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 patches. It has red eyes with white pupils, pointed, ear-like structures on top of its head, and a short, blunt snout with 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. Bulbasaur and its evolved forms are the only known Pokémon capable of learning Vine Whip.
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, thus also marking the species' physical debut. 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 for most of his journey through Johto 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, while Ash was traveling in the Hoenn region, May caught her own Bulbasaur after being separated from the group in Grass Hysteria!. She 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, Ash, Max, and Brock traveled throughout the Kanto region. May retrieved her during her travels in Johto, where she 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!. Shauna's Bulbasaur was revealed to have evolved into Ivysaur by Tag Team Battle Inspiration!
Other
A Bulbasaur appeared in Mewtwo Strikes Back, where it was cloned from Ash's Bulbasaur and participated in the battle between the original Pokémon and the cloned Pokémon. It reappeared in Mewtwo Returns.
A Bulbasaur that used to belong to the Mayor of Trovitopolis appeared in The Mystery Menace. In his childhood, the mayor abandoned it and sent it into the sewers when it wouldn't evolve into Ivysaur. Since then, it grew to a very large size. Aided by Misty and Tracey, Ash found the abandoned Bulbasaur while searching for his own, which had been taken by the giant Bulbasaur. After defeating the arrogant mayor and his personal SWAT team, Ash and his friends left the Bulbasaur with Nurse Joy.
A Bulbasaur appeared in Journey to the Starting Line!. Gilbert 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, forcing Gilbert to set out to find them with Professor Oak, Tracey, and Delia. Bulbasaur was the last one to be found, having been stuck in a tree that was surrounded by a group of Primeape. In the end, Bulbasaur was chosen by Gilbert as his starter Pokémon.
Multiple Bulbasaur appeared in SS003, where they and several Ivysaur traveled to a Gym that was under construction in Vermilion City. Ash and Go, who were investigating the outbreak, followed them to the Gym and realized the horde had gone there so the Bulbasaur could absorb the sunlight necessary to evolve into new Ivysaur.
Minor appearances
Bulbasaur debuted in Pokémon - I Choose You!, where it was seen in Ash's dream.
Multiple Bulbasaur appeared in Battle Aboard the St. Anne as some of the Pokémon seen aboard the St. Anne.
A Bulbasaur appeared in Pokémon Fashion Flash as one of the Pokémon seen on Scissor Street.
A Bulbasaur appeared in The Breeding Center Secret.
A Trainer's Bulbasaur appeared in Friends to the End, during the closing ceremonies of the Indigo Plateau Conference.
A starter Pokémon Bulbasaur appeared in a flashback in Don't Touch That 'dile.
A Bulbasaur appeared in Gonna Rule The School!, under the ownership of the Pokémon Trainers' School. It was temporarily loaned to one of the school's underage students for use.
A Bulbasaur appeared in the opening sequence of Jirachi: Wish Maker.
A Bulbasaur appeared in The Right Place and the Right Mime, where it was one of the starter Pokémon seen at Professor Oak's Laboratory.
A Coordinator's Bulbasaur appeared in What I Did for Love!.
A Bulbasaur made a brief appearance in An Old Family Blend!, under the ownership of a Trainer competing in the Lily of the Valley Conference.
A Bulbasaur appeared in Meloetta's Moonlight Serenade as one of the Pokémon watching Meloetta's concert.
A Bulbasaur appeared in The Fires of a Red-Hot Reunion! alongside Squirtle and Charmander when Professor Oak showed off the Kanto starters during the Kanto Fair.
A Trainer's Bulbasaur appeared in Crystal-Clear Sleuthing!.
A Trainer's Bulbasaur appeared in I Choose You!. Another was revealed to have been chosen by Marina as her starter Pokémon in a flashback.
A Trainer's Bulbasaur appeared in Balloons, Brionne, and Belligerence!.
Two Trainers' Bulbasaur appeared in The Power of Us.
A Trainer's Bulbasaur appeared in Securing the Future!, where it joined the rest of Alola in showering Necrozma with light so it could return to its normal form.
A Trainer's Bulbasaur appeared in The Road to The Semifinals!.
Multiple Bulbasaur appeared in a flashback in SS001, with one under the ownership of a Trainer and the rest being wild.
A Bulbasaur appeared in SS002 as one of the starter Pokémon that Go had to choose from when he started his journey.
A Trainer's Bulbasaur appeared in SS016.
Pokédex entries
Episode
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Subject
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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 tough 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
|
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
Two Bulbasaur appeared in File 1: Red. One of them was seen in Professor Oak's introduction, while the other was one of the Pokémon that Oak was giving away.
In Pokémon Generations
A Bulbasaur appeared in The Adventure, under the ownership of Red. It was sent out to battle a wild Pikachu, which Red successfully caught.
In the manga
In the Ash & Pikachu manga
- Main article: Ash's Bulbasaur
Ash's Bulbasaur appeared in Do Your Best Bulbasaur!!.
In The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga
- Main article: Ash's Bulbasaur
Ash's Bulbasaur debuts in 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.
In the Magical Pokémon Journey manga
- 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 appeared in Mewtwo Strikes Back!, Mirage Pokémon Lugia's Explosive Birth, and Emperor of the Crystal Tower: Entei.
A Bulbasaur appeared in a flashback in ICYR1, under the ownership of Professor Oak.
In the Pokémon Adventures manga
- Main article: Saur
In Bulbasaur, Come Home!, Red receives a Bulbasaur from Professor Oak after helping capture all of the Pokémon he accidentally set free. Bulbasaur, now nicknamed Saur, has since evolved into Ivysaur, and then into Venusaur. It has also been shown in the manga that Bulbasaur has the ability to suck in large amounts of air through his bulb, as seen in That Awful Arbok!, where he sucked up the mist in Pokémon Tower, as well as the Gastly that made it.
A Bulbasaur appeared as a silhouette when Green talks about Mew in The Jynx Jinx.
Professor Sycamore owns a Bulbasaur, as seen in They Have a Flare for a Li'l Kanga-Napping.
In the Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys manga
A Trainer's Bulbasaur appeared in Let's Fight For The Future!!.
In the Pokémon Gotta Catch 'Em All manga
A Bulbasaur appeared in GDZ34.
In the Pokémon Pocket Monsters manga
A Bulbasaur appeared in Introducing the Pokémon Clefairy!! as one of the starter Pokémon Red and Green had to choose from.
In the Pokémon Zensho manga
Bulbasaur appeared as one of the starter Pokémon Professor Oak was giving away in PZ01.
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."
Multiple Bulbasaur appeared in Detective Pikachu. After Detective Pikachu was injured in the garden of giant Torterra, they and a group of Morelull escorted Tim, Lucy, and Pikachu to Mewtwo, who healed it.
Game data
Pokédex entries
Generation I
|
|
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Kanto #001
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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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|
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Generation II
|
|
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Johto #226
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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.
|
|
|
Generation III
|
|
Hoenn #—
|
|
Kanto #001
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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.
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Sapphire
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Emerald
|
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
|
|
Sinnoh #—
|
|
Johto #231
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Diamond
|
For some time after its birth, it grows by gaining nourishment from the seed on its back.
|
Pearl
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Platinum
|
HeartGold
|
The seed on its back is filled with nutrients. The seed grows steadily larger as its body grows.
|
SoulSilver
|
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
|
|
|
Unova #—
|
Black
|
For some time after its birth, it grows by gaining nourishment from the seed on its back.
|
White
|
Black 2
|
For some time after its birth, it grows by gaining nourishment from the seed on its back.
|
White 2
|
|
|
Generation VI
|
|
Kalos Central #080
|
|
Hoenn #—
|
X
|
A strange seed was planted on its back at birth. The plant sprouts and grows with this Pokémon.
|
Y
|
For some time after its birth, it grows by gaining nourishment from the seed on its back.
|
Omega 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.
|
Alpha Sapphire
|
|
|
|
Generation VIII
|
|
|
Galar #—
|
Sword
|
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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Shield
|
While it is young, it uses the nutrients that are stored in the seed on its back in order to grow.
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Game locations
In side games
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Generation II
|
|
This Pokémon is unavailable in Generation II side games.
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In events
Games
|
Event
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Language/Region
|
Location
|
Level
|
Distribution period
|
GSC
|
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
|
Pokémon Center Mystery Egg #3 AncientPower Bulbasaur
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Japanese
|
Japan
|
5
|
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
|
Japan
|
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
|
United States
|
70
|
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
|
United States
|
70
|
August 8, 2006
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B2W2
|
Sticker Promotional Kanto Starter Egg Bulbasaur
|
Japanese
|
Japan
|
1
|
September 1 to 30, 2012
|
BWB2W2
|
Kanto Starter Egg Bulbasaur
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Korean
|
South Korea
|
1
|
November 8 to 11, 2012
|
B2W2
|
Kanto Starter Egg Bulbasaur
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Korean
|
Wi-Fi
|
1
|
February 14 to March 31, 2013
|
XYORAS
|
Pokémon Lab Bulbasaur
|
Japanese region
|
Online
|
5
|
July 8 to November 30, 2015
|
ORAS
|
2016 World Championships Bulbasaur
|
All
|
United States
|
5
|
August 19 to 21, 2016
|
In-game events
Pokémon Global Link promotions
Held items
Stats
Base stats
Stat
|
Range
|
At Lv. 50
|
At Lv. 100
|
45
|
|
105 - 152
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200 - 294
|
49
|
|
48 - 111
|
92 - 216
|
49
|
|
48 - 111
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92 - 216
|
65
|
|
63 - 128
|
121 - 251
|
65
|
|
63 - 128
|
121 - 251
|
45
|
|
45 - 106
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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.
|
Pokéathlon stats
Type effectiveness
Under normal battle conditions in Generation IX, this Pokémon is:
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Learnset
|
|
- 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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|
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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 VIII
- 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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|
- 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
|
|
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team and Blue Rescue Team
|
Body size: 1
|
Recruit rate: 12.5%
|
Friend Area: Beau Plains
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Phrases
|
51%-100% HP
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I'm going to make a big flower bloom!
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26%-50% HP
|
I'm down to about half my HP now.
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1%-25% HP
|
I'm about to keel over...
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Level up
|
I did it! My level went up!
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Partner phrases
|
51%-100% HP
|
Let's try to do our best, <name>!
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26%-50% HP
|
This is getting a bit hard...
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1%-25% HP
|
Urgh... Can't keep this up... <name>, help...
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Level up
|
Yes! I leveled up!
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Pokémon Ranger
Group:
|
|
Poké Assist:
|
|
Field move:
|
(Cross ×1)
|
Loops: 3
|
Min. exp.: 12
|
Max. exp.: 22
|
Browser entry R-001
|
Bulbasaur extends its vines to attack and prevent capture.
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Costumes in Pokémon GO
|
|
Shedinja costume
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Party hat (2020)
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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 evolved forms 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 couldn't 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.
- Bulbasaur may be part of the inspiration for the naming of Bulbasaurus, a genus of dicynodonts.[1]
Origin
Bulbasaur is based on a frog.[2][3] According to Ken Sugimori and Atsuko Nishida, the latter designed Bulbasaur working backward from Venusaur, meaning Bulbasaur was the last of its evolutionary family to have been designed and was also directly based on Venusaur.[4] Its design incorporates elements of various other animals, such as its cat-like ears and fangs and its reptile-like claws.
The bulb on its back resembles a lily or onion.
Name origin
Bulbasaur may be a combination of bulb (a rounded underground storage organ present in some plants, notably those of the lily family) and σαῦρος saur (Ancient Greek for lizard), commonly used for the names of lizards and dinosaurs.
Fushigidane may be a combination of 不思議 fushigi (mysterious) and 種 dane (seed). It literally means "isn't it strange?" (fushigi, da ne?).
In other languages
Language
|
Title
|
Meaning
|
Japanese
|
フシギダネ Fushigidane
|
From 不思議な fushigina and 種 tane or だね dane
|
French
|
Bulbizarre
|
From bulbe and bizarre
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Spanish
|
Bulbasaur
|
Same as English name
|
German
|
Bisasam
|
From Bi, Saurier and Samen
|
Italian
|
Bulbasaur
|
Same as English name
|
Korean
|
이상해씨 Isanghessi
|
From 이상하다 isanghada and 씨 ssi
|
Mandarin Chinese
|
妙蛙種子 / 妙蛙种子 Miàowāzhǒngzǐ
|
Literally "Wonderful frog seed". Contains 子 (child).
|
Cantonese Chinese
|
奇異種子 Kèihyihjúngjí
|
Literally "Bizarre seed". May also be from 奇異果 keiyigwo. Contains 子 (child).
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More languages
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Arabic
|
بلباسور Bulbasaur
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Transcription of English name
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Bulgarian
|
Бълбазор Bŭlbazor
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Transcription of English name
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Hebrew
|
בלבאזור Balbasor
|
Transcription of English name
|
Hindi
|
बल्बसौर Bulbasaur
|
Transcription of English name
|
Lithuanian
|
Balbazauras
|
From English name
|
Brazilian Portuguese
|
Bulbassauro
|
From bulbo and dinossauro
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Russian
|
Бульбазавр Bul'bazavr
|
Transcription of English name
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Thai
|
ฟุชิกิดาเนะ Fushigidane
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Transliteration of Japanese name
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Related articles
External links
References
|
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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