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Butterfree

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Butterfree
Pokémon character
First gamePokémon Red and Blue (1996)
In-universe information
SpeciesPokémon
TypeBug/Flying

Butterfree is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon media franchise, and the evolved form of Metapod, which evolves from Caterpie. First introduced in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue, it is among the first Pokémon available to the player, and evolves sooner than most other Pokémon. Since Butterfree's debut, it has appeared in multiple games including Pokémon Go and the Pokémon Trading Card Game, as well as various merchandise.

Classified as both a Bug and Flying-type Pokémon, Butterfree is an insect which is based on a butterfly, while its previous forms are based on a caterpillar and chrysalis respectively. It has white wings with black patterns, antennae, red compound eyes, and a purple two-segment body with blue hands and feet. Entomologist Rebecca M. Kittel argued that these Butterfree and its prior forms all take inspiration from different insects. Due to these dissimilarities, an urban legend was formed that suggested the Pokémon Venomoth originally evolved from Metapod and Butterfree from Venonat due to Butterfree's similarities to it.

In the Pokémon anime, Butterfree is a Pokémon of protagonist Ash Ketchum, evolving from a Caterpie he caught. Its departure in the anime has been considered one of the most touching moments due to it being the first Pokémon he caught, as well as the fact that it did not return for most of the anime. It eventually returned in the finale of Ash's story, which was considered an impactful moment.

Conception and development

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Butterfree is a species of fictional creatures called Pokémon created for the Pokémon media franchise. Developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo, the Japanese franchise began in 1996 with the video games Pokémon Red and Green for the Game Boy, which were later released in North America as Pokémon Red and Blue in 1998.[1] In these games and their sequels, the player assumes the role of a Trainer whose goal is to capture and use the creatures' special abilities to combat other Pokémon. Some Pokémon can transform into stronger species through a process called evolution via various means.[2] Each Pokémon have one or two elemental types, which define its advantages and disadvantages when battling other Pokémon.[3] A major goal in each game is to complete the Pokédex, a comprehensive Pokémon encyclopedia, by capturing, evolving, and trading with other Trainers to obtain individuals from all Pokémon species.[2]

Design

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Butterfree is an insect-like Pokémon, resembling a butterfly. Its purple body features two segments, and its mouth, hands, and feet are blue. It features red compound eyes, a pair of antennae, and white wings with a black pattern. It evolves from Metapod, a green chrysalis form that evolves from Caterpie which has a nose-like protrusion. Caterpie is also green, resembling a caterpillar with a red protrusion from its head.[4]

Appearances

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First found in Pokémon Red and Blue, Butterfree has appeared in most Pokémon titles since, including most major games.[5][citation needed] In Red and Blue, Butterfree is available early in the game through evolution from a Caterpie or Metapod caught in the wild, evolving at a lower level than most other Pokémon.[5] Another Pokémon, Beedrill, contrasts Butterfree; it is also a Bug-type and has the same evolution process, evolving from Kakuna which evolves from Weedle. Both lines are available in both versions, but Butterfree is more common in Blue while Beedrill is more common in Red.[citation needed] The availability of these two lines has continued in a similar fashion in future games, including Pokémon Gold and Silver, Pokémon Black and White, and Pokémon Black 2 and White 2. The games Pokémon Sword and Shield introduced a mechanic called Dynamax, which allowed Pokémon to grow very large in battle, with some Pokémon, Butterfree included, getting exclusive new designs called Gigantamax.[citation needed] Butterfree is available in the mobile game Pokémon Go and the Pokémon Trading Card Game.[citation needed][citation needed]

In the related anime, Caterpie is the first Pokémon Ash Ketchum caught. It eventually evolved into Metapod and then Butterfree,[6] and was at one point temporarily traded for a Raticate before Ash traded back for it.[citation needed] Butterfree later finds a female Butterfree, who Ash helps him woo. At the end of the episode, Ash allows Butterfree to go with this other Butterfree, despite his sadness over his departure.[6] Butterfree and Ash eventually reunite 20 years later in the series finale at the end of Ash's journey.[citation needed] Butterfree also appears in the anime film Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!, a retelling of the series with some differences.[7]

Reception

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Butterfree has received generally positive reception, identified as being among the best Pokémon by IGN.[8] In their Pokémon of the Day series, IGN stated that they appreciated the fact that Butterfree was a Pokémon that players could obtain early through evolution and who was useful against in-game opponents early in the game, but that it petered off eventually and largely became useless.[5] The episode "Bye-Bye Butterfree" has been considered one of the most touching farewell episodes in the Pokémon anime, with Real Sound staff noting that it caused many fans to cry over Butterfree's departure.[9] The fact that it was the first Pokémon released by anyone in the anime at that point was also a contributing factor to its departure's impact according to IGN.[10] Anime News Network writer Jacob Chapman stated that, despite not being as torn up over Butterfree's departure as others, the scene was "burned into [his] brain." He also suggested that this scene mirrored the first experience of loss for many kids.[11] The Gamer writer Brandon Howard expressed a desire for Butterfree to return to the anime upon hearing that Ash's story was nearing its conclusion. He felt that releasing Butterfree was one of Ash's most difficult and arguably saddest, adding that it would be a good send-off for him for the two to reunite.[12] The return of Butterfree in the finale of the anime was considered an emotionally impactful moment by CBR writer Jae Choi, who felt that the end of Ash's journey having him meet up with Butterfree again made the moment more poignant. The fact that Butterfree, unlike other Pokémon who left like Squirtle, Charizard, and Bulbasaur, never returned during the anime until that point, made Choi feel that his departure was more impactful as a result. He also suggested it served as a good benchmark, showing Butterfree's departure as "Ash's first real moment of growing up" and his return showing how far Ash has come since.[13]

Butterfree's design, particularly in relation to its previous forms, has been the subject of discussion by critics. An urban legend for the Pokémon franchise exists which argues that Butterfree and Venomoth were originally meant to be part of each other's respective evolutionary lines, with GamesRadar+ writer Ashley Reed suggesting it had credence due to dissimilarities between Butterfree and Metapod, as well as similarities between it and Venonat, the first form of Venomoth. In particular, it's argued that the similar color and compound eyes between Butterfree and Venonat demonstrates this apparent connection.[14] Magmix staff agreed on this, stating that certain features of Butterfree's, including its fangs, antennae, eyes, and hand shape are nearly identical to Venonat's, while Venomoth's three-pronged horn and eyes seemed to relate more to Butterfree's previous forms.[15] According to Inside Games writer Sawadee Otsuka, people have speculated that the similarities between them caused them to not be featured in the same Pokedex since appearing together in Gold and Silver.[16] Author Rebecca M. Kittel discussed the growth of Caterpie into Butterfree, particularly how much they change. She discussed how Caterpie resembles an Asian swallowtail, as does Metapod resemble a swallowtail chrysalis, specifically stating that its "nose-like protrusion" resembles a Polydamas swallowtail and Pipevine swallowtail. For Butterfree, she argued that while it bore a resemblance to aporia crataegi, it has teeth instead of a proboscis like butterflies have, and it lacks a typical three segments found in insects.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Hilliard, Kyle (December 25, 2016). "Pokémon Red & Blue – A Look Back At The 20-Year Journey To Catch 'Em All". Game Informer. Archived from the original on October 1, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Allison, Anne (May 2006). Millennial Monsters: Japanese Toys and the Global Imagination. University of California Press. pp. 192–197. ISBN 9780520938991.
  3. ^ Pokémon Deluxe Essential Handbook. Scholastic Inc. July 28, 2015. p. 5. ISBN 9780545795661.
  4. ^ a b Kittel, Rebecca M. (2018). "The entomological diversity of Pokémon" (PDF). Journal of Geek Studies. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c Pokémon of the Day Chick (July 17, 2003). "Pokemon of the Day: Butterfree (#12)". IGN. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  6. ^ a b Hussain, Tamoor (February 27, 2018). "5 Unforgettable Pokemon TV Series Moments". GameSpot. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  7. ^ Osborn, Alex (July 10, 2017). "New Pokemon Movie Retells Ash's First Adventure Without Brock and Misty". IGN. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  8. ^ Plagge, Kallie (January 29, 2016). "The 10 Best First-Generation Pokemon". IGN. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  9. ^ Yorkshire (March 8, 2023). "『ポケモン』サトシの旅はまもなく終わり……涙が止まらなかった"手持ちポケモン"との別れのエピソード". Real Sound. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  10. ^ Gettys, Tim (May 8, 2014). "6 Saddest Pokemon Moments". IGN. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  11. ^ Chapman, Jacob (February 8, 2017). "The Top Twenty Original Pokémon Episodes - Part One". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  12. ^ Howard, Brandon (May 11, 2020). "If Ash's Journey Is Over, Can Butterfree Come Back?". The Gamer. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
  13. ^ Choi, Jae (February 14, 2023). "Pokémon: Why the Return of Ash's Butterfree Is So Emotionally Impactful". CBR. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  14. ^ Reed, Ashley (October 13, 2017). "The weirdest theories about the Pokemon universe". GamesRadar+. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  15. ^ "『ポケモン』ファンがツッコんだ「設定ミス」疑惑　レベル51で「にらみつける」なぜ？". Magmix. May 12, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  16. ^ Otsuka, Sawadee (March 26, 2023). "『ポケモンSV』キャタピー族と"ずかん共演NG"説も！？実は約23年ぶりに掲載されていたコンパン". Inside Games. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
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