Smell Ya Later
Alright so it’s time I talk about one of my favorite characters in the Pokemon franchise…that isn’t Leon. If you guessed by the title that I’m talking about Blue/Green Oak then you’re right.
[Image Description: Gif image from Pokemon Generations Episode: The Challenger. Picture of Blue (Green) Oak in his FireRed/LeafGreen outfit pulling out a pokeball. He’s talking to an Elite Four member who is offscreen with an insufferably smug look on his face]
Ah yes, the OG rival. He was quite the brat in RBGY/FRLG and that’s what many people like about him (in a love to hate fashion) since there’s a huge catharsis factor in being able to beat him and his team down. And unlike most rivals in the series he’s one of the few that can in-game beat you and the story continues (3 times in RBGY, twice in FRLG). Blue provides some of the few moments in the series where a loss actually means something (something that I wish the games would take advantage of more). And of those few times, he’s one of the few that can actually knock your team out as he often shows up in the worst possible moments where your team likely isn’t at it’s best.
He’s also always one step ahead of you. In comparison to most other rivals (bar Wally and Hop pre-Bede butt-kicking) he actually gets to places first and is outpaces you. Then you get the following:
“Hey! I was looking forward to seeing you, <player>! My rival should be strong to keep me sharp! While working on my Pokédex, I looked all over for powerful Pokémon! Not only that, I assembled teams that would beat any Pokémon type! And now! I am the Pokémon League Champion! <Player>! Do you know what that means? I’ll tell you! I am the most powerful trainer in the world!” -Blue RBGY pre-champion battle
[Image Description: GIF image from the Pokemon GOTCHA! Music Video. A shot of Blue (Green) Oak) in his RBGY outfit in the Indigo League’s Champion Room. As the camera moves closer to him you see his team po out. His team consists of Venusaur, Gyarados, Arcanine, Pidgeot, Alakazam and Rhydon. As the camera moves even closer to his face, we see that iconic smug grin of his form as he is usrrounded by a Green aura, his Pokemon are surrounded by a green aura as well]
This is quite possibly one of the most iconic fights in the series. Your once friend turned bitter rival actually beating you to the punch and claiming the title of champion for himself. No other rival other than Trace (Hau doesn’t count as he isn’t champion in USUM rather you and him fight to see who will be champion). And Trace by being a friendly rival, lacks the same oomph factor in the battle (I think Trace would’ve benefitted from USUM Hau style final battle personally). You kind of feel bad kicking Trace’s butt. It’s a huge moment of catharsis, however, taking Blue down.
And the humiliation for Blue doesn’t stop there. Something that’s expanded upon more in FRLG is how Professor Oak kind of blatantly prefers Red/Leaf over him. In the case that you lose to him after receiving your starter Professor Oak says “Hmm…how disappointing”. Like sir I know you’re grandson is a jerk but show at least some pride. Like I mean even in the league he comes off overly harsh as we have no evidence that he actually mistreats his Pokemon. Especially when you consider that one of his signature Pokemon is a Pidgeot which stands out in the many gen 1 threats he has on his team. He holds some sentimental attachment to the first mon he caught and that shows he’s not some irredeemable jerk. If anything he’s more self-absorbed than actually mistreating his team. Like take this line from generations “See that? I happen to be an incredible genius” As we see throughout the series, Blue is indeed a brilliant tactician. But the issue there is that he isn’t giving his team their proper dues. But that’s just being self-absorbed. Not like he’s kicking them when they faint or anything.
“Hey, I heard that! Gramps, what’s with favoring <player> over me all the time? I went and collected more Pokémon and faster, too. You should just let me handle everything.” - Blue after receiving the National Pokedex
And then of course the above quote, even Blue can tell his Oak favors the player over him. Ouch. Add that to the fact that he and Daisy’s parents are nowhere to be found you can make the argument that maybe this kid just wants some attention and affection. Considering his name is Green in Japan, and green is associated with envy and you can see how the OG rival is likely just fueled by jealousy that Red has at least one parent still around and has the attention/affection of Oak. Does that excuse his behavior? Absolutely not. But it does contextualize it a lot.
But still being scolded by Grandfather like that so publicly definitely left a mark on our rival. And then comes the Gen 2 games where we see a huge shift in his character:
“Who are you? My name’s Blue. I was once the Kanto Champion. Although it was short-lived thanks to Red… Anyway, take a good look around you…”“A volcano erupts, and just like that, a whole town disappears. We can go on winning and losing in Pokémon, but if nature so much as twitches, we can be overwhelmed in a second… That’s the way it is… But, anyway, I’m still a Trainer. If I see a strong opponent, it makes me want to battle.” - Blue at Cinnabar Island HGSS
This dialogue from Cinnabar Island is not something one would expect from Gen 1 Blue. Gen 1 Blue would’ve challenged you to a battle right then and there like he did in Silph Co. But here’s he’s more contemplative (even if still a little salty about losing to Red). It’s a marked change that’s further strengthened by his position as gym leader. He’s taken on a esteemed position and proves to be highest levelled battle for a badge in the games. Yes being the 8th gym leader is not nearly as prestigious as his short reign as champion, but it provides a needed bit of growth for Blue as he learns to deal with losses better (which judging by his dialogue is implied that him losing is still pretty rare showing that he is definitely a powerful trainer). Not only that his Pidgeot which is not only his highest levelled Pokemon, but also knows Return in HGSS (a move that gains power the stronger the bond). It’s quiet character development over the 3 years between the gen 1 and gen 2 games that makes Blue such a good character.
Of course this doesn’t stop there. Over his next appearance in Gen 5 we see him in the PWT in the champion’s tournament (which sidenote one thing that I dislike about Pokespe!Blue and Gary is that they don’t achieve champion status when it’s clear that this is a key part of his character). His winning quote in the PWT is this gem “You’re tough, I’ll give you that. But there’s always someone better. You have to be more dedicated! Smell ya later!”
It’s solid advice, and lacks the gloating of the “Yeah! Am I great or what?” lines you could get from the battles you can lose to him in the early gen 1 games.
[Image Description: GIF from one of the promo videos or Sun and Moon. The animated part is framed by a still with adult Red on the left, and Blue (Green) Oak on the right. The caption on the still portion of the shot says Red and Blue. In the animated part, we see Red and Blue at the battle tree talking to the player character. Red says “… … …” with Blue responding “Stil as silent as ever, eh?”]
We see him once again in Gen 7 games as you approach the battle tree, your team weary from facing the Poni gauntlet. His iconic encounter music coming no doubt fills many who ever played the Gen 1 gamess with dread as you remember how many times that jingle played right when you really didn’t need it to happen. Yet this time it’s different, as he actually heals your team before you face him or Red. While some may chalk this up to the games being easier, consider that in this instance this is another sign of how much Blue has grown. Because Gen 1 Blue would’ve forced you into a battle right then.
You know what else Gen 1 Blue wouldn’t have done? Travel the world with Red (okay but seriously when is the Viridian Gym ever open?). Somehow he has made peace with his bitter rival enough to travel to Alola and be co heads of the Battle Tree. Again subtle (and to be fair, I do wish we got to see more of his growth on screen) but major. I don’t think anyone who only played the Gen 1 games would’ve ever seen that coming. But also the fact that he’s considered Battle Legend, second only to Red is amazing. It shows he truly is one of the most powerful trainers in the world, and it’s not just his ego talking.
[Image Description: A still image from one of the Pokemon Masters promo. Here we have Blue (Green) Oak in his Sygna Suit that matches his blastoise that is standing behind him in the stadium]
But then comes Pokemon Masters which I think provides some of the greatest insight to him as a character. We seem him more as a mentor (which is also how we see him in Let’s Go). Which is a fitting end for his arc as he’s one of the best around but he knows what’s it like to be have been beaten down truly.
“Blastoise and I have overcome a lot of tough situations over the years. There were a lot of times when I felt so beat down, physically and mentally, that I didn’t think I could keep going. But being in those tough situations would always fire me up. And the joy I felt when we overcome them was like nothing I’d ever felt before.” - Sygna Suit Blue Sync Pair Story
This is a powerful quote from him. Again Gen 1 Blue would’ve NEVER admitted something like this to anyone. But you can see he’s shed much of his pride and allows himself to be vulnerable.
“And I guess I don’t really mind teaching people, either. I’m better at it than Red is, anyway I can’t even imagine him teaching anything to anyone.“
And this quote shows him excepting his role as a mentor which I think he’s truly best at. Sure Red is more powerful than him, but the best of the best rarely make for good teachers. But the ones at the top who have tasted defeated multiple times like Blue has, will have an extra bit of wisdom that they can give.
So yes tl;dr Blue/Green Oak is a great character. No other character has been a rival, gym leader and champion in the series. Not only that he’s shown great growth from the cocky brat he was in gen 1 to a powerful trainer and mentor he is today.
[Image Description: A gif of an adult Blue (Green) Oak in his Gen 7 attire in his VS animation. He’s sporting his signature cocky smirk and doing his iconic 3 finger salute.]
