Bulbasaur

] In translating the game for English speaking audiences, Nintendo gave the Pokémon "cleverly descriptive names" related to their appearance or features as a means to make the characters more relatable to American children; thus "Bulbasaur", relating to both its dinosaur appearance and the large garlic-like bulb on its back.cite web|url=http://www.time.com/time/asia/magazine/99/1122/cover2.html|title=PokéMania|last=Chua-Euan|first=Howard|date=November 22, 1999|publisher=TIME|accessdate=2008-09-15] French, Korean, Taiwan and Chinese language counterparts used names relating closer to the original name: "Bulbizarre", [ [http://www.smashbros.com/fr/gamemode/various/various36_list.html Liste des trophées -- Smash Bros. DOJO] , "Nintendo", 2008-05-13.] "Isanghaessi" (이상해씨 "Strange Seed"), "Mìao Wa Chóng Zí" (妙蛙種子 "Strange Frog Seed") and "Qí Yì Chóng Zí" (奇異種子 "Very Strange Seed"), respectively. German versions used a name closer to the American counterpart, "Bisasam"; a combination of "bisamratte" (musk rat) and "samen" (seed). [ [http://www.smashbros.com/de/gamemode/various/various36_list.html Liste aller Trophäen -- Smash Bros. DOJO] , "Nintendo", 2008-05-13.]

Characteristics

In the "Pokémon" franchise, Bulbasaur are small, squat, vaguely reptilian Pokémon that move on all four legs, and have light blue-green bodies with darker blue-green spots. As a Bulbasaur undergoes evolution into Ivysaur and then later into Venusaur, the bulb on its back blossoms into a flower. In the "Pokémon" video game series, the Pokédex, a fictional Pokémon encyclopedia, says that the seed on a Bulbasaur's back is planted at birth, and then sprouts and grows larger as the Bulbasaur grows. [Pokédex: A strange seed was planted on its back at birth. The plant sprouts and grows with this Pokémon. cite video game|title=Pokémon Red and Blue|developer=Game Freak |publisher=Nintendo |date=1996 |platform=Gameboy |language=English] The Pokédex also states that the bulb absorbs sunlight which makes it grow. For this reason, Bulbasaur enjoy soaking up the sun's rays, [Pokédex: Bulbasaur can be seen napping in bright sunlight. There is a seed on its back. By soaking up the sun's rays, the seed grows progressively larger. cite video game|title=Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire|developer=Game Freak |publisher=Nintendo |date=2002 |platform=Gameboy |language=English] and can survive for days without eating because the bulb stores energy. [Pokédex: It can go for days without a single morsel. In the bulb on its back, it stores energy. cite video game|title=Pokémon Yellow|developer=Game Freak |publisher=Nintendo |date=1998 |platform=Gameboy |language=English] As the Bulbasaur evolve, they become stronger and more powerful. In the "Pokémon" anime, the character Ash Ketchum has a Bulbasaur who is portrayed as being brave but also stubborn.

In video games

Bulbasaur made their video game debut on February 27, 1996, in the Japanese-language games nihongo|"Pocket Monsters Aka"|ポケットモンスター 赤|Poketto Monsutā Aka|"Pocket Monsters Red" and nihongo|"Pocket Monsters Midori"|ポケットモンスター 緑|Poketto Monsutā Midori|"Pocket Monsters Green" (which was replaced in other countries by "Pokémon Blue"). [cite web|url=http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfish/trurl_pagecontent?lp=ja_en&trurl=http%3a%2f%2fwww.pokemon.co.jp%2fgame%2fother%2fgb-rg%2f|title=Official Japanese Pokémon website|accessdate=2007-05-24] Along with a Charmander and a Squirtle, Bulbasaur is a starter Pokémon the player can choose from at the beginning of the two games. Bulbasaur's grass type is in contrast to Charmander's fire type and Squirtle's water type.cite book| last = Allison| first = Anne| title = Millennial Monsters: Japanese Toys and the Global Imagination|year = 2006| publisher = University of California Press| isbn = 0520221486| pages = 294-295| quote = A player must first find Professor Oak — the world's foremost expert on "Pokémon"ology — who offers three choices for starter "Pokémon": Bulbasaur (grass type), Charmander (fire type), or Squirtle (water type).]

Bulbasaur and the other starters from "Red" and "Blue" are replaced by Pikachu in "Pokémon Yellow", the only starter available in it. Instead, they are obtained throughout the game from several trainers. In "Pokémon Gold", "Silver" and "Crystal", Bulbasaur cannot be obtained without in-game trading. In "Pokémon Ruby" and "Sapphire", Bulbasaur is nonexistent. In "Pokémon Emerald" and "Pokémon Diamond" and "Pearl", Bulbasaur is unobtainable, but can be fought in the Battle Frontier and the Battle Tower respectively. The Nintendo 64 spin-off "Pokémon Stadium", and other spin-offs such as "Pokémon Mystery Dungeon", give the player a choice of a Bulbasaur (among fifteen other Pokémon), and in "Pokémon Snap", Bulbasaur are one of the Pokémon that the player can photograph.MacDonald, Mark; Brokaw, Brian; Arnold; J. Douglas; Elies, Mark. Pokémon Trainer's Guide. Sandwich Islands Publishing, 1999. ISBN 0-439-15404-9. (pg 192–195)] Bulbasaur also appears in "Hey You, Pikachu!" as a supporting character who lives in the Ocre Woods and makes the five recipes with Pikachu's help. In "Super Smash Bros. Melee", a Bulbasaur appears as one of the trophies in a playable lottery. [“ [http://guides.ign.com/guides/16387/page_54.html Guides:Super Smash Bros. Melee] ,” "IGN.com". URL accessed on 2005-12-29.]

Cultural impact

In other media

Scenes from the "Pokémon" anime have depicted both the characters Ash Ketchum and his friend May training a Bulbasaur at different times, with Ash's Bulbasaur garnering more prominence within the storylines. ["Pokémon - Seaside Pikachu!" Viz Video., 1999-07-20. ISBN 6305466858.] ["Pokémon - Pikachu Party (Vol. 12)" Viz Video., 1999-11-23. ASIN B000021Y6R.] Ash’s Bulbasaur has remained with Ash longer than all of his other Pokémon, with the exception of his Pikachu. Before joining Ash's team, it lived with a girl named Melanie, who took care of abandoned Pokémon. Bulbasaur was given to Ash, but it was pessimistic about him. However, its loyalties began to improve and it eventually became one of Ash's most faithful Pokémon."Pokemon - Seaside Pikachu!" Viz Video., July 20 1999. ASIN 6305466866.] ["Pokemon - Pikachu Party (Vol. 12)" Viz Video., November 23 1999. ASIN B000021Y6R.] May catches a Bulbasaur while traveling in a grass-type Pokémon nature reserve during her journey in Hoenn. Bulbasaur defends her from the other grass Pokémon in the forest, who see her as a threat, and when May leaves, Bulbasaur decides to go with her. She later makes a guest appearance on the series and it is revealed that her Bulbasaur has fully evolved into a Venusaur. [cite web |url=http://www.serebii.net/anime/characters/may.shtml |title=May |accessdate=2008-05-19 |format=|publisher=Serebii.net |work=Character Profile]

In the original Japanese version the two Bulbasaur are each played by separate seiyū, Ash's Bulbasaur by Megumi Hayashibara and May's by Miyako Itō. In the English dub, they are both voiced by Tara Jayne until season seven; when Michelle Knotz took over the job. [cite web |url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=270 |title=Pokémon (TV) |accessdate=2007-07-31 |format= |work=Anime News Network]

Bulbasaur is also featured in an eclectic range of different "Pokémon" manga series. In ', ', and "", which loosely parallel the storyline of the anime, Pikachu is separated from Ash temporarily, and travels with a Bulbasaur to a secret Pokémon village in the mountains. Later, Ash finds Pikachu and catches the Bulbasaur. Bulbasaur accompanies Ash throughout his journeys in the Orange Islands, and eventually fights in the final showdown with Drake, the Orange Crew Supreme Gym Leader. In "Magical Pokémon Journey", a character named Pistachio has a female Bulbasaur (nicknamed Danerina in the Japanese version), who is infatuated by him. [jp icon [http://maco.cha.to/pokemon/pipipi/chara03.html "Pokémon: Magical Journey" character bios] "Maco.cha.to". 2006-07-26.]

In "Pokémon Adventures", a manga based on the plot of the "Pokémon Red" and "Blue" games, the character Red receives a Bulbasaur from Professor Oak, which he nicknames Saur. [Kusaka, Hidenori, & Mato. "Pokémon Adventures, Volume 1: Desperado Pikachu", VIZ Media LLC, 2000-07-06. ISBN 1-56931-507-8.] In Chapter 15, "Wartortle Wars", it evolves into an Ivysaur after battling a wild Mankey. [ Kusaka, Hidenori, & Mato. "Pokémon Adventures: Legendary Pokémon, Vol. 2"; Chapter 33, Chapter 15, "Wartortle Wars", (pg 7–20) VIZ Media LLC, 2001-12-06. ISBN 1-56931-508-6.] In Chapter 30, "Zap, Zap, Zapdos!", Red uses Saur to defeat Lt. Surge's Zapdos. [Kusaka, Hidenori, & Mato. "Pokémon Adventures, Volume 3: Saffron City Siege"; Chapter 31, "The Art of Articuno" (pg 33–46) VIZ Media LLC, 2001-08-05. ISBN 1-56931-560-4] In Chapter 33, "The Winged Legends", Red's Ivysaur evolves into a Venusaur to team up with Blue's Charizard and Green's Blastoise, to defeat Sabrina's Zapmolcuno (a merged form of Zapdos, Moltres and Articuno) and destroy Team Rocket's control on Saffron City, splitting the three birds in the process. [Kusaka, Hidenori, & Mato. "Pokémon Adventures, Volume 3: Saffron City Siege"; Chapter 33, "The Winged Legends" (pp 77–95) VIZ Media LLC, 2001-08-05. ISBN 1-56931-560-4]

Collectible cards featuring Bulbasaur have appeared since the initial "Pokémon Trading Card Game" was released in October 1996. Bulbasaur cards have appeared in many different sets, including the Base Set, Base Set 2, Legendary Collection, Gym Challenge (as Erika's Bulbasaur), Expedition (two cards), EX Team Magma vs. Team Aqua, and EX FireRed & LeafGreen (two cards). They are generally to be found with relative ease. [cite web|title=Official Pokémon TCG site|url=http://www.pokemon-tcg.com/p_cards/cards.jsp|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20070524001659/http://www.pokemon-tcg.com/p_cards/cards.jsp|archivedate=2007-05-24|accessdate=2007-05-24]

Bulbasaur is the main character of two "Pokémon" children’s books, "Pokémon Tales Volume 3: Bulbasaur’s Trouble" and "Bulbasaur’s Bad Day", published in 1999 and 2000 respectively by Sagebrush. In "Pokémon Tales Volume 3: Bulbasaur’s Trouble", Bulbasaur resolves an argument between two other Pokémon.cite web|url=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1569313857|title=Pokemon Tales Volume 3: Bulbasaur's Trouble |publisher=Amazon.com|accessdate=2008-09-19] In "Bulbasaur’s Bad Day", Meowth traps Bulbasaur in a pit and it has to outwit Team Rocket (the antagonists of the "Pokémon" anime) to escape.cite web|url=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0613244370|title=Bulbasaur's Bad Day |publisher=Amazon.com|accessdate=2008-09-19]

Promotion and merchandising

Bulbasaur has been depicted in PVC action figures sold by Hasbro in the United States, while Tomy in Japan sold extensive merchandise of the character, including vinyl dolls, wind-up model kits, and terry cloth bean bags. [cite web|url=http://www.allgame.com/cg/agg.dll?p=agg&sql=2:3141|title=allgame ((( Bulbasaur > Overview )))|publisher=Allgame|first=Jason|last=White|accessdate=2008-10-05] It has also been used in promotional merchandising at fast-food chains such as McDonald's and Burger King. [cite web|title=The Pojo - TCG Set Lists McDonald's Campaign Expansion Set|url=http://www.pojo.com/priceguide/jpMcD.html|accessdate=2008-01-28] [cite web|title=Fastfoodtoys.Net Pokémon 2000 Toys|url=http://www.fastfoodtoys.net/burger%20king%20pokemon%20power%20cards.htm|accessdate=2008-01-28]

Critical reception

CNN reporter Dennis Michael described Bulbasaur as one of the "lead critters" of the games and "perhaps the Carmen Miranda of Pokémon figures." [cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/SHOWBIZ/TV/9910/05/pokemon/ |title=Pokémon banished from another playground |accessdate=2008-05-02 |last=Michael |first=Dennis |date=1999-10-05 |publisher=CNN] Joyce Millman's impression of a Bulbasaur was that it looked like a "a dinosaur thingy with what looks like a large garlic bulb growing out of its back." She did not know how it defeated its opponents but speculated that "perhaps [it] overpowers them with a strong batch of pesto."cite web |url=http://www.salon.com/ent/col/mill/1999/07/06/pikachu/print.html |title=The secret world of Pokémon |accessdate=2008-05-02 |last=Millman |first=Joyce |date=1999-07-06 |publisher=Salon]

Bulbasaur was selected as one of the top ten Pokémon by fans who voted at Pokemon.com. [cite web |url=http://presszoom.com/story_119009.html |title=VIZ Media Announces New Pokémon Products for 2006 Holiday Season |accessdate=2008-05-02 |date=2006-10-12 |publisher=PressZoom] According to a panel of 5 - 8 year olds assembled by the Honolulu Star-Bulletin in 1999, Bulbasaur was one of the children's three favorite Pokémon. [cite web |url=http://starbulletin.com/1999/04/26/features/story1.html |title=Pokémon An Adult's Guide from a Kid's Perspective |accessdate=2008-05-02 |last=Shimabukuro |first=Betty |date=1999-04-26 |publisher=Honolulu Star-Bulletin]

Notes

References

*The following games and their instruction manuals: "Pokémon Red" and "Blue"; "Pokémon Yellow"; "Pokémon Gold", "Silver" and "Crystal"; "Pokémon Ruby", "Sapphire", and "Emerald"; "Pokémon FireRed" and "LeafGreen"; "Pokémon Stadium" and "Pokémon Stadium 2"; "Pokémon Colosseum" and "" and "Hey You, Pikachu!".

;DVDs

* "Pokémon, Vol. 15: Charizard!!", Viz Video., February 2000. ASIN B00004DS9J.
* "Pokémon, Vol. 18: Water Blast!", Viz Video., May 2000. ASIN 6305844674 .
* "Pokémon - The First Movie", Warner Home Video., October 2000. ASIN B00004WIB2.
* "Pokémon, Vol. 26: Friends and Rivals!", Viz Video., January 2001. ASIN B0000541UG.
* "Pokémon The Movie 2000", Warner Home Video., May 2001. ASIN B00005A3O6.
* "Pokémon 3: The Movie ", Warner Home Video., October 2001. ASIN B00005NMW3.
* "Pokémon: Mewtwo Returns", Warner Home Video., December 2001. ASIN B00005OW0I.
* "Pokémon Master Quest 2: Quest 2", Viz Video., February 2005. ASIN B0002IQD2Y.
* "Pokémon 10th Anniversary, Vol. 7 - Bulbasaur", Viz Video., October 2006. ASIN B000HDR8D2.

;Publications

*Barbo, Maria. "The Official Pokémon Handbook". Scholastic Publishing, 1999. ISBN 0-439-15404-9.
*Loe, Casey, ed. "Pokémon Special Pikachu Edition Official Perfect Guide". Sunnydale, CA: Empire 21 Publishing, 1999. ISBN 1-930206-15-1.
*Nintendo, "et al". "Official Nintendo Pokémon Snap Player’s Guide". Nintendo of America Inc., 1999. ASIN B000CDZP9G
*Nintendo Power. "Official Nintendo Pokémon FireRed Version & Pokémon LeafGreen Version Player’s Guide". Nintendo of America Inc., August 2004. ISBN 1-930206-50-X

;Manga volumes

*Ono, Toshihiro. "Pokémon: Pikachu Shocks Back Graphic Novel". VIZ Media LLC, December 6 1999. ISBN 1-56931-411-X
*Ono, Toshihiro. "Pokémon: Electric Pikachu Boogaloo Graphic Novel". VIZ Media LLC, April 5 2000. ISBN 1-56931-436-5
*Ono, Toshihiro. "Pokémon: Surf’s Up, Pikachu Graphic Novel". VIZ Media LLC, June 2000. ISBN 1-56931-494-2
*Kusaka, Hidenori, & Mato. "Pokémon Adventures, Volume 1: Desperado Pikachu". VIZ Media LLC, July 6 2000. ISBN 1-56931-507-8
*Kusaka, Hidenori, & Mato. "Pokémon Adventures, Volume 2: Legendary Pokémon". VIZ Media LLC, December 6 2000. ISBN 1-56931-508-6
*Kusaka, Hidenori, & Mato. "Pokémon Adventures, Volume 3: Saffron City Siege". VIZ Media LLC, August 5 2001. ISBN 1-56931-560-4

External links

* [http://www.pokemon.com/ Official Pokémon website]