Blastoise

Blastoise (/ˈblæstɔɪs, -tɔɪz, ˈblɑːs-/), known in Japan as Kamex (カメックス, Kamekkusu), is a Water-type Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, it first appeared in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue and subsequent sequels, later appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed adaptations of the franchise. It's known as the Shellfish Pokémon. It is the final evolution of Squirtle and the evolved form of Wartortle. Its English name is a portmanteau of the words "Blast" (referring to its water-cannons) and "Tortoise" while its Japanese name is a combination of words 亀 kame (tortoise/turtle) and マックス max (maximum). Blastoise, along with the other starter Pokémon, was also in the first Pokémon movie.

Blastoise
Pokémon series character
National Pokédex
Wartortle - Blastoise (#009) - Caterpie
First gamePokémon Red and Blue
Designed byKen Sugimori
Voiced byEric Stuart (English)
Unshō Ishizuka (Japanese)

Concept and characteristics

Blastoise was one of 151 different designs conceived by Game Freak's character development team and finalized by Ken Sugimori for the first generation of Pocket Monsters games Red and Green, which were localized outside Japan as Pokémon Red and Blue.[1][2] Originally called "Kamex" in Japanese, Nintendo decided to give the various Pokémon species turtle like actions such as shelling and "clever and descriptive names" in relation to their appearances or features when translating the game for western audiences as a means to make the characters more relatable outside of Japan.[3]

Gigantamax Blastoise

Known as the Shell Pokémon, Blastoise is the final stage in Squirtle’s evolutionary line. It. takes on an appearance radically different from its previous forms; the most obvious change is the addition of two retractable cannons on its shell. It is also a larger and more imposing figure, as the shape of its head is completely reformed and its limbs are stout and segmented, bearing visible claws, and its once sought-after tail is short and somewhat stubby. The afore-mentioned cannon spouts are remarkable adaptations, allowing a Blastoise to shoot water with great power and accuracy. The jets of water it spouts from the rocket cannons on its shell can punch through thick steel,[4] while their bullets of water can precisely nail tin cans from a distance of over 160 feet.[5] The spouts also allow for high-speed tackles.[6] Despite being large and heavy, Blastoise can still move well on either two legs or all fours. Blastoise can be found living on island beaches near the ocean, but their preferred habitat seems to be freshwater ponds and lakes. It is widely accepted that Blastoise fares better in battle when trained by those viewed in more of a fatherly light. Equipping Blastoise with a Blastoisite can evolve it into Mega Blastoise, which merges the two cannons on its back into a singular large cannon, and adds additional cannons attached to its arms.

In Pokémon Sword and Shield, Blastoise received a Gigantamax form with access to the unique G-Max Move G-Max Cannonade. Gigantamax Blastoise has 31 variously-sized cannons, with legend saying the main cannon can blast holes into mountains.[7]

Appearances

In the video games

Blastoise first appeared in Pokémon Red and Blue as a Pokémon obtained by evolving the Pokémon Wartortle through leveling up. Squirtle can be obtained at the beginning of the game as a starter Pokémon alongside Bulbasaur and Charmander. It is the mascot for the Blue version. It also appears in the remakes Pokémon Yellow and Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen. Since then, Blastoise has appeared in each main Pokémon title. Outside of the main series, Blastoise is seen in Pokémon Pinball, Pokémon Trozei!, the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon titles, the Pokémon Ranger titles, Pokémon Rumble, and PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure. Blastoise also appears in Super Smash Bros. Melee as both a Pokémon that can be summoned from the Poké Ball item to use against opponents and as a collectible trophy. Blastoise is one of several Pokémon in Pokémon X and Y that is able to use the new Mega Evolution mechanic, becoming Mega Blastoise.[8] It was given a Mega Evolution about one and a half years into the development of Pokémon X and Y. Squirtle (along with Bulbasaur and Charmander) was added to the game in a significant role in order to allow players to experience Blastoise's Mega Evolution,[9] and due to the starter Pokémons' "iconic" nature.[10]

In the anime

A handful of trainers in the anime series have owned Blastoise, notably Gary Oak who raised one from a Squirtle, his starter.[11] The first Blastoise made its debut in Beach Blank-Out Blastoise, an episode where a Jigglypuff had gotten stuck in one of the Blastoise's cannons, causing the latter to sleep indefinitely.[12] Blastoise also received some screen time in the first Pokémon movie, Mewtwo Strikes Back, as a Pokémon nicknamed Shellshocker, owned by one of the major supporting characters, Neesha.[13] Blastoise are also owned by Cissy, a member of the Orange Crew,[14] and Brock’s mother Lola.[15] In the X and Y series, a Blastoise appears under the ownership of Siebold, who is one of the Kalos Elite Four. This Blastoise can Mega Evolve. Another Blastoise appears in the X and Y series under the ownership of Tierno.

In the manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga, Green stole a Squirtle from Prof. Oak's Lab. This Squirtle ultimately becomes a Blastoise, nicknamed Blasty, with a tricky personality like its owner, and becomes the major powerhouse on Green's team.[16] it also provided a quick route of aerial transport by withdrawing its limbs into its shell, and blasting water out from its cannons to propel itself forward. Green lent Blasty to Red to assist his journey on Mt. Silver. Blasty inherited the ultimate water attack, Hydro Cannon, directly from Ultima, without requiring the Jump Path, Catch Path, and Battle Path to master the skills.

Reception

IGN's Pokémon Chick called Blastoise "quite popular".[17] GamesRadar editor Brett Elston commented that Blastoise is “hecka cool” and “well worth the effort.”[18] GamesRadar editor Brett Elston compared Blastoise to Charizard, stating that while Charizard plays the "safe route" in being a dragon, Blastoise takes a "unique form" by "being a giant turtle with water cannons coming out of its shell".[19] UGO Networks called Blastoise "badass."[20] GamePro wrote that "a lot of players chose Blastoise for its two hydro cannons".[21]

In a poll conducted by IGN, it was voted as the third best Pokémon, where the staff remembered being torn between Blastoise and Charizard but stated, "a blue turtle with giant cannons sticking out of its back was certainly amazing". They further commented that "in the Red/Blue days, Blastoise comes across more like a fat hippopotamus than a massively popular, kick ass Pokémon".[22]

Kotaku's Patricia Hernandez included its Mega Evolution in her list of the worst Mega Evolutions.[23] Official Nintendo Magazine readers named it the fourth best Water-type Pokémon.[24] ONM writer Thomas East included it in his list of some of the coolest Pokémon. He called it the "Water-type equivalent of Charizard".[25] Game Revolution's Alex Osborn named it his 10th greatest Pokémon of all time.[26] The character has become so popular that one couple in Illinois has even nicknamed its infant "Blastoise", due to his affinity for carrying formula bottles on his back.[27]

References
  1. Staff. "2. 一新されたポケモンの世界". Nintendo.com (in Japanese). Nintendo. p. 2. Retrieved 2010-09-10.
  2. Stuart Bishop (2003-05-30). "Game Freak on Pokémon!". CVG. Archived from the original on 2008-01-16. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
  3. Chua-Euan, Howard (November 22, 1999). "PokéMania". TIME. Archived from the original on 2008-09-13. Retrieved 2008-09-15.
  4. Game Freak (2007-04-22). Pokémon Diamond (Nintendo DS). Nintendo. The jets of water it spouts from the rocket cannons on its shell can punch through thick steel.
  5. Pokédex: The waterspouts that protrude from its shell are highly accurate. Their bullets of water can precisely nail tin cans from a distance of over 165 feet. Game Freak (2005-05-01). Pokémon Emerald (Game Boy). Nintendo.
  6. Pokédex: A brutal Pokémon with pressurized water jets on its shell. They are used for high speed tackles. Game Freak (1998-09-30). Pokémon Red and Blue (Game Boy). Nintendo.
  7. "Gigantamax Blastoise". Archived from the original on January 6, 2021. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  8. "Mega Pokémon". Pokemonxy.com. 2013-09-04. Retrieved 2013-09-04.
  9. Betka, Zach (2013-09-19). "Pokemon X/Y: WHY?! Director Masuda himself answers!". GamesRadar. Retrieved 2014-03-16.
  10. Phillips, Tom (2013-09-19). "A new perspective: How Pokémon X and Y refreshes the series". Eurogamer. Retrieved 2014-05-18.
  11. Atsuhiro Tomioka (writer) (September 20, 2003). "The Ties That Bind". Pokémon. Season Master Quest. Episode 268. Various.
  12. Atsuhiro Tomioka (writer) (September 20, 1999). "Beach Blank-Out Blastoise". Pokémon. Season Indigo League. Episode 58. Various.
  13. Takeshi Shudo (writer) (November 10, 1999). "Pokémon: The First Movie". Pokémon. Various.
  14. Yukiyoshi Ōhashi (writer) (February 5, 2000). "Fit to be Tide". Pokémon. Season Adventures on the Orange Islands. Episode 85. Various.
  15. Atsuhiro Tomioka (writer) (June 24, 2006). "A Family That Battles Together, Stays Together!". Pokémon. Season Pokémon Chronicles. Episode 5. Various.
  16. Kusaka, Hidenori; Mato (May 28, 1998). "Chapter 30". Zap! Zap! Zapdos!. Pokémon Adventures. Volume 3: Saffron City Siege. VIZ Media LLC. ISBN 4-09-149333-5.
  17. "Pokemon Crystal Version Pokemon of the Day: Jolteon (#135) – IGN FAQs". Faqs.ign.com. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  18. "The complete Pokemon RBY pokedex, part 1, Pokemon Black / White Wii Features". GamesRadar. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  19. Brett Elston. "The complete Pokemon RBY pokedex, part 1, Pokemon Diamond / Pearl DS Features". GamesRadar. p. 9.
  20. UGO Team (July 23, 2010). "Blastoise". UGO.com. Archived from the original on August 29, 2012. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  21. Bailey, Kat (March 26, 2011). "WTF's up with you guys and: Pokemon, Feature Story from". GamePro. Archived from the original on 2011-12-02. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  22. Rich. "Blastoise – No. 3 Top Pokémon – IGN". IGN. Retrieved 2011-05-04.
  23. Hernandex, Patricia (2013-10-16). "The Best and Worst of the New Mega Evolutions In Pokémon X & Y". Kotaku. Retrieved 2014-05-18.
  24. East, Thomas (2012-02-10). "Best Water Pokemon". Official Nintendo Magazine. p. 2. Archived from the original on 2014-04-15. Retrieved 2014-05-18.
  25. East, Thomas (2012-12-17). "Top 10 cool Pokemon that aren't Legendary". Official Nintendo Magazine. Archived from the original on 2014-10-08. Retrieved 2014-05-18.
  26. Osborn, Alex. "21 Greatest Pokémon of All Time". Game Revolution. p. 12. Retrieved 2014-05-18.
  27. "Pokemon names: A Growing Trend". 2012-12-17. Archived from the original on 2015-04-19. Retrieved 2015-04-18.
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