Does anyone else feel like the Water-type starters have kinda been underutilized in the manga? Specifically the first stages, much more so than the other starters.
Squirtle only appeared in flashback, and Totodile appeared only like twice before evolving. You could argue this was because they were owned by characters who weren't the focus of their arcs (ie not the male player character), but Charmander and Chikorita weren't owned by focus characters and still appeared more than the Water-types.
Mudkip was owned by the focus character of his arc, and thus got a lot of panel time. Piplup also got a lot of panel time, though this can be attributed to all main characters getting roughly equal focus in the arc.
Oshawott was owned by Bianca, the first time a Water-starter was given to a non-main character. Bianca still appeared a lot, and Oshawott definitely had a personality to it, so this wasn't all that egregious. Although, Lack-Two was introduced with an already evolved Dewott, so Oshawott kinda lost out on its turn to be the focus. Froakie, like Piplup, got a lot of focus because the main characters traveled in a group.
Popplio wasn't owned by a main character, and was probably the least focused on starter in all of PokeSpe. Now, Sobble is where this kinda came apparent that Water-types were getting the short end of the stick. The male player characters have always cycled through the types, from Grass to Fire to Water, and back to Grass. After Sun owned Litten, it looked like Sword was going to own Sobble. However, as we all know, Sobble instead went to Marvin. While we don't know how this arc is going to go, the fact is, while Marvin may get a lot of focus, he won't be as important on the Galar Dex Holders.
So, of all 8 first stage Water-type starters, 3 got significant focus, 2 were owned by main characters but didn't appear a lot, and the last 3 weren't owned by main characters.
Squirtle only appeared in flashback, and Totodile appeared only like twice before evolving. You could argue this was because they were owned by characters who weren't the focus of their arcs (ie not the male player character), but Charmander and Chikorita weren't owned by focus characters and still appeared more than the Water-types.
Mudkip was owned by the focus character of his arc, and thus got a lot of panel time. Piplup also got a lot of panel time, though this can be attributed to all main characters getting roughly equal focus in the arc.
Oshawott was owned by Bianca, the first time a Water-starter was given to a non-main character. Bianca still appeared a lot, and Oshawott definitely had a personality to it, so this wasn't all that egregious. Although, Lack-Two was introduced with an already evolved Dewott, so Oshawott kinda lost out on its turn to be the focus. Froakie, like Piplup, got a lot of focus because the main characters traveled in a group.
Popplio wasn't owned by a main character, and was probably the least focused on starter in all of PokeSpe. Now, Sobble is where this kinda came apparent that Water-types were getting the short end of the stick. The male player characters have always cycled through the types, from Grass to Fire to Water, and back to Grass. After Sun owned Litten, it looked like Sword was going to own Sobble. However, as we all know, Sobble instead went to Marvin. While we don't know how this arc is going to go, the fact is, while Marvin may get a lot of focus, he won't be as important on the Galar Dex Holders.
So, of all 8 first stage Water-type starters, 3 got significant focus, 2 were owned by main characters but didn't appear a lot, and the last 3 weren't owned by main characters.