A first partner Pokémon is the first Pokémon selected by a Trainer when starting their Pokémon journey. These particular Pokémon serve to make the player battle the first wild Pokémon they encounter. However, the species of the first partner Pokémon in all Pokémon games are unique and are usually meant to form a bond with the player character, so they have an essential role.
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Description[]
The Partner Eevee in Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee!, a First partner Pokémon that establishes on friendship by the player
Despite in terms of gameplay first partner Pokémon may be retired as soon as any wild Pokémon are caught, many Trainers prefer to have such a Pokémon on their team because they have established a type of friendship with it, or because they believe that it is the best Pokémon for their adventure. Therefore, skillful Trainers, including Gym Leaders, the Elite Four, and even Pokémon Champions may continue to use their partner Pokémon and are often the most powerful in their teams. In certain appearances, a first partner Pokémon can also be a player's Partner Pokémon, which follows its Trainer around outside of its Poké Ball, something that Ash's Pikachu is well known for in Pokémon the Series. Most games within the core series have a set of three first partner Pokémon for a Trainer to choose from.
In several cases, the player chooses one of three first partner Pokémon from the regional Pokémon Professor directly. However, some trainers mention that their first Pokémon was either inherited, given as a gift, became a pet of theirs, or had been captured by them as a wild Pokémon.
The rival's first partner Pokémon typically has a type advantage over the player's. This applies to Blue (in Pocket Monsters Red and Pocket Monsters Green, Pocket Monsters Blue, and Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version), Silver, Brendan, May, Barry, Cheren (in Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version), Hugh (in Pokémon Black Version 2 and Pokémon White Version 2), Calem and Serena choose the first partner Pokémon that has the type advantage over the first partner Pokémon selected by the player character, while Lucas, Dawn, Bianca, Shauna, Hau and Hop choose the first partner Pokémon that has the type disadvantage.
A species of first partner Pokémon almost never appears in the wild, namely a species chosen by the player and their rival.
Even though a first partner Pokémon has a vital role of assisting the player during wild Pokémon encounters, there have been a few cases of a human facing a wild Pokémon alone, such as Professor Oak against Pikachu in Pokémon Yellow Special Pikachu Edition.
In the core series, a first partner Pokémon always starts at level 5. It has two moves: a Normal-type physical move (Tackle, Scratch, or Pound in particular) and a status move. Starting with Generation VI, a first partner Pokémon also knows a third move of its type. A first partner Pokémon has two evolved forms (except for Pikachu and Eevee).
All of the first partner Pokémon in the core series have a gender ratio of 7 male to 1 female, with the exception of Pikachu. This gender ratio was chosen by the developers to make first partner Pokémon more difficult to obtain.
Types[]
In most games of the core series, there are three first partner Pokémon, and the types that constitute each set are Grass, Water, and Fire. In these games prior to Generation VII, the rival chooses the Pokémon with a type advantage over the player's.
For some first partner Pokémon, they receive an additional secondary type upon evolving. This is not the case for any of the first partner Pokémon of Johto and Galar. However, Bulbasaur and Rowlet are currently the only first partner Pokémon that are dual type in their basic forms. Aside from having Grass as their primary type, Bulbasaur has Poison as it secondary type while Rowlet has for a secondary type. However, Rowlet's secondary type becomes Ghost when it evolves into Decidueye, or a Fighting type if Hisuian. Typhlosion and Cinderace are currently the only final Evolutions of a Fire-type first partner Pokémon to not be dual type.
Every first partner Pokémon has a similar color scheme. The Grass-type first partner Pokémon are mostly green or brown, the Fire-type first partner Pokémon are warm colors, and the Water-type first partner Pokémon are blue.
Pikachu and Eevee are the only first partner Pokémon in the core series that are not one of the aforementioned types (they are Electric and Normal, respectively). Coincidentally, they have one weakness (Ground and Fighting) respectively.
Every second and third evolutions of the Fire-type first partner Pokémon from Generation III to V have the Fighting type as their secondary type. They are also the only Fire- and Fighting-type starter Pokémon.
All final evolutions of first partner Pokémon (excluding Pikachu and Eevee) can learn the ultimate attacks by Move Tutor upon reaching maximum happiness. Grass-type first partner Pokémon can learn the ultimate Grass-type attack Frenzy Plant, Water-type first partner Pokémon can learn the ultimate Water-type attack Hydro Cannon, and Fire-type first partner Pokémon can learn the ultimate Fire-type attack Blast Burn. First partner Pokémon can also learn the Pledge moves that are exclusive to them: Grass-type first partner Pokémon can learn Grass Pledge, Fire-type first partner Pokémon can learn Fire Pledge, and Water-type first partner Pokémon can learn Water Pledge.
Hisui's and Paldea's first partner Pokémon gain the same secondary types final evolutions. Hisuian Decidueye and Quaquaval both gain the Fighting type, Hisuian Typhlosion and Skeledirge both gain the Ghost type, and Hisuian Samurott and Meowscarada both gain the Dark type.
Sceptile gains Dragon as a secondary type upon Mega Evolving, making it the only Mega-Evolved first partner Pokémon to become a dual type.
Species[]
As with Pokémon in general, first partner Pokémon can be based on a variety of real-life species. However, first partner Pokémon in particular are nearly always based on some type of animal, and certain types are shown to take inspiration from certain types more often than others.
There is one avian first partner Pokémon for each type, each introduced in different generations. Torchic was introduced in Generation III, Piplup was introduced in Generation IV and Rowlet was introduced in Generation VII. They represent a chicken, a penguin and an owl, respectively.
All Grass-type first partner Pokémon from Generation II to Generation VI are reptilian.
Abilities[]
First partner Pokémon have unique special Abilities. The Grass-type first partner Pokémon possess the Ability Overgrow, all Fire-type first partner Pokémon possess the Ability Blaze, and all Water-type first partner Pokémon possess the Ability Torrent. Overgrow, Blaze, and Torrent function identically, except with different types.
Pansage and Simisage have Overgrow as their Hidden Ability, Pansear and Simisear have Blaze as their Hidden Ability, and Panpour and Simipour have Torrent as their Hidden Ability. Gluttony is their main Ability. All three Pokémon and their evolutionary lines are similar to first partner Pokémon and are given in a similar manner.
Appearances[]
Core series[]
Generation I and remakes[]
In Pokémon Red Version and Pokémon Blue Version (including their Japanese counterparts, Pocket Monsters Red and Pocket Monsters Green and ), as well as the remakes Pokémon FireRed Version and Pokémon LeafGreen Version, Professor Oak will bring Trainers to his lab to give them the choice between Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle to begin their journey.
In Pokémon Yellow Special Pikachu Edition, Oak instead gives a Pikachu to the player, while the rival receives the Eevee that had originally been intended for the player. The form that the rival's Eevee eventually evolves into depends on the player's performance in battle: The Eevee becomes a Vaporeon if the player loses to the rival in their first battle in Professor Oak's Laboratory and either loses or skips the battle on Route 22; Jolteon if the player wins against their rival at both locations; or Flareon if the player wins against the rival once at either location, and loses or skips the other battle. Because of this balance mechanic, this makes Pokémon Yellow the first game in the franchise where the player can have a type advantage over the rival. Pikachu in this game follows behind the player.
In Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu!, the player starts with Pikachu, like in Pokémon Yellow Special Pikachu Edition, while in Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee!, they start with Eevee. Their rival, Trace, chooses the other Pokémon in each installment. The Pikachu and Eevee in this game are considered special - separate forms commonly referred to as Partner Pokémon because they follow the player and have a unique appearance (especially prominent on Eevee). The partner Pikachu and Eevee can be either gender, have higher base stats, learn Secret Techniques, and have access to exclusive moves that their regular counterparts do not. Unlike Yellow, both of their species can be found in the wild in either game, making it possible to have more than one Pikachu or Eevee.
Generation II and remakes[]
In Pokémon Gold Version and Pokémon Silver Version, Pokémon Crystal Version, and the remakes Pokémon HeartGold Version and Pokémon SoulSilver Version, Professor Elm has an errand for the player and gives them the choice between Chikorita, Cyndaquil, or Totodile to keep them safe along the journey. The player is allowed to keep the Pokémon after completing the errand. However, during the errand, the player's rival steals the first partner Pokémon with the type advantage over the player's.
In the Pokémon HeartGold Version and Pokémon SoulSilver Version only, the player's friend, Ethan/Lyra, has a Marill as their first partner Pokémon.
Generation III and remakes[]
In Pokémon Ruby Version and Pokémon Sapphire Version, Pokémon Emerald Version, and the remakes Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, after Professor Birch is rescued from a Poochyena (Zigzagoon in Pokémon Emerald Version), he allows the player character to keep the Pokémon they had chosen to rescue him: either Treecko, Torchic, or Mudkip.
In Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, after surpassing the Elite Four for the first time, Birch gives the player the choice of Chikorita, Cyndaquil or Totodile to rescue him again. After surpassing the Delta Episode, Birch gives the player the choice of Snivy, Tepig or Oshawott. After defeating the Elite Four for the second time, he will give the player character the choice of Turtwig, Chimchar or Piplup. From this, the player character can receive one of the three regional Pokémon for Hoenn, Johto, Unova, and Sinnoh before defeating the Elite Four three times.
Wally receives a Ralts as a first partner Pokémon after catching it using the Zigzagoon he had been borrowing from Norman.
Generation IV and remakes[]
In Pokémon Diamond Version and Pokémon Pearl Version, Pokémon Platinum Version, and the remakes Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl, when two Starly attack the player and their rival at Lake Verity, they choose between Turtwig, Chimchar, or Piplup from Professor Rowan's discarded briefcase. Later, when the briefcase is returned, Rowan allows the two to keep their first partner Pokémon. Lucas/Dawn always has the Pokémon that is at a type disadvantage against the player's Pokémon.
Generation V[]
In Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version, Professor Juniper delivers a gift to the player's mother in Nuvema Town that contains Snivy, Tepig, and Oshawott, with the player being able to choose only one of them.
Generation VI[]
In Pokémon X and Pokémon Y, the player, Shauna, and Serena/Calem each receive either Chespin, Fennekin, and Froakie from Tierno in Aquacorde Town. The player chooses first, so the first partner Pokémon of the other two characters depends on which one the player had chosen. Later, the player can choose one of the Kanto first partner Pokémon: Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle.
Kalos first partner Pokémon gain a type advantage over the primarily advantaged first partner Pokémon by their secondary types: Chesnaught is part Fighting type, Delphox is part Psychic type, and Greninja is part Dark type. Greninja is the most advantageous because the Dark type is immune to the Psychic type—the other two first partner Pokémon are only resistant to the other type.
Generation VII[]
In Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, the player receives the first partner Pokémon Rowlet, Litten, or Popplio from Hala and Professor Kukui in Iki Town. In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon, the player receives their first partner Pokémon from Professor Kukui on Route 1 instead. Unusually, the player's friend and rival, Hau, always chooses the first partner Pokémon that has a type disadvantage to the player's, while Teacher Emily in the Trainers' School uses the first partner Pokémon with a type advantage over the player's.
In Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, and Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon, first partner Pokémon and their Evolutions can be found through Island Scan. In Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon, the Johto first partner Pokémon's first forms and the Unova first partner Pokémon's final forms are present. In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon, the Kanto first partner Pokémon's first forms, the Hoenn and Sinnoh first partner Pokémon's middle forms, and the Kalos first partner Pokémon's final forms are present.
The Alolan first partner Pokémon gain signature attacks: Decidueye is part Ghost type and possesses Spirit Shackle, Incineroar is part Dark type and possesses Darkest Lariat, and Primarina is part Fairy type and possesses Sparkling Aria. Each of their final Evolutions have an immunity: Decidueye—a Ghost type—is immune to the Normal and Fighting types, Incineroar—a Dark type—is immune to the Psychic type, and Primarina—a Fairy type—is immune to the Dragon type.
In Pokémon Ultra Sun, the Alola Pokédex identifies Poipole as a common choice for a first partner Pokémon in its own world.
Generation VIII[]
Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield[]
In Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, the player and their friend, Hop, each receive either Grookey, Scorbunny, or Sobble as their first partner Pokémon from Postwick and the Pokémon Champion Leon. Much like in Generation VII, Hop chooses the Pokémon with a type disadvantage to the player's. Meanwhile, Leon keeps the Pokémon with a type advantage over the player's and trains it to eventually use it in the championship match against the player.
Even before Hop chooses one of the first partner Pokémon, he had a Wooloo, which he also uses during his journey. Marnie's first partner Pokémon is Morpeko, which she received from Piers as a gift when she five years old.
In Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield: The Isle of Armor, after collecting 100 Alolan Diglett, the Diglett's Trainer gives the player the Alola first partner Pokémon that has the same type as the player's Galar first partner Pokémon. According to dialogue, Bede's first partner Pokémon is Hatterene, which he received as a Hatenna when he met Chairman Rose.
Pokémon Legends: Arceus[]
In Pokémon Legends: Arceus, the player can choose from three first partner Pokémon found by a Pokémon Professor traveling throughout regions, each originating from a different region introduced earlier in the core series: Rowlet from Alola, Cyndaquil from Johto, and Oshawott from Unova. Hisui is the only region that did not introduce new first partner Pokémon, although there are unique regional forms of their final evolved form. The first partner Pokémon of Hisui represent regions that Cynthia would later travel to (she is viewed in the Battle Tree in Alola, Sinjoh Ruins in Johto, and Undella Town in Unova).
Generation IX[]
In Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet, the player gets to choose either Sprigatito, Fuecoco, or Quaxly as their first partner Pokémon from Director Clavell. Once again from the last two Generations, the rival, Nemona chooses the Pokémon with a type disadvantage, just Hau from Alola and Hop from Galar.
Spinoffs[]
Pokémon Stadium series[]
Pokémon Colosseum[]
In Pokémon Colosseum, the player starts with both a level 25 Espeon and a level 26 Umbreon.
Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness[]
In Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness, the player already has a level 10 Eevee by the time they start the game.
Pokémon Battle Revolution[]
In Pokémon Battle Revolution, the player receives four first partner Pokémon, but they differ depending on the player's gender. As a male, the player receives the Stage 1 evolved form of a Sinnoh first partner Pokémon (either Grotle, Monferno, or Prinplup), as well as Luxio, Gabite, and Staravia. As a female, the player receives the Stage 1 evolved form of a Kanto first partner Pokémon (either Ivysaur, Charmeleon, or Wartortle), as well as Dragonair, Rhyhorn and Pidgeotto.
Pokémon Conquest[]
In Pokémon Conquest, the player starts with an Eevee.
Pokémon GO[]
In Pokémon GO, the player character can obtain one of the Kanto first partner Pokémon. They can secretly obtain Pikachu, an Electric-type Pokémon, after escaping from the Kanto first partner Pokémon four times.
Pokémon Masters EX[]
In Pokémon Masters EX, the player has Pikachu as their first partner Pokémon. Games such as these have been criticized for lacking a choice between first partner Pokémon.
Pokémon: Magikarp Jump[]
In Pokémon: Magikarp Jump, the player starts with Magikarp.
Anime[]
On their tenth birthday, young Trainers can register for a Pokédex and pick up a First partner Pokémon from the local Pokémon Professor or Pokémon Center free of charge. However, they can also get their First partner Pokémon from someone else or catch them in the wild. First partner Pokémon are usually raised to be easy to train. Like in the core games, the First partner Pokémon available vary from region to region but are the same in each region as in the games.
Main[]
- May received her Torchic from Professor Birch as her first partner Pokémon, which evolved into Combusken, and then into Blaziken.
- Dawn received her Piplup from Professor Rowan as her first partner Pokémon. Piplup almost evolved into Prinplup, but he refused as he held in the energy and was then given an Everstone to prevent evolution.
- Serena got her Fennekin from Professor Sycamore as her first partner Pokémon. Later, Fennekin evolved into Braixen, then again into Delphox.
- Lana caught her Popplio in Alola as her first Pokémon after rescuing her from Team Skull. She evolved into Brionne, and then later into Primarina.
- Goh caught Scorbunny as his first partner Pokémon in the wild at Galar, which has since evolved into Raboot, and then into Cinderace.
- Liko received her Sprigatito as her first Pokémon at the Indigo Academy, which later evolved into Floragato.
- Roy catches Fuecoco that belong to the Rising Volt Tacklers as his first Pokémon, which later evolves into Crocalor.
Recurring[]
- Gary started his journey with Squirtle as it evolved into Wartortle, then into Blastoise.
- He also started with Squirtle in an alternate continuity in MS020: Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!.
- A recurring group of Squirtle call the Squirtle Squad were abandoned by their Trainer's until they put out a fire and a Officer Jenny took them in and made them firefighters.
- Ritchie started with Charmander, which he nicknamed Zippo. It has since evolved into Charmeleon.
- Casey started with Chikorita. It evolved into Bayleef, then into Meganium.
- Harrison started with Torchic. It evolved into Combusken, then into Blaziken.
- Morrison started with Mudkip as it evolved into a Marshtomp then into Swampert.
- Tyson began his journey with Treecko as it evolved into a Grovyle then into Sceptile.
- Paul started with Turtwig. It evolved into Grotle, then into Torterra.
- Kenny started with Piplup. It evolved into Prinplup, then into Empoleon.
- Khoury started with Totodile, which has since evolved into Croconaw.
- Lyra started with Chikorita.
- Flint of the Sinnoh Elite Four started with a Chimchar as it evolved into Monferno and then into Infernape.
- Trip received Snivy from Professor Juniper. He evolved into Servine, then into Serperior.
- Bianca started with Tepig. He evolved into Pignite, then into Emboar.
- Burgundy started with Oshawott, which has since evolved into Dewott.
- Cameron began his journey with an Oshawott as she evolved into a Dewott then into Samurott.
- Sanpei started with Froakie. It evolved into Frogadier, then into Greninja.
- Aria started with Fennekin. She evolved into Braixen, then into Delphox.
- Mairin started with Chespin, which was nicknamed Chespie.
- Alain began his journey to search for a Mega Stone with Charmander. It evolved into Charmeleon, then into Charizard.
- Tierno started with Squirtle. It evolved into Wartortle, then into Blastoise.
- Shauna started with Bulbasaur, which has since evolved into Ivysaur.
- Trevor started with Charmander. It evolved into Charmeleon, then into Charizard.
- Sawyer started with Treecko. It evolved into Grovyle, then into Sceptile.
- Professor Kukui started with Litten as he had it since he was little. It evolved into Torracat, then into Incineroar.
- Hau started with Rowlet as it evolved into Dartrix then into Decidueye.
- Professor Kukui raised a Bulbasaur and Piplup as they both evolved into Ivysaur and Prinplup then into Venusaur and Empoleon.
- Leon's first Pokémon was Charmander as it evolved into Charmeleon, then into Charizard.
- Horace began his journey with Chikorita, which has since evolved into Bayleef.
- Dot/Nidothing catches a Quaxly that belong to the Rising Volt Tacklers as her first partner Pokémon, which later evolves into Quaxwell.
- Ann received Oshawott from the Indigo Academy as her first Pokémon, but has since evolved into Dewott.
Minor[]
- Jimmy started with Cyndaquil as it since evolved into a Quilava then into Typhlosion.
- Marina started with Totodile, which she nicknamed Wani-Wani, but has since evolved into Croconaw then into Feraligatr.
- Vincent started with Chikorita that has since evolved into a Bayleef then into Meganium.
- Nicholai started with Mudkip, which has since evolved into Marshtomp.
- Stephanie began her journey with Mudkip and her father decided to take Treecko.
- Gilbert began his journey with Bulbasaur.
- Jimmy began his journey with a Squirtle as it evolved into Wartortle then into Blastoise.
- Tyler started with Piplup, which she is nicknamed Pippy.
- Nanette received Tepig from Professor Juniper.
- Serena from the Mirror World also started with a Fennekin as her first Pokémon.
- Sanpei's eldest brother, Ippei, also raised a Froakie to a Frogadier then into a Greninja.
- Verity started with Piplup.
- Ida's first Pokémon was Popplio as it evolved into Brionne then later into Primarina.
- Jacqueline started with Sobble as it evolved into Drizzile then into Inteleon.
- Dawn from another world also started with a Piplup as her first Pokémon.
- Goh from another world also started with Scorbunny as his first Pokémon and evolved it all the way to Cinderace.
Gift or caught[]
Certain characters in the anime have been given or caught a regional first partner Pokémon in the wild instead of having them as their first Pokémon.
Main[]
- Ash caught:
- Three of the Kanto-region first partner Pokémon—Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle—in quick succession. However, Charmander was the only one that evolved, becoming Charmeleon and later Charizard, becoming disobedient to Ash until an incident in the Orange Archipelago, after which it served Ash as it had when it was Charmander. Bulbasaur was also going to evolve, but it refused the evolution.
- In a different continuity, Ash only caught Charmander, which evolved into Charmeleon, then into Charizard.
- Three of the Johto region first partner Pokémon, Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile. However, unlike the Kanto first partner Pokémon, two out of three evolved as Chikorita and Cyndaquil evolved into Bayleef and Quilava, respectively, along with the fact that none of the three Johto starters reached their final forms.
- One of the Hoenn first partner Pokémon, Treecko, as it evolved into Grovyle, then into Sceptile.
- Three of the Kanto-region first partner Pokémon—Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle—in quick succession. However, Charmander was the only one that evolved, becoming Charmeleon and later Charizard, becoming disobedient to Ash until an incident in the Orange Archipelago, after which it served Ash as it had when it was Charmander. Bulbasaur was also going to evolve, but it refused the evolution.
- Brock caught Mudkip, which has since evolved into Marshtomp.
- May caught Bulbasaur midway through her journey in Hoenn and was given Squirtle by Professor Oak when she journeyed to Kanto. Bulbasaur evolved completely into Venusaur and Squirtle evolved into Wartortle during May's travels through Johto.
- Ash caught two out of three of the Sinnoh first partner Pokémon, Turtwig and Chimchar—the latter was owned by his rival, Paul, until he released it. They both evolved as Turtwig evolved into Grotle, then into Torterra, and Chimchar evolved into Monferno, then into Infernape respectively.
- Dawn hatched Cyndaquil during her journey in Sinnoh. It later evolved into Quilava.
- Ash:
- Similarly in Kanto and Johto, captured all first partner Pokémon in Unova—Oshawott, Tepig, and Snivy. However, this time around, he caught them in reverse Pokédex order, rather than following it as he did with his Kanto and Johto first partner Pokémon, and Oshawott was in fact a first partner Pokémon that Professor Juniper allowed Ash to have after it ran away to be with him. However, like the Kanto first partner Pokémon, one out of the three evolved as Tepig was the only one in the group to evolve by becoming Pignite. Also, like in Johto, none of Ash's three Unova starters fully evolved.
- Similarly in Hoenn, captured one first partner Pokémon in Kalos, Froakie, who belonged to several other Trainers before being abandoned or abandoning the Trainer. Also, like the Hoenn first partner Pokémon, Froakie evolved into Frogadier, then into Greninja. However, Ash has since released Greninja to not only protect Kalos but also to keep it safe from danger after a villainous organization tried to use an ability they achieved together for their own gain.
- Clemont obtained Chespin in Kalos. It originally belonged to Professor Sycamore as a first partner Pokémon for new Trainers.
- Ash caught two out of three of the Alola first partner Pokémon, Rowlet and Litten, which was much like he did with the Sinnoh starters. However, unlike the Sinnoh first partner Pokémon, Litten was the only first partner Pokémon to evolve. It became Torracat, then Incineroar. Rowlet did not, as it used an Everstone in one of its moves.
- Goh:
- Caught the remaining two Galar first partner Pokémon—Sobble during this third trip to Galar and Grookey in Kanto that Team Rocket could pick from their prize master. However, Sobble has since evolved into Drizzile, then into Inteleon.
- Caught a Froakie during his fifth visit to Kalos, which quickly evolved into Frogadier.
Recurring[]
- Nurse Joy from Trovitopolis took in a Bulbasaur as it was abandoned by the previous mayor of Trovitopolis.
- A Nurse Joy in Slateport City took in a Torchic as it evolved into Combusken and couldn't be picked for a beginning Trainer.
- Leon raised all three of the Galar starters, as he raised a Grookey to a Thwackey, then into a Rillaboom, Scorbunny to a Raboot, then into a Cinderace, and Sobble to a Drizzile, then into an Inteleon.
Minor[]
- Silver owns a Chikorita.
- Pike Queen Lucy owns a Cyndaquil.
- Alice owns a Chimchar.
- Ash from the Mirror World also has a Froakie.
- Harriet had a Totodile follow her but she let it and various other Pokémon stay with her permanently.
- Lauren has a Piplup.
- Chad owns a Cyndaquil.
- Dawn from another world raised a Cyndaquil into a Quilava.
- Ash from another world also raised a Chimchar all the way into an Infernape.
First partner Pokémon[]
Certain characters in the anime have differently typed Pokémon as their first partner Pokémon. Most of them were given as gifts to them when they were young.
Main[]
- Ash's first partner Pokémon is Pikachu, which he received from Professor Oak after arriving late to obtain one of the traditional Kanto first partner Pokémon. It was later revealed that Pikachu is able to Gigantamax into Gigantamax Pikachu.
- Misty's first partner Pokémon are Goldeen, Staryu, and Starmie.
- James' first partner Pokémon is Growlithe, which he nicknamed Growlie. However, he does not own it, and left at his home when he ran away.
- Jessie's first partner Pokémon is Ekans, which she received for her birthday. She later evolved it into Arbok and released it.
- Brock's first partner Pokémon is Onix, which he later evolved into Steelix. It was later revealed that Steelix was able to Mega Evolve into Mega Steelix.
- Tracey's first partner Pokémon are Venonat, who evolved into Venomoth, and Marill.
- Max wanted to start with Ralts, but it had left to be in the wild.
- Iris' first partner Pokémon is Drilbur, which she saved from a cliffside when she was young. She later evolved him into Excadrill.
- Cilan's first partner Pokémon is Pansage, which he has had since he was very young.
- Clemont's first partner Pokémon are Magnemite, Magneton and Heliolisk. He had his Heliolisk since it was Helioptile.
- Bonnie stated that she wanted to start with Dedenne, which is currently in the possession of her brother, Clemont, due to her being too young.
- Kiawe owns a Charizard as his first Pokémon after receiving it from his grandfather.
- Lillie's first partner Pokémon is Alolan Vulpix, which she hatched from an Egg and nicknamed Snowy.
- Sophocles's first partner Pokémon is Togedemaru.
- Mallow's first partner Pokémon is Bounsweet, which she met in a forest behind the Pokémon School as a present caught by her late mother prior to her mother's death by an illness, which had since evolved into Tsareena.
Recurring[]
- Zoey's first partner Pokémon was Glameow, which she stated that she caught after it was abandoned. She had originally met the Glameow when it was a kitten and Zoey herself was too young to have her own Pokémon, with most of the time inbetween the first meeting and Zoey starting her journey spent raising it (initially in secret) alongside her friend Candice.
- Cynthia's first partner Pokémon was Gible, which she hatched from an Egg. Gible evolved into a Gabite then into a Garchomp.
- Gladion's first partner Pokémon was Eevee, which he later evolved into Umbreon.
- Chloe's first partner Pokémon was Eevee, which she met in her school, developed a bond with, and caught it as her very first Pokémon and partner. Chloe's Eevee is a special female Eevee that cannot evolve.
Minor[]
- Zackie's first partner Pokémon was Bellsprout, which he accidentally caught after trying to catch Ash's Pikachu.
- Xander's first partner Pokémon was Caterpie which he later evolved into a Butterfree. He has stated it was his first Pokémon.
- Yuzo's first partner Pokémon was stated to be Starly. However, it is never seen or mentioned in the anime.
- Marnie and Paige's first partner Pokémon were Drifloon's.
- Mira's first partner Pokémon was Sandshrew, which she initially shared with her school friends.
- Aaron's first partner Pokémon was Wurmple, who later evolved into a Beautifly.
- Emmy's first partner Pokémon was Druddigon, which she received from her father before her journey.
- Risa's first Pokémon was Eevee, whom she initially caught for her sick brother, Rick.
Trivia[]
- Almost every fully evolved Starter Pokémon shares a common theme of inspirations.
- The Sinnoh fully evolved starters were inspired by mythological characters. Torterra was based on the World Turtle, Inferape was based on Sun Wukong, and Empoleon was partially inspired by Poseidon due to its trident like beak.
- The Unova fully evolved starters were inspired different world countries. Serperior was inspired by France, Emboar China, and Samurott Japan.
- The Kalos fully evolved starters were based RPG classes. Chestnaught was inspired by the Fighter class, Delphox Mage, and Greninja Thief.
- The Galar fully evolved starters were based on British occupations. Rilaboom is a drummer, Cinderace is an association football (soccer) player, and Inteleon is a spy.
- The Paldea fully evolved starters were based on certain kinds of entertainers. Meowscarada is a magician, Skeledirge is a singer, and Quaquaval is a dancer.
- The Galar first partner Pokémon are the only regional first partner Pokémon that Ash Ketchum did not catch or receive.
- In Pokémon Yellow Special Pikachu Edition, and Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee!, Pikachu and Eevee are the only first partner Pokémon that cannot evolve in the games in which they are first partner Pokémon.
- Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee! first partner Pokémon are also unique in not being able to be traded to other games.
- The rule of creating first partner Pokémon, according to Ken Sugimori, is their first stages should not look too strong from the very beginning, and they should start to look powerful after evolving.
- The heaviest first partner Pokémon is Turtwig and the lightest first partner Pokémon is Rowlet.
- Both the lightest and heaviest first partner Pokémon are Grass-type Pokémon.
- Generation VI was the first generation to introdruce a set of first partner Pokémon that do not follow the traditional "one quadrupedal starter and two bipedal starter" mix. Rather, there are two quadrupedal starters (Fennekin and Froakie) and one bipedal starter (Chespin).
- Popplio is the only first partner Pokémon to be neither quadrupedal nor bipedal (it is pinniped instead).
- Decidueye is the only Alolan first partner Pokémon with a regional variant.
- Despite popular belief, the official name was always First Partner from the start and "Starter Pokémon" was always a fan name.
- In Japanese, since there are no consistent terms for first partner Pokémon, fans in that region often call them 御三家 (the big three) to refer to the Grass, Fire, and Water trios.
Gallery[]
Anime[]
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| Kanto | |
|---|---|
| Johto | |
| Hoenn | |
| Sinnoh | |
| Hisui | |
| Unova | |
| Kalos | |
| Alola | |
| Galar | |
| Paldea | |
