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Why Did Ash's Bulbasaur Not Evolve in the Mysterious Garden?

My Top 5 Episode Of The Indigo League Season Of Pokemon

By Jeffrey FontanosPublished 5 years ago 4 min read
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The ceremony for the evolution of Bulbasaurs

The other day I was finishing my cycle of the original Pokemon Indigo league season and I happened to be on the "Bulbasaur's Mysterious Garden" episode. Here's a little bit of a rundown on what happened that episode in case you don't remember. It was when Ash's Bulbasaur refused to evolve at their species of Pokemon's traditional ceremony. Rewatching this as an adult, I realized so much of the brilliant writing between the lines went over my head as a kid. I only saw what was presented on the surface, just a Pokemon that was refusing to evolve. When you really think about it though, refusing to change in front of hundreds of your own kind, which has been a generational tradition of your kind, was a brave and defiant act on Ash's Bulbasaur's behalf. What was the reason though? Was it selfish or selfless? Or was he just not ready? I have a theory, and I want to share it. Let's continue down memory lane a bit more shall we?

Ash first met his Bulbasaur in the hidden village episode. He aids an Oddish who is about to be captured by Misty. Oddish is then "saved" by Bulbasaur. They later run into Melanie, who runs the village and explains that Bulbasaur is the protector for the sick and weak Pokemon there. This is a personality trait we see of Ash's Bulbasaur all the way 'til the ruby and sapphire era and further.

I got you buddy. It's okay. (Bulbasaur rescuing Oddish in episode 10.)

Now flash forward to the mysterious garden episode. Bulbasaur goes through a tough battle with a Mountain Climber's Rhyhorn. The battle sends him to a point where he’s strong enough to evolve. Through the beginning 'til, this point we're told about the garden and how big of a deal it is. It sounds mythical, it sounds amazing and it sounds like the perfect thing for Bulbasaur to do. Even though with all the great and grand things being said about this place, Bulbasaur still doesn’t seem too excited. As a kid I didn’t notice this. It looks like Bulbasaur and Pikachu are having a heart to heart. He’s probably explaining to Pikachu why he’s going to skip the events going down at the garden.

I know what you're feeling man. (Pikachu probably explaining to Bulbasaur how they've been through similar situations before. See the LT Surge episode. another classic!)

Ash’s Bulbasaur gets kidnapped by a group of other Bulbasaur heading to the garden. H probably overheard their conversation and decided, "no this guy’s not going to break tradition." So he gets dragged there while Pikachu gets a vine whip to the face and has to get Ash and the crew to find the garden. After dodging traps and barriers, they make it inside. While inside, they see the ceremony going on. A Venasaur steps out and Ash’s Pokedex says that Venasaur soaks up the sun’s rays for energy. It says that it also has plant traits and it’s more than just an ordinary Pokemon. All the Bulbasaur evolve except for Ash’s, causing conflict in the garden. Brock later explains how the experts have been arguing if Bulbasaur are plants or animal types. They say they are both, and think maybe they are the link between both. Venasaur shows Bulbasaur what it can do if it evolves. It makes a tree bloom with life. Bulbasaur is still uninterested. Why wouldn't he be when the power that was showed to him has so many possibilities? Well, here’s my theory.

Top: Pikachu telling the gang Bulbasaur needs help. Bottom: Venasaur making a tree bloom with life, showing Bulbasaur he can "manipulate nature."

From episode 10 to episode 225, we first meet Bulbasaur as the protector of the mysterious garden. Then in 225, he becomes the ambassador of Professor Oak's research grounds (I'm repeating myself to give you an idea of the length of Bulbasaur's protector trait, and how long its been with us seeing him show these traits). 225 ends with Bulbasaur staying to help keep the peace in the area. Going back to episode 49, the mysterious garden episode, the part where Bulbasaur and Venasaur argue. I think the conversation went with Bulbasaur telling Venasaur there are already too much Ivysaur and Venasaur who help nature by making plants bloom and restoring dead ones. He didn’t want to evolve because of what he saw when he was the protector of the village. Think about it: the lone Venasaur was living in that tree, probably alone, just restoring nature. Evolving would’ve meant he would’ve been one step closer to that. Bulbasaur felt his duty as a protector and peacemaker wasn’t don’t yet. Ash and his friends were the perfect companions for him to continue this journey. He turned away from accepting the greater power of manipulating nature just to help his fellow Pokémon. He did this by constantly stopping Team Rocket, being there when Mewtwo tried to take over, and helping the feuding Pokemon of Oak's research gardens that consisted of water and grass types. There were many more great things Ash and his Bulbasaur did in between the events listed to help keep the peace. Too many to list; I don't wanna keep you here too long. So after the explanation, I think the Ivysaur and Venasaur understood and accepted his choice. I think it was more than just Bulbasaur saving them from Team Rocket.

It's okay buddy. I understand now. (Venasaur offering his peace to Bulbasaur at the end of the mysterious garden episode.)
Episode 225 from top to bottom: Bulbasaur stopping a big argument with a bigger solar beam. Bulbasaur leading a group of Pokemon to help build a new home for another group. Bulbasaur inspiring teamwork from the arguing Pokemon.
Another few shot from 225: Bulbasaur being celebrated for helping make peace.

What do you guys think? Do you agree with my theory on why Bulbasaur didn’t evolve? Or was it some other reason. I’ve herd other theories such as him not ready to grow up. Or he was just like Pikachu and wanted to prove he could be strong without evolution. Do you think we'll ever get to see him change to Ivysaur? Maybe one day. After all, Red on Smash Brothers has a Charizard, Squirtle and Ivysaur on his team. Red and Ash are two different, but similar versions of each other after all. If ever and whenever that happens, that would be one monumental episode for the anime!

Still the peacemaker in the sun and moon era 20 plus years later.
Detective Pikachu's best scene.

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Jeffrey Fontanos

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