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Terminology of first partner Pokémon

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Promotional image for The Indigo Disk using the term "first partner Pokémon"[1]

This is the terminology of first partner Pokémon, explaining how terms such as "first partner Pokémon" and "starter Pokémon" are used in Pokémon media.

English terminology

First partner Pokémon

Since Generation VI, "first partner Pokémon" is the main term officially used in the Pokémon games and other media.

Krysta Yang, a former public relations manager at Nintendo of America, has claimed that the phrase "partner Pokémon" is preferred in official communication due to "starter Pokémon" implying that the player will "be rid of them" later in the game.[2]

In the core series games

The term "first partner" is used in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 in reference to the Volcarona once used by Alder.[3] The first usage of the term to refer to a Pokémon chosen by the player at the beginning of the game is in Pokémon X and Y by a Beauty in Couriway Town.[4] In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, the term is used by Professor Kukui to refer to the Pokémon chosen by the player at the beginning of the game.[5] Additionally, Nanu uses it to refer to the three Meowth he presents to a little boy starting his island challenge.[6] In Pokémon Sword and Shield, the back of the player's League Card denotes their first partner Pokémon using the full term. The term is used by Professor Laventon in Pokémon Legends: Arceus while the player is selecting their first partner Pokémon.[7] In Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, "first partner" is used by both Clavell and Rika to refer to the Pokémon chosen by the player at the beginning of the game.[8][9]

In the spin-off games

This term is also used sometimes in Pokémon GO. For instance: "You might be familiar with the tradition in which a Pokémon Trainer selects their very first partner from a group of three Pokémon. These first-partner Pokémon are normally Fire, Water or Grass types."

In the TCG

The first known usage of the term "first partner" related to the TCG appears in marketing copy for the Hoenn Collection, which reads: "The Pokémon Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip all appear on special foil cards—you don’t have to pick just one to be your first partner!"[10] Other TCG products would continue to refer to first partner Pokémon, such as the First Partner Packs released during the Sword & Shield Series and the First Partner Power merchandise released during the Scarlet & Violet Series.

In official marketing and promotional materials

The official website for Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire refers to Treecko, Torchic, and Mudkip as "the three Pokémon from which you may choose your first partner" and "the Pokémon that will become your first partner."[11][12] On the official website for Pokémon Sun and Moon, the page "Kahunas Lead Each Island" states that Hala "gives you your first partner Pokémon."[13] The "Pokémon" page on the official website for Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon states "Your first partner will be one of these three Pokémon" beneath an image of the Alola first partner Pokémon.[14] The official websites for Pokémon Sword and Shield, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet all refer to the Pokémon chosen by the player at the beginning of the game as first partner Pokémon.[15][16][17][18] Additionally, the pages for Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!, Sword and Shield, and Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl on the official Pokémon website all refer to the Pokémon chosen by the player at the beginning of the game as first partner Pokémon,[19][20][21] while the page for Scarlet and Violet refers to these Pokémon as "your first partner."[22]

The first Pokémon Direct to use the phrase first partner Pokémon was the Pokémon Direct that aired on September 4, 2013.[23] Two Pokémon Directs promoting Pokémon Sword and Shield, aired on February 27, 2019 and June 5, 2019, used the phrases "first partner" and "first partner Pokémon" respectively to refer to the Pokémon chosen at the beginning of the game.[24][25] The Pokémon Presents that aired on February 26, 2021 referred to the Pokémon chosen at the start of both Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl and Pokémon Legends: Arceus as first partner Pokémon.[26][27] Another Pokémon Presents promoting the release of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet that aired on August 3, 2022 referred to Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly as "the Pokémon from which you'll choose your first partner."[28]

A press release announcing Pokémon Sword and Shield refers to Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble as Pokémon chosen to be a "first partner."[29] In the press release announcing Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl and Pokémon Legends: Arceus, the Pokémon chosen by the player at the beginning of those games are referred to as "first partner Pokémon."[30] A press release announcing the Nintendo Switch – OLED Model: Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Edition refers to Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly as "three Pokémon you can choose as your first partners in the game,"[31] while a press release promoting the then-upcoming relase of Pokémon Scarlet and Violet referred to these as first partner Pokémon.[32]

Definition

The English online store pokemoncenter.com regularly uses first partner Pokémon to refer exclusively to the trios of Pokémon that can be chosen at the start of most core games, oftentimes excluding Pikachu and Eevee by mentioning them separately. This separation of Pikachu from other first partner Pokémon was also present in a press release for the series' 25th anniversary.[33] The website for Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! refers to Pikachu and Eevee as both Partner Pokémon and first partner Pokémon.[34] Chloe's new Eevee was referred to as her first partner in To Train, or Not to Train!.[35]

Other Pokémon have been occasionally referred to as "first partner Pokémon". According to its Pokédex entry in Pokémon Ultra Sun, Poipole is chosen as a first partner in its world.[36]

In Pokémon Masters EX, "first partner Pokémon" refers to several Pokémon, including Alder's Volcarona, Anabel's Snorlax, Ash's Pikachu, and a female Rising Star's Torchic.

Partner Pokémon

The official website for Pokémon X and Y referred to the Kanto first partner Pokémon as "classic partner Pokémon."[37] The Pokémon Direct on September 4, 2013 referred to these as "the partner Pokémon from the original Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue."[23]

The term "partner Pokémon" has been used to refer to the trio of Alola first partner Pokémon in the quote "Your Partner Pokémon Have Fully Evolved!" from an official video promoting Pokémon Sun and Moon.[38] Additionally, the pages for Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio on the official website refer to each of these Pokémon as "your partner."[39][40][41] A press release detailing a promotional event for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet referred to the Paldea first partner Pokémon as "the partner Pokémon".[42]

Starter Pokémon

Article using the term "starter Pokémon"
(Nintendo Power #180)
"Gigantamax forms for your evolved starter Pokémon" mentioned in an official video about the Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass[43]

The earliest known official usage of "starter Pokémon" was on page 5 of Pokémon Power #6 (January 1999). It is also used on page 102 of Nintendo Power #180 (June 2004).

In the core series games

The core series games seldom refer to "starter Pokémon" or "starters". In Pokémon Black, White, Black 2, and White 2, the term is referenced in one of the questions from the Passerby Analytics HQ[44] In Pokémon X and Y, the "Starters" battle background features Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie.

In the anime

The term "starter Pokémon" is used to refer to the regional first partner Pokémon trios in the Pokémon anime during Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire,[45][46] Diamond and Pearl,[47][48][49] and Black & White.[50][51][52][53][54] The first episode to use the term was the Ruby and Sapphire episode A Six Pack Attack!.[45] Starting in Pokémon the Series: XY, the term fell out of use entirely—at a panel at PokéCon 2015, then-voice director of the English dub of the Pokémon anime, Tom Wayland, stated that starter Pokémon is "an unofficial term now", and it is not used in the anime anymore.[55]

In 2019, Sonja Hammes, then a social media associate at The Pokémon Company International,[56] stated that official social media accounts had been given authorization to use the phrase "starter Pokémon," provided that the phrase was not capitalized as "Starter Pokémon" or abbreviated as "starters."[57][58]

In the TCG

Starter Figure Boxes, which included "Starter Figures" and cards featuring the Unova first partner Pokémon, were released during the Black & White Series of the TCG.

In official marketing and promotional materials

The official sites for Pokémon Black and White, Pokémon X and Y, and Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire all refer to their respective first partner trios as "starter Pokémon".[59][60][61] The official website for Pokémon Sun and Moon sorts the pages for Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio under the tag "starter"[62] and the section on the "Cool Features" page that links to the "Introducing Z-Moves" page uses the title "Exclusive Z-Moves for Starter Pokémon."[63] On the official website for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, a hidden comment reads: "Looping video showcasing in-game footage of starter Pokémon Sprigatito, Quaxly, and Fuecoco."[64] Additionally, on the official Pokémon website, the page detailing Pokémon Emerald features artwork of the Hoenn first partner Pokémon captioned "Which starter Pokémon will you choose?"[65] The term "starter Pokémon" is also mentioned in an official article about Pokémon UNITE.[66]

The Pokémon Direct on September 4, 2013 referred to the Kalos first partner Pokémon as "the Pokémon X and Y starters." [23] The term "starter Pokémon" was used in the titles and descriptions of videos promoting the release of Pokémon Sun and Moon,[38][67] and "evolved starter Pokémon" also appeared at the start of a video promoting the Gigantamax forms from the Pokémon Sword and Shield Expansion Pass.[43] The term "starter" was used in a video promoting Pokémon Legends: Arceus in reference to the final evolutions of the Hisui first partner Pokémon.[68]

Other terminology

In some cases, first partner Pokémon are referred to descriptively, or with terminology that has not been consistently used since.

In other cases, a Trainer's first Pokémon is simply referred to as such. For instance, in the first episode of Pokémon the Series, Ash asks Gary: "You got your first Pokémon?" Other instances have occurred on official Pokémon websites[73][74] and in official guidebooks.[75][76]

Japanese terminology

In contrast to the English terminology, Japanese media is not known to prefer any particular way of referring to first partner Pokémon. Most commonly, パートナー (partner) will be used, but occasionally 相棒 (partner) or simply ポケモン (Pokémon) may also be used. This is usually paired with 最初の (first) or 初めての (first), but there may also be some variations on this like 最初に選んだ (that was chosen first) or はじめに選んだ (that was chosen first). Japanese marketing also has fewer promotions highlighting first partner Pokémon than English marketing. Among fans, 御三家 (the big three) refers to the Grass, Fire, and Water trios.

Partner

In the Japanese manuals of Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, Professor Elm refers to the Johto first partner Pokémon as パートナー (partner).[77] In the intro of Pokémon Black and White, Professor Juniper refers to the player's first partner Pokémon in Japanese as the 「旅の　パートナー」 (travel partner).

See also

References

  1. ↑ Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet | Familiar First Partner Pokémon.
  2. ↑ Nintendo's Big Announcement Season EXPLAINED - EP81 Kit & Krysta Podcast | Kit & Krysta on YouTube — Krysta Yang: "They did start using 'partner Pokémon' a couple of years back, but it's been hard for them to get people to catch on to this official terminology because people like to say 'starter Pokémon.' ... I think there was something about how, if you call it a 'starter Pokémon,' you're basically saying that you will be rid of them. ...That was one of the reasons, I believe, is that if you call it a 'starter Pokémon,' it's like, oh, you're only just going to start the game with it, and then you ditch it for your, like, shinies and your legendaries. ... So then the 'partner Pokémon' became the phrasing that they liked better because it's like, 'this is your partner for your whole adventure,' like you really want to get attached to this character, this Pokémon that you start your game with, but it's not just who you start your game with..."
  3. ↑ Alder: "Well done! That was an impressive battle. The spirit of my first partner, Larvesta--no, Volcarona--lives on in my current partners, too!" (Pokémon Black 2 and White 2)
  4. ↑ Beauty in Couriway Town: "Which Pokémon did you pick as your first partner?" (Pokémon X and Y)
  5. ↑ Professor Kukui: "Y’see, the fact of the matter is... one of these Pokémon will become your first partner, woo!" (Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon)
  6. ↑ Nanu: "You’ll have to choose the Pokémon you want to have as your first partner." (Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon)
  7. ↑ Professor Laventon: "Do you want [Rowlet/Cyndaquil/Oshawott] as your first partner?" (Pokémon Legends: Arceus)
  8. ↑ Clavell: "Have you decided which of these Pokémon you would like to be your first partner?" (Pokémon Scarlet and Violet)
  9. ↑ Rika: "What was the category of the Pokémon you chose to be your first partner?" (Pokémon Scarlet and Violet)
  10. ↑ Pokémon TCG: Hoenn Collection | Pokemon.com
  11. ↑ Story | Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire Official Website, archived October 6, 2014 on Internet Archive
  12. ↑ Professor Birch | Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire Official Website, archived October 18, 2014 on Internet Archive
  13. ↑ Kahunas Lead Each Island | Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon Official Website, archived October 26, 2016 on Internet Archive
  14. ↑ Pokémon | Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon Official Website, archived October 21, 2017 on Internet Archive
  15. ↑ The Evolutions of the three first partner Pokémon revealed! | Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield Official Website
  16. ↑ Pokémon Trainer Fundamentals | Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl Official Website
  17. ↑ Pokémon | Pokémon Legends: Arceus Official Website
  18. ↑ Catching Pokémon in Paldea | Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet Official Website
  19. ↑ Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! | The Official Pokémon Website
  20. ↑ Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield | The Official Pokémon Website
  21. ↑ Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl | The Official Pokémon Website
  22. ↑ Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet | The Official Pokémon Website
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 Pokémon Direct 9.4.2013 | Nintendo of America on YouTube — Junichi Masuda: "However, in Pokémon X and Y, your first partner Pokémon, Chespin, Fennekin, or Froakie, won't be given to you by the professor, but by your friend instead. Then, you'll receive a different Pokémon from the professor later on. What you get from the professor is one of the partner Pokémon from the original Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue: Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle. So you get either Chespin, Fennekin, or Froakie, the Pokémon X and Y starters, plus Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle to take with you on your journey."
  24. ↑ Pokémon Direct 2.27.2019 | Nintendo of America on YouTube — Shigeru Ohmori: "Here in this region, you'll visit Gyms with the newly-discovered Pokémon you choose to be your first partner, aiming for the enviable and admirable title of Champion."
  25. ↑ Pokémon Direct 6.5.2019 | Nintendo of America on YouTube — Junichi Masuda: "After choosing Grookey, Scorbunny, or Sobble as your first partner Pokémon, you will embark on an adventure to become the Champion."
  26. ↑ Pokémon Presents | #Pokemon25 | The Official Pokémon YouTube channel — Narrator: "You'll set out on your journey after choosing either Turtwig, Chimchar, or Piplup as your first partner Pokémon."
  27. ↑ Pokémon Presents | #Pokemon25 | The Official Pokémon YouTube channel — Narrator: "You'll set out on your adventure after receiving a first partner Pokémon of your own from this professor."
  28. ↑ Pokémon Presents | 8.3.2022 | The Official Pokémon YouTube channel — Narrator: "Of course, we also have the Pokémon from which you'll choose your first partner: Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly."
  29. ↑ New Pokémon Adventures Coming to Nintendo Switch in Late 2019
  30. ↑ Pokémon Announces New Video Games Pokémon Brilliant Diamond, Pokémon Shining Pearl, and Pokémon Legends: Arceus
  31. ↑ Nintendo Announces Nintendo Switch – OLED Model: Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Edition, Launching This November
  32. ↑ Nintendo Download: The World of Pokémon Has Evolved!
  33. ↑ Pokémon Celebrates 25 Years With Massive Music Program and Activations Across the Franchise
  34. ↑ Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! | Experience the World of Pokémon
  35. ↑ Narrator: "Now that Eevee is Chloe's first partner, her adventures as a Pokémon Trainer have just begun!" (To Train, or Not to Train!)
  36. ↑ Pokédex entry: This Ultra Beast is well enough liked to be chosen as a first partner in its own world. (Pokémon Ultra Sun)
  37. ↑ Classic Partner Pokémon | Pokémon X and Pokémon Y Official Website, archived November 27, 2013 on Internet Archive
  38. ↑ 38.0 38.1 Discover the Final Evolutions of the Starter Pokémon in Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon! | The Official Pokémon YouTube channel
  39. ↑ Rowlet | Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon Official Website, archived September 4, 2016 on Internet Archive
  40. ↑ Litten | Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon Official Website, archived September 4, 2016 on Internet Archive
  41. ↑ Popplio | Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon Official Website, archived September 6, 2016 on Internet Archive
  42. ↑ Photos of the Official Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet Partner Pokémon Debut at Nintendo NY Store Are Available on Business Wire’s Website
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 More Gigantamax action comes to the Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield Expansion Pass! | The Official Pokémon YouTube channel
  44. ↑ "What's your starter Pokémon?" This is also described as "This survey is... a request from a Pokémon Professor. You need to find out the most popular starter Pokémon."
  45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 Professor Birch: "Great! Team Rocket's just gotten away with SIX Starter Pokémon. The reserved ones." (A Six Pack Attack!)
  46. ↑ Ash: "They're evolved forms of the starter Pokémon from Pallet Town." /
    Meowth: "Who wouldn't want da fiorst evolution a' t'ree starter Pokeymon?!!" (Judgment Day!)
  47. ↑ Professor Rowan: "You must be a new Trainer, since you've got that postcard. Why don't you come with me to my lab and get your starter Pokémon?" (Following A Maiden's Voyage!)
  48. ↑ Ash: "Sure is! Pretty sure it's a Sinnoh region starter Pokémon!" (Gettin' Twiggy With It!)
  49. ↑ Ash: "Then that means you chose a Piplup for your starter Pokémon" (Getting the Pre-Contest Titters!)
  50. ↑ Professor Oak: "You see, Ash, one of Professor Juniper's numerous duties is to give all new trainers from the Unova region their starter Pokémon."
    Ash: "Awesome! Starter Pokémon!" (In the Shadow of Zekrom!)
  51. ↑ Ash: "A Tepig! That's one of the three starter Pokémon a new trainer can choose." (The Battle Club and Tepig's Choice!)
  52. ↑ Ash: "Hey, that's a Snivy! It's one of the three starter Pokémon you can get in the Unova region." (Snivy Plays Hard to Catch!)
  53. ↑ Nanette: "Is it true? I can get a starter Pokémon for free?" /
    Cilan: "Since you're the cautious type, why not choose that lively Tepig for your starter?" (New Places...Familiar Faces!)
  54. ↑ Professor Oak: "First off, I'm wondering if any of you know the names of the three types of starter Pokémon a brand-new Trainer may choose from in the Kanto region..." [...] "I hope you enjoyed the starter Pokémon from the Kanto region." /
    Ash: "Here come the starter Pokémon!" (The Fires of a Red-Hot Reunion!)
  55. ↑ PokéCon 2015 - Tom Wayland on How He Creates Pokémon Voices: Wayland: "Chespin is the... your Grass-type starter in XY. Even though "starter" is an unofficial term now."
    Audience: "I think it's always been an unofficial term."
    Wayland: "Nope. They used to say it in the show, now they don't."
  56. ↑ Sonja Hammes on LinkedIn
  57. ↑ Sonja Hammes on Twitter: "P.S. We can call them starter on social now"
  58. ↑ Sonja Hammes on Twitter: "Of course, there are RULES. It’s “starter Pokémon”. No capital S. No “starters”. Gotta keep the standards!"
  59. ↑ Pokémon | Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version Official Website, archived February 7, 2012 on Internet Archive
  60. ↑ Starter Pokémon | Pokémon X and Pokémon Y Official Website, archived December 5, 2013 on Internet Archive
  61. ↑ Starter Pokémon | Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire Official Website, archived October 17, 2014 on Internet Archive
  62. ↑ Pokémon | Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon Official Website, archived September 6, 2016 on Internet Archive
  63. ↑ Cool Features | Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon Official Website, archived June 11, 2017 on Internet Archive]
  64. ↑ Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet - Pokémon.com
  65. ↑ Pokémon Emerald Version | The Official Pokémon Website
  66. ↑ "[...] the stickers are of Paldea’s starter Pokémon: Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly." Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet bring Paldean flavor to Pokémon Unite - Pokémon.com
  67. ↑ Starter Pokémon for Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon Revealed! | The Official Pokémon YouTube channel
  68. ↑ Hisuian. Final. Starter. Evolutions. | Pokémon Legends: Arceus | The Official Pokémon YouTube channel
  69. ↑ Pokémon Gold Version and Pokémon Silver Version | The Official Pokémon Website, archived November 6, 2015 on Internet Archive
  70. ↑ "The Kanto Initial Three Pokémon | The following Pokémon were the initial three from Kanto, all RARE color, plus a rare Mew!" Catch Celebi!, Catch Them If You Can
  71. ↑ "The Johto Initial Three Pokémon | The following Pokémon were the initial three from Johto, all RARE color, and all at AP 40, with two new RARE color Pokémon included!" Catch Celebi!
  72. ↑ "The Initial Three Set | During this week, you can try to catch one RARE color of the Initial Three, and one NORMAL color of the Initial Three with these powers attached." Catch Them If You Can
  73. ↑ Pokémon Platinum Version | The Official Pokémon Website: "Will you choose Piplup, Chimchar, or Turtwig as your first Pokémon?"
  74. ↑ Your First Pokémon | Pokémon X and Pokémon Y Official Website, archived December 7, 2013 on Internet Archive
  75. ↑ "When it's time to pick their first Pokémon, their choices are:", followed by the images and names of Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle. (The Official Pokémon Advanced Handbook 4)
  76. ↑ "To help him, Prof. Birch allows you to select one of the three Poké Balls in his bag. This will be your first Pokémon." (Pokémon Emerald: Official Nintendo Player's Guide, page 19)
  77. ↑
    • Japanese dialogue:「好(す)きなポケモンを1匹(ひき)、パートナーとして連(つ)れていくといいよ」 (1 Pokémon that you like, take it as your partner).
      English dialogue: "Choose one of these Pokémon to take along with you."
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