Editing Squirtle (section)

==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>{{Cite web |title=ANA's Pokémon Jet Homepage |url=https://www.ana.co.jp/eng/flights/pokemonjet/design.html |access-date=2024-02-12 |archive-date=2009-02-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207185035/http://www.ana.co.jp/eng/flights/pokemonjet/design.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Squirtle was featured among other Pokémon as part of [[Burger King]] kids' meal cards.<ref>{{cite web |date=14 February 2008 |title=Pokemon 2000 Toys |url=http://www.fastfoodtoys.net/burger%20king%20pokemon%20power%20cards.htm |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080214165837/http://www.fastfoodtoys.net/burger%20king%20pokemon%20power%20cards.htm |archive-date=14 February 2008 |access-date=27 August 2016}}</ref> Analysts predicted that Squirtle, along with [[Pikachu]], [[Bulbasaur]], and [[Charmander]], would lead the merchandising of the Pokémon series.<ref>{{cite news |date=1999-04-06 |title=Pokemon The Quest for the Wild |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SL&p_theme=sl&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB05185AA665947&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029202002/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SL |archive-date=2013-10-29 |access-date=March 16, 2011 |work=St. Louis Post-Dispatch}}</ref>
Squirtle was among eleven Pokémon chosen as Japan's mascots in the [[2014 FIFA World Cup]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Farokhmanesh |first=Megan |date=March 15, 2014 |title=Pikachu is Japan's official mascot for the FIFA 2014 World Cup Brazil |url=https://www.polygon.com/2014/3/15/5512550/pikachu-is-japans-official-mascot-for-the-fifa-2014-world-cup-brazil |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221112151818/https://www.polygon.com/2014/3/15/5512550/pikachu-is-japans-official-mascot-for-the-fifa-2014-world-cup-brazil |archive-date=November 12, 2022 |access-date=July 12, 2021 |website=Polygon}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bogos |first=Steven |date=2014-03-17 |title=Pikachu Will be Japan's Official Mascot For 2014 Soccer World Cup |url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/pikachu-will-be-japans-official-mascot-for-2014-soccer-world-cup/ |access-date=2024-06-10 |website=The Escapist |language=en-US}}</ref>

Since it appeared in the ''[[Pokémon]]'' series, Squirtle has received generally positive reception.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Webster |first=Andrew |date=February 27, 2016 |title=The 10 best Pokemon of all time |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/2/27/11116786/best-pokemon-20th-anniversary-eevee-squirtle-gyarados-nintendo-day |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127090150/https://www.theverge.com/2016/2/27/11116786/best-pokemon-20th-anniversary-eevee-squirtle-gyarados-nintendo-day |archive-date=November 27, 2022 |access-date=July 9, 2021 |website=The Verge}}</ref> According to ''[[Time (magazine)|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>{{cite web |title=Squirtle - #46 Top Pokémon |url=http://www.ign.com/top/pokemon/46 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415062441/http://www.ign.com/top/pokemon/46 |archive-date=2014-04-15 |access-date=2014-03-02 |work=[[IGN]] |quote=The Water Type starter from the first Pokémon generation, Squirtle appears as one of Ash’s Pokémon in the anime and is probably instantly recognisable to anyone who has been around an eight year-old at some point in the last 15 years.}}</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>{{cite web |author=Brett Elston |date=24 August 2007 |title=The complete Pokemon RBY pokedex, part 1, Pokemon Diamond/Pearl DS Features |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/ds/f/the-complete-pokemon-rby-pokedex-part-1/a-200708209459101025/g-2006100415372930075/p-7 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004152634/http://www.gamesradar.com/the-complete-pokemon-rby-pokedex-part-1/ |archive-date=2012-10-04 |access-date=2011-03-16 |publisher=GamesRadar}}</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">{{cite web |date=April 24, 2021 |title=「御三家ポケモン」人気No.1が決定！ 「フシギダネ」「ポッチャマ」を上回る1位は？【2021年最新】 |url=https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/research/articles/177261/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128154257/https://nlab.itmedia.co.jp/research/articles/177261/ |archive-date=January 28, 2024 |accessdate=January 21, 2024 |work=ITmedia}}</ref>
[[File:Squirtle Squad.webp|thumb|The Squirtle Squad as they appear in the anime. The group have received significant attention since their debut.]]
Ryan Gilliam of ''[[Polygon (website)|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>{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/9/28/17876324/best-starter-pokemon-squirtle-gen-one|title=Squirtle doesn't need sunglasses to be the coolest starter ... but they sure help|first=Ryan|last=Gilliam|date=September 28, 2018|website=Polygon|access-date=July 10, 2021|archive-date=November 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221127090150/https://www.polygon.com/2018/9/28/17876324/best-starter-pokemon-squirtle-gen-one|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[San Antonio Express-News]]'' editor Susan Yerkes called Squirtle "disgustingly cute".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SAEC&p_theme=saec&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAFE8F10B22E691&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title=Poke-mania in the air do you have it? |access-date=March 16, 2011 |first=Susan |last=Yerkes |archive-date=October 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023153923/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SAEC&p_theme=saec&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAFE8F10B22E691&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |url-status=live }}</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>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/f/the-top-7-gut-wrenching-choices/a-2009050410717660001/p-4/c-1?newest |title=The Top 7... gut-wrenching choices |publisher=GamesRadar |author=Charlie Barratt |date=2009-05-04 |access-date=2011-03-16 |archive-date=2012-10-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007085134/http://www.gamesradar.com/the-top-7-gut-wrenching-choices/ |url-status=live }}</ref> 
''[[Pocket Gamer]]'' listed and criticized Squirtle as the worst Pokémon ever, stating that Squirtle is "just a turtle".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/articles/070856/the-7-worst-pokemon-ever/|title=The 7 worst Pokemon ever|first=Oscar|last=Dayus|website=www.pocketgamer.com|date=28 July 2016|access-date=4 July 2021|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709183719/https://www.pocketgamer.com/articles/070856/the-7-worst-pokemon-ever/|url-status=live}}</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>{{cite web |author=Pokémon of the Day Chick |date=December 16, 2002 |title=Pokemon Crystal Version Pokemon of the Day: Squirtle (#7) - IGN FAQs |url=http://faqs.ign.com/articles/380/380366p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009160901/http://faqs.ign.com/articles/380/380366p1.html |archive-date=2012-10-09 |access-date=2011-03-16 |website=IGN}}</ref>

The Squirtle Squad characters have been described as fan favorites,<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Hope Bellingham |date=2023-01-27 |title=Squirtle Squad is about to make a triumphant return to the Pokemon anime |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/squirtle-squad-is-about-to-make-a-triumphant-return-to-the-pokemon-anime/ |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=gamesradar |language=en |archive-date=2024-01-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123001818/https://www.gamesradar.com/squirtle-squad-is-about-to-make-a-triumphant-return-to-the-pokemon-anime/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and have acted as the subject of several ''[[Pokémon Go|Pokémon GO]]'' collaboration events.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thier |first=Dave |title='Pokémon GO' Community Day: How To Get A Squirtle With Sunglasses |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidthier/2018/07/08/pokemon-go-community-day-how-to-get-a-squirtle-with-sunglasses/ |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=2024-02-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240212190946/https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidthier/2018/07/08/pokemon-go-community-day-how-to-get-a-squirtle-with-sunglasses/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Silberling |first=Amanda |date=2021-11-19 |title=Ed Sheeran's favorite Pokémon is Squirtle |url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/11/18/ed-sheerans-favorite-pokemon-is-squirtle/ |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-01-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123001826/https://techcrunch.com/2021/11/18/ed-sheerans-favorite-pokemon-is-squirtle/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ''[[Vice (magazine)|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">{{Cite web |last=Tourjée |first=Diana |date=2018-09-20 |title=The Squirtle Squad Was a Chosen Family of Homeless Pokémon |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/pokemon-squirtle-squad-cold-takes/ |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=Vice |language=en |archive-date=2024-01-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123003322/https://www.vice.com/en/article/59a3j5/pokemon-squirtle-squad-cold-takes |url-status=live }}</ref> ''TheGamer''<nowiki/>'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>{{Cite web |last=Chan |first=Khee Hoon |date=2022-03-01 |title=The Squirtle Squad Is The Coolest Pokemon Gang Of All Time |url=https://www.thegamer.com/the-squirtle-squad-is-the-coolest-pokemon-gang-of-all-time/ |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=TheGamer |language=en |archive-date=2022-03-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301220800/https://www.thegamer.com/the-squirtle-squad-is-the-coolest-pokemon-gang-of-all-time/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Gabriel Boric|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>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-12 |title=President-Elect of Chile Receives a Squirtle as Administration's Starter Pokémon |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2022-03-10/president-elect-of-chile-receives-a-squirtle-as-administration-starter-pokemon/.183426 |access-date=2024-02-12 |website=Anime News Network |language=en |archive-date=2024-01-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240123001820/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2022-03-10/president-elect-of-chile-receives-a-squirtle-as-administration-starter-pokemon/.183426 |url-status=live }}</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" />