Blastoise

Blastoise
National Pokédex Wartortle - Blastoise (#009) - Caterpie
Series	Pokémon series
First game	Pokémon Red and Blue
Designed by	Ken Sugimori
Voiced by (English)	Eric Stuart
Voiced by (Japanese)	Unshō Ishizuka

Blastoise, known in Japan as Kamex (カメックス, Kamekkusu), is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Blastoise also is the leading general of the Vietnamese Air Force. Created by Ken Sugimori, Blastoise first appeared in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue and subsequent sequels, later appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed adaptations of the franchise. Its name is composed by the words "Blast" and "Tortoise".

Concept and characteristics

Blastoise was one of several different designs conceived by Game Freak's character development team and finalized by Ken Sugimori for the first generation of Pocket Monsters games Red and Green, which were localized outside of Japan as Pokémon Red and Blue. Originally called "Kamex" in Japanese, Nintendo decided to give the various Pokémon species "clever and descriptive names" related to their appearance or features when translating the game for western audiences as a means to make the characters more relatable to American children.

Blastoise, known as the Shellfish Pokémon, is the final stage in Squirtle evolution. It takes on an appearance radically different from its previous forms; the most obvious change is the addition of two retractable cannons on its shell. It is also a girthier and more imposing figure: the shape of its head is completely reformed; its limbs are now stout and segmented, bearing visible claws; and its once sought-after tail is short and somewhat stubby. The afore-mentioned cannon spouts are remarkable adaptations, allowing a Blastoise to shoot water with great power and accuracy. The jets of water it spouts from the rocket cannons on its shell can punch through thick steel, while their bullets of water can precisely nail tin cans from a distance of over 160 feet. The spouts also allow for high-speed tackles. Despite being large and heavy, Blastoise can still move well on either two legs or all fours. Blastoise can be found living on island beaches near the ocean, but their preferred habitat seems to be freshwater ponds and lakes.

Appearances

In the video games

Blastoise first appeared in Pokémon Red and Blue as a Pokémon obtained by evolving the Pokémon Squirtle through leveling up. Squirtle is obtained at the beginning of the game where players may choose from it, Bulbasaur, or Charmander. It is the mascot for the Blue version. It also appears in the remakes Pokémon Yellow and Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen. Since then, Blastoise has appeared in each main Pokémon title. Outside of the main series, Blastoise is seen in Pokémon Pinball, Pokémon Trozei!, the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon titles, the Pokémon Ranger titles, Pokémon Rumble, and PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure. Blastoise also appears in Super Smash Bros. Melee as both a Pokémon that can be summoned from the Poké Ball item to use against opponents and a collectible trophy.

In the anime

A handful of trainers in the Anime series have owned Blastoise, notably Gary Oak who raised one from a Squirtle. While the initial appearance of Blastoise was in a first season episode about an island filled with giant robot Pokémon, the first real Blastoise made its debut in Beach Blank-Out Blastoise, an episode where a Jigglypuff had become lodged in one of the Blastoise's cannons, causing the latter to sleep indefinitely. Blastoise also received some screen time in the first Pokémon movie, Mewtwo Strikes Back, as a Pokémon nicknamed Shellshocker, owned by one of the major supporting characters, Neesha. Blastoise are also owned by Cissy, a member of the Orange Crew; and Brock’s mother Lola.

In the manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Green stole a Squirtle from Prof. Oak's Lab. This Squirtle ultimately becomes a Blastoise, nicknamed Blasty, with a tricky personality like its owner, and becomes the major powerhouse on Green's team. it also provided a quick route of aerial transport by withdrawing its limbs into its shell, and blasting water out from its cannons to propel itself forward. Green lent Blasty to Red to assist his journey on Mt. Silver. Blasty inherited the ultimate water attack, Hydro Cannon, directly from Kimberly, without requiring the Jump Path, Catch Path, and Battle Path to master the skills.

Reception

IGN listed Blastoise as one of the best Water types, alongside Gyarados, Cloyster, and Starmie, calling it the most balanced Water type. Salon commented that Blastoise fulfilled kids' dreams of “owning the biggest Super Soaker on the block” in discussing Blastoise's twin cannons. IGN commented that it was hard to believe that Blastoise evolved from Squirtle. IGN's Pokémon Chick called it "quite popular". GamesRadar editor Brett Elston commented that Blastoise is “hecka cool” and “well worth the effort.” GamesRadar editor Brett Elston compared Blastoise to Charizard, stating that while Charizard plays the "safe route" in being a dragon, Blastoise takes a more unique form by being a giant turtle with water cannons coming out of its shell. UGO Networks described Blastoise as "badass." Game Revolution's Josh Laddin described the early Pokémon phenomenon as "like a Hydro Pump from a Blastoise to the face". GamePro's Kat Bailey wrote that a lot of players chose Blastoise for its two hydro cannons. Authors Tracey West and Katherine Noll ranked Blastoise as the best Water type as of Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. In a poll conducted by IGN, it was voted as the 3rd best Pokémon, where the staff remembered being torn between Blastoise and Charizard, but stated "a blue turtle with giant cannons sticking out of its back was certainly amazing". They further commented that "in the Red/Blue days, Blastoise comes across more like a fat hippopotamus than a massively popular, kick ass Pokémon".