Bulbasaur (Japanese: フシギダネ Fushigidane) is a dual-type Grass/Poison Pokémon introduced in Generation I.
It evolves into Ivysaur starting at level 16, which evolves into Venusaur starting at level 32.
Along with Charmander and Squirtle, Bulbasaur is one of three starter Pokémon of Kanto available at the beginning of Pokémon Red, Green, Blue, FireRed, and LeafGreen.
Biology
Bulbasaur is a small, quadruped Pokémon that has blue-green skin with darker green patches. It has red eyes with white pupils and scleras and pointed, ear-like structures on top of its head. Its snout is short and blunt, and it has a wide mouth. A pair of small, pointed teeth are visible in the upper jaw when its mouth is open. Each of its thick legs ends with three sharp claws. On its back is a green plant bulb, which is grown from a seed planted there at birth. The bulb provides it with energy through photosynthesis as well as from the nutrient-rich seeds contained within.
As mentioned in the anime, starter Pokémon are raised by Breeders to be distributed to new Trainers. Having been domesticated from birth, Bulbasaur is regarded as both a rare and well-behaved Pokémon. It is known to be extremely loyal, even after long-term abandonment. Bulbasaur has also shown itself to be an excellent caretaker, even having a special technique called the "Bulba-by." To perform this technique, Bulbasaur uses its vines to pick up a young Pokémon and soothingly rocks it in the air.
It is found in grasslands and forests throughout the Kanto region. However, due to Bulbasaur's status as starter Pokémon, it is hard to come by in the wild and generally found under the ownership of a Trainer. It has been observed that a Bulbasaur's bulb will flash blue when it is ready to evolve. If it does not want to evolve, it struggles to resist the transformation. Many Bulbasaur gather every year in a hidden garden in Kanto to evolve into Ivysaur in a ceremony led by a Venusaur.
In the anime
In the main series
Major appearances
Ash's Bulbasaur debuted 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 caught. Unlike Charmander and Squirtle, which were caught 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 caught 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 win the Purika Contest and place Top 8 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 Laboratory to learn from Ash's while she and Ash's group traveled throughout the Kanto region. May retrieved it during her travels in Johto, where it evolved all the way into a Venusaur.
Shauna's starter Pokémon is a Bulbasaur she received from Professor Sycamore. It first appeared in Summer of Discovery!.
Other
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.
One also appeared in Meloetta's Moonlight Serenade.
Minor appearances
Bulbasaur 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, 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.
Multiple Bulbasaur appeared in Battle Aboard the St. Anne.
A Bulbasaur also appeared in Pokémon Fashion Flash, The Breeding Center Secret, Jirachi: Wish Maker and The Fires of a Red-Hot Reunion!.
A Trainer's Bulbasaur appeared in Friends to the End, during the closing ceremonies of the Indigo Plateau Conference.
A picture of a Bulbasaur appeared in Hocus Pokémon.
A Bulbasaur was used by one of the students of the Pokémon Trainer's School in Gonna Rule The School!.
A Bulbasaur was one of the starter Pokémon at Professor Oak's Laboratory in The Right Place and the Right Mime.
A Bulbasaur made a brief appearance under the ownership of a Trainer in the Lily of the Valley Conference in An Old Family Blend!.
A Bulbasaur appeared alongside Squirtle and Charmander when Professor Oak showed off the Kanto Starters during the Kanto Fair.
A Bulbasaur appeared in Alexa's magazine in The Journalist from Another Region!.
A Bulbasaur appeared as a plush toy in A Jolting Switcheroo!.
A Bulbasaur appeared in SM003, as a silhouette.
Pokédex entries
| Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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| EP010
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Bulbasaur
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Ash's Pokédex
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Bulbasaur. It bears the seed of a plant on its back from birth. The seed slowly develops. Researchers are unsure whether to classify Bulbasaur as a plant or animal. Bulbasaur are extremely calm and very difficult to capture in the wild.
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| EP051
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Solar Beam
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Ash's Pokédex
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Solar Beam, Bulbasaur's strongest attack. Light is collected and formed into a powerful beam with intensive force.
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| Episode
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Pokémon
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Source
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Entry
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| XY039
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Bulbasaur
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Serena's Pokédex
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Bulbasaur, the Seed Pokémon. A young Bulbasaur uses the nutrients from its seed for the energy it needs to grow.
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In Pokémon Origins
Bulbasaur was one of the Pokémon that Professor Oak was giving away in File 1: Red.
In Pokémon Generations
A Bulbasaur under the ownership of Red appeared in The Adventure.
In the manga
- Main article: Ash's Bulbasaur
Ash's Bulbasaur appeared in Do Your Best Bulbasaur!!.
- Main article: Ash's Bulbasaur
Ash's Bulbasaur appears in The Electric Tale of Pikachu, first appearing in the eighth chapter, You Gotta Have Friends. Bulbasaur's capture is not shown; it is simply stated when it first appears from its Poké Ball that "Ash has been busy since the last comic".
In I'm Your Venusaur, Ash and Misty travel to a town inhabited by many Bulbasaur, Ivysaur and Venusaur. There is a local legend that a giant Venusaur saved the townsfolk in battle.
- Main article: Bulbasaur (MPJ)
In Magical Pokémon Journey, Pistachio's Bulbasaur has a crush on him and is extremely jealous whenever she sees him talking to other females.
In the movie adaptations
- Main article: Ash's Bulbasaur
Ash's Bulbasaur appears in Mewtwo Strikes Back!, Mirage Pokémon Lugia's Explosive Birth and Emperor of the Crystal Tower: Entei.
- Main article: Saur
In the Red, Green & Blue arc, Red receives a Bulbasaur from Professor Oak in Bulbasaur, Come Home! after helping capture all the Pokémon he accidentally set free. Bulbasaur, now named Saur, has since evolved into Ivysaur, and then to Venusaur. It has also been shown in the manga that Bulbasaur has the ability to suck in large amounts of air through its bulb, as seen in That Awful Arbok! where he sucked up the mist in Pokémon Tower as well as the Gastly that made it.
Another Bulbasaur appeared as a silhouette when Green explains about Mew in The Jynx Jinx.
Professor Sycamore owns a Bulbasaur in They Have a Flare for a Li'l Kanga-Napping.
Bulbasaur appears in the very first chapter as one of the starter Pokémon Professor Oak was giving away.
Bulbasaur appeared as one of the starter Pokémon Professor Oak was giving away in the very first chapter.
In the TCG
- Main article: Bulbasaur (TCG)
In the TFG
One Bulbasaur figure has been released.
Other appearances
Bulbasaur appears as a random trophy.
Melee 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.
Brawl trophy information
"A Seed Pokémon. From birth, Bulbasaur carries a large plant seed on its back. It uses the nutrients from the seed to grow bigger and bigger. Extended exposure to the sun will cause its body and seed to grow in size. Some say that once, when the seed was much lighter, Bulbasaur was able to get around on two legs. Bulbasaur evolves into Ivysaur."
Game data
Pokédex entries
| Generation I
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| Red(ENG)
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A strange seed was planted on its back at birth. The plant sprouts and grows with this Pokémon.
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| Blue
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| Yellow
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It can go for days without eating a single morsel. In the bulb on its back, it stores energy.
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| Stadium
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The bulb-like pouch on its back grows larger as it ages. The pouch is filled with numerous seeds.
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| Generation II
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| Gold
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The seed on its back is filled with nutrients. The seed grows steadily larger as its body grows.
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| Silver
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It carries a seed on its back right from birth. As it grows older, the seed also grows larger.
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| Crystal
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While it is young, it uses the nutrients that are stored in the seeds on its back in order to grow.
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| Stadium 2
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The seed on its back is filled with nutrients. The seed grows steadily larger as its body grows.
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| Generation III
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| Ruby
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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.
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| Sapphire
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| Emerald
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| FireRed
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There is a plant seed on its back right from the day this Pokémon is born. The seed slowly grows larger.
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| LeafGreen
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A strange seed was planted on its back at birth. The plant sprouts and grows with this Pokémon.
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| Generation IV
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| Diamond
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For some time after its birth, it grows by gaining nourishment from the seed on its back.
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| Pearl
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| Platinum
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| HeartGold
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The seed on its back is filled with nutrients. The seed grows steadily larger as its body grows.
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| SoulSilver
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It carries a seed on its back right from birth. As it grows older, the seed also grows larger.
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| Generation V
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| Black
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For some time after its birth, it grows by gaining nourishment from the seed on its back.
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| White
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| Black 2
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For some time after its birth, it grows by gaining nourishment from the seed on its back.
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| White 2
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| Generation VI
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| X
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A strange seed was planted on its back at birth. The plant sprouts and grows with this Pokémon.
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| Y
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For some time after its birth, it grows by gaining nourishment from the seed on its back.
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| Omega Ruby
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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.
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| Alpha Sapphire
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Game locations
In side games
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| Generation II
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| This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation II side games.
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In events
| Games
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Event
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Language/Region
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Location
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Level
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Distribution period
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| GSC
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Gotta Catch 'Em All Station! AncientPower Bulbasaur
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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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| GSC
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Pokémon Center Mystery Egg #3 AncientPower Bulbasaur
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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 Bulbasaur
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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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| RSEFRLG
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Journey Across America Bulbasaur
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English
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United States
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70
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February 25 to July 23, 2006
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| RSEFRLG
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Party of the Decade Bulbasaur
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English
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United States
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70
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August 8, 2006
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| B2W2
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Sticker Promotional Kanto Starter Egg Bulbasaur
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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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| BWB2W2
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Kanto Starter Egg Bulbasaur
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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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| B2W2
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Kanto Starter Egg Bulbasaur
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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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| XYORAS
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Pokémon Lab Bulbasaur
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Japanese region
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Online
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5
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July 8 to November 30, 2015
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| ORAS
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2016 World Championships Bulbasaur
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All
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United States
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5
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August 19 to 21, 2016
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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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45
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105 - 152
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200 - 294
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49
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48 - 111
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92 - 216
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49
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48 - 111
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92 - 216
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65
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63 - 128
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121 - 251
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65
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63 - 128
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121 - 251
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45
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45 - 106
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85 - 207
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Total: 318
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Other Pokémon with this total
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- 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.
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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 Bulbasaur
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Bulbasaur
- 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 Bulbasaur
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Bulbasaur
- 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 Bulbasaur in Generation VII
- 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 Bulbasaur in that game.
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Bulbasaur
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Bulbasaur
- 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 Bulbasaur can be tutored the move in that game
- A colored abbreviation in a white box indicates that Bulbasaur cannot be tutored the move in that game
- Bold indicates a move that gets STAB when used by Bulbasaur
- Italic indicates a move that gets STAB only when used by an Evolution of Bulbasaur
- 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
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Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team
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Body size: 1
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| Recruit rate: 12.5%
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| Friend Area: Beau Plains
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| Phrases
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| 51%-100% HP
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I'm going to make a big flower bloom!
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| 26%-50% HP
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I'm down to about half my HP now.
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| 1%-25% HP
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I'm about to keel over...
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| Level up
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I did it! My level went up!
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| Partner phrases
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| 51%-100% HP
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Let's try to do our best, <name>!
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| 26%-50% HP
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This is getting a bit hard...
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| 1%-25% HP
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Urgh... Can't keep this up... <name>, help...
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| Level up
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Yes! I leveled up!
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Pokémon Ranger
| Group:
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Poké Assist:
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Field move:
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(Cross ×1)
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| Loops: 3
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Min. exp.: 12
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Max. exp.: 22
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Browser entry R-000
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| Bulbasaur extends its vines to attack and prevent capture.
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Pokémon Ranger: Guardian Signs
| Group:
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Poké Assist:
(present)
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Field move:
(present)
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(Cut ×1)
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Poké Assist:
(past)
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Field move:
(past)
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(Cut ×1)
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| Browser entry [[List of Pokémon by Oblivia Browser number|]]
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| It attacks by shooting seeds.
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Evolution
Sprites
Trivia
- Niue released a one-dollar coin featuring Bulbasaur as part of a commemorative promotion for the Pokémon franchise, with Bulbasaur on one side and the nation's coat of arms on the other.
- Bulbasaur's evolution family is the only starter Pokémon evolution family to have each member appear at least once in the Super Smash Bros. series.
- Bulbasaur and its evolutions share their category with Sunkern. They are all known as the Seed Pokémon.
- Bulbasaur's number in the National Pokédex and the Fiore Browser are the same: 001.
- Due to the censor that prevents Pokémon with offensive nicknames being traded on the GTS, a Bulbasaur with an English name cannot be traded on the GTS without a nickname in Pokémon Black and White.
- In Pokémon Gold and Silver, Bulbasaur is programmed to be able to learn Charm through breeding, but no other Pokémon in the Grass or Monster Groups can legitimately learn it to pass down as an Egg Move in those games. In Generation III and IV, Bulbasaur can inherit the move from Shroomish by chain breeding; in Generation V on, Bulbasaur can inherit the move directly from Cottonee.
Origin
Bulbasaur appears to be based primarily on some form of reptile, specifically mammal-like reptiles known as Dicynodonts from the Permian period. Along with visible ears and no genuine metamorphosis stage (evolution aside), Bulbasaur appears to have more in common with mammals than amphibians such as frogs and toads, which metamorphose from one definite creature into another as they mature as opposed to just growing into a larger adult version of itself the way that Bulbasaur does. Alternatively, Bulbasaur's large rounded snout, wide mouth, wide-set eyes, blotch-patterned skin, and quadraped-like movements are vaguely similar to those of certain amphibians, such as the common toad. Since Bulbasaur's "ears" do not in fact have hollows, they may actually be similar to the glands present behind the eyes of many species of frogs and toads.
The bulb on its back may resemble that of a lily or onion.
Name origin
Bulbasaur is a combination of bulb (a rounded underground storage organ present in some plants, notably those of the lily family) and saur (Ancient Greek for lizard).
Fushigidane literally means "isn't it strange?" and is also a pun on 不思議種 fushigidane (mysterious bulb).
In other languages
| Language
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Title
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Meaning
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 Japanese
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フシギダネ Fushigidane
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From 不思議 fushigi and 種 tane or だね dane
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 French
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Bulbizarre
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From bulbe and bizarre
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 Spanish
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Bulbasaur
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Same as English name
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 German
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Bisasam
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From Bi, Saurier and Samen
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 Italian
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Bulbasaur
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Same as English name
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 Korean
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이상해씨 Isanghessi
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From 이상하다 isanghada and 씨 ssi
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 Mandarin Chinese
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妙蛙種子 / 妙蛙种子 Miàowāzhǒngzǐ
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Literally "Wonderful frog seed"
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 Cantonese Chinese
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奇異種子 Keiyizhungjí
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Literally "Bizarre seed". May also be from 奇異果 keiyigwo
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| More languages
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 Arabic
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بلباسور Bulbasaur
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Transcription of English name
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 Bulgarian
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Бълбазор Bŭlbazor
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Transcription of English name
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 Hebrew
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בולבוזאור Bulbosaur
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Transliteration of English name
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 Hindi
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बल्बसौर Bulbasaur
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Transliteration of English name
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 Lithuanian
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Balbazauras
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From English name
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 Brazilian Portuguese
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Bulbassauro
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From bulbo and dinossauro
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 Russian
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Бульбазавр Bul'bazavr
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Transcription of English name
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Related articles
External links
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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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Venusaurite (100%)
For other sprites and images, please see Bulbasaur images on the Bulbagarden Archives.
