In Yellow, that was true. In Blue/Red, unfortunately, Mankey does not appear on Route 22 and while both Nidoran appear there and on Route 2, they only learn Double Kick MUCH later (level 40ish?), so Charmander is, in fact, kinda sorta hard mode. The most viable option is Butterfree at that point with Confusion.

This is actually pretty eloquently described, especially considering the conversation is very much one side or the other. Unfortunately, that is a by-product of global politics, in recent years, and regardless of whether or not people agree or disagree with any one individual statement of any medium, they should at…