DEBATE IN THE COMMENTS !

Okay, fellow Pokémon trainers, let's actually dive into one of the most enduring debates in the fandom: Who was truly the first Pokémon? It's a question that sparks passionate arguments, and honestly, there isn't one single, universally agreed-upon answer. It all depends on how you define 'first'! Let's break down the main contenders that always pop up in this discussion, including Bulbasaur, Mew, Rhydon, and Arceus. First up, we have Rhydon. For many long-time fans, Rhydon holds a special place as the *very first Pokémon ever designed*. Ken Sugimori, one of the main artists for the franchise, has confirmed that Rhydon was the first creature concept created for what would eventually become Pokémon Red and Green. You can even see statues of Rhydon in gyms in the early games! While it might not be the first in the Pokédex or the first chronologically in the lore, its status as the original design makes a strong case for it being the 'first' in a developmental sense. It’s a fascinating bit of trivia that often surprises newer fans! Then there’s Bulbasaur. When you open the National Pokédex, guess who's number 001? That's right, Bulbasaur! For many, this makes it the undisputed 'first' Pokémon. It's the first starter available to players in the Kanto region, and its position at the top of the Pokédex hierarchy feels very definitive. However, this is often seen as a practical categorization rather than a chronological one. It’s the first encountered by many players, and its iconic status as a starter makes it a strong symbolic 'first' for the franchise. Next, we have the elusive and powerful Mew. In the lore, Mew is often described as the ancestor of all Pokémon, containing the genetic code of every single species. This ancient, mythical Pokémon was even thought to be extinct for a long time. If you consider 'first' to mean the origin point of all life, or the oldest known Pokémon in the series' universe, then Mew presents a compelling argument. Its rarity and power only add to its mystique as a potential 'first.' I remember the excitement trying to find glitches to catch Mew in the original games – it truly felt like finding a lost piece of history! Finally, we come to Arceus. This legendary Pokémon is often referred to as the 'Alpha Pokémon' and is said to have created the Sinnoh region, and potentially the entire Pokémon universe itself. If we're talking about the creator of everything, the literal god of Pokémon, then Arceus's claim to being the 'first' is incredibly strong from a cosmological perspective. It predates everything, shaping the world and giving birth to other legendary Pokémon. It’s a truly awe-inspiring thought to consider Arceus as the beginning of it all. So, who really is the first Pokémon? Is it Rhydon for design history, Bulbasaur for Pokédex order, Mew for genetic ancestry, or Arceus for universal creation? As a fan, I lean towards Arceus for the sheer scope of its creation myth, but I also love the historical significance of Rhydon. What do you think? Drop your arguments and theories in the comments below! I'm genuinely curious to hear everyone's perspective on this classic Pokémon riddle.