Bulbasaur

Bulbasaur (Japanese: フシギダネ Fushigidane) is a dual-type Grass/Poison Pokemon introduced in Generation I. It is one of the three original starter Pokemon available in the Kanto region. Bulbasaur holds the distinction of being #001 in the National Pokedex, making it officially the first Pokemon ever listed.

Basic Information

AttributeValue
National Pokedex #001
TypeGrass/Poison
SpeciesSeed Pokemon
Height0.7 m (2'04")
Weight6.9 kg (15.2 lbs)
AbilitiesOvergrow, Chlorophyll (Hidden)
Egg GroupsMonster, Grass
Gender Ratio87.5% Male, 12.5% Female
Catch Rate45 (11.9% with Poke Ball)
Base Friendship50
Base Experience64

Taxonomy

Classification

  • Kingdom: Animalia (fictional)
  • Phylum: Pokemonata
  • Class: Plantae-Animalia
  • Order: Saurophyta
  • Family: Bulbasauridae
  • Genus: Bulbasaurus
  • Species: B. seedensis

Name Origin

LanguageNameOrigin
Japaneseフシギダネ (Fushigidane)不思議 (fushigi, strange) + 種 (tane, seed)
EnglishBulbasaurBulb + dinosaur
GermanBisasamBisam (musk) + Samen (seed)
FrenchBulbizarreBulbe (bulb) + bizarre
Korean이상해씨 (Isanghaessi)Strange + seed
Chinese妙蛙種子 (Miàowā Zhǒngzǐ)Wonderful frog seed

Biology

Physical Description

Bulbasaur is a small, quadrupedal amphibian-like Pokemon with blue-green skin and darker blue-green spots. Its most prominent feature is the large plant bulb on its back, which grows from a seed planted at birth. The bulb shares a symbiotic relationship with Bulbasaur, growing as the Pokemon grows.

Physical Features

FeatureDescription
SkinBlue-green with darker spots
BulbGreen plant bulb on back
EyesRed with white pupils
EarsPointed, cat-like
LegsFour sturdy legs with claws
BuildCompact, low to ground

The Bulb

The plant bulb is central to Bulbasaur's biology:

AspectDetails
OriginSeed planted at birth
GrowthGrows as Bulbasaur grows
NutritionPhotosynthesis supplements diet
Energy StorageStores energy for evolution
SymbiosisTrue mutualistic relationship

Behavior

  • Habitat: Grasslands, forests, near water sources
  • Diet: Omnivorous; supplements with photosynthesis
  • Temperament: Loyal, calm, gentle
  • Activity Pattern: Diurnal; basks in sunlight

Behavioral Traits

BehaviorDescription
SunbathingRequired for bulb growth
LoyaltyForms strong trainer bonds
ProtectivenessDefends companions fiercely
Sleep PatternNaps in sunlight to energize

Pokedex Entries

GameEntry
Red/Blue"A strange seed was planted on its back at birth. The plant sprouts and grows with this Pokemon."
Yellow"It can go for days without eating a single morsel. In the bulb on its back, it stores energy."
Scarlet"While it is young, it uses the nutrients that are stored in the seed on its back in order to grow."

Base Stats

StatBase ValueMin (Lv. 100)Max (Lv. 100)
HP45200294
Attack4992216
Defense4992216
Sp. Attack65121251
Sp. Defense65121251
Speed4585207
Total318--

Evolution

Evolution Line

Bulbasaur → Ivysaur → Venusaur
  Lv. 16     Lv. 32
StagePokemonLevelMethod
BasicBulbasaur—Starter/Wild/Breeding
Stage 1Ivysaur16Level up
Stage 2Venusaur32Level up

Evolution Changes

EvolutionPhysical ChangesStat Changes
→ IvysaurBulb becomes flower bud, larger body+17 to each stat
→ VenusaurFull flower bloom, massive body+20-25 to each stat

Mega Venusaur

AttributeValue
TypeGrass/Poison
AbilityThick Fat
Total Stats625
Key BenefitFire/Ice resistance

Abilities

Standard Ability

Overgrow

AspectDetails
EffectBoosts Grass-type moves by 50% when HP ≤ 33%
ActivationLow HP threshold
Strategic UseLast-resort power boost

Hidden Ability

Chlorophyll

AspectDetails
EffectDoubles Speed in harsh sunlight
SynergyDrought users, Sunny Day
CompetitiveEnables sun sweeper sets

Moves

Level-Up Moves (Generation IX)

LevelMoveTypeCategoryPowerAccuracy
1TackleNormalPhysical40100%
1GrowlNormalStatus—100%
3Vine WhipGrassPhysical45100%
6GrowthNormalStatus——
9Leech SeedGrassStatus—90%
12Razor LeafGrassPhysical5595%
15Poison PowderPoisonStatus—75%
15Sleep PowderGrassStatus—75%
18Seed BombGrassPhysical80100%
21Take DownNormalPhysical9085%
24Sweet ScentNormalStatus—100%
27SynthesisGrassStatus——
30Worry SeedGrassStatus—100%
33Double-EdgeNormalPhysical120100%
36Solar BeamGrassSpecial120100%

Key TM Moves

MoveTypePowerStrategic Use
Giga DrainGrass75Recovery + damage
Sludge BombPoison90Poison STAB
Sleep PowderGrass—Status control
Leech SeedGrass—Passive damage/healing
SynthesisGrass—Recovery

As a Starter Pokemon

Starter Comparison (Kanto)

StarterTypeEarly Gym AdvantageDifficulty
BulbasaurGrass/PoisonBrock, MistyEasy
CharmanderFireErikaHard
SquirtleWaterBrockMedium

Advantages

AdvantageDetails
Early GymsSuper effective vs first two gyms
ResistancesGrass/Poison typing offers good coverage
Leech SeedAvailable early for sustain
Status MovesSleep Powder for catching Pokemon

Disadvantages

DisadvantageDetails
Late GymsStruggles against Blaine, Giovanni
Common WeaknessFlying, Fire types abundant
SpeedBelow average

Competitive Battling

Little Cup

Bulbasaur is viable in Little Cup format:

RoleSet
OffensiveSludge Bomb, Giga Drain, Sleep Powder, Hidden Power Fire
SupportLeech Seed, Sleep Powder, Giga Drain, Synthesis

Strengths

  • Access to Sleep Powder
  • Decent special bulk
  • Chlorophyll for speed
  • Good STAB coverage

Weaknesses

  • Low Speed without sun
  • Common type weaknesses
  • Outclassed by other Grass types

In Popular Culture

"Bulbasaur is #1"

Bulbasaur's Pokedex number has become iconic:

AspectDetails
Meme Status"#001 Best Pokemon"
Fan FollowingDedicated fanbase
AnniversariesCelebrated on Pokemon Day

Anime Appearances

Ash's Bulbasaur

AspectDetails
CaughtEpisode 10, "Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village"
PersonalityBrave, protective, leader
Notable FeatureRefused to evolve
Current LocationProfessor Oak's Lab (Ambassador)
RoleMediator between Oak's Pokemon

May's Bulbasaur

AspectDetails
CaughtAdvanced Generation series
EvolvedInto Venusaur
PersonalitySweet, contest-focused

Games

GameAvailability
Red/Blue/YellowStarter (R/B), Gift (Y)
FireRed/LeafGreenStarter
HeartGold/SoulSilverGift from Oak
X/YGift from Sycamore
Let's GoGift in Cerulean City
Sword/ShieldIsle of Armor
Scarlet/VioletIndigo Disk DLC

Breeding

Egg Information

AspectValue
Egg GroupsMonster, Grass
Egg Cycles20 (5,140 steps)
Gender Ratio87.5% Male, 12.5% Female

Egg Moves

MoveTypeParents
CurseGhostSlowpoke
IngrainGrassTangela, Roselia
Petal DanceGrassOddish, Vileplume
Power WhipGrassCarnivine, Tangrowth
CharmFairyVarious

Trivia

  • Bulbasaur is the first Pokemon in the National Pokedex
  • Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle are the only Pokemon to be starters in two different regions
  • Ash's Bulbasaur is one of his most loyal Pokemon
  • Bulbasaur was designed by Atsuko Nishida
  • The design combines features of frogs, toads, and dinosaurs
  • Bulbasaur Day is celebrated on March 21 in some fan communities
  • In Pokemon Yellow, Bulbasaur requires high friendship to obtain

Type Effectiveness

Defensive

TypeEffectiveness
Water0.5x
Electric0.5x
Grass0.25x
Fighting0.5x
Fairy0.5x
Fire2x
Ice2x
Flying2x
Psychic2x

Offensive (STAB)

Move TypeSuper Effective Against
GrassWater, Ground, Rock
PoisonGrass, Fairy

Related Pokemon

PokemonRelationship
IvysaurEvolution
VenusaurFinal evolution
CharmanderFellow Kanto starter
SquirtleFellow Kanto starter
ChikoritaSimilar role (Johto)

See Also

References

  1. ^Pokemon Red and Green — Game Freak / Nintendo (1996)
  2. ^Official Bulbasaur Page — The Pokemon Company (2024)
  3. ^Bulbasaur (Pokemon) — Bulbapedia (2024)
  4. ^Bulbasaur Pokedex Entry — Serebii.net (2024)
  5. ^Pokemon Anime Series — Nintendo / TV Tokyo (1997-2023)