Squirtle

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Squirtle (杰尼龟)
Alias(es)	Wartortle (after evolution) 100
Species/Race	Water-type Pokémon
Affiliation	Dongshu's Pokémon team
Occupation/Role	Dongshu's starter Pokémon and battle partner
First Appearance	67

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Frail, unchosen starter	67	Passed over by other new Trainers because of congenital developmental issues, a smaller build, and difficulty controlling its energy. Dongshu chooses it regardless.
Sacred Ash enhancement begins	74	Eats Sacred Ash seafood rice; the vitality within it overheats its body and produces a water blast powerful enough to pierce a small tree.
Level 6	75	Its known Moves are Tackle, Tail Whip, Water Gun, Withdraw, and Bubble Beam.
Sacred Ash-boosted Water Gun	76	Its Water Gun overpowers Butterfree's Confusion-controlled Bubble Beam and defeats Butterfree. Regular Sacred Ash meals begin gradually strengthening its physique.
Torrent activated	78	While trapped in Onix's Bind, its Torrent Ability activates; it fires a massive point-blank Water Gun that defeats Onix.
Level 11	93	Nutritional supplements and battle training make its formerly frail body visibly sturdier.
Evolves into Wartortle	100	Evolves during the Cinnabar Gym battle after enduring Ninetales's Extrasensory, then defeats Ninetales with a stronger Water Gun.
Hydro Pump control	104	Learns to control Hydro Pump through special training under Suicune.
Level 34	115	Reaches Lv. 34 and approaches its next evolution into Blastoise.

Background / History

Squirtle was raised in a Pokémon League breeding facility alongside other young Pokémon, expecting to eventually be chosen by a Trainer. It was later sent to Professor Oak's laboratory with its cohort of starter Pokémon, but every other rookie Trainer passed it over because of its frail constitution and poor energy control. Dongshu chose Squirtle after seeing its disappointment at the prospect of remaining at the institute. 67

Its early insecurity stems from being unwanted: it tries not to cry because it believes crying would make Dongshu see it as weak, and it fears being abandoned if it cannot become strong enough. Dongshu counters this fear by feeding it Sacred Ash-infused meals and committing to rebuild its body through care and training. 67 72 74

Though frightened by the abandoned house in Tokiwa City, Squirtle voluntarily leaves its Poké Ball to accompany Dongshu because it worries that its Trainer might be afraid. It later comes to understand the idea of a home when Dongshu introduces it and Gastly to their new living space. 70 87

Appearance

Before evolving, Squirtle is a small, light-blue turtle Pokémon with a visibly undersized build compared with ordinary Squirtle. 67 After evolving, it becomes a larger Wartortle with a lighter indigo body and a tougher shell. 101

• Purplish-red eyes and a wavy tail as a Squirtle. 67
• Often wears round black sunglasses prepared by Dongshu. 98
• As Wartortle, has fluffy ear tufts, brown eyes, small fangs, dark-blue cheek markings, three-clawed forelimbs, and a fluffy white tail. 101

Personality

Squirtle is initially anxious and deeply insecure about its weakness, but it is also stubbornly determined. It resolves to train ten or even a hundred times harder than other Pokémon rather than risk disappointing Dongshu. 74

It is protective of Dongshu despite being easily scared itself. It accompanies him into dangerous places, stands between him and a suspicious Bulbasaur, and repeatedly pushes past fear in battle. 70 78 95

Outside battle, Squirtle is curious, playful, and easily delighted by new experiences. It is fascinated by the sea, enjoys playing with Horsea, building sandcastles, visiting the S.S. Anne, and collecting shells on the beach. 95 96 98

Abilities & Skills

Water-type Moves

Squirtle's Water-type attacks become unusually powerful after regular Sacred Ash meals and continued battle training.

• Water Gun — Its primary attack; becomes powerful enough to defeat Butterfree, damage Rock-types, and overwhelm Voltorb's Rapid Spin. 76 78 97
• Bubble Beam — Can fire dense streams of bubbles; used against Butterfree and Geodude. 76 78
• Water Pulse — Learned after evolving into Wartortle. 101
• Aqua Tail — Learned after evolving; later noted to be taking shape through seaside training. 101
• Hydro Pump — Learns to control it under Suicune's guidance. 104

Defensive and Physical Techniques

• Withdraw — Retracts into its shell to block wide-area Sleep Powder and resist Thunder Shock. 76 97
• Tackle and Headbutt — Uses its increasingly sturdy body for close-range attacks. Its Tackle knocks Voltorb out after it is stopped with Water Gun. 75 97
• Rapid Spin — Part of its established Moveset after evolving. 101
• Bite — Learned as Wartortle. 101
• Can use Water Gun recoil for rapid repositioning, sliding out of Geodude's Rollout path. 78

Torrent

When severely pressured, Squirtle's Torrent Ability greatly strengthens its Water-type power.

• Activates while Onix constricts it with Bind. 78
• Enables a high-output Water Gun that defeats Onix at point-blank range. 78
• Its activation is tied to danger and physical strain rather than a technique it deliberately initiates. 78

Sacred Ash-Enhanced Physique

Sacred Ash mixed into Dongshu's cooking gradually compensates for Squirtle's congenital frailty.

• Initially produces an uncontrollable surge of power and an explosive water blast. 74
• Strengthens its vitality, body, Water Gun, and physical attacks over time. 75 76 97
• By the Vermilion Gym battle, its body is compared to a sturdy little calf. 97

Equipment / Items

• Poké Ball — Given to Dongshu by Professor Oak when Squirtle is chosen as his starter. 67
• Round black sunglasses — A gift from Dongshu; Squirtle wears them proudly on the S.S. Anne and during later travel. 98 100

Relationships

• Dongshu — Trainer and most important partner. Dongshu chooses Squirtle despite its frailty, cooks Sacred Ash meals for it, trains it, and refuses all trade offers for it. 67 74 98
• Gastly / Haunter — Fellow early team member and playmate. The two travel, eat, and play together. 74 75
• Happiny / Chansey — New teammate welcomed as family; Squirtle greets Happiny kindly and tries to act like a dependable senior. 99
• Fire Emperor — Dongshu's guardian and a frequent traveling companion during Squirtle's early journey. Fire Emperor protects the group while Squirtle learns to battle. 74 78
• Suicune — Training mentor who helps Wartortle gain control over Hydro Pump. 104

Story Role / Major Arcs

Starter Selection

Professor Oak offers Squirtle to Dongshu as the only remaining starter Pokémon. Dongshu recognizes its fear of rejection and chooses it immediately, making Squirtle his first official Pokémon partner. 67

Tokiwa Forest and Pewter Gym

Sacred Ash meals rapidly improve Squirtle's strength. It defeats Xiaosong's Butterfree and later faces Brock's Onix, awakening Torrent under pressure to score a decisive victory. 74 76 78

Vermilion Gym

Squirtle defeats Lt. Surge's Voltorb through defensive timing, Water Gun recoil movement, and a powerful Tackle. It then fights Pikachu until both Pokémon collapse in a double knockout. 97

Cinnabar Gym Evolution

Facing Blaine's Ninetales, Squirtle refuses to give up after being struck by Extrasensory. Its determination triggers its evolution into Wartortle, after which it defeats Ninetales with Water Gun. 100

Special Training

As Wartortle, it undertakes seaside special training with Dongshu, Gastly, and Happiny. It expands its Moveset and later practices Hydro Pump under Suicune's supervision. 101 104

Trivia

• Squirtle initially mistakes the ocean for an enormous lake and is shocked by its salty water. 95
• It is described as a “freshwater turtle” after reacting badly to seawater. 95
• It carries Berries in a small bundle while traveling along the coast. 96