March 6th will bring the North American release of both Pokémon Black and Pokémon White for the Nintendo DS, and we’ve decided to re-cast our votes and update our list of the Top 25 Pokémon of All-Time! Last time around, Mew came out on top, while you readers voiced your surprise that the famous Charizard was nowhere to be found. This time, voting has been opened to all 649 Pokémon spread out over five generations… but has anything changed?
The list continues where we left off, starting out with #15 and counting down through #11. We’ll reveal a little bit more of the list each day for the rest of the week, leading to our current pick as our favorite Pokémon of all-time on Saturday evening! Head on past the break to find out which Pokémon made the razor leaf cut!
#15 – Ho-Oh
Who’s That Pokémon?
Ho-Oh is the Rainbow Pokémon. Partially based on the legendary Persian Huma, Ho-Oh flies around the world continuously without rest as its vibrant, seven-colored wings grace the skies, trailed by an awe-inspiring rainbow. Ho-Oh has the power to resurrect the dead — as it did to the Raikou, Entei, and Suicune that perished in the Brass Tower — while its feathers can bring happiness to anyone who bears one.
In the anime, Ho-Oh serves primarily as a symbol of Ash Ketchum’s journey. Despite being a second-generation Pokémon from the Johto region, the mythical bird was seen by Ash at the end of the very first episode of the series. His PokéDex was unable to identify Ho-Oh, informing him that the world has many more Pokémon that have yet to be discovered. Ho-Oh later appeared in the skies again and subsequently encouraged Ash to continue his journey to the Hoenn region.
Why did we pick it?
Ho-Oh largely remains a question mark, effectively a true “legendary” Pokémon. In the continuity of the games, it resembles the Chinese phoenix, Fenghuang, and will only appear to a trainer possessing the Rainbow Wing. In the anime, Ho-Oh is rarely seen and serves, as mentioned, as a symbol of Ash’s continuing journey to be the world’s greatest Pokémon trainer. A teaser trailer for the 13th Pokémon movie briefly showed what seemed to be a battle between Ho-Oh and its polar opposite, Lugia, but Ho-Oh was once again denied the spotlight as that movie eventually became Zoroark: Master of Illusions. With such a aura of mystery surrounding Ho-Oh, it’s no wonder why many people remain fascinated by it.
#14 – Togepi
Who’s That Pokémon?
Togepi, the Spike Ball Pokémon, is a symbol of luck and happiness. Joy is literally said to fill the shell of Togepi’s body, as it is collected from the kindness, joy, pleasure, and compassion radiating out of all that surround it. This happiness will be shared with any person who can somehow manage to make a sleeping Togepi stand up.
Togepi is one of the first Generation II Pokémon to appear in the anime, when it hatched from an egg that was found by Ash and cared for by Brock. Upon hatching, it first saw Misty and assumed she was its mother. In the games, Togepi doesn’t learn any significant damage-dealing moves until it levels into the 40s, however its Metronome move can be learned fairly early on and can pack quite a punch.
Why did we pick it?
Togepi was one of the flood of “baby” Pokémon introduced in Generation II, which meant it was adorable from the get-go. Misty’s Togepi in particular would often wander off on its own, prompting concern in Pikachu who then felt the need to follow Togepi and keep it out of trouble. Togepi would always blissfully and unknowingly walk through dangerous situations without hesitation, while Pikachu’s stress levels went through the roof.
Eventually, Togepi became permanently linked to Misty’s character, just as much or even more so than her Staryu, Starmie, and Psyduck. Since Misty’s departure, the show has seen replacement characters such as May, Max, and Dawn come and go. Even Brock no longer travels with Ash. However, Togepi will always remind us of Misty. PokéShippers FTW.
#13 – Gengar
Who’s That Pokémon?
The Shadow Pokémon, Gengar, was the final evolution of the only line of ghost Pokémon in the original Red, Green, Blue, and Yellow games. In the anime, when Ash had trouble with Sabrina’s psychic Pokémon, he sought out a ghost Pokémon and spent some time with Gengar, as well as Gastly and Haunter.
While Gengar can be malicious as it likes to place curses on others and drain their life forces, many times they are just trying to have fun. Gengar like to come out at night and stalk both people and Pokémon by hiding in their shadows. Gengar, as the “shadow,” might then walk faster and overtake the owner of said shadow, simply to mess with their heads.
While still a speed threat in the games, Gengar suffer from the ghost/poison typing… effectively weakening them to attacks from the psychic Pokémon they were intended to beat.
Why did we pick it?
The simple fact that Gengar has the most michevious smile on the planet bumps him up our list. It’s like the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland and Slimer from Ghostbusters world have joined forces to ruin your day just for the fun of it. Don’t think Gengar stops at some pananormal activity, he also helps you gang up on the smelly kid with a measely Haunter. Poor smelly kid, no one wants to trade with you. I’m not laughing at you, I’m laughing at you with my Gengar. My Gengar that knows hypnosis and dream eater and would consider consuming your soul, if it weren’t so smelly.
#12 – Bulbasaur
Who’s That Pokémon?
Bulbasaur is the Seed Pokémon, in more ways than one. Serving as a permanent bookend to a PokéDex that now spans 649 Pokémon, Bulbasaur is one of the three starter Pokémon options for trainers in Kanto. The seed on Bulbasaur’s back is capable of photosynthesis and can store energy for Bulbasaur, reducing the need to physically eat on a regular basis. The seed continues to grow as it soaks up the energy of sunlight, at least until Bulbasaur is ready to evolve into Ivysaur.
On the anime, both Ash and May have owned a Bulbasaur.
Why did we pick it?
The three original starters hold places very dear in many hearts across the world, and while the debate over the best one will likely rage on until the end of time, you can’t argue with the fact that all of them are awesome. This little green guy comes Bulba-soaring onto our list equiped with the extra bit of sass that it takes to make it out there in (Poké-region of your choice). Anyone who watched the original TV series knows that Bulbasaur has the grit, determination, and spunk of Shawn Johnson going for gold in Beijing. Also, guess who is number 1 in the PokéDex? That’s right, Bulbasaur. Try and pretend that isn’t relevant.
#11 – Squirtle
Who’s That Pokémon?
The backs of Squirtle harden shortly after birth, creating the turtle shell that defines many of this Pokémon’s characteristics. Squirtle can retract itself into its shell to protect itself or to tuck itself in for an attack. In addition, Squirtle’s streamlined shell allow it to swim at intensely high speed through the water. Squirtle can shoot high volume jets of water from its mouth, as should be expected of water Pokémon.
In the anime, Squirtle served as the starter Pokémon for Gary Oak. The only “wild” Squirtle were a group that had been abandoned by their trainers. This “Squirtle Squad” initially disliked human trainers and would pull pranks on them. Eventually, however, the squad would save a town from a fire and become the local firefighter squad. The leader Squirtle chose instead to depart from its comrades and join Ash’s team of Pokémon, befriending Pikachu and Bulbasaur. Squirtle eventually rejoined the Squirtle Squad, but fans got their water-Pokémon fix when May obtained a Squirtle of her own.
Why did we pick it?
True confession: I (Joey) have had a Squirtle Pokémon card in my wallet for for several years now. As fans are well aware, Squirtle is one of the three starters from Pokémon’s first generation of games making it the first Pokémon a significant number of trainers ever owned. In other media, Squirtle was one of the three playable Pokémon in Super Smash Bros. Brawl for the Pokémon Trainer character. Early on in the Pokémon anime on television, this Pokémon was also featured in a trouble-making gang known as the “Squirtle Squad” in a particularly memorable episode. For these reasons, and many more, Squirtle has earned a spot at number eleven on our list.
That puts the splash on tonight’s list. Be sure to check back here tomorrow night as we continue counting down our favorite Pokémon all the way down to our #1 all-time favorite on the eve of the North American launch of Pokémon Blackand White, coming March 6th! Be sure to leave some comments below regarding your thoughts on these picks, and your predictions for the rest of the list!
