Bulbasaur (Pokémon)

← #{{{prevnum}}}: Arceus

Pokémon

#{{{nextnum}}}: Ivysaur →

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 dual-typed Grass/Poison Pokémon. Along with Charmander and Squirtle, it is one of three starter Pokémon the player can choose to start with at the beginning of Pokémon Red, Green, Blue, FireRed, and LeafGreen, and is the first Pokémon numerically in the Kanto Dex, the National Dex, and the Fiore Browser.

Bulbasaur comes with the ability Overgrow, which increases the power of Grass-type moves used by the Pokémon 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 receive additional types upon evolution, Bulbasaur is the only one among them to have two types, Grass and Poison, 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. The bulb is similar to Paras and Parasect's tochukaso mushrooms which are also planted at birth. However, Bulbasaur and its bulb share a symbiotic relationship rather than a parasitic one.

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 with the bulb.

The bulb also absorbs sunlight. The sunlight can be turned into health through Synthesis or launched at the opponent as a powerful SolarBeam.

Behavior

Most Bulbasaur 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 in Kanto since they are strong, not likely to misbehave, and 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

File:Grassland.gif

Grassland Pokémon

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 omnivore. 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 was mentioned 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. Ash dreamed of owning one, and it was his second choice of a starter, after Squirtle. However, when he arrived at Oak's lab, it was too late, as an unnamed Trainer who started the same day had already taken it.

A real Bulbasaur first appeared in Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village, as one of the Pokémon in the Hidden Village. Though initially wary of Ash, the two eventually warmed up to one another, and Bulbasaur challenged him to a battle. Using Pikachu, Ash won the battle, and Bulbasaur was captured. Unlike Charmander and Squirtle, which were captured in the two episodes following that of Bulbasaur, Bulbasaur remained in Ash's party until Bulbasaur... the Ambassador, when Ash sent him to Professor Oak's lab to work as an ambassador between otherwise argumentative groups of Pokémon.

Much later on, when Ash was traveling in the Hoenn region, his companion May captured her own Bulbasaur after being separated from the group in Grass Hysteria. It remained with her throughout the rest of her journey in Hoenn, helping her to compete in the regional Grand Festival. When she traveled to Kanto to continue her journey with Ash 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 traveled throughout the Battle Frontier in Kanto. Somehow, May retrieved it during her travels in Johto, where it evolved all the way into a Venusaur.

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 found the abandoned Bulbasaur while searching for his own, which had gone missing. After defeating the arrogant mayor and his personal SWAT team, Ash and company left the Bulbasaur, which had grown rather large in its time in the sewers, 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. It has also been shown in the manga that Bulbasaur also has the ability to suck in air through its bulb (as seen in chapter 14 where it sucked up the mist in the ghost tower as well as the Gastly that made it).

In the TCG

Main article: Bulbasaur (TCG)

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 Field 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 (Red and Blue)	Starter Pokémon Joyous Tower (1F-5F)
Pokémon Ranger	Lyra Forest
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon (Time and Darkness)	Starter Pokémon Mystifying Forest (B1-B13) Mystery Jungle (B1-B29)

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 Template:Type2 moves is 4×.

Learnset

By leveling up

|- style="text-align:center" | style="text-align:left" | grass | style="background:#9141CB" |  poison 

| style=" background:#FFF" | 4 | style=" background:#FFF" | 1 | style=" background:#FFF" | Bulbasaur | style="display:none; background:#FFF" | {{{6}}} Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Mlentry4 Template:Movelist/note

By tutoring

|- style="background:#9DC1B7" | colspan="13" | Bold indicates a move that gets STAB
Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only from an Evolution of this Pokémon
A colored initial indicates that the move is not available to be tutored in this game,
while a colored background indicates that the move is available. |} |}

TCG-only Moves

Move	Card	Set
Bite	Bulbasaur	POP Series 2

Anime only

Move	Pokémon	Debut Episode
Whirlwind	Ash's Bulbasaur	EP032
Tickle (debatable)	Ash's Bulbasaur	EP050
Dig (Reflex to save life)	Ash's Bulbasaur	EP225

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 mascot of Bulbasaur's Mysterious Garden.
• Bulbasaur is the only starter Pokémon that learns the move Vine Whip by leveling up. Chikorita, however, can learn it by breeding.
• Bulbasaur is the only starter Pokémon that is dual-type from the lowest evolution stage.
• Bulbasaur's evolution family is the only starter Pokémon evolution family that has each member appear at least once in the Super Smash Bros. series.
• Bulbasaur's body was light green in color. It was changed to blue-green in Ruby and Sapphire.
• Bulbasaur is the first Pokémon in the National Dex order. By default, this also makes it the first Template:Type2, Template:Type2 and dual-type Pokémon in National Dex order.
• Bulbasaur and its evolutions share the same species name as Sunkern. They are all known as the Seed Pokémon.
• Ash's Bulbasaur learned SolarBeam, something that is possible via level-up only in Generations I to III.
• Bulbasaur in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon is a light green color, much like its shiny form. However, when it evolves into Ivysaur, it regains its normal blue-green skin color.

Origin

Bulbasaur is a lizard-based Pokémon and appears to be based on some form of dinosaur, yet also appears similar to a frog, which the latter theory can be supported by the leaping in-game motions in games such as Mystery Dungeon.

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 - Derived 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?".
• Korean: 이상해씨 Isanghaessi - Translates to Strange Seed.
• Chinese (Taiwan): 妙蛙種子 Mìao Wa Chóng Zí ("weird frog seed")
• Chinese (Hong Kong): 奇異種子 Qí Yì Chóng Zí ("unusual seed")
• Portuguese (Brazilian anime): Bulbassauro

Related articles

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

External links

• Article on Wikipedia
• Vine Whip, the fanlisting for Bulbasaur

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

← #{{{prevnum}}}: Arceus

Pokémon

#{{{nextnum}}}: Ivysaur →

This Pokémon article is part of Project Pokédex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon species, as well as Pokémon groups and forms.