Bellsprout

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Bellsprout
Image:Bellsprout.png
National
Machamp - Bellsprout (#69) - Weepinbell
Johto
Steelix - Bellsprout (#64) - Weepinbell
Japanese name Madatsubomi
Stage Basic
Evolves from None
Evolves to Weepinbell
Generation First
Species Flower Pokémon
Type Grass / Poison
Height 2 ft 4 in (0.7 m)
Weight 9.0 lb (4.0 kg)
Ability Chlorophyll

Bellsprout (マダツボミ Madatsubomi?) is one of the 493 fictional species of Pokémon creatures from the multi-billion-dollar[1] Pokémon media franchise – a collection of video games, anime, manga, books, trading cards and other media created by Satoshi Tajiri. Its main purpose in the games, as with all other Pokémon, is to battle both "wild" Pokémon, which are untamed creatures encountered while the player passes through various environments, and "tamed" Pokémon that are owned by Pokémon trainers. [2]

Bellsprout's name is derived from the words "bell", referring to its bell-shaped head, and "sprout", which is a young plant growth. "Bluebell" may be another influence on its name. It may be of interest to know that "tsubomi" means "flower bud", hence, its Japanese name: "madatsubomi". (Also rather interestingly, the Pokemon Subomi's name comes from "tsubomi".)

Contents

[edit] Characteristics

Bellsprout is a carnivorous, plant-like Pokémon, hunting small insects with blinding agility despite its skinny body. It tends to ensnare its prey in its vines and devour it, in much the same way as real carnivorous plans do. Bellsprout's preferred habitat is warm and humid climates, since it can absorb more moisture from the ground when planting its root-like feet inside it.

In battle, Bellsprout can take advantage of its flexibility to bend and sway its way out of the range of its opponent's attacks, no matter how powerful they may be. However, it will be helpless to escape if it decides to plant its roots in search of water (curiously enough, Bellsprout does not learn the Ingrain move, which matches the above situation perfectly). In terms of offense, Bellsprout can spit out of its mouth a highly corrosive fluid that can melt even iron.

Because its bud looks like a human face, Bellsprout is considered in the Pokémon world to be a type of the legendary mandrake plant, although in real world lore the human-like part of a mandrake is actually its roots (and at any rate Oddish fills this role better).[3]

[edit] In the video games

Bellsprout are used by a large number of trainers throughout Pokémon Red and Blue, usually used by trainers with the grass-type specialty, but sometimes used by trainers with a mix of special Pokémon. Wild Bellsprout can only be found in Pokémon Blue to the north of Vermilion City and the south of Saffron City. In Pokémon Red, it can only be obtained through a trade, or a cheating device. Bellsprout can also be obtained through various areas in Pokémon Gold and Silver.

For a basic Pokémon that can evolve twice, Bellsprout's offensive stats are particularly good. It suffers, however, in most other attributes, being rather slow and weak defensively. Bellsprout learns naturally many status-infliting skills, which can counterbalance its fragility, as well as some moderately powerful Grass and Poison-type attacks. Generally its evolved forms Weepinbell and Victreebel are used in battle, although sometimes a lowly Bellsprout can prove surprisingly competent (see below).

[edit] In the anime

Bellsprout's first and probably most noteworthy appearance was in episode #77 (Fourth Round rumble). It appeared under the control of a trainer named Janet Fischer, who faced Ash at the Indigo Pokémon League in a 3 vs. 3 match. Bellsprout was Janet's last Pokémon, but despite its unassuming appearance it managed to knock out Ash's Bulbasaur and even his Muk. Ash claimed victory when he sent out his Pikachu.

Bellsprout also appeared in episode #132 (A bout with Sprout), which took place in Sprout Tower, Johto. A little boy called Zack caught one while trying to capture Ash's Pikachu. Another Bellsprout, nicknamed "Spoopie", was used in episode #172 (A Better Pill to Swallow) by an old man to sniff out Shuckle's location. Bellsprout also appeared in the episode, "You Said a Mouthful," in which the bogus gym leader, Anthony, hides Bellsprout in the mouth of his Pelipper to make it look like it can use grass-type attacks.

[edit] In other media

Bellsprout in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.
Enlarge
Bellsprout in the Pokémon Trading Card Game.

Bellsprout has appeared in the Pokémon Trading Card Game as a Basic Grass-type Pokémon card in the expansions Jungle, Gym Heroes (twice as Erika’s Bellsprout), Gym Challenge (as Erika’s Bellsprout), Aquapolis (twice), EX FireRed & LeafGreen, and EX Legend Maker.

[edit] References

Notes
  1. ^ “Pokemon (sic) Franchise Approaches 150 Million Games Sold”, PR Newswire. URL accessed on February 28, 2006.
  2. ^ Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire Review (page 1) Ign.com. URL Accessed June 1, 2006.
  3. ^ Pokémon info pokemon-misty.host.sk. URL Accessed July 20, 2006.
Publications
  • Barbo, Maria. The Official Pokémon Handbook. Scholastic Publishing, 1999. ISBN 0-439-15404-9.
  • Loe, Casey, ed. Pokémon Special Pikachu Edition Official Perfect Guide. Sunnydale, CA: Empire 21 Publishing, 1999. ISBN 1-930206-15-1.
  • Nintendo Power. Official Nintendo Pokémon FireRed & Pokémon LeafGreen Player’s Guide. Nintendo of America Inc., August 2004. ISBN 1-930206-50-X
  • Mylonas, Eric. Pokémon Pokédex Collector’s Edition: Prima’s Official Pokémon Guide. Prima Games, September 21 2004. ISBN 0-7615-4761-4
  • Nintendo Power. Official Nintendo Pokémon Emerald Version Player’s Guide. Nintendo of America Inc., April 2005. ISBN 1-930206-58-5

[edit] External links

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