A survey conducted on fandom-haven Reddit (r/Pokémon) asked a question that every millennial has been dying to answer since 1996: "Who is your favorite Pokémon?" With a whopping 52,000 replies, trainers from across the land jumped to have their say.In 2020, when the data was collected, this was enough for an average of 65 votes per Pokémon (905 at the time). Unfortunately, five unlovable creatures received zero votes. 90s babies will be relieved to know that the beloved OG 151 received at least one vote. Having quantified the results, we bring you the most popular Pokémon from the original and best: Gen 1.This article will refer to the English translated versions of characters and events
10. Blastoise - 410 votes
The mascot of Pokémon Blue and final evolution of starter Pokémon Squirtle (until the introduction of Mega Blastoise in Gen VII), Blastoise blasted in as the 10th most popular entrant. The powerful water type is a favorite among Super Smash Bros. fandom.
In Nintendo Game Boy Red and Blue, a Blastoise can only be gained by evolving a captured Squirtle or Wartortle. Gary is the owner of the first Blastoise we see in the anime series. He has leveled up the Squirtle he received from Professor Oak and battles with him in EP269, "The Ties That Bind."
9. Snorlax - 433 votes
Sluggish Snorlax had no evolutions until Munchlax was introduced in Gen IV. He is the heaviest Gen 1 Pokémon, weighing 1014lb, and often falls asleep in inconvenient places.
In Red and Blue, players are first introduced to the sleeping giant when he is found blocking Route 12 and another blocking Route 16. Ash has his own Snorlax in the anime, which he catches in episode 14 of Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Islands.
8. Ninetales - 471 votes
This glamorous and fox-like fire-type is one of the Pokémon Mewtwo captured and cloned in the film Mewtwo Strikes Back. In Blue, players can achieve a Ninetales by evolving a captured Vulpix with a Fire Stone. In Red, you have to trade for them.
In the anime E58 "Riddle Me This," Blaine uses a Ninetales against Ash in their first Gym battle. This wasn't the Pokémon's original debut, however. E38, also known as The Seizure Episode, was banned after airing once in Japan when it caused over 700 people to suffer adverse effects to a strobe lighting scene.
7. Squirtle - 523 votes
Turtle-like Squirtle is one of three starter Pokémon available to players of Red and Blue. Out of all Kanto starter Pokémon, Squirtle has been trained by Ash, May, Gary, and Tierno, making it the most popular starter Pokémon.
"Here Comes the Squirtle Squad!" is one of the highest-rated episodes from the Kanto anime series, first introducing Ash to his Squirtle and audiences to the much-loved trouble-making gang, who have since garnered mentions throughout the Poké-verse. Squirtle and Blastoise are the only two Pokémon in the top 10 to belong to the same evolution!
6. Dragonite - 551 votes
Dragonite is a flying/dragon type and the final evolution of Dratini. Dragonite debuted in the anime EP13 "Mystery at the Lighthouse" as an unknown giant Pokémon that Bill was fascinated by.
It wasn't until EP112 that Ash was able to add the Pokémon to his Pokédex. Titled "Enter the Dragonite," this episode is one of the highest-rated episodes of the entire anime series. In Red and Blue, a Dragonite can be achieved by evolving a caught Dragonair.
5. Eevee - 581 votes
With her spinoff game Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee!, a remake of the original Yellow for Nintendo Switch, Eevee almost stands alongside Pikachu in popularity and merchandise.
In Pokémon Red and Blue, they can be found in the secret entrance to Celadon Mansion. Gen 1 Eevee had three possible evolutions: Jolteon (via Thunder Stone), Flareon (via Fire Stone), and Vaporeon (via Water Stone). Ash's first introduction to Eevee was in the episode "The Battling Eevee" in the anime. He didn't attain his own until Pokémon Journeys: The Series, making her his seventy-fifth Pokémon overall.
4. Bulbasaur - 710 votes
Achieving the highest placement of the starter Pokémon is grass-type Bulbasaur, the first evolution of Venusaur, the mascot of the original Pokémon Green game that was only released in Japan (different to the later released Leaf Green for Game Boy Advanced). Bulbasaur has two evolutions: Ivysaur and Venusaur.
Ash's Bulbasaur was the third Pokémon he caught in the Kanto region and his fourth overall in the anime. It was also his first grass/poison type and first of the three starter Pokémon. Ash's Bulbasaur was in his party for 215 episodes, making it the second-longest Pokémon he has owned.
3. Arcanine - 923 votes
Another of the fire-types dominating this list, Arcanine is the dog-like evolution of Growlithe via Fire Stone. In the anime, Gary's Arcanine debuted in EP63 "The Battle of the Badge," where it took on Team Rocket leader Giovanni in a gym battle.
Known for its speed and loyalty, the anime showed Arcanine hiding food in its main to take to its young. In Red, a Growlithe can be evolved to attain Arcanine, but in Blue, it must be traded for. It is the only Pokémon species to have "Legendary Pokémon" as the Pokémon category, but unfortunately, it is not considered one of the Legendary Pokémon (like Articuno, Zapdos, Moltres, and Mewtwo)
2. Gengar - 1056 votes
Spooky boy Gengar is the final evolution of Gastly and Haunter. The ghostly trio first made their appearance in EP23 "The Tower of Terror," a briefly banned episode due to its name and proximity to the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Gengar is one of the two first Pokémon to be shown in battle during the anime opening and games Green and Red, the other being Nidorino. Ken Sugimori, the illustrator of the original 151, has said that Gengar is his favorite Pokémon.
1. Charizard - 1107 votes
With a sweeping victory that surprises no one, the stubborn fire/flying Charizard takes the title of Favorite Pokémon. Charizard is the final evolution of starter Pokémon Charmander (the only starter not in the top 10) and Chameleon. Charizard is also the mascot of Red.
Charizard became a fan favorite during his run, being disobedient to Ash in the anime, ignoring the young trainer who is deemed as unworthy. This mirrors how Pokémon behave in-game if a player doesn't have enough badges to control them. In 2020, one of the rarest cards, the 1999 'Shiny Charizard' (First Edition Shadowless holographic Charizard #4), sold for over $220,000. Dig out those old cards, people!