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Zippo was introduced as a Charmander during the Indigo League Conference, breaking open a van wall Team Rocket trapped Ritchie and Ash in with Slash when Ash's Bulbasaur couldn't do it on its own. It is unclear whether Zippo or Sparky was Ritchie's first Pokémon. Later, Zippo was sent out when Ritchie's Butterfree, Happy, was taken out. Even though Pikachu dodged multiple Flamethrowers, it wasn't able to keep up and loses to Zippo's Tackle. Zippo's next opponent was Charizard and it was ready. However, Zippo runs from Charizard's Flamethrower after shooting a Flamethrower of its own. Afterwards, Zippo forfeits the battle when Ritchie recalls it. In Friends to the End, it was briefly shown battling Assunta's Rhydon. Afterwards, it was one of the Pokémon knocked out when Ritchie was left with Sparky. In that same episode, it saves Ash's Pikachu and Sparky when they were captured by Team Rocket.
In the special, Oaknapped, Zippo was sent out to take on Butch's Mightyena. It uses Flamethrower on Mightyena but some of the flames land on Professor Oak's hair. Zippo then Fire Spins it along with Cassidy's Sableye which lands on their Trainers, leaving Sparky to blast them off. In Celebi and Joy, Zippo finishes off the workers with Flamethrower combined with Sparky's Thunderbolt.
Personality and characteristics
Ritchie and Zippo
Zippo, as a Charmander, was willing to battle any opponent including ones that have evolved as shown when it was battling Charizard.