First introduced in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue, it was created by Atsuko Nishida with the design finalized by Ken Sugimori.

[5] Series producer Junichi Masuda has also specifically mentioned Bulbasaur as one of his favourite Pokémon.

[6] 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, such as exposure to specific items.

[1] Afterwards, the design was finalized by lead artist Ken Sugimori who, towards the end of development, drew the promotional art of all the species to give them a unified look and make any last-minute changes.

[2] The idea to feature Bulbasaur and the other Red and Blue starters in a significant role in Pokémon X and Y came around a year and a half into the development of the games.

[19] In the video games, Bulbasaur has two "types", elemental attributes that determine strengths and weaknesses: Grass and Poison.

[21] Bulbasaur has been voiced by Tara Sands and Michele Knotz in English in the Pokémon anime series.

Bulbasaur and the other starters from Red and Blue are replaced by Pikachu in Pokémon Yellow, and is instead obtainable elsewhere in the game.

[34] In the Pokémon anime, multiple Bulbasaur are owned by various main characters, including series protagonist Ash Ketchum.

[40] Bulbasaur has been depicted in action figures sold by Hasbro in the United States, while Tomy in Japan sold vinyl dolls, wind-up model kits, Singaporean popcorn with a flavor based on Bulbasaur,[41] and terry cloth bean bags.

[46] In 2021, Seiko made limited edition luxury watches based on Bulbasaur and its evolutionary family.

[47] The island nation of Niue issued a commemorative coin with a legal tender value of one crown, which has a Bulbasaur on the reverse side.

[53] IGN editor "Pokémon of the Day Chick" also praised Ash's "attitude-packing Bulbasaur" in the anime,[54] and Official Nintendo Magazine's John Vekinis attributed his "love of Grass-type Pokémon" to Bulbasaur in spite of the Grass type's weaknesses.

[59] This led to one Twitter user creating an account named BulbaGanda to spread support for the Pokémon, which was met with considerable popularity.