Charmander (Pokémon)

**Charmander** (Japanese: **ヒトカゲ** *Hitokage*) is a Fire-type Pokémon introduced in Generation I.

## Biology

Charmander is a bipedal, reptilian Pokémon with a primarily orange body and blue eyes. Its underside from the chest down and the soles of its feet are cream-colored. It has two small fangs visible in its upper jaw and two smaller fangs in its lower jaw. A fire burns at the tip of this Pokémon's slender tail and has blazed there since Charmander's birth. The flame can be used as an indication of Charmander's health and mood, burning brightly when the Pokémon is strong, weakly when it is exhausted, wavering when it is happy, and blazing when it is enraged. It is said that Charmander dies if its flame goes out. However, if the Pokémon is healthy, the flame will continue to burn even if it gets a bit wet and is said to steam in the rain.

Charmander can be found in hot, mountainous areas. However, it is found far more often in the ownership of Trainers. As shown in *Friendship is Legendary*, Charmander exhibits pack behavior, calling others of its species if it finds food.

## In the anime

### Tales of Harmony

#### Major appearances

##### Wildfire

Leon is shown to have a Charmander, who debuted in the episode where he and Sonia first appear, which also marked the species' debut. He has since evolved into a Charmeleon and then a Charizard.

##### John's Charmander

This Charmander first appeared in the episode where John Brennan is introduced, under the ownership of him.

##### Nikki

Abigail is shown to have a female Charmander, who first appeared in "*A Charmander to Save*." She previously belonged to Cross and evolved into a Charmeleon after defeating a Jigglypuff in battle. She later evolved into a Charizard after battling Lycan.

##### Blazer

This Charmander debuted in the adaption of "*Charmander - The Stray Pokémon*," where Ash and the other Magis found it after he was abandoned by his Trainer, Damian, who only cared about raising strong Pokémon. At first, Blazer refused to leave the spot he was at, believing Damian would return for him. However, when a rainstorm picked up, Blazer grew ill and Ash took it to a Pokémon Center. Blazer realized that Damian was no good, and allowed Ash to catch him. He has since evolved into Charmeleon, and then Charizard.

##### Zippo

Ritchie owns a Charmander named Zippo, which debuted in the adaption of "*A Friend In Deed*." He would evolve into Charmeleon by its appearance in the adaption of "*A Parent Trapped!*".

##### Alain's Charmander

A Charmander appeared in a flashback in "*A Mega Discovery I*" as the unevolved form of Alain's Charizard.

##### Trevor's Charmander

Trevor's Charmander first appeared in the adaption of "*Summer of Discovery!*". It would evolve into Charmeleon by the adaption of "*A Legendary Photo Op!*", and then into Charizard during the adaption of "*A League of His Own!*".

#### Pokédex entries

 "*A Charmander to Save*"
 TBA

## FiL game data

### Pokédex entries

#### Normal

* Hisui Mode: N/A
* Main Story: The flame that burns at the tip of its tail is an indication of its emotions. The flame wavers when Charmander is happy, and blazes when it is enraged.

### Game locations

* Hisui Mode: N/A
* Main Story:
	+ Starter Pokémon from Gracie in Pallet (if the player chose to play as a Trainer from Kanto)
	+ Route 3, Route 4, Rock Tunnel (Kanto)
	+ Route 24 (only one; if the player did not choose Charmander and/or isn't from Kanto)

### Stats

#### Base stats

* HP: 39
* Attack: 52
* Defense: 43
* Special Attack: 60
* Special Defense: 50
* Speed: 65

### Evolution

Charmander evolves into Charmeleon starting at level 16, which evolves into Charizard starting at level 36.

## Trivia

* Charmander, Cyndaquil, and their respective evolutionary lines have exactly the same base stats in the same distribution.

### Origin

Charmander's design was based on Charizard in such a way that it was surprising to see it evolving into the latter Pokémon. In particular, Charmander was designed as a lizard, possibly referencing the mythical salamander (as opposed to the real-world amphibian of the same name that inspired its mythical counterpart). This salamander was a fire spirit capable of surviving in extreme heat or flames, and it is sometimes creatively rendered or interpreted in the shape of a lizard. As Charizard is based on a European dragon, Charmander's lizardlike design seems to reference how Western dragons in folklore are heavily inspired by lizards and other reptiles, as well as how various types of lizards are likened to (and named after) dragons due to this connection. Its bipedal design resembles a baby therapod dinosaur.

#### Name origin

Charmander may be a combination of *char* (to burn) and *salamander*.

Hitokage may be a combination of 火 *hi* (fire) and 蜥蜴 *tokage* (lizard), forming together the word 火蜥蜴 *hitokage* (mythical salamander).