>>46909251because it's one of few pokemon with actual writing and personality
>was grumpy and pissimistic about Ash but not disobeident>cares about saving pokemon more than battling>took May's Bulbasaur and trained her until she became a Venusaur>stopped a war between the pokemon at Oak's lab and became their boss>was the only one in Ash's original team who got his shit together. Charmander was had emotional crisis, Squirtle was a clown and Pikachu was an ass to AshMost of the other pokemon just appear to be "le wholesome friend UwU" to sell plushies
