A Special Thanks to Viz Media and NetGalley for the ARC
Our newest review takes us on a nostalgia-filled adventure into an era of the time when the Pokémon fandom was in its early stages of capturing the world by storm. The new review focuses on Hidenori Kusaka‘s Pokémon Adventures Red and Blue Deluxe Editon Vol. One, a step up over the anime series.
A tale that is old as time. Red doesn’t want to just catch Pokémon, he also wants to be their friend! Not only that, but he is competing against his rival, Blue and traveling through dangerous zones, battles Gym Leaders for badges, and discovers the secrets of Pokémon! But as Red improves as a Pokémon Trainer, so does his competition. And soon Red must team up with his biggest rival, Blue, to defeat a common enemy!
Speaking as a Pokémon fan, I prefer the Pokémon Adventures manga over the anime. It feels more realistic and closer in spirit to the video games it’s based on—an odd thing to say about a world full of pocket monsters, maybe, but true. Despite its age, the Red and Blue story remains strong as the franchise celebrates its 30th anniversary, full of that unmistakable 90s shonen energy.
Besides having a story full of shonen energy, it was also a tad morbid at times and packed with actual plot twists—like three of the eight Gym Leaders being members of Team Rocket. The world of Pokémon feels far more dangerous here than it’s usually portrayed, with Pokémon getting dismembered or even killed. The stories have a certain feeling that they were written and illustrated to appeal to readers of the popular shonen titles of that era. One problem I have with this edition is the localization, which has long been a hot topic among readers when discussing Viz Media’s work. When Viz localized the manga for Western audiences, they kept the protagonist as Red, renamed the male rival Blue to match the Western game titles, and changed the female character’s name to Green. Rather than commission a fully new translation, they largely re-released and revised the original English script.
Mato’s artwork is another major strength of this Deluxe Edition. Her character and Pokémon designs make it clear that Pokémon Adventures was the original manga tie-in, arriving right alongside the games and before the anime fully defined the look of the franchise. Red, Blue, and Green feel closer to the spirit of the original Game Boy sprites and early concept art than to their later anime counterparts, and the Pokémon themselves are drawn with a lively, slightly rough energy that suits the more intense tone of the story. The action panels are especially effective—dynamic, expressive, and full of impact. Even the Pokédex entries scattered throughout pay clear homage to the original games, reinforcing that authentic early-Pokémon atmosphere. Presented here in a high-quality hardcover with gold finishes and gilded edges, Mato’s black-and-white illustrations look sharper and more striking than ever.
Pokémon Adventures Red & Blue Deluxe Editon Vol. One is available now, it is the perfect book to give the Pokémon fan in your life, or for your own collection. You can order your copy on Amazon.
Final Grade:
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