HIYA!
I said I was a Pokémon Maniac!
Here are the Episodes of the Pokémon Cartoon
Episode 1: I Choose You!, Pikachu The Pokémon story begins with our hero, Ash, in his hometown of Pallet where 10 year old boys and girls are not only eligible but encouraged to begin their Pokémon journey. Pokémon are creatures of various size and special powers which inhabit this world, coexisting with humans. Young Ash is a Pokémon enthusiast with an insatiable curiosity toward Pokémon. His knowledge of these mysterious creatures surpasses most of his peers. The day he has been waiting for has finally arrived; he can now begin his journey, leading him toward his destiny, to become the Greatest Pokémon Master of All Time! Before fulfilling such an ambitious task, however, Ash must receive his first Pokémon from Professor Oak, a researcher living in Pallet. Ash has decided beforehand which Pokémon will accompany him as he begins his travels, but oversleeps on the critical day of his departure and arrives after the appointed time. Three children, who began their journeys before Ash, have taken the Pokémon that he wanted. Inside the fourth remaining Poké Ball, Ash finds Pikachu -a rare Pokémon with the ability to shock you with his sometimes difficult but, nevertheless, electric personality and power. Ash and Pikachu set off on their journey, but as anticipated, Pikachu won’t obey Ash. In the course of their travels, Ash and Pikachu are attacked by a huge flock of wild Spearow. During the attack, Pikachu is critically injured and Ash fights desperately to protect it from any further harm. Pikachu responds to Ash’s selfless act by exerting all its remaining power, repelling the flock of Spearow with a 100,000-volt electric shock. Thus Ash and Pikachu’s journey and friendship begins.
Episode 2: Pokémon Emergency As they flee from the Spearow flock, Ash learns from a feisty young girl named Misty that there is a hospital for Pokémon, a Pokémon Center, in the nearby town of Viridian City. Ash arrives in Viridian City with the one thought of finding the Pokémon Center where Pikachu, who is near death, can be treated. He is stopped and interrogated, however, by Jenny, the town policewoman, who finds him suspicious. Proving his identity with the Pokédex he received from Professor Oak, Jenny races Ash and the injured Pikachu to the Pokémon Center. Joy, the Pokémon Center nurse, begins treatment on Pikachu. Just as Ash breathes a sigh of relief, grateful to have gotten his only Pokémon the care it needed, the Pokémon Center is attacked by Jessie and James, two members of 'Team Rocket,’ an evil organization of Pokémon thieves. Meowth, a Pokémon of the cat persuasion, completes the menacing pack whose evil could only be surpassed by Team Rocket’s boss. Two of Team Rocket’s Pokémon, Ekans and Koffing destroy the Pokémon Center. Ash, along with Misty who has followed him to the Pokémon Center, resist the attack, but have no Pokémon that can successfully battle against Team Rocket. The barely recovered Pikachu brings a host of Pikachu friends and enters the battle just in time to rescue Ash and Misty from this pinch, attacking Team Rocket with a tremendous electric shock that blows them away.
Episode 3: Ash Catches a Pokémon Ash, Pikachu and Misty leave Viridian City and enter the Viridian Forest, where they discover Caterpie-a forest Pokémon. Promptly seizing it with a Poké Ball, Ash is overjoyed at his first capture. Misty, however, hates bugs, being chased all over the forest as Caterpie tries to play with her. That evening, the party camps out in the woods. While Ash and Misty sleep, Caterpie tells Pikachu of its dream of someday evolving into a beautiful Butterfree. The following day, Ash captures a Pidgeotto with Pikachu’s help. Substituting Pikachu for Caterpie, Ash is victorious in his capture of Pidgeotto. In search of rare Pokémon, not to mention retribution for their bruised egos from their last meeting with Ash, Team Rocket has set their sights on Ash’s Pikachu, making it very clear that they are here to stay. As a battle unfolds between Team Rocket and Ash, things look bleak for the good guys as Pidgeotto and Pikachu are defeated by Ekans and Koffing. In a last ditch effort, Caterpie saves the day by encasing the enemies in its special web and sending them off into oblivion. After making peace with Misty, the victorious Caterpie suddenly spins its thread, encasing its body in a cocoon. Caterpie has now evolved into a Metapod, bringing it one step closer to its dream of becoming a Butterfree.
Episode 4: Challenge of the Samurai Wandering the Viridian Forest, our heroes meet up with a mysterious young Samurai. Continually polishing his skills as a Pokémon Trainer by challenging all trainers that pass through the forest, he now sets his sights on Ash. Their Pokémon battle begins, Metapod against Metapod. Just when it seems a victor will never emerge, a swarm of Beedrill attacks, causing a delay in the battle. The samurai is first to flee for shelter. Ash tries to recall his Metapod into a Poké Ball, but just misses this seemingly helpless Pokémon as it is being whisked off by the Beedrill. Our heroes manage to escape, aided by Pikachu’s electric shock, but Metapod is nowhere to be seen. The search begins. They finally discover Metapod conspicuously resting in a nest of Kakuna about to hatch into Beedrills. Ash attempts to rescue Metapod, but Team Rocket arrives on the scene, interfering with his plans. The noise of their conflict arouses the sleeping Metapod, who evolve into swarming Beedrill eager to attack our heroes. Ash rescues Metapod, leaving the members of Team Rocket, who are oblivious to any danger, as decoys. In the meantime, Metapod throws its body in front of an attacking Beedrill to protect Ash from its piercing stinger. As a result, it’s shell is torn open, transforming the brave Metapod into the beautiful Butterfree. Under Ash’s direction, Butterfree uses Sleep Powder to put the Beedrill swarm, as well as Team Rocket to sleep. Our heroes part company with the young samurai, leaving him in awe of Ash’s dexterous handling of a Butterfree in battle.
Episode 5: Showdown in Pewter City As they approach the entrance to Pewter City, our heroes meet a strange and enigmatic old rock-seller named Flint. When he learns that Ash is a Pokémon Trainer in training, Flint strategically directs them to the town Pokémon Center knowing they will come across information that will help Ash progress in his journey. Ash discovers that in order to participate in the Pokémon League Championships, he must gather badges earned only by defeating Pokémon Gym Leaders. He heads directly to the Pokémon Gym and challenges the Gym Leader, Brock, but suffers a terrible defeat. Flint encourages the disappointed Ash and provides him with some insight into Brock’s unusual situation. Brock must raise 10 brothers and sisters, all by himself, leaving him no foreseeable way in which to realize his dream of participating in the Pokémon League. Though Ash’s image of Brock, the powerful Gym Leader, crumbles, his desire to earn a Boulder badge is unchanged. Preparing to challenge Brock a second time, Ash gives Pikachu a unique, intense training session. Will the new improved Pikachu be victorious the second time around, and will Brock experience a twist of fate enabling him to fulfill his dream of participating in the Pokémon league?
Episode 6: Clefairy and the Moon Stone Brock has joined Ash and Misty, as they continue on their path to Pokémon Greatness. First, they must find a short cut to Cerulean City, through the caves of Mt. Moon. Upon reaching Mt. Moon, our heroes witness a young researcher being attacked by a large number of Zubats. With Pikachu’s electric shock, they rescue the researcher at the mouth of the caves. Full of gratitude for their assistance, the researcher, Seymor, offers to guide them through the caves. Along the way they witness many injured Pokémon. The poor condition of these Pokémon has been brought about by explorers searching for a Moon Stone reported to exist somewhere within the caves of Mt. Moon. These precious stones posses the capability of 'powering up’ Pokémon. As more and more people come in search of these stones, the natural habitats of the Pokémon have become worse and worse leaving the Pokemon to fight for their daily survival. With the help of a group of the Pokémon Clefairy, our heroes defeat Team Rocket and witness the legendary Moon Stone work its magic on these enchanting Pokémon.
Episode 7: The Water Flowers of Cerulean City In his search to collect Trainer Badges, Ash heads for Cerulean City, intending to confront the Cerulean Gym Leader. For some reason, Misty expresses a desire to avoid Cerulean City and disappears somewhere along the way. Without concern for Misty, Ash and Pikachu continue toward the Cerulean City Gym. When they arrive, the exterior of the Gym gives the strange appearance of an aquarium. Upon entering the building, Ash and Pikachu are entranced by a synchronized swimming show being performed by three beautiful sisters. Could this truly be the Cerulean Gym? And what could be the role of the three beautiful swimming sisters? More importantly, will Ash be able to defeat the strangely absent Gym Leader to earn his Cascade badge?
Episode 8: The Path to the Pokémon League After receiving his second badge, Ash sets off triumphantly for Vermilion City. Along the way, they hear of a trainer named A.J.-a fierce-Pokémon-trainer who has never lost a match. Full of self-confidence from his own record of ten victories in a row, Ash heads directly for the gym to find his new opponent. When they arrive, a huge bulletin in front of the gym announcing, "This Gym Not Authorized by the Pokémon League" along with a neon sign declaring "98 Consecutive Victories" appeal to Ash’s over-confidence. A.J. is on the brink of achieving his goal of 100 straight victories, after which he will embark on a journey to gather badges. Will victory fall on the side of Ash and his 10 straight victories or with A.J. and his string of 98? In the process, will Ash learn some important lessons about the bonds between Pokémon and trainer?
Episode 9: The School of Hard Knocks Our three heroes have lost their way in the depths of a dense wood, shrouded in thick, white mist. Momentarily giving up, they decide to break for a brief rest. As Ash wanders deeper into the wood, searching for firewood, he happens across a young boy being bullied by five classmates gathered around him. Eavesdropping on their conversation, Ash learns that the boys are attending the Pokémon Seminar (or 'Pokémon Zem’ for short) - a preparatory school for Pokémon trainers. Graduates from the Pokémon Seminar are automatically qualified to participate in the Pokémon League without undergoing any actual test of skill. Although many children dream of entering the illustrious Seminar (or rather their parents dream of them entering), only the most wealthy children can enter the school. But there must be a reason for the gloom overshadowing the faces of the students of this aristocratic school.
Episode 10: Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village Still lost, the party continues to wander. Falling from a rope bridge, stumbling into pitfalls, being caught in various traps, they struggle on until reaching a village, not shown on their map, inhabited by Pokémon that have been injured in battle or abandoned by their masters. In this village, a kind-hearted young woman named Melanie cares for these Pokémon. Even as our heroes, touched by Melanie’s kind example, attempt to assist her in caring for the Pokémon, Team Rocket is slowly making its way toward the village. A combined effort of Melanie and Ash’s Pokémon is needed to battle and defeat Team Rocket, and as a result, Ash’s courage earns him a battle between Pikachu and Melanie’s bravest Pokémon, Bulbasaur. Will Pikachu defeat Bulbasaur, thus increasing Ash’s collection of Pokémon?
Episode 11: Charmander-The Stray Pokémon As our heroes press on toward Vermilion City, they encounter a lone, weak Charmander at a mountain pass. Standing atop a stone, it appears to be waiting for someone. Ash immediately attempts to capture it, but fails. Giving up, Ash and friends head for a nearby Pokémon E. R. There they run into Daisuke-the very boy who had abandoned the Charmander. A storm erupts. Our heroes go out in the middle of the night to rescue the deserted Pokémon. Their timing couldn’t be better for they saved the fiery Pokémon from an attack of vicious Spearow. Upon their return to the Pokémon E. R., the Charmander is taken care of immediately, but the next morning he is gone, without a trace. Ash and friends go out to find him only to be side-tracked by the devious Team Rocket. Just when they thought they had captured Pikachu and rendered our heroes temporarily helpless, Charmander comes to the rescue. Will he ultimately become the next Pokémon to join Ash?
Episode 12: Here Comes the Squirtle Squad A company of Squirtles stand in the path of our heroes’ enthusiastic march. To make matters worse, joining forces with Team Rocket, the Squirtles capture Ash and friends. When the Squirtles lock Pikachu, who has been critically injured, in a cage, Ash runs to retrieve a healing Potion. Upon Ash’s return, a battle ensues between Team Rocket and our heroes. When it becomes apparent that Team Rocket has deserted the Squirtles, and even endangered them, Ash and his love of Pokémon prevails, and saves a Squirtle from certain doom. Will Ash’s kind and brave act go unnoticed by the Squirtle?
Episode 13: Mystery at the Lighthouse The party emerges from the forest onto a beach, where in the distance they see a lighthouse, shining at the tops of a cliff. The lighthouse belongs to Bill, a Pokémon researcher who is awaiting the coming of a one-of-a-kind Pokémon, never before seen by humans. Before long, a tremendously large shadow begins to take form in the sea mists, but this possible discovery could be hindered due to the infamous Team Rocket lurking in the background cooking up another one of their schemes. Could such a legendary Pokémon truly exist?
Episode 14: Electric Shock Showdown Our heroes finally reach Vermilion City. They make their way to the Pokémon Center to refill their empty stomachs, but once there, they witness dozens of injured Pokémon being treated. Pikachu and Ash are alarmed to learn that all of these Pokémon were injured in battles with the Vermilion Gym Leader, Lt. Surge. Nonetheless, eager to earn a Thunder badge, Ash challenges Lt. Surge. Pikachu reluctantly enters the battle only to discover its opponent to be a Raichu, a fierce Pokémon with tremendous electric power. In order for Pikachu to successfully compete, it must demonstrate a stronger will than ever before displayed in battle. Could Pikachu possibly have a chance against Raichu’s overwhelming strength?
Episode 15: Battle Aboard the St. Anne Ash and his party arrive at a port where the Saint Anne, an international cruise liner, is docked. Receiving free tickets, from a mysterious duo, for a Pokémon Trainer party aboard the Saint Anne, they board the ship filled with anticipation of good food and lots of Pokémon excitement. Aboard the ship, bustling with Pokémon Trainers, Ash meets a distinguished gentleman who suggests they make a Pokémon trade. Ash exchanges his Butterfree for the gentleman’s Raticate. Just then, the Saint Anne is taken over by Team Rocket who had arranged the party as a ploy to steal Pokémon.
Episode 16: Pokémon Shipwreck Episode 15 reveals our heroes in the middle of a trap concocted by Team Rocket. Luckily the Pokémon Trainers are able to pool their Pokémon resources and successfully battle Team Rocket and their evil crew. In the midst of the confusion on board, however, a tumultuous storm wreaks havoc on the cruise forcing everyone except Ash, Misty, Brock and Pikachu as well as Team Rocket to evacuate the sinking ship. Luckily, Ash was able to exchange Butterfree for Raticate before the ship went down, but now our heroes are forced to team up with their long-standing enemies in order to survive their life or death predicament.
Episode 17: Island of the Giant Pokémon As our heroes and Team Rocket beat the odds by surviving the sinking ship, they are dragged into another potentially deadly situation when they are attacked by the ferocious Pokémon, Gyarados. One Gyarados becomes many and Ash, friends and foe are swept up in a tornado landing them in various locations on an island. Ash loses Pikachu and the Poké Balls containing Charmander, Squirtle and Bulbasaur. Jessie and James from Team Rocket, who land in another remote part of the island, also lose their Pokémon. Thus both Pokémon and their masters are left searching for each other on this strange island, inhabited by gigantic Pokémon. Where could this island be?
Episode 18: After finally escaping the deserted island, our heroes arrive in Acapulco, the world’s greatest resort. They begin their vacation on endless beautiful beaches lined with palm trees. Ash, Misty and Brock go joyriding in a cruiser belonging to an old man and, inadvertently, break it. Our heroes and their Pokémon work temporarily for the old man to pay off their debt. Business is booming, creating resentment from his main competitor. As a result, Team Rocket is employed to interfere. Ash and friends only see this as a temporary set back, and come up with a plan that will blow the old man’s competitor and her co-conspirators, Team Rocket, out of the water. During all of this commotion, Professor Oak and Ash’s mother unexpectedly show up to witness Ash defeat his competitors and prove himself to be one step closer to becoming a Pokémon Master.
Episode 19: Tentacool & Tentacruel Our heroes arrive at Porta Vista, where a ferryboat line runs to the mainland. There they meet a cousin of the old man’s competitor from Acapulco who, having recently acquired a great deal of money, is trying to construct a huge luxury hotel, turning a coral reef area into a tremendous resort. This section of coral reef, however, is very important to the Tentacool and Horsea that live there. When a huge school of Tentacool interferes with the construction of the hotel, the cousin and a group of young people organize a campaign to drive them away, offering a reward of $10,000 to anyone who can repel the Tentacool. Naturally this draws the attention of Team Rocket who attempt to get rid of the Tentacool by spreading a mixture of soy and vinegar over the ocean. Their plan backfires, however, transforming the Tentacool into a gigantic Tentacruel which begins a fierce counterattack against the humans. In order to defeat this reign of terror, Ash, Misty, Brock and their Pokémon are drawn into a battle that will require more than just strong combative skill.
Episode 20: The Ghost of Maiden's Peak After leaving Porta Vista in search of Saffron City, our heroes finally arrive at a small port town in the middle of celebrating a summer festival. In order to recover from their hard journey, Ash and his party decide to participate in the festival. Team Rocket’s interest in the festivities, on the other hand, is purely monetary. Brock and James are both bewitched by a Ghostly image. And later, see a picture scroll shown in a shrine open only on the day of the summer festival, of their vision. The picture depicts a beautiful young maiden in a scene from the legend of Maiden Rock -a point on a cape near the town. According to the priest’s explanation, the girl in the picture lived 2,000 years ago, and awaited the return of a lover captured in battle, until she finally turned into stone. Every year at this season, the ghost of this girl steals the spirit of a young man and this year it is James’ and Brock’s turn. What could the ghost possibly be after? And what is its true identity?
Episode 21: Bye Bye Butterfree As they journey toward Saffron City, our heroes come to a path that continues along the side of a sheer cliff. When the party sees a flock of Butterfree flying above the ocean, Brock, as a Pokémon breeder, explains that it is the Butterfree’s egg-laying season. In order to continue their posterity, Butterfree find mates during this season and cross the sea together. Ash releases his Butterfree, sending it off toward the flock. His Butterfree performs a dance to attract a pink Butterfree, but is brutally rejected. Ash, Misty and Brock try to encourage Butterfree, but Butterfree can’t recover from the shock of rejection. Just then Team Rocket arrives to poach the Butterfree. Ash’s Butterfree tries to prevent the capture of his fellow Pokémon with very little success. Determined to free them and win the heart of the pink Butterfree, he battles Team Rocket with the strength and courage of a Pokémon in love. Can Ash’s Butterfree rescue his fellow Butterfree Pokémon and win the heart of his pink Butterfree? If so, will he leave Ash, his beloved Pokémon trainer, to follow his love and fulfill the Butterfree destiny?
Episode 22: Abra and the Psychic Showdown The party finally arrives in Saffron City where a young girl manages a gym of Pokémon using her psychic powers. If Ash defeats Sabrina, Ash can earn a Marsh badge. Gathering all their strength, Ash and Pikachu challenge her. She happily accepts, but adds the strange condition that if Ash loses, they must become her friend. The official gym battle begins, but Pikachu is helpless against the Sabrina’s Pokémon, Abra. To make matters worse, Abra evolves in the middle of the match, turning into the more powerful, Kadabra. Employing even stronger psychic powers against Pikachu, Saffron City’s Gym Leader defeats Ash. As this strange story unravels, Ash encounters a mysterious man who seems to be the key to solving the puzzle to this young girl’s disturbing power.
Episode 23: The Tower of Terror Ash realizes that he must battle and collect a ghost Pokémon in order to defeat the Sabrina’s psychic Pokémon. In search of a ghost Pokémon, he heads immediately for a tower in Lavender Town where they are said to dwell. Jessie, James and Meowth from Team Rocket are already at the tower, but as they lay in wait for our heroes, they are attacked by Gastly, Haunter and Gangar. In the process of trying to defeat the ghost Pokémon, Ash learns a lesson or two about the mystical spirit world. Can Ash capture a ghost Pokémon and if so, will it be enough to defeat the psychic Gym Leader of Saffron City?
Episode 24: Haunter vs. Kadabra Unbenownst to Ash, one of the ghost Pokémon decides to join Ash and friends on their journey and more importantly help Ash battle the powerful Saffron City Gym Leader. Ash returns to Saffron City with one goal, to win a Marsh badge. The scene is set and Ash and Sabrina are once again face to face when suddenly, Ash’s ghost Pokémon is nowhere to be found. Feeling completely humiliated, Ash leaves the gym. Brock and Misty are left behind and as a result, the young girl uses her powers to turn them into miniature dolls, rendering them helpless. The mysterious man from Ash’s previous encounter with this baffling Sabrina shows up providing Ash with some information that could ultimately be the key to defeating her. Determined to rescue Brock and Misty, Ash returns to the Saffron City Gym ready to do what it takes to win and save his friends. Just when his attempt seems hopeless, the ghost Pokémon shows up with a unique combative technique. Will this be enough to rescue Ash’s friends as well as Sabrina from her dark and lonely world?
Episode 25: Primeape Goes Bananas On their way to Celadon City, our heroes encounter Mankey, a wild Pokémon that if rubbed the wrong way can go into uncontrollable fits. Not realizing its unpredictability, the party accidentally upsets Mankey. To make matters worse, Team Rocket arrives and an all out war is waged by Mankey, who evolves into a ferocious Primeape, against anyone in its path. Will Ash be able to add Mankey/Primeape to his ever growing collection of Pokémon without having to withstand Primeape’s unrelenting wrath?
Episode 26: Pokémon Scent-sation! The party arrives in Celadon City, a perfectly pleasant town full of large department stores, condominiums, and fancy arcades. Brock and Misty are mesmerized, listening to a pretty young girl in a miniskirt, selling perfume. Appalled by the price of the perfume, Ash is kicked out of the department store, and heads for the Pokémon gym alone, but he is denied entrance to the Celadon Gym. The perfume that Ash criticized in the department store is produced in this gym. Brock and Misty enter the gym and befriend those who inhabit it, but Ash must go to some outrageous lengths in order to even set foot in the gym let alone prove himself worthy of battle against its Master, Erika, and to gain a Rainbow badge.
Episode 27: Hypno’s Naptime Our heroes come to a town in which a great deal of children have recently turned up missing. Working together with Jenny to search for these children, they begin an investigation at the Pokémon Center, inquiring into the disappearances, but Joy has other concerns. For some reason, the Pokémon in the Center aren’t getting well at all. Jenny reveals that a mysterious sleep wave has been passing in and out of the town for several days. Our heroes suspect a connection between the missing children and the Pokémon’s poor condition. Team Rocket begins a sinister search of their own for the source of these strange occurrences. What could be the cause of this sleep wave?
Episode 28: Pokémon Fashion Flash At Brock’s persistent request, our heroes stop by Caesar Street, a town of breeders famous for its Pokémon beauty salons. Brock makes a special request to visit a salon called Coron. The owner of the Beauty Salon, Coron, is a breeder who has received the most superior ranking in the Pokémon Breeder Contest for three years straight. Recently, a store called Double Trouble has been introducing outrageous fashions, making wild profits and disrupting long-term shop-owners.
Episode 29: The Punchy Pokémon In the outskirts of Fuchsia City, our heroes come across Hitmonchan, a fighter-Pokémon. With little thought, Ash attempts to capture it, but he and Pikachu are badly defeated. Hitmonchan’s master has abandoned his family, training day and night, aiming for victory at the P1 Grand Prix (the number one Pokémon Grand Prix). His daughter tells Ash and his friends of her desire to make her father remember his family. In the meantime, Ash’s party enters the P1 Grand Prix, but with Team Rockets unwanted, not to mention, unofficial presence at the competition, the battle goes out of control.
Episode 30: Sparks Fly for Magnemite As our heroes make their way through the industrial town of Gunjo City, Pikachu, perhaps weary from travel, is in a strange state; the electric sacks on his cheeks are continually twitching as though overcharged. At the town’s Pokémon Center, Joy diagnoses Pikachu as being in the first stages of a Pokémon cold. She begins treatment immediately, but the town suddenly goes into a blackout. Assuming the problem to be in the power-generating station near the beach, Ash and friends go to investigate. There they discover the Pokémon, Magnemite and a pack of Grimer-Pokémon created from sludge. What exactly is going on?
Episode 31: Dig Those Diglett! Ash, Brock, Misty and Pikachu are lost deep in the mountains. As they press forward on a rough road not even shown on their map, they suddenly hear a large explosion. Running toward the sound in surprise, the party emerges on a construction site where tractors are building a tremendous dam. Ash learns that the foreman is trying to recruit skilled Pokémon trainers because earth Pokémon, Diglet, are interfering with construction and delaying the completion of his work. The foreman has been recruiting Pokémon trainers to get rid of the Diglet. He will award free passes for travel to a luxurious natural hot springs to anyone who can accomplish this. As Ash scopes out the recruits, he notices a familiar enemy in the mix, Gary.
Episode 32: The Ninja Poké-Showdown Fuchsia Gym, the authorized gym where Ash seeks his next badge, turns out to be a hidden ninja’s lair. After finally discovering and entering the gym, he is held up by a complex system of traps. At last, the gym’s eccentric trainer challenges Ash to a match. Just as he defeats the trainer, the official battle with the Master begins. The battle goes out of control as Team Rocket also enters the gym and its vast array of traps. Can Ash actually earn the gym badge?
Episode 33: The Flame Pokémon-athon! Our heroes come to a prairie where the Laramies, a family of Pokémon Ranchers live. They learn from a daughter of the Laramie family that a race is held at the ranch once a year to measure the growth of everyone’s Pokémon. Team Rocket, however, attacks her, the race's top contender. Injured, the daughter of the Laramie family decides to give up on the race, but entrusts her hopes of victory to Ash. Who will be the winner in a race between Ash, Brock, Misty, and Team Rocket?
Episode 34: The Kangaskhan Kid On their way to a safari zone teeming with Pokémon, our heroes walk right into the middle of a jungle. Without knowing they are in a region in which Pokémon are protected, Ash tries to capture a Chansey and is arrested by Jenny, the safari ranger. After talking with the ranger, Ash is released, but not before he learns that there are Pokémon poachers in the area. Our heroes accompany the ranger into the forest, pursuing the poachers. Within the jungle, a young man leads a pack of Kangaskhan. His name is Tarzan and no one knows the secret of his childhood.
Episode 35: After finally entering the safari zone, our heroes meet up with the elderly supervisor of the zone. As they are being explained the rules of the safari zone in his office, a picture, carefully hung there, catches Ash’s attention. It is a picture of the elderly supervisor as a boy, taken alongside a Dratini, the legendary Pokémon. Ash asks desperately about the existence of Dratini, but the elderly man denies everything. Hearing of the plenitude of Pokémon in the safari zone, Team Rocket also arrives on the scene.
Episode 36: The Bridge Bike Gang In the course of a journey, one meets up with many different things. Returning to civilization after a long period of wandering, our heroes find a bridge that reaches 20 kilometers in length. There is no way to reach Sunnytown-on the other side of the bridge-but by crossing. The bridge, however, has been designed especially for bicycles. The party tries to purchase bicycles in order to cross the bridge, but lacking the funds and otherwise at a complete loss, they decide to stop by the Pokémon Center and re-evaluate their plans. At the Pokemon Center, by pure luck, a job awaits them-delivering medicine to Sunnytown.
Episode 37: Ditto's Mysterious Mansion Being caught in a sudden rain shower, our heroes are obliged to seek shelter. In the middle of a clearing, they find a small, ghastly cabin. Dragging the reluctant Misty, Ash and Brock enter the cabin, instantly getting the impression that they are not alone. Could this be a haunted cabin? They soon discover that it is the Copycat house in which the trainer of Morpho lives. Intrigued by Morpho, Ash proposes a battle between Morpho and Pikachu.
Episode 38: Pikachu's Goodbye Misty and Brock continue to journey with Ash as he seeks to become a Pokémon Master. Passing through a beautiful forest, the three of them stop for a rest. As they enjoy the restful mood, Pikachu notices something staring at them from the shadows of the bush around them. Realizing that they are being watched by a group of wild Pikachu, Pikachu bounds after them into the woods. Paying no heed to Ash’s call, Pikachu runs further and further into the wild unknown. Though they seem frightened at first, the group eventually opens up to Pikachu and they play together as friends. Will the group be as receptive to Ash when he makes his presence known?
Episode 39: The Battling Eevee Brothers Tracing a path through the woods, the party comes across a tree baited with a plate of food and water. An Eevee is bound to the trunk with string. The address, Stan Town, block 3, number 14, along with a name-apparently that of the Eevee’s master-are written on a piece of metal hanging from the Eevee’s collar. Consulting their map, our heroes find that Stan Town is directly in front of them. They decide to take Eevee to the address on its collar and find out what is going on. When they reach the address, they find a huge home as exquisite as a Beverly Hills mansion. From inside, they hear loud cheers and applause. Could this be the home of this Eevee’s master?
Episode 40: Wake Up Snorlax! The further you journey, the hungrier you get. On empty stomachs, our heroes’ search for food brings them to a small village, but find there is no food at the bakery nor at the grocery store; even the town restaurant is out of food. Just as our hungry heroes lose the energy even to move, the town elder arrives and offers to feed them. He explains to them that a drought has made it impossible to gather a harvest in the village, but cannot explain why they suffer from drought even though it rains often. In return for the meal, our heroes follow the dry riverbed upstream, investigating the cause of the drought.
Episode 41: Showdown at Dark City In the middle of a terrible desert, our heroes inadvertently wandered into Dark City. With no name but "Dark", the city has fallen into ruin. The streets, even at midday, are vacant of people. But suddenly, a rare figure appears and begins to throw stones at Ash and friends. They had heard at a restaurant in town, that this town contains two authorized Pokémon gyms, but that their Masters try to battle traveling Pokémon trainers anywhere within the town. This is said to be the cause of the town’s desolation. Will our heroes also be caught up in the whirlwind of these battles?
Episode 42: The March of the Exeggutor Squad Our heroes continue their Pokémon training without a break even over spring vacation, when what should appear before them but a carnival. Ash, Brock and Pikachu join in the fun, eventually discovering a rather dull magic show being performed in a small cabin. The magician begs Misty to become his assistant, but because of his poor magic skills, the magician is fired. Feeling sorry for him, Brock, Ash and Misty suggest working together to create a Pokémon magic show.
Episode 43: The Problem with Paras As our heroes continue their journey, Team Rocket never let up with their constant interception, but today something seems strange. The coin on Meowth’s forehead is blinking red, indicating overheating. If something isn’t done soon, Meowth may die, but James and Jessie don’t know what to do. Just then, a young girl approaches. Unable to bear the sight of Meowth’s pain, she pulls a bundle of healing herbs from her backpack, crunches them into powder and, mixing this with water, feeds it to Meowth. As Meowth drinks, the redness gradually fades from its face.
Episode 44: The Song of Jigglypuff Our heroes trudge along, resigning themselves to the idea of camping out in the desert as the sun slowly sets. Suddenly they see bright lights in front of them: a glamorous city appears before them, covered in neon lights. They have found Neon Town, a city that is loud and boisterous 24 hours a day, famous for having no nights. The residents of Neon City sleep as little as possible and use all of their time to play. Behind the other side of the town’s glorious facade, however, people are always angry and irritated. Fights being an everyday occurrence, Jenny, the policewoman, is terribly busy. Having had enough of a town so noisy one can’t even sleep at night, our heroes head out into the peaceful forest. There they chance across Jigglypuff, the singing Pokémon.
Episode 45: Attack of the Prehistoric Pokémon Our heroes approach Grampa Canyon, famous for the beautiful scenery of its valley. As they approach, however, they find wave upon wave of people also heading for Grampa Canyon. Carrying backpacks, pickaxes, etc. they are all dressed like explorers. Ash has no idea what is so special about the canyon, but he notices a familiar face among the crowd-that of his rival, Gary. According to Gary, fossils from an extinct Pokémon have been discovered, triggering an ancient Pokémon excavation boom.
Episode 46: Bulbasaur’s Mysterious Garden As our heroes sleep peacefully, Pikachu begins experiencing an unusual sensation. As though it were choking on something, Pikachu’s expression grows steadily more and more pained. It seems there’s nothing left to do but take Pikachu to a Pokémon Center immediately. Ash takes off running, carrying Pikachu over his shoulder, but the Pokémon Center is quite a distance away. Ash decides to take Pikachu to a nearby emergency room, but when he arrives, a sign hangs on the hospital door coldly stating, "Hospital Closed Today." Is there any help for Pikachu?
Episode 47: A Chansey Operation As our heroes pass the entrance to a small village, they stop in front of a strange sign. Finding something undeniably familiar about the face on that sign, they finally realize that though he looks much younger in the picture on the sign, they are looking at a picture of James from Team Rocket. Suddenly, a large man in a suit appears, throws them all into a limousine and speeds away. At first glance, the finger would point directly to Team Rocket, yet strangely, neither Team Rocket nor, more specifically, James, recollect anything about it. Perplexed, Team Rocket decides to pursue the suspicious limousine.
Episode 48: Holy Matrimony! Even for our heroes, who are constantly in pursuit of developing their skills as Pokémon Trainers, there are times to stop and take a rest. As Ash sits on a rock, staring at his Pokédex, it displays Fowler, an odd-looking Pokémon holding a leek. Because of excessive hunting by humans, very few Fowler remain in existence, making it a very rare, valuable Pokémon. Hearing the word, 'valuable’, Ash is unable to sit still. Just then, coming from an opening in the trees and waving leeks like batons, a group of Pokémon become visible. Could they be a parade of Fowler?
Episode 49: So Near, Yet So Farfetch’d When Ash and friends reach a certain Pokémon E. R., Joy informs Ash that a message has arrived for him, from Professor Oak. He promptly calls the professor and learns that in the time since they last spoke, his Pokédex has been upgraded to a new version, providing Ash with information on newly discovered Pokémon. With this new found knowledge, our heroes anxiously prepare for a fresh journey.
Episode 50: Who Gets To Keep Togepi? In the course of his journey, Ash battles a mountaineer Pokémon trainer he encountered in a small wooded area. Ash deploys his Bulbasaur against the mountaineer’s Rhyhorn, but Bulbasaur is behaving very strangely, causing even Pikachu to be concerned. In the end, Bulbasaur defeats Rhyhorn, but Ash decides to go immediately to a Pokémon Center and seek help from Joy. What could be the problem with Bulbasaur?
Episode 51: Our heroes travel along a hiking course. They continue their journey, now bound for their seventh gym, on Glen Island. As always, Team Rocket awaits the opportunity to snatch up any Pokémon they can. Upon hearing a voice scream out, "Thief!", our heroes instantly suspect Team Rocket. But then they see a man running away, dressed in the unmistakable style of a thief and carrying a large bag. After a moment of concern, as they see a Growlithe pursuing the strange man, and hear a voice yelling, "Capture him!", our heroes discover that this is nothing more than a burglar-apprehension training session; Growlithe is being used as a police K9.
Episode 52: A telephoto lens pops out from a cluster of bushes; it is focused on Ash and his friends. Now photographing our heroes while enjoying their meal, we discover it is Toru, the brilliant photographer, moving in on our heroes. Toru, who became famous after successfully photographing the legendary Pokémon, Butera, now seeks to photograph Pikachu in the wild. Our heroes are a little apprehensive concerning his photographic agenda, but give in to his passion for photography, consenting to let him photograph Pikachu. In the face of this new experience, however, Pikachu seems slightly nervous.
Pika Express OUTTA HERE>
PIKA?, PIKA PI??? CHU!