List of characters' first Pokémon

This page details the known first partners of various characters throughout the Pokémon franchise.

For the list of Pokémon that are first available or choosable by the player in various games in the franchise, see List of the player's first Pokémon.
For a list of characters who own first partner Pokémon, see List of characters with first partner Pokémon.

In the games

The lists below show which Pokémon a character received as their first Pokémon, where this is known. The list does not include characters like rivals whose first Pokémon is dependent on the player's choice.

Core series

The rival of Pokémon Yellow, Blue, starts with an Eevee originally intended for the player. The Eevee will evolve into a Vaporeon if the player loses against the rival at the lab, Jolteon if the player wins against the rival at both the lab and Route 22, and Flareon if the player wins against the rival at the lab, and loses or skips the other battle.
Wally, with the help of the player and their father, will catch a Ralts. In the original Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald, it evolves into Gardevoir, but in the remakes, Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, it evolves into a Gallade capable of Mega Evolving.
The player's friend in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, Ethan or Lyra, will have a Marill.
In Pokémon Black 2 and White 2, Alder mentions that a Larvesta was his first partner. This predates the usage of the term "first partner Pokémon". He mentions the same Pokémon in Pokémon Masters EX as his first partner.
In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon's Episode RR, Lillie owns a Clefairy. This Clefairy is Lillie's only known Pokémon until she joins the player at the Battle Tree, and Lillie was not considered a Trainer prior to the events of the episode.
In Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon, Nanu gives a beginning Trainer a choice out of three Alolan Meowth with different personalities.
Trace will begin with either an Eevee^P or a Pikachu^E depending on the player's game of choice. It will evolve into either Jolteon or Raichu. These Pokémon differ from the Partner Pikachu and Eevee that the player obtains.
Hop has a Wooloo that he has owned since before the start of the game, and uses it in his first battle against the player. Over the course of the story, it evolves into Dubwool.
Marnie's first Pokémon is her Morpeko, which she received as a gift when she was five from her brother, Piers.
Bede's first Pokémon, as revealed in conversations in The Isle of Armor, is his Hatterene, which he received as a Hatenna when he met Chairman Rose.

Other games

Pokémon Masters EX

Anabel claims that her first partner was her Snorlax. Snorlax has appeared in both Pokémon Emerald and the Alola-based titles prior to Masters EX.
Rei says that the first Pokémon that he befriended in Hisui was his Hisuian Decidueye. Rei is based on the player from Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

In animation

Pokémon the Series

Ash and friends

Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.

Ash started with a Pikachu, which he received from Professor Oak. In Pokémon Journeys: The Series, he was revealed to be able to Gigantamax into a Gigantamax Pikachu.
Brock started with an Onix, which he received from his father and for some time stayed with his brother, Forrest, with whom it evolved into a Steelix. In Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon, it was revealed to be able to Mega Evolve into a Mega Steelix.
Jessie started with an Ekans, which she received for chūgen (a birthday present in the dub). It has since evolved into an Arbok. In Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire, she formally released it back into the wild.
James started with his pet Growlithe, which he nicknamed "Growlie". He however left Growlie behind when he ran away from home.
May started with a Torchic, which she received from Professor Birch. It has since evolved into a Blaziken.
Max intends to begin his journey with the Ralts he met in Do I Hear a Ralts?.
Dawn started with a Piplup, which she received from Professor Rowan.
Iris started with a Drilbur, which she saved from falling off a cliff when she was a little girl. He has since evolved into an Excadrill.
Cilan started with a Pansage, which he has had since childhood.
Serena started with a Fennekin, which she received from Professor Sycamore. She has since evolved into a Delphox.
Lana started with a Lapras, which she uses as her personal Ride Pokémon.
Kiawe started with a Charizard, which he received from his grandfather.
Lillie started with an Alolan Vulpix that hatched from an Egg, which she nicknamed "Snowy".
Sophocles started with a Togedemaru.
Mallow started with a Bounsweet, which she received in the forest behind the Pokémon School from her late mother. She has since evolved into a Tsareena.
Goh started with a Scorbunny while visiting the Galar region. It has since evolved into a Cinderace. Goh initially wanted his first Pokémon to be a Mew like the one he met when he was six, but he changed his mind after befriending the wild Scorbunny in Galar, choosing it as his first partner instead.
Chloe started with an Eevee that can't evolve, which she caught outside of Cerise Laboratory.

Ash choosing Pikachu as his first Pokémon
Young James with his first Pokémon, Growlie
Brock receiving Onix as his first Pokémon
May choosing Torchic as her first Pokémon
Dawn choosing Piplup as her first Pokémon
Iris choosing Drilbur as her first Pokémon
Serena choosing Fennekin as her first Pokémon
Lillie choosing Snowy as her first Pokémon
Mallow receiving Bounsweet as her first Pokémon
Goh choosing Scorbunny as his first Pokémon
Chloe choosing Eevee as her first Pokémon

Supporting characters

Gary started with a Squirtle, which he received from Professor Oak. It has since evolved into a Blastoise.
Casey started with a Chikorita, which she received from Professor Elm. It has since evolved into a Meganium.
Sakura started with an Eevee. It has since evolved into an Espeon.
Jimmy (The Legend of Thunder!) started with a Cyndaquil, which he received from Professor Elm. It has since evolved into a Typhlosion.
Marina started with a Totodile, which she received from Professor Elm, which she nicknamed "Wani-Wani". It has since evolved into a Feraligatr.
Vincent started with a Chikorita, which he received from Professor Elm. It has since evolved into a Meganium.
Harrison started with a Torchic, which he received from Professor Birch. It has since evolved into a Blaziken.
Nicholai started with a Mudkip. It has since evolved into a Marshtomp.
Jimmy (Judgment Day!) started with a Squirtle. It has since evolved into a Blastoise.
Yuzo said that he started his Pokémon journey with a Starly.
Paul started with a Turtwig. It has since evolved into a Torterra.
Zoey started with a Glameow, which she raised after it was abandoned.
Kenny started with a Piplup. It has since evolved into an Empoleon.
Cynthia started with a Gible that she hatched from an Egg as a child. She has since evolved into a Garchomp. In Pokémon Journeys: The Series, she was revealed to be able to Mega Evolve into a Mega Garchomp.
Aaron started with a Wurmple. It has since evolved into a Beautifly.
Barry's first Pokémon is currently unknown, but it was hinted in Stopped in the Name of Love! that his first Pokémon might be his Empoleon, which he received as a Piplup.
Lyra started with a Chikorita.
Khoury started with a Totodile. It has since evolved into a Croconaw.
Flint started with a Chimchar. It has since evolved into an Infernape.
Volkner started with a Pikachu. He has since evolved into a Raichu.
Trip started with a Snivy, which he received from Professor Juniper. He has since evolved into a Serperior.
Bianca started with a Tepig. He has since evolved into a Emboar.
Burgundy started with an Oshawott. It has since evolved into a Dewott.
Virgil started with an Eevee. He has since evolved into a Umbreon.
Aria started with a Fennekin, which has since evolved into a Delphox.
Alain started with a Charmander, which he received from Professor Sycamore. It has since evolved into a Charizard who can Mega Evolve into Mega Charizard X.
Mairin started with a Chespin, which she nicknamed "Chespie", who she received from Professor Sycamore.
Tierno started with a Squirtle, which he received from Professor Sycamore. He has since evolved into a Blastoise.
Shauna started with a Bulbasaur, which she received from Professor Sycamore. It has since evolved into an Ivysaur.
Trevor started with a Charmander, which he received from Professor Sycamore. It has since evolved into a Charizard who can Mega Evolve into Mega Charizard Y.
Sawyer started with a Treecko, which he received from Professor Birch. It has since evolved into a Sceptile who can Mega Evolve into Mega Sceptile.
Professor Kukui started with a Litten that he received from his parents. It has since evolved into an Incineroar.
Gladion started with an Eevee. It has since evolved into an Umbreon.
Leon started with a Charmander. It has since evolved into a Charizard.
Horace started with a Chikorita. It has since evolved into a Bayleef.

Characters of the day

Zackie (A Bout With Sprout) started with a Bellsprout, which he accidentally caught in Violet City when trying to catch Ash's Pikachu, which he thought was a wild Pokémon.
Tommy (Abandon Ship!) started with a Mudkip. It has since evolved into a Swampert.
Stephanie (Having a Wailord of a Time) started with a Mudkip, which she received from Nurse Joy at the Slateport City Pokémon Center.
- Stephanie's father started with a Treecko, which he received at the same time.
Gilbert (Journey to the Starting Line!) started with a Bulbasaur, which he received from Professor Oak.
Zander's (Caterpie's Big Dilemma) Caterpie was implied to be his first Pokémon in the episode, mentioning that his Caterpie was his first, although it was "not caught".
Tyler (The Thief That Keeps on Thieving!) started with a Piplup, which he nicknamed "Pippy", who he received from an unknown location in eastern Sinnoh.
Emmy (The Dragon Master's Path!) started with her Druddigon, which she received from her father when she started her journey.
Nanette (New Places...Familiar Faces!) started with a Tepig, which she received from Professor Juniper.

I Choose You! trilogy

A series of stories, including the movie trilogy consisting of I Choose You!, The Power of Us, and Secrets of the Jungle, along with the special episode The Distant Blue Sky, features different versions of the characters and world from Pokémon the Series.

Ash started with a Pikachu he received from Professor Oak.
Gary started with a Squirtle, which he received from Professor Oak.
Marina started with a Bulbasaur, which she received from Professor Oak.
Tierno started with a Charmander, which he received from Professor Oak.
Verity started with a Piplup.
Risa caught a wild Eevee as her first Pokémon with the help of Ash Ketchum and Pikachu.

Pokémon Horizons: The Series

Liko started with a Sprigatito, which she received from her homeroom teacher at Indigo Academy. She has since evolved into a Meowscarada. She is shown to Terastallize into a Grass type.
Roy started with a Fuecoco, who Roy met after Fuecoco slid from the Brave Olivine and landed on the island's shore where Roy met and befriended him. He has since evolved into Skeledirge. He is shown to Terastallize into a Fire type.
Ann started with an Oshawott, which she received from her homeroom teacher at Indigo Academy. It has since evolved into a Samurott.
Dot started with a Quaxly she had befriended on the Brave Olivine, officially catching him in Levincia. He has since evolved into a Quaxwell. He is shown to Terastallize into a Water type.
Amethio started with a Charcadet. It has since evolved into a Ceruledge.
Grusha started with a Cetoddle, which he obtained after ending his career as a snowboarder.
Lucius started with a Shiny Rayquaza.

Liko choosing Sprigatito as her first Pokémon
Roy choosing Fuecoco as his first Pokémon
Dot choosing Quaxly as her first Pokémon
Ann choosing Oshawott as her first Pokémon
Young Amethio choosing Charcadet as his first Pokémon

Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 Animated Trailer

Nate is shown with an Emboar throughout the trailer, implying that he picked a Tepig as his first Pokémon from Bianca.
Hugh is shown with an Samurott throughout the trailer, implying that he picked a Oshawott as his first Pokémon from Bianca.
In the extended version of the trailer, Rosa is shown with a Serperior to battle Cheren's Stoutland.

Pokémon Origins

Red started with a Charmander, which he received from Professor Oak. It has since evolved into a Charizard and is able to Mega Evolve into Mega Charizard X through a Key Stone and Charizardite X Red received as a thank-you gift from Mr. Fuji.
Blue started with a Squirtle, which he received from Professor Oak. It has since evolved into a Blastoise.

Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Animated Trailer

Brendan is shown with a Treecko. It later evolved into a Sceptile and Mega Evolve into Mega Sceptile.
May is shown with both a Torchic and Mudkip. Both later evolved into a Blaziken and a Swampert respectively and Mega Evolve into Mega Blaziken and Mega Swampert.

Pokémon Generations

In "The Adventure", Red is shown to have a Bulbasaur.
In "The Challenger", Blue is shown to have a Blastoise.
In "The Vision", Brendan is shown to have a Sceptile.
In "The Redemption", Calem is shown to have a Chesnaught and a Charizard.

Pokémon Masters Animated Trailer

Scottie is shown with a Pikachu.
Rosa is shown with a Snivy.
Bettie is shown with a Pikachu.
Barry is shown with a Piplup.
Flint is shown with a Infernape.
Brendan is shown with a Treecko.

Pokémon: Twilight Wings

Buddy focuses on Hop and his first Pokémon, Wooloo, before the events of Pokémon Sword and Shield.

POKÉTOON

In Blossom's Dream, Blossom sought to catch her first Pokémon. Eventually, this Pokémon ended up being the Nidoran♂ she bonded with through the episode.

Pokémon Evolutions

In "The Champion", Victor is shown to have a Inteleon, Hop has a Cinderace, and Leon has a Charizard.
In "The Plan", Hilda is shown to have a Tepig.
In "The Rival", Lucas is shown to have a Infernape, and Barry has a Piplup who later evolved into a Empoleon.
In "The Wish", May is shown to have a Swampert, which can Mega Evolve into Mega Swampert.
In "The Discovery", Red is shown to have a Charizard, Blue has a Venusaur, Green has a Blastoise which can Mega Evolve into Mega Blastoise, Elaine has a Pikachu, and Trace has a Jolteon.

Pokémon: Paldean Winds

Breathe Out focuses on Ohara and her first Pokémon, Fuecoco
Breathe In focuses on Aliquis and his first Pokémon, Meowscarada
Take a Breath focuses on Hohma and his first Pokémon, Quaxly, who later evolved into Quaxwell.

In the manga

Pokémon Adventures

Most characters in Pokémon Adventures do not start out with one of the first partner Pokémon. Instead, they usually have a Pokémon they were given by their parents when they were infants. Occasionally, it is not directly stated which Pokémon was their first Pokémon in the manga, but in profiles of their teams, their first Pokémon is marked with a star and is among the highest level in the party, even if they acquired more than one Pokémon at first.

Main characters

Red started with a Poliwag he had since his childhood, which he nicknamed "Poli". He has since evolved into a Poliwrath.
Blue started with a Scyther, he has since evolved into a Scizor.
Green started with a Jigglypuff that she received from the Masked Man, which she nicknamed "Jiggly". She has since evolved into a Wigglytuff.
Yellow started with a Rattata that Red taught her to catch, which she nicknamed "Ratty". He has since evolved into a Raticate.
Gold started with a Aipom that he received from his mother, which he nicknamed "Aibo". He has since evolved into a an Ambipom.
Silver started with a Sneasel that he received from his father as a child. He has since evolved into a an Weavile.
Crystal started with a Smoochum, although she acquired many wild Pokémon that lived as a family while she was in the wild.

Ruby started with a Poochyena, Skitty, and Ralts that he received from his father, which he nicknamed "Nana", "Kiki", and "Rara", respectively. They have since evolved into a Mightyena, Delcatty, and Gardevoir, respectively.
Sapphire started with a Aron that she received from her father, which she nicknamed "Rono". He has since evolved into an Aggron
Emerald started with a Sceptile. Originally when he arrived in the Battle Frontier, he had no Pokémon on hand. Then he challenged the Battle Factory using only rental Pokémon, nearly at the end of the challenge, he noticed something suspicious about a Sceptile so he decided to steal him from the facility and kept him afterward. It is later revealed that this Sceptile was supposed to be his in the first place. In the Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire arc, he was revealed to be able to Mega Evolve into a Mega Sceptile.
Diamond started with a Munchlax, which he nicknamed "Lax".
Pearl started with a Chatot, which he nicknamed "Chatler".
Platinum started with a Ponyta, he has since evolved into a Rapidash.
Black started with a Rufflet that he captured with the help of a wild Munna he had befriended, which he nicknamed "Brav", and "Musha", respectively. They have since evolved into a Braviary, and Musharna, respectively.
White started with a Tepig she found in the pouring rain, which she nicknamed "Gigi". Gigi was with White until she decided to leave White to follow N.
Blake started with a Dewott, which he received from International Police Headquarters so he would have a partner Pokémon.
Whitley started with a Foongus, that she received from Team Plasma's Anthea and Concordia, who allowed Whitley to pick the Pokémon she felt closest to, which she nicknamed "Foongy".
X started with a Kangaskhan, which he nicknamed "Kanga and Li'l Kanga".
Y started with a Fletchling, which she nicknamed "Fletchy". She has since evolved into a Fletchinder.
Sun started with an Alolan Meowth, previously owned by his great-grandfather, which was nicknamed "Cent".
Moon's first Pokémon is unknown, as she caught a Grubbin, Alolan Grimer, and Mareanie around the same time. They have since evolved into Charjabug, and Alolan Muk, respectively, while Mareanie never evolved.
Henry Sword started with a Galarian Farfetch'd, which he nicknamed "Lancelot". He has since evolved into a Sirfetch'd.
Casey Shield's first Pokémon is unknown, as she was shown having an Arrokuda, Toxtricity, Falinks, Galarian Stunfisk, and Eiscue prior to her introduction, which she he nicknamed "Kilo", "Tera", "Giga", "Mega" and "Peta", respectively. Tera can Gigantamax into Gigantamax Toxtricity.
Scarlet's first Pokémon is unknown, as she was shown with a Pikachu, Tarountula, and Palafin, without catching them, so it is unknown if she caught them before her first appearance or caught them along her journey.
Violet's first Pokémon is unknown, as he was shown with a Miraidon, Nymble, and Paldean Wooper, without catching them, so it is unknown if he caught them before his first appearance or caught them along his journey.

Pokémon Pocket Monsters

Red started with a Clefairy. Red was offered a choice of one of the Kanto first partner Pokémon, but he decided to keep a Clefairy that he met on his way to Professor Oak's lab as his first Pokémon instead.
Green started with a Charmander, which he received from Professor Oak.
Gold started with a Cyndaquil.
Silver started with a Totodile.
Sapphire started with a Torchic, which she received from Professor Birch.

The Electric Tale of Pikachu

Ash started with a Pikachu.
Gary is shown with a Venusaur.

Pokémon Zensho

Satoshi started with a Charmander, which he received from Professor Oak, it has since evolved into a Charizard.
Shigeru started with a Squirtle, which he received from Professor Oak, it has since evolved into a Blastoise.
Professor Oak kept Bulbasaur after Satoshi and Shigeru got their first partner Pokémon as he would have been too lonely without it. It has since evolved into a Venusaur.

Pokémon Gold & Silver: The Golden Boys

Gold started with a Totodile, which he at first borrowed from Professor Elm so that he may run an errand for him, but Elm allowed Gold to keep the Totodile. It has since evolved into a Croconaw.
Black started with a Chikorita, after he stole it from Professor Elm's lab. It has since evolved into a Bayleef. Black released the Bayleef after it failed to defeat a Lapras. It has since been caught by Gold.

Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire (CoroCoro Comic)

Ruby started with a Mudkip, after he picked a Poké Ball in order to save Professor Birch from a wild Poochyena, with Birch letting Ruby keep the Mudkip as a gift for rescuing him.
Sapphire started with a Torchic.

Pokémon Battle Frontier

Enta started with a Vulpix, it has has since evolved into a Ninetales.

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl (manga)

Kenta started with a Turtwig, after picking a Poké Ball from Professor Rowan's suitcase in order to defend himself from a flock of Starly.
Barry started with a Chimchar, after picking a Poké Ball from Professor Rowan's suitcase in order to defend himself from a flock of Starly.

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Adventure!

Hareta started with a Piplup, after choosing it in order to save Mitsumi from a rampaging Onix, it has since evolved into a Empoleon.
Mitsumi started with a Chimchar, which she received from Professor Rowan, it has since evolved into a Infernape.
Jun started with a Turtwig, it has since evolved into a Torterra.

Pocket Monsters HGSS Jō's Big Adventure

Jō started with a Totodile, which he received from Professor Elm, it has since evolved into a Feraligatr.
Tsubaki started with a Chikorita, which he got from Professor Elm's lab, it has since evolved into a Meganium.

Be the Best! Pokémon B+W

Monta started with a Snivy, it has since evolved into a Serperior.
Cheren started with a Tepig, it has since evolved into a Emboar.
Bianca started with a Oshawott, it has since evolved into a Samurott.

Pocket Monsters BW: Meetings with the Legends

Touya started with a Oshawott, which he received from Professor Juniper, it has since evolved into a Samurott.
Bianca started with a Tepig, which she received from Professor Juniper, it has since evolved into a Pignite.
Cheren started with a Snivy, which he received from Professor Juniper, it has since evolved into a Servine.

Pocket Monsters BW

Pocket Monsters BW: The Heroes of Fire and Thunder

Shin started with a Tepig, it has since evolved into a Emboar.

Pocket Monsters B2 W2 ~ A New Legend ~

Arata started with a Oshawott, which he rescued from a pair of Team Plasma grunts who attempted to steal the three first partner Pokémon offered to him by Bianca. It has since evolved into a Samurott.

Pocket Monsters BW: Good Partners

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Pokémon Omega Ruby Crimson Passion and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire Indigo Wisdom

Omega started with a Mudkip, it has since evolved into a Swampert,
Alpha started with a Treecko, it has since evolved into a Sceptile.

Pokémon Horizon

Akira started with a Rockruff, which has a unique ability to evolve into Lycanroc and then devolve into Rockruff again, thanks to the strange red stone on its neck. It also has the ability to change between its Midday and Midnight Forms while being evolved.
Mana started with a Rowlet, it has since evolved into a Decidueye.