Squirtle

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Squirtle (Template:IPAc-en), known as Template:Nihongo in Japan, is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. It was designed by Atsuko Nishida.<ref name="Origin"/> Its name was changed from Zenigame to Squirtle during the English localization of the series in order to give it a "clever and descriptive name." In animated appearances, Squirtle is voiced in Japanese by Rikako Aikawa and in English localizations by Eric Stuart, and later Michele Knotz.

In the main series games, Squirtle can evolve into Wartortle, and can then further evolve into Blastoise. It is one of the three first partner Pokémon obtainable in Pokémon Red, Blue, and Green, the first games in the series. Squirtle has received a mostly positive reception since its debut. A group of specific Squirtle, known as the Squirtle Squad, additionally developed a strong popularity as a result of their appearance in the Pokémon anime. Squirtle has gone on to make playable appearances in Super Smash Bros. Brawl and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Design and characteristics

Squirtle is a species of fictional creatures called Pokémon created for the Pokémon media franchise. Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo, the Japanese franchise began in 1996 with the video games Pokémon Red and Green for the Game Boy, which were later released in North America as Pokémon Red and Blue in 1998.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> In these games and their sequels, the player assumes the role of a Trainer whose goal is to capture and use the creatures' special abilities to combat other Pokémon. Some Pokémon can transform into stronger species through a process called evolution via various means, such as exposure to specific items.<ref name="millenial">Template:Cite book</ref> Each Pokémon have one or two elemental types, which define its advantages and disadvantages when battling other Pokémon.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> A major goal in each game is to complete the Pokédex, a comprehensive Pokémon encyclopedia, by capturing, evolving, and trading with other Trainers to obtain individuals from all Pokémon species.<ref name="millenial" />

Squirtle was designed as one of the starter Pokémon of Pocket Monsters Red and Green by Atsuko Nishida, who based its design on its final form,<ref name="Origin">Template:Cite web</ref> a turtle-esque Pokémon called Blastoise. Squirtle, in the games, can evolve into Wartortle and then into Blastoise.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Originally called "Zenigame" in Japanese, Nintendo decided to give the various Pokémon species "cleverly descriptive names" related to their appearance or features when translating the game for western audiences as a means to make the characters more relatable to American children.<ref name="Time">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Squirtle's English name is a portmanteau of the words "squirt" and "turtle."<ref name="squirtleign">Template:Cite web</ref> The idea to feature Squirtle and the other Red and Blue starters in a significant role in Pokémon X and Y came about a year and a half into the development of the games. The Mega Evolutions for the three Pokémon's final forms were created, and the designers decided that they should give players an opportunity to receive one of these Pokémon in order to see their Mega Evolved form.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Eric Stuart<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="pccredits">Template:Cite video game</ref> and Michelle Knotz<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> have voiced the character in English, while Rikako Aikawa,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Tomoe Hanba have voiced the character in Japanese.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Appearances

The first video game appearance of Squirtle was in Pokémon Red and Blue, alongside the other two starters Charmander and Bulbasaur.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It since went on to appear in various games following this, such as Pokémon X and Y,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee!,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Pokémon Sword and Shield,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Outside of the main series, Squirtle appears in a wide variety of spin-offs, such as Pokémon Snap,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> the Pokémon Stadium series,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> the Pokémon Rumble series,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Pokémon Café Mix,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Pokémon Masters EX,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Pokémon Go,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Pokkén Tournament,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> New Pokémon Snap,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Pokémon UNITE,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> among others. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Squirtle is a playable character under the command of the Pokémon Trainer,<ref name="Dojo">Template:Cite web</ref> alongside Ivysaur and Charizard which must be switched between in order to avoid fatiguing the Pokémon.<ref name="Dojo" /> Squirtle returns as a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for the Nintendo Switch, once again playable with Ivysaur and Charizard.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In the animated series, Ash Ketchum, Brock, and Misty encounter a gang of five Squirtle known as the Squirtle Squad in his debut episode "Here Comes the Squirtle Squad!". They first appear as delinquents, but their interactions with Ash and Co. result in them becoming honorary firefighters of their town.<ref name=":1" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The squad's leader eventually decides to join Ash and his friends journey throughout the Kanto region.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Ash's second female companion, May, also owned a Squirtle.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Green, the original female protagonist in Pokémon Adventures, stole a Squirtle from Professor Oak's laboratory. It was not seen until Chapter fifteen, "Wartortle Wars", by which point it had evolved into a Wartortle, nicknamed Turtley, which she used as a major member of her team.<ref>Kusaka, Hidenori, & Mato. Pokémon Adventures: Legendary Pokémon, Vol. 2; Chapter 33, Chapter 15, "Wartortle Wars", (pg 7-20) VIZ Media LLC, December 6, 2001. Template:ISBN.</ref> Squirtle later appeared as background elements in the live action movie Detective Pikachu.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Promotion and reception

Squirtle has been featured in several forms of merchandise, including figurines, plush toys, and the Pokémon Trading Card Game. Squirtle was part of a special airplane livery.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Squirtle was featured among other Pokémon as part of Burger King kids' meal cards.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Analysts predicted that Squirtle, along with Pikachu, Bulbasaur, and Charmander, would lead the merchandising of the Pokémon series.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Squirtle was among eleven Pokémon chosen as Japan's mascots in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Since it appeared in the Pokémon series, Squirtle has received generally positive reception.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> According to Time magazine, Squirtle was considered one of the "more popular" in the original series,<ref name="Time" /> while IGN ranked it the 46th best Pokémon ever, noting that it was "instantly recognisable."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> GamesRadar editor Brett Elston noted that while Charizard and Bulbasaur get "big props" from Pokémon players, Squirtle appears to be "more popular" from people who are not fans of the series, suggesting that its appearance may be a part of it.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> ITmedia also ranked Squirtle as the fourth best first partner Pokémon, primarily due to its familiarity even with those not too closely associated with the franchise.<ref name="ITmedia">Template:Cite web</ref>

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The Squirtle Squad as they appear in the anime. The group have received significant attention since their debut.

Ryan Gilliam of Polygon claimed that Squirtle was the best starter Pokémon, stating that "Squirtle isn’t adorable or fierce like the Charmander line, it doesn’t breed eternal sympathy like Bulbasaur. Instead, Squirtle, Blastoise and even Wartortle are just cool dudes. They’re cool turtles that are just cool together." He highlighted its design in comparison to Bulbasaur and Charmander, praising its simplicity and personality.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> San Antonio Express-News editor Susan Yerkes called Squirtle "disgustingly cute".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> GamesRadar editor Carolyn Gudmundson commented that Squirtle was the "coolest" of the three starting Pokémon in the anime, highlighting its association with the Squirtle Squad in the anime.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Pocket Gamer listed and criticized Squirtle as the worst Pokémon ever, stating that Squirtle is "just a turtle".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It has been cited as more "boring" than other Pokémon due to its similarities to other Pokémon of the same type as it.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Squirtle Squad characters have been described as fan favorites,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and have acted as the subject of several Pokémon GO collaboration events.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> Vice writer Diana Tourjée described the initial episode featuring them as something that scared her as a child, citing that the Squirtle Squad initially appeared terrifying to her. Despite this, she highlighted in a retrospective that the Squirtle Squad's story was a powerful one that resonated with many groups of people. She stated that the attempts of the local police to paint them as a gang showed an unfair prejudice against a group that did not deserve it, and how it built the family dynamic between the Squirtle Squad members.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref> TheGamer's Khee Hoon Chan cited similar sentiments, stating that despite their initially menacing appearance, the Squad had a powerful backstory and a strong popularity among fans.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Gabriel Boric Font received a Squirtle plush just prior to his Inauguration as President of Chile as a gift from Japan after he stated he was a fan of the series.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> During a collaboration event in Pokémon GO with singer Ed Sheeran, Squirtle was a major focus event, which was stated to be due to Squirtle being Sheeran's favorite.<ref name=":0" />