Charmander (Japanese: ヒトカゲ Hitokage) is a Fire-type Pokémon.
It evolves into Charmeleon starting at level 16, which evolves into Charizard starting at level 36.
Along with Bulbasaur and Squirtle, Charmander is one of three starter Pokémon of Kanto available at the beginning of Pokémon Red, Green, Blue, FireRed, and LeafGreen.
Biology
Charmander is a bipedal, reptilian Pokémon with an orange body, though its underside and soles are cream-colored. It has two small fangs visible in its upper and lower jaws and blue eyes. Its arms and legs are short with four fingers and three clawed toes. A fire burns at the tip of this Pokémon’s slender tail, and has blazed there since Charmander’s birth. The flame can be used as an indication of Charmander's health and mood, burning brightly when the Pokémon is strong, weakly when it is exhausted, wavering when it is happy, and blazing when it is enraged. It is said that Charmander dies if its flame goes out.
Charmander can be found in hot, mountainous areas. However, it is found far more often in the ownership of Trainers. As shown in Pokémon Snap, Charmander exhibits pack behavior, calling others of its species if it finds food.
In the anime
Major appearances
In Charmander - The Stray Pokémon, Ash, Misty, and Brock came across a Charmander which had been abandoned by its Trainer, Damian, who only cared about strong Pokémon. At first, Charmander refused to leave the spot it was at, waiting for Damian to return. However, when a rainstorm picked up, Charmander grew ill and Ash took it to a Pokémon Center. Charmander realized that Damian was no good, and joined up with Ash. It has since evolved into Charmeleon, and then Charizard.
Ritchie owned a Charmander named Zippo, which debuted in A Friend In Deed. It later evolved into Charmeleon.
Other
In Journey to the Starting Line, Gilbert was intended to start his journey as a Pokémon Trainer, but the trio of Kanto Starter Pokémon were scared off when Ash's Tauros stampeded through Professor Oak's house. Professor Oak, Tracey, Delia and Gilbert split up in order to find the three missing Pokémon. The Charmander was the first one to be found.
Another Charmander was seen with Professor Oak in A Six Pack Attack! along with a Bulbasaur and Squirtle. Another was seen in The Right Place and The Right Mime, along with another Bulbasaur and Squirtle.
A Charmander stars in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Team Go-Getters out of the Gate! as the leader of Team Go-Getters.
A Charmander appeared in The Fires of a Red-Hot Reunion! owned by the Kanto Fair Host. Seeing it inspired Ash to bring his Charizard back onto his team.
Minor appearances
Charmander was mentioned in the first episode of the anime, Pokémon - I Choose You!, as one of the three starter Pokémon new Trainers in Pallet Town can choose from. Ash dreamed of owning one, although it was his last choice of a starter coming after Squirtle and Bulbasaur. However, when he arrived at Oak's lab, he found out it was too late, as another Trainer who started the same day had already taken it.
Multiple Charmander also appeared in Battle Aboard the St. Anne.
A Charmander was seen in a Pokémon Center in Hypno's Naptime.
A Charmander also appeared in Pokémon Fashion Flash.
In The Ultimate Test, a Charmander was one of the Pokémon owned by the Pokémon League entrance exam instructor.
Two Charmander appeared in The Breeding Center Secret. One was seen evolving on TV for a commercial about Cassidy's and Butch's breeding center, while the other one appeared in the said center.
A Charmander under the ownership of an unknown Trainer, appeared in Friends to the End, during the closing ceremonies of the Indigo League.
A Charmander appeared in A Better Pill to Swallow as a fantasized Pokémon.
A Charmander was used by one of the students of the Pokémon Trainer's School in Gonna Rule The School!.
One also appeared in Meloetta's Moonlight Serenade.
A Charmander appeared in Alexa's magazine in The Journalist from Another Region!.
Pokédex entries
| Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
|
Entry
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| EP011
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Charmander
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Ash's Pokédex
|
Charmander. A flame burns on the tip of its tail from birth. It is said that a Charmander dies if its flame ever goes out.
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| EP025
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Rage
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Ash's Pokédex
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Charmander's special attack, Rage. It gains more power the more it is attacked. It will continue to fight until its opponent falls.
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| Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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| BW116
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Charmander
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Ash's Pokédex
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Charmander, the Lizard Pokémon. Charmander's health can be gauged by the fire on the tip of its tail, which burns intensely when it's in good health.
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In Pokémon Origins
Red's Charmander in Pokémon Origins
Red's Charmander
Charmander was one of the three Pokémon Professor Oak gave Red and Blue to choose from to start their journey, with Red choosing Charmander. It later evolved into a Charmeleon between File 1 - Red and File 2 - Cubone and then a Charizard between File 2 - Cubone and File 3 - Giovanni.
Giovanni's Charmander
Giovanni's Charmander in Pokémon Origins
Giovanni was shown to have once had a Charmander during a flashback in File 3 - Giovanni.
In the manga
In The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga
- Main article: Ash's Charizard
Ash's Charmander makes a few appearances in the manga The Electric Tale of Pikachu.
The capture of Ash's Charmander diverges considerably from the anime. In the manga, Damian seems to have abandoned his Charmander at the beginning of the chapter Pikachu's Excellent Adventure, but it turns out that he had just been injured and went to the hospital.
Ash is shown to own a Charmander despite this, his own Charmander first appears in You Gotta Have Friends. Ash's Charmander's capture is not shown in the manga, instead, when Charmander first appears from its Poké Ball, it is simply stated that "Ash has been busy since the last comic".
Ash's Charmander reappears as a Charizard in the chapter The Indigo Finals at the Indigo Plateau Conference. In this chapter, Charizard battles Charley, Ritchie's own Charizard.
In the Magical Pokémon Journey manga
- Main article: Peanut's Charmander
- Main article: Mandy (MPJ)
In Magical Pokémon Journey, the sickly Trainer Peanut owns an aggressive Charmander. Peanut's Charmander first appears in the chapter Charmander's Peanut.
Mandy is a female Charmander from the Magical Pokémon Journey manga.
In the Pokémon Adventures manga
- Main article: Blue's Charmander
Charmander debuted in the first round of the Red, Green & Blue arc, A Glimpse of the Glow, as one of Blue's first Pokémon, received from his grandfather Professor Oak. It has since evolved into Charmeleon before facing Brock of Pewter City, and then to Charizard before the Silph Co. battles against Team Rocket. The major powerhouse of his team with its newly learned Blast Burn attack, its battle skills (able to defeat Red's Poliwhirl easily even before evolving) are complimented by its fast flight, for which it was traded to Red twice, during both the Gold, Silver & Crystal arc and the FireRed & LeafGreen arc. It is worth noting that, as Charmeleon, it was accidentally traded to Red many years earlier.
In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga
- Main article: Green's Charizard
In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga series, Red's rival, Green, chose Charmander as his starter Pokémon. Green's Charmander is mischievous and has a rivalry with Red's Clefairy.
Green's Charmander has evolved into Charizard. It seems to be able to skip the Charmeleon stage, as it was seen evolving directly into Charizard. Although it has devolved back to the Charmander stage, it currently seems to have permanently evolved back into Charizard.
In the Pokémon Zensho manga
- Main article: Satoshi's Charizard (Zensho)
In Pokémon Zensho, Satoshi chooses Charmander as his starter Pokémon, while Shigeru chooses a Squirtle.
In the TCG
- Main article: Charmander (TCG)
Other appearances
Charmander appears in Super Smash Bros. Brawl as a trophy.
Trophy Information
"A Lizard Pokémon. It just downright likes hot stuff. The always-burning tail indicates its mood--waving gently when content and burning intensely when angry. If the tail were to go out, it would be the end of Charmander's life. Its tail is believed to emit steam when it rains. Charmander evolves into Charmeleon by leveling up."
Game data
NPC appearances
- In PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure Charmander is one of Pikachu's best friends. After falling through the mysterious tunnel, he almost lands into a pool of molten lava only to be saved by the zone leader, Blaziken. He was then taken in as Blaziken's pupil and trained to become stronger. After he's been found, he journeys to the Meeting Place where he helps Piplup mend the balloon, and makes fireworks. He later accompanies Pikachu to the Sky Pavilion along with Piplup and Chikorita where he meets Mew. Once the Sky Prism has been restored, Charmander celebrates by firing off the fireworks he made.
Pokédex entries
| This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
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| Generation I
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| Red
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Obviously prefers hot places. When it rains, steam is said to spout from the tip of its tail.
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| Blue
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| Yellow
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The flame at the tip of its tail makes a sound as it burns. You can only hear it in quiet places.
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| Stadium
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Even the newborns have flaming tails. Unfamiliar with fire, babies are said to accidentally burn themselves.
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| Generation II
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| Gold
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The flame on its tail shows the strength of its life force. If it is weak, the flame also burns weakly.
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| Silver
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The flame on its tail indicates Charmander's life force. If it is healthy, the flame burns brightly.
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| Crystal
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If it's healthy, the flame on the tip of its tail will burn vigorously, even if it gets a bit wet.
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| Stadium 2
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The flame on its tail shows the strength of its life force. If it is weak, the flame also burns weakly.
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| Generation III
|
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| Ruby
|
The flame that burns at the tip of its tail is an indication of its emotions. The flame wavers when Charmander is enjoying itself. If the Pokémon becomes enraged, the flame burns fiercely.
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| Sapphire
|
{{{sapphiredex}}}
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| Emerald
|
The flame that burns at the tip of its tail is an indication of its emotions. The flame wavers when Charmander is happy, and blazes when it is enraged.
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| FireRed
|
From the time it is born, a flame burns at the tip of its tail. Its life would end if the flame were to go out.
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| LeafGreen
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It has a preference for hot things. When it rains, steam is said to spout from the tip of its tail.
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| Generation IV
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| Diamond
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The fire on the tip of its tail is a measure of its life. If healthy, its tail burns intensely.
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| Pearl
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{{{pearldex}}}
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| Platinum
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{{{platinumdex}}}
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| HeartGold
|
The flame on its tail shows the strength of its life force. If it is weak, the flame also burns weakly.
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| SoulSilver
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The flame on its tail indicates Charmander's life force. If it is healthy, the flame burns brightly.
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| Generation V
|
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| Black
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The fire on the tip of its tail is a measure of its life. If healthy, its tail burns intensely.
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| White
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{{{whitedex}}}
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| Black 2
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The fire on the tip of its tail is a measure of its life. If healthy, its tail burns intensely.
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| White 2
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{{{white2dex}}}
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| Generation VI
|
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| X
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The flame on its tail indicates Charmander's life force. If it is healthy, the flame burns brightly.
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| Y
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From the time it is born, a flame burns at the tip of its tail. Its life would end if the flame were to go out.
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Game locations
| This Pokémon was unavailable prior to Generation I.
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In side games
In events
| Games
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Event
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Language
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Location
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Level
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Distribution period
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Gotta Catch 'Em All Station! Crunch Charmander
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English
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United States
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5
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December 28, 2001 to January 31, 2002;
January 17 to 23, 2003
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Pokémon Center Mystery Egg #3 Crunch Charmander
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Japanese
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Japan
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5
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April 27 to May 12, 2002
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| RSEFRLG
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Gather More Pokémon! Fourth Campaign Charmander
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Japanese
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Japan
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10
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February 11 to 28, 2006
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2007 Birthday Charmander
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Japanese
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Japan
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40
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July 20, 2007 to July 19, 2008
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2008 Birthday Charmander
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Japanese
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Japan
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40
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July 20, 2008 to July 19, 2009
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2009 Birthday Charmander
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Japanese
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Japan
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40
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July 20, 2009 to July 19, 2010
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2010 Birthday Charmander
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Japanese
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Japan
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40
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July 20 to November 3, 2010
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Sticker Promotional Kanto Starter Egg Charmander
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Japanese
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Japan
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1
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September 1 to 30, 2012
|
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Kanto Starter Egg Charmander
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Korean
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South Korea
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1
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November 8 to 11, 2012
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|
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Kanto Starter Egg Charmander
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Korean
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Wi-Fi
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1
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February 14 to March 31, 2013
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In-game events
Pokémon Global Link promotions
Held items
Stats
Base stats
| Stat
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Range
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| At Lv. 50
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At Lv. 100
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39
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99 - 146
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188 - 282
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52
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51 - 114
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98 - 223
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43
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43 - 104
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81 - 203
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60
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58 - 123
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112 - 240
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50
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49 - 112
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94 - 218
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65
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63 - 128
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121 - 251
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Total: 309
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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 50.
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Pokéathlon stats
Type effectiveness
| Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
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Learnset
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Charmander
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Charmander
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see level-up moves from other generations
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- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Charmander
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Charmander
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see TM moves from other generations
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- Moves marked with an asterisk (*) must be chain bred onto Charmander in Generation VI
- Moves marked with a double dagger (‡) can only be bred from a Pokémon who learned the move in an earlier generation.
- Moves marked with a superscript game abbreviation can only be bred onto Charmander in that game.
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Charmander
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Charmander
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Egg moves from other generations
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- A black or white abbreviation in a colored box indicates that Charmander can be tutored the move in that game
- A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Charmander cannot be tutored the move in that game
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Charmander
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Charmander
- Click on the generation numbers at the top to see Move Tutor moves from other generations
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TCG-only moves
Side game data
Evolution
Sprites
Other sprites
 
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| Crystal back
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FireRed/LeafGreen back
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Platinum/HeartGold/
SoulSilver back
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HeartGold/SoulSilver
Shiny back
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Trivia
- Niue released a one-dollar coin featuring Charmander as part of a commemorative promotion for the Pokémon franchise, with Charmander on one side and the nation's coat of arms on the other.
- In the first generation, on its sprite and first artwork, Charmander's "back" is depicted as having a small line of spikes. The spikes were not shown in the sprites and artwork of later generations. Blue's Charmander also had these spikes in the Pokémon Adventures manga, where the spikes were larger and easier to see. The spikes were also seen on Green's Charmander from the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga.
- Charmander is the tallest Fire-type starter Pokémon.
- Charmander has the longest name of all unevolved starter Pokémon.
- Charmander is the only Fire-type starter Pokémon that is not a member of the Field Egg Group.
Origin
Bulbanews has an article related to this subject:
Charmander is predominantly reptilian in origin, and may have been partially inspired by the mythical salamander (as opposed to the real-world amphibian of the same name which inspired its mythical counterpart). This salamander was a fire-spirit capable of surviving in extreme heat or flames, and it is sometimes creatively rendered or interpreted to be in the shape of a lizard.
Physically, Charmander has a slender body, a short nose, and a long tail, as well as other similar lizard-like characteristics. The fact that it does not undergo a metamorphosis stage (beyond its own evolutionary pattern) but instead grows into a larger version of itself as it matures, among other things, indicate that Charmander has more in common with reptiles (like lizards) than with amphibians (like real-world salamanders).
Charmander's Hidden Ability, Solar Power, may have drawn inspiration from the spotted salamander. In July and August 2010, this species was identified as the first known photosynthetic vertebrate animal, capable of converting energy from sunlight.
Name origin
Charmander is a portmanteau of the words char (to burn) and salamander.
Hitokage comes from 火蜥蜴 (salamander): 火 hi (fire) and 蜥蜴 tokage (lizard).
In other languages
| Language
|
Title
|
Meaning
|
 Japanese
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ヒトカゲ Hitokage
|
Salamander (literally "Fire lizard")
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 French
|
Salamèche
|
From Salamandre and mèche
|
 Spanish
|
Charmander
|
Same as English name
|
 German
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Glumanda
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From Glut and Salamander
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 Italian
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Charmander
|
Same as English name
|
 Korean
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파이리 Pairi
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From fire and 꼬리 kkori or possibly lizard
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 Mandarin Chinese
|
小火龍 / 小火龙 Xiǎohǔolóng
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Literally "Little fiery dragon". May also be from 小龍 xiǎolóng
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 Cantonese Chinese
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小火龍 Síufólùhng
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Literally "Little fiery dragon". May also be from 火龍果 fólùhnggwó
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| More languages
|
 Thai
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ฮิโตะคาเงะ Hitokage
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Same as Japanese name
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Related articles
External links
Notes
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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.
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Lucky Egg (100%)
For other sprites and images, please see Charmander images on Bulbagarden Archives.
