Greetings fellow Pokemon fans, CuriousCat-13 here with the beginning of a fun new series of articles: a top ten list of my favorite Pokemon from every region/game. To be more specific, each article that I write will focus on Pokemon that first appeared in a specific region, and I’m going in order based on when each game was released. These will definitely be a challenge, but I’m also excited to share with you which Pokemon I enjoy the most. This isn’t solely based on how good they are in battle, they’re chosen because of either their design, Pokedex entry, or even my personal experience with them. While you sit back and read my personal list, remember: this is all my PERSONAL OPINION. I know there will be some that didn’t make it on my list, this was a very difficult choice and I will have a short honorable mention listed before the number one is revealed.
Number 10: Kabutops
Ahh, memories. I had this bad boy on my main team when I faced the Pokemon league in Yellow Version (for the Gameboy Color) and I really enjoyed their design. I know some will say that I should’ve chosen the Helix fossil (Omanyte → Omastar), but I really enjoy the Kabuto/Kabutops evolution line, both with their design and the fact that both forms remind me of prehistoric horseshoe crabs (which are really cool). While Kabutops’s move-set doesn’t seem too impressive, they do get more enjoyable and interesting when they reappear in the later games (even if it doesn’t seem like much). But yeah, Kabutops looks awesome, is pretty decent in battle, and can be terrifying on both land and sea.
Number 9: Dratini
A cute little dragon with no legs, that evolves into a longer, more majestic version of itself, that evolves into a powerful, yet slightly goofy-looking orange dragon that can walk around and fly (and is pretty damn powerful). I would put this little guy on a higher spot on this list if it wasn’t such a pain in the butt to find and catch. Sure, you can get this little blue and white dragon at the Celadon City Game Corner for a good amount of coins….but really, I feel like I truly accomplished something if I caught it in the wild. However, the only place where you can catch Dratini in the wild, is in the Safari Zone, which is a more challenging way to catch Pokemon. With only rocks/mud balls and bait at your disposal to make catching Pokemon “easier” (I use quotation marks because it’s a constant game of Pokemon catching roulette), you can only hope that luck is on your side. Also, the only way to encounter Dratini in the Safari Zone is by using the Super Rod (which you don’t get until later in the game) and you have a 15 percent chance to encounter it. But while it is a pain in the butt to find and catch one, it is well worth the effort to train this small, adorable dragon into an equally adorable, but powerful, Dragonite (which is a wonderful addition to the team).
Number 8: Persian
In case you didn’t know, I’m a big cat person, so of course I’m going to have a cat Pokemon on my top ten list. While its only good use in battle is its speed stats (which was an important factor in the first games and in Fire Red and Leaf Green), I still enjoy its classy looks and the fact that it was always at Giovanni’s (the leader of Team Rocket) side, creating a scene from your average mafia film (the part where the mafia’s Don is petting his cat while giving orders). But seriously, it’s not called the “Classy Cat Pokemon” for nothing. With that round red gem on its forehead and that sleek body that reminds me of a Siamese cat, Persian is a gorgeous cat Pokemon to have in walking around and sleeping the house. The only thing that would probably be concerning for some is the fact that it’s about three feet tall and if doesn’t trust you, you’re most likely going to get some nasty scratches.
Number 7: Ninetales
Ninetales, such a majestic and beautiful Pokemon that is proud of its set of nine tails and fur. While it may not be the most powerful fire-type Pokemon, they’re quick on their feet and are very smart. Don’t get me wrong, I also love Vulpix (the Pokemon Ninetales evolves from), but I just feel like Ninetales is more grown-up and developed. I also love the different Pokedex entries for Ninetales and how they seem to bring about a mythological story that also serves as a warning on how to approach it. There are legends of Ninetales being the result of the merging of nine powerful wizards, which explains other entries describing its psychic-like abilities and being able to understand humans. One of the Pokedex entries that would make me very hesitant to have one in real life, is the fact that grabbing one of its tails will result in a 1,000 year curse being cast on the unfortunate soul. Ninetales: a proud, majestic Pokemon that won’t hesitate to ruin your day or existence.
Number 6: Lapras
Of course, I have to put this iconic Pokemon on my top ten list. Lapras is practically the guardian of the sea, ferrying people on its back across bodies of water. Sadly, this Pokemon was nearly hunted to extinction, but they’ve made a steady comeback thanks to protective regulations. With the big shell on its back to sit on, that beautiful ocean blue body, and its beautiful singing voice, Lapras is a Pokemon that I would enjoy relaxing at a lake or even the beach with; I mean, how could you say “No” to that adorable face? Sure, just because Lapras looks adorable and welcoming, it doesn’t mean that it can’t hold its own in battle. With Lapras’s large body mass and its ability to summon water and ice (and other elemental moves that it doesn’t learn from leveling up), Lapras can pack a mean punch against anything and anyone that threatens it.
Number 5: Cubone
I just want to give this little one the biggest hug that I have to offer, not just because Cubone is known as the “Lonely Pokemon,” but because of what its Pokedex entry states that it has gone through. It wears the skull of its dead mother for crying out loud and nobody knows what its real face looks like because it’s worn that skull for so long. In the first-generation games, Cubone (and it’s evolved form Marowak) has its own mini-story in the game where its mother died protecting it from Team Rocket and the mother continues to haunt Pokemon Tower in Lavender Town. So not only does Cubone have a great design, but Game Freak even put in some time to give it a small story that had some form of conclusion. But seriously, I want to give the little one a big hug and tell them that everything is going to be okay.
Number 4: Abra
I don’t really have a whole lot to say about why I like Abra, it’s mostly because it spends 18 hours a day taking power naps (gotta keep that psychic power strong). It’s design and evolution line is cool and powerful, but it’s mainly because I wish that I could take that long of a snooze to make my brain and abilities more powerful. Abra definitely seems like the type of roommate that you could get along with, as long as you don’t interrupt their sleep.
Number 3: Rapidash
Come on, it’s a freaking unicorn with fire for its mane and tail!! Yeah the only downside is that if Rapidash doesn’t trust you, then you can’t ride it without getting severe burns; also, if you can’t handle riding it while it’s galloping at a max speed of 150mph, might be best to watch from the sidelines. But yeah, Rapidash has an awesome, classic design and won’t hesitate to compete with anything that moves fast.
Number 2: Jolteon
Almost every Pokmeon fan has their favorite Eeveelution and Jolteon is my personal favorite and go-to Eeveelution; don’t get me wrong, I love all of the Eeveelutions, but Jolteon is the one for me. When I played Yellow Version, Jolteon was the first Pokemon that I ever raised to level 100 and a mandatory member of my Elite Four team. Jolteon is also one of my favorite electric-type Pokemon and (in case it wasn’t obvious) one of my all-time favorite Pokemon. It’s a speedy little lightening-bolt that isn’t afraid to strike with the same strength.
Honorable Mentions
Since I had to narrow it down to ten Pokemon, not all of my favorites made it on the list, so here are some honorable mentions.
Eevee, Growlithe, Arcanine, Rattata, Raticate, Squirtle and its evolution line, Ivysaur, Venusaur, Koffing, Pikachu, Raichu, Ekans, Arbok, Zapdos, Snorlax, Aerodactyl, Sandshrew, Sandslash, Caterpie, Butterfree, Psyduck, The female and male Nidoran evolution line, Vulpix, Magikarp, Gyarados, Scyther, Tauros, Seel, Dewgong, Farfetch’d, the Machop evolution line, Zubat, Golbat, Vaporeon, Flareon, Paras, Parasect, Venonat, Venomoth, Ponyta, the Bellsprout evolution line, the Gastly evolution line, and Kangaskhan.
Number 1: Bulbasaur
If any of you have ever talked to me about Pokemon, you probably saw this coming. Bulbasaur is my favorite starter if not my favorite Pokemon of all time. There’s just something about this little green guy with a plant bulb on its back that always makes me smile. Honestly, if I were given the option to choose only one Pokemon to be real and have in my life, I wouldn’t hesitate to choose Bulbasaur (and it’s only about 2 feet tall and weighs about 15 pounds); also Bulbasaur is one of the few Pokemon that you wouldn’t leave you constantly worrying that it’ll destroy your home. It’s the same when the option arises in any later Pokemon games to get one of the Kanto starters. Bulbasaur is number one on the Pokedex and it will always be number one to me.
So yeah, that was my top ten Pokemon from the Kanto region. I hope that you enjoyed reading my list, maybe you saw some that you also enjoy. If you’d like, feel free to comment below what your favorites from the Kanto region are, I’d love to see which ones you all enjoy. See you next time when I share my top ten favorite Pokemon from the Johto region.
