Terminology of first partner Pokémon: Difference between revisions

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.

The term "first partner" is used in Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 in reference to the Volcarona once used by Alder.^[1] The first usage of the term that refers 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.^[2] 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.^[3] Additionally, Nanu uses it to refer to the three Meowth he presents to a little boy starting his island challenge.^[4] In Pokémon Sword and Shield, the back of the player's League Card denotes their first partner Pokémon using the full phrase. The phrase is used by Professor Laventon in Pokémon Legends: Arceus while the player is selecting their first partner Pokémon.^[5] 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.^[6][7]

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. The website for Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! refers to them as both Partner Pokémon and first partner Pokémon, with Partner Pokémon being the most common.^[8] Chloe's new Eevee was referred to as her first partner in To Train, or Not to Train!.^[9]

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.^[10]

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

Starter Pokémon

Article using the term "starter Pokémon"
(Nintendo Power #180)

In Pokémon Black, White, Black 2, and White 2, one of the questions from the Passerby Analytics HQ is: "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."

In Pokémon X and Y, the "Starters" battle background features Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie.

There is an official video titled "Starter Pokémon for Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon Revealed!". The video description also mentions: "Learn more about each of these new starter Pokémon on our site!"^[11]

This is mentioned officially in an article about Pokémon UNITE: "[...] the stickers are of Paldea’s starter Pokémon: Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly."^[12]

In 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."^[13]

The term "starter Pokémon" has commonly been used to refer to the regional trios in the Pokémon anime. It is used in the blurbs of several anime episodes, including Journey to the Starting Line!^[14] (Kanto), A Six Pack Attack!^[15] (Hoenn), Following A Maiden's Voyage!^[16] (Sinnoh), and New Places...Familiar Faces!^[17] (Unova).

Page 102 of Nintendo Power Issue #180 (June 2004) mentions "starter Pokémon".

Starting Pokémon

In Pokémon Gold and Silver: Official Nintendo Player's Guide (page 16), "starting Pokémon" is mentioned: "Choose a starting Pokémon from Professor Elm's lab"

First Pokémon

In some Pokémon media, "first Pokémon" is mentioned. For instance, in the first anime episode, Ash asks Gary: "You got your first Pokémon?"

Some uses in guidebooks:

• "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)
• "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)

Japanese terminology

In contrast to the English terminology, Japanese is not known to prefer any single 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 Pokémon

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):

• 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."

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

• First partner Pokémon

References