Piplup

Piplup (Japanese: ポッチャマ Potchama) is the -type Starter Pokémon of the Sinnoh region. It was introduced in Generation IV.

Physiology
Piplup is a light-blue penguin-like Pokémon, which is covered in thick down to insulate against the cold. It has a dark blue head with a primarily white face and a short, yellow beak. The dark blue feathers on its head extend down its back and around its neck, which causes it to appear to be wearing a cape. There are two white ovals on its chest and a small, light-blue marking resembles a crown above its beak. It has flipper-like arms and yellow feet with three toes each.

Behavior
Piplup has a strong sense of self-esteem. It seldom accepts food that people give because of its pride.

Evolution
Piplup evolves into Prinplup at Lv 16, which then evolves into Empoleon at Lv. 36.

Anime
A male Piplup made its debut in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, Episode 1, Following A Maiden's Voyage!. In the episode, Piplup runs off on a chase with Chimchar, who stole Piplup's food, which caused it to become horribly upset. They run off into the woods and, at that very moment, Dawn comes into the lab, where she discovered that two of the starters ran off. With this and the fact that one of these Pokémon might be her choice, Dawn volunteers to help find Piplup and Chimchar. She soon finds Piplup. Piplup, however, is not as happy to see her. Then a swarm of Ariados storm in after Piplup hits its nest in the middle of his and Dawn's fight. With quick thinking and help from Piplup's powerful Bide, Dawn manages to trick the Ariados away. But now, Piplup's hungry and Dawn just wasted most of her Pokémon food. But there were still two pieces left, which she gave to Piplup. At that moment Dawn befriended Piplup, and it was then that Dawn's adventure began. Piplup often shows its pride during the Anime by hitting its belly. Sometimes its arrogant behavior has caused troubles. Piplup learn a new move called Whirlpool and Dawn uses it in a Pokémon Contest, allowing her to pass the first round. Piplup is often seen resting on Dawn's shoulder or on her arms without going into its Poké Ball. Perhaps, Dawn learned that Ash's Pikachu preferred not to be in its Poké Ball, so he also follows it. It could also be that Piplup, like Pikachu, just never liked being in its Poké Ball which is indicated by the way Dawn got it in the first place (because it left its Poké Ball).

Trivia

 * Piplup makes a small cameo in Pokémon White version as one of the toys in the toy bin a day care assistant is carrying when you battle her.
 * Piplup was the only Water-type starter that can't learn Water Gun until Froakie was introduced.
 * Piplup is the only bird-based Water-type starter.
 * In the anime, Piplup was the starter Pokémon for Dawn, Kenny and Tyler.
 * Piplup is the second bird-like starter, the first one being Torchic.
 * The third bird-like starter is Rowlet.
 * Dawn, in a few episodes of the Pokémon anime tells Piplup to use Water Gun although it can't learn it.

Etymology

 * Piplup comes from the words "pip" (a small baby bird noise & the baby stage of a bird) and "plup" (sound of a tiny splash).

Gallery
Piplup Piplup