>>24555255>>24555242this is kinda proof
the first season was very different from all the other seasons, unlike later Gary owning badges from gyms ash never visited is normal because there weren't just 8 gyms
gyms were not supposed to be a big deal, remember how no one cared for brocks dad? no one recognized brock, not even other gym leaders
unlike later in the show where gym leaders are generally called to help out, which is how ash meets like 50% of all gym leaders
remember Norman? He was a star in his city
The only other region with more badges was unova and those badges were all in the games
OP has a point
