In the mainline Pokémon games up to Generation VII, every Trainer needed a Water-type, or at least a species that could learn several useful Water-type moves, on their team. After all, Trainers needed to use moves such as Surf, Dive and Waterfall to progress through the game. Though this is no longer required in newer games, many Trainers still wish to have one or more Water-type Pokémon on their main team.
Some of the most popular Water-type Pokémon are starter Pokémon, such as Swampert and Feraligatr. Ever since the debut of Blastoise in Generation I, Trainers have often chosen Water-type Pokémon as their ace, with a similar concept occurring in the anime. Naturally, the spotlight of each fully evolved Water-type Pokémon starter varies, with some having greater legacies than others.
Quaquaval Is Renowned for Its Dancing
The Dancer Pokémon Can Use Powerful Kicking Moves
The most recent Water-type starter Pokémon, Quaxly acts as one of the many starter Pokémon from Paldea. According to the Pokédex, Quaxly is actually from another region, and cares deeply about its appearance. Upon evolving into Quaxwell, the Water-type still takes care of its looks, but spends much more time practicing its dance and battle moves. The final evolution of Quaxly, Quaquaval, truly encapsulates how hard the Water/Fighting-type has worked. Thanks to its training, the dazzling Quaquaval uses its dance moves not just for performance, but to deliver powerful kicks.
In Pokémon Horizons: The Series, Pokémon Trainer Dot has a Quaxly as her partner Pokémon, now a Quaxwell. However, it has yet to evolve into a Quaquaval. So far, the only major role that the Dancer Pokémon has is with Pokémon Trainer Yūto, who would later train a powerful Amarouge. However, as Skeledirge and Meowscarada have appeared in Pokémon Horizons: The Series, Quaquaval’s greatest role is sure to come along soon.
Feraligatr’s Jaws Are a Force To Be Reckoned With
A Popular Starter From the Johto Region
Totodile is an adorable and energetic starter and popular with many Trainers, but a wise Trainer knows to be careful. After all, Totodile has a tendency to bite anything around it with its strong jaws. These jaws only grow stronger over time, even more so after evolving into Croconaw and then Feraligatr. The Big Jaw Pokémon will open its mouth to intimidate foes, showing off its sharp fangs. Usually, Feraligatr moves slowly, but stuns foes by suddenly rushing at fierce speeds, especially in the water.
Though Ash trained his own Totodile, he never evolved it into a Croconaw or Feraligatr. As such, the most important role Feraligatr has had is in Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl. In previous seasons, Marina, the anime counterpart of Kris from Pokémon Crystal, was shown with a Totodile. By the time the duo arrived in Sinnoh, her partner Pokémon, nicknamed Wani-Wani, had evolved into a Feraligatr. Wani-Wani works well with its Trainer and fellow Pokémon in battles and Pokémon Contests, as seen with its use of Aqua Tail and its speed.
Samurott Works With a Unique Sword Art
The Formidable Pokémon Is a Strict Leader
The fan-favorite Oshawott has remained a popular starter choice since its debut in Pokémon Black and Pokémon White. Oshawott is rarely seen without its signature scalchop, a scallop-like weapon that grows from its chest. Throughout its life, Oshawott, later Dewott and Samurott, never stops honing its fighting skills. Samurott is especially a fierce fighter, as well as a very serious leader who is not afraid to punish group members who act out.
Cameron, a rival of Ash’s in the Unova region, is well-known for his partner Pokémon, a Lucario. However, he is also shown alongside a female Samurott who proves to be a true powerhouse. She is especially formidable against Bianca’s team members, including her Emboar and her Escavalier. Like other members of her species, Samurott is able to use powerful moves such as Megahorn, Hydro Pump, and, of course, Razor Shell.
Swampert’s Strength Has Brought It Fame
Mega Swampert Was Introduced in Generation VI
From the time it is born, Mudkip knows to read the vibrations of the air with the fin atop its head. Alongside its strength, this foresight only grows in power, from its evolution into Marshtomp to its evolution into Swampert. The Mud Fish Pokémon is well-known for its amazing swimming skills, able to swim faster than a jet ski, even while pulling large ships. This amazing strength only increases after Mega Evolving into Mega Swampert, a process that greatly increases the power of its arm muscles.
Though Brock, a famous former traveling companion of Ash’s, trained a Mudkip that later evolved into Marshtomp, it never evolved into Swampert. As such, Swampert has only had relatively minor roles, though it has appeared alongside powerful Trainers. Aside from Tommy and Morrison, the Water/Ground-type has battled for Wallace, a legendary Water-type Trainer. A Swampert owned by May also appeared in the trailer for Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire, where it showed its strength as Mega Swampert.
Inteleon Is Swift and Possesses a Keen Eye
The Water-type Is Also Able To Glide Through the Air
The adorable Sobble is known for its cautious and timid demeanor; in fact, it gets scared easily. When this occurs, the Water Lizard Pokémon will start crying giant tears, which have a similar chemical component to dozens of onions. As its foes begin to weep themselves, Sobble may use this opportunity to flee. Upon evolving into Drizzile and then Inteleon, however, the Secret Agent Pokémon focuses a lot more on its amazing accuracy and camouflage abilities, as well as its agility.
Inteleon can be rather lazy at times, though it will always battle for a Trainer it cares for. This can be seen especially in the example of Goh and his Inteleon, whom he has trained since he was a Sobble. Since evolving, Inteleon has become one of Goh’s ace Pokémon, thanks to its keen eye and excellent evasion tactics. Leon himself also has an Inteleon on his team, which appeared as he fought Ash’s Gengar during the finale of the Masters Eight Tournament.
Empoleon Will Fiercely Guard Its Home in the Wild
The Emperor Pokémon Is Known for Its Speed
Many starter Pokémon trios, such as the groups from Kanto and Hoenn, remain popular among fans. However, another fan-favorite trio is the starter group from the Sinnoh region. Perhaps the most popular of the bunch is Piplup, the adorably charming Penguin Pokémon. Like the rest of its line, Piplup is very prideful, and prefers to be independent. This makes the Water-type a tough Pokémon to train, as it will initially not want to work alongside its Trainer. However, as time goes on, the Penguin Pokémon and its evolutions make amazing allies.
Although Dawn is well-known for training a Piplup of her own, Ash’s rival Barry is shown with an Empoleon. Though the Emperor Pokémon is often annoyed with its Trainer’s antics, the Water/Steel-type nevertheless remains a loyal friend to the impatient Pokémon Trainer. Due to its amazing overall battle statistics, Empoleon assisted Barry with securing the majority of his Gym Badges. Like other of his species, Empoleon is capable of using moves such as Hydro Pump, Metal Claw and Drill Peck.
Primarina Coined the Sparkling Aria Attack
A Compassionate Pokémon That Loves To Sing
Though the other Alolan starter Pokémon appear to be more popular, Popplio is nevertheless a wonderful choice for a first Pokémon. This charming and friendly Pokémon loves to be the center of attention, and works hard to create large, bouncy water bubbles. Over time, Popplio becomes much more adept at controlling its Water-type moves, especially after evolving into Brionne and Primarina. The mermaid-like Soloist Pokémon is famous for its signature move, Sparkling Aria, which is based off of its main song. This melody has been passed down to members of the species for generations.
A well-known Primarina remains the partner Pokémon of Lana, one of Ash’s friends from Alola. In the past, Popplio was attacked by Team Skull but thankfully saved by Lana; the young Water-type Trainer thus decided to look after the starter Pokémon. Over time, Popplio grew much stronger, as especially seen during its time as a Primarina. In fact, it evolved from Brionne in order to save Lana, all while the Trainer battled against the Legendary Pokémon Kyogre.
Blastoise’s Water Jets Are Powerful Enough To Destroy Concrete
The Shellfish Pokémon Can Also Mega Evolve and Gigantamax
Like Charmander and Bulbasaur, Squirtle is one of the most popular starter Pokémon in history. The fun-loving Water-type especially became famous via the original Pokémon anime, thanks to the Squirtle Squad. The energetic leader of the beloved group later joined Ash’s team, and though it never evolved, became a core part of Ash’s roster. However, the fully evolved form of Squirtle, the Shellfish Pokémon Blastoise, certainly has a fantastic legacy of its own.
Blastoise is capable of Mega Evolving, as seen with the Water-type Pokémon owned by Green and Tierno. However, the most well-known Blastoise by far are the ones owned by Blue Oak’s anime counterparts. Gary Oak, for instance, has a powerful Blastoise that has remained by his side even when the young Trainer decides to become a Researcher instead of a regular Trainer. Meanwhile, in Pokémon Origins and Pokémon Generations, both versions of Blue use a Blastoise as their ace, with each being incredibly hard to defeat.
Only Greninja Can Work With the Bond Phenomenon
The Rise and Fall of Ash-Greninja
Ash has traveled alongside many amazing Pokémon over the course of his journey, from Charizard to Infernape. However, a slightly more recent example of a timeless ally lies with his friend Greninja. As a Froakie, the Water-type lived alone after being exiled from its horde, and focused even more on honing in its skills. However, it learned to have trust in others once more after meeting Ash and Pikachu. Their bond would prove to be an extraordinary one, especially after the Water-type evolved into Greninja from Frogadier.
This particular Greninja is the only known example of a Pokémon part of an odd supernatural circumstance called the Bond Phenomenon. Initially, the two struggled to get a hold of this unique ability. Thankfully, by working together and overall working on their trust with one another, Ash and Greninja were able to truly utilize this power, enough for it to come in handy during Team Flare’s attempt to take over Kalos. As of now, Greninja lives in the wild in Kalos, using its abilities to watch over its home. However, there have not been any Pokémon with the Bond Phenomena ability since Ash-Greninja, despite it being such an important element in the anime.
- Release Date
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1997 – 2023
- Network
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TV Tokyo, TV Osaka, TV Aichi, TVh, TVQ, TSC
- Directors
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Shigeru Omachi, Koji Ogawa, Fumihiro Ueno, Hideki Hiroshima, Maki Kodaira, Makoto Ooga, Ayumi Moriyama, Keitaro Motonaga, Shigeru Ueda, Fumihiro Yoshimura, Minoru Ohara, Yoshitaka Makino, Kiyoshi Egami, Makoto Sokuza, Bjarne Heuser, Naoki Murata, Kenichi Nishida, Tomoe Makino, Masahiko Watanabe, Hiroaki Takagi, Tazumi Mukaiyama, Ryohei Horiuchi, Yoshihiro Oda, Hiromichi Matano
- Writers
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Junki Takegami, Atsuhiro Tomioka, Hideki Sonoda, Yukiyoshi Ôhashi, Yuka Miyata, Takeshi Shudo, Shouji Yonemura, Shinzo Fujita, Michihiro Tsuchiya, Deko Akao, Reiko Yoshida, Aya Matsui, Junichi Fujisaku
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Rica Matsumoto
Satoshi (voice)
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Ikue Otani
Pikachu (voice)
