Affiliates
Pokémon Episode Guide
Indigo League Series
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Synopsis: Ash gets Pikachu and sets off on his Pokémon journey. Ash's mother, Professor Oak and Gary are introduced. Ash first meets Misty when she fishes him out of the water. This is one of my favourite episodes. Ash is introduced as someone who has all the enthusiasm but no forethought, who bungles his way yet still comes through. Gary is introduced as someone who knows how to get under Ash's skin, and Ash plays into his hands so easily. Pikachu, the star Pokémon in the series, starts off with a mind of his own. It's not until the very last scene until he shows the slightest affection towards his new trainer. Ash's Mom is firm when she needs to be, but supportive and helpful, sometimes embarassingly so. Professor Oak is knowledgeable and ready to offer advice. Notice that Ash's father is nowhere to be seen—more on this later. Then Ash sets off, and everything goes wrong for the poor kid. I love how the plot develops, the lively background music, and, above all, the dramatic and moving climax. We first meet Misty, with her fiery temper and concern for Pokémon. Finally, Ash sees Ho-oh, a rare and legendary flying Pokémon, a foretoken of a special journey, not inespecially because we, the viewers, will be involved. We also hear the narrator, whose remarkable voice will guide and remind us, move and inspire us, well into the Hoenn episodes. The opening scene alludes to how the original Pokémon game opens. The anime is not only set in the world introduced by the game, but there are many parallels between the experience of the character played by the game player and Ash as the series proceeds. My favourite scene: Ash facing the flock of Spearow. (I have to confess, it never fails to bring tears to my eyes.) My favourite quote: |
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Pokémon Emergency Synopsis: Ash begins to learn the difficulties and responsibilities of being a Pokémon trainer. Jenny and Joy are introduced. We first encounter Team Rocket members Jessie, James and Meowth. Misty starts following Ash. In this episode we are introduced not only to Jenny and Joy, but to the infamous Team Rocket. Meowth and James don't have their good voices yet. At this stage, we don't realize how incompetent they are—we get used to that after seeing them fail a few times. Team Rocket often form the villains of the plot, but sometimes they are the focus of attention. The first impression we have of them is of a sinister group. Yet while they are criminals, they are not trully evil. Their plans often fail due to lack of shrewdness. Many viewers see a strength of character in them. They have persistence, perseverance in adversity, and appreciation for what good happens to come their way. This episode contains the only references to Ash's father (as far as I am aware—please let me know of any others). We're not told much, other than that he was a Pokémon trainer too. The unusual thing is that his mother is speaking of him in the present tense: "He'll be so proud of you. You're the apple of his eye." However, he is never seen, and the remainder of the series proceeds as if he doesn't exist. The only things we can possibly deduce about him are from looking at his son: he might have had black hair, a broad face, a lively personality, and a love for Pokémon. It has been suggested that Professor Oak is Ash's father. While it is true that Delia and Samuel have on occassion been pictured suggestively close, this does not necessarily imply that they have a relationship other than that they are close friends who happened to be in the same place at the same time. (Jenny and Joy have been shown together in some scenes—I wonder what that suggests?) Even if that's what children are meant to assume while adults know better, what evidence is there in Oak's relationship with Ash that suggests he is his son. Rather, it is more reasonable to believe that, as with many of the child characters, they come from broken homes (as is explicit in Brock's case), as a way of arousing sympathy for the character and perhaps as a statement about problems in society. Another suggestion has been Giovanni. Again, when Ash eventually meets him, there is nothing to suggest knowledge of such a relationship. These sorts of speculations assume that his father is another character on the show. It is far more likely that he was one of the millions of unseen characters than one of the mere handful of male adults in the cast. My favourite quote #1: My favourite quote #2: My favourite quote #3: |
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Ash Catches a Pokémon Synopsis: Ash starts learning how to battle and catch Pokémon. Ash catches Caterpie and Pidgeotto. Caterpie evolves to Metapod. This is where Ash's Pokémon journey begins in earnest. Misty is following him to try and coerce him to pay for her broken bike. At this stage, Misty sees Ash as an utter loser. He has great aspirations, but has no idea what he is doing. Furthermore, he's not the type to take even constructive criticism the right way. There is some great dialogue between the two of them in this episode. As the series progresses we see that Ash has to learn from his own mistakes, but when he does, the lesson usually sticks and he rarely repeats the same mistake. This shows that Ash has aptitude, but needs to learn by doing rather than listening. It has been said that it is wise to learn from one's mistakes, and that is true of Ash. It has been also said that a fool leanrs from his own mistakes, while a wise man learns from the mistakes of others. That is more true of Gary than Ash. At the end of the episode, Misty's attitude towards Ash changes. As she sees Ash welcome Caterpie's evolution to Metapod, she realizes that he has some redeeming features. In particular, he shares with her a genuine fondness for Pokémon. Although we are not told explicitly, perhaps she realizes that his high aspirations are not entirely due to arrogance but are founded in a sincere desire of his heart. As we ultimately discover, Ash has not only energy and confidence, but genuine talent—it just needs to be nurtured and developed. This episode is unusual in that Misty reads the title rather than Ash. My favourite quote: |
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Challenge of the Samurai Synopsis: Ash meets his first challenger, Samurai. Metapod evolves to Butterfree. An important lesson that Ash learns is that he has to take responsibility for the welfare of his Pokémon. He takes this lesson to heart and never fails in such a bad way again. Nevertheless, he will have minor lapses from time to time, and his Pokémon will be glad that Ash has good enough friends to remind him to look after them. My favourite scene: Ash admitting his failure and apologizing to Metapod. |
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Showdown in Pewter City Synopsis: Ash battles Brock at the Pewter City Gym and Brock concedes a Boulder Badge to Ash. Brock decides to follow Ash. In this episode we are first introduced to Brock as Ash faces his first Gym challenge. That Brock will become Ash's close companion in no way diminishes the difficulties that Ash has to face in defeating him as a Gym leader. He is presented as a tough opponent, and to obtain a badge he definitely has to earn it. We are also given an introduction to Brock's family background. The experience Brock has gained looking after his smaller brothers and sisters proves invaluable as he cares for Ash and Misty on their travels. We also encounter a common theme in Ash and Misty's relationship. Misty wants to help Ash, but he's too proud and obstinate to accept it. She gets angry at her kindness being snubbed, he gets angry at being told what to do when he thinks he knows better. Yet she still continues to care about him. Ash doesn't realize what he's missing out on. The parallels with the original Pokémon Game Boy game are interesting. Ash fails to knock out the Gym Leader on the first go, just like an inexperienced player is likely to fail first time in the game. Ash's mistakes, learnings and adventures in this and subsequent series parallel those of someone playing the game. Brock follows Ash on his Pokémon journey. He serves a role as an older and more knowledgable companion, who is often able to explain to Ash, and simultaneously inform the viewer, necessary details to understand what is going on. For the record, four of Brock's siblings are named in this episode: Suzie, Cindy, Tommy and Timmy. My favourite quote: |
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Clefairy and the Moon Stone Synopsis: Ash passes through Mount Moon. Brock catches a Zubat. The circle on the sign that Pikachu holds up while playing charades is the Japanese equivalent of a tick (or check, as the Americans call it). Ash's Pokédex describes Clefable as a rare Pokémon. In the original Pokémon game, there are a limited number of Moon Stones and so most players are unlikely ever to have more than one Clefable. (In the later versions of the game, Moon Stones become more readily available at a later stage of the game.) My favourite quote: My favourite scene: Pikachu playing charades. |
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The Water Flowers of Cerulean City Synopsis: Ash battles Misty at the Cerulean City Gym and Misty's sisters concede a Cascade Badge to Ash. In this episode we are introduced to Misty's three older sisters, Daisy, Violet and Lily. They appear again in later episodes, and there are occasional references to Misty's background in other episodes. Misty's sisters are presented as more interested in their their looks rather than in their Pokémon, in making a good impression rather than being good trainers. They are quite different to their youngest sibling, taking every opportunity to show her up and show themselves off. However, while they may perhaps be more shallow in character than Misty, they are not malicious people, and I'm sure would be willing to look after their younger sister if it came to the crunch. Did Ash deserve the Cascade Badge? After all, Ash and Misty' battle was interrupted by Team Rocket, and though unlikely, it is possible that Misty could have made a comeback. Misty later remarks that he received it because her sisters felt sorry for him. Their justification was that if Pikachu had entered the battle, then Misty wouldn't have had a chance. However, this is not guaranteed, since Misty's Pokémon would have been at a higher level than Pikachu, and had they got in first with a strong physical attack, they would have had a chance. The fact that Pikachu refuses to fight is also an indication that Ash is not in full charge of his Pokémon. On the whole, though, I suspect that the badge was deserved. Misty's most powerful Pokémon had been knocked out, and Ash still had both of his able to battle. Some people have wondered what Brock was doing during this time. As far as I know, there is no evidence to support any theory, so we can only speculate. Perhaps it's simply that there was no way to usefully include him in the script, so he was taken out of the storyline for the episode. Blooper: The road sign on which Gary had graffitied a message for Ash was in English in one shot and in Japanese in another. |
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The Path to the Pokémon League Synopsis: Ash encounters A.J. who has a different style to Pokémon training. Again there is an interesting parallel with the Pokémon game. Different players of the game have quite different styles of play and different strategies for building a team. This flexibility adds so much interest to the game, and is one reason why everyone's game turns out different to everyone else's. My favourite scene: Pikachu shaped into an unrecognizable ball. Very amusing! |
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Synopsis: A Pokémon school for rich kids. This story is about how rich kids can avoid having to get into the Pokémon League the hard way. By undertaking rigorous study, they don't have to defeat eight Gym Leaders. However, the "easy" road proves not to be so easy after all. I love the characters and dialogue in this one. Note the Raichu and Venomoth decorating Brock's teapot. My favourite quote: My favourite scene: Giselle ridiculing Ash. |
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Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village Synopsis: Ash and friends meet Melanie who looks after sick Pokémon. Melanie gives Ash a Bulbasaur. Ash receives his first Kanto starter. In the following episodes he gets the other two. |
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Charmander - The Stray Pokémon Synopsis: Ash finds a Charmander that was abandoned by its trainer. So begins Charmander's great saga. It starts off abandoned by its first trainer. It portrays meekness but also steadfast loyalty—a noble trait that in this case almost cost it its life. At the end of the episode, Charmander has to make a choice to change the object of his loyalty, away from an exploitative coward, to a loving boy who wants to share with it a common dream. Little did either of them know what the future would hold. For Ash, his newfound friend would bring both victories and defeats, both wonderful happiness and terrible heartache. |
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Here Comes the Squirtle Squad Synopsis: Ash and friends encounter a team of Squirtles that are terrorizing the neighbourhood. One Squirtle chooses to follow Ash. What is it about Ash that attracts his Pokémon? They surely notice that he wishes to be their friend, not just their master and trainer. Ash is not a prolific catcher, but those he does catch dote on him. The Squirtle Squad make their appearance in later episodes and Squirtle ultimately returns to them. |
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Mystery at the Lighthouse Synopsis: Ash catches a Krabby. He reaches Bill's lighthouse. They encounter a mysterious Pokémon Bill is a character from Pokémon on Game Boy that invented the Pokémon transportation system. In this episode he is presented as a (perhaps a little eccentric) Pokémon scientist. He doesn't appear again in the series, much to my disappointment. The lighthouse door is decorated with carvings of various Pokémon, including Mewtwo. Since Mewtwo's existence was secret and since the lighthouse door was in all likelihood older, this is an internal inconsistency. Most probably, the anime artists picked some Pokémon at random to decorate their artwork and chose an exotic Pokémon for good measure without considering these issues. The mysterious Pokémon appears to be a giant Dragonite. |
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Synopsis: Ash challenges Lt Surge at the Vermillion City Gym twice and wins a Thunder Badge the second time. |
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Battle Aboard the St. Anne Synopsis: Ash boards the St Anne. We first meet Giovanni and the black-garbed Rockets. The amusing scamster selling common Magikarp for an exorbitant price is based on a character in the game. He's one of my favourite characters and he appears again in future episodes. The St Anne is based on the SS Anne in the game. |
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Pokémon Shipwreck Synopsis: The Poseidon Adventure, Pokémon-style. |
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Island of the Giant Pokémon Synopsis: Ash, friends and Team Rocket end up on an island apparently inhabited by gigantic Pokémon. |
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Holiday in Acapulco This episode is not available in many parts of the world reportedly because it featured James with fake breasts in a bikini. A flashback to a scene in this episode occurs in a later episode. I have read that it was eventually censored and given the English name, Beauty and the Beach, although it has never been shown in Australia as far as I am aware. |
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Tentacool and Tentacruel Synopsis: A school of Tentacool endanger the city of Porta Vista. An exciting episode with an environmental message. I think this must the most violent episode of Pokémon, with many buildings destroyed and many people fleeing for their lives. The last scene doesn't quite make sense because it features a character from the previous, censored, episode. |
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Synopsis: Brock and James are under the spell of what appears to be a ghost who appears annually at Maiden's Peak. A marvellous ghost story, with a Poké difference. It's not until the end that we discover that indeed there is a ghost, still waiting for her long lost love. The Gastly we meet in this episode is the first Pokémon we encounter after Meowth that can talk. Why it needs money, though, who knows? My favourite scene: Misty and Ash looking gorgeous and dancing together in kimonos. |
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Bye Bye Butterfree Synopsis: Ash releases his Butterfree who found a mate. My favourite scene: Pikachu about to blow up Team Rocket's plane, especially the look on Pikachu's face, as the shots switch back and forth between Pikachu and Team Rocket. |
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Abra and the Psychic Showdown Synopsis: Ash challenges Sabrina at the Saffron City gym and loses. |
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The Tower of Terror Synopsis: Ash reaches Vermilion City. My favourite scene: Ash in a mask terrifying Misty. |
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Haunter Versus Kadabra Synopsis: Ash challenges Sabrina again and is awarded the Marsh Badge when Sabrina is unable to battle. |
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Primeape Goes Bananas Synopsis: Ash catches a Primeape. My favourite scene: Pikachu not trying to look into Primape's eyes. |
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Pokémon Scent-sation! Synopsis: Ash challenges Erica at the Celadon City gym and is granted a Rainbow Badge for bravery. |
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Hypno's Naptime Synopsis: Children are disappearing while Pokémon are feeling sick. The group investigate the strange phenomenon. Misty catches a Psyduck by accident. |
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Pokémon Fashion Flash Synopsis: Brock receives a Vulpix. My favourite scene: Pikachu having a massage and squealing in delight. |
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The Punchy Pokémon Synopsis: Ash gives away his Primeape. |
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Sparks Fly for Magnemite Synopsis: A power failure at Gringy City. Ash catches a Muk and sends it to Professor Oak. |
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Dig Those Diglett! Synopsis: Ash meets Gary again. |
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The Ninja Poké-Showdown Synopsis: Ash challenges Koga at the Fuschia City gym and wins a Soul Badge. |
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The Flame Pokémon-athon! A Pokémon western!? I think those Japanese should stick to the East. (Apparently there was a very early episode of Doctor Who, a British Science Fiction series, set in the wild west. I never saw it, but I've heard that it was way bad.) |
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The Kangaskhan Kid Synopsis: Tarzan/Jungle Book, Pokémon-style. This Tarzan spoof is one of the most ridiculous episodes of Pokémon I have ever seen. |
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The Legend of Dratini Synopsis: Ash visits the Safari Zone and catches his herd of Tauros. This episode is not available in Australia, reportedly because of a scene involving a firearm. References to this episode occur in later episodes. I believe it was shown during the first run of the series but was never shown in reruns. |
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The Bridge Bike Gang Synopsis: A little of Jessie's and James's background is revealed. We start learning a little about Jessie and James's background in this episode. The background music while the group are riding on the bridge is based on the music from the similar stage in the game. |
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Ditto's Mysterious Mansion Synopsis: We meet Duplica and her Ditto. |
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Electric Soldier Porygon This episode is not available because it's the one that reportedly sent all those poor Japanese kids to hospital. Apparently, the segment of video involved was replayed in the evening news, resulting in a second rush to hospital of the hapless viewers. Interestingly I don't think Porgyon or Porygon2 has ever appeared in an anime episode ever since. |
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Holiday Hi-Jynx Synopsis: A Christmas special. In this episode and the next we are introduced to something of Jessie's background. These two episodes were Christmas specials, and chronologically fit at this point, considerably earlier than when they were actually shown. My favourite quote #1: My favourite quote #2: My favourite quote #3: |
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Snow Way Out Synopsis: A Christmas special. |
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Pikachu's Goodbye This episode shows us a glimpse at the life of wild Pikachu. They are gregarious and appear to have a social structure that includes some degree of leadership, mutual support, group defense mechanisms and even entertainment. This episode features the first verse and chorus of the song, The Time Has Come (Pikachu's Goodbye). The full version, sung by a female vocalist and with some changes to the music, featured on the 2BA Master album. |
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The Battling Eevee Brothers Synopsis: We find out about Eevee and branched evolution. This episode was inspired by the fact that in Pokémon Red/Blue/Yellow, the player only gets one Eevee and then has to decide what to do with it. Unlike many other Pokémon, which stop learning new attacks once evolved with an elemental stone, Eevee will learn a different set of attacks depending on whether it's left as an Eevee or evolved into a Vaporeon, Jolteon or Flareon. |
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Wake up Snorlax! In Pokémon Red/Blue/Yellow, a Poké Flute is an item used to wake up the two sleeping Snorlax. The player then has the opportunity to battle and thus catch them. |
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Showdown at Dark City I love the background sequence of events involving Pikachu and the tomato sauce. My favourite quote: |
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March of the Exeggutor Squad Synopsis: A failed circus performer tries to use a bunch of Exeggutor to further his aims. Ash's Charmander evolves into Charmeleon; it promptly begins to disobey him. In this episode Misty makes a frank admission about her character (see the quote below). Battling all the Exeggutor has leveled up Charmander to the point where it evolves. Ash is happy to have a more powerful member in his team. Charmander, as we learn in the next episode, feels its new strength and thinks otherwise: it no longer needs its trainer to tell it what to do, it can look after itself. In the original Pokémon game, the maximum level at which a Pokémon will obey you increases with the number of badges you earn. This is to prevent cheating—you could trade in a level 100 Dragonite, say, and breeze through. The rationale presented is that a trainer needs more experience to be able to handle stronger Pokémon. This aspect of the game is incorporated into the animation series so as to make a saga, with its exciting and its moving moments. It is not until the Orange League, during which Ash gains considerable experience, that Charizard is tamed. Even then, the change is precipitated by a crisis, as a result of the way in which Ash responds in loving devotion rather than by his skill as a trainer. My favourite quote: |
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The Problem with Paras Synopsis: Cassandra is trying to evolve her weakling of a Paras to help make a potion. I found this an entertaining episode. I like how Team Rocket has a genuine part in the plot. They so often only have a token appearance, only for the sake of the tradition that they always appear and recite their motto. Such grating appearances have only a nuisance value—I would rather they not appear in the episode at all. When Meowth falls in love with Cassandra, James tells him that he knows how he feels. Is that a hint about his feelings for Jessie? My favourite quote: My favourite scene: Paras's battles. Very amusing. |
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The Song of Jigglypuff Synopsis: Ash and his friends meet Jigglypuff. In this episode we are introduced to Jigglypuff, who will become a perennial source of both sympathy and annoyance, a clever vehicle for both building tension and offering comic relief. We are led to feel sympathy for this creature with a dream, the dream to have her song heard. Yet we also feel sympathy for her poor listeners, who are lulled so beautifully. This aspect of her character was inspired by the "Sing" attack of Jigglypuff and some other Pokémon in the Game Boy game. |
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Attack of the Prehistoric Pokémon Synopsis: An encounter with prehistoric Pokémon. Charmeleon evolves into Charizard. Ash finds a Pokémon egg. In the game, these prehistoric Pokémon need to be resurrected from fossils the same way that Mewtwo was created from a fossil of Mew. In this episode, it appears that these Pokémon have managed to survive underground, undiscovered for millions of years. This is the episode in which Charizard evolves, and in which Ash and company find Togepi's egg. As in Pokémon Gold and Silver, the characters have to walk around with the egg for a while before it eventually hatches. |
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Synopsis: Ash and his friends end up playing Pokémon doctor. A successful attempt at a humorous episode. I wonder if the superglue references were in the original Japanese or were an American idea. My favourite scene: Attempting to unravel the Dodrio's three tangled heads. |
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Holy Matrimony! Synopsis: James's background is revealed. Here we are introduced to James's background: a rich kid who wanted to escape the trappings of a wealthy life. Many non-Japanese viewers may miss the significance of Team Rocket's antics. In Bunraku, the traditional Japanese puppet theatre, each life-size puppet on stage is manipulated by three puppeteers dressed in black. I have been told that as the audience gets involved in the show, the puppeteers fade from consciousness and audience only observes the puppets. In this episode, Jessie and Meowth take the role of Bunraku puppeteers who manipulate James as their puppet. They expect to remain unnoticed by James's parents who for a while pretend to go along with their scheme. My favourite quote: |
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So Near, Yet So Farfetch'd |
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Who Gets to Keep Togepi? Synopsis: The Pokémon egg hatches, revealing Togepi. Misty gets to keep Togepi. An exciting and interesting episode. We see some of Meowth's inner beauty shining forth, as well as Ash's skill and determination as a trainer. Ultimately, though, after all their work, it's Togepi itself who makes the decision, and even then, in response to instinct rather than reason. While there is happiness and excitement at the birth of a new life and the discovery of a new Pokémon, there is also sadness that the one who put so much of his heart and soul into bringing this life into the world lost out. Misty asks Pikachu to look after Togepi. Pikachu becomes, as it were, Togepi's big brother, looking out for it, often having to look after it while the humans have their attention devoted to other matters, even at cost to Pikachu itself. |
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Bulbasaur's Mysterious Garden For a Japanese TV program, I suspect that this episode was very daring. The episode shows how Bulbasaurs meet in a garden that is secret and mysterious, whose existence is only a rumour, to await the entry of a Venusaur. The reason for the mysteriousness is revealed, and that is that the garden only exists only during the period of this secret meeting as the result of Venusaur's mystical manipulation of nature. After the meeting, nature reverts to its previous state. The purpose of the secret meeting is for the Bulbasaurs to evolve. Venusaur's control over nature extends, presumably, to its influence over the Bulbasaurs. Its influence radiates out, the Bulbasaurs closest to the Venusaur evolving to Ivysaurs first, the furthest last. One lone creature refuses to submit to the supranatural power that is trying to make it evolve, and struggles to remain a Bulbasaur. The Ivysaurs exert peer pressure, "big boss" Venusaur is angered and scolds it, but Bulbasaur holds its ground, and in the end, wins out. In a culture where conforming to the norm is ingrained and individualism is frowned upon, where disrespect of a senior is unheard of and social ranking has made an indelible mark in the very language itself, an episode showing a lone challenger not only making a stand for individuality but prevailing in spite of the pressure to conform, is, as I said, daring, and perhaps provocative. I wonder what message it is sending the young of the nation as they watch? A personal note: This was one of the first episodes of Pokémon that I happened to see. It made me think that Pokémon was not only childish (which, of course, it is), but infantile. Only when by chance I happened to see some later episodes did I realize that there was plenty of genuine fun and excitement in the series. Of course had I realized the deeper meaning of the episode at the time, my attitude would have been different. My favourite scene: Pikachu impersonating Bulbasaur. |
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Case of the K-9 Capers |
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Pokémon Paparazzi I believe that this is the episode in which we are introduced to Todd. Strangely, I don't think that this and the next two have been shown in Australia—in any case I havn't seen them. Possibly Butch and Cassidy were introduced in one of these three episodes, since I have not seen them in any other episode in the first series. |
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The Ultimate Test |
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The Breeding Center Secret |
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Princess Versus Princess |
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The Purr-fect Hero Synopsis: A wild Meowth becomes a hero to a young boy. I believe that "Children's Day" is a Japanese festival, although I don't know much about it. If you know anything about it and whether it relates to anything in this episode, please let me know. |
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Riddle Me This Synopsis: Ash challenges Blaine at the Cinnabar Island gym and loses. Blaine's riddles drive me nuts in this episode. My favourite scene: Gary asleep as a result of Jigglypuf's song. His hard exterior seems to have melted away and he really does look sweet just this once. |
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Volcanic Panic Synopsis: Blaine offers Ash a rematch in which Ash wins and is awarded the Volcano Badge. |
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Beach Blank-Out Blastoise |
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The Misty Mermaid |
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Clefairy Tales |
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The Battle of the Badge Synopsis: Ash battles Team Rocket at Viridan City Gym and gets the Earth Badge. Scenes from this and the following two episodes occur in the movie, Mewtwo Strikes Back. You may notice Gary's momentary appearance in the movie if you see this episode. In this episode Gary's arrogance reaches its climax. Yet we also see, in the way that he supports Ash, his rival, against the unfair antics of Team Rocket, that he is not bad at heart. I would say that the successes he has earned by the combination of his genuine skill and his fortunate opportunities in life have gone to his head. After experiencing defeat at the Indigo League, we eventually see that he mellows a little. |
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It's Mr. Mime Time Synopsis: Ash's mother gets Mr Mime. This is the episode in which Mrs Ketchum gains her Mr Mime. We see in fact that she is not entirely ignorant about the world of Pokémon—she handles her new Pokémon admirably well. She is not an ignorant housewife whose son has a craze that has nothing to do with her, but her own background has some element of Pokémon training as well. This inference is indeed confirmed in the third movie, The Spell of the Unown. Blooper: The episode title shows "It's Mr. Mimie Time". |
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Showdown at the Poké Corral This is a transitional episode. Ash has returned home from his Pokémon journey, and is about to start training for the Pokémon League. It isn't strong on plot, but doesn't need to be. It fills in time with interesting background about Professor Oak's work, and continues Ash and Gary's relationships now that they have both finished their Pokémon journeys. |
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Evolution Solution |
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The Pi-Kahuna Synopsis: Pokémon, Hawaiian style. This is the first time (I believe) we see Ash's shorts and brown and white tee-shirt. It has been suggested that the Surfing Pikachu Pokémon card was inspired by Puka, the other Pikachu in this episode. |
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Make Room for Gloom |
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Lights, Camera, Quacktion! |
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Synopsis: Meowth's background is revealed. In this episode, a wonderful life story, love story and tear-jerker, we are given a detailed introduction to Meowth's background and an explanation of how this amazing Pokémon came to be able to talk. Meowth is a fascinating character. He has very deep feelings, and great courage, determination and loyalty. His ability to learn to talk demonstrates his intelligence. It is unfortunate that his background directed him into a life of crime, when otherwise he would have had so much to offer the world. My favourite quote: My favourite scene: The flashback cutting in as the bus rolls past. |
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To Master the Onixpected Synopsis: Ash encounters Bruno of the Elite Four. Bruno is one of the Elite Four, whom the player has to beat in the Pokémon game in order to complete it. |
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The Ancient Puzzle of Pokémopolis Synopsis: A mystery involving preshistoric Pokémon. |
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Bad to the Bone |
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All Fired Up Synopsis: The Pokémon League competitions begin. This is another transitional episode. The Pokémon League is about to begin. Unfortunately, most of it is boring, and to imitate the Olympics is sacrilegious. The two redeeming points are listening to the second verse of the Pokémon theme music and the surprise appearance of Moltres at the climactic point in the confrontation with Team Rocket. |
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Synopsis: Ash begins his Pokémon League qualifying matches. Krabby evolves into Kingler. This episode marks the beginning of the most exciting set of episodes in the entire Pokémon series. I could hardly wait from one day to the next to see how Ash, and perhaps Gary, would fare. |
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Synopsis: Ash continues his Pokémon League battles. |
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Synopsis: Ash continues his Pokémon League battles. |
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A Friend In Deed Synopsis: Ash first meets Richie. In this episode we are introduced to Richie, another Pokémon trainer of Ash's age. Richie is an amazing character. In many respects he is like Ash: he is full of life and confidence, he is enthusiastic about Pokémon, he has a cheerful disposition. However, he is also much unlike Ash: he is polite rather than rude, he is conscientious rather than impetuous, he trains his Pokémon properly, he accepts the bad with the good and seeks to learn from his experiences. In short, Richie is Ash without his faults. He comes across as perfect as a person could possibly be. |
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Synopsis: Ash battles at the Inidigo Stadium and loses to Richie. In a surprise twist, Ash's next match is against his new friend. I must admit, I hadn't expected this. The audience's attention throughout the series had been focused, if anything, on Ash's rivalry with Gary. Instead, we find Ash battling a friend. Ash at first seems concerned about what effect this will have on their relationship as friends. But in a chance encounter with Richie at the Pokémon Centre, Richie shows him how both friendship and a competitive spirit can happily co-exist, and in fact work to their benefit. I must reiterate again what an amazing character Richie is. |
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Friends to the End Synopsis: The Pokémon League competitions end. Again Richie shows Ash how immaturely he behaves. Ash sooks when he is knocked out, while Richie, though disappointed, uses the experience to grow. Ash follows Richie's example and encouragement, and he too resolves to become a better trainer. It has been fascinating to watch Ash grow as a trainer and as a person through the whole series, and there is more to come in the Orange League episodes. |
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Pallet Party Panic Synopsis: Ash arrives home. He and his friends soon depart for Valencia Island. Ash's Pidgeotto evolves into Pidgeot. Ash leaves it behind to defend a flock of Pidgey. This is another transitional episode. Ash and Gary return home to a wonderful welcome at Oak's estate. Then Ash is sent off on an errand. |
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A Scare in the Air Synopsis: Ash and his friends meet Professor Ivy. I'm afraid I don't like Ivy. I don't know what it is, but there's something about her. |
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Poké Ball Peril Synopsis: Ash obtains the GS Ball from Professor Ivy. Ash and Misty say goodbye to Brock. This episode features a good-bye to Brock, but it's unrealistically unemotional. Certainly Ash, if not Misty, would in reality have bid a longer and warmer farewell to a companion who has for well over a year been his friend, mentor and nanny. Brock's reason for staying were on the surface to promote his career as a Pokémon breeder. For the benefit of knowledge and experience he hopes to gain while staying with Ivy, he plans offers in return, not only his skills relating to housekeeping and Pokémon, but, he envisages, leadership. In other words, he wishes to be the man of the house, or putting more bluntly, he desires to have an affair with the Professor. Was this a wise decision? Given the difference in ages—a teenager with a crush versus an educated grown woman—and the fact that Ivy displays no reciprocal intent, one would advise against such a relationship. So what is the eventual outcome? Brock eventually returns to Pallet broken and disturbed. Brock must have been hurt by her, perhaps by the discovery that Ivy did not share his feelings for her. In this episode, we are also introduced to Misty's crush on Ash. The Rockets see them together, and jump to the conclusion that it is because they like each other. As we shall later discover, Misty does indeed have a crush on Ash, evidenced by the blush on her cheeks, but Ash is really too young too understand it. Don't forget that not only is Misty a year or two older, but also that girls develop faster. In fact Misty's figure shows that she has already reached puberty and is capable of such feelings. Ash on the other hand readily displays ignorance of such matters. The Indigo series ends in suspense, our heroes unconscious in an unmanned dirigible over the ocean in a storm. Nicely done. |
Pokémon, I Choose you!
