2. Cyndaquil
From my favourite legendary to my favourite starter, and what a starter it is. I have no problem with admitting that generation two had my favourite starters, even Chikorita garnered brief interest from a design standpoint, but Cyndaquil was my favourite by far. Adorable, original and with a big flame on its back - my heart was won from the very start. Cyndaquil is most definitely an adorable Pokémon, and even now I can't help cooing over it every time that I see it. Maybe it was the closed eyes, maybe it was the long nose, maybe it was the way it was partially based on an echidna (one of the most adorable beings in nature, even with all the spikes). It was probably all of those things combined - a general composite that made one of the most adorable bundles of pixels that I've ever seen. And one of the most original bundles that I've ever seen, too. Cyndaquil is largely based on an Echidna, but it also takes influence from several other sources. It is known as a Fire-Mouse Pokémon, and so definitely takes a bit of inspiration from that little rodent. It also takes influence from shrews. It seems generally to be based on rodents, but does something new and interesting with the combining of their various features. Not to mention the addition of new features, such as the colour scheme and the giant flame upon its back. Cyndaquil is the fire starter, and so was given generally firey colours. It has blue-grey fur on the top and a milky colour underneath, giving it the impression of something comfortable with living in the ash. It also carries other fire features, such as that unavoidable flame upon its back. This bears some resemblance to Charmander's flame, but for my money is even better executed. The flame is obvious on Cyndaquil, unavoidable. It clearly conveys the impression of a fire-Pokémon. And it is because of all these things that Cyndaquil is my favourite starter, and my second favourite design. It is adorable, with its little eyes closed as if it's a newly born rodent. It is also original, taking features from many rodents to create something entirely new. And, beyond that, it is clearly a fire type - from its ashen colouring to the giant flame on its back. Cyndaquil is definitely a favourite in a generation of generally excellent Pokémon, and deserves to be commended for that alone.