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#REDIRECT [[List_of_generation_I_Pokémon#Charmander]]
{{Pokémon species|
image=[[Image:4charmander.png|139px]]|
{{Rcat shell|
name=Charmander|
{{R from merge}}
number=004|
{{R from fictional species|Pokémon}}
preceding=[[Venusaur]]|
{{R to list entry}}
following=[[Charmeleon]]|
johtonumber=229|
johtopreceding= [[Venusaur]]|
johtofollowing= [[Charmeleon]]|
japanname=Hitokage|
evolvesto=[[Charmeleon]]|
generation=First|
species=[[Lizard]] Pokémon|
stage=Basic|
type=Fire|
height=2 [[foot (unit of length)|ft]] 0 [[inch|in]]|
metricheight=0.6|
weight=18.7|
metricweight=8.5|
ability=Blaze|
}}
{{nihongo|'''Charmander'''|ヒトカゲ||'''Hitokage''' in original [[Japanese language]] versions}} is the fourth of the {{pokenum}} [[List of Pokémon by National Pokédex number|fictional species of Pokémon creatures]] from the ''[[Pokémon]]'' [[media franchise]]. Designed by Ken Sugimori, Charmander debuted in 1996 in ''[[Pokémon Red and Blue|Pocket Monsters Aka]]'', the first Pokémon video game. They are small bipedal salamanders. They have orange-red bodies with pale yellow bellies. As a Charmander undergoes evolution, they grow larger and eventually gain wings.
The purpose of Charmander in the games, anime and manga, as with all other Pokémon, is to battle both wild Pokémon, untamed creatures encountered while the player passes through various environments, and tamed Pokémon owned by [[Pokémon trainer]]s.<ref name=ign> [http://uk.gameboy.ign.com/articles/389/389660p1.html ''Pokémon Ruby'' and ''Pokémon Sapphire'' Review (page 1)] ''Ign.com''. URL Accessed June 1, 2006.</ref> They are among the first Pokémon that can be obtained in the original [[Pokémon (video games)|Pokémon video games.]]
Charmander are also featured prominently in the early episodes of the animated series, as one of [[Ash Ketchum]]’s lead Pokémon. [[Time Magazine]] once described Charmander as one “of the three more popular Pokémon”, along with [[Squirtle]] and [[Bulbasaur]]<ref>“[http://www.time.com/time/asia/magazine/99/1122/cover2.html PokéMania]”, ''[[Time Magazine]]''. URL last accessed on [[2006-02-28]].</ref>.
The name “Charmander” is a [[portmanteau]] of ''char'' (to burn)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Char|title=Reference.com definition for "Char"|publisher=reference.com|accessdate=July 25|accessyear=2006}}</ref> and ''[[salamander]]'' (a small lizard traditionally associated with fire).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Salamander|title=Reference.com definition for "Salamander"|publisher=reference.com|accessdate=July 25|accessyear=2006}}</ref> Its Japanese name, “''Hitokage''”, was probably formed from the [[kanji]] 火蜥蜴 pronounced ''hitokage'', literally meaning ''salamander'' or ''fire lizard'', but can also be viewed as being a [[pun]] on 人影 (''hito kage''), meaning ''shadow''. The name Charmander refers to the species as a whole, as well as individual characters in the games, anime and manga.
==Biological characteristics==
Similar to their evolved forms [[Charmeleon]] and [[Charizard]], and they possess a flame on the tip of their tail. The intensity of the flame can be taken as an indicator of Charmander’s physical and emotional status. When the flame’s intensity is diminished, Charmander is weak and its health may be at risk. When the flame burns normally, Charmander is healthy, and it can be seen to waver when Charmander is [[happiness|happy]], and blaze fiercely when it becomes enraged. If the flame were to ever go out, it would mean the end of Charmander’s life. Charmander will not necessarily die if it falls into water, but extended submergence could be fatal. In the rain, a Charmander’s life is not especially endangered, and each drop of rain on the tail creates a spout of steam. Baby Charmander that are not yet familiar with the flame sometimes accidentally burn themselves with it.<ref> The in-game [[Pokédex]]es of the [[Pokémon video games|''Pokémon'' video games]] ([http://www.psypokes.com/dex/pokedex.php?id=004&view=general A copy of them from ''Psypokes.com''.])</ref> Charmander generally prefer hot places to live.
==Role==
===''Pokémon'' video games===
Charmander play a key role in the original [[Pokémon (video games)|''Pokémon'' video games]], [[Computer role-playing game|RPG]] [[strategy]] games created by [[Satoshi Tajiri]] for the [[Nintendo]] [[Game Boy line|Game Boy]]. In the first-generation Pokémon games, the player may choose [[Bulbasaur]], Charmander or [[Squirtle]] as his or her first (or "Starter") Pokémon. If the player chooses a Charmander, the protagonist’s rival will choose a Squirtle,<ref> [http://www.psypokes.com/rby/walkthrough.php?part=1 ''Pokémon Red'' and ''Blue'' walkthrough; Pallet Town] ''Psypokes.com''. URL Accessed [[July 20]] [[2006]].</ref> since Squirtle have a [[Pokémon types|type advantage]] over Charmander.<ref name=type> [http://serebii.net/games/type.shtml Pokémon types attack and defense chart] ''Serebii.net''. URL Accessed [[July 20]] [[2006]].</ref>
Charmander and their evolutions (Particularly [[Charizard]]) are known for their high Speed and Special Attack statistics. They learn powerful fire attacks, such as Flamethrower, and are also effective as physical attackers due to their reasonable Attack statistic. Charmander evolve twice, once at level 16, when they become [[Charmeleon]], and again at level 36 when they become [[Charizard]]. They receive significant statistical boosts in all areas after both evolutions and gain the ability to fly after becoming Charizard, as they gain a powerful set of wings.
Charmander are not found in the wild in any version and must be chosen as the player's starting Pokémon or received through trading. For this reason, Charmander (and other Starter Pokémon like [[Chikorita]] and [[Mudkip]]) are popularly bred for trading with other players. This feature was introduced in the second generation; and subsequent games contain locations where Pokémon can be bred to produce eggs, which hatch into Pokémon matching the mother’s earliest stage of development.
Charmander is not available as a starting choice in ''[[Pokémon Yellow]]'', as the storyline follows the animated series, and the player is forced to take [[Pikachu]] as a starting Pokémon. Charmander is eventually given to the player as a gift, because the owner feels that he is not good enough to give it the care it needs.
In addition, Charmander has made appearances in other Pokémon games. Charmander appears in the [[Nintendo 64]] game ''[[Pokémon Snap]]'', in the Volcano area of “Pokémon Island”, the game’s setting. It has also made [[cameo appearance|cameo]] appearances in ''[[Pokémon Stadium]]'' and ''[[Pokémon Stadium 2]]'', as well as the [[Nintendo GameCube]] game, ''[[Pokémon Channel]]''. Charmander is also one of the sixteen starters or a playable character in the [[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon]] games. One notable non-Pokémon game appearance of Charmander's is as one of the random Pokémon that appear within the [[Saffron City]] stage in the original [[Super Smash Bros.]]
===Pokémon anime===
[[Image:Charmander_ani.PNG|thumb|right|Charmander in its first anime appearance.]]
In the [[Pokémon (anime)|Pokémon anime]], [[Ash Ketchum]] and his travelling companions once found a Charmander on a rock, waiting for its owner. Because a Charmander will die if the flame on its tail goes out completely, they feared for its life during a rainstorm, during which it was also being harassed by a flock of [[Spearow]]. Ash and his friends rescued it and took it to the local [[Pokémon Center]], but it returned to the very same rock once it had recovered. It turned out that its [[Pokémon trainer|trainer]], Damien, had thought it too weak to keep and abandoned it. He had deceived the Charmander by convincing it he would come back for it. Team Rocket arrived and (as usual) attempted to steal [[Pikachu]], but Charmander scared them off with its Flamethrower attack. Damien, who just happened to be walking by, saw that he was wrong about Charmander’s strength after all, and explained his dislike of weak Pokémon. After Charmander heard this, it rejected him and joined Ash.<ref>"[http://www.serebii.net/anime/epiguide/indigo/011.shtml Episode 11: Charmander, The Stray Pokémon]", ''Serebii.net''. URL last accessed on [[2006-04-12]].</ref> Ash’s Charmander later evolved into [[Charmeleon]] during a battle against an army of [[Exeggutor]], and later into [[Charizard]] while fighting a powerful [[Aerodactyl]].<ref>"[http://www.serebii.net/anime/epiguide/indigo/046.shtml Episode 46: Attack of the Prehistoric Pokémon]", ''Serebii.net''. URL last accessed on [[2006-04-12]].</ref>
[[Richie (Pokémon)|Richie]] also has a Charmander, named [[Zippo]] in reference to the lighter of the same brand, which was used against Ash in their Indigo League battle. However, at some point before his next appearance in the Whirl Islands [[story arc]], Zippo evolved into a Charmeleon.
As a starter Pokémon, Charmander has also been seen alongside [[Squirtle]] and [[Bulbasaur]] in episodes that feature Kanto trainers who are starting out on their Pokémon journeys. To this effect, Charmander have appeared in minor roles in both ''[[Pokémon Chronicles]]'' and ''Advanced Generation''.
Charmander, like most Pokémon in the anime (a notable exception being [[Team Rocket]]’s [[Meowth]]), talk by repeating the syllables of their species name, usually communicating with just “Char” or “Charmander”.
A Charmander is the leader of Team Go-Getters in the half-hour animated special "[[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Team Go-Getters Out Of The Gate!]]". He is the first to meet the human who has been turned into a [[Squirtle]], though neither he nor his partner [[Chikorita]] fully believe that Squirtle was actually a human. Brave and energetic, this Charmander is always the first into battle, and is considerate of those around him, even his enemies.
===Pokémon manga===
In ''[[Pokémon: Pikachu Shocks Back]]'' which loosely parallels the storyline of the anime, Charmander’s story begins in a similar manner. When Pikachu is accidentally left behind by Ash, a Squirtle convinces Pikachu and Charmander to travel with it to a sanctuary for abandoned or weak Pokémon. Along the way, they meet up with Team Rocket, as well as a [[Kangaskhan]] who has adopted a human boy. Together they travel to the sanctuary, and true to form, Team Rocket tries to capture all the Pokémon, only to be beaten by Pikachu and Kangaskhan. Charmander’s trainer Damian, who had fallen into a coma after he left Charmander, finds his Pokémon and they are reunited.
In the ''[[Pokémon Adventures]]'' manga, [[Blue (Pokémon)|Blue]] received a Charmander from his grandfather, [[Professor Oak]]. Having since evolved into a [[Charizard]], it is part of his team as [[Gym Leader]] of [[Viridian City]].
In ''[[Magical Pokémon Journey]]'', a male Charmander belongs to the character Peanut. This Charmander is always causing trouble by getting into fights with other Pokémon.
In ''[[Pokémon Zensho]]'', Satoshi is given a Charmander as his starter Pokémon, while Shigeru chooses a [[Squirtle]].
In the ''Pocket Monsters'' manga by Kosaku Anakubo(AKA Sam Marshall), Green (the rival) has a mischievous Charmander that goes along with whatever his trainer wants him to do. It tends to be very antagonistic toward Red's [[Clefairy]].
[[Image:Charmander tcg.jpg|thumb|right|Charmander in the ''Pokémon Trading Card Game'' (Base Set).]]
===''Pokémon Trading Card Game''===
The ''[[Pokémon (card game)|Pokémon Trading Card Game]]'' is a [[collectible card game]] similar in goal to a Pokémon battle in the video game series; players must use cards (with individual strengths and weaknesses) in an attempt to defeat their opponent by "knocking out" all of his cards.<ref> [http://www.pokemon-tcg.com/p_strategy/rulebooks/book_68.jsp#433 ''Pokémon Trading Card Game'' "How to play" guide] ''pokemon-tcg.com''. URL Accessed [[July 3]], [[2006]].</ref> The game was first published in [[North America]] by [[Wizards of the Coast]] in [[1999]], until [[The Pokémon Company|Nintendo USA]] started publishing the series in [[2003]].<ref> [http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=company/pr/20030312b ''Pokémon Trading Card Game'' News; "Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire TCG Releases"] ''Wizards.com''. URL Accessed [[July 3]], [[2006]].</ref>
Most Charmander cards are typical, Basic Pokémon cards, and are primarily used to play stronger cards (such as Stage-1 Pokémon, like [[Charmeleon]] in this case, or Stage-2 Pokémon, like [[Charizard]] in this case). Some Charmander cards are identical in attack and defense to other Basic [[Pokémon types#Fire-type|Fire-type]] Pokémon, such as [[Torchic]] or [[Cyndaquil]].
Charmander has made many appearances in the ''[[Pokémon Trading Card Game]]'', including the Base Set (included in Base Set 2 and Legendary) and expansions including Team Rocket, Gym Heroes and Gym Challenge (as Blaine’s Charmander), Expedition (appears twice), EX Dragon (as a secret holographic card) and EX FireRed & LeafGreen (3 cards, one as a secret holographic card). The secret holographic Charmander cards in EX Dragon and EX FireRed & LeafGreen are actually the same card in every way except the artwork.
==Charmander in other media==
Charmander has also made [[cameo]]s in several non-Pokémon-centric works. For example, in a scene from ''[[Austin Powers in Goldmember]]'', one person in a Charmander costume, another person in a [[Pikachu]] costume, as well as someone in a [[Celebi]] costume are trying to move out of the way as [[Austin Powers]] crashes his Mini-Cooper into a [[Godzilla]] Parade Float.<ref> "[http://www.movietome.com/movietome/servlet/MoviePage2/movieid-24463/Austin_Powers_in_Goldmember/ Austin Powers in Goldmember]" ''Movietome.com''. URL Accessed on [[2006-04-12]].</ref> Also, a life-size Charmander plush can also be seen in an episode of [[Malcolm in the Middle]] in the boys' room.
==References==
<div class="references-small">
*The following games and their instruction manuals: ''[[Pokémon Red and Blue|Pokémon Red]]'', and ''[[Pokémon Red and Blue|Blue]]''; ''[[Pokémon Yellow]]''; ''[[Pokémon Stadium]]'' and ''[[Pokémon Stadium#Pokémon Stadium 2|Pokémon Stadium 2]]''; ''[[Pokémon Gold and Silver|Pokémon Gold]]'', ''[[Pokémon Gold and Silver|Silver]]'', and ''[[Pokémon Crystal|Crystal]]''; ''[[Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire|Pokémon Ruby]]'', ''[[Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire|Sapphire]]'', and ''[[Pokémon Emerald|Emerald]]''; ''[[Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen|Pokémon FireRed]]'' and ''[[Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen|LeafGreen]]''; ''[[Pokémon Colosseum]]'' and ''[[Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness]]
;Notes
<references />
;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, ''et al''. ''Official Nintendo Pokémon Snap Player’s Guide''. Nintendo of America Inc., 1999. [[ASIN]] B000CDZP9G
*Nintendo Power. ''Official Nintendo Pokémon FireRed Version & Pokémon LeafGreen Version 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
;Manga volumes
*Ono, Toshihiro. ''Pokémon: Pikachu Shocks Back Graphic Novel''. VIZ Media LLC, December 6 1999. ISBN 1-56931-411-X
*Kusaka, Hidenori, & Mato. ''Pokémon Adventures, Volume 1: Desperado Pikachu''. VIZ Media LLC, July 6 2000. ISBN 1-56931-507-8
*Kusaka, Hidenori, & Mato. ''Pokémon Adventures, Volume 4: The Yellow Caballero: A Trainer in Yellow''. VIZ Media LLC, January 9 2002. ISBN 1-56931-710-0
</div>
==External links==
*[http://www.pokemon.com/ Official Pokémon website]
*[http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Charmander_(Pokémon) Bulbapedia] (a Pokémon-centric Wiki)’s article about Charmander as a species
*{{Serebiidex|004|Charmander}}
*[http://www.pokemondungeon.com/pokedex/charmander.shtml Pokémon Dungeon] Pokédex entry, full of statistics analysis
*[http://www.psypokes.com/dex/pokedex.php?id=004&view=general PsyPoke] Pokédex entry
*{{WikiKnowledge|Charmander}}
[[Category:Starter Pokémon]]
[[Category:Basic Pokémon]]
[[Category:Fictional dinosaurs]]
[[Category:Fictional lizards]]
[[Category:Fictional dragons]]
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