Samurai (Japanese: サムライ Samurai) is a little boy who lives in Viridian Forest and dresses up in samurai armor. He specializes in Bug-type Pokémon and carries around a sword and a bug-catching net. He may have been inspired by the Bug Catchers in the Pokémon games.

He is notable as the first character of the day and the first trainer Ash had a fair Pokémon battle against.

In the anime

Samurai appeared in one episode of the anime. His Japanese voice actor is Yukiji and his English voice actor is Jimmy Zoppi.

Samurai's sole appearance came in Challenge of the Samurai. Ash and Misty were traveling through Viridian Forest. Ash intended to catch more Pokémon. He was just about to catch a Weedle when Samurai jumped out of the bushes and threatened him with his sword, demanding to know if Ash was from Pallet Town. Samurai challenged Ash to a battle, having already lost to Gary and other trainers from Pallet.

In the confusion caused by Samurai's yelling and sword-waving, the Weedle escaped. Samurai insulted Ash.

They started a battle. Samurai's powerful Pinsir knocked out Ash's Pidgeotto, but Ash's Metapod used Harden to damage Pinsir's pincers.

Samurai sent out his own Metapod, and the two Pokémon being unable of using any move besides Harden, were locked in a complete stalemate.

Their match was interrupted by a Beedrill swarm, apparently angered by Ash's attack of the Weedle earlier. The Beedrill snatched Ash's Metapod and flew off. The trio hid in Samurai's cabin, where the boy continued to berate and insult Ash. Samurai did, however, gain respect for Ash when he used his newly evolved Butterfree to put the Beedrill to sleep with it's Sleep Powder attack.

Pokémon

This listing is of Samurai's Pokémon in the Pokémon anime.

• Pinsir
• Metapod

In the Electric Tale of Pikachu manga

Samurai also makes an appearance in the Electric Tale of Pikachu manga. Samurai, along with A.J. and Ash, wanted to find the Hidden Village run by Melanie.

Samurai wanted to catch the Level 99 Slowpoke and Magikarp rumored to live there.

His manga incarnation is much taller, older, and thinner than the version seen in the anime. His helmet covers his eyes, and he has a prediliction for using words like "Verily!"

This article is part of Project COD, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each one-time character of the Pokémon anime.