Japanese Episode 11

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Japanese Episode 11

Japanese Episode 11: "Hagure Pokemon Hitokage"

(“The Lost Pokemon Hitokage“)

Satoshi-tachi encounter a Hitokage in the forest, waiting alone for its master to return. The trio decide to leave it be, and head to the Pokemon Center where a trainer named Daisuke laughs at the Hitokage he left behind. Shocked by Daisuke’s insensitivity, Satoshi-tachi go out into the rain to retrieve the pokemon and bring him back to the Pokemon Center. The pokemon’s healed and leaves the next morning to continue waiting for Daisuke to return, and Satoshi-tachi decide that it has to learn for itself how rotten a trainer Daisuke is. On the road, Satoshi-tachi fall for one of the Rocket-Dan’s traps, and Musashi-tachi kidnap Pikachu. Hitokage steps in and saves the day by using its flame to beat the Rocket-Dan and Daisuke, after witnessing Hitokage’s power, decides that he wants his old pokemon back. The lizard pokemon rejects its master and decides to join Satoshi on the road, and so the second starter pokemon is acquired!

Thoughts
This episode’s pretty so-so, except for the great scene with the Rocket-Dan’s robot. That’s one of my favoritist scenes ever--I just love the part when Musashi’s behind a bush with her remote control as the little morse code noise beeps. Just the way Musashi is drawn, the way the giant robot clumsily hides behind a tree, the way the music plays...it all comes together to one of my favorite scenes in the whole series. It makes me laugh every time I watch it, both in Japanese and in English.

I’d also like to note that Daisuke’s name loosely translates to “big love,“ which is ironic considering how negligent he is. Damien also has the same voice actor as A.J. back in Episode 8, and it shows--they have almost the same voice, just with different accents. Anyway, there isn’t much to report about this episode as far as changes go…

Side Note
Since this episode has no paint edits, cuts, or significant changes in dialogue, I’ll just talk about things that popped up in my mind while watching this episode.

First of all, why doesn’t Satoshi catch the Onisuzume at the beginning of the episode? He doesn’t have any, and he’s always talking about wanting more pokemon, so why not catch these? In the Japanese version, he says he only wants to catch mezurashi (rare, unusual) pokemon, but in the dub we’re really given no reason. Even the Japanese reason isn’t all that great--a trainer starting out who only has four low-level pokemon really can’t be too picky.

Also, when Satoshi-tachi fall down the Rocket-Dan’s pit, they’re trapped during the whole battle with the Rocket-Dan. But when they’re blasted away, Satoshi-tachi are able to get out without any help at all. Why didn’t they just climb out before? I smell a plot hole…

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