QUILAVA, DON'T UNDERESTIMATE A POKEMON'S SIZE!
Author: Joseph Reilly
Nintendo began as a company in the late 1800s, and over time much like the hundreds of Pokemon today, it evolved. Other forms of entertainment and products took place over the years and one of those comes in the form of The Pokemon Company which in 1996 gave the world the release of Pokemon games Red and Green in Japan. But it wasn't until Pokemon mainline games Gold and Silver debuted that a little Pokemon who looks like a ferret with flames would make his presence known in the franchise. His name is Quilava, the second form evolution Pokemon after Cyndaquil and this small yet fierce Pokemon has been exciting fans not only in the hit mainline video games but you can catch this Pokemon's likeness on everything from from t-shirts, trading cards, an anime series, and more. With a proven track record of The Pokemon Company creating new and interesting Pokemon for their avid fans, Quilava doesn't disappoint. So from the red and yellow flames on his back to all the times he's evolved on screen, let's take a look at what makes this twenty-year old fire breather still keep us entertained.
After the Pokemon games were such a success in both North America and Japan, the TV series/anime was next to follow. And if video games wasn't a big enough platform to help people get familiar with the franchise, then the series would definitely be the deciding factor.
Quilava debuted in Generation two and has remained making appearances all the way up to generation six. Known as the Volcano Pokemon, Quilava and his other evolutionary forms hail from the Jhoto region. Quilava first appeared in the TV series in the episode titled Love, Pokemon Style! This was episode 269 of the series and in it, Quilava belonged to a character named Macy. Quilava goes on to appear in later episodes following his first appearance. In an episode titled Shocks and Bonds, Ash Ketchum uses his Charizard in a battle against Quilava who in the episode is owned by a trainer named Clark. Then Quilava went on to appear in another episode titled The Champ Twins! Where Quilava faces off on a tag battle, which can sometimes be a rare occurrence in Pokemon.
Throughout the span of the anime, Quilava is seen evolving twice. The first time was from his first stage Cyndaquil into Quilava under trainer Ash. This happened while Ash battled long time series villains Team Rocket. The second time an evolution occurs is in episode DP192 where a trainer named Dawn who owns a Cyndaquil evolves into a Quilava. Unlike the first evolution taking place against human villains, this time Cyndaquil evolved out of a need to protect his trainer against other Pokemon. Those Pokemon being Ariados.
One very important thing in the Pokemon world isn't just how cute and lovable Pokemon can be but it's their stats and abilities that make them stand out. What moves can they do in the games and series? What are their weaknesses and strengths? Since the beginning of Pokemon itself, fans have clamored for all the information they can get when it comes to this aspect and Quilava packs a punch!
Starting off with evolution, Cyndaquil evolves to Quilava and then evolves to Typhlosion. Some of Quilava's abilities include Blaze and Flash Fire. Quilava throughout all the evolutionary stages remains a Fire-type Pokemon which means that he is weak towards other specific types of Pokemon. Quilava stands weak against three types: Ground, Rock and Water. Some moves that Quilava is known to use in the games and series is Leer, Smokescreen, Tackle, Ember, Quick Attack, Flame Wheel, Defense Curl, Swift, Flame Charge, Lava Plume, Flamethrower, Inferno, Rollout, Double Edge, Burnup, and Eruption. In the mainline games there is an equip item that can teach Pokemon new moves. It is known as a TM. These items are numbered and Quilava is able to equip Workup, Roar, Tackle, Toxic, Hidden Power, Sunny Day, Protect, Frustration, Return, Brick Break, Double Team, Flamethrower, Fire Blast, Ariel Ace, Facade, Flame Change, Rest, Attract, Round Overheat, Will O'Wisp, Swagger, Sleep Talk, Wild Charge, Nature Power, Confide.
Quilava stands at O.89 meters tall and he weighs 19kg. There are known female Quilavas but they are outnumbered about 60% by male Quilavas.
We already went over Quilava's evolution riddled appearances in the Pokemon series, so now we turn to the other forms of media that Quilava has appeared in starting with the ever so popular Pokemon mainline games.
The video game space within the Pokemon franchise has always been a launching pad for characters and Pokemon alike and it all started for Quilava way back two decades ago where he debuted in 1999 in the Pokemon Game series Gold and Silver. This was the first recorded appearance of Quilava in a video game and since then he has gone on to appear in Pokemon Crystal, Ruby, Sapphire, FireRed, LeafGreen, Emerald, Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, SoulSilver, Black, White, Black 2, White 2, X, Y, Omega, and Alpha.
Outside of the games, anime, and manga, there isn't many other major appearance for Quilava as he may be a long running character for the franchise but he's also not at the exact same level of fame as say a Pikachu or Squirtle. But, in his own right Quilava has appeared on other merchandise like trading cards, books, stickers, toys and more; carving out a little niche within the Pokemon world.
For two eventful Pokemon filled decades from being in Gold and Silver all the way down to airing in reruns on basic cable today, you don't have to look too far or be Ash Ketchum to spot of play as Quilava. He has earned a rightful spot in the legendary world known as Pokemon. For twenty-years Quilava been an important player in storylines, battles all the other merchandise that keeps more Pokemon debuting. From Cyndaquil to Quilava to video games to TV, the flames on his back continue to blare bright as his legacy continues to grow. It should be interesting to see just what Pokemon game we'll see him in next!