Bulbasaur (Pokémon)

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Bulbasaur フシギダネ Fushigidane #001
Artwork from FR/LG
Type Grass Poison Unknown Unknown Blue-Striped Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown Unknown	Category Seed Pokémon
Ability Overgrow Blue-Striped -----	Exp. at Lv. 100 1,059,860
Regional Pokédex numbers Kanto #001 Johto #226 Hoenn #203 Sinnoh Unova Not in any regional Pokédex
Regional Browser numbers Fiore R— Almia R— Oblivia
Height 2′04″ Imperial 0.7 m Metric 2′04″/0.7 m Red-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m Blue-Striped 0'0"/0.0 m
Weight 15.2 lbs. Imperial 6.9 kg Metric 15.2 lbs./6.9 kg Red-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg Blue-Striped 0.0 lbs./0.0 kg
Dex color Green	Catch rate 45 (5.9%)
Body style Blue-Striped	Footprint      Blue-Striped
Gender ratio Gender unknown Unknown Gender unknown
Breeding Monster and Plant groups 1 cycles (255 minimum steps)
EV yield HP 0 Atk 0 Def 0 Sp.Atk 0 Sp.Def 0 Speed 0 Base Exp.: 64 Battle Exp.: 641*
External links On Smogon Pokédex: Generation I Generation II Generation III Generation IV Generation V Generation VI Generation VII Generation VIII Generation IX Artwork on Bulbagarden Archives

Bulbasaur (Japanese: フシギダネ Fushigidane) is a Grass/Poison-type Pokémon. Along with Charmander and Squirtle, it is one of three starter Pokémon the player receives at the beginning of Pokémon Red, Pokémon Green, Pokémon Blue, Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, and is the first Pokémon numerically in the Kanto and National Dexes, as well as the Browser.

Bulbasaur comes with the Ability Overgrow, which increases the power of Grass-type attacks by 50% once the Pokémon has less than one-third of its maximum HP.

Bulbasaur evolves via level, into Ivysaur starting at Level 16, then into Venusaur starting at Level 32. It is interesting to note that Bulbasaur is the only one of the original starters to become its third form at twice the experience level of its second form, while both Charmander and Squirtle become their final forms at Level 36 instead. It is also interesting to note that, while many of the starter Pokémon recieve additional types upon evolution, Bulbasaur is the only one among them to have two types in its basic form.

Biology

Physiology

Bulbasaur is a reptilian creature resembling a toad or dinosaur. Its most notable feature, though, is the bulb on its back, which grows from a seed planted on its back when it is born. It could perhaps be distantly related to two other Grass-type starters, Chikorita and Turtwig, but Bulbasaur seems to only be closely related to its evolutions.

Bulbasaur usually walk around on four legs, but in this stage they also have the ability to rise up on their hind legs.

Gender differences

None.

Special abilities

Bulbasaur has a variety of Grass-type abilities granted to it by the bulb growing on its back. Powders, scents, petals, and seeds can come from the very tip of the bulb, and vines and leaves can come from the base. By manipulating these into moves like Leech Seed, Vine Whip, Razor Leaf, Petal Dance, and Sweet Scent, Bulbasaur have quite an arsenal at their disposal thanks to the bulb.

The bulb also absorbs sunlight. This is extremely useful, since the sunlight can be turned into health through Synthesis or launched at the opponent as a powerful Solarbeam.

Behavior

Most are domestic Pokémon, raised to be distributed as starters by Professor Oak. As such, they are regarded as well-behaved Pokémon They are often considered the easiest Pokémon to start with, since they are strong and not likely to misbehave, and also have a type-advantage over the first two Kanto Gym Leaders.

They can often have a strong loyalty streak. In The Mystery Menace, a Bulbasaur was abandoned by its trainer in the sewers, where it lived for many years. When it finally returned to the surface, it was not upset about being abandoned by its trainer. In fact, it was simply glad to see him again.

Habitat

Bulbasaur are scarce in the wild. Sometimes they can be found in secret places such as gardens, plains near large sources of fresh water, or hiding in the forest in hollow logs, but overall they are found far more often in the ownership of trainers.

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

Much like most pokémon, Bulbasaur appears to be an omnivoire. However, in times of scarcity, it does not need to eat much food, since the bulb on its back can store energy from the sun.

In the anime

File:Ash's Bulbasaur.jpg

Ash's Bulbasaur using Vine Whip

Bulbasaur first appeared in the first episode of the anime, Pokémon, I Choose You, as one of the three options new trainers in Pallet Town can choose from.

A real Bulbasaur first appeared in Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village, as one of the Pokémon in the Hidden Village. Ash caught it, and it became an important part of his team until Bulbasaur... the Ambassador, when Ash sent him to Professor Oak's lab to work as an ambassador between otherwise argumentative groups of Pokémon.

Ash wasn't the only main anime character to own a Bulbasaur. In Grass Hysteria, May also caught one. In The Right Place and the Right Mime, May too left her Bulbasaur at Professor Oak's lab to learn from Ash's while she and Ash's group travelled throughout the Battle Frontier in Kanto.

A Bulbasaur that used to belong to the Mayor of Trovitopolis appeared in The Mystery Menace. In his childhood, the mayor abandoned his Bulbasaur and sent it into the sewers when it wouldn't evolve into Ivysaur. Aided by Misty and Tracey, Ash, while searching for his missing Bulbasaur, found the abandoned Bulbasaur. After defeating the arrogant mayor and his personal SWAT team, Ash and company left the Bulbasaur with Nurse Joy.

In Journey to the Starting Line, Gilbert, the son of the mayor of Pallet Town, was supposed to start his journey as a Pokémon Trainer with one of the three Kanto Starter Pokémon, but they were scared off by Ash's Tauros. Professor Oak, Tracey, Delia and Gilbert set out to find them. The Bulbasaur was the last one to be found and it was stuck in a tree that was surrounded by a group of Primeape. In the end, Bulbasaur was the one that Gilbert decided to start with.

In the manga

In Pokémon PiPiPi Adventure, Pistachio has a Bulbasaur named Danerina. She has a crush on him and is extremely jealous whenever she sees him talking to other females.

Ash's Bulbasaur is shown in several chapters of the Electric Tale of Pikachu.

In the Pokémon Special manga

In the Red, Green & Blue chapter, Red receives a Bulbasaur from Professor Oak in Bulbasaur, Come Home! after helping capture all the Pokémon he accidentally set free. Bulbasaur has since evolved into Ivysaur, and then to Venusaur.

In the TCG

Nine Bulbasaur cards have been released.

• Base Set: Bulbasaur
• Base Set 2: Bulbasaur
• Legendary Collection: Bulbasaur
• Gym Challenge: Erika's Bulbasaur
• Expedition Base Set: Bulbasaur and Bulbasaur
• EX Team Magma vs Team Aqua: Bulbasaur
• EX FireRed and LeafGreen: Bulbasaur and Bulbasaur

Other appearances

Super Smash Bros. Melee

Bulbasaur only appears as a random trophy.

Trophy information

Bulbasaur is a cute Pokémon born with a large seed firmly affixed to its back; the seed grows in size as the Pokémon does. Along with Squirtle and Charmander, Bulbasaur is one of the three Pokémon available at the beginning of Pokémon Red and Blue. It evolves into Ivysaur.

Game data

Pokédex entries

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red A strange seed was planted on its back at birth. The plant sprouts and grows with this Pokémon. Blue Yellow It can go for days without eating a single morsel. In the bulb on its back, it stores energy. Stadium The bulb-like pouch on its back grows larger as it ages. The pouch is filled with numerous seeds.
Generation II Gold The seed on its back is filled with nutrients. The seed grows steadily larger as its body grows. Silver It carries a seed on its back right from birth. As it grows older, the seed also grows larger. Crystal While it is young, it uses the nutrients that are stored in the seeds on its back in order to grow. Stadium 2 The seed on its back is filled with nutrients. The seed grows steadily larger as its body grows.
Generation III Ruby 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. Sapphire 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. Emerald 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. FireRed There is a plant seed on its back right from the day this Pokémon is born. The seed slowly grows larger. LeafGreen A strange seed was planted on its back at birth. The plant sprouts and grows with this Pokémon.
Generation IV Diamond For some time after its birth, it grows by gaining nourishment from the seed on its back. Pearl For some time after its birth, it grows by gaining nourishment from the seed on its back. Platinum {{{platinumdex}}} HeartGold {{{heartgolddex}}} SoulSilver {{{soulsilverdex}}}
Generation V Black {{{blackdex}}} White {{{whitedex}}} Black 2 {{{black2dex}}} White 2 {{{white2dex}}}
Generation VI X Unknown Y Unknown

Game locations

This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
Generation I Red Blue One Starter Pokémon from Professor Oak in Pallet Town Blue (Japan) None Trade Yellow One Received from a girl in Cerulean City if Pikachu's happiness is high enough
Generation II Gold Silver None Trade Crystal None Trade
Generation III Ruby Sapphire None Trade Emerald None Trade FireRed LeafGreen One Starter Pokémon from Professor Oak in Pallet Town Colosseum None Trade XD None Trade
Generation IV Diamond Pearl None Pal Park Platinum None Trade HeartGold SoulSilver None Trade Pal Park None Pokéwalker None
Generation V Black White None Trade Black 2 White 2 None Trade Dream World None
Generation VI X Y None Trade

In side games

Game	Location
Pokémon Stadium	Gym Leader Castle
Pokémon Snap	River
Pokémon Channel	Bus Stop
Pokémon Trozei	Phobos Train Endless level 16 Trozei Battle Mr. Who's Den
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon	Starter Pokémon Joyous Tower (1F-5F)
Pokémon Ranger	Lyra Forest

Base stats

Stat		Range
		At Lv. 50	At Lv. 100
HP: 45		105 - 152	200 - 294
Attack: 49		48 - 111	92 - 216
Defense: 49		48 - 111	92 - 216
Sp. Atk: 65		63 - 128	121 - 251
Sp. Def: 65		63 - 128	121 - 251
Speed: 45		45 - 106	85 - 207
Total: 318	Other Pokémon with this total
Minimum stats are calculated with 0 EVs, IVs of 0, and (if applicable) a hindering nature. Maximum stats are calculated with 252 EVs, IVs of 31, and (if applicable) a helpful nature. This Pokémon's Special base stat in Generation I was 65.

Type effectiveness

In Generation I, the effectiveness of Bug-type moves is 400.

Learnset

By leveling up

Level	Generation I	Generation II	Generation III	Generation IV
Start	Tackle Growl	Tackle	Tackle	Tackle
3				Growl
4		Growl	Growl
7	Leech Seed	Leech Seed	Leech Seed	Leech Seed
9				Vine Whip
10		Vine Whip	Vine Whip
13	Vine Whip			Poisonpowder Sleep Powder
15		Poisonpowder Sleep Powder	Poisonpowder Sleep Powder	Take Down
19				Razor Leaf
20	Poisonpowder	Razor Leaf	Razor Leaf
21				Sweet Scent
25		Sweet Scent	Sweet Scent	Growth
27				Double Edge
28	Razor Leaf
31				Worry Seed
32		Growth	Growth
33				Synthesis
34	Growth
37				Seed Bomb
39		Synthesis	Synthesis
41	Sleep Powder
46		Solarbeam	Solarbeam
48	Solarbeam

By TM/HM

Number	Generation I	Generation II	Generation III	Generation IV
TM02		Headbutt
TM03	Swords Dance	Curse
TM06	Toxic	Toxic	Toxic	Toxic
TM08	Body Slam
TM09	Take Down		Bullet Seed	Bullet Seed
TM10	Double-Edge	Hidden Power	Hidden Power	Hidden Power
TM11		Sunny Day	Sunny Day	Sunny Day
TM12		Sweet Scent
TM13		Snore
TM17		Protect	Protect	Protect
TM19		Giga Drain	Giga Drain	Giga Drain
TM20	Rage	Endure
TM21	Mega Drain	Frustration	Frustration	Frustration
TM22	Solarbeam	Solarbeam	Solarbeam	Solarbeam
TM27		Return	Return	Return
TM31	Mimic	Mud-Slap
TM32	Double Team	Double Team	Double Team	Double Team
TM33	Reflect
TM34	Bide	Swagger
TM35		Sleep Talk
TM36			Sludge Bomb	Sludge Bomb
TM40		Defense Curl
TM42			Facade	Facade
TM43			Secret Power	Secret Power
TM44	Rest	Rest	Rest	Rest
TM45		Attract	Attract	Attract
TM49		Fury Cutter
TM50	Substitute
TM53				Energy Ball
TM58				Endure
TM70				Flash
TM75				Swords Dance
TM78				Captivate
TM82				Sleep Talk
TM83				Natural Gift
TM86				Grass Knot
TM87				Swagger
TM90				Substitute
HM01	Cut	Cut	Cut	Cut
HM04			Strength	Strength
HM05		Flash	Flash
HM06			Rock Smash	Rock Smash

By breeding

In Pokémon Silver, Pokémon Gold and Pokémon Crystal:

• Light Screen
• Petal Dance
• Razor Wind
• Safeguard
• Skull Bash

In Pokémon FireRed, Pokémon LeafGreen, and Pokémon Emerald:

• Charm
• Curse
• Grasswhistle
• Light Screen
• Magical Leaf
• Petal Dance
• Safeguard
• Skull Bash

In Pokémon Diamond and Pokémon Pearl:

• Amnesia
• Charm
• Curse
• Grasswhistle
• Ingrain
• Leaf Storm
• Light Screen
• Magical Leaf
• Nature Power
• Petal Dance
• Safeguard
• Skull Bash

By tutoring

In Pokémon FireRed, Pokémon LeafGreen, and Pokémon Emerald:

• Body Slam
• Double-Edge
• Mimic
• Substitute
• Swords Dance

In Pokémon Emerald Only:

• Defense Curl
• Endure
• Fury Cutter
• Mud-Slap
• Sleep Talk
• Snore
• Swagger

Sprites

Gen	Game
I	Red	Blue	Yellow		Red (Ja)	Green	Back
II	Gold	Silver	Crystal				Back
III	Ruby	Sapphire	Emerald		FireRed	LeafGreen	Back
IV	Diamond	Pearl	Platinum		HeartGold	SoulSilver	Back
V	Black	White	Black 2	White 2			Back

For other sprites and images, please see Bulbasaur images on Bulbagarden Archives.

Trivia

Bulbasaur is the only starting Pokémon that learns the move Vine Whip by leveling up.

Origin

Bulbasaur appears to be similar to a dinosaur and may be based on one. The saur in its English name supports this, since dinosaur names often have saur suffixed. Bulbasaur is also very similar to a frog.

Name origin

Bulbasaur's name is a combination of the words bulb and saur, which is Greek for lizard. Its Japanese name literally means it's strange, isn't it?, and is a pun on, 不思議種 fushigidane, strange seed.

In other languages

• German: Bisasam - Derives from Bisamratte (musk rat) and Samen (seed).
• French: Bulbizarre - A combination of bulb and bizarre, reflected by the Japanese name, a pun on "Isn't it strange?".
• Portuguese: Bulbassauro
• Korean: 이상해씨 Isanghaessi - Translates to Strange Seed
• Chinese (Taiwan): 妙蛙種子 Mìao Wa Chóng Zí ("strange frog seed child")
• Chinese (Hong Kong): 奇異種子 Qí Yì Chóng Zí ("very strange seed child")

Related articles

• Ash's Bulbasaur
• May's Bulbasaur
• Danerina

External links

• Article on Wikipedia
• Vine Whip, the fanlisting for Bulbasaur at The Anime Fanlistings Network

First partner trios

Kanto

Bulbasaur

Charmander

Squirtle

Johto

Chikorita

Cyndaquil

Totodile

Hoenn

Treecko

Torchic

Mudkip

Sinnoh

Turtwig

Chimchar

Piplup

Unova

Snivy

Tepig

Oshawott

Kalos

Chespin

Fennekin

Froakie

Alola

Rowlet

Litten

Popplio

Galar

Grookey

Scorbunny

Sobble

Paldea

Sprigatito

Fuecoco

Quaxly

See also: List of the player's first Pokémon • Pikachu (Yellow) • Partner Pokémon (LGPE) • Hisui first partner Pokémon

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