Pokémon has introduced hundreds of characters over the years, but some names have stayed familiar across generations. Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle are still instantly recognisable to fans who grew up with the early games as well as people discovering Pokémon today.

Their popularity is not only about nostalgia. Each has a clear personality, memorable design and a strong place in the early Pokémon story. Fans chose between them, trained them, watched them in the animated series and often kept the same favourite for years.

Here is a closer look at some of the most popular Pokémon characters and why they continue to stand out.

If Pokémon is one of several fandoms you follow, you can also browse our anime and fandom enamel pins for Pokémon and other fan-inspired designs.

The Original Pokémon Characters Fans Still Remember

Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle were the original Kanto starter Pokémon, while Pikachu quickly became the face of the franchise.

What made the group memorable was how different each character felt.

Bulbasaur was calm and dependable.

Charmander had the appeal of a small Fire type that could eventually become something much more powerful.

Squirtle was playful and confident.

Pikachu became known for its energy, loyalty and close connection with Ash in the animated series.

That variety gave fans a reason to pick favourites, and many of those favourites have stayed the same for decades.

Pikachu and the Pokémon Character Almost Everyone Recognises

Pikachu is easily one of the best-known Pokémon characters.

The yellow Electric type became closely associated with the animated series through its partnership with Ash. Instead of feeling like just another Pokémon used during battles, Pikachu became a character with its own reactions and personality.

Its design is also simple enough to recognise immediately. The yellow body, red cheeks, pointed ears and lightning shaped tail make Pikachu easy to identify even in a very small design.

That familiarity is one reason Pikachu continues to work so well in Pokémon merchandise and collectibles.

For Pikachu Fans

A Pikachu pin is an easy way to add a small Pokémon reference to a backpack, jacket, tote bag or pin collection.

Bulbasaur and the Original Grass Type Favourite

Bulbasaur has always had a quieter kind of popularity.

As one of the original Kanto starters, it gave players their first Grass type choice. Its design was unusual because it combined an animal-like body with the plant bulb growing on its back.

Bulbasaur also feels very different from the other starters. Where Charmander looks energetic and Squirtle has a more playful personality, Bulbasaur comes across as calmer and steadier.

That difference has helped it build a loyal fan following over the years.

For Bulbasaur Fans

For fans who picked the Grass type starter first, Bulbasaur remains one of the most recognisable original Pokémon designs.

Charmander and the Fire Type Starter Fans Grew Up With

Charmander is one of the most popular original starter Pokémon, partly because of the evolution path that eventually leads to Charizard.

The small orange Fire type begins with a simple design, but fans already know how much the character can change as it evolves.

The flame at the end of Charmander's tail is another detail that makes the Pokémon easy to recognise.

For many players, choosing Charmander also became the beginning of a long preference for Fire type starters in later games.

For Charmander Fans

The Charmander pin works well for fans who still associate Pokémon with their first Fire type starter.

Squirtle and the Water Type Starter With Plenty of Personality

Squirtle was the original Water type choice and quickly became popular for more than its battle abilities.

Its blue body and shell make it easy to recognise, while the animated series gave Squirtle a more playful and confident personality that helped the character stand out.

The combination of a cute design and a little attitude made Squirtle very different from Bulbasaur and Charmander.

That is why the original starter choice is still something Pokémon fans like talking about today.

For Squirtle Fans

For fans who always chose the Water type starter, Squirtle remains one of the easiest Pokémon characters to recognise.

Why Fans Still Debate the Kanto Starter Pokémon

Choosing between Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle was one of the first important decisions many Pokémon players made.

There was no single choice that worked for everyone.

Bulbasaur offered the Grass type route.

Charmander had the Fire type appeal and eventual connection to Charizard.

Squirtle gave players a Water type partner with one of the most memorable starter designs.

That choice became personal.

Someone who selected Charmander as a child may still prefer Fire starters today, while another fan may always choose Bulbasaur because it was the first Pokémon they ever trained.

That emotional connection is one reason the original starter Pokémon continue to stay relevant even after many newer generations have been introduced.

Pokémon Designs for Fans With More Than One Favourite

Not every Pokémon fan wants to choose only one character.

Accessoire also has broader Pokémon designs for fans who like the franchise as a whole.

Cute Pokemon Brooch Enamel Pin

The Cute Pokemon Brooch Enamel Pin gives fans another way to wear a recognisable Pokémon design without focusing only on one character.

Happy Pokemon Brooch Enamel Pin

The Happy Pokemon Brooch Enamel Pin works well for someone who enjoys the overall Pokémon theme rather than collecting only one starter.

Pokemon Claw Machine Brooch Enamel Pin

The Pokemon Claw Machine Brooch Enamel Pin takes a different approach by turning the collectible side of Pokémon fandom into the design itself.

Why These Popular Pokémon Characters Have Lasted

Pokémon has changed a lot over the years, but Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle have never really disappeared.

Their designs are easy to understand and remember.

Pikachu is instantly associated with electricity.

Charmander has the flame on its tail.

Squirtle has its shell.

Bulbasaur has the bulb growing on its back.

Fans also kept seeing these characters in games, animation, cards, merchandise and anniversary celebrations.

That repeated visibility helped childhood favourites become long-term fandom favourites.

Pokémon Enamel Pins for Longtime Fans

As fans get older, the way they show their interest in Pokémon often changes.

Instead of large character merchandise, some people prefer a smaller reference on a backpack, tote bag or jacket.

That is where Pokémon enamel pins work well. Characters such as Pikachu and the original starters are recognisable enough that another fan understands the reference immediately.

You can browse more anime and fandom enamel pins for Pokémon and other popular fandoms.

If you already collect character pins, our guide on how to style anime accessories has simple ideas for using them on bags and everyday outfits.

For conventions and fan events, you can also read our guide to anime and fandom brooches for Comic Con.

The Pokémon Characters Fans Keep Coming Back To

New Pokémon will keep being introduced, but some characters have already become part of the identity of the franchise.

Pikachu remains the face most people recognise first.

Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle still remind longtime fans of the original starter choice that began their Pokémon journey.

That is why these popular Pokémon characters continue to connect with both older and newer fans. They are not only familiar designs. For many people, they are connected to some of their earliest memories of Pokémon.