Saying N's design is below Red is pure nostalgia bias. Red's design is iconic but basic, N's is unique and speaks about his character so much more than Red's does. Plus he just looks cooler.

I agree with N's placement...and Hugh's. His hair still reminds me of a Quilfish.

he ranks all my favorites soo low : (

"relatively close to the age of the player character" Calaba is 99 years old.

Riley is held back by being lifted entirely from Sir Aaron.

N wasn't just manipulated into joining Plasma. They raised him and shaped everything he knew. And I know the game claims otherwise but Ghetsis is TOTALLY his father they look exactly alike.

I love that Gladion has every reason to be edgy and STILL comes across as overdoing it.

Irida's waistband is called an obi, but I don't remember what every individual part is called.

I think Gaeric's "beard" is more properly muttonchops

Perrin ALMOST looks like she would be related to Adamant?! ALMOST?!

Jacinthe isn't pronounced that way but it's heavily French so it's not immediately obvious to pronounce it like zha-cint

after Pokémon I would love to see a list for Harvest Moon or Animal Crossing or Ace Attorney or street fighter or mortal kombat or mega man or whatever.

ANOTHER banger

N is dressed like a protagonist in a pokemon game how many people in pokemon games wear baseball caps?

I feel like you shouldn't have left out wally's design with mega gallade

22:41 so Hisui do have rival after all

Haven’t gotten that far, but I bet sword and shield head are goin g get dissed lol

I think Buck and Marley's pokemon were intentionally the opposite person's vibe

Some of these are neither really friends or rivals, but I get that the term "friend" is also used pretty much as a synonym for "ally" on this list, so it's fine.

Also, some of these characters are way beyond what their character designs and artwork would imply. Hau and Hop especially, IMO, are way better as characters than what their artwork would imply. Hop's character arc especially is really emotional and reaches a good conclusion by the end of the game.

23:20 this man has no evil impulse. A true warrior of God

26 years later... Just now realizing Arcanine has arcane in it's name because your brother called him arcane. It's my favorite Pokemon. I wish the Hisuian one wasn't so much better. The design is such a downgrade. Hisui growlithe is objectively cuter tho