Bulbasaur (Pokémon)

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000 #{{{prevnum}}}: Arceus
Pokémon
#{{{nextnum}}}: Ivysaur 000
Bulbasaur
フシギダネ Fushigidane
#001
001Bulbasaur.png
Artwork from FR/LG
Type
Grass Poison
Category
Seed Pokémon
Ability
Overgrow
Exp. at Lv. 100
1,059,860
Regional Pokédex numbers
Kanto
#001
Johto
#226
Hoenn
#203
Regional Browser numbers
Height
2′04″
Imperial
0.7 m
Metric
Weight
15.2 lbs.
Imperial
6.9 kg
Metric
Dex color
Green
Catch rate
45 (5.9%)
Body style
Body08.png BodyUnknown.png
Blue-Striped
Footprint
 F001.png   F487O.png
Blue-Striped
Gender ratio
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*

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 evolves via level, into Ivysaur starting at Level 16, then into Venusaur starting at Level 32.

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.

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.

Bulbasaur can also be found lying in the sun during the day for photosynthesis. They mainly do this during times of scarcity of food.

Habitat

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

Diet

Main article: Pokémon food

Much like most Pokémon, Bulbasaur appears to be an 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

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.

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
45
105 - 152 200 - 294
49
48 - 111 92 - 216
49
48 - 111 92 - 216
65
63 - 128 121 - 251
65
63 - 128 121 - 251
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

Template:DP type effectiveness

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 TM/HM

Template:Movelisttm 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: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 breeding

Template:Eggmoves 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:Eggmoves/note

By tutoring

Template:Tutor Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4 Template:Mtentry4


|- 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

Side game data

Template:Side game

Evolution

Template:Evobox/2

Sprites

Gen Game
I Red Blue Yellow Red (Ja) Green Back
Spr 1b 001.png Spr 1y 001.png Spr 1g 001.png Spr b g1 001.png
II Gold Silver Crystal   Back
Spr 2g 001.png Spr 2s 001.png Spr 2c 001.png Spr b 2g 001.png
Spr 2g 001 s.png Spr 2s 001 s.png Spr 2c 001 s.png Spr b 2g 001 s.png
III Ruby Sapphire Emerald FireRed LeafGreen Back
Spr 3r 001.png Spr 3e 001.png Spr 3f 001.png Spr b 3r 001.png
Spr 3r 001 s.png Spr 3e 001 s.png Spr 3f 001 s.png Spr b 3r 001 s.png
IV Diamond Pearl Platinum HeartGold SoulSilver Back
Spr 4d 001.png Spr 4p 001.png Spr 4h 001.png Spr b 4d 001.png
Spr 4d 001 s.png Spr 4p 001 s.png Spr 4h 001 s.png Spr b 4d 001 s.png
V Black White Black 2 White 2 Back
Spr 5b 001.png Spr 5b2 001.png Spr b 5b 001.png
Spr 5b 001 s.png Spr 5b2 001 s.png Spr b 5b 001 s.png
Bulbasaur 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.
  • In the initial games, 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.
  • Bulbasaur and its evolutions are three of six Pokémon to have the same numbers in two regional Pokédexes, being 001, 002, and 003 in both Kanto and Fiore. The other three are Beldum and its evolutions, being 190, 191, and 192 in both Hoenn and Fiore.
  • 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.
  • Though Bulbasuar has no gender differences in the games, May's Bulbasaur has little hearts on it's head as opposed to Ash's Bulbasaur, and since it evolved has been confirmed to be female.

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

External links

000 #{{{prevnum}}}: Arceus
Pokémon
#{{{nextnum}}}: Ivysaur 000
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