It’s Not Pikachu: The True Story Of The First Pokémon Ever Designed And Its Secret Index Number

For over two decades, the identity of the "first" Pokémon has been a source of intense debate among fans, often leading to confusion between the one at the start of the Pokédex (Bulbasaur), the franchise mascot (Pikachu), or even a mythological creator (Arceus). However, in a revelation that continually surprises new generations of trainers, the true answer, confirmed by the series' primary character designer, Ken Sugimori, is a Ground/Rock-type powerhouse. As of this writing in December 2025, the official, definitive answer to the question of the first Pokémon ever conceived and drawn is the rhinoceros-like creature, Rhydon.

This deep dive into the archives of Game Freak and the early concept art of *Pokémon Red and Green* reveals a fascinating history that pre-dates the game's final release. Rhydon's creation is not just a trivia fact; it is a foundational piece of the franchise's visual and mechanical identity, representing the very first successful attempt to translate the world-changing concept of "Pocket Monsters" from an idea into a tangible creature.

The Masterminds Behind the Original 151: Architects of the Pokémon Universe

Understanding the first Pokémon requires looking at the brilliant minds who created the Kanto region and its inhabitants. The foundation of the *Pokémon* franchise was built by a small team at Game Freak, led by two key figures whose visions converged to create a global phenomenon.

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Satoshi Tajiri: The Visionary and Creator

• Role: Founder of Game Freak and Original Creator of the *Pokémon* concept.
• Concept Origin: Tajiri’s inspiration came from his childhood hobby of collecting and trading insects in Machida, Tokyo, before the area was fully urbanized.
• Original Idea: The game concept was initially titled *Capsule Monsters*, where trainers would capture and battle creatures stored in capsules, a direct precursor to the modern Poké Ball. He presented this idea to Nintendo in 1990.

Ken Sugimori: The Primary Designer and Art Director

• Role: Primary Character Designer and Art Director for the *Pokémon* franchise.
• Key Contribution: Sugimori was responsible for illustrating the official artwork for all of the Original 151 Generation I Pokémon.
• Current Status: While he still contributes, he has transitioned to a more supervisory and art direction role in recent generations, overseeing the work of a larger team of designers.

Atsuko Nishida: The Creator of the Mascot

• Role: Character Designer for *Pokémon Red and Green*.
• Notable Creations: Nishida is most famous for designing the franchise's global mascot, Pikachu, as well as other iconic creatures like the Bulbasaur line and the Charmander line.

Rhydon: The True Index 001 and the Capsule Monsters Era

The distinction between the first Pokémon designed and the one that appears first in the Pokédex is a crucial piece of *Pokémon* lore. Rhydon's position as the true first creation is supported by two undeniable pieces of historical evidence from the development of *Pokémon Red and Green*.

The Secret Index Number

In the final release of the Generation I games, Rhydon holds the official Pokédex entry number #112. However, within the game's internal data—the programming code that organizes all the creatures—Rhydon holds the internal index number 001. This internal numbering system dictates the order in which the Pokémon data was entered into the game's programming memory.

This internal index is the ultimate proof of creation order. When Ken Sugimori first began translating Satoshi Tajiri’s *Capsule Monsters* concept into visual designs, Rhydon was the very first monster he successfully completed and logged into the nascent game database. This makes Rhydon, unequivocally, the first Pokémon ever designed and programmed.

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Early Concept Art: A Rhino-Like Pioneer

Rhydon's status as the pioneer is further cemented by its appearance in historical concept art from the early 1990s. The initial sketches for the *Capsule Monsters* project often feature a trainer accompanied by a creature that is clearly an early iteration of Rhydon.

Its design—a large, bipedal rhinoceros with thick, rock-like armor and a drill on its horn—perfectly embodies the aesthetic of the early *Pokémon* world, which was often more grounded and monstrous than the later, more whimsical designs. It was a creature clearly built for battle and capturing, setting the standard for the power and design philosophy of the original Kanto region.

The Paradox of the 'First' Pokémon: Design vs. Lore vs. Pokédex

The reason for the enduring confusion about the first Pokémon lies in the three different definitions of "first" within the franchise. A true expert understands the difference between the first *designed*, the first *in lore*, and the first *listed*.

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1. The First Designed: Rhydon (#112)

As established, Rhydon is the first monster to be visually created and logged into the game’s internal code (Index 001) by Ken Sugimori during the transition from *Capsule Monsters* to *Pocket Monsters*.

2. The First Pokédex Entry: Bulbasaur (#001)

The Pokédex, or Pokémon Encyclopedia, is the in-game list that organizes all known species. In Generation I, the list begins with the Grass-type starter, Bulbasaur, followed by Ivysaur and Venusaur. This order was chosen for narrative and structural reasons, likely to provide a clean, accessible starting point for new players, rather than reflecting the order of creation.

3. The First in Lore: Arceus and Mew

For fans who follow the deep mythology of the *Pokémon* world, the "first" creature is often attributed to a Legendary or Mythical Pokémon:

• Arceus: Known as the "Original One," Arceus is a Normal-type Mythical Pokémon said to have created the entire *Pokémon* universe. In the franchise's official lore, it is the creator of the Sinnoh region and, by extension, all reality.
• Mew: The elusive Mythical Pokémon, Mew, is often cited as the ancestor of all Pokémon due to its ability to learn every Technical Machine (TM) and its DNA containing the genetic code of all other species. Its appearance was a late addition to the original game, but its role in the mythology is foundational.

The Legacy of Rhydon and the Evolution of Pokémon Design

Rhydon's status as the inaugural design is a testament to the initial vision of the *Pokémon* world. Its robust, powerful, and slightly intimidating appearance set a high bar for the creatures that followed. The design team, including Sugimori and Nishida, continued to build upon this foundation, creating the remaining 150 Pokémon for the Kanto region, including fan favorites like Charizard, Mewtwo, and Vaporeon.

The process was collaborative, with Satoshi Tajiri providing the core concepts and Ken Sugimori translating them into final artwork. This initial batch of designs established a visual language that would define the franchise for decades: creatures with clear elemental types, distinct silhouettes, and a sense of both danger and companionship.

The enduring popularity of the Generation I creatures proves the strength of this early design philosophy. While the roster has expanded to over a thousand creatures across multiple generations (including new regions like Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos, Alola, Galar, and Paldea), the first creature ever designed—the humble yet powerful Rhydon—remains a powerful symbol of where the entire journey began.

So, the next time the debate arises, you can confidently point to the Ground/Rock-type Rhydon and its secret internal index number 001 as the definitive, historical answer to the question: Which Pokémon was the very first one designed?