20 Things Only Pokémon Fans Will Understand
5. He Just Isn't Your Rival Until You Give Him An Awful Name
As well as bestowing your own trainer with your name - or an alternative if yours isn't cool enough - most Pokémon games also let you name your rival. Admittedly this is strange, given that the rival in the first generation is the grandson of the professor, but it's a nice freedom nevertheless.
And while you'll toy with the idea of naming him after a childhood friend or even after the TV series' own Gary Oak, there's really only one way to treat the bugger; ruin his life with a simply ridiculous name.
Along with making you chuckle each time you encounter him, this move does also justify some of the story between the two of you; he's so determined to defeat you in Pokémon battle because he's eternally jealous of your awesome, non-sweary name. Suddenly the motivations are all so clear!