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Bulbasaur
A Bulbasaur
National Pokédex
None - Bulbasaur (#001) - Ivysaur
Johto Pokédex
Snorlax - Bulbasaur (#226) - Ivysaur
Japanese nameFushigidane
Evolves fromNone
Evolves intoIvysaur
GenerationFirst
SpeciesSeed Pokémon
TypeGrass / Poison
Height2 ft 4 in (0.7 m)
Weight15.2 pounds (6.9 kg)
AbilityOvergrow

Bulbasaur (フシギダネ, Fushigidane) is the first of the Template:Pokenum fictional species of Pokémon creatures from the Japanese Pokémon media franchise. Designed by Ken Sugimori[1], Bulbasaur debuted in 1996 in Pokémon Green, the first Pokémon video game. They are vaguely reptilian-looking creatures that move on all fours. They are small and squat, and have a light blue-green body coloration with darker blue-green spots. As they undergo Pokémon evolution, the bulb on Bulbasaur's back flowers.

Bulbasaur are a prominent species, since they are one of the first Pokémon that can be obtained in the first Pokémon video games and they appear often in the Pokémon anime.

The name Bulbasaur is a blend of "bulb", from the large bulb on its back, and "sauros", (Greek for "lizard"), creating a name evocative of "dinosaur". The Japanese name for Bulbasaur, Fushigidane, is a compound of 不思議 ([fushigi] Error: {{nihongo}}: text has italic markup (help)), "mystery", and 種 ([tane] Error: {{nihongo}}: text has italic markup (help)), "seed". Additionally, だ ([da] Error: {{nihongo}}: text has italic markup (help)) is the plain form of です ([desu] Error: {{nihongo}}: text has italic markup (help)), and ね ([ne] Error: {{nihongo}}: text has italic markup (help)), is used to seek an agreement from the listener, making "Fushigidane" literally "isn't it a mystery?" The name Bulbasaur refers to the species as a whole, as well as individual characters in the games, anime and manga.

Biological characteristics

The Pokédexes of the video games and anime say that a "seed was planted on Bulbasaur's back at birth". This seed then "sprouts and grows" larger as the Bulbasaur grows. This is reflected during the evolution into Ivysaur. The bulb is said to also absorb solar energy, which Bulbasaur need in order to grow; for this reason, Bulbasaur enjoy "soaking up the sun's rays". Bulbasaur, through these stored nutrients, "can go for days without eating a single morsel".[2]

When battling in the video games and anime, trainers can release the stored solar energy as a powerful Solarbeam attack. Bulbasaur can also attack using seeds from this bulb, sapping health from the opponent. Bulbasaur are able to extend two vines from themselves, both for attacking and for manipulating objects.

In video games

A Bulbasaur (left) involved in a battle with a Charmander in Pokémon Red (Played using the Super Game Boy)[3]

Bulbasaur play a key role in the original Pokémon video games, RPG strategy games created by Satoshi Tajiri for the Nintendo Game Boy. These were originally in Japanese, but later translated into other languages. Worldwide, these games and their sequels have sold over 143 million units, making them one of Nintendo's most popular game franchises, second only to Mario.[4] The games are divided into sets of three generations by release and each is often only subtly different. Following the same basic plot in different areas of the Pokémon world, each generation builds on the game play mechanics with new features. As the main character, the player’s task is to direct his or her Pokémon to battle the opponent’s Pokémon, creating a scenario which has been likened to cockfighting. However, Pokémon emphasizes that these fights are friendly competition, not brutality.[1]

In the first-generation Pokémon games, the player may choose Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle as his or her first (or "Starter") Pokémon. If the player chooses a Bulbasaur, the protagonist’s rival will choose a Charmander,[5] since Charmander have a type advantage over Bulbasaur.[6]

In Pokémon Yellow, the player starts with a Pikachu instead of Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle. A Bulbasaur becomes available later, however, as a gift from a non-player character in Cerulean City, following the Pokmon anime storyline.[7] The three original starters are not available in any of the other games in the series, except in the enhanced remakes, FireRed and LeafGreen. However, Bulbasaur are one of the random Pokémon available in Pokémon Stadium, as a prize for defeating all of the Gym Leaders (major game opponents) and the Elite Four (the highest level of competition).

There are seventeen different Pokémon types, a special attribute determining strengths and weaknesses of each species, offsetting each other in a complicated series of rock-paper-scissors relationships. Bulbasaur are a Grass/Poison-type (though they don’t have the ability to learn any damage-dealing Poison attacks naturally), so their attacks are particularly effective against Ground-, Rock- and Water-type Pokémon, but Psychic-, Fire-, Ice- and Flying-type attacks are particularly effective against them. Attacks of the Fighting, Water, Electric, and Grass types do little damage to Bulbasaur, and Bulbasaur do little damage to other Grass and Poison types, as well as to Fire, Flying, Bug, Steel, or Dragon types. All other types have no particular advantage or disadvantage when facing Bulbasaur.[6] Bulbasaur are therefore considered a good first choice for beginners, as the Kanto region's first two Pokémon gym leaders are Brock, who uses Rock-type Pokémon,[8] and Misty, who uses Water-type Pokémon.[9] Also, the third and fourth Gym Leaders are Lt. Surge, an Electric-type specialist, and Erika, a Grass-type specialist,[10] and they have no advantage in battle against Bulbasaur and their evolved forms.[6]

The Bulbasaur’s reasonably high Special Attack and Special Defense statistics mean that they have strong Grass attacks, such as Vine Whip and Razor Leaf, and also resist these sorts of attacks well. Their standard Attack statistic is quite poor, however, which causes the Bulbasaur’s physical attacks, like Tackle, to be relatively weak. Bulbasaur have the ability to undergo evolution, a metamorphic change within a Pokémon caused by gaining experience in battle, twice. They can evolve first into their middle forms, Ivysaur, from level 16 onwards, and again into Venusaur, their final forms, beginning at level 32, with both evolutions giving them a significant power boost in all areas.[11] Bulbasaur, like most unevolved Pokémon, learn moves at a faster rate than their evolved forms. After they learn new moves, they can simply be allowed to evolve, taking advantage of both the advanced techniques and the power increase.[12]

Bulbasaur are not found in the wild in any version, so cannot be caught. As a result, they are rare, despite their lack of battle prowess before evolving. Because one goal in a Pokémon RPG is to “catch ’em all”, any player of Pokémon Red or Blue who does not select a Bulbasaur at the beginning of the game must trade with someone else who has one. For this reason, Bulbasaur (and other Starter Pokémon like Cyndaquil and Mudkip) are popularly bred for trading with other players. This feature was introduced in the second generation and subsequent games contain locations where Pokémon can be bred to produce eggs, which hatch into Pokémon matching the mother’s earliest stage of development.

Bulbasaur also make minor and cameo appearances in several other Nintendo games, Pokémon-centric and otherwise. In the Nintendo 64 game Pokémon Snap, players assume the identity of Todd Snap, a Pokémon photographer. At the request of Professor Oak, Todd sets out to photograph and catalogue the 63 diverse species of Kanto Pokémon that live in varied environments on “Pokémon Island”. On this island, Bulbasaur are found along the River, and three Ditto disguised as Bulbasaur in the Cave.[13] Bulbasaur also show up in Hey You, Pikachu! and Pokémon Channel. In these first-person games, players are put in the role of children too young to become trainers, who befriend a wild Pikachu and other Pokémon. In Super Smash Bros. Melee, a fighting game starring well-known Nintendo characters, a Bulbasaur appears as a trophy which the player can acquire through the in-game lottery by spending coins, known as “Smash Coins”, earned while playing.[14]

In the Pokémon anime

The Pokémon anime series and films are a set of adventures separate from most other versions of Pokémon, featuring Ash Ketchum as the main character, and following his quest to become a Pokémon Master – though what constitutes a Master is somewhat ambiguous. He and his companions travel around the Pokémon world battling other Pokémon trainers. To this end, Ash and his friend May have each trained a Bulbasaur (at different times), although Ash’s was featured for a much longer period.[15]

Ash’s Bulbasaur has remained with him longer than all of his other Pokémon with the exception of his Pikachu, the first Pokémon on his team. Before joining his team, it lived with a girl named Melanie, who took care of abandoned Pokémon. It is unclear whether or not this Bulbasaur has been abandoned, but Melanie was not its trainer, she was merely a friend.[16] Originally, this Bulbasaur was pessimistic about Ash, and when it and his other Pokémon were separated from him, it insisted to the other Pokémon that he has abandoned them.[17] However, following this episode, its loyalties began to improve and it eventually became one of Ash’s most faithful Pokémon.[18]

Like all Pokémon in the anime (except Mewtwo, a particular Meowth, and a certain Slowking), Bulbasaur cannot speak and are only able to communicate verbally by repeating syllables of their species name (“bulb”, “bulba”, “saur”), using different pitches, tones and body language to convey moods. From this, however, a Bulbasaur’s trainer can usually understand what it is saying. Ash and his early companions were the first humans to witness a Bulbasaur evolution ceremony, in which all the Bulbasaur in the world gather in one place in order to evolve into Ivysaur.[19]

As in the games, Pokémon trainers can carry a maximum of 6 Pokémon in their active roster at any one time. Ash’s Bulbasaur remained on his active roster for much of the series, but was later left with Professor Oak, after other Pokémon in Oak’s care started fighting amongst themselves. Bulbasaur was the only Pokémon able to break up these fights, and the fights would resume if it were to leave.[20]

File:Bulbasaur in the anime.jpg
Ash Ketchum’s Bulbasaur in episode 51 of the Pokémon anime

Nintendo has stated that, unlike the video games, Pokémon in the anime are genderless with a few exceptions. Bulbasaur typically has a relaxed attitude, rarely allowing itself to be provoked. This is in sharp contrast to its teammate Squirtle, which tends to act rashly. Like Ash’s Pikachu, this Bulbasaur has decided it prefers not to evolve. Although this decision was not accepted by other Bulbasaur at first, they have come to respect its wishes.

During the grass field battle of the Indigo League tournament, a battle competition that takes place on the Indigo Plateau, Ash’s Bulbasaur defeated two of the opponent’s three Pokémon on its own (a Beedrill and a Scyther), despite little fighting experience as a part of Ash’s team. It also took part in the Orange League Tournament, however, it was quickly defeated by a more experienced Electabuzz, making it the only Pokémon on Ketchum’s team not to defeat at least one of the opposition’s Pokémon. Later, in the Johto League Silver Conference, Bulbasaur was able to defeat a particularly strong shiny Magneton, and then in the same match, duel a freshly-rested Meganium to a draw.[21] Bulbasaur is one of only three of Ash’s original Pokémon (the others being Snorlax and Charizard) to appear so far in the English dubs of the Advanced Generation episodes, which are the most recent incarnation of the Pokémon anime.

Another featured Bulbasaur is the fourth Pokémon caught by May during her Hoenn adventures. While travelling in the Forbidden Forest (a Grass Pokémon reserve), she finds it trying to pick flowers. It warms to her and defends her against the other grass Pokémon, who see her as a threat. When May leaves, Bulbasaur decides to go with her. In the Japanese version, it is voiced by Miyako Itō. Like May’s other Pokémon, it is a contest Pokémon. Pokémon contests within the series are dog show-type events in which Pokémon compete to demonstate style to a panel of judges. For this reason, it is taught the Petal Dance attack, a flashy move which garners high scores from the judges.

Since May's Bulbasaur fell in love with Ash's Bulbasaur, both Bulbasaurs are now with Professor Oak.

In the Pokémon Trading Card Game

File:Bulbasaur TCG.jpg
Bulbasaur in the Pokémon Trading Card Game (Base set)

The Pokémon Trading Card Game is a collectible card game similar in goal to a Pokémon battle in the video game series; players must use cards (with individual strengths and weaknesses) in an attempt to defeat their opponent by "knocking out" all of his cards.[22] The game was first published in North America by Wizards of the Coast in 1999, until Nintendo USA started publishing the series in 2003.[23]

In this capacity, Bulbasaur was among the first Pokémon cards with which players became acquainted. Bulbasaur cards have appeared in the Base Set (and Base Set 2 and Legendary Collection), Gym Challenge (as Erika’s Bulbasaur), Expedition (two cards), EX Team Magma vs. Team Aqua, and EX FireRed & LeafGreen (two cards). Considering the notability and popularity of Bulbasaur, the Pokémon had relatively few appearances in the early card series. In particular, the Rocket set contained Charmander and Squirtle cards, but no Bulbasaur.[24] Bulbasaur has begun to make more frequent appearances in the recent expansions, starting with the Expedition set. Most Bulbasaur cards are of the “common” frequency (see image) and can generally be found with relative ease. There is however a "misprint" of Bulbasaur in the original set where instead of saying "length 2'4, weight 15 lbs" it says "length 2'4, length 15 lbs"[25]

In other media

Bulbasaur is also featured in several Pokémon manga. In Pokémon: Pikachu Shocks Back, Electric Pikachu Boogaloo, and Surf’s Up, Pikachu!, which loosely parallel the storyline of the anime, Pikachu is separated from Ash temporarily, and travels with a Bulbasaur to a secret Pokémon village in the mountains. Later, Ash has caught a Bulbasaur of his own, which he uses in its first appearance to battle Team Rocket. While Ash and his companions take time off to work odd jobs, his Bulbasaur challenges an Ivysaur’s belief in a guardian Venusaur spirit, and the two scale an enormous, ancient tree to settle the matter. Bulbasaur accompanies Ash throughout his journeys in the Orange Islands, and eventually fights in the final showdown with Drake, the Orange Crew Supreme Gymleader. In Magical Pokémon Journey, a character named Pistachio has a female Bulbasaur (nicknamed “Danerina” in the Japanese version), who has a crush on him.[26]

Red received a Bulbasaur, which he nicknamed "Saur", in the Pokémon Adventures manga, and manga based on the original games, from Professor Oak, in Chapter 1, "VS. Mew".[27] It battled alongside Red, until Chapter 15, "Wartortle Wars", when it evolved into an Ivysaur, after battling a wild Mankey.[28] In Chapter 30, "Zap, Zap, Zapdos!", Red used his Saur to defeat Lt. Surge's Zapdos, using its Razor Leaf attack to cut the cables that joined the Team Rocket Executive and the legendary bird.[29] In Chapter 33, "The Winged Legends", Red's Ivysaur evolved into a Venusaur to team up with Blue's Charizard and Green's Blastoise, Turtley, to defeat Sabrina's Zapmolcuno (a merged form of Zapdos, Moltres and Articuno) and destroy Team Rocket's control on Saffron City, splitting the three birds in the process.[30]

Bulbasaur is also the main character of two children’s books, Pokémon Tales, Volume 3: Bulbasaur’s Trouble and Bulbasaur’s Bad Day, that were published in 1999 and 2000 respectively by Sagebrush. In Pokémon Tales, Volume 3: Bulbasaur’s Trouble, Bulbasaur resolves an argument between the other Pokémon.[31] In Bulbasaur’s Bad Day, Meowth traps Bulbasaur in a pit and it has to outwit Team Rocket (the antagonists of the anime) to escape.[32]

In Japan, McDonald’s included Bulbasaur as one of a series of promotional Pokémon cards given away with their Happy Meals.[33] McDonald’s did not, however, extend this idea outside Japan. Instead, a rival company, Burger King, took up the cause: their “Power Cards” included a Bulbasaur, alongside Elekid, Charmander, Meowth, Kingler, Snorlax, Lapras, Scyther, Articuno and Pikachu in “Assortment 3”.

Notes and references

DVDs
  • Pokémon, Vol. 15: Charizard!!, Viz Video., February 2000. ASIN B00004DS9J.
  • Pokémon, Vole 18: Water Blast!, Viz Video., May 2000. ASIN 6305844674.
  • Pokémon - The First Movie, Warner Home Video., October 2000. ASIN B00004WIB2.
  • Pokémon, Vol. 26: Friends and Rivals!, Viz Video., January 2001. ASIN B0000541UG.
  • Pokémon The Movie 2000, Warner Home Video., May 2001. ASIN B00005A3O6.
  • Pokémon 3: The Movie , Warner Home Video., October 2001. ASIN B00005NMW3.
  • Pokémon: Mewtwo Returns, Warner Home Video., December 2001. ASIN B00005OW0I.
  • Pokémon Master Quest 2: Quest 2, Viz Video., February 2005. ASIN B0002IQD2Y.
Notes
  1. ^ a b “PokéMania,” Time.com. URL accessed on July 20 2006.
  2. ^ The in-game Pokédexes of the Pokémon video games (A copy of them from Psypokes.com.) URL Accessed July 20 2006.
  3. ^ MacDonald, Mark; Brokaw, Brian; Arnold; J. Douglas; Elies, Mark. Pokémon Trainer's Guide. Sandwich Islands Publishing, 1999. ISBN 0439154049. (pg73)
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference sev was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Pokémon Red and Blue walkthrough; Pallet Town Psypokes.com. URL Accessed July 20 2006.
  6. ^ a b c Pokémon types attack and defense chart Serebii.net. URL Accessed July 20 2006.
  7. ^ Pokémon Yellow walkthrough Pokemonelite2000.com. URL Accessed July 20 2006.
  8. ^ Hollinger, Elizabeth M.; Ratkos, James M., Pokémon Gold and Silver: Prima's Official Strategy Guide. (pg 148) Prima Publishing, 2000. ISBN 761530843.
  9. ^ Hollinger, Elizabeth M.; Ratkos, James M., Pokémon Gold and Silver: Prima's Official Strategy Guide. (pg 132-133) Prima Publishing, 2000. ISBN 761530843.
  10. ^ Gym leader guide for Pokémon Red, Blue, Green and Yellow Dogasu.bulbagarden.net. URL Accessed July 20 2006.
  11. ^ Bulbasaur Pokédex entry Smogon.com. URL Accessed July 20 2006.
  12. ^ Hollinger, Elizabeth M.; Ratkos, James M., Pokémon Gold and Silver: Prima's Official Strategy Guide. (pg 16) Prima Publishing, 2000. ISBN 761530843.
  13. ^ MacDonald, Mark; Brokaw, Brian; Arnold; J. Douglas; Elies, Mark. Pokémon Trainer's Guide. Sandwich Islands Publishing, 1999. ISBN 0439154049. (pg 192 - 195)
  14. ^ “Guides:Super Smash Bros. Melee,” IGN.com. URL accessed on December 29, 2005.
  15. ^ Pokemon Advanced Challenge, Vol. 7 - Six Pack Attack, Viz Video., March 12 2006. ASIN B000CEXG32.
  16. ^ “Episode 10 - Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village”, Serebii.net. URL accessed on February 26, 2006.
  17. ^ Pokemon - Seaside Pikachu! Viz Video., July 20 1999. ASIN 6305466866.
  18. ^ Pokemon - Pikachu Party (Vol. 12) Viz Video., November 23 1999. ASIN B000021Y6R.
  19. ^ “Episode 51 - Bulbasaur’s Mysterious Garden”, Serebii.net. URL accessed on February 26, 2006.
  20. ^ “Episode 227 - Bulbasaur ... The Ambassador!”, Serebii.net. URL accessed on February 28, 2006.
  21. ^ “Episode 270 - Tie One On!”, Serebii.net. URL accessed on February 26, 2006.
  22. ^ Pokémon Trading Card Game "How to play" guide Pokemon-tcg.com. URL Accessed July 3, 2006.
  23. ^ Pokemon Trading Card Game News; "Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire TCG Releases" Wizards.com. URL Accessed July 3, 2006.
  24. ^ Pokémon Trading Card Game set; Team Rocket set cards Serebii.net. URL Accessed July 21, 2006.
  25. ^ "Appearances of Bulbasaur in the Pokémon Trading Card Game" Psypokes.com. URL Accessed on May 4, 2006.
  26. ^ Template:Jp icon Pokémon: Magical Journey character bios Maco.cha.to. URL Accessed July 26, 2006.
  27. ^ Kusaka, Hidenori, & Mato. Pokémon Adventures, Volume 1: Desperado Pikachu, VIZ Media LLC, July 6, 2000. ISBN 1569315078.
  28. ^ Kusaka, Hidenori, & Mato. Pokémon Adventures: Legendary Pokémon, Vol. 2; Chapter 33, Chapter 15, "Wartortle Wars", (pg 7-20) VIZ Media LLC, December 6, 2001. ISBN 1569315086.
  29. ^ Kusaka, Hidenori, & Mato. Pokémon Adventures, Volume 3: Saffron City Siege; Chapter 31, "The Art of Articuno" (pg 33-46) VIZ Media LLC, August 5 2001. ISBN 1569315604
  30. ^ Kusaka, Hidenori, & Mato. Pokémon Adventures, Volume 3: Saffron City Siege; Chapter 33, "The Winged Legends" (pg 77-95) VIZ Media LLC, August 5 2001. ISBN 1569315604
  31. ^ “Pokémon Tales, Volume 3: Bulbasaur’s Trouble,” Amazon. URL accessed on February 2, 2006.
  32. ^ “Bulbasaur’s Bad Day,” Amazon. URL accessed on February 1, 2006.
  33. ^ “McDonalds’s Pokémon Booster packs,” Scyther’s Pokémon place. URL accessed on February 26, 2006.
Publications
  • Barbo, Maria. The Official Pokémon Handbook. Scholastic Publishing, 1999. ISBN 0439154049.
  • Loe, Casey, ed. Pokémon Special Pikachu Edition Official Perfect Guide. Sunnydale, CA: Empire 21 Publishing, 1999. ISBN 130206151.
  • Nintendo, et al. Official Nintendo Pokémon Snap Player’s Guide. Nintendo of America Inc., 1999. ASIN B000CDZP9G
  • Nintendo Power. Official Nintendo Pokémon FireRed Version & Pokémon LeafGreen Version Player’s Guide. Nintendo of America Inc., August 2004. ISBN 193020650X
Websites
  • "Statistical analysis of Bulbasaur". PsyPoke. Retrieved December 29. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  • "Individual anime episode summaries". Serebii.net. Retrieved February 28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
Manga volumes
  • Ono, Toshihiro. Pokémon: Pikachu Shocks Back Graphic Novel. VIZ Media LLC, December 6 1999. ISBN 156931411X
  • Ono, Toshihiro. Pokémon: Electric Pikachu Boogaloo Graphic Novel. VIZ Media LLC, April 5 2000. ISBN 1569314365
  • Ono, Toshihiro. Pokémon: Surf’s Up, Pikachu Graphic Novel. VIZ Media LLC, June 2000. ISBN 1569314942
  • Kusaka, Hidenori, & Mato. Pokémon Adventures, Volume 1: Desperado Pikachu. VIZ Media LLC, July 6 2000. ISBN 1569315078
  • Kusaka, Hidenori, & Mato. Pokémon Adventures, Volume 2: Legendary Pokémon. VIZ Media LLC, December 6 2000. ISBN 1569315086
  • Kusaka, Hidenori, & Mato. Pokémon Adventures, Volume 3: Saffron City Siege. VIZ Media LLC, August 5 2001. ISBN 1569315604
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