First partnerPokémon, commonly known among fans as “starter” Pokémon because they’re given to the player at the beginning of each game, are among the most popular Pokémon species out there. It’s no surprise, then, that these video game staples became equally essential to thePokémonanime.
Between Ash and his traveling companions, nearly every starter Pokémon has featured heavily in the anime.The anime helps bring these beloved characters to life by providing them with personalities all their own, and they each develop a unique relationship with their trainers. Rather than rating their battle power or their potential, it’s worth considering which of the starter Pokémon was best developed in the anime, and how their role in the show helped to shape people’s opinions of these Pokémon.
10Serena’s Delphox
First Appearance:Pokémon XY, “A Battle of Aerial Mobility!”
Starting out as a little Fennekin, Serena’s Delphox is introduced as, appropriately, her starter Pokémon, right as she’s beginning her adventure.Fennekin hada similar temperament to Serenaoverall, and the two got along well because of their shared interests in baking and competing. Fennekin was known, especially as it evolved, to be extremely averse to situations in which it might get dirty, and was very fastidious about grooming. Fennekin usually gets along with other Pokémon and doesn’t seem to have any real jealousy issues.
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Serena’s Delphox was overall a great choice of starter Pokémon for her.Its inherent showmanship made it a natural at Pokémon Showcases, which made up Serena’s primary goal in the anime. Its evolution matched Serena’s progress as a trainer, and when it finally became a Delphox, it was clear that Serena had come into her own.
9Ash’s Bulbasaur
First Appearance:Pokémon Indigo League, “Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village”
Ash’s Bulbasaur wasthe first of the original trio of starter Pokémonto appear in the anime, befitting its placement at the top of the Pokédex. Before catching it, Bulbasaur was the guardian of a secret village that acted as a refuge for sick and injured wild Pokémon. Bulbasaur went with Ash at the encouragement of the one human it trusted, and it took a while for Bulbasaur to fully warm up to Ash.Bulbasaur has a rather serious personality, and often breaks up fights between other Pokémon.
Ash’s Bulbasaur had a distinct role in his original team as the mature one, and it slowly learning to trust Ash’s judgment gave it an effective character arc.
While Bulbasaur never evolved under Ash’s ownership, this seems to be what Bulbasaur wanted, as it, like Pikachu, didn’t really have an interest in evolving.Ash’s Bulbasaur had a distinct role in his original team as the mature one, and it slowly learning to trust Ash’s judgment gave it an effective character arc.
8Ash’s Squirtle
Ash’s Squirtle was the second starter Pokémon to appear in the anime. Before it was Ash’s, Squirtle was the leader of a gang of wild Squirtle who caused trouble all around town.Ash managed to convince them to help out instead, and they became hailed as heroes for their firefighting prowess. Despite joining with Ash, Squirtle’s tendency towards hijinks never really went away, and it would often tease Bulbasaur due to its sterner personality.
Squirtle, despite never evolving, did grow and mature on its journey with Ash.Ash would eventually returnSquirtle to its comrades in the Squirtle Squad, where it once again took on a leadership position and helped the group attain new heights. Squirtle was a highly reliable Pokémon for Ash, so much so that he’d call on Squirtle’s help in later series.
7Dawn’s Piplup
First Appearance:Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, “Following a Maiden’s Voyage!”
Dawn’s Piplup was her starter Pokémon, which she picked up from Professor Rowan in her first episode. Piplup is very proud and competitive, despite not being particularly strong at the start of its journey.Piplup was also prone to bouts of anger, particularly when its food was stolen, and could be jealous of Dawn’s other Pokémon at times.
Very likely to find itself in a difficult situation, Piplup is capable of enduring a lot without giving up.
Piplup took some time towarm up to Dawn, but the two soon developed an unbreakable bond that has provided both of them with strength.It’s much like Ash’s Pikachu in that it wants to grow stronger as a Piplup, without evolving, and Dawn was supportive of this.Piplup’s character doesn’t change too much, but its antics are plenty entertaining regardless.
6Ash’s Oshawott
First Appearance:Pokémon Black and White, “In the Shadow of Zekrom!”
Ash’s Oshawott was given to him by Professor Juniper after he arrived in the Unova region, making it the second Pokémon that he acquired there. Oshawott became interested in Ash quickly, even sneaking out of the lab to follow him.Asone of Ash’s Pokémon, Oshawott was eager to prove itself in battle, and generally wanted Ash’s attention at any cost. Oshawott was also prone to falling in love easily, often crushing on female Pokémon that it met, regardless of their species.
Oshawott never evolved, and never really expressed much interest in the process either way. Like Dawn’s Piplup, Oshawott often got involved in wacky antics, particularly surrounding its Scalchop tool on its belly. A bit hardheaded, Oshawott rarely learned its lesson from these situations, ensuring that there would be plenty more comedy at its expense.
5Ash’s Sceptile
First Appearance:Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, “Tree’s a Crowd”
Ash first met Sceptile as a Treecko, when Ash helped Treecko to protect its tree home.Treecko has a cool, detached personality, often seen idly chewing on a twig. As a result of its personality, it had a hard time fitting in with the other Pokémon at first, but quickly won their trust after defending May’s Torchic. Ever since being a Treecko, it has taken great pride in its strength and abilities, and will fight hard to the very end, even to the point of stubbornness.
Its pride made it a very powerful competitor, unwilling to accept defeat.
Sceptile becamea key member of Ash’s teamas it evolved, one that he would even come to rely on in later tournaments.Its pride made it a very powerful competitor, unwilling to accept defeat. As a Treecko, it had to learn that it could rely on Ash’s abilities in battle, and that it wasn’t fighting alone anymore.
4May’s Blaziken
May was given her Torchic by Professor Birch as her starter Pokémon. She chose Torchic simply because she found it cute. Torchic happened to be a lot like May at the start of their journey–unsure about everything and afraid of making mistakes.As Torchic grew alongside May, it began to become more competitive and had a tendency to be a little jealous ofMay’s other Pokémon. When it evolved, it matured somewhat, and stopped being so jealous.
Torchic was almost completely incapable of battling at first, so it had a long character arc about growing stronger and more competent.It mirrored May’s abilities as a trainer, acting as a sign of just how far May had come since the start of her journey.It came to enjoy Pokémon Contests quite a bit, and was key to May’s success as a Coordinator as it evolved.
3Ash’s Infernape
First Appearance:Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, “When Pokémon Worlds Collide!”
Ash first met Chimchar when it was in the possession ofPaul, a rival who mistreated his Pokémonand eventually abandoned Chimchar as “too weak.“Ash took in Chimchar and helped it recover from the trauma it suffered under Paul’s ownership, letting Chimchar regain its confidence in battle. Chimchar quickly became one of Ash’s go-to Pokémon, and began to evolve under Ash’s guidance, growing ever stronger. Chimchar often worried about its special ability, Blaze, going off, as it provided it with more power than it was capable of handling initially.
Ash and Chimchar had a fantastic relationship, and Ash’s kind training style was exactly what it needed to become its best.As Infernape, it still holds a bit of a grudge against Paul, but was able to prove to its former trainer how strong it had become in one of the best battles the anime has ever seen.
2Ash’s Greninja
First Appearance:Pokémon XY, “Lumiose City Pursuit!”
Ash’s Froakie was almost the opposite of Chimchar; it instead had abandoned its trainer, feeling they weren’t compatible.When Froakie met Ash and saw his abilities, it was eager to join his party, knowing that Ash could help it to grow stronger in the way it wanted to.The two are very similar, both quick to run into danger to save another and bold in the face of the enemy. As a Froakie, it was quite stubborn and focused largely on training.
Ash and Greninja had an exceptionally close bond, one so special that they were able toactivate the “Bond Phenomenon"and synchronize with one another.This relationship was built up slowly and very organically, as the two came to trust one another after their shared experiences in battle. Greninja has a fairly unique arc among the anime’s Pokémon characters, making it stand out.
1Ash’s Charizard
First Appearance:Pokémon Indigo League, “Charmander – The Stray Pokémon”
Ash met Charmander after it had been abandoned, and went to great lengths to save it from the rain when he learned of this fact. Charmander quickly developed a loyalty to Ash as thanks for this, but as Charmander began to evolve, it seemed to forget all that Ash had done for it.As Charizard, it was wildly disobedient towards Ash, at least until it was frozen solid in a battle and nearly died again. Ash nursed Charizard back to health, reminding it of all that they’d been through together.
Ash’s Charizard is one of his most iconic Pokémonfor a reason; its origin caught the hearts of many of viewers. Having it grow disobedient was an interesting turn for it to take, and helped to keep Ash humble in the early days of his adventures. It made it all the more satisfying when Charizard would finally listen to Ash, and all that they’d been through together ensured their bond was as strong as steel. For this reason, Ash’s Charizard is the most interesting starterPokémonin the anime.
Pokémon
Cast
Pokémon follows Ash Ketchum on his journey to become a Pokémon Master, accompanied by his loyal Pikachu. Released in 1997, the series explores Ash’s travels through various regions, where he encounters new friends and challenges, underscoring the themes of adventure and teamwork.
