Touted as the toughest starter Pokémon to train in both the game and the anime, Charmander certainly lived up to that reputation. Especially in the show, his defiant personality is what stood out among the other loveable characters that simply fell in line with Ash's orders.
It's not just Charmander itself but the entire evolution chain that has attracted attention for decades. With Charmeleon and Charizard bringing up the rear, all 3 Pokémon have distinct personalities and power levels that make them fully worth the attitude issues.
10 The Fire Of Life
Not only is that flame a good indicator of how much gas it has in the tank, but the Charmanders tail is also an overall mood ring. When its flames become exaggerated and erratic, stay out of its way and too low means big trouble.
It's even said that if the fire goes out then the Pokémons life comes to an end. Luckily it's not an easily extinguished ember, even in rainfall it's known to power its way through and create steam.
9 Disappearing Back Spikes
One of the great things about having such a long-lasting series is the development we see of the evolution chains. From Pikachu to Magmar, fans have been given both more powerful and cuter Pokémon on both ends. Some Pokémon haven't even needed the extra step, creators have slowly modified the actual design of Charmander.
Starting off its career with a hump on its back, Charmander's probably pretty welcoming to the new, sleeker design. When looking at its evolutions, Charmeleon and Charizard, it's easy to see where the inspiration came from, with Charmander being the only sleek form in the bunch.
8 A Countries Currency
The Island nation of Niue, a small place with a great sense of pop culture. Back in 2001, the government decided that a great way to commemorate Pokémon culture would be to stamp it on their official currency. If that's not a dedicated fanbase I don't know what is.
Each coin being worth 1 New Zealand dollar, 5 of the original crew managed to make the cut. One of those being the salamander himself, Charmander. While it does have to share the spotlight a little, Charmander and Pikachu are tied for the best pose.
7 An Unsure Design
Another odd design feature in a long list it seems for the fire starter. With Atsuko Nishida creating the original sprites with 3 fingers and Ken Sugimori following along with 4, both versions have been adapted into the modern era.
The anime, Trading Card Game and movies all feature the 3 fingered design, select games and 3D models give us the 4 fingered Charmander. Not a massive deal but it is strange that no one can make up their mind and give the poor Pokémon a final decision.
6 The Tallest Fire Starter
Charmander really does have most of the bragging rights when it comes to starter Pokemon. It was the most popular out of the gates, had a great move set and now claims the title of tallest fire starter Pokémon.
Coming in at 2 feet tall its not exactly Shaquille O'Neal, then again Fire Pokémon were never known for their immense size. The feisty favourite remains at the top of the heap in more ways than one, another feather in its cap as a type icon.
5 Origins Of A Salamander
It's fairly obvious that Charmander and his entire evolution chain are some form of lizard or another. Though the smallest is the most ambiguous as far as looks go. Good thing they gave us a big hint in its name, never too good for a solid rhyme hint.
Also, the mythological salamander is a fire spirit, resistant to flames itself and an embodiment of the element. Not to be mistaken for the actual animal, though the legend is based on them. Apparently from seeing them crawl out of burning logs in the early days.
4 The Most Popular Starter
With so many polls being done when the first generation dropped and since, the resounding winner for the first pick starter was Charmander. No offence to the rest of the gang but it always had a distinct advantage, Fire was always the cooler type.
The deterrent was that Charmander wasn't a great pick for the early game so players had to earn him. Having to tough out the beginning stages was a right of passage to one of the most popular Pokémon in the entire series, Charizard.
3 Matching Statistics
Pokémon began to diversify a little after the second generation, but for Cyndaquil and Charmander it was even stevens. Right out of the block they had the exact same stats, not only that but it followed the same path down the entire evolution chain.
So if players were in the Charmander game for his stats, they were definitely in the Cyndaquil game for Gold and Silver. Design rules above all for a lot of people, one of the factors that forced the team to start to shake things up in the mid generations.
2 Right Move, Right Time
It's rare in Pokémon that they will give you any specifics at all outside of the main storyline. Making Metal Claw one of the rare instances were designers were forced to intervene.
Brock, the rock gym leader, is the first challenge you come across and if you happened to fall for the lizard's charms it was a tough fight to get through. The fight must have been too difficult in testing because Charmander suspiciously learns Metal Claw right in time to take the rock pokémon out.
1 Back To The Beginning
For such an iconic character, it was only right that the anime gave fans what they wanted fast. Episode 11 aired in 1998, giving fans 123 episodes with the rocky relationship between Ash and the Pokémon.
After this, a long hiatus occurs due to the disobedience it shows as a fully grown Charizard. They can't keep a good lizard down though, making its return in the Johto League and reclaiming its spot on Ash's team.