Ah, here's a good classic! Growlithe has made its own fair share of appearances in the anime, has had several in-game appearances, and is beloved by fans everywhere. Its puppyish appearance combined with its strength makes this Pokémon a top pick for many trainers. So, let's learn more!

Type Factor:

For both Growlithe and Arcanine, the only type this evolutionary line has is the fire type. This means that they have to be wary of water, ground, and rock types. However, if you come across a grass, ice, bug, or steel type, then this Pokémon will get the job done quickly!

Design Factor:

100%, without a doubt, no contest—I love this design! The orange, black, and cream colored fur compliment each other so well, and this evolutionary line manages to look adorable, majestic, and fierce all at once. Overall, I think this guy gets a 10/10!

Lore Factor:

Growlithe is known for its undying loyalty to its trainer. This Pokémon will never give up on you!

And when it evolves into Arcanine, it develops a proud and regal appearance that steals the hearts of many. Not only that, it gains some remarkable power: this Pokémon can run 6,200 miles (10,000 kilometers) in one day and night! Talk about speed and endurance!

Stats Factor:

Arcanine's stats are pretty great! The strongest base stat is its attack, which is kind of surprising considering what the Pokédex has to say about Arcanine's impressive speed.

The lowest is a tie between defense and special defense, but even though they're the lowest base stat, they aren't all that weak. All in all, a very impressive Pokémon!

Evolutionary Factor:

This evolutionary line is great. Top tier! There's a reason it's so popular, after all. It's cute, ferocious, majestic, and iconic. Really a wonderful Pokémon like all around!

Conclusion:

Basically, this Pokémon is popular for plenty of reasons. Decent type, great design, good lore, great stats, and an interesting line? Sign me up!

To my fellow researchers:

Why do you think this Pokémon is so popular? Let's discuss!