Squirtle

Squirtle (ゼニガメ) is a Tiny Turtle Pokémon and one of the three first partner Pokémon in the original Red, Blue, and Green games. It is a Water-type species designed by Atsuko Nishida. Its name is a portmanteau of “squirt” and “turtle,” while its Japanese name, Zenigame, literally translates to “baby spotted turtle”. After birth, Squirtle’s back hardens into a protective shell that it uses to spray foam or water.

In the Pokémon anime, a notable group called the Squirtle Squad gained significant popularity, with their leader eventually joining Ash Ketchum’s team. In the main series games, Squirtle evolves into Wartortle and eventually into Blastoise. Beyond its own franchise, Squirtle appears as a playable character in the Super Smash Bros. series under the Pokémon Trainer, where it is known for its speed and combo-oriented playstyle. Squirtle is widely recognized for its “cute” yet “cool” design, making it one of the most iconic and popular characters in the franchise.