The Pokémon series is filled to the brim with strong Pokémon, with more introduced every Generation. While these strong creatures are great to admire, everyone has their beginnings. Rather than dealing with the strongest, this list looks at the quickest evolving Pokémon in the Pokéverse.
These Pokémon are the earliest evolving species in the series. Because all the early route bug Pokémon would normally take over this list, their lines have been sequestered to one entry each at their first stage, meaning the entire Weedle line is one entry, rather than two. Pokémon from Generation 1 to 8 are included in this list.
10 Chimchar (14)
This fiery chimpanzee is the fire starter of the Sinnoh region. Like many fire-type Pokémon, Chimchar is full of fierce ambition and coated with orange fur. As a starter, Chimchar has received a significant amount of attention over the years, including its time on Ash’s team in the Sinnoh region.
As a member of that team, Chimchar learned friendship after being abandoned by Paul, eventually becoming Infernape, one of Ash’s strongest Pokémon. Evolving at level 14, Chimchar is the second-lowest evolving starters.
9 Lotad (14)
Lotad is the first stage in Mirror B’s favorite Pokémon line, Ludicolo. A water and grass type, Lotad is based on a lily pad mixed with a platypus, though it has six legs, not four. These creatures do not spend much time on land, but their time in the water is spent floating. The lily pad-like leaf on their backs is capable of holding them up and can carry another Pokémon.
Lotad evolves into Lombre at level 14. In addition to being a quick evolution, this line can be completed at level 14 by exposing Lombre to a water stone.
8 Cyndaquil (14)
The first starter to level up lower than level 15, Cyndaquil is a pure fire type of Generation 2. As the Johto fire starter, Cyndaquil was many fans first Pokémon, leading to its lasting impression as a fan favorite.
Both Ash and Dawn have had a Cyndaquil in the anime, both of them evolving only to Quilava. Typhlosion is the canon choice for Jimmy, the character of Pokémon Chronicles styled after Ethan, the male protagonist of Gold and Silver. Cyndaquil evolves into Quilava at level 14, then Typhlosion at level 36.
7 Blipbug (10)
Technically the newest early route insect, Blipbug is the latest entry into the lowest evolution levels, being introduced in Generation 8’s Sword and Shield games. This caterpillar constantly looks surprised thanks to its eyebrow-like designs over its eyes. The bowtie looking part of its body is a setae, which feels and collects information around the Pokémon.
An intelligent bug, Blipbug doesn’t evolve until level 10, then again at level 30 into the flying saucer-shaped Orbeetle, a psychic bug that has a UFO-based Gigantamax form
6 Kricketot (10)
One of the Pokémon introduced that people believed would lead to the sound type, Kricketot is a small bug of the Sinnoh region based on a cricket. Like the chirping of a cricket, Kricketot uses sounds to communicate, though theirs' are xylophonic, rather than a chirping sound.
Kricketot, and its evolution Kricketune, are designed to resemble a bug in a suit, similar to how conductors wear suits in a performance. The collar of the Kricketot determines its gender, with females having a larger collar. They evolve into Kricketune at level 10.
5 Scatterbug Line (9/12)
The Scatterbug line is the early route bugs of the Kalos region. Scatterbug is a caterpillar-based creature with large eyes, a white fur collar, and tiny nub legs on each of its three body segments. Its evolution, Spewpa is covered in white fur except for its large head with even bigger eyes than its previous form.
The main draw to this line is Vivillion, which is not powerful or useful in many battles, but truly embodies the “catch ‘em all” mentality as there are 20 different patterns for its wings. Scatterbug evolves into Spewpa at level 9 which evolves into Vivillion at level 12.
4 Wurmple Line (7/10)
The Hoenn early bug Pokémon line, and one of May's most influential Pokémon, Wurmple is a spiky worm-like creature with a horn on its forehead and stingers on its rear. At level 7, it evolves into two potential options, though the evolution is randomized based on personality values unseen by trainers.
The first option, Silcoon, is a white cocoon that bides its time until level 10 when it can evolve into the butterfly Pokémon, Beautifly. Cascoon, the second option, is a darker colored cocoon that will evolve into the moth Pokémon, Dustox, at level 10 as well.
3 Weedle Line (7/10)
As the poisonous rival of Caterpie, Weedle was released to the world in the first generation of Pokémon. Its impact on the series has been felt from its first appearance in the anime where Ash tried to catch one but failed. Weedle also holds a place in fans' hearts as it is the Pokémon that a sleepy (or drunk in the Japanese version) old man teaches new trainers to catch in Viridian City.
Weedle evolves into the poisonous cocoon Pokémon Kakuna at level 7, which evolves into the fearsome Beedrill at level 10.
2 Caterpie Line (7/10)
The original early route bug Pokémon, even more than its rival Weedle, Caterpie is arguably one of the most beloved bug type Pokémon in the franchise for several reasons. It was the first Pokémon Ash caught and had one of the most emotional moments in the anime after it had evolved into Butterfree and left to pursue love.
Caterpie evolves into Metapod at level 7 and then Butterfree at level 10, which gained a Gigantamax form in Generation 8 after being skipped for a Mega form in Generation 6.
1 Porygon (1)
Rather than include all of the Pokémon that evolve by evolution stone or trade evolution at level 1 and on, this entry goes to the most special of these evolutions. Most Pokémon that evolve by stone or item only evolve once in that particular way, however, Porygon is special because it can do it twice.
Porygon is a man-made Pokémon, comprised of code and brought to life. When a Porygon is traded while holding the item Upgrade, it will evolve into Porygon2. Trading a Porygon2 that is holding a Dubious Disc will cause it to evolve further into Porygon-Z. This is the only 3 stage Pokémon that can be obtained at level 1 naturally.