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Number: 255Type: FireEvolves from: None Evolves into: Combusken
Torchic
Pokémon series character
First gamePokémon Ruby and Sapphire

Torchic|アチャモ || Achamo in original Japanese language versions is one of the fictional species of Pokémon creatures from the Pokémon media franchise. Designed by Ken Sugimori,[1] Torchic made its debut in the Ruby and Sapphire versions of the Pokémon video games. Torchic, as all Pokémon, fight other Pokémon in battles featured in the anime, manga, and games.[2]

Torchic's name is a combination of the words torch and chick, the common term for infant chickens.[3] The Japanese name for Torchic, Achamo, is a combination of aka (), a term referring to both baby and the color red, and shamo (軍鶏), a breed of Japanese bird, originally bred for fighting or hunting.[4] The name Torchic refers to both the overall species, and to individual Torchic within the games, anime, and manga series.

Biological characteristics[edit]

Torchic are described by the in-game Pokédexes of the Pokémon video games as being covered by a fluffy coat of down. Their wings are small and rudimentary; however, as Torchic evolve into their later forms, Combusken and Blaziken, claws slowly protrude from their wingtips, making them potentially vicious fighters. They are small, clumsy birds, with yellowish feathers and orange bodies. In the Pokémon universe, Torchic are known for disliking darkness because it prevents them from seeing their surroundings, regardless of their proficiency with fire techniques which can illuminate the dark. Before Torchic's legs develop fully, they stay with their Pokémon trainer, following behind with unsteady, hopping steps while they learn to walk properly. They also have a sac filled with churning fire deep within their stomach, allowing them to give literal "warm hugs" to their trainers. This powerful fire also serves as their "ammunition" in battles; when attacked, they retaliate by spitting fire, at temperatures of over 1,800 degrees. Torchic is the only Fire-type starter Pokémon that doesn't have actual fire burning anywhere on its body.[5]

Role[edit]

In the Pokémon video games[edit]

One of the consistent aspects of most Pokémon games—established since the first Pokémon games, Pokémon Red and Blue—is the choice of three different Pokémon at the start of the player's adventures. Players can choose a Water-type, a Fire-type, or a Grass-type Pokémon indigenous to that particular region.[6] Torchic is the Fire-type choice in Pokémon Ruby, Sapphire and Pokémon Emerald for the Nintendo Game Boy Advance.[6]

Torchic have a definitive type advantage against Grass-type Pokémon, which are often animals fused with botanic specimens and Bug Pokémon, which are usually based on real-life insects.[7] Torchic undergo evolution, a metamorphic change within a Pokémon caused by gaining experience in battle and growing up in terms of levels.[8] They can evolve into Combusken, their Stage 1 form at level 16, and again into their Stage 2 form, Blaziken, at Level 36.[9]

Although Torchic are described as having many bird-like qualities, including weak wings, they are not grouped as Flying-type Pokémon, though they can learn the Flying-type moves Peck and Mirror Move; since Torchic are Fire Pokémon, their Fire-type attacks are stronger than other types of attacks.The shiny form of Torchic has the colors reversed,so wherever it is orange the shiny is yellow, and vice versa.

Torchic have made cameo appearances in the Game Boy Advance game Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire (a sequel of the Game Boy Color game Pokémon Pinball); they have also starred in the Nintendo GameCube games Pokémon Channel, Pokémon Colosseum, and Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness. They are featured as non-playable characters in Pokémon Dash,[10] and appeared in Pokémon Ranger for the Nintendo DS.Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).

In the Pokémon anime[edit]

The Pokémon anime series and films are a meta-series featuring journeys separate from those of the canon that most Pokémon video games (except Pokémon Yellow) follow. The anime follows the quest of Ash Ketchum a young Pokémon trainer as he, May, Brock, as well as other companions[11] travel around the fictitious world of Pokémon along with their Pokémon partners.

In the anime, Torchic protects its trainer, May, and aids her in Pokémon battles and contests, contests that test a Pokémon's appeal from a judge and audience.[12] May chose a Torchic as her starter Pokémon because she considered it to be cute. May's young Torchic was playful, but she avoided using it in her Contests until it evolved. When Torchic communicates with other characters, it repeatedly calls out two syllables "Tor" and "Chic".When Dawn's Piplup is dizzy you can see faded Torchic running around Piplup's head.

Torchic first appeared in Episode 277, "Get The Show On The Road!", which also featured the anime debuts of Professor Birch and May.[13] In Episode 355, "A Shroomish Skirmish", May's Torchic evolved into a Combusken while defending Ash's Corphish against a mob of wild Breloom.[14]

Another Torchic, looked after by Nurse Joy of Slateport City, appeared in the episode "Having A Wailord of a Time". When Nurse Joy had to leave the Pokémon Center, Ash's Pokémon couldn't control the aggressive Torchic, causing it to evolve into a Combusken; once Nurse Joy returned, however, Combusken stopped Team Rocket's attempts to steal a wild Wailord stranded on a nearby beach.[15]

In the Pokémon manga[edit]

Sapphire, a female protagonist of Pokémon Adventures (a manga series based on the Advanced Generation games), has a Torchic, named Chaka, that she received from her father, Professor Birch.[16][17] Chaka evolved into a Combusken during Sapphire's battle with Brawly, the Dewford Town Gym Leader,[18] and then evolved again into a Blaziken while training for a battle with Winona, the Fortree City Gym Leader. Chaka was first used in battle, in Chapter 183, "VS. Torchic", against Ruby, Sapphire's rival.[19]

The Torchic character itself appears in starring roles in several other manga series. The main character of Pokémon Chamo-Chamo Pretty (a Magical Pokémon Journey spin-off) is a female Torchic who has just moved to a new town with her trainer, Haruka. Torchic interacts with a number of other main characters—including Pikachu and Clefairy,[20] as well as both Poochyena and Mightyena.[21]

The protagonist of a 6-part manga series called Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Ginji's Rescue Team transformed into a Torchic.

In the Pokémon Trading Card Game[edit]

thumb|right|150px|Torchic as a Basic Fire Pokémon (EX Ruby and Sapphire set)

The Pokémon Trading Card Game is a collectible card game similar in goal to a Pokémon battle in the video game series; players must use cards (with individual strengths and weaknesses) in an attempt to defeat their opponent by "knocking out" all of his cards.[22] The game was first published in North America by Wizards of the Coast in 1999, until Pokémon USA, Inc started publishing the series in 2003.[23]

Most Torchic cards are typical, basic Pokémon cards and are primarily used to play stronger cards (such as Stage-1 Pokémon, like Raichu, or Stage-2 Pokémon, like Charizard).[24] Some Torchic cards are identical in attack and defense to other Basic Fire-type Pokémon, such as Charmander or Cyndaquil. Torchic, like Treecko and Mudkip, have a number of appearances in the Pokémon Trading Card Game, including the EX Ruby and Sapphire (twice), EX Dragon, EX Team Rocket Returns (as Torchic "Star"), EX Emerald, and EX Crystal Guardians (twice) set, every time as a Basic Fire-type.[25] A Torchic also appears in the EX Team Rocket Returns set, alongside Bulbasaur, on the Trainer card, Venture Bomb.[26]

One rule when playing with Star cards—including Torchic Star from the EX Team Rocket Returns set—is that Pokémon with significant terms in their titles (often used to denote Pokémon that are all part of one set) can only evolve into Pokémon that also share this term. Though there is no mention on how to evolve Star Pokémon, if the rule for other suffixes is followed, Torchic Star could only be replaced by a Combusken Star card—a card which, at this point, does not exist.[27] This makes Star cards somewhat impractical, since they cannot be upgraded from their Basic stage state; they are primarily savoured for their rarity instead.[28]

In other media[edit]

Torchic have both been featured widely in Nintendo's marketing campaigns for various Pokémon video games as well as being one of the leading choices for Pokémon memorabilia. The drawings and sprite design of Torchic were created by Ken Sugimori's team for a 2003 release on the Nintendo Game Boy Advance.[29] Like major Fire-types before it, such as Charmander,[30] Torchic's popularity is partially due to its aesthetic appeal.

Torchic's design has been used at times for various products, most of them coinciding with the releases of Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire.[31] A Torchic action figure was released by Hasbro as part of the Pokémon Advanced range;[32] the toy was packaged with a similar model—based on Sharpedo—and a collectible card detailing Torchic's evolutionary process. The Torchic was first released as a plush toy in the "Pokémon Advanced Mini Plush" series, along with similar products based on other Pokémon (including Plusle, Mudkip, and Minun).[33] It was later re-released—in a larger, fluffier, and more solid form—as part of the "Pokémon Advanced Deluxe Plush" set, which saw a much more varied choice of designs compared to the original (including similar plush toys based on Metagross, Blastoise, Vigoroth, and Pikachu, among others).[34]

In 2004, two Torchic design toys, the "Torchic Plush Keychain" and "Plush Bean Bag Torchic", were part of a major recall by Tomy of 13 plush Pokémon toys. Due to a manufacturing fault, tips of needles were left in the stuffing, causing makers to replace the toys with compensation or replacements.[35]

References[edit]

Books
  • Barbo, Maria. The Official Pokémon Handbook. Scholastic Publishing, 1999. ISBN 0-439-15404-9.
  • Loe, Casey, ed. Pokémon Special Pikachu Edition Official Perfect Guide. Sunnydale, CA: Empire 21 Publishing, 1999. ISBN 1-930206-15-1.
  • Nintendo Power. Super Smash Bros. Melee Official Nintendo Player’s Guide. Nintendo of America Inc., 2001. ISBN 1-930206-19-4.
  • Nintendo Power. Official Nintendo Pokémon Ruby Version & Sapphire Version Player’s Guide. Nintendo of America Inc., 2003. ISBN 1-930206-31-3.
  • Nintendo Power. Official Nintendo Pokémon Colosseum Player’s Guide. Nintendo of America Inc., March 2004. ISBN 1-930206-47-X.
DVDs
  • Pokémon Advanced, Vol. 1 - A Ruin with a View Viz Video., July 2004. ASIN B0001Z35JW
  • Pokémon Advanced, Vol. 7 - Abandon Ship Viz Video., January 2005. ASIN B000667G46
  • Pokémon Advanced Challenge, Vol. 9 - Sky High Gym Battle Viz Video., May 2006. ASIN B000EJ9VMA
Notes
  1. ^ PokéMania,” Time.com. URL accessed on July 20 2006.
  2. ^ Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire Review (page 1) Ign.com. URL accessed June 1 2006.
  3. ^ Torchic Pokédex entry (exampling Torchic type confusion) Pokedream.com. URL accessed May 25 2006.
  4. ^ Nihongo to English converter (select "Detailed Word Info" and type "シャモ") j-talk.com. URL accessed May 25 2006.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference dex was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b Pokémon Ruby review (page 1) Gamespy.com. URL accessed May 30 2006.
  7. ^ Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire Type-Effectiveness Chart Achievebalance.com. URL accessed April 12 2006.
  8. ^ "Pokémon For Dummies" Pokemonelite2000.com. URL accessed May 25 2006.
  9. ^ Pojo Advance Pokédex Entry for Torchic Pojo.com. URL accessed April 12 2006.
  10. ^ "Pokémon Dash review" Ign.com. URL accessed June 4 2006.
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference ash was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ Pokémon Ruby Review (page 2) Gamespy.com. URL accessed May 25 2006.
  13. ^ Kunihiko Yuyama (Director). "Get The Show On The Road!". Pokémon: Advanced. Season 4. Episode 277. 30 minutes in. Cartoon Network. {{cite episode}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |city=, |began=, |episodelink=, |ended=, and |writers= (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  14. ^ Kunihiko Yuyama (Director). "A Shroomish Skirmish". Season 4. Episode 355. 30 minutes in. Cartoon Network. {{cite episode}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |city=, |began=, |episodelink=, |ended=, and |writers= (help); Missing or empty |series= (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  15. ^ Kunihiko Yuyama (Director). "Having A Wailord of a Time". Pokémon: Advanced. Season 4. Episode 310. 30 minutes in. Cartoon Network. {{cite episode}}: Cite has empty unknown parameters: |city=, |began=, |episodelink=, |ended=, and |writers= (help); Unknown parameter |serieslink= ignored (|series-link= suggested) (help)
  16. ^ Synopsis of Pokémon Adventures manga; Chapter 183. "VS. Mightyena" Serebii.net. URL accessed May 13 2006.
  17. ^ {{{Chapter 183. "VS. Mightyena"}}}
  18. ^ Synopsis of Pokémon Adventures manga; Chapter 195. "VS. Makuhita" Serebii.net. URL accessed May 13 2006.
  19. ^ Synopsis of Pokémon Adventures manga; Chapter 183. "VS. Torchic" Serebii.net. URL accessed May 13 2006.
  20. ^ Pokémon Chamo Chamo Pretty definition Freedictionary.com. URL accessed May 13 2006.
  21. ^ Mightyena article Omnipelagos.com. URL accessed May 13 2006.
  22. ^ Pokémon Trading Card Game "How to play" guide[dead link] Pokemon-tcg.com. URL accessed July 3 2006.
  23. ^ Pokémon Trading Card Game News; "Pokémon Ruby & Sapphire TCG Releases" Wizards.com. URL accessed July 3 2006.
  24. ^ Pokémon Trading Card Game glossary[dead link] Pokebeach.com. URL accessed July 21 2006.
  25. ^ Card list of Pokémon Trading Card Game set; EX Crystal Guardians[dead link] Pokebeach.com. URL accessed October 17 2006.
  26. ^ "Venture Bomb" information Shuffleandcut.com. URL accessed June 14 2006.
  27. ^ Pokémon Trading Card Game Rulebook on Illegal Evolutions[dead link] Pokemon-tcg.com. URL accessed April 13 2006.
  28. ^ Trading Card information of Torchic Star Shuffleandcut.com URL accessed March 27 2006.
  29. ^ Pokémon Sapphire information Amazon.com. URL accessed March 27 2006.
  30. ^ Charmander Overview and Merchandise List[dead link] Thejapser.com. URL accessed April 13 2006.
  31. ^ Torchic Product List[dead link] Pokémoncenter.com. URL accessed March 28 2006.
  32. ^ Hasbro Torchic Action Figure[dead link] Hasbro.com. URL accessed March 27 2006.
  33. ^ Hasbro Pokémon Advanced Mini Plush: Torchic[dead link] Hasbro.com. URL accessed March 27 2006.
  34. ^ Pokémon Advanced Deluxe Plush: Torchic[dead link], Hasbro.com. URL accessed March 27 2006.
  35. ^ "Recall of Pokémon plush toys" Cpsc.org URL accessed July 12 2006

External links[edit]