolving into the pretty tanky Electrode. Design-wise, though, it does pose a few questions. Why is it so visually similar to a Poké Ball? Did Red and Blue's designers just get lazy, or is there a meaning behind their choice? According to fans, it's the latter option.

Voltorb is actually a possessed Poké Ball.

The theory goes that Voltorb is more ghostly than its Electric typing lets on. Specifically, many fans think that it's a ball inhabited by the Ghost-type Pokémon Haunter. The confirmation comes in one of Voltorb's most prominent features: its eyes. They're basically identical to Haunter's! Plus, it explains why this Pokémon uses explosive moves like Self-Destruct so much. It's the ghost trapped inside it trying to get out! Spooky...

12 Venonat Was Supposed To Evolve Into Butterfree

If there's one kind of Pokémon that's found in abundance in Red and Blue, it's Bug Types. There's the Caterpie line, Weedle and its evolutions, Venonat, Scyther... so many bugs! One of the most famous has to be Butterfree, the pretty adorable butterfly you can get fairly early on in the game. Butterfree is the final evolution of Caterpie, something that most players have always taken for granted. However, others believe that this is a mistake and that Butterfree and Caterpie should never have been linked at all.

One fan theory states that Butterfree was actually supposed to be the final evolved form of Venonat, but that Red and Blue's programmers changed their minds at the last minute. To be fair, we can see where they're coming from. The two Pokémon do share a lot of physical features, including the huge eyes, the antenna, and the nose/teeth combo!

11 Team Rocket Created Koffing And Weezing

Koffing and Weezing are two pretty gross Pokémon, all things considered. They're basically two huge balls of pollution! They're particular favorites of the Team Rocket Grunts: pretty much every battle with those guys involves defeating a Koffing, usually alongside a Zubat. But what if the link between Team Rocket and these Pokémon is stronger than simple favoritism?

Maybe Team Rocket created Koffing and Weezing.

This fan theory states that Rocket tried their very hardest to create a powerful, formidable Pokémon... But could only manage to create a weird toxic ball. The markings on Koffing and Weezing—the 'Toxic' warning signs—were actually engineered on by Team Rocket. It makes sense—it seems unlikely that a human symbol would develop naturally on a Pokémon! plus, it explains why Team Rocket is so obsessed with Koffings. They're just trying to get some use out of their creation!

10 Humans Invaded The Pokémon World

In Pokémon Red and Blue, Professor Oak makes it clear from the start that humans and Pokémon inhabit their world in total harmony. But was this always the case? Did both people and Pokémon come into existence together, or was there a hostile takeover by the human race? Many fans seem to believe the latter.

For one, why do humans seem to have so little clue about the other life forms that live on their current planet? New Pokémon are constantly being discovered! Even Professor Oak asks you to go and gather information for him and add it to the Pokédex! Wouldn't humans already know all of this if they'd always lived with Pokémon? It's pretty suspicious... It also explains why humans try to capture Pokémon: they're trying to subdue and control them following an invasion. It's pretty dark stuff...

9 Giovanni Wasn't As Evil As We All Thought

We've already established that Giovanni is the super-evil boss of Team Rocket. But what if that's all a ruse? Maybe he's actually a Professor Snape-style rogue agent, working to protect the world rather than save it! It's a pretty out-there idea, but some Pokémon fans are utterly convinced that Giovanni is the good guy.

Giovanni was actually trying to save the world from Mewtwo.

At least, that's what these fans believe. They argue that Team Rocket stole the Silph Scope in order to hunt Ghost-type Pokémon that could defeat the Psychic-type Mewtwo. When this failed, Giovanni developed the all-powerful Master Ball not to capture Mewtwo for his own personal use, but to keep it locked away for the good of humanity. The pesky playable character had to ruin all of that, though, and selfishly take Mewtwo for himself. Maybe Giovanni isn't totally awful after all...

8 Slowpoke Is Actually A Very Smart Pokémon

Oh, Slowpoke. It's the dopey, lazy, mostly just very sleepy Pokémon that we can all relate to on some level. In both the Pokémon games and the anime, Slowpoke has a reputation for being a little bit useless. Its vacant stare suggests it doesn't have much going on in the brain department. Sure, it evolves into the much more astute Slowbro and Slowking, but in its first form, it's kinda stupid.

Or is it? Some fans believe that this is all an act on Slowpoke's part. According to one theory, Slowpoke looks so dazed because it's actually an omniscient being that can't cope with having literally all of the knowledge in the world. That's why it has its glazed look: because it's just too smart to be able to deal with life! It's a classic case of not judging a book by its cover...

7 The Laws Of Physics Are Different In The Pokémon World

While Pokémon Red and Blue never overtly stated that its laws of physics are different to those in the real world, it's pretty obvious when you think about it. For one, Poké Balls somehow manage to shrink often gigantic Pokémon and fit them comfortably into that tiny space. How does an Onix manage that feat? Don't ask me. Clearly, space can be manipulated in a much easier way than in the real world.

Then you have the constant mystery of the Trainer's Bag.

That average-sized rucksack can fit a bike, numerous potions, many TMs, multiple fishing rods, and a whole load of other junk. Plus, the player can somehow carry that around without being crushed. While an explanation of the science of Pokémon would probably be too complicated and contradictory to comprehend, we at least need to acknowledge that its physics works WAY differently to ours.

6 Red Is The Strong But Silent Type

A running joke in the Pokémon series, beginning in Red and Blue, is that the playable character never actually speaks. Sure, you get the occasional bit of text that reveals your inner monologue, but Red never actually talks to another person. Some people choose to believe that he DOES speak; we just don't get to see what he says. However, other fans have put forward the amusing idea that Red really is just the strong and silent type.

While this concept did start as a bit of fun, it actually got confirmed in Pokémon Sun and Moon! Red and Blue make an appearance outside the Battle Tree on Poni Island as older versions of themselves. Ever one to poke fun at his rival, Blue makes a joke about the fact that Red is as "silent as ever." Well, as Red himself once remarked, "..."!