The Interlude

If you’re like me and have been feeling particularly burnt out during this season of the pandemic, have no fear. One easy way to relieve your stress and get at least a small boost of serotonin is through the everlasting comfort provided by the amphibian Pokémon, Bulbasaur.

I know that Pokémon — the popular Nintendo series that is celebrating its 25th anniversary this weekend — isn’t for everyone. Some may even view the games as made only for children. But quarantine has been all about learning to love our weird childhood obsessions again. The release of a new book in the Twilight Saga brought that phase of my teenage years back into the mainstream. Animal Crossing, another Nintendo game that defined my childhood, reached an all-time high in popularity last year and is a pop culture phenomenon. Roller skating is a thing again! And the list goes on.

Now more than ever, we should feel inclined to delve into interests that we might have considered embarrassing once. Quarantine is a time made for treating yourself as much as you can (while still following your local health regulations). We all deserve a break.

Enter the ever loving Bulbasaur. I was introduced to the frog-shaped pocket monster back when my brothers and I traded Pokémon cards. We created our own version of the card game because we didn’t really understand the actual version (to this day I still don’t). Bulbasaur, the first Pokémon in the Pokedex, quickly became my favorite. In the Pokémon show (which I would watch every week), Bulbusaur was introduced in the episode “Bulbasaur and The Hidden Village,” where the titular character is protecting injured and abandoned Pokemon from intruders that may want to harm them. Bulbasaur is defined as a loyal, strong and caring companion who’ll do anything to protect those he loves.

Ash’s Bulbasaur and a friend in “Pokémon The Series: Ruby and Sapphire”.

He eventually decides to join Pokémon trainer Ash on his journey to “be the very best” after realizing that the Pokémon he is protecting will be much better off when rehabilitated back into the wild. Bulbasaur stayed with Ash throughout most of the original run of the show, and quickly became an iconic character in his own right. He eventually goes on to become a peacemaker at Professor Oak’s laboratory, helping resolve issues between other Pokémon. You honestly can’t get more wholesome than that.

I mean…look at him.

Image from Wikipedia.

That is a friend if I’ve ever seen one.

Obviously, there are dozens of cute Pokémon that also make good contenders for comfort characters. But there’s just something about Bulbasaur that will always make me feel a little warmer and a little happier. So if you’ve been looking for another nostalgic-ridden interest to take over your life for the next two weeks, I highly recommend the comfort that is Bulbasaur. Or maybe you’ve been looking for a sign to once again indulge your own childhood comfort icon. If that’s the case, consider this a sign! Either way, investing in Bulbasaur could never be a bad thing.

And in conclusion:

Screenshot of Twitter user @BulbaGanda’s tweet.