Charizard

Charizard (Japanese: リザードン Rizaadon) is the -type Starter Pokémon of the Kanto region, evolved from Charmeleon and the final evolution of Charmander. Charizard is the version mascot of Pokémon Red and its remake, Pokémon FireRed.

Appearance
Charizard is a large dragon-like Pokémon that differs greatly from its pre-evolved form. The red skin color of Charmeleon is no longer apparent, as Charizard appears to have reverted back to the orange/yellow color of Charmander. The fire on Charizard's tail will change to a bluish-white color if it furious. The single horn that was on the back of its head is now two, one on either side. The most notable difference between Charizard and its pre-evolved forms are the large wings that have developed on its back, which give Charizard the capability of flying. Given its dragon-like appearance, it makes sense that Charizard is capable of learning many  moves.

Special Abilities
Charizard is able to breathe fire, like its pre-evolved forms. However, unlike its pre-evolved forms, Charizard now has the ability to use Fly with the development of the large wings on its back. Charizard can also learn the -type move Shadow Claw.

In the anime
Ash Ketchum owns a Charizard, who is currently in training in Charicific Valley. At one time, Ash's Charizard was disobedient, ignored his commands, and cost him several battles. After a battle with a Poliwrath, in which he was frozen by an Ice Beam, he was defrosted by Ash, and decided to help pay his loyalty back. Charizard is currently Ash's strongest Pokémon, albeit still training to become stronger. It has defeated legendaries, such as Articuno and Entei, and has much more potential.

Jessie was given a Charizard by the Team Rocket Delibird in the episode Grating Spaces. This however, was a mistake as it was meant to be given to Cassidy and was taken back.

Liza of Charicific Valley owns a Female Charizard named Charla, who is seen in Charizard's Burning Ambition, Great Bowls of Fire!, and Better Eight Than Never. Her Charizard is also seen in the Pokémon movie, The Spell of the Unown.

Evolution
Charizard evolves from Charmeleon as of level 36. Charizard is the final evolved form of Charmander.

Origins

 * English: Charizard's name is a combination of the words char (to burn) and lizard.
 * Japanese: The Japanese name, Lizardon (リザードン Rizādon in Rōmaji), is probably a combination of a pronunciation of the word "Lizard" and "Dragon". Also, -don is a suffix in a few dinosaur names, meaning "foot". "Don" as the last part of its name would probably cause people to imagine it as a dinosaur-like Pokémon.
 * French:" Dracaufeu" is a combination of the words "dragon" and "feu" (fire).

Trivia

 * With Charizard's base stat total at 534 in all Pokémon games except Red/Blue/Yellow, Charizard has the highest base stat total of the three fully evolved forms of the Generation I starter Pokémon (as compared to Blastoise's base stat total at 530, and Venusaur's at 525).
 * In the games, Rhyhorn has almost exactly the same cry as Charizard, albeit slightly different pitches.
 * Charizard is the only form of any starter to be part -type.
 * Oddly, in Generation One, Charizard can't learn fly, despite it being part flying type.
 * Its shiny form is black rather than yellow unlike its previous forms.
 * A Charizard is a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Brawl, along with Squirtle and Ivysaur.
 * Charizard's Shiny form has changed quite a few times. Originally, it was purple with blue-green eyes and had green inner-wings. Then, it was blue-ish black with red eyes and red inner wings and it's stomach color was a greener hue. Now, it looks the same as before, just it's slightly darker blue. In Super Smash Bros. Brawl, Charizard's blue costume is assumed to be a remake of the Shiny form, just with blue inner wings, blue eyes, and very light purple/pinkish purple. Afterwards, it was remade to be black with a greener stomach, red eyes and red inner wings.
 * The version mascot for Generation 1's Pokemon Red.
 * Charazard is the only fire starter Pokémon that is duel type and the secondary type being anything besides fighting.