Pokemon Theory: The Tragic Story of Blue’s Raticate

Pokemon is often remembered for its bright colors, cheerful music, and simple journey of “catching ’em all.” But hidden beneath its surface are moments of surprising darkness. Lavender Town and Cubone’s heartbreaking story are well-known examples, yet one of the most chilling fan theories doesn’t come from the Pokedex at all. It actually comes from a rival battle. For anime fans, it’s worth noting that Gary Oak from the Pokemon TV show is the same character as Blue in the original games. He’s your lifelong rival, cocky and competitive, always one step ahead. But according to one Pokemon theory, that cockiness hides a tragedy. Many players believe Blue lost his beloved Raticate after the S.S. Anne fight, and if true, it would forever change how we view this classic character and his role in the story.

Missing in Action: The Disappearance of Raticate

During your rival battle aboard the S.S. Anne in Pokemon Red, Blue, and FireRed/LeafGreen, Blue carries a Raticate. It’s a dangerous opponent, fast and powerful enough to catch many players off guard in the early-mid game. Yet the very next time you face him, in Pokemon Tower of all places, Raticate is nowhere to be seen. From that point onward, Blue never uses Raticate again. The setting makes this absence even more suspicious. Pokemon Tower is not just another dungeon; it’s a graveyard for departed Pokemon. It’s filled with grieving trainers and restless spirits. Encountering Blue there immediately after Raticate’s unexplained disappearance is enough to set off alarm bells. For many fans, the idea that Blue is mourning his lost partner at Pokemon Tower is far too compelling to ignore.

A Battle with Consequences: The Raticate Theory Explained

The theory itself is simple but devastating. According to the fan explanation, Raticate was fatally injured in the battle on the S.S. Anne. The ship left port immediately after, and without a Pokemon Center on board or even access to a PC storage system, Blue had no way to properly treat or swap his Pokemon. By the time the ship docked, it may have already been too late.

This lens reframes your next encounter in Pokemon Tower. Blue’s usual arrogance and trash talk could mask something deeper. Maybe grief for the loss of his longtime companion? He challenges you not just out of rivalry, but perhaps as a way of coping with what happened. The fact that the S.S. Anne battle leads directly into the Lavender Town arc makes this theory hit even harder. What if your victory indirectly caused Blue’s greatest loss?

Following the Trail: Blue’s Later Teams

Looking more closely at Blue’s team composition across the game adds weight to the mystery. After the S.S. Anne, Raticate never appears again:

• Route 22 (early game): Pidgey and Starter (or Eevee in FireRed/LeafGreen). No Raticate yet.
• Cerulean City: Pidgeotto, Abra, Rattata, and Starter. Rattata appears but hasn’t evolved yet.
• S.S. Anne: Pidgeotto, Kadabra, Raticate, and Starter. This is the first and only appearance of Raticate after evolving from Rattata.
• Pokemon Tower: Pidgeotto, Kadabra, Gyarados, Growlithe, and Starter. Raticate is gone—and this happens in a graveyard for Pokemon, which makes the disappearance all the more suspicious.
• Silph Co.: Pidgeot, Alakazam, Gyarados, Exeggcute, Growlithe/Arcanine, and Starter. No sign of Raticate.
• Route 22 (pre–Elite Four): Pidgeot, Alakazam, Gyarados, Exeggcute, Arcanine, and Starter. Blue’s team keeps strengthening, but Raticate never returns.
• Champion Battle: Pidgeot, Alakazam, Gyarados, Exeggutor, Arcanine, and Starter Eeveelution. His final team is fully evolved and powerful, with Raticate now missing permanently.

What this progression shows clearly is that after evolving from Rattata, Raticate only appears during the S.S. Anne battle and vanishes immediately afterward. Meanwhile, the Pokemon Blue bonds with like Pidgeot, Gyarados, and Alakazam, remain consistent throughout his journey. This permanent absence fuels the belief that Raticate’s removal wasn’t just a gameplay decision but may have been written off in-universe as a casualty.

The Other Side: Could It Just Be Game Design?

Of course, not everyone buys into the Raticate theory. Rival teams in Generation 1 were designed to shift over time, giving players variety and scaling up difficulty. Blue’s Pokemon rotate frequently, and his lineup is meant to reflect a balanced progression. In that context, dropping Raticate could have been nothing more than a mechanical decision to keep things fresh.

There’s also the fact that Blue never directly references a loss specifically in his dialogue at Pokemon Tower. His words remain consistent with his usual cocky attitude. Without explicit confirmation, the theory rests on circumstantial evidence and speculation. For many players, that makes it nothing more than an urban legend fueled by coincidence.

Why Players Still Believe: The Power of Tragedy in Pokemon

Even without confirmation, this Pokemon theory has captivated fans for decades because it adds a depth rarely seen in early Pokemon narratives. The idea that Blue lost his Raticate gives his character an emotional dimension beyond being the cocky rival who always seems one step ahead. It reframes Pokemon Tower as not just another spooky detour, but the site of Blue’s private mourning.

Pokemon has always flirted with tragedy, from Cubone’s mother to the darker implications hidden in Pokedex entries. Blue’s Raticate fits seamlessly into this tradition, and because it connects directly to a battle the player was part of, it makes the experience feel more personal. It’s not just another grim piece of lore. It’s a moment where your own actions may have had unintended consequences.

My Perspective: A Rival Recast in a Different Light

As someone who values story and world-building in games, I find the Raticate theory both a little unsettling and fascinating. Pokemon rarely puts the player in situations where their actions could lead to something tragic. However, this theory suggests exactly that. It changes how we look at Blue, not just as a cocky rival, but as someone who may have endured real loss along the way.

Pokemon Tower is already one of the most emotional locations in the franchise, but adding this layer transforms the encounter into something unforgettable. Blue’s arrogance could now be seen as pride masking pain. Him being just a boy trying to push forward despite losing one of his oldest friends. That possibility is what makes the theory linger long after the credits roll.

Final Thoughts: A Theory I Can’t Shake

The truth behind Blue’s Raticate will likely never be confirmed. It may simply have been a case of Game Freak rotating his team for balance, with no hidden meaning behind it. Yet the theory refuses to fade away because it feels like it fits too well. I’ll admit, I’ve been skeptical of other Pokemon theories before. For example, the infamous idea I wrote about last time, where Giovanni is secretly Ash’s father, which I never found completely convincing. But the more I think about the case of Blue’s Raticate, the more plausible it becomes.

The lack of a PC on the S.S. Anne, the timing of his appearance in Pokemon Tower, and the permanent disappearance of Raticate from his team all add up in a way that’s hard to ignore. Whether you believe it’s true or not, the Raticate theory shows just how much depth fans can pull from the smallest details. And for me? Unlike Giovanni-as-Ash’s dad, this is one theory that feels like it might just be possible. Canon or not, the Raticate Pokemon theory proves one thing: Pokemon fans will always find depth in the smallest details, and that’s why these games endure. Let me know what you think!