Bulbasaur
Bulbasaur | |
---|---|
Pokémon character | |
First game | Pokémon Red and Blue (1996) |
Designed by | Atsuko Nishida Ken Sugimori (finalized) |
Voiced by |
|
In-universe information | |
Species | Pokémon |
Type | Grass/Poison |
Bulbasaur[a] is a Grass/Poison-type Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Designed by Atsuko Nishida, Bulbasaur debuted in Pocket Monsters: Red and Green (Pokémon Red and Blue outside Japan) as a starter Pokémon. Since then, it has reappeared in subsequent sequels, spin-off games, related merchandise, and animated and printed adaptations of the franchise. It is the first Pokémon in the franchise's monster index, called a Pokédex, with an index number of 0001. It is a central character in the Pokémon anime, being one of Ash Ketchum's main Pokémon for the first season, and a different one later being obtained by May. It is featured in various manga, and is owned by protagonist Red in the Pokémon Adventures manga. Bulbasaur has been featured in myriad pieces of merchandise, including toys, key chains, and plush dolls. Bulbasaur can evolve into Ivysaur and eventually Venusaur.
Bulbasaur has generally been received positively, considered one of the best Pokemon and best starter Pokemon, including by series producer Junichi Masuda. Its role in the anime has been suggested to have played a factor into its popularity.
Conception and design[edit]
Bulbasaur is a fictional species of Pokémon created for the Pokémon franchise. Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo, the series began in Japan in 1996 with the release of the video games Pokémon Red and Blue for the Game Boy.[1] In these games, the player assumes the role of a Pokémon Trainer whose goal is to capture and train creatures called Pokémon. Players use the creatures' special abilities to combat other Pokémon, and some can transform into stronger species through a process called evolution.[2]
Bulbasaur was designed by Atsuko Nishida, one of the character designers for Pocket Monsters Red and Blue, who based its design on Ivysaur, the next evolved form of Bulbasaur.[3] The species first appeared as one of three starter Pokémon the player could choose from at the beginning of the initial Game Boy games, Pokémon Red and Blue, released in Japan in 1996.[4] Its Japanese name, Fushigidane (fu-SHI-gi-DAHN-eh), is a combination of the Japanese words for mystery or miracle (fushigi) and seed (tane).[5] In translating the game for English speaking audiences, Nintendo gave the Pokémon "cleverly descriptive names" related to their appearance or features as a means to make the characters more relatable to American children; thus Bulbasaur, a portmanteau relating to both its dinosaurian appearance and the large garlic-shaped bulb on its back.[6] Both the etymology and appearance of Bulbasaur, Ivysaur and Venusaur convey a transition of this Pokémon from the harmless to the dangerous as it evolves.[7] The idea to feature Bulbasaur and the other Red and Blue starters in a significant role in Pokémon X and Y came about a year and a half into the development of the games. The Mega Evolutions for the three Pokémon's final forms were created, and the designers decided that they should give players an opportunity to receive one of these Pokémon from Professor Sycamore, the games professor, to see their Mega Evolved form.[8]
Despite their English names, Ken Sugimori confirmed that the design of Bulbasaur and its evolutions are based on onions and bullfrogs.,[9] albeit identified more with a smaller Dicynodont. In the Pokémon franchise, Bulbasaur are small, squat amphibian and plant Pokémon that move on all four legs, and have blue-green bodies with darker blue-green spots. As a Bulbasaur undergoes evolution into Ivysaur and then later into Venusaur, the bulb on its back blossoms into a large flower.[10] The seed on a Bulbasaur's back is planted at birth and then sprouts and grows larger as the Bulbasaur grows.[11] The bulb absorbs sunlight which allows it to grow, and for this reason, Bulbasaur enjoy soaking up the sun's rays.[12] They can also survive for days without eating because the bulb stores energy.[13] Series producer and director Junichi Masuda considered Bulbasaur the best starter Pokémon, finding it really cute and feeling that it exemplifies what Pokémon is for him, citing the monster and plant combination.[14]
Appearances[edit]
Bulbasaur is the first Pokémon entry on the Pokedex.[15] It made its video game debut on February 27, 1996, in the Japanese-language games Pocket Monsters Red and Green.[16] Along with Charmander and Squirtle, Bulbasaur is a starter Pokémon the player can choose from at the beginning of the games.[17] Bulbasaur's Grass typing is in contrast to Charmander's Fire typing and Squirtle's Water typing.[17] Bulbasaur is the only starter in Red, Blue, and Green that has a dual typing in its first form, its second type being Poison. Bulbasaur and the other starters from Red and Blue are replaced by Pikachu in Pokémon Yellow, the only starter available in it, and is instead obtainable elsewhere in the game.[17] Bulbasaur appears in all other entries in the series, though in Pokémon Sword and Shield, Bulbasaur is not available until the release of Pokémon Sword and Shield: The Isle Of Armor, Similarly, Bulbasaur is not available in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet until the release of The Indigo Disk.
Bulbasaur appears in various Pokémon spin-offs, including Pokémon Stadium and the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series, where players may be assigned Bulbasaur in a personality quiz. Bulbasaur appears in both Pokémon Snap and New Pokémon Snap as Pokémon the player can take pictures of. In Pokémon Snap, players may encounter a Ditto that mimics Bulbasaur. Bulbasaur was also one of the four starters in Pokémon Go and as a playable character in Pokémon Unite.[18][19] Outside of the Pokémon video games, Bulbasaur is featured as a collectible in multiple games in the Super Smash Bros. series, including Super Smash Bros. Melee and Super Smash Bros. Brawl.[20][21]
Scenes from the Pokémon anime have depicted both the characters Ash and May training a Bulbasaur at different times, with Ash's Bulbasaur being one of Ash's most present Pokemon.[22][citation needed] Before joining Ash's team, it lives with a girl named Melanie, who takes care of abandoned Pokémon. Bulbasaur is given to Ash, but it is pessimistic about him. However, its loyalties begin to improve and it eventually becomes one of Ash's most faithful Pokémon. May catches a Bulbasaur while traveling in a grass-type Pokémon nature reserve during her journey in Hoenn. Bulbasaur defends her from the other grass Pokémon in the forest, who see her as a threat, and when May leaves, Bulbasaur decides to go with her. She later makes a guest appearance, where it is revealed that her Bulbasaur has fully evolved into a Venusaur.[23] In the original Japanese version the two Bulbasaur are each played by separate voice actresses, Ash's Bulbasaur by Megumi Hayashibara and May's by Miyako Itō. In the English dub, they are both voiced by Tara Jayne until Michele Knotz took over the job for the ninth season.[citation needed]
Bulbasaur is featured in a number of different Pokémon manga series, including Pokemon Adventures. In Pokémon Adventures, a manga based on the plot of the Pokémon Red and Blue games, the character Red receives a Bulbasaur from Professor Oak, which he nicknames Saur. In Chapter 15, "Wartortle Wars", it evolves into an Ivysaur after battling a wild Mankey. Bulbasaur also appears in the movie Pokemon: Detective Pikachu, where a herd of them lead Pikachu for Mewtwo to heal.[24] In making the film, a bulldog was used to understand the top-heavy movement of Bulbasaur, then puppeteers in London were hired to create 3D puppets of it. Facial expressions and texture details were added using CGI.[25]
Promotion and reception[edit]
Bulbasaur has been featured in varying pieces of merchandise, including toys and plush dolls.[26] Bulbasaur has been depicted in action figures sold by Hasbro in the United States, while Tomy in Japan sold extensive merchandise of the character, including vinyl dolls, wind-up model kits, Singaporean popcorn,[27] and terry cloth bean bags.[28] It has also been used in promotional merchandising at fast-food chains such as McDonald's and Burger King.[29][30] Bulbasaur has also been included in various versions of the Pokémon painting on ANA Boeing 767s.[31] In 2021, Seiko made limited edition luxury watches based on Bulbasaur and its evolutionary family. The watch also depicts it using Solar Beam.[32] The island nation of Niue issued a commemorative coin with a legal tender value of one crown which has a Bulbasaur on the reverse side.[33] Bulbasaur was also among the eleven Pokémon chosen as Japan's mascots in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.[34] A Bulbasaur statue was installed on March 25, 2018 in the municipality of Suzano, located in São Paulo in Brazil, and was the first of several other Pokémon-related statues installed there.[35][36]
Bulbasaur has been largely praised by critics for its appearance, especially in the Pokémon anime. Nintendo World Report's Pedro Hernandez called it his favorite Pokémon, noting that it represented a number of firsts for him: his first episode of the anime, his first Pokémon, and the first one he saw in 3D. Calling Bulbasaur the reason he became interested in the Pokémon series, he stated that he was "deeply touched" by how it refused to evolve in the anime in order to "prove his self-worth as his un-evolved form".[37] IGN editor "Pokémon of the Day Chick" also praised Ash's "attitude-packing Bulbasaur" in the anime,[38] and Official Nintendo Magazine's John Vekinis attributed his "love of Grass-type Pokémon" to Bulbasaur in spite of the Grass type's weaknesses.[39] Chris Plante of Polygon called Bulbasaur the best Pokémon; while he felt it and its evolutions "comparably dull", they were "the most true to life" as it looked more "leathery and aged" as it got older in comparison to the other starters.[14] Bulbasaur was ranked the 3rd best starter Pokémon in a poll of Japanese Pokémon fans by ITmedia. The staff felt that the popularity of Bulbasaur derived from the anime, particularly Ash's Bulbasaur, who at the time was the Pokémon that was with Ash for the longest time besides Pikachu, spanning four-and-a-half years. They speculated that this led to fans feeling attached to Bulbasaur.[22]
Notes[edit]
- ^ Pronounced /ˈbʌlbəˌsɔːr/. Known as Fushigidane (フシギダネ) in Japan
References[edit]
- ^ Hilliard, Kyle (December 25, 2016). "Pokémon Red & Blue – A Look Back At The 20-Year Journey To Catch 'Em All". Game Informer. Archived from the original on October 1, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
- ^ Allison, Anne (May 2006). Millennial Monsters: Japanese Toys and the Global Imagination. University of California Press. pp. 192–197. ISBN 9780520938991.
- ^ "Creator Profile: The Creators of Pikachu". NA website of Pokémon. The Pokémon Company International. Archived from the original on September 22, 2020. Retrieved September 25, 2018.
Sugimori: "Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle were all designed by Ms. Nishida."; Nishida: "I created the designs for Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle by working backward from their final forms. I wanted people to be surprised when it evolved into Charizard, so I designed the original Charmander in such a way that Charizard would be unimaginable."
- ^ MacDonald, Mark; Brokaw, Brian; Arnold; J. Douglas; Elies, Mark. Pokémon Trainer's Guide. Sandwich Islands Publishing, 1999. ISBN 0-439-15404-9. (pg 192–195)
- ^ Drazen, Patrick (2003). Anime Explosion!: The What? Why? & Wow! of Japanese Animation. St. Paul, MN: Stone Bridge Press, LLC. p. 321. ISBN 1-880656-72-8.
- ^ Chua-Euan, Howard (November 22, 1999). "PokéMania". Time. Archived from the original on February 20, 2001. Retrieved September 15, 2008.
- ^ M., Pratama Cipta Agi; Himmawati, Dian Rivia (2016). "The Relevance Between Word Formation of Pokémon Name and Its Appearance". Faculty of Languages and Arts, State University of Surabaya. Language Horizon. 4 (4): 45–47.
- ^ Betka, Zach (September 19, 2013). "Pokemon X/Y: WHY?! Director Masuda himself answers!". GamesRadar. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
- ^ 女子大生が訊く ポケットモンスターブラック・ホワイト (in Japanese). Nintendo. Archived from the original on December 30, 2010. Retrieved October 28, 2018.
- ^ "pokemon.com Pokédex". Nintendo/Game Freak. Archived from the original on July 30, 2008. Retrieved September 15, 2008.
- ^ Game Freak (September 30, 1998). Pokémon Red (Game Boy). Nintendo.
Pokédex: A strange seed was planted on its back at birth. The plant sprouts and grows with this Pokémon.
- ^ Game Freak (March 17, 2003). Pokémon Ruby (Game Boy Advance). Nintendo.
Pokédex: Bulbasaur can be seen napping in bright sunlight. There is a seed on its back. By soaking up the sun's rays, the seed grows progressively larger.
- ^ Game Freak (October 19, 1999). Pokémon Yellow (Game Boy). Nintendo.
Pokédex: It can go for days without eating a single morsel. In the bulb on its back, it stores energy.
- ^ a b Plante, Chris (September 28, 2018). "Bulbasaur has been the best Pokémon all along". Polygon. Archived from the original on September 28, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
- ^ "The Official Pokémon Website". www.pokemon.com. Archived from the original on October 14, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2023.
- ^ "Official Japanese Pokémon website". Archived from the original on June 7, 2016. Retrieved May 24, 2007.
- ^ a b c Allison, Anne (2006). Millennial Monsters: Japanese Toys and the Global Imagination. University of California Press. ISBN 0-520-22148-6.
- ^ "Pokemon Go: How To Prepare For Bulbasaur Spotlight Hour". ScreenRant. July 6, 2021. Archived from the original on July 15, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
- ^ Kohn, Aaron (July 15, 2021). "List of All playable Pokemon in Pokemon Unite". Archived from the original on October 20, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
- ^ "Guides:Super Smash Bros. Melee Archived December 9, 2007, at the Wayback Machine," IGN.com. Retrieved December 29, 2005.
- ^ "Super Smash Bros. Trophy List". smashbros.com. Archived from the original on August 22, 2009. Retrieved July 12, 2009.
- ^ a b "「御三家ポケモン」人気No.1が決定! 「フシギダネ」「ポッチャマ」を上回る1位は?【2021年最新】". ITmedia. April 24, 2021. Archived from the original on January 28, 2024. Retrieved January 21, 2024.
- ^ Shinzō Fujita (writer) (September 27, 2008). "Pruning a Passel of Pals!". Pokémon. Season Diamond and Pearl: Battle Dimension. Episode 78. Various.
- ^ Hernandez, Patricia (May 16, 2019). "Detective Pikachu helped me love a Pokémon I used to hate". Polygon. Archived from the original on November 13, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
- ^ "Pokemon Live-Action Netflix Series in the Works | Attack of the Fanboy". July 27, 2021. Archived from the original on July 27, 2021.
- ^ "The complete Pokemon RBY pokedex, part 1". August 24, 2007. Archived from the original on April 14, 2016. Retrieved July 30, 2010.
- ^ "Singapore brand The Kettle Gourmet launches local flavoured popcorn featuring your favourite starter Pokémon, Lifestyle News - AsiaOne". July 2, 2021. Archived from the original on July 2, 2021.
- ^ White, Jason. "allgame ((( Bulbasaur > Overview )))". Allgame. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved October 5, 2008.
- ^ "The Pojo — TCG Set Lists McDonald's Campaign Expansion Set". Archived from the original on August 2, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2008.
- ^ "Fastfoodtoys.Net Pokémon 2000 Toys". Archived from the original on February 22, 2012. Retrieved January 28, 2008.
- ^ "Design". All Nippon Airways. Archived from the original on January 6, 2004. Retrieved November 15, 2009.
- ^ "Seiko adds limited edition starter Pokemon to their luxury watch collection - Japan Today". japantoday.com. Archived from the original on July 14, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
- ^ Chester L. Krause, Clifford Mishler (2003). 2004 standard catalog of world coins. p. 1532. ISBN 9780873495936.
- ^ Farokhmanesh, Megan (March 15, 2014). "Pikachu is Japan's official mascot for the FIFA 2014 World Cup Brazil". Polygon. Archived from the original on November 12, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
- ^ "Estátua de Pokémon instalada em praça de Suzano provoca a curiosidade de fãs do jogo". G1. March 29, 2018. Archived from the original on December 29, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
- ^ "Veja todas as misteriosas estátuas Pokémon de Suzano". The Enemy. September 24, 2018. Archived from the original on December 29, 2023. Retrieved December 29, 2023.
- ^ Hernandez, Pedro (March 1, 2011). "Top 5 Pokémon: Pedro's Picks". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on November 13, 2022. Retrieved March 2, 2014.
- ^ "Pokemon Crystal Version - Pokemon of the Day: Bulbasaur (#1)". IGN. Archived from the original on March 24, 2013. Retrieved March 27, 2010.
- ^ Vekinis, John (August 10, 2013). "Top five Pokemon Types". Official Nintendo Magazine. Archived from the original on October 8, 2014. Retrieved March 2, 2014.