Professor Oak, pokemon expert, has a limited number of pokemon he will give to the newly liscensed trainers. Ash Ketchum has just received his liscense. On the day he is to choose one of Professor Oak's pokemon, he wakes up late and by the time he gets to the professor's lab all but one of the available pokemon have been taken. Ash ends up with the only remaining pokemon--Pikachu.

But, Pikachu doesn't like Ash and shocks him with an electric attack (Pikachu's specialty) when they meet. After that Ash doesn't trust Pikachu and the feeling is mutual.

The object of a pokemon trainer's quest is to become a pokemon master and eventually the best pokemon master of them all. So Ash and Pikachu start out on a series of adventures to help Ash complete his quest.

Along the way Ash makes friends. His current traveling companions are Misty who's specialty is water pokemon and Tracey who is a pokemon watcher and of course, Pikachu who is now Ash's best friend.

Ash's group is opposed by Team Rocket, the villans, who are always trying to steal Pikachu. The Team Rocket members are Jessie, James, and the pokemon Meowth.