Kanto first partner Pokémon

The Kanto first partner Pokémon in Pokémon Journeys: The Series

The Kanto first partner Pokémon are the trio of Pokémon—Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle—chosen by Trainers at the start of their journey in Kanto. These are traditionally given out by Professor Oak and are to be used to battle the first wild Pokémon that the Trainer encounters.

In official contexts, the group is referred to descriptively in several ways, including "Kanto first partner Pokémon", "Kanto's first partner Pokémon", "first partner Pokémon from the Kanto region", and more. However, there are many places where this group is clearly delineated such that it does not include Pikachu or Eevee—who are also first partner Pokémon from Kanto-based games—such as "Pikachu and all three Kanto first partner Pokémon" or an explicit list.

For information about Pikachu and Eevee in other Kanto-based games, see Pikachu (Yellow) and Partner Pokémon (Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!).

List of Kanto first partner Pokémon and their Evolutions

Bulbasaur

GrassPoison

Ivysaur

GrassPoison

Venusaur

GrassPoison

Charmander

Fire

Charmeleon

Fire

Charizard

FireFlying

Squirtle

Water

Wartortle

Water

Blastoise

Water

Forms

The fully evolved Kanto first partner Pokémon each have at least one Mega Evolution, with Charizard having two Mega Evolutions, and a Gigantamax form.

Mega Evolutions

Mega Venusaur

GrassPoison

Mega Charizard X

FireDragon

Mega Charizard Y

FireFlying

Mega Blastoise

Water

Gigantamax forms

Gigantamax Venusaur

GrassPoison

Gigantamax Charizard

FireFlying

Gigantamax Blastoise

Water

In the core series games

Availability

As first partner

In these games, the player obtains their first partner Pokémon at level 5.

Game(s)	First partner	Location/Acquisition	Other effects
RGB/RB		Professor Oak's Laboratory: after attempting to leave Pallet Town	Blue chooses:
			Blue chooses:
			Blue chooses:
FRLG		Professor Oak's Laboratory: after attempting to leave Pallet Town	Blue chooses: Roaming Pokémon:
			Blue chooses: Roaming Pokémon:
			Blue chooses: Roaming Pokémon:

Other methods

Game(s)	Pokémon	Location/Acquisition	Other effects
Y		Cerulean City: received from a girl if the partner Pikachu's friendship is 147 or higher	None
		Route 24: from a boy if the player has caught at least 50 Pokémon	None
		Vermilion City: from Officer Jenny if the player has caught at least 60 Pokémon	None
HGSS		Professor Oak's Laboratory: from Professor Oak after defeating Red (choose one)	None
XY		Lumiose City: from Professor Sycamore after defeating him	None
		Friend Safari	None
USUM		Melemele Island: Island Scan	None
PE		Cerulean City: from a a girl if the player has caught at least 30 Pokémon	None
		Route 24: from a boy if the player has caught at least 50 Pokémon	None
		Vermilion City: from Officer Jenny if the player has caught at least 60 Pokémon	None
SwSh		Postwick: in Leon's room after defeating him	None
SwSh (IA)		Master Dojo: after clearing Mustard's first trial (choose one)	Honey's team will include:
			Honey's team will include:
SwSh (CT)		Dynamax Adventures	None
BDSP		Grand Underground: in the wild, after obtaining the National Pokédex	None
SV (ID)		Terarium (Coastal Biome/Savanna Biome/Canyon Biome): in the wild, after upgrading the biomes through the League Club Room	None

Base stat comparison

Pokémon	HP	Attack	Defense	Sp. Attack	Sp. Defense	Speed	Total
Bulbasaur	45	49	49	65	65	45	318
Ivysaur	60	62	63	80	80	60	405
Venusaur	80	82	83	100	100	80	525
Mega Venusaur	80	100	123	122	120	80	625
Charmander	39	52	43	60	50	65	309
Charmeleon	58	64	58	80	65	80	405
Charizard	78	84	78	109	85	100	534
Mega Charizard X	78	130	111	130	85	100	634
Mega Charizard Y	78	104	78	159	115	100	634
Squirtle	44	48	65	50	64	43	314
Wartortle	59	63	80	65	80	58	405
Blastoise	79	83	100	85	105	78	530
Mega Blastoise	79	103	120	135	115	78	630

In the spin-off games

Pokémon Duel

In Pokémon Duel, all Kanto first partner Pokémon and their evolutions received figures.

Charmander	Squirtle	Charizard	Bulbasaur	Venusaur	Blastoise	Wartortle	Ivysaur
Charmeleon	Mega Venusaur	Mega Charizard X	Mega Charizard Y	Mega Blastoise	Shiny Charizard	Shiny Mega Charizard X	Shiny Mega Charizard Y

Pokémon GO

In Pokémon GO, all three Kanto first partner Pokémon can be caught and encountered along with their Evolutions. When the player first starts the game, they have the option to choose either Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle as their first capture.

Pokémon Trading Card Game

In the Pokémon Trading Card Game video game, each of the three starter decks is based on one of the Kanto first partner Pokémon. They are listed in this order: Charmander & Friends Deck, Squirtle & Friends Deck, and Bulbasaur & Friends Deck. Each deck includes the three evolutionary stages of the respective first partner Pokémon.

Pokémon Masters EX

In Pokémon Masters EX, the player character chooses an Egg that hatches into one of the Kanto first partner Pokémon in the Egg Pokémon tutorial, which they form a sync pair with. After this, the player can form more sync pairs with the Kanto first partner Pokémon by receiving Eggs from Professor Bellis, which may hatch into one of the Kanto first partner Pokémon.

Several other characters form sync pairs with the Kanto first partner Pokémon or their evolutions. Professor Sycamore & Bulbasaur can be obtained through the Trainer Lodge, while the others can be obtained through various sync pair scouts.

Dex	Trainer		NDex	Pokémon		Type	Weakness	Role	EX role	Base potential	Availability
#084		Sygna Suit Red	#0006		Charizard♂ Mega Charizard X	Fire	Rock			★★★★★☆EX	Ticket Scout (after Victory Road) Poké Fair Sync Pair Scout
#001		Scottie & Bettie	#0003		Bulbasaur → Ivysaur → Venusaur♂	Grass	Fire			★★★	Pokémon Egg
#001		Scottie & Bettie	#0006		Charmander → Charmeleon → Charizard♂	Fire	Water			★★★	Pokémon Egg
#001		Scottie & Bettie	#0009		Squirtle → Wartortle → Blastoise♂	Water	Grass			★★★	Pokémon Egg
#065		Sygna Suit Blue	#0009		Blastoise♂ Mega Blastoise	Water	Electric			★★★★★☆EX	Ticket Scout (after Victory Road) Poké Fair Sync Pair Scout
#076		Sygna Suit Leaf	#0003		Venusaur♀ Mega Venusaur	Grass	Psychic			★★★★★☆EX	Ticket Scout (after Victory Road) Poké Fair Sync Pair Scout
#118		Leon	#0006		Charizard♂ Gigantamax	Fire	Electric			★★★★★☆EX	Master Fair Sync Pair Scout
#116		Professor Sycamore	#0001		Bulbasaur♂	Grass	Psychic			★★★★☆☆EX	Trainer Lodge Friendship Level 100
#084		Red	#0003		Venusaur♂	Grass	Fire			★★★★★☆EX	Mix Sync Pair Scout
#065		Classic Blue	#0006		Charizard♂	Fire	Water			★★★★★☆EX	Mix Sync Pair Scout
#076		Leaf	#0009		Blastoise♀	Water	Grass			★★★★★☆EX	Mix Sync Pair Scout

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series

In the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series, the Kanto first partner Pokémon can be selected as the hero and their partner, with the only exceptions being Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity and the three Japan-exclusive WiiWare games. The trio's evolved forms can also be recruited in the games out of the main character roles.

Pokémon Rumble series

In the Pokémon Rumble series, all three Kanto first partner Pokémon can be caught and encountered along with their Evolutions.

Pokémon Shuffle

In Pokémon Shuffle, all three Kanto first partner Pokémon can be caught and encountered along with their Evolutions. They can also undergo Mega Evolution.

Dex#	NDex	Icon	Pokémon	Type	Attack Power		Max RML	Initial Skill	Alternate Skill(s)	Amelia icons
					Lv 1	Max
#001	#0001		Bulbasaur	Grass	40	125	20	Power of 4	Mega Boost+	0
#001	#0001		Bulbasaur Winking	Grass	40	90	5	Block Smash+	N/A	1
#002	#0002		Ivysaur	Grass	50	100	5	Vitality Drain	N/A	1
#003	#0003		Venusaur	Grass	60	135	20	Vitality Drain	N/A	2
#004	#0004		Charmander	Fire	40	125	20	Power of 4	Mega Boost+	0
#004	#0004		Charmander Winking	Fire	40	90	5	Barrier Bash+	N/A	1
#005	#0005		Charmeleon	Fire	50	100	5	Burn	N/A	1
#006	#0006		Charizard	Fire	60	135	20	Burn	Unity Power	2
#006	#0006		Charizard Shiny	Flying	60	105	5	Nosedive	N/A	3
#007	#0007		Squirtle	Water	40	125	20	Power of 4	Mega Boost+	0
#007	#0007		Squirtle Winking	Water	40	90	5	Rock Break+	N/A	1
#008	#0008		Wartortle	Water	50	100	5	Stabilize	N/A	0
#009	#0009		Blastoise	Water	60	135	20	Stabilize+	N/A	2

List #	Pokémon		Type	Description/Notes	Gauge		Max MSU
					Default	Maxed
003		Mega Venusaur	Grass	Erases all Pokémon in the five columns to the left and right.	12	9	3
006		Mega Charizard X	Dragon	Erases all Pokémon in an X-shaped pattern. Charizard begins as a  Fire -type before Mega Evolving.	16	3	13
		Shiny Mega Charizard X	Dragon	Erases Pokémon and disruptions around two spots you tap. Erases five tiles in a + shape surrounding each spot. Does not activate if the foe is defeated. Only gives 3 seconds to tap. Can erase fewer than 2. (maximum 10 icons erased) Shiny Charizard begins as a  Flying -type before Mega Evolving.	20	5	15
		Mega Charizard Y	Fire	Erases all Pokémon in a Y-shaped pattern.	13	10	3
		Shiny Mega Charizard Y	Flying	Erases a jagged line of Pokémon vertically. Actually erases two jagged lines of Pokémon vertically. These lines cannot cross. (maximum 12 icons erased)	11	6	5
009		Mega Blastoise	Water	Erases all Pokémon within two spaces of the match. If more icons of this Pokémon are adjacent to the match, then for each additional icon, one more Pokémon is erased in that direction.	12	8	4

Pokémon Sleep

In Pokémon Sleep, the three Kanto first partner Pokémon can be obtained by filling their Friendship Points after a sleep session.

Pokémon UNITE

In Pokémon UNITE, the three Kanto first partner Pokémon have Unite licenses and can be played as in Unite Battles. While Charizard and Venusaur were included in the base game, Blastoise was added to the game on September 1, 2021. Charizard additionally is one of the Pokémon that Trainers can select first, with Erbie having its Unite license as one of the options the player can take from him after completing the game's tutorial.

Venusaur

Charizard

Blastoise

Super Smash Bros. series

Pokémon Trainer and his Pokémon in Super Smash Bros. Brawl

In Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, the Pokémon Trainer has a team of different evolutionary stages of Kanto first partner Pokémon: Squirtle, Ivysaur, and Charizard.

Pokkén Tournament

Blastoise is a playable Battle Pokémon in Pokkén Tournament DX for the Nintendo Switch version. Blastoise was added as part of Battle Pack DLC on March 23, 2018. Charizard was also a playable in all versions.

In animation

A poster on Ash Ketchum's bedroom wall depicting the Kanto first partner Pokémon in Pokémon the Series

The Kanto first partner Pokémon in Pokémon Evolutions

Pokémon the Series

Over the course of Pokémon the Series, Professor Oak has given away three of the Kanto first partner Pokémon, two of which were to new Trainers. Gary Oak and May both received a Squirtle, and Gilbert began his journey with a Bulbasaur. Despite not having known to handout a Charmander, Professor Oak has been shown with all three first partner Pokémon in his possession. Professor Oak has also given out a Pikachu to Ash when he was late to his pick up his first partner Pokémon and had missed out on receiving one of the usual three choices.

It is revealed in Pokémon the Series: XY that Professor Sycamore gave Shauna, Tierno and Trevor a Bulbasaur, Squirtle and Charmander respectively, and in the Mega Evolution Specials that Alain was given a Charmander as well.

Pokémon Origins

In Pokémon Origins, Red's main Pokémon is his first partner, a Charmander he received from Professor Oak. It eventually evolves into Charizard and becomes able to Mega Evolve into Mega Charizard X through a Key Stone and Charizardite X Red received as a thank-you gift from Mr. Fuji.

I Choose You!

I Choose You!, a movie that started a separate continuity from the main Pokémon the Series continuity, focused on the developing friendship between Ash and the Pikachu he received from Professor Oak. In this continuity, Gary also started with a Squirtle, while the Oak's Bulbasaur and Charmander were revealed to have been picked by alternate versions of Marina and Tierno, respectively.

Pokémon Evolutions

In Pokémon Evolutions, although Professor Oak doesn't hand out any of the Kanto first partner Pokémon in this series, he is shown to have them in his possession.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

In Pokémon Adventures, Professor Oak is shown to give Pokémon to Trainers he thinks are especially talented, gifting Charmander to his grandson Blue and Bulbasaur to Red. Professor Oak also possessed a Squirtle that was stolen by Green.

Professor Sycamore is also shown to be in possession of the Kanto first partner Pokémon. While Squirtle and Bulbasaur remain under his care, he gave Charmander to X.

Pokémon Pocket Monsters

In Pokémon Pocket Monsters, Professor Oak is depicted distributing the choice of one out of three first partner Pokémon - Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle - to Pokémon Trainers as they begin their journeys, much like in other media. Green chooses Charmander as his first partner Pokémon, and while Red was offered the choice as well, he decided to keep a Clefairy that he met on his way to Professor Oak's lab as his first partner instead.

Pokémon Zensho

In Pokémon Zensho, much like in the Pokémon Red and Green games on which the manga was based, Professor Oak offers Satoshi and Shigeru their choice of one out of three first partner Pokémon - Bulbasaur, Charmander or Squirtle. Satoshi chooses Charmander, while Shigeru chooses Squirtle, leaving Bulbasaur with Professor Oak.

Trivia

Retro Mail

• The Kanto first partner Pokémon have several unique distinctions.
  • They are the first trio of first partners to have received Mega Evolutions and Gigantamax forms.
  • They can be obtained in the most games of all first partner Pokémon, as they have appeared in 20 core series games in Japan (19 internationally).
  • They are the only first partner Pokémon where all of the members appear in more than one regional Pokédex: Kanto's, Johto's, Unova’s, and Kalos's.
    • The Charmander line also appears by itself in the Galar regional Pokédex, while the Bulbasaur and Squirtle lines appear in the Isle of Armor regional Pokédex.
  • They are the only ones to have all been owned by both Ash and one of his friends at some point in their evolutionary lines: May owns a Venusaur and a Wartortle, while Kiawe owns a Charizard.
    • They are also the only full set of first partners that Ash has obtained where every member was owned by a previous Trainer.
• In Generation III, the Kanto first partner Pokémon are featured in the background of the Retro Mail.
• Prior to Pokémon Yellow, individually obtaining all Kanto first partner Pokémon and their evolutionary forms would require nine saved games of Pokémon Red or Blue (Japanese Red, Green, or Blue). This was the largest group of mutually exclusive Pokémon in the history of the core series games.
• The Bulbasaur line is the only one of the first partner Pokémon family to have the Poison-type.
  • Additionally, this first partner line is also the only one to have each member appear at least once in the Super Smash Bros. series.

Related articles

• First partner Pokémon
• Mega Evolution
• Gigantamax

First partner trios

Kanto

Bulbasaur

Charmander

Squirtle

Johto

Chikorita

Cyndaquil

Totodile

Hoenn

Treecko

Torchic

Mudkip

Sinnoh

Turtwig

Chimchar

Piplup

Unova

Snivy

Tepig

Oshawott

Kalos

Chespin

Fennekin

Froakie

Alola

Rowlet

Litten

Popplio

Galar

Grookey

Scorbunny

Sobble

Paldea

Sprigatito

Fuecoco

Quaxly

See also: List of the player's first Pokémon • Pikachu (Yellow) • Partner Pokémon (LGPE) • Hisui first partner Pokémon