Considering the ever-growing number of Pokemon out there, fans have long accepted that there will be some that simply never get the attention they might deserve. Imagine constantly fighting to be noticed in a family of over 1,000 siblings, and one of them is Pikachu.
While the starter Pokemon you get to choose from at the start of each game tend to be among the more recognizable figures, even they aren’t immune to this phenomenon. But which of these tier list runners-up should rightfully see a little more respect among their adorably violent counterparts?
9 Squirtle
Generation 1
Sure, it’s hard to beat the Charmander evolution line when it comes to sheer coolness factor. As for Bulbasaur, a grass-type just makes the early game in Pokemon Red and Blue that much easier. But you know what they don’t have? A name pun as perfect as Squirtle.
Come on. Squirt and turtle. That’s gold. But along with the etymological brilliance, Squirtle deserves more love even among its beloved Kanto starter peers in both the battle prowess and vibes departments. Even aside from evolving into the walking artillery known as Blastoise, nobody else can pull off sunglasses like the Squirtle squad.
8 Chikorita
Generation 2
Cyndaquil has such a unique and striking design with its flame-ridden back, which would be frankly terrifying in real life. Totodile is basically a dinosaur, and dinosaurs are cool by default. So it’s understandable why Chikorita is sometimes overlooked in the Johto games, albeit unfairly so.
Chikorita is adorable. But unlike fellow grass-type Bulbasaur, it isn’t quite the one-two punch to early gyms as was the strategy in Kanto. Thankfully, the long-deprived Chikorita fans out there finally got some justice when it was announced as a starter in Pokemon Legends: Z-A.
7 Torchic
Generation 3
Let’s face it. Once the water type Mudkip became a meme, it was a battle for second place among the Hoenn starters. It didn’t help Torchic’s chances that Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire’s first gym leader, Roxanne, is a rock-type trainer. So naturally, players would probably gravitate toward Mudkip or the grass-type Treecko.
Part of Torchic’s slightly lacking popularity may be due to the Pokemon fandom’s weariness for that long stretch, where seemingly every game had a starter who evolved into a dual fire/fighting type. Don’t get things mixed up, though. Torchic is still beloved, and why wouldn’t it be? Look at those eyes. Sure, it also evolves into the heavy hitter Blaziken, but those cute little eyes, though.
6 Chimchar
Generation 4
Pokemon Diamond and Pearl saw yet another fire-type starter who eventually added fighting to the mix with Chimchar, and even at the time, fans had seen it before. On top of that, Turtwig and Piplup were better suited for Roark’s rock-type gym, and it could only barely hold its own in the cuteness factor against Piplup. Yes, that’s important.
Beyond Roark, though, Chimchar is a great choice, especially with the grass-based Gardenia up next. Plus, it’s worth sticking around to evolve into Infernape. But remember, everyone deserves love for who they are, not who they can become. Just like Pikachu, or raw cookie dough.
5 Tepig
Generation 5
In Pokemon Black and White, the first gym doesn’t really come into play when you’re picking your starter, since the ultimate battle will always be against your choice’s type weakness. But somehow, Tepig still tends to get left behind in the eyes of some fans.
Snivy and Oshawott are understandably beloved on their own, with vibes for days. But Tepig still has what it takes, and that was finally acknowledged when it triumphantly reappeared alongside Chikorita as a starter in Pokemon Legends: Z-A.
4 Chespin
Generation 6
Even right from the first previews of Pokemon X and Y, Chespin got a mild version of what can only be called the «first draft Sonic» treatment from fans. Many dismissed it as a goofy little guy who couldn’t possibly stand up to the immaculate charisma of Fennekin or Froakie’s massive glow-up into Greninja.
True, being the first mainline Pokemon games in 3D, X and Y may have been under extra scrutiny. But it wasn’t fair to Chespin, and those who stuck with it would eventually find themselves with the rock-solid Chesnaught. But it’s still adorable on its own, and most trainers would be lucky to have such a perfect goofy little guy on their team.
3 Popplio
Generation 7
If you’re going to set a Pokemon game in a region inspired by Hawaii, you’d better really bring the noise with the water starter. So when Pokemon Sun and Moon brought players to Alola, they got… a seal with clown vibes. You can see where fan reactions to Popplio may have come from in this case.
Rowlet and Litten didn’t help matters with their irresistibly cute designs. But Popplio is just so darn enthusiastic that it’s infectious. You don’t have to get over a completely reasonable fear of clowns in order to appreciate it, and you’ll even get a ridiculously elegant evolutionary line out of the whole deal.
2 Sobble
Generation 8
Alas, poor Sobble. You were born at the nerdy kids’ lunchroom table with a «kick me» sign on your back. When crying is so integral to your existence that it’s ingrained into your very name, you’ve already got an uphill battle ahead of you.
Pokemon Sword and Shield didn’t exactly have the most memorable other starters with Grookey and Scorbunny. But Sobble still never really had a chance with many fans. It’s a shame, because it absolutely oozes charisma once it evolves into Inteleon. We’ve all got to start somewhere.
1 Quaxly
Generation 9
To be real, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet really have no losers in their starter picks. Quaxly is an adorable and slightly self-obsessed little duckling, Sprigatito would be welcome in any warm lap, and Fuecoco is Fuecoco. Flawless. No notes. (Mostly because Fuecoco would eat them.)
But Quaxly still comes up a bit short, and mainly because somebody has to. So next time you go through the Paldea region, maybe give this little charmer a spot on your team. If nothing else, it’s always nice to have a new hair fashion inspiration.
