When it comes to which starter Pokémon is truly the very best, it really depends on who you ask. For instance, someone who first played Pokémon Pearl may say that the best starter is Piplup, the Penguin Pokémon. Meanwhile, a Pokémon fan who is especially fond of Grass-type Pokémon might believe that Sprigatito and Rowlet are the best starters in the entire roster.
No matter who the greatest starter of all time is, every starter has their time to shine in the Pokémon anime. Many Pokemon starters are shown growing even more powerful as time goes on, even evolving when they reach certain levels. Other Pokémon choose not to evolve during their screen time, yet still prove to be one-of-a-kind heroes.
10 Bayleef Remains an Iconic Member in Ash’s Pokémon Roster
The Grass-Type Is Well-Known for Her Loyalty to Ash
Like his adventure in the Kanto region, Ash soon found himself befriending all the starter Pokémon of the Johto region. One of these Pokémon was Chikorita, the Grass-type starter in Johto. Chikorita was extremely fond of Ash, and hated not being the center of attention. She even disliked Pikachu for a while as the Mouse Pokémon was Ash’s ace Pokémon, though the two were thankfully able to find common ground later on.
After Chikorita evolved into Bayleef, she became a much better fighter. However, Ash and his Grass-type also had to work with the fact that Bayleef was initially not aware of her strength, causing a temporary rift between the two at one period of time. Thankfully, Bayleef and Ash were able to get along once more, proving to be an excellent fighting duo later on. Bayleef is a thoughtful opponent in battle, often using her vines to prevent any attacks.
9 Chloe’s Eevee Appears to Be Similar to Ash’s Pikachu
Eevee Is Based on the Starter From Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!
In Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu and Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!, Pokémon fans are given the chance to explore the Kanto region once again, following in the footsteps of Pokémon Yellow. Like the original Generation I game, the player’s starter Pokémon, either Pikachu or Eevee, never evolve. Despite this, their partner Pokémon become amazing fighters, and can learn all sorts of moves that Pokémon of their species are usually not able to learn. In Pokémon Journeys: The Series, a character named Chloe is introduced to a female Eevee based on the main Pokémon in the Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee! game.
Chloe’s Eevee is friendly and loves to meet new people and Pokémon, and has a habit of imitating those around her as well. For some reason, however, Eevee cannot evolve. Despite this, Chloe supports Eevee wholeheartedly, and the Evolution Pokémon is always there for her Trainer in return. Just like the Eevee in Pokémon: Let’s Go, Eevee!, the Normal-type is able to use all sorts of unique moves, such as Psychic and Hydro Pump.
8 Squirtle Is Unflinchingly Loyal to Its Friends
The Water-Type Also Leads the Iconic Squirtle Squad
Before Squirtle joined Ash’s team, it lived as a wild Pokémon, leading a group of other Squirtle known as the «Squirtle Squad». During its time as a wild Pokémon, Squirtle loved to play pranks, resulting in a troublesome reputation. However, Squirtle soon learned to trust humans after becoming Ash’s friend. By working alongside Ash and his team, Squirtle began to mature over time.
Compared to Bulbasaur, Squirtle is much more mischievous overall, and never truly grows out of its penchants for jokes. Like Bulbasaur, however, it took Squirtle a little time to truly trust Ash. Despite this, Squirtle has become a very loyal Pokémon, and is always ready to help a friend in need, whether it be Ash, its teammates or the Squirtle Squad. Similar to Bulbasaur, Squirtle never evolved, yet still learned several powerful moves such as Hydro Pump and Skull Bash.
7 Bulbasaur Possesses a Strong Sense of Justice
Bulbasaur Originally Lived in the Hidden Village
While its best friend Squirtle has a more carefree attitude, the Seed Pokémon Bulbasaur is shown to have a much more serious personality. This is likely due to the Pokémon’s past, where it grew up in the Hidden Village near Cerulean City. Run by Melanie, the Hidden Village is a safe haven for Pokémon who were abandoned by their owners. Once the Pokémon were healed, they could leave the Hidden Village and return to the wild.
Because it was raised in the village and saw how cruel Trainers could be, Bulbasaur was initially very hostile to any Pokémon Trainer, even Ash. However, the Seed Pokémon soon came to trust the spirited young Trainer, and even decided to join Ash’s team. Bulbasaur has since proven to be a loyal and trustworthy ally, always looking out for its friends. Bulbasaur still possesses a strong sense of justice in the meantime, and is often showcased battling against Team Rocket or other unkind Pokémon Trainers. Like Squirtle, Bulbasaur never evolves in the anime, though it remains a fantastic fighter.
6 Blaziken Is a True Force to Be Reckoned With
Several Trainers Are Shown to Have Powerful Blaziken of Their Own
In the Hoenn region, new Trainers are given a choice between Treecko, Mudkip and Torchic. The third of the trio, Torchic, is said to be a rather clumsy Pokémon. As it is still learning about the world around it, Torchic is never seen far from its Trainer, following with unsteady steps. However, one must never believe that the little Fire-type Pokémon is a weak Pokémon, for it has incredible potential.
After evolving into Combusken, the Fire/Fighting-type will later evolve into Blaziken. Since its debut in Generation III, the Blaze Pokémon has proven to be one of the most powerful starter Pokémon in history. With moves such as Sky Uppercut and the signature attack Blaze Kick, Blaziken is sure to be an asset to any team. All sorts of Trainers are shown with a Blaziken in the anime, including May, Harrison, and even the mysterious Blaziken Mask.
5 Sceptile Proves to Be a One-of-a-Kind Fighter
Both Ash & Sawyer Have Powerful Sceptile of Their Own
Like its fellow Hoenn starters Torchic and Mudkip, the Grass-type Pokémon Treecko remains a fan-favorite. Compared to the other starters, Treecko always appears to possess a collected personality, and thus is able to consistently stand its ground in battle. After evolving into Grovyle and then Sceptile, the Forest Pokémon becomes truly powerful, able to use a plethora of amazing moves such as Leaf Blade and Solar Beam. Like the other Hoenn starters, Sceptile also received a Mega Evolution in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire.
Two especially powerful Sceptile were showcased in the original Pokémon anime, belonging to Ash and his rival Sawyer. In Hoenn, Ash obtained Treecko early on in his journey, and was able to fully evolve it. By the time Sceptile had evolved into its final form, it had become a very proud Pokémon, though it was also very loyal to its friends. Meanwhile, Ash’s rival Sawyer also had a powerful Sceptile, one who could transform into Mega Sceptile; despite this, it later lost to Ash’s Greninja in battle.
4 Infernape Is 1 of Ash’s Greatest Pokémon Allies
Infernape Once Belonged to a Cruel Pokémon Trainer
Before he joined Ash’s team, and before he even evolved once, Infernape belonged to another Pokémon Trainer named Paul. Unlike Ash, who saw his Pokémon as friends and teammates, Paul only saw Pokémon as tools. He thus treated Chimchar with cruelty, to the point that the Chimp Pokémon was always afraid Paul would grow angry with him suddenly and punish him. One day, Paul abandoned Chimchar, declaring that the Fire-type was too weak to be on his team.
Chimchar was later looked after by Ash, though it was initially difficult for the Fire-type to adjust to a kind and supportive environment, as his previous surroundings were anything but. Over time, Chimchar was able to grow confident in his skills, and even evolved into Monferno and Infernape. As Infernape, he would battle Paul and his team against Ash at the Lily of the Valley Conference. Though the battle was an extremely tough one, Infernape defeated Paul’s ace Pokémon Electivire in combat, proving his former Trainer wrong once and for all.
3 Greninja Shared an Important Bond With Its Trainer
Ash’s Greninja Was Able to Transform via the Bond Phenomenon
Before joining Ash’s team, it was hard for Froakie to trust people or other Pokémon. In its past, it has been treated unkindly by its fellow Froakie, or grown apart from its former Trainers. However, Froakie’s life changed after meeting Ash, a Trainer who was just as passionate about training and battling as the Water-type was. Over time, Froakie was able to evolve into Frogadier and even Greninja, though a strange event following its final evolution proved to be what made this starter so iconic.
One day, Greninja suddenly transformed into Ash-Greninja via the Bond Phenomenon, an extremely rare event brought about by an unbreakable bond between a Trainer and a Pokémon. At first, it was difficult for Ash and Greninja to figure out how to work with the Bond Phenomenon, but by training and further trusting the other, it proved to be one of the most extraordinary battle tactics in the entire anime. Greninja, in its Ash-Greninja form, was also able to defeat a plethora of other powerful Pokémon, including Sawyer’s Mega Sceptile. As of now, Greninja is still in the Kalos region, working to guard its beloved home.
2 Charizard Has Gone Through Immense Character Development
Ash Had to Find Common Ground With His Pokémon After He Evolved
Though the Pokémon anime has several tear-jerking episodes, one of the most unforgettable ones is undoubtedly Charmander’s debut episode. One day, Ash and his friends are traveling when they come across a lone Charmander, waiting for his Trainer to return. They soon learn that Charmander’s Trainer has purposely abandoned him, even as the rain has begun to fall. Ash and his friends thankfully manage to save Charmander in time, though the Fire-type Pokémon has grown very weak due to the rain.
After recovering, Charmander decides to join Ash’s team, and is always ready to work alongside his Trainer. However, things grow complicated after Charmander evolves into Charmeleon and then Charizard, refusing to listen to Ash afterward. It is only after Ash nurses Charizard back to health after a fierce battle that the Flame Pokémon is able to remember how Ash has always been there for him. In return, Charizard agrees to work alongside Ash once again, and has since proven to be a loyal and incredibly powerful ally, even battling against the illusionary Entei in the third Pokémon movie.
1 Ash’s Pikachu Remains 1 of the Most Extraordinary Pokémon Ever
Pikachu Is Always There to Aid His Best Friend
Although Ash has trained all sorts of starter Pokémon, the Pokémon he shares the greatest bond with is undoubtedly his very first Pokémon. On the day Ash went to receive his starter Pokémon from Professor Oak, he ended up oversleeping. As such, he was given an unusual starter Pokémon, which was the legendary Pikachu himself. While Ash was ecstatic to finally have a partner Pokémon, Pikachu was initially less than thrilled.
However, Pikachu soon saw Ash in a different light after the brand-new Trainer shielded the injured Mouse Pokémon from a horde of furious Spearow. In response, Pikachu unleashed one of his unusually powerful Thunderbolt attacks, scaring off the bird Pokémon. Since then, Pikachu has remained by Ash’s side, his Electric-type attacks appearing to only increase in power over time. This power is so great that even Team Rocket is intrigued by it, and was even able to help Ash defeat the Galar Champion Leon at the climax of the original anime.
Pokemon
Expanding across a multitude of media, including TCGs, video games, manga, live-action movies and anime, the Pokémon franchise is set in a shared world of humans and creatures with a wide variety of special abilities.
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Pokémon
TV-Y7 Animation Adventure Anime Fantasy 98
Cast
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Rica Matsumoto Satoshi (voice)
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Ikue Otani Pikachu (voice)
Ash Ketchum, his yellow pet Pikachu, and his human friends explore a world of powerful creatures.
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