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I'd have to agree with everyone else and say that Red is definitely for the win. Red is displayed to the Pokémon community as a independent, strong, determined, and caring trainer. While Ash is also advertised this way, Ash hasn't accomplished much, or anything at all, in all of the regions he's been to. Red beat the Kanto Elite Four and even completed the PokéDex. Ash, however, was too hard-headed to do either of these things in any of the regions he's visited. Red has succeeded way more when it comes to being a true Pokémon trainer. He kept his head held high and was one with his Pokémon throughout his entire journey.
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Ash is way too focused on becoming the best of them all. Red focused on his adventure rather than this, even though being a Pokémon master was also his goal. Ash and Pikachu have a great connection, but in the manga and anime, it's obvious that Charizard and Red had a way better and stronger bond than the other two will ever have.
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I have nothing more to say about Ash or Red, though. I will say that I think both have their own good and bad qualities, but despite this, they are both good trainers with their hearts focused on the Pokémon they've bonded with.
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