Bulbasaur

Bulbasaur is a Grass/Poison-type Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Designed by Atsuko Nishida, Bulbasaur debuted in Pocket Monsters: Red and Green (Pokémon Red and Blue outside Japan) as a starter Pokémon. Since then, it has reappeared in subsequent sequels, spin-off games, related merchandise, and animated and printed adaptations of the franchise. It is the first Pokémon in the franchise's monster index, called a Pokédex, with an index number of 0001. It is a central character in the Pokémon anime, being one of Ash Ketchum's main Pokémon for the first season, and a different one later being obtained by May. It is featured in various manga, and is owned by protagonist Red in the Pokémon Adventures manga. Bulbasaur has been featured in myriad pieces of merchandise, including toys, key chains, and plush dolls. Bulbasaur can evolve into Ivysaur and eventually Venusaur.

Bulbasaur has generally been received positively, considered one of the best Pokemon and best starter Pokemon, including by series producer Junichi Masuda. Its role in the anime has been suggested to have played a factor into its popularity.