>>14778153It's because the producers don't really like using Pokemon they consider visually unappealing.
In the case of Squirtle, they probably deemed it was too cute the way it was to evolve, and neither of its evolutions were appealing enough to warrant changing it.
Totodile was, again, adorable, and I can understand why they'd think Croconaw and Feraligatr weren't appealing enough.
Same with Swampert.
The producers outright stated that Prinplup was too ugly, hence why they kept Piplup as Piplup.
And I as for Samurott... Well, look at it. It's an awkward sword-wielding aquatic quadruped that desperately wants to be a biped. That shit's an animator's nightmare. And Oshwott was too cute and popular to evolve.
