List of characters with first partner Pokémon

This page details characters who own a first partner Pokémon in different media throughout the 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 the first Pokémon obtained by various characters in different ascepcts of the franchise, see List of characters' first Pokémon.

Ash with his first Pokémon, Pikachu, and his three Kanto first partner Pokémon

In the games

The list does not include characters like rivals whose usage of first partner Pokémon is dependent on the player's choice.

Core series characters

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: More Masters EX content

• Misty owns a Blastoise in B2W2 as well as in Stadium.
• Lt. Surge owns a Pikachu in RGB and FRLG, as well as in Stadium.
• Erika owns a Venusaur in B2W2 as well as in Stadium 2.
• Sabrina owns a Typhlosion in Stadium 2.
• Blaine owns a Charizard in B2W2 as well as Stadium.
• Agatha owns a Venusaur in Stadium.
• Bruno owns a Blastoise in Stadium 2.
• Lance owns a Charizard in GSC, HGSS, B2W2, and PE (where it is able to Mega Evolve into Mega Charizard X), as well as in Stadium and Stadium 2. He also owns a Feraligatr in Stadium 2.
• Blue owns a Charizard in PE, where it is able to Mega Evolve into Mega Charizard Y. He also owns a Blastoise in Masters EX, where it is able to Mega Evolve.
• Falkner owns a Charizard in Stadium 2.
• Jasmine owns an Empoleon in HGSS. She also owns a Blastoise in Stadium 2.
• Clair owns a Charizard in HGSS as well as in Stadium 2.
• Janine owns a Meganium in Stadium 2.
• Cal owns a Meganium, Typhlosion, and Feraligatr in GSC and HGSS.
• Red owns a Venusaur, Charizard, Blastoise, and Pikachu in GSC, HGSS, B2W2, and SMUSUM (where his three fully evolved Kanto first partner Pokémon are able to Mega Evolve). In PE, he owns a Venusaur and Pikachu. In Stadium 2, he owns a Meganium, Typhlosion, and Feraligatr. In Masters EX, he owns a Venusaur, Charizard (which is able to Mega Evolve into Mega Charizard X), and Pikachu (which is able to Gigantamax).
• Wattson owns a Pikachu in Emerald.
• Flannery owns a Blaziken in B2W2.
• Wallace owns a Swampert in B2W2.
• Tucker owns a Charizard and Swampert in Emerald.
• Gardenia owns a Turtwig in DPPt and BDSP, which evolves into a Torterra in Platinum, B2W2, and BDSP. She also owns a Venusaur in BDSP.
• Maylene owns an Infernape in B2W2 and BDSP. She also owns a Blaziken and Empoleon in BDSP.
• Crasher Wake owns an Empoleon in B2W2. He also owns a Swampert in BDSP.
• Byron owns an Empoleon in BDSP.
• Candice owns a Venusaur in BDSP.
• Volkner owns a Swampert in BDSP.
• Flint owns an Infernape in DPPt and BDSP, as well as in Masters EX. He also owns a Blaziken in BDSP.
• Cheryl owns a Venusaur, Meganium, Sceptile, and Torterra in Platinum and HGSS.
• Riley owns a Blaziken and Infernape in DP.
• Marley owns a Sceptile in DPPt and HGSS.
• Mira owns an Empoleon in Platinum and HGSS.
• Dahlia owns a Blaziken in Platinum.
• Darach owns an Empoleon in Platinum.
• Chili owns an Emboar in B2W2.
• Cress owns a Samurott in B2W2.
• Cilan owns a Serperior in B2W2.
• Professor Sycamore owns the Kanto first partner Pokémon trio in XY, which evolve into their final forms in the second battle with him. His Bulbasaur also appears in Masters EX.
• Trevor owns a Pikachu in XY.
• Hau owns a Pikachu and Eevee in SMUSUM.
• Mallow owns a Sceptile in MUM.
• Lusamine has a Pikachu and the Alola first partner Pokémon frozen in her room at Aether Paradise in SMUSUM.
• Green owns a Blastoise in PE, where it is able to Mega Evolve.
• Leon owns a Charizard in SwSh as well as in Masters EX. It is able to Gigantamax in both games.
• Rei owns a Pikachu in Legends: Arceus. He also owns a Hisuian Decidueye in Masters EX.
• Akari owns a Pikachu in Legends: Arceus. She also owns a Hisuian Samurott in Masters EX.
• Zisu owns an Infernape in Legends: Arceus.
• Kofu owns a Feraligatr in SV.
• Tulip owns a Delphox in SV.
• Rika owns a Torterra in SV.
• Geeta owns a Chesnaught in SV.
• Miriam owns a Meganium in SV.
• Crispin owns a Blaziken in SV.
• Amarys owns an Empoleon in SV.
• Lacey owns a Primarina in SV.
• Drayton owns a Sceptile in SV.
• Kieran owns an Incineroar in SV.
• Cyrano owns a Serperior, Emboar, and Samurott in SV.

Spin-off characters

This section is incomplete. Please feel free to edit this section to add missing information and complete it. Reason: More PBR details, add many more characters

• Eagun owns a single Pikachu in Colosseum and a gains second one in XD.
• Wakin owns a Sceptile, Blaziken, and Swampert in XD.
• Agrev owns a Marshtomp in Colosseum.
• Gonzap owns a Venusaur, Charizard, and Blastoise in XD.
• Verde owns a Shadow Bayleef in Colosseum.
• Rosso owns a Shadow Quilava in Colosseum.
• Bluno owns a Shadow Croconaw in Colosseum.
• Dakim owns a Marshtomp in Colosseum, which evolves into Swampert in the third battle with him.
• Venus owns a Meganium in Colosseum.
• Nascour owns a Blaziken in Colosseum.
• Lovrina owns a Meganium in XD.
• Ardos owns a Charizard and Sceptile in XD.
• Terrell owns a Charmeleon, Quilava, Grotle, Monferno, and Prinplup in Battle Revolution.
• Dusty owns a Grovyle and Combusken in Battle Revolution.
• Joe owns a Pikachu, Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip, Torterra, Infernape, and Empoleon in Battle Revolution.
• Mysterial owns an Empoleon in Battle Revolution. If the player has registered Pokémon from Diamond, Platinum, or SoulSilver on a Custom Pass, he will have a Charizard. If the player has registered Pokémon from Pearl or HeartGold on a Custom Pass, he will have a Meganium.

In the anime

Pokémon the Series

The Sinnoh first partner Pokémon in Professor Rowan's laboratory

Most first partner Pokémon have appeared in the Pokémon the Series.

Received Pokémon

• 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.
• May started with a Torchic, which she received from Professor Birch and who later evolved into a Blaziken.
• Dawn started with a Piplup, which she received from Professor Rowan.
• Serena started with a Fennekin, which she received from Professor Sycamore, which has since evolved into Delphox.
• Kiawe started with a Charizard, which he received from his grandfather.
• 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 a wild Scorbunny in Galar, choosing it as his partner instead. It has since evolved into a Cinderace.
• Gary started with a Squirtle, which he received from Professor Oak and who later evolved into a Blastoise.
• Casey started with a Chikorita, which she received from Professor Elm and who later evolved into a Meganium.
• Sakura started with an Eevee, which later evolved into an Espeon.
• Jimmy (The Legend of Thunder!) started with a Cyndaquil, which he received from Professor Elm and who later evolved into a Typhlosion.
• Marina started with a Totodile, which she received from Professor Elm and nicknamed Wani-Wani, and which later evolved into a Feraligatr.
• Vincent started with a Chikorita, which he received from Professor Elm and who later evolved into a Meganium.
• Harrison started with a Torchic, which he received from Professor Birch and who later evolved into a Blaziken.
• Nicholai started with a Mudkip, which later evolved into a Marshtomp.
• Jimmy (Judgment Day!) started with a Squirtle, which later evolved into a Blastoise.
• Paul started with a Turtwig, which later evolved into Torterra.
• Kenny started with a Piplup, which later evolved into an Empoleon.
• 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, which later evolved into a Croconaw.
• Volkner started with a Pikachu, which later evolved into a Raichu.
• Trip started with a Snivy, which he received from Professor Juniper, who later evolved into a Serperior.
• Bianca started with a Tepig, which later evolved into an Emboar.
• Burgundy started with an Oshawott, which later evolved into a Dewott.
• Virgil started with an Eevee, which later evolved into an Umbreon.
• Alain started with a Charmander, which he received from Professor Sycamore, and which evolved into Charizard. It can Mega Evolve into a Mega Charizard X.
• Mairin started with a Chespin, which she received from Professor Sycamore. She nicknamed it Chespie.
• Tierno started with a Squirtle, which he received from Professor Sycamore and later evolved into Blastoise.
• Shauna started with a Bulbasaur, which she received from Professor Sycamore, which evolved into Ivysaur.
• Trevor started with a Charmander, which he received from Professor Sycamore, which evolved into Charizard. It can Mega Evolve into a Mega Charizard Y.
• Sawyer started with a Treecko, which he received from Professor Birch and later evolved into Sceptile. It can Mega Evolve into a 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, which later evolved into an Umbreon.
• Chloe started with an Eevee that can't evolve, which she caught outside of Cerise Laboratory.
• Leon started with a Charmander, which evolved into Charizard.
• Tommy (Abandon Ship!) started with a Mudkip, which later 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.
• 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.
• Nanette (New Places...Familiar Faces!) started with a Tepig, which she received from Professor Juniper.

Caught Pokémon

• Ash caught a Bulbasaur, a Charmander, and a Squirtle in quick succession in the Kanto region. Of the three, only Charmander evolved, becoming a Charmeleon, and later a Charizard, being very disobedient to Ash in both forms until an incident in the Orange Archipelago, after which he served Ash as he had when he was a Charmander. Bulbasaur was also going to evolve, but decided itself against becoming an Ivysaur in Bulbasaur's Mysterious Garden.
  • In the alternate continuity of I Choose You!, Ash only caught a Charmander, which also went on to evolve.
• Ash also caught the three Johto region first partner Pokémon, Chikorita, Cyndaquil, and Totodile, of which Chikorita and Cyndaquil evolved into Bayleef and Quilava, respectively.
• Ash caught a Treecko in Hoenn, while Brock captured a Mudkip. Treecko evolved twice, becoming Sceptile before Ash left it at Professor Oak's lab, while Brock's Mudkip evolved into Marshtomp. Along with May's Torchic, the traveling trio had the three first partner Pokémon of Hoenn.
• May caught a Bulbasaur midway through her journey in Hoenn, and was given a Squirtle by Professor Oak when she journeyed to Kanto. Bulbasaur evolved all the way into Venusaur and Squirtle evolved into Wartortle during May's travels through Johto.
• In Sinnoh, Ash repeated himself by catching Turtwig, who has since evolved into a Torterra. His rival, Paul, owned a Chimchar that was confirmed to be caught in the wild. He was released, recaught by Ash, and is now an Infernape.
• Dawn hatched a Cyndaquil during her journey in Sinnoh. It later evolved into Quilava.
• Like in the original series, Ash caught all of Unova's first partner Pokémon, Oshawott, Tepig, and Snivy. However, this time around, he caught them in reverse of the Pokédex order, and Oshawott was a first partner Pokémon that Professor Juniper allowed Ash to have after he ran away to be with him. Of the three, only Tepig has evolved, becoming a Pignite.
• Gary Oak had an Eevee at least since Ash was traveling in the Orange Archipelago. As it was revealed to be under his ownership before his Blastoise, it caused many to hearken back to Pokémon Yellow, where the player starts with Pikachu, like Ash, and the rival starts with Eevee. Either way, it was disproven that this was the case when Gary finally revealed his Blastoise to Ash. His Eevee eventually evolved into Umbreon.
• Ash caught a Froakie in Kalos, which used to belong to several other Trainers before being abandoned or abandoning the Trainer. It has since evolved into a Greninja.
• Clemont obtained a Chespin in Kalos. It originally belonged to Professor Sycamore as a starting Pokémon for new Trainers.
• Lana is revealed to have caught a Popplio in Alola. Popplio was rescued from being abused by members of Team Skull. It has since then evolved into Primarina.
• While Ash was in Alola, he caught a Rowlet who was living in a flock of Pikipek, a Trumbeak, and a Toucannon. Ash also encountered a Litten a few times before finally earning its trust and capturing it. Litten has since evolved into an Incineroar.
• During his second visit to Wyndon, Goh caught a Sobble. It has since evolved all the way into Inteleon.
• A Grookey belonging to Team Rocket decided to release itself while in Vermilion City in order to join Goh.

I Choose You! continuity

The movie I Choose You! and its sequel created a parallel continuity to the Pokémon the Series story.

• Ash started with a Pikachu he received from Professor Oak. He also caught a Charmander, which went on to evolve.
• Gary started with a Squirtle from Professor Oak.
• Marina started with Oak's Bulbasaur.
• Tierno started with Oak's Charmander.
• Risa catch a wild Eevee that eventually became her first Pokémon with the help of Ash and Pikachu.

Pokémon Horizons: The Series

• Liko started with a Sprigatito, which she received from the Indigo Academy. It has since evolved into Floragato.
• Roy chose a Fuecoco he met in his home island and befriended as his first partner.
• Dot started with a Quaxly she had befriended on the Brave Olivine, officially catching it in Levincia.
• Ann, Liko's classmate, also received her first partner, an Oshawott, from Indigo Academy. It has since evolved into a Dewott.

Pokémon Black 2 and White 2 Animated Trailer

Rosa and Serperior in the Black 2 and White 2 Animated Trailer

In the Black 2 and White 2 Animated Trailer, Nate is shown to have picked a Tepig, which appears as an Emboar throughout the trailer. Following the game's logic, Hugh is seen with a Samurott, which has a type advantage over Emboar. In the extended version of the trailer, Rosa is also seen using Serperior to battle Cheren's Stoutland.

Pokémon Origins

Red and Charizard in Pokémon Origins

In Pokémon Origins, Red's main Pokémon is his first, a Charmander he received from Professor Oak. It eventually evolves into Charizard and becomes 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.

Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire Animated Trailer

In the Pokémon Omega Ruby and Pokémon Alpha Sapphire Animated Trailer, Brendan is shown to have picked a Treecko, while May has both a Torchic and Mudkip. All three Pokémon are seen in their middle, final, and Mega Evolved forms.

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.

In the manga

Be the Best! Pokémon B+W

The fully evolved Unova first partner Pokémon in Be the Best! Pokémon B+W

Monta, Bianca, and Cheren received a Snivy, Oshawott, and Tepig respectively as their first Pokémon. They evolve into their final stages later on.

Pokémon Adventures

In Pokémon Adventures, first partner Pokémon are mostly reserved for Pokédex holders.

• Red received a Bulbasaur from Professor Oak, who he nicknamed "Saur". He became a Venusaur in his travels.
• Blue received a Charmander from his grandfather, who evolved twice into a Charizard.
• Green stole a Squirtle from Professor Oak, who she nicknamed "Blasty". He later evolved into a Blastoise.
• Yellow borrowed Red's Pikachu, and after Red took him back, caught a female Pikachu for herself who she nicknamed "Chuchu". Like the Pikachu in Yellow, neither evolved.
• Gold borrowed his a Cyndaquil from Professor Elm, and was later allowed to keep the Cyndaquil who he nicknamed "Exbo". He later becomes a Typhlosion alongside the other two Johto first partner Pokémon.
• Silver stole a Totodile from Professor Elm, as well as the first Pokédex of Johto. It evolved twice into a Feraligatr.
• Crystal found a Chikorita who ran away from Professor Elm. She nicknamed him "Megaree". He became a Meganium midway into their journey.
• Ruby received a Mudkip from Professor Birch who he nicknamed "Mumu". He evolved into a Swampert from the battles he underwent.
• Sapphire's father gave her a Torchic, who she nicknamed "Chic". She has since evolved twice under her Trainer's care into a Blaziken.
• Emerald's first Pokémon was a Sceptile he used as a rental Pokémon to challenge the Battle Factory. Emerald stole Sceptile, but it is later revealed it was always intended to be his, having been lost by Professor Birch before he could deliver it. He evolved from a Treecko under Wally's care, and later evolved on his own in the wild.
• Diamond received a Turtwig from Platinum because of a misunderstanding. He has since evolved to Torterra alongside the others.
• Pearl received a Chimchar from Platinum. The Chimchar has since evolved twice into an Infernape.
• Platinum received a Piplup from Professor Rowan. She has since become an Empoleon under her care.
• Black received a Tepig from Professor Juniper who later evolved into an Emboar. Initially, he was nicknamed "Tep", but the nickname was changed to "Nite" and eventually "Bo", making Black the only main character so far to change his Pokémon's nickname.
• White's first Pokémon was a Tepig named Gigi who she found alone in the rain. Later, White crosses paths with N, who has a Servine, and in a twist of fate, Gigi leaves White for N while Servine rescues White and ends up staying with her. White nicknamed her "Amanda". It was later revealed that both Gigi and Amanda were going to be given to new Trainers by Professor Cedric Juniper, but they were liberated by N. Amanda later evolved into a Serperior.
• Blake's first known Pokémon is a Dewott, given to him by the International Police Headquarters so he would have a partner Pokémon.
• Whitley received a Delphox from Trevor.
• X received a Chespin, nicknamed "Marisso", after he accepted him as a member of his team. He has since become a Chesnaught under his care.
• Y received a Froakie, nicknamed "Croaky", after she accepted him as a member of her team. He has since become a Greninja under her care.
• Sun received a Litten named Dollar from Professor Kukui. He has since become an Incineroar.
• Moon received a Rowlet from Professor Kukui. He has since become a Decidueye.
• Henry received a Grookey named Twiggy from Professor Magnolia. He has since become a Thwackey.
• Casey debuts with a Scorbunny. It has since become a Cinderace and is named Bit.

Pokémon Pocket Monsters

Green chooses Charmander as his first Pokémon.

Pokémon Zensho

In Pokémon Zensho, much like in the Pokémon Red and Green games on which the manga was based, Professor Oak offers Satoshi and Shigeru their choice of one out of three first partner Pokémon: Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle. Satoshi chooses Charmander, while Shigeru chooses Squirtle, leaving Bulbasaur with Professor Oak.

This game character article is part of Project CharacterDex, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each character found in the Pokémon games.