Ever since Pokémon started to filter into everyday society in the late nineties with both the games and the anime, it has been a common misconception that Red, the protagonist from the Gen I games, and Ash from the anime, are the same person. However, both characters are different in so many ways that they are clearly different people in different universes.
That being said, following the Pokémon Origins mini-series that followed Red and Blue's journeys, and the general stories from the games, this adaptation brought up some similarities and aspects that could actually draw comparisons between Red and the main anime's Ash Ketchum.
10 Both Red & Ash Are From Pallet Town
Pallet Town has always been presented as the starting point for any main Pokémon journey in the Kanto region, with both Ash and Red originating from the town. Both Ash and Red had appointments scheduled with Professor Oak at his lab, albeit for slightly different purposes, but the overarching reason was to obtain their first Pokémon.
Comparing Ash from the anime and Red from the Pokémon Origins mini-series, both showed how clumsy they could be straight away, with Red falling down the stairs in excitement, and Ash oversleeping, missing out on all of the conventional starter Pokémon.
9 Both Trainers Initially Struggled To Gel With Their Pokémon
Ash and Pikachu are now known as inseparable friends after traveling together ever since they were paired up back in Pallet Town all those years ago. In Pokémon Origins, Red and Charizard built a similar relationship, but it wasn't always smooth sailing for either pair, especially at the beginning.
Before Ash managed to earn its trust and respect, Pikachu had no intention of working with Ash and was actively trying to hinder their journey at the start, with a poor attitude and consistent electric shocks. Red, on the other hand, embraced his Charmander at the start, but his inexperience in battling bred impatience, which led him to berate Charmander out of frustration for not being able to keep up with Blue's Squirtle.
8 Ash & Gary Are Often Mistaken For Red & Blue
Red, Blue, and their rivalry are often compared to and confused with Ash and Gary's, with good reason. Professor Oak is both Gary and Blue's grandfather in their separate universes, but it is important to note that the games and the anime operate as separate instances and entities.
However, Ash and Gary's rivalry also stemmed from the beginning of their journeys but rather than it culminating in a battle to become the Champion of Kanto like with Blue and Red, their rivalry was ultimately decided at the Silver Conference in Johto, with Ash finally getting the better of his rival.
7 Both Red & Ash Encountered Brock Before They Were Ready, But Still Learned A Lot From Him
In contrast to the main anime when Ash goes to Brock's Gym and challenges him, in Pokémon Origins, Brock observes Red and Blue's battle and then goes to Red in order to offer advice.
While both introductions are vastly different, both Ash and Red emerge from their Pewter City Gym Battles with the Boulder Badge, despite being vastly outmatched, making mistakes, and learning important lessons during the battle. They both got the badge and won against an opponent that was much stronger and more experienced, even if Ash's win was tainted somewhat with the whole sprinklers fiasco.
6 Both Trainers Showcased Negligence In Terms Of Type Matchups & Disadvantages
Ash has infuriated fans over the years with his apparent naivety regarding type matchups and the effectiveness of certain moves, and despite his overall success over the course of Pokémon Origins, Red also made this mistake, albeit not as often.
Red was simply not informed or experienced enough when he went up against Brock with no prior knowledge of type matchups, having his Charmander use a relentless barrage of ineffective moves like Scratch and Ember against Brock's Rock-types. Even against the eighth Gym Leader Giovanni, Red still took his Electric-type Jolteon despite knowing that it was a Ground-type Gym. In the end, this naivety turned into stubbornness and a desire to win the hard way, with his Charizard overcoming the disadvantage and defeating Blue's Blastoise, just like Ash's Charizard defeated Gary's Blastoise in the main anime.
5 Ash & Red Would Both Jump At The Chance To Help Someone In Need
For all of their differences, Ash and Red are similar in their views on fighting the forces of evil and fighting for justice. Whenever someone is in trouble and in need of assistance, both will jump at the chance to help them out, even if it is dangerous or a detour from their own plans.
This is one of many aspects that make both characters generally well-liked and respected in their respective universes, as some trainers would cower away from formidable foes and situations, due to fearing loss and failure.
4 Both Share A Deep Love For Pokémon
In a similar vein to doing whatever it takes to help those in need, Ash and Red both love and respect Pokémon, making anyone that abuses them or uses them as tools for evil their enemy. This hatred for villainous organizations fueled Red to take down Team Rocket, albeit with Giovanni disbanding the organization for personal reasons.
This view similarly fueled Ash's rivalry with the likes of Paul, as he didn't treat his Pokémon with love and respect, only as tools of strength and power for achieving victory. Both Ash and Red had to learn to love and treat Pokémon correctly, but when they reached that realization, they became almost unstoppable as trainers.
3 Red's Team As An Opposing Trainer In The Games Matches A Side That Ash Could Have Potentially Mustered Himself
Despite the fact that Red completed the Kanto Pokédex in Pokémon Origins and Ash caught a wide variety of Pokémon over the course of his journey, there was a particular point that both trainers had very similar teams. While there have been other variations of Red's teams in the games over the years, in HeartGold & SoulSilver, Black 2 & White 2, and Sun & Moon, the player could battle against a Red team consisting of Pikachu, Charizard, Snorlax, Lapras, Venusaur and Blastoise.
Despite the fact that Ash never fully evolved his Bulbasaur and Squirtle to get Venusaur and Blastoise, this edition of Red's team is a showcase of what Ash Ketchum's team could have become. Ash's Pikachu is his most loyal Pokémon and friend, with his Charizard and Snorlax also having strong showings in the anime over the years. However, Ash did release his Lapras pretty soon after catching it, all over the course of the Orange Islands arc.
2 Ash & Red Both Love The Thrill Of Catching & Discovering New Pokémon
At the beginning of their journeys, Ash and Red were enthusiastic to catch as many new Pokémon as possible. However, looking deeper within their excitement, it is clear that Red wanted to catch every Pokémon, similarly to Goh's ambitions in Pokémon Journeys, whereas Ash's dreams lay with becoming a Pokémon Master.
Ash did still try to catch almost any species of Pokémon that he saw, and would often have to be stopped by someone if it was a sick Pokémon or one that shouldn't be caught by a trainer. Ash slowly learned that he'd be better off training a strong group of around six per region rather than "catching 'em all."
1 Neither Red Nor Ash Know When To Give Up & Both Showcase A Fiery Fighting Spirit
In Pokémon Origins, Red explained why his father had named him so, it being because he wanted his son to grow up with a fiery fighting spirit. This even inspired him to immediately choose the Fire-type Charmander as his starter Pokémon. Red would then go on to apply this to every aspect of his journey, even if there were a few bumps in the road early on.
This fighting spirit and knack for not knowing when to give up can certainly be applied to Ash Ketchum as well. Whether or not it is down to stubbornness or naivety, it doesn't change the fact that both trainers would never give up in the face of adversity and would try to do the right thing at all times, even if it is the hardest option.