In Grass Hysteria!, May was kidnapped by a hungry Skarmory and ended up lost in a reserve for Grass-typePokémon called the Forbidden Forest. There, she met a clumsy Bulbasaur while trying to pick flowers. After being saved from a fall, Bulbasaur warmed up to May, but the other Pokémon in the reserve repeatedly tried to attack May. However, Bulbasaur explained to Venusaur, her parent and the ruler of the Forbidden Forest, that May was a friend. Before May had to leave, Bulbasaur decided to stay with her.
In Hokey Poké Balls!, May sent out Bulbasaur to enjoy the sights as they went through a city. Bulbasaur quickly got distracted by some flowers in a truck and had to be rescued as the truck sped off. Later, at the Pokémon Center, May showed Professor Oak her Bulbasaur, which made Ash decide to bring his own Bulbasaur over for a visit. When the Poké Ball arrived, it wouldn't open, making everyone believe that the Pokémon Center's Balls were stolen. The culprits were revealed to be Team Rocket, who accidentally dropped Ash's Bulbasaur while escaping. The two Bulbasaur teamed up to stop Team Rocket. Once they found Team Rocket, the two Bulbasaur battled them, with Ash's Bulbasaur protecting and teaching May's how to fight. After rescuing the Pokémon, Professor Oak called back and asked for Ash's Bulbasaur to return so it could stop the Water and Grass Pokémon from fighting. Ash sent his Bulbasaur back to Professor Oak's Laboratory as May's Bulbasaur appeared to have made a positive change from the experience.
Bulbasaur and May after winning the Purika Ribbon
In A Fan with a Plan, May decided to use Bulbasaur in her upcoming R1Rubello TownPokémon Contest after Drew called her undisciplined due to her clumsiness. Bulbasaur participated in the Contest in the next episode. Although initially excited to participate, she quickly became overwhelmed by the roaring crowd and large stage. May snapped at her when she tried to hide, and Bulbasaur reluctantly stepped forward to face Savannah's Lairon. Due to her fear, she failed to follow May's commands and was declared unable to continue after a few attacks. Despite May's harsh attitude, she apologized later for losing sight of what was important.
Bulbasaur and Beautifly in the Hoenn Grand Festival
When May got the five required Ribbons, Bulbasaur participated in the Hoenn Grand Festival, where Bulbasaur was used in the first round of the
battle stage against Harley's Cacturne and Banette, alongside Beautifly, in Rhapsody in Drew. The duo showed off stunning combinations, such as with Silver Wind and Razor Leaf, and won the match. Bulbasaur participated in the next battle, alongside Combusken, against Anthony's Swalot and Pinsir. The two ended the round with more points, advancing May to the next stage.
Kanto
In The Right Place and the Right Mime, Bulbasaur was one of the Pokémon May decided to bring with her when she traveled through the Kanto region. Bulbasaur reunited with Ash's Bulbasaur when May stopped at Professor Oak's Lab to meet up with Ash. The two Bulbasaur were later used in a battle against Team Rocket, where May's Bulbasaur was impressed by Ash's Bulbasaur's skill. May decided to leave Bulbasaur at Professor Oak's Lab so she could learn more from Ash's Bulbasaur.
As a Bulbasaur, she proved to be a very sweet Pokémon. She was very willing to compete in Contests and do her best. She was very confident in most of her Contests. The only exception was her first Contest, in which her nervousness showed in her performance.
In Grass Hysteria!, she was shown to be very protective, as she helped protect May from all of the Pokémon that tried to attack her. In Hokey Poké Balls!, she was shown to be very friendly to other Pokémon, especially Ash's Bulbasaur.
She is also very fond of flowers. She became friends with Ash's Bulbasaur when Ash temporarily brought it to Hoenn in Hokey Poké Balls! and further bonded with it in The Right Place and the Right Mime when May decided to leave her at Professor Oak's ranch.
She was distinctive from Ash's Bulbasaur in three ways: she had a gentler personality, a pair of heart-shaped spots on her forehead, and she was able to use the move Petal Dance as opposed to Ash's Bulbasaur's use of the technique Solar Beam.
Whether she still holds on to these traits after her Evolution is unknown.
Description: Bulbasaur would use her vines and wrap them around the foe's foot and when she let go her opponent would spin and then Beautifly would use Silver Wind to accelerate them.
May's Bulbasaur with Ash's Bulbasaur. Note the heart spots on her head.
Venusaur is the only first partner Pokémon to be owned by a main character that is seen in her final evolved form and unevolved form, but never in her middle form.
Venusaur is also the only first partner Pokémon owned by a main character to evolve off-screen twice.
Venusaur is also the first Pokémon owned by a main character to have done so.
Though Bulbasaur have no gender differences in the games, May's Bulbasaur has little heart spots on her head while Ash's does not, and has since been confirmed female via gender differences after she evolved into Venusaur.
She is also one of the three Pokémon that appeared in the animated series with a heart-shaped spot, the others being Spinda and Wooper.