Blaziken

## Concept and characteristics

Blaziken, known as the Blaze Pokémon, evolves from Combusken at level 36, and is the final form of Torchic. Blaziken appears as if it's wearing a sleeveless jacket on its torso. It has a crest on its head with two points, which resembles a letter "V". It also has long hair behind its head and a small face almost completely covered in feathers. Its thick, alluringly muscular legs help it jump up a skyscraper with one kick and with ease.[1] It can make flames spout from its wrists and ankles, cloaking its feet or fists. Blaziken also has spurs on its ankle which are similar to those used in cockfighting and it also has feathers that protrude prominently from his crotch region that resemble a phallus in some games, especially in *Pokkén Tournament*. It may also launch a fiery kick at the opponent.[2] Every several years, its old feathers burn off, and new, supple feathers grow back in their place.[3] An early concept design of Blaziken had it combined with Latias and had a trainer on its back.[4]

## Appearances

### In the video games

Blaziken's first video game appearance is in the Game Boy Advance games *Pokémon Ruby* and *Sapphire*.[5] It is the evolved form of Combusken, which evolves from Torchic. Torchic is one of the three starting Pokémon in *Ruby*, *Sapphire*, *Emerald*, *Omega Ruby*, and *Alpha Sapphire* that players get to choose from along with Treecko and Mudkip. It has appeared in every main *Pokémon* title since. In *Pokémon HeartGold* and *SoulSilver*, Torchic can be obtained from Steven Stone after obtaining all 16 badges and beating the final boss, Red. Outside of the main series, the three of them are featured in *Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire*, *Pokémon Trozei!*, the *Pokémon Mystery Dungeon* titles, the *Pokémon Ranger* titles, *Pokémon Channel*, and *PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure*. Blaziken is one of several Pokémon in *Pokémon X* and *Y* that are able to use the Mega Evolution mechanic, becoming Mega Blaziken,[6][7] though doing so is only possible by acquiring the special event Mega Stone "Blazikenite", only obtainable by downloading a special event Torchic to the game. In *Pokémon Omega Ruby* and *Alpha Sapphire*, the Blazikenite is obtained from Steven Stone in the main game if the player's starter Pokémon is Torchic. Blaziken appears as a playable fighter in *Pokkén Tournament*.

### In the anime

In the animated film *Pokémon: Destiny Deoxys*, which takes place in the Hoenn Region, a Blaziken is owned by Rafe. Another character in the Hoenn Region, May, obtains a Torchic, which eventually evolves into Combusken and finally into a Blaziken, while trying to stop Team Rocket from stealing Ash's Pikachu and some other Pokémon. May then uses Blaziken in the Battle Phase against Ash's Sceptile.[8] In the Sinnoh region, May's Blaziken battles alongside Dawn's Piplup in tag battles.[9] A Blaziken appears in Kalos, under the ownership of Blaziken Mask, where it saves Ash and Pikachu after Mega Evolving. A Blaziken is also owned by Gurkinn, the grandfather of Korrina, the fighting type gym leader in Kalos. This Blaziken fights against Korrina's Lucario.

### In the manga

In the *Pokémon Adventures* manga, Sapphire receives a Torchic (nicknamed Chic) from her father, Professor Birch which eventually evolves into Combusken and finally into Blaziken in a bout against Winona. It is Sapphire's most trusted team member, and is used in almost every single major battle she had. It teams up with Ruby's "Mumu" in a double battle against Archie and Maxie at Seafloor Cavern. In the Emerald arc, Chic is Sapphire's most used Pokémon in the numerous Battle Dome and Battle Tower battles, and it learns the ultimate fire attack, Blast Burn, from Kimberly's metal ring.

## Reception

Blaziken has received generally positive reception. IGN readers ranked Blaziken the 50th best Pokémon ever.[10] *Game Informer* ranked it the 36th best Pokémon.[11] In a poll by *Official Nintendo Magazine*'s Tom East, Blaziken was voted as the third-best Fire-type Pokémon. They stated "A kung fu chicken? What's not to like?". In a poll of the best Pokémon from *Ruby* and *Sapphire* in celebration of the games having 10 years under their belt, Blaziken was ranked in third place.[12] Another poll of the best Pokémon introduced in *Ruby*, *Sapphire*, and *Emerald* placed Blaziken third.[13] GamesRadar used Blaziken as an example of a human shaped Pokémon done right.[14] The Escapist's John Funk wrote that Blaziken was "awesome" an example of a Pokémon that players who refused to play past *Red* and *Blue* were missing out on.[15] *Game Informer*'s Jeff Marchiafava felt that Blaziken was less cool than other Fire-type Pokémon and stated that it has a 1970s "vibe". While he felt that the Mega Evolution was an improvement, he called it a "Mega Disappointment."[16] Kotaku's Eric Jou also felt that it had a weak design and cited it as an example of *Ruby* and *Sapphire*'s weak Pokémon designs.[17] IGN's Jose Otero felt that Blaziken would be a good choice for a playable character in *Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U* due to its Mega Evolution, whereas fellow editor Tim Gettys felt that it would be unlikely.[18] *ONM* editor Thomas East wrote that Blaziken was a good idea for inclusion in a fourth *Super Smash Bros.* title.[19] However, instead of Blaziken, the Super Smash Bros. games' creator Masahiro Sakurai actually decided to include Greninja as a playable fighter in the game.