- Caterpie, Metapod, and Butterfree
-
Caterpie, Metapod, and Butterfree 
Caterpie (bottom left), Metapod (bottom right), and Butterfree (top middle)
National Pokédex
Blastoise - Caterpie (#10) - Metapod (#11) - Butterfree (#12) - WeedleSeries Pokémon series First game Pokémon Red and Blue Designed by Ken Sugimori Voiced by (English) Rikako Aikawa (Caterpie and Butterfree), Amy Birnbaum (Butterfree), Eric Stuart (Metapod) Voiced by (Japanese) Rikako Aikawa (all) Caterpie (キャタピー Kyatapī), Metapod (トランセル Toranseru), and Butterfree (バタフリー Batafurī), are three Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, they first appeared in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue and subsequent sequels. They have later appeared in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed adaptations of the franchise. All three are voiced by Rikako Aikawa in Japanese and English, except for Metapod being voiced by Eric Stuart in English.[citation needed]
Contents
Design and characteristics
The Giant Swallowtail's larval stage, for which Caterpie is based on.
Caterpie, known as the "worm" Pokémon,[1] was designed by Ken Sugimori.[2] Satoshi Tajiri, creator of the series, took heavy inspiration from his childhood hobby of insect collection in creating the various Pokémon species.[3] Caterpie was based on the design of a caterpillar, specifically the caterpillar of the Swallowtail butterfly.[4] Caterpie's name is derived from the word caterpillar as well.[5] Caterpie has green skin with a yellow underbelly, yellow spots, and large red osmeterium protruding from its forehead.[6] Their green bodies are useful for camouflage in foliage,[7] their eyes are patterned to scare away predators,[8] their suction-cup feet allow them to climb any surface,[9] and the osmeterium on their heads can project a horrid stench to repel predators.[10] Caterpie is the smallest of all the original Pokémon,[11] and grows in size by shedding its skin.[1] Eventually, Caterpie evolves into Metapod, and then Butterfree.[12] It can only ever learn two attacks, Tackle and String Shot, and is severely limited in ability until it evolves.[6] Though, in all games following Pokémon Platinum, it became capable of also learning Snore and Bug Bite.
Known as the Cocoon Pokémon, Metapod are pupal Pokémon found in the wild early in the Kanto and Johto regions, of which its larval form is the caterpillar-like Caterpie. They can evolve into the butterfly-like Butterfree. While Metapod is classified as a cocoon Pokémon, it bears more resemblance to a chrysalis. A Metapod's exterior is regularly hardened to protect its soft and tender innards while undergoing metamorphosis to eventually become a Butterfree.[13] To conserve energy for this event, the Metapod barely moves.[14] While this shell is said to be as hard as steel, a large sudden impact could cause its vulnerable body to pop out, leaving it completely exposed.[15] Its name comes from a combination of "metamorphosis" and "pod."[16]
Known as the Butterfly Pokémon, Butterfree are fully developed, butterfly-like Pokémon that have hatched from their pupal Metapod forms. Whereas many other Pokémon evolve into their final forms at much later levels, Butterfree's early availability makes it a temporarily strong asset to Pokémon Trainers starting out on their journeys. Butterfree resembles a vaguely anthropomorphic butterfly. Unlike true insects, it only has four legs, which are a pale blue color. It has a nose-like structure which is a similar color. Its body’s coloration is a darker purple-blue. It has large veined wings which are white with black markings. These markings can help distinguish male and female individuals. It has large compound eyes which tend to be a reddish color. Butterfree feed on honey from flowers, and they rub the honey onto the hairs on their legs to transport the honey back to their nests.[17] Like members of the order Lepidoptera, Butterfree’s wings are covered in fine scales that are water-repellant and allow it to fly in heavy rains,[18] something many other insect Pokémon such as Masquerain cannot do, and Butterfree wings are coated in toxic dust that can be shot at an opponent in battle through wing flapping.[19]
Appearances
In video games
Caterpie, Metapod, and Butterfree first appear as three of the 151 species of Pokémon in the Pokémon Red and Blue versions. They later appeared in several sequels, including Pokémon Gold and Silver, Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen, Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, and Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver. The three Pokémon have made several appearances in spin off video games in the series. In Pokémon Mystery Dungeon, Caterpie is rescued in the first mission of the game. It is too young to be of any help to the rescue team but remains a strong fan throughout the game, even in its darkest hour.[20] Metapod and Butterfree also appear in Pokémon Snap. In Pokémon Stadium, Metapod featured in its own mini game called "Rock Harden", in which players must use Harden at the right time to avoid taking damage from the incoming rocks.
In anime
In the anime, Caterpie was the first wild Pokémon Ash caught. Remarkably, he caught it without a Pokémon battle, which Misty attributed to Caterpie's weakness. Caterpie was quite fond of Misty, but, much to Caterpie's misfortune, she wanted nothing to do with it because it was a Bug-type Pokémon, which she feared. The night after it was captured, Caterpie and Ash's Pikachu talked to each other, and Caterpie revealed its desire to evolve into a Butterfree. It fell asleep next to Misty who, in the morning, then hurt its feelings by reinstating her fear of bugs. Caterpie was the first Pokémon Ash sent out against the next Pokémon he tried to capture, Pidgeotto. With a large disadvantage against the Flying-type Pokémon, it was beaten severely. Despite this, when Team Rocket appeared to attempt to steal Pikachu, Ash sent out his weakened Caterpie against them, taking down both James's Koffing and Jessie's Ekans by itself using String Shot and Tackle, evolving into Metapod.[21]
Metapod was first sent out in a battle against Samurai, and managed to defeat his Pinsir despite only being able to use Harden. Samurai decided to send his own Metapod out against Ash's; neither could attack, and both had to sit stationary and keep hardening. This was interrupted by a swarm of Beedrill that snatched Ash's Metapod away when he forgot to pick it up before running off. Ash found it with a hive of Kakuna. Metapod, seeing a Beedrill about to attack Ash, leapt up and took the blow, breaking the Beedrill's stinger and getting a large gash in its shell. Metapod then evolved into Butterfree and stopped all the Beedrill with a Sleep Powder attack.[22]
While it was with him, Butterfree was a close companion of Ash's who fought in many battles, including its battle against Misty at the Cerulean Gym. It was notable for its courage, willingly taking on any foe and often proving itself to be much stronger than expected. Ash used it in a battle against a Gentleman with a Raticate, who afterwards asked to trade the Pokémon. Ash accepted, but found that Butterfree meant too much to him to keep the Raticate, and was so set on trading them back that he did it while the St. Anne was sinking, causing him and his friends to be trapped inside.[23] In a later episode, Ash saw a large number of Butterfree flying around in the sky, and Brock told him that it was the Butterfree mating season. Butterfree found its heart set on a pink Butterfree, and tried to impress the pink Butterfree twice, only to be rejected with a slap to the face. After an encounter with Team Rocket where Ash's Butterfree rescued all of the others, the pink Butterfree approached it and the two paired up, departing shortly afterward.[24]
In printed adaptations
In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Caterpie and Metapod's first appearances is a cameo as some of the Pokémon that escape from Professor Oak's Laboratory. Yellow had a Caterpie named Kitty, which she did not want to evolve. However, in the battle against Lance, she did not have her Pokédex, which she needed to stop her Pokémon from evolving, and so Caterpie evolved into Metapod and then into Butterfree right afterwards. Yellow's uncle, Fisherman Wilton, also has a Butterfree. Both of them are able to use Butterfree as a mode of flight, using Butterfree to hold onto their backs as they fly. Bugsy uses two Metapod on his team. In The Electric Tale of Pikachu, Ash's Metapod evolved into Butterfree at the Cerulean Gym.
Promotion and reception
Caterpie was featured on a postage stamp series in Great Britain.[25] Caterpie was part of a series of plastic toys released of the original Pokémon.[26] In the video games, Caterpie has received mixed reception; while it is often described as cute, it is also criticized as being useless. An IGN editor called "Pokémon of the Day Chick" expressed sympathy for Caterpie, in that most players catch the Pokémon early on in the game, but inevitably discard him in favor of other, more powerful characters.[6] However, they acknowledged Caterpie's practical uselessness, calling it "unbelievably pathetic" and warning, "Caterpie stinks; never, ever use him."[6] IGN further likened the Pokémon to an "oversized tomato-horn-worm-lookin' thing" that deserved very little respect.[6] In another article, IGN called Caterpie "really cute," adding that the appropriate reaction to someone using Caterpie in battle is to "laugh out loud, then take it out with pretty much any Pokemon [sic] you can find."[27] The same reviewer expressed the belief that the game designers worked to ensure that Caterpie would "always suck beyond a shadow of a doubt",[28] and called it the second worst Pokémon in the game.[29] Another commentator at IGN called Caterpie adorable, but basically worthless as well,[5] calling it "lame".[30] They claimed that Caterpie simply "doesn't cut it", with the only purpose in catching it being to evolve it into a stronger form.[5] IGN also praised the Pokémon's name, saying that, though it is pronounced differently than it is spelled, the -pie suffix only serves to add to the creature's cuteness.[5] Caterpie was also called a "low-level misfit."[31] GamesRadar theorized that much of Caterpie's popularity stemmed from its central appearances in the Pokémon anime's first season. However, they themselves claimed to be tired of Caterpie, and the work it took to use it effectively.[32] CNET called Caterpie and its attacks "frustratingly ineffective".[33] The book Gaming Cultures and Place in Asia-Pacific cited it as an example of a common recurring and weak element in the games, whose presence rather than function was to emphasize the exclusivity and strength of other, rarer creatures for players to find.[34] Author Maria S. Barbo called Caterpie a "sweet little Pokémon".[35]
GamesRadar described Caterpie's evolution, Metapod, as a "punching bag."[36] IGN commented that Metapod was "lamer" and more "useless" than Caterpie, suggesting that players not catch a wild one. They added though that it evolved into Butterfree, which they called "cool."[16][37] Butterfree has received similarly mixed reception. IGN editor Pokémon of the Day Chick likened it as a counterpart to Beedrill, describing it as an introduction to basic evolution for new players, but its usefulness diminish once it goes up against stronger Pokémon.[28] While GamesRadar editor Brett Elston states that while the staff has said some harsh words about Butterfree, it is very useful early in the game and can even be useful up until the end of the game.[38] Author Harry Schlesinger wrote that Butterfree was popular among girls.[39] A theory exists that Butterfree and the Pokémon Venonat were once to be related; GamesRadar's Carolyn Gudmundson stated that their faces and hands were identical and looked more similar than Venonat does to its evolution Venomoth. She also noted that Metapod appeared more similar to Venomoth than to Butterfree.[40] Author Maria S. Barbo called Butterfree a "beautiful but dangerous Pokémon".[35]
References
- ^ a b Silvestri, Cris (2008). Pokémon Ultimate Handbook. New York City: Scholastic Corporation. pp. 35. ISBN 0545078865. http://books.google.com/books?id=KSIH0ltKUVkC&pg=PA35&dq=Caterpie&lr=&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=&as_brr=3&ei=NHCLS-rSPIT6zASXo_GPDg&client=safari&cd=2#v=onepage&q=Caterpie&f=false. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
- ^ Stuart Bishop (2003-05-30). "Game Freak on Pokémon!". CVG. Archived from the original on 2008-02-08. http://www.webcitation.org/5VSJaR6xT. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
- ^ Larimer, Tim (22 November 1999). "The Ultimate Game Freak". Time (New York City: Time Inc.) 154 (20). http://www.time.com/time/asia/magazine/99/1122/pokemon6.fullinterview1.html. Retrieved 27 January 2010.
- ^ Coogan, Carl (28 July 2008). "Backyard Naturalist". Times Union (New York: Hearst Corporation): p. C2.
- ^ a b c d "#010 Caterpie". IGN. News Corporation. 4 January 2001. http://cheats.gamespy.com/game-boy/pokemon-blue/guide/page_14.html. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
- ^ a b c d e "Pokemon of the Day: Caterpie (#10)". IGN. News Corporation. 18 February 2003. http://faqs.ign.com/articles/386/386432p1.html. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
- ^ Pokédex: It crawls into foliage where it camouflages itself among leaves that are the same color as its body. Game Freak. Pokémon Crystal. (Nintendo). Game Boy Color. (2001-07-29)
- ^ Pokédex: It has large, eye-like patterns on its head as protection. They are used to frighten off enemies. Game Freak. Pokémon Stadium. (Nintendo). Nintendo 64. (2000-03-06)
- ^ Pokédex: Its short feet are tipped with suction pads that enable it to tirelessly climb slopes and walls. Game Freak. Pokémon Red and Blue. (Nintendo). Game Boy. (1998-09-30)
- ^ Pokédex: For protection, it releases a horrible stench from the antenna on its head to drive away enemies. Game Freak. Pokémon Gold. (Nintendo). Game Boy. (2000-10-15)
- ^ Lipperini, Loredana (2000) (in Italian). Generazione Pókemon. Castelvecch. pp. 222. ISBN 8882102491. http://books.google.com/books?id=MOQc163-XCcC&pg=PA222&dq=Caterpie&lr=&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=&as_brr=3&ei=NHCLS-rSPIT6zASXo_GPDg&client=safari&cd=9#v=onepage&q=Caterpie&f=false. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
- ^ Nilsen, Alleen Pace; Don L.F. Nilsen (October 2000). "Pokémon as Interactive Literature". Semiotic Review of Books (Thunder Bay: Lakehead University) 11 (2): 2.
- ^ Pokédex: It prepares for evolution by hardening its shell as much as possible to protect its soft body. Game Freak. Pokémon Silver. (Nintendo). Game Boy. (2000-10-15)
- ^ Pokédex: Inside the shell, it is soft and weak as it prepares to evolve. It stays motionless in the shell. Game Freak. Pokémon Gold. (Nintendo). Game Boy. (2000-10-15)
- ^ Pokédex: Hardens its shell to protect itself. However, a large impact may cause it to pop out of its shell. Game Freak. Yellow. (Nintendo). Game Boy. (1999-10-19)
- ^ a b http://guides.ign.com/guides/12045/metapod.html
- ^ Pokédex: It collects honey every day. It rubs honey onto the hairs on its legs to carry it back to its nest. Game Freak. Pokémon Gold. (Nintendo). Game Boy. (2000-10-15)
- ^ Pokédex: Water-repellent powder on its wings enables it to collect honey, even in the heaviest of rains. Game Freak. Pokémon Silver. (Nintendo). Game Boy. (2000-10-15)
- ^ Pokédex: In battle, it flaps its wings at high speeds to release highly toxic dust into the air. Game Freak. Pokémon Red and Blue. (Nintendo). Game Boy. (1998-09-30)
- ^ Chunsoft. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team and Red Rescue Team. (Nintendo). Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS. (November 17, 2005)
- ^ "Ash Catches a Pokémon". Atsuhiro Tomioka (writer). Pokémon. Various. September 10, 1998. No. 003, season Indigo League.
- ^ "Challenge of the Samurai". Atsuhiro Tomioka (writer). Pokémon. Various. September 11, 1998. No. 004, season Indigo League.
- ^ "Battle Aboard the St. Anne". Yukiyoshi Ōhashi (writer). Pokémon. Various. September 28, 1998. No. 015, season Indigo League.
- ^ "Bye Bye Butterfree". Yukiyoshi Ōhashi (writer). Pokémon. Various. October 5, 1998. No. 021, season Indigo League.
- ^ Aaron, Robert (19 March 2001). "Series Honours Furry Friends". Toronto Star (Ontario: Torstar): pp. D06.
- ^ "Pokemon War on Toys". The Daily Telegraph (Sydney: Telegraph Media Group): pp. 005. 5 August 2000.
- ^ http://guides.ign.com/guides/12045/caterpie.html
- ^ a b "Pokemon of the Day: Butterfree (#12)". IGN. News Corporation. 17 July 2003. http://faqs.ign.com/articles/429/429293p1.html. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
- ^ "Pokemon of the Day: Sunkern". IGN. News Corporation. 5 November 2003. http://faqs.ign.com/articles/458/458270p1.html. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
- ^ "#012 Butterfree". IGN. News Corporation. 1995. http://guides.ign.com/guides/16708/page_13.html. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
- ^ "Pokemon Blue Version Walkthrough & Strategy Guide". IGN. News Corporation. 4 January 2001. http://cheats.gamespy.com/game-boy/pokemon-blue/guide/page_214.html. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
- ^ Elston, Brett (2010). "The Complete Pokemon RBY Pokedex, Part 1". GamesRadar. Future plc. pp. 10. http://www.gamesradar.com/ds/f/the-complete-pokemon-rby-pokedex-part-1/a-200708209459101025/g-2006100415372930075/p-10. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
- ^ Villoria, Gerald (17 May 2006). "Pokemon Stadium 2 (Nintendo 64)". CNET Networks. CBS Interactive. pp. 1. http://reviews.cnet.com/legacy-game-platforms/pokemon-stadium-2-nintendo/4505-9882_7-30965550.html. Retrieved 1 March 2010.
- ^ Hjorth, Larissa; David Surman (2009). "9" (PDF). Gaming Cultures and Place in Asia-Pacific. Taylor and Francis. ISBN 0415996279. http://newport.academia.edu/documents/0009/2577/MERGEDPOKEMON.pdf. Retrieved 2009-06-06.
- ^ a b http://books.google.com/books?id=08IRMQAACAAJ
- ^ Brett Elston. "The complete Pokemon RBY pokedex, part 1, Pokemon Diamond / Pearl DS Features". GamesRadar. p. 11. http://www.gamesradar.com/ds/f/the-complete-pokemon-rby-pokedex-part-1/a-200708209459101025/g-2006100415372930075/p-11.
- ^ http://guides.ign.com/guides/12045/butterfree.html
- ^ Brett Elston. "The complete Pokemon RBY pokedex, part 2, Pokemon Diamond / Pearl DS Features". GamesRadar. p. 1. http://www.gamesradar.com/ds/f/the-complete-pokemon-rby-pokedex-part-2/a-20070820105552651082/g-2006100415372930075.
- ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=h5UTHQAACAAJ
- ^ http://www.gamesradar.com/f/pokemon-monday-29-ditto-is-a-failed-mew-clone/a-20101213134335402003
External links
- Official Pokémon website
- Caterpie on Bulbapedia
- Metapod on Bulbapedia
- Butterfree on Bulbapedia
- Butterfree at the Internet Movie Database
Pokémon species Articles MissingNo. · Bulbasaur · Ivysaur · Venusaur · Charmander · Charmeleon · Charizard · Squirtle · Blastoise · Caterpie, Metapod, and Butterfree · Weedle, Kakuna, and Beedrill · Pidgey, Pidgeotto, and Pidgeot · Rattata · Ekans and Arbok · Pikachu · Raichu · Clefairy · Vulpix · Ninetales · Jigglypuff · Wigglytuff · Zubat · Golbat · Oddish · Gloom · Vileplume · Meowth · Psyduck · Arcanine · Abra, Kadabra, and Alakazam · Machop · Geodude, Graveler, and Golem · Ponyta and Rapidash · Slowpoke and Slowbro · Farfetch'd · Grimer and Muk · Haunter · Gengar · Onix · Drowzee · Hypno · Cubone · Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan · Lickitung · Koffing and Weezing · Chansey · Goldeen · Staryu and Starmie · Mr. Mime · Scyther · Jynx · Magmar · Magikarp · Gyarados · Lapras · Ditto · Eevee · Aerodactyl · Snorlax · Articuno · Zapdos · Moltres · Dragonite · Mewtwo · MewChikorita, Bayleef, and Meganium · Cyndaquil, Quilava, and Typhlosion · Totodile, Croconaw, and Feraligatr · Crobat · Pichu · Togepi · Sudowoodo · Espeon and Umbreon · Unown · Girafarig · Steelix · Smoochum · Entei · Suicune · Lugia · CelebiFull species list Generation IGeneration IIGeneration IIIGeneration IVGeneration VCategories:- Fictional insects
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