Torchic
Encyclopedia
Torchic, known in Japan as , is a Pokémon species in Nintendo
and Game Freak
's Pokémon
franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori
, it first appeared in the video games Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire
and subsequent sequels, later appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed adaptations of the franchise.
The name Torchic is a portmanteau of the words torch
, a flame or light used to see in darkness, and chick, a common name for infant chicken
s. The Japanese name for Torchic, , is a portmanteau of , a term for baby, and , a breed of Japanese bird, originally bred for fighting or hunting. The name Torchic refers to both the overall species, and to individual Torchic within the games
, anime
and manga
series.
Pokémon, are small, clumsy birds with yellowish feathers and orange bodies. Torchic dislike 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.
games Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire
and in their remake Pokémon Emerald. Torchic is one of the three starting Pokémon that players get to choose from along with Treecko
and Mudkip
. Torchic evolves into Combusken and then into Blaziken when it gains enough experience in battle. It has appeared in every main Pokémon title since. In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
, Torchic can be obtained from the character Steven Stone after obtaining all 16 badges and beating the final boss, Red.
Outside of the main series, Torchic has been featured in Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire
, Pokémon Trozei!
, the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
titles, the Pokémon Ranger
titles, Pokémon Channel
, and PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure. Torchic was featured in Super Smash Bros. Brawl
as a Pokémon that can be released from a Poké Ball during a battle.
, May choses a playful Torchic as her starter Pokémon because she considers it to be cute. She often uses it in battles, but avoids using it in Pokémon Contests until it evolves. It evolved into Combusken in A Shroomish Skirmish to protect Ash
's Corphish. Combusken evolves into a Blaziken during the break of a Pokémon Contest when they were trying to stop Team Rocket from stealing Pikachu and other Pokémon. May then used Blaziken in the Battle Phase against Ash's Sceptile.
In the Pokémon Adventures
manga, Sapphire received a Torchic (nicknamed Toro) from her father, Professor Birch. Toro evolved before a battle against Brawly along with Rono, her Aron. After several concussive battles against Team Aqua and gym leader Flannery, it evolved again to Blaziken in a bout against Winona. It is Sapphire's most trusted team member, and was used in almost every single major battle she had.
A Torchic was also featured in , a sequel to Magical Pokémon Journey
. The "chamo-chamo" refers to "Achamo", Torchic's Japanese name.
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. A Torchic-themed Game Boy Advance SP
was released exclusively in Japan at the Japanese Pokémon Center. GameSpot
's Greg Kasavin wrote that Torchic "fit in well with the tried-and-true classics like Pikachu
, Psyduck
, and Koffing". GameSpy
's Gerald Villoria called Torchic a "fan-favorite". East called Torchic a "star veteran". IGN
's Pokémon Chick wrote that "everyone who chose Torchic as their starter is just tickled to death with it while everyone who didn't wishes they had". She wrote in another article that while she chose Mudkip
, she "now join[s] the huddled masses in keening "why, oh why didn't I choose Torchic?!" She also wrote that if players don't choose Torchic, they have a limited choice for Fire type Pokémon otherwise. IGN's Lucas M. Thomas wrote that the Pokémon Chimchar would be good for fans of Torchic. Official Nintendo Magazines Thomas East wrote that "it's hard to see that [Blaziken] evolved from Torchic".
Nintendo
is a multinational corporation located in Kyoto, Japan. Founded on September 23, 1889 by Fusajiro Yamauchi, it produced handmade hanafuda cards. By 1963, the company had tried several small niche businesses, such as a cab company and a love hotel....
and Game Freak
Game Freak
is a Japanese video game developer that currently creates games exclusively for Nintendo. It has developed the Pokémon series of role-playing games and several other games.-History:...
's Pokémon
Pokémon
is a media franchise published and owned by the video game company Nintendo and created by Satoshi Tajiri in 1996. Originally released as a pair of interlinkable Game Boy role-playing video games developed by Game Freak, Pokémon has since become the second most successful and lucrative video...
franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori
Ken Sugimori
is a Japanese video game designer, illustrator, manga artist, and director. He is most famous as the character designer and art director for the Pokémon franchise. Sugimori is also credited with the art direction for other titles, including Pulseman. Sugimori drew all of the original 151 Pokémon...
, it first appeared in the video games Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire
are the third installments of the Pokémon series of role-playing games, developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Advance. The games were first released in Japan in late 2002 and later released to the rest of the world in 2003 . Pokémon Emerald, a special edition version,...
and subsequent sequels, later appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed adaptations of the franchise.
The name Torchic is a portmanteau of the words torch
Torch
A torch is a fire source, usually a rod-shaped piece of wood with a rag soaked in pitch and/or some other flammable material wrapped around one end. Torches were often supported in sconces by brackets high up on walls, to throw light over corridors in stone structures such as castles or crypts...
, a flame or light used to see in darkness, and chick, a common name for infant chicken
Chicken
The chicken is a domesticated fowl, a subspecies of the Red Junglefowl. As one of the most common and widespread domestic animals, and with a population of more than 24 billion in 2003, there are more chickens in the world than any other species of bird...
s. The Japanese name for Torchic, , is a portmanteau of , a term for baby, and , a breed of Japanese bird, originally bred for fighting or hunting. The name Torchic refers to both the overall species, and to individual Torchic within the games
Pokémon (video games)
Pokémon is a series of video games developed by Game Freak and Creatures Inc. and published by Nintendo as part of the Pokémon media franchise. First released in 1996 in Japan for the Game Boy, the main series of role-playing video games has continued on each generation of Nintendo's handhelds...
, anime
Pokémon (anime)
, abbreviated from , is a children's TV anime series, which has since been adapted for the North and South American, Australian and European television markets...
and manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
series.
Concept and characteristics
Torchic, known as the ChickChicken
The chicken is a domesticated fowl, a subspecies of the Red Junglefowl. As one of the most common and widespread domestic animals, and with a population of more than 24 billion in 2003, there are more chickens in the world than any other species of bird...
Pokémon, are small, clumsy birds with yellowish feathers and orange bodies. Torchic dislike 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
Pokémon trainer
People with at least one Pokémon creature can be considered a Pokémon Trainer. In this sense, people in related Pokémon occupations, such as Pokémon coordinators or Pokémon breeders, can also be considered to be Pokémon Trainers....
, 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
Ammunition
Ammunition is a generic term derived from the French language la munition which embraced all material used for war , but which in time came to refer specifically to gunpowder and artillery. The collective term for all types of ammunition is munitions...
" in battles; when attacked, they retaliate by spitting fire, at temperatures of over 1,800 degrees.
In the video games
Torchic first appears in the Game Boy AdvanceGame Boy Advance
The is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...
games Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire
are the third installments of the Pokémon series of role-playing games, developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Advance. The games were first released in Japan in late 2002 and later released to the rest of the world in 2003 . Pokémon Emerald, a special edition version,...
and in their remake Pokémon Emerald. Torchic is one of the three starting Pokémon that players get to choose from along with Treecko
Treecko
Treecko, known in Japan as , is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, Treecko first appeared in the video games Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire and subsequent sequels, later appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed...
and Mudkip
Mudkip
Mudkip, known in Japan as , is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, Mudkip first appeared in the video games Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire and subsequent sequels, later appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed...
. Torchic evolves into Combusken and then into Blaziken when it gains enough experience in battle. It has appeared in every main Pokémon title since. In Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver
are enhanced remakes of the 1999 video games Pokémon Gold and Silver. The games are part of the Pokémon series of role-playing video games, and were developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS...
, Torchic can be obtained from the character Steven Stone after obtaining all 16 badges and beating the final boss, Red.
Outside of the main series, Torchic has been featured in Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire
Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire
Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire is a pinball game developed by Jupiter and published by Nintendo for the Game Boy Advance handheld game console. It was first revealed at E3 in 2003, and was released in the same year – on August 1, August 25, and November 14 in Japan, North America, and PAL regions...
, Pokémon Trozei!
Pokémon Trozei!
, released as Pokémon Link! in Europe, is a Pokémon-themed puzzle video game for the Nintendo DS. It was released in Japan on October 20, 2005, in North America on March 6, 2006, in Australia on March 30, 2006, and in Europe on May 5, 2006.-Gameplay:...
, the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon
- Manga :*Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Ginji's Rescue Team, manga adaption of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team and Red Rescue Team*Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blazing Exploration Team, manga adaption of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time, Explorers of Darkness, and Explorers of Sky.-...
titles, the Pokémon Ranger
Pokémon Ranger
is an action/role-playing video game developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo DS video game console. The game was released at various dates, varying between continents. The game was first released in Japan on March 22, 2006 and was later released in North America and...
titles, Pokémon Channel
Pokémon Channel
Pokémon Channel, released in Japan as is a virtual pet video game for the GameCube, developed by Ambrella. Its focus is the adventures the player has with Pikachu, most of them involving a new television network...
, and PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure. Torchic was featured in Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Super Smash Bros. Brawl, known in Japan as , often abbreviated as SSBB or simply as Brawl, is the third installment in the Super Smash Bros. series of crossover fighting games, developed by an ad hoc development team consisting of Sora, Game Arts and staff from other developers, and published by...
as a Pokémon that can be released from a Poké Ball during a battle.
In other media
In the animePokémon (anime)
, abbreviated from , is a children's TV anime series, which has since been adapted for the North and South American, Australian and European television markets...
, May choses a playful Torchic as her starter Pokémon because she considers it to be cute. She often uses it in battles, but avoids using it in Pokémon Contests until it evolves. It evolved into Combusken in A Shroomish Skirmish to protect Ash
Ash Ketchum
Ash Ketchum, known as for all appearances in Japan, is a fictional character in the Pokémon franchise owned by Nintendo. He was created by, and named after, Satoshi Tajiri as the protagonist of the anime and manga series, as well as on various merchandise related to the franchise...
's Corphish. Combusken evolves into a Blaziken during the break of a Pokémon Contest when they were trying to stop Team Rocket from stealing Pikachu and other Pokémon. May then used Blaziken in the Battle Phase against Ash's Sceptile.
In the Pokémon Adventures
Pokémon Adventures
Pokémon Adventures, released in Japan as , is a Pokémon-related manga based on the video games. Satoshi Tajiri once stated that the Pocket Monsters Special series is closest to what he imagined the Pokémon world to be:...
manga, Sapphire received a Torchic (nicknamed Toro) from her father, Professor Birch. Toro evolved before a battle against Brawly along with Rono, her Aron. After several concussive battles against Team Aqua and gym leader Flannery, it evolved again to Blaziken in a bout against Winona. It is Sapphire's most trusted team member, and was used in almost every single major battle she had.
A Torchic was also featured in , a sequel to Magical Pokémon Journey
Magical Pokémon Journey
Magical Pokémon Journey, known in Japan as , is a shōjo manga series set in the fictional universe of the Pokémon franchise. The manga is by Yumi Tsukirino and serialized by Shogakukan in the manga magazine Ciao, and collected in ten bound volumes.The main character, Hazel , sets off to catch...
. The "chamo-chamo" refers to "Achamo", Torchic's Japanese name.
Reception
In 2004, two Torchic design toys, the "Torchic Plush Keychain" and "Plush Bean Bag Torchic", were part of a major recall by TomyTOMY
is a Japanese toy, children's merchandise and entertainment company created from the March 2006 merger of two companies: Tomy and long-time rival, Takara...
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. A Torchic-themed Game Boy Advance SP
Game Boy Advance SP
The , released in February 2003, is an upgraded version of Nintendo's Game Boy Advance. The "SP" in Game Boy Advance SP stands for Special. The SP was marketed at US$99.99 at launch. In September 2004, Nintendo lowered the price to US$79.99...
was released exclusively in Japan at the Japanese Pokémon Center. GameSpot
GameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
's Greg Kasavin wrote that Torchic "fit in well with the tried-and-true classics like Pikachu
Pikachu
is one of the species of Pokémon creatures from the Pokémon media franchise—a collection of video games, anime, manga, books, trading cards, and other media created by Satoshi Tajiri. As do all Pokémon, Pikachu fight other Pokémon in battles central to the anime, manga, and games of the series...
, Psyduck
Psyduck
Psyduck, known as in Japan, is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, Psyduck first appeared in the video games Pokémon Red and Blue and later in subsequent sequels. They have later appeared in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and...
, and Koffing". GameSpy
GameSpy
GameSpy Industries, Inc., known simply as GameSpy, is a division of IGN Entertainment, which operates a network of game websites and provides online video game-related services and software. GameSpy dates back to the 1996 release of an internet Quake server search program named QSpy. The current...
's Gerald Villoria called Torchic a "fan-favorite". East called Torchic a "star veteran". IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
's Pokémon Chick wrote that "everyone who chose Torchic as their starter is just tickled to death with it while everyone who didn't wishes they had". She wrote in another article that while she chose Mudkip
Mudkip
Mudkip, known in Japan as , is a Pokémon species in Nintendo and Game Freak's Pokémon franchise. Created by Ken Sugimori, Mudkip first appeared in the video games Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire and subsequent sequels, later appearing in various merchandise, spinoff titles and animated and printed...
, she "now join[s] the huddled masses in keening "why, oh why didn't I choose Torchic?!" She also wrote that if players don't choose Torchic, they have a limited choice for Fire type Pokémon otherwise. IGN's Lucas M. Thomas wrote that the Pokémon Chimchar would be good for fans of Torchic. Official Nintendo Magazines Thomas East wrote that "it's hard to see that [Blaziken] evolved from Torchic".