EP001: Difference between revisions

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(→‎Errors: Not an error. Ash simply got a new Poké Ball (without the mark), while the bolt mark one was left behind in Oak's lab. The other Starter's Poké Balls were also still there even though they had already been chosen.)
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==Plot==
==Plot==
The episode begins like the opening of {{game|Red and Green|s}}, down to the animation and sound effects. A {{p|Nidorino}} and a {{p|Gengar}} are exchanging attacks in a {{pkmn|battle}}. After Nidorino dodges Gengar's attack, it leaps at it. The scene seamlessly comes to life as the small [[Pokémon games|game]] screen enlarges and the monochrome [[Pokémon (species)|Pokémon]] gain color and detail.
In a small [[Kanto]] [[region]] settlement called [[Pallet Town]], a boy named [[Ash Ketchum]] stays up late watching a [[Pokémon battle]] on television. Ash’s mother, [[Delia Ketchum]], scolds her son and tells him to go to bed, which Ash reluctantly does. Ash is eagerly anticipating the next day, where he will receive [[starter Pokémon|his first Pokémon]] from a man called [[Professor Oak]].


The two are battling in a stadium at the [[Pokémon League]], watched by crowds of fans. Gengar dodges Nidorino's {{m|Horn Attack}}, and then jumps on its head. It leaps backward and successfully puts its opponent to sleep with {{m|Hypnosis}}. As Nidorino falls {{status|Sleep|asleep}}, its Trainer returns it to its [[Poké Ball]] and then throws out another to take its place. Gengar jumps back as an {{p|Onix}} comes out. It tries to {{m|Tackle}} into Gengar head-first, but misses and hits the battlefield instead. It pulls back up, unfazed.
Unfortunately, during the night, Ash accidentally breaks his alarm clock and is very late to arrive at Professor Oak’s laboratory. Since the usual Kanto starter Pokémon – {{p|Bulbasaur}}, {{p|Charmander}}, and {{p|Squirtle}} – are all taken by Trainers who arrived on time, {{TP|Gary|one of which|Blastoise}} was taken by Ash’s rival, [[Gary Oak]], Professor Oak hesitantly gives Ash a Poké Ball containing a [[Obedience|disobedient]] {{AP|Pikachu}} and also presents to Ash a [[Pokédex]] containing information on all Pokémon native to Kanto.


This battle is being watched on television by a boy from [[Pallet Town]] named [[Ash Ketchum]]. He is now ten years old, which means he can become a [[Pokémon Trainer]]. Tomorrow, he will receive a [[starter Pokémon]] from {{an|Professor Oak}} and start his Pokémon journey, the first step on the long quest of his dream of becoming a [[Pokémon Master]].
While Ash is excited to have a new Pokémon, Pikachu is not excited to have a new Trainer and the two of them have a very rocky relationship at first. Pikachu is extremely mistrusting of Ash and is so stubborn that Ash has to drag him around with a clothesline leash from the [[Bag|backpack]] Delia prepared for him. Making matters worse is the fact that Pikachu absolutely hates being inside his [[Poké Ball]], so Ash has to keep Pikachu out with him at all times.


[[Delia Ketchum|His mother]] enters the room and reminds him that it is 11 o'clock at night and he should be asleep. He complains that he is too excited to fall asleep. As a compromise, his mother changes his television's channel to [[Professor Oak's lecture]] and tells him to go to bed when the program is finished.
In the process of trying to capture a [[wild Pokémon|wild]] {{p|Pidgey}}, Ash accidentally angers a flock of {{p|Spearow}}. While running away from the Spearow, Pikachu is grievously injured due to many vicious attacks from the flock. After being [[fishing|fished]] out of a pond by {{an|Misty|a girl}}, Ash takes the girl’s bicycle so he can get away from the pursuing Spearow, an effort that is hampered by a raging thunderstorm. Eventually, Ash is left with no other choice but to stand in front of his injured Pokémon and defend it from the Spearow. This selfless act convinces Pikachu to help Ash, so Pikachu leaps over his Trainer’s shoulder and uses the lightning from the storm to defeat all of the Spearow simultaneously. However, Pikachu’s attack also hits the girl’s bicycle, destroying it.


That night, he dreams about deciding which starter Pokémon he wants. First, he dreams of choosing and sending out {{p|Bulbasaur}}, and then {{p|Squirtle}}. The night turns to morning, and Ash, still in bed, dreams of choosing {{p|Charmander}}. He suddenly awakens to find that he has thrown his {{p|Voltorb}}-shaped alarm clock in his sleep, breaking it against a wall as a result. Afraid that he may have overslept, Ash runs out of his house in his pajamas and shoes to get to [[Professor Oak's Laboratory]].
As Ash and a barely conscious Pikachu get ready to continue to [[Viridian City]], Ash sees a {{an|Ho-Oh|shimmering golden Pokémon}} flying overhead in the aftermath of the storm. Wondering what it could be, as the Pokédex is unable to identify the Pokémon, Ash and Pikachu make their way to Viridian City and Ash wonders what will lie ahead of him on his journey.
 
Outside the laboratory, a crowd of people have gathered, including a group of {{TP|Gary|cheerleaders}}. Ash pushes through and bumps into his [[rival]], the professor's grandson, [[Gary Oak]]. Gary taunts Ash for being late. He tells Ash that he has already received {{TP|Gary|his starter Pokémon|Blastoise}} from his grandfather. He boasts to the crowd that he will make Pallet Town famous by becoming a Pokémon Master. Ash, however, is more interested in finding out which starter Gary chose. Gary only tells him that it was the best one and then leaves in a red sports car, followed by the crowd.
 
Before Ash can fully express his frustration, Professor Oak approaches him. Ash's mood changes from anger to excitement as he asks about getting a Pokémon. Professor Oak seems doubtful that he is ready since he has shown up in his pajamas, but Ash insists that he is.
 
Inside Oak's laboratory, three Poké Balls are set up on a storage device, with a place for a fourth in the center. Ash decides that he would like to start with Squirtle, but when he opens the Poké Ball, he finds that it is empty. Professor Oak tells him it was taken by a [[Gary Oak|Trainer who was not late]]. After this, Ash decides he would like Bulbasaur, but this Poké Ball is also empty. He has no choice but to go for the last choice, Charmander, but the final Poké Ball is also empty. The three were all taken by Trainers who arrived on time, and it seems that there is no Pokémon left for Ash.
 
Professor Oak reluctantly mentions that he has another Pokémon, but there is a problem with it. Ash wants it anyway. In the fourth spot in the middle, a Poké Ball appears that has a lightning bolt mark on it. Oak picks it up and hands the Poké Ball to Ash. With a flash of light, {{AP|Pikachu}} comes out of the Ball. Ash loves the cute Pokémon, picks him up, and hugs him. Pikachu does not like this and shocks him with an {{t|Electric}} attack. Oak hands Ash a [[Pokédex]] and six Poké Balls, but gets shocked as well when he touches Ash.
 
When Ash steps outside the laboratory, he finds a small crowd has gathered to cheer him on, including his mother, who is sad to see him leaving. She gives him his [[bag|backpack]] full of supplies and starts explaining everything she packed for him. Ash gets embarrassed when she reminds him to change his underwear every day and pulls his backpack away from her, telling her she was embarrassing him. She sees Pikachu and wonders why he is not in his Poké Ball. Ash tries to get him in, but he hits the Ball back every time. Ash's mother says it is cute that Ash and Pikachu are playing catch and that they must be great friends already. Ash replies that they are buddies, despite Pikachu's behavior. His mother calls Pikachu weird, and an offended Pikachu shocks the entire crowd (excluding Professor Oak) with electricity.
 
Ash then sets off, trying to get a handle on the rebellious Pokémon by wearing rubber gloves and dragging him with a clothesline leash. After getting tired of dragging Pikachu along, he tries to talk to him and find out what is wrong, only to find out that he cannot say anything but his name. Ash fails to convince Pikachu to get back into his Poké Ball and pulls out his new Pokédex for information on the matter. His Pokédex explains that Pokémon must be kept in the Poké Ball. Pikachu clicks the Pokédex, which then also explains that not all Pokémon like to be kept in Poké Balls. Ash decides to earn Pikachu's trust by treating him nicely. He unties the clothesline and takes off his rubber gloves, but Pikachu turns away from him.
 
A {{p|Pidgey}} walks out near them and Ash scans it with his Pokédex for more information. He is eager to catch it, though Pikachu does not want to help him and instead runs up a tree. Frustrated, Ash decides to catch the Pidgey without Pikachu's help. He throws a Poké Ball at it, but the Pidgey breaks out easily. The Pokédex explains that a Pokémon should be weakened before it can be caught. Pikachu laughs at Ash. Ash tries again, this time attempting to throw his pajama shirt on top of the Pidgey, but the Tiny Bird Pokémon blows him off with a {{m|Gust}} and then hits him with a {{m|Sand-Attack}}, before flying away. Pikachu laughs at Ash more. Ash turns and sees that a {{p|Rattata}} is digging through his backpack. He scans it with his Pokédex, which mentions that Rattata is a forest Pokémon. Just as Ash questions why it came out into the field, the Pokédex explains that it sometimes leaves its habitat to steal from {{tt|''stupid''|"reckless" in the original Japanese}} travelers. Pikachu laughs at Ash even more.
 
Ash turns and notices a group of Pidgey in the field. He throws a rock at them, which only scares them away. However, he sees another bird Pokémon in the field and throws a rock at it, which hits it in the back of its head. When it turns to look at him, however, he realizes that he did not hit a Pidgey; he scans it with his Pokédex and learns that it is a {{p|Spearow}}, which is considerably less docile than a Pidgey. The Spearow swoops down at Ash several times to attack him, and then spots and targets Pikachu instead. The Pokédex explains that wild Pokémon sometimes show {{tt|jealousy|"hostility" in the original Japanese}} toward trained Pokémon. Just as the Spearow is about to knock Pikachu out of the tree, Pikachu shocks it with an Electric attack, and it falls from the sky.
 
The Spearow gets back up and cries for help in the form of its large flock of other Spearow, from which Ash and Pikachu start running away. Pikachu runs ahead of Ash and the Spearow fly after him, attacking him until he collapses. The Spearow swarm around Pikachu, but Ash grabs his injured Pikachu and runs straight to a waterfall. He jumps into the river below to escape the Spearow and is dragged into a large pond, narrowly swimming out of the path of a {{p|Gyarados}}.
 
On the shore of this pond, a {{an|Misty|girl}} is [[fishing]], and is excited to find that she has a bite. However, instead of a {{type|Water}} Pokémon, she pulls out Ash and Pikachu. She does not care about Ash, but is very concerned about the injured Pokémon in his arms. She tells him that he needs to take it to the [[Pokémon Center]] in [[Viridian City]], and points out the way to go. At that moment, Ash hears the distant cries of Spearow and turns to see the flock flying toward him from afar. He steals the girl's [[bicycle|bike]], puts Pikachu in its basket, and rides away promising that he will bring it back someday. The girl yells at him as he rides away, but he ignores her.
 
Ash rides quickly towards Viridian City, with storm clouds forming above him and the flock of Spearow in close pursuit. Soon, it starts to rain. After the Spearow gather around him, Ash rides the bike over a ledge and it falls on its side, knocking Ash and Pikachu off. Ash finds himself looking at his injured Pikachu lying on the ground, with the Spearow approaching and the storm growing worse. Desperate to save his Pokémon, he leaves Pikachu's Poké Ball next to him and tells him to get inside for safety. Ash then spreads out his arms and stands before the Spearow, declaring that he will capture them all and eventually become a Pokémon Master. Ash then tells them to attack him. However, just as the Spearow are diving at Ash, Pikachu leaps up and over Ash's shoulder to confront the flock of Spearow. The lightning from the storm is drawn to Pikachu, striking him and vastly increasing his power. Pikachu unleashes a massive discharge of electricity that lights up the dark sky and takes out the entire flock of Spearow, as well as the girl's bike. Pikachu is drained of stamina from the effort.
 
Once the storm has cleared, Ash and Pikachu both rise from where they were knocked back on the ground, exhausted but victorious. Ash looks up and sees {{an|Ho-Oh|a shimmering, golden Pokémon}} majestically flying through the sky and over the rainbow that had been left after the storm, but his Pokédex is unable to identify the species, saying that some Pokémon are still unknown.
 
Ash carries Pikachu as he continues on toward Viridian City. Having gained his trust, Ash receives a lick from Pikachu. The pair trek toward Viridian, still in need of the Pokémon Center, but briefly take the time to wonder what else lies ahead of them on their journey.


==Major events==
==Major events==
* {{Ash}} and {{Gary}} begin their Pokémon journeys.
* {{Ash}} and {{Gary}} begin their Pokémon journeys.
* Gary starts his journey with a {{TP|Gary|Squirtle|Blastoise}}.{{tt|*|Unknown before EP269 - The Ties that Bind}}
* Gary starts his journey with a {{TP|Gary|Squirtle}}.{{tt|*|Unknown before EP269 - The Ties that Bind}}
* Ash starts his journey with a disobedient {{AP|Pikachu}}.
* Ash starts his journey with a disobedient {{AP|Pikachu}}.
* Ash fails to catch a {{p|Pidgey}}.
* Ash meets {{an|Misty}} for the first time.
* Ash meets {{an|Misty}} for the first time.
* Ash steals Misty's [[bicycle|bike]], and it is destroyed when Pikachu defeats the {{p|Spearow}}.
* Ash steals Misty's [[bicycle|bike]], and it is destroyed when Pikachu defeats the {{p|Spearow}}.
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====Humans====
====Humans====
* [[Ash Ketchum]]
* [[Ash Ketchum]]
* {{an|Misty}}
* {{an|Professor Oak}}
* {{an|Professor Oak}}
* [[Delia Ketchum]]
* [[Delia Ketchum]]
* {{an|Misty}}
* [[Gary Oak]]
* [[Gary Oak]]
* [[Gary's cheerleaders]]
* [[Gary's cheerleaders]]
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* {{p|Rattata}}
* {{p|Rattata}}
* {{p|Pidgey}}
* {{p|Pidgey}}
* {{p|Spearow}}
* {{p|Sandshrew}}
* {{p|Sandshrew}}
* {{p|Mankey}}
* {{p|Mankey}}
* {{p|Gyarados}}
* {{p|Gyarados}}
* {{p|Spearow}} (multiple)
* {{p|Spearow}} ([[Ash's Fearow#In the anime|anime]])
* {{p|Ho-Oh}} ({{an|Ho-Oh|anime}})
* {{p|Ho-Oh}} ({{an|Ho-Oh|anime}})
* {{p|Magikarp}}
* {{p|Magikarp}}
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==Trivia==
==Trivia==
[[File:NidovsGengarAnimeRed.png|thumb|200px|The beginning of the anime (left) and the opening of {{game|Red and Green|s}} (right)]]
[[File:NidovsGengarAnimeRed.png|thumb|200px|The beginning of the anime (left) and the opening of {{game|Red and Green|s}} (right)]]
[[File:Stadium anime art.jpg|thumb|200px|An early frame]]
[[File:Stadium anime art.png|thumb|200px|An early frame]]
[[File:Bruno EP001.png|thumb|200px|The shadowed Trainer that resembles [[Bruno]].]]
[[File:Bruno EP001.png|thumb|200px|The shadowed Trainer that resembles [[Bruno]].]]
[[File:Green Poké Ball anime.png|thumb|200px|The green Poké Ball from the first scene]]
[[File:Green Poké Ball anime.png|thumb|200px|The green Poké Ball from the first scene]]
[[File:Ho-Oh Debut.png|thumb|200px|{{an|Ho-Oh}} in its debut]]
[[File:Ho-Oh Debut.png|thumb|200px|{{an|Ho-Oh}} in its debut]]
* The beginning of the episode features sound effects from the original [[Game Boy]] games, drawing from the opening animation from {{game|Red and Green|s}} (with a {{p|Gengar}} battling a {{p|Nidorino}}) before transitioning seamlessly into the battle that Ash himself is watching on [[Television|TV]].  
* The beginning of the episode features sound effects from the original [[Game Boy]] games, drawing from the opening animation from {{game|Red and Green|s}} (with a {{p|Gengar}} battling a {{p|Nidorino}}) before transitioning seamlessly into the battle that {{Ash}} himself is watching on [[Television|TV]].  
** However, {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s}} show Gengar and Nidorino battling in a forest, not a stadium.
** However, {{game|FireRed and LeafGreen|s}} show Gengar and Nidorino battling in a forest, not a stadium.
** A similar sequence and transition occurs in the beginning of the [[PO01|first episode]] of the ''[[Pokémon Origins]]'' mini-series, in which {{OBP|Red|Origins}} watches a televised battle between Gengar and Nidorino.
** A similar sequence and transition occurs in the beginning of the [[PO01|first episode]] of the ''[[Pokémon Origins]]'' mini-series, in which {{OBP|Red|Origins}} watches a televised battle between Gengar and Nidorino.
* An early, unused frame of the stadium battle scene exists.
* An early, unused frame of the stadium battle scene exists.
* The shadowed Trainer using Nidorino and Onix to battle greatly resembles [[Bruno]] of the [[Indigo League]].
* The shadowed Trainer using Nidorino and {{p|Onix}} to battle greatly resembles [[Bruno]] of the [[Indigo League]].
* Ash's introductory shot is repeated in [[BW001|the first episode]] of the {{series|Best Wishes}} as a throwback to this episode.
* Ash's introductory shot is repeated in [[BW001|the first episode]] of the {{series|Best Wishes}} as a throwback to this episode.
* Ash has a {{p|Voltorb}} clock with a cuckoo {{p|Pidgey}} in it. Furthermore, he ends up breaking it in his sleep, unknowingly using it as a Poké Ball shortly after 4 AM.
* Ash has a {{p|Voltorb}} clock with a cuckoo {{p|Pidgey}} in it. Furthermore, he ends up breaking it in his sleep, unknowingly using it as a {{ball|Poké}} shortly after 4 AM.
* Gary says "Well, you must be Ash" as if they have never met, but the two have actually known each other since early childhood.
* The order in which Ash opens the [[starter Pokémon]]'s Poké Balls, only to find them empty, indicates his preferred choices: {{p|Squirtle}} first, {{p|Bulbasaur}} second, and {{p|Charmander}} last.
* The order in which Ash opens the starters' empty Poké Balls indicates his preferred choices: Squirtle first, Bulbasaur second, and Charmander last.
* Despite this episode centering around receiving a starter Pokémon, neither Bulbasaur, Charmander, nor Squirtle actually appeared in the flesh until ''[[EP010|Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village]]'', ''[[EP011|Charmander – The Stray Pokémon]]'', and ''[[EP012|Here Comes the Squirtle Squad]]'', respectively. This is unlike the following generations, when at least one of the starter Pokémon appeared in the first episode of each generation.
* Despite this episode centering around receiving a starter Pokémon, neither {{p|Bulbasaur}}, {{p|Charmander}}, nor {{p|Squirtle}} actually appeared in the flesh until ''[[EP010|Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village]]'', ''[[EP011|Charmander – The Stray Pokémon]]'', and ''[[EP012|Here Comes the Squirtle Squad]]'', respectively. This is unlike the following generations, when at least one of the starter Pokémon appeared in the first episode of each generation.
* This is the only episode where [[Ash's Pikachu]] is seen inside his Poké Ball.
* This is the only episode with Pikachu seen inside his own [[Poké Ball]].
* Every scene of Pikachu shocking people was cut in the South Korean dub.
** This caused confusion in the scene in which Ash drags Pikachu by a rope while wearing rubber gloves.
** This caused confusion in the scene in which Ash drags Pikachu by a rope while wearing rubber gloves.
* This episode revealed that {{p|Spearow}} see in black and white.
* This episode revealed that {{p|Spearow}} see in black and white.
* This is one of the few episodes in which [[Rachael Lillis]] provides the voice of Pikachu in a few scenes of the dub. This happened when another Japanese voice actor spoke over [[Ikue Ohtani]]'s Pikachu voice and the audio could not be used.
* This is one of the few episodes in which [[Rachael Lillis]] provides the voice of Pikachu in a few scenes of the dub. This happened when another Japanese voice actor spoke over [[Ikue Ohtani]]'s Pikachu voice and the audio could not be used.
* The legendary bird Ash saw at the end of the episode was {{an|Ho-Oh}}. This makes Ho-Oh the first [[Generation II]] Pokémon seen in the series, and in the first episode of the entire series.
* The legendary bird Ash saw at the end of the episode was {{an|Ho-Oh}}. This makes {{p|Ho-Oh}} the first [[Generation II]] Pokémon seen in the series, and in the first episode of the entire series.
* The book ''[[I Choose You!]]'' is based on this episode.
* The book ''[[I Choose You!]]'' is based on this episode.
* This episode can be found on volume 3 of [[Game Boy Advance Video]].
* This episode can be found on volume 3 of [[Game Boy Advance Video]].
* This episode is featured on the ''Volume 1: Pikachu'' copy of [[Pokémon All-Stars]].
* This episode is featured on ''Volume 1: Pikachu'' from [[Viz Media]]'s {{OBP|Pokémon All-Stars|Region 1}} series.
* This episode is featured on ''Pokémon All-Stars: Pikachu'' from {{wp|Magna Pacific}}'s {{OBP|Pokémon All-Stars|Region 4}} series.
* Coincidentally, Ash would later attempt to use a Pidgey and {{p|Rattata}} in the following episode against {{TRT}} after failing to capture both Pokémon in this episode.
* This is the only episode of the original series where [[Jessie]], [[James]] and [[Meowth]] do not appear in. The next time would not occur in the regular episodes until ''[[BW016|Rematch at the Nacrene Gym!]]'', 672 episodes later. They either did not appear in a clip show episode [[AG120]], which was never aired outside Japan.


===Errors===
===Errors===
<!--If you're here to add "* As Ash tries to return Pikachu back into its Poké Ball, the lightning bolt mark is missing.", please don't-->
* As [[Delia Ketchum|Delia]] catches the alarm clock Ash threw, her ponytail curls to her left shoulder. When seen from behind in the next shot, it is curled to her right shoulder.
* As Delia catches the alarm clock Ash threw, her ponytail curls to her left shoulder. When seen from behind in the next shot, it is curled to her right shoulder.
* When [[Professor Oak]] appears on television to discuss the starter Pokémon, the background colors behind Charmander and Squirtle are reversed (blue behind Charmander and red behind Squirtle). Bulbasaur's background color, green, is correctly shown.
* When Professor Oak appears on television to discuss the starter Pokémon, the background colors behind {{p|Charmander}} and {{p|Squirtle}} are reversed (blue behind Charmander and red behind Squirtle). {{p|Bulbasaur}}'s background color, green, is correctly shown.
** In this same scene, the starters look significantly different between the shot of the whole television and the close-up of the screen. Charmander, for instance, has a much larger tail flame and more open mouth in the close-up.
** In this same scene, the starters look significantly different between the shot of the whole television and the close-up of the screen. Charmander, for instance, has a much larger tail flame and more open mouth in the close-up.
* When Ash throws the Poké Balls containing Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle in his dream, both sides of the Balls are red. This was fixed in the scenes of the Balls releasing the Pokémon.
* When Ash throws the Poké Balls containing Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle in his dream, both sides of the Poké Balls are red. This was fixed in the scenes of the Poké Balls releasing the Pokémon.
* As Ash runs to Professor Oak to collect his first Pokémon, the top button on his pajamas changes from green to yellow.
* As Ash runs to Professor Oak to collect his first Pokémon, the top button on his pajamas changes from green to yellow.
* The sneakers that Delia hands Ash are the same ones he is already wearing.
* The sneakers that Delia hands Ash are the same ones he is already wearing.
* After Gary tells Ash that his Pokémon is inside its Poké Ball, the order of [[Gary's cheerleaders]] reversed.
* After [[Gary Oak|Gary]] tells Ash that {{TP|Gary|his Pokémon|Blastoise}} is inside its Poké Ball, the order of [[Gary's cheerleaders]] reversed.
* If all three starters had already been taken, then the Poké Balls containing them should be with their Trainers, as Gary's is, and not with Professor Oak.  
* If all three starters had already been taken, then the Poké Balls containing them should be with their Trainers, as Gary's is, and not with Professor Oak.
* After Ash opens Charmander's Poké Ball in Oak's lab, part of Oak's coat unnaturally changes position as he speaks.
* After Ash opens Charmander's Poké Ball in Oak's lab, part of Oak's coat unnaturally changes position as he speaks.
* When Professor Oak hands Ash Pikachu's Poké Ball, the bottom portion of the black ring surrounding the white center of the Poké Ball turns white.
* As Pikachu's Poké Ball opens with a strobe-like flash of light, the background behind Ash differs greatly between the two frames. The buttons and features of the large machine change position and size. Also, the table and beaker in front of it change position and shape, respectively.
* As Pikachu's Poké Ball opens with a strobe-like flash of light, the background behind Ash differs greatly between the two frames. The buttons and features of the large machine change position and size. Also, the table and beaker in front of it change position and shape, respectively.
* When Ash opens his Pokédex for the first time, the directional buttons are not present.
* When Ash opens his [[Pokédex]] for the first time, the directional buttons are not present.
* When Pikachu is up in the tree, Ash's coat loses its yellow stripes, but they return later on.
* When Pikachu is up in the tree, Ash's coat loses its yellow stripes, but they return later on.
* In the Japanese version, the Pokédex misidentifies Pidgey as the ''Sky Pokémon'' instead of the ''Tiny Bird Pokémon''.
* In the Japanese version, the Pokédex misidentifies Pidgey as the ''Sky Pokémon'' instead of the ''Tiny Bird Pokémon''.
* When Ash sees the Spearow flock again after Misty tells him where the nearest Pokémon Center is, his shoes are not colored, making it look like he only has white socks on. Then, when he puts Pikachu on Misty's bike, his shoes are colored normally.
* When Ash sees the Spearow flock again after {{an|Misty}} tells him where the nearest [[Pokémon Center]] is, his shoes are not colored, making it look like he only has white socks on. Then, when he puts Pikachu on Misty's [[Bicycle|bike]], his shoes are colored normally.
* When Ash places Pikachu's Poké Ball on the ground, his thumb passes right through it when he stands up to face the flock of Spearow.
* When Ash places Pikachu's Poké Ball on the ground, his thumb passes right through it when he stands up to face the flock of Spearow.
* When Ash stands up to the Spearow to protect Pikachu, he incorrectly refers to them "Spearows." The plural of a specific species of Pokémon is the same as the singular.
* When Ash stands up to the Spearow to protect Pikachu, he incorrectly refers to them "Spearows." The plural of a specific species of Pokémon is the same as the singular.
* As Ash looks at Ho-Oh at the end of the episode, [[Ash's hat|his hat]] points backward as it had since he jumped into the river. As he walks uphill in the next scene, it points forward. When he gets to the top and looks at Viridian City, it points backward again. Lastly, as we see him from behind as he walks toward Viridian, his hat points forward again.
* As Ash looks at Ho-Oh at the end of the episode, [[Ash's hat|his hat]] points backward as it had since he jumped into the river. As he walks uphill in the next scene, it points forward. When he gets to the top and looks at Viridian City, it points backward again. Lastly, as we see him from behind as he walks toward Viridian, his hat points forward again.
* In the slap scene cut from the English version, the hole in Ash's hat matches his skin color despite being above his hairline.


===Changes===
===Changes===
====Dub edits====
====Dub edits====
[[File:Misty Slap.png|thumb|200px|The cut shot]]
[[File:Misty Slap.png|thumb|200px|The cut shot]]
* Onix's {{m|Tackle}} was not referred to by its name in the [[dub]], whereas in the Japanese version, the announcer clearly identifies the attack.
* During the shot of the whole television and Ash moving his head into view, Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle have their Japanese names written below their pictures. The names are gone during and after the close-up, however.
* During the shot of the whole television and Ash moving his head into view, Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle have their Japanese names written below their pictures. The names are gone during and after the close-up, however.
* When the people outside of Professor Oak's lab cheer for Ash, the flag says "{{tt|ガンバレサトシ|Go for it, Satoshi}}" on the Japanese version. The dub edits this to "GO ASH GO".
* When the people outside of Professor Oak's lab cheer for Ash, the flag says "{{tt|ガンバレサトシ|Go for it, Satoshi}}" on the Japanese version. The dub edits this to "GO ASH GO".
* The Poké Balls in Professor Oak's lab are labeled in Japanese when they first appear, but are painted over when Ash picks up one up. These labels are also partially visible when Pikachu's Poké Ball is revealed.  
* The Poké Balls in Professor Oak's lab are labeled in Japanese when they first appear, but are painted over when Ash picks up one up. These labels are also partially visible when Pikachu's Poké Ball is revealed.
* In the Japanese version, after Ash thanks {{an|Misty}}, she slaps him. This was cut from the [[dub]] (the screen freezes just as Ash answers Misty) due to physical violence. In the next scene, Ash can clearly be seen rubbing his aching face and Misty has her hand in the air.
* In the Japanese version, after being shocked by Pikachu, {{Delia}} tells Ash to change into his pajamas before going to sleep, even if it's the dirty pajamas he was wearing at the moment. The dub changed this to her telling Ash to remember to change his underwear every single day.
* The Japanese version of the scene with Ash talking with Pikachu on {{rt|1|Kanto}} contains an untranslatable pun. When Ash asks Pikachu to talk ({{tt|話|hanashi}}) to him, Pikachu misunderstands this as him saying it has "no teeth" ({{tt|歯なし|ha nashi}}), thus opening its mouth to show Ash that it indeed does have teeth. In the dub, Ash asks Pikachu to open its mouth and tell him what's wrong, to which Pikachu responds to by literally opening its mouth wide open.
* In the Japanese version, after Ash thanks Misty, she slaps him. This was cut from the dub (the screen freezes just as Ash answers Misty) due to physical violence. In the next scene, Ash can clearly be seen rubbing his aching face and Misty has her hand in the air.
* In the Japanese version, Misty tells Ash there is a hospital in [[Viridian City]]; in the dub, she just says that it is nearby.
* In the Japanese version, Misty tells Ash there is a hospital in [[Viridian City]]; in the dub, she just says that it is nearby.


Line 216: Line 197:
* The opening League Battle was shortened, cutting out the reference to the Game Boy opening scene.
* The opening League Battle was shortened, cutting out the reference to the Game Boy opening scene.
* Ash's attempt at catching Rattata was cut.
* Ash's attempt at catching Rattata was cut.
* Ash's escape through the river was shortened, only showing the first swimming distance. Gyarados and Ash's attempt to swim away from it were cut.
* Ash's escape through the river was shortened, only showing the first swimming distance. {{p|Gyarados}} and Ash's attempt to swim away from it were cut.
* In the ending of the episode, after Pikachu licks Ash, Ash was silent, though his gratefulness for finally earning Pikachu's respect is still implied. In the comic, it has Ash either saying or thinking, "Hey, Pikachu really does like me!"
* In the ending of the episode, after Pikachu licks Ash, Ash was silent, though his gratefulness for finally earning Pikachu's respect is still implied. In the comic, it has Ash either saying or thinking, "Hey, Pikachu really does like me!"
====Differences between the episode and Pokémon the Animation Volume 1====
* After Misty scolds Ash for endangering Pikachu, she directly comforts and cradles the injured Pikachu instead of simply expressing concern for him.


==In other languages==
==In other languages==
Line 231: Line 214:
|de=Pika-Pikachu
|de=Pika-Pikachu
|el={{tt|Πόκεμον, διαλέγω εσένα!|Pokémon, I Choose You!}}
|el={{tt|Πόκεμον, διαλέγω εσένα!|Pokémon, I Choose You!}}
|hi= {{tt|पोकेमोन, तुम मेरे हो!|Pokémon, you're mine!}}{{tt|*|Original dub}} <br> {{tt|पोकेमोन, मैं तुम्हे चुनता हूँ !|Pokemon, I choose you!}}{{tt|*|2014 Hungama TV dub}}
|hi=पोकेमोन, तुम मेरे हो! {{tt|''Pokémon, Tum mere ho!''|Pokémon, you're mine!}} {{tt|*|Cartoon Network dub}} <br> पोकेमोन, मैं तुम्हे चुनता हूँ ! {{tt|''Pokémon, Main Tumhe Choonata Hoon!''|Pokemon, I choose you!}} {{tt|*|Hungama TV dub}}
|he=אש בוחר את הפוקימון שלו {{tt|Ash bocher et haPokémon shelo|Ash chooses his Pokémon}}
|he=אש בוחר את הפוקימון שלו {{tt|Ash bocher et haPokémon shelo|Ash chooses his Pokémon}}
|hu={{tt|Téged választalak, Pikachu!|I choose you, Pikachu!}}
|hu={{tt|Téged választalak, Pikachu!|I choose you, Pikachu!}}

Revision as of 16:51, 6 October 2015

Original series
EP002 : Pokémon Emergency!
Pokémon - I Choose You!
EP001.png
  EP001  
ポケモン! きみにきめた!
Pokémon! I Choose You!
First broadcast
Japan April 1, 1997
United States September 8, 1998
English themes
Opening Pokémon Theme
Ending
Japanese themes
Opening めざせポケモンマスター
Ending ひゃくごじゅういち
Credits
Animation Team Ota
Screenplay 首藤剛志 Takeshi Shudō
Storyboard 湯山邦彦 Kunihiko Yuyama
Assistant director 鈴木敏明 Toshiaki Suzuki
Animation directors 酒井啓史 Keishi Sakai
一石小百合 Sayuri Ichiishi
Additional credits

Pokémon - I Choose You! (Japanese: ポケモン! きみにきめた! Pokémon! I Choose You!) is the first episode of the Pokémon anime. In the US, however, the first episode shown was Battle Aboard the St. Anne. It was first broadcast in Japan on April 1, 1997 and in the United States on September 8, 1998.

A remastered version of the episode was shown on Pokémon Smash! on April 1, 2012 to celebrate the anime's fifteenth anniversary. Only the episode itself was remastered; the opening and ending sequences, as well as the eyecatch, were not shown at all.

201
Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.
201

Blurb

Meet Ash Ketchum, a 10-year-old boy full of imagination, confidence, and dreams that are almost too big for his village of Pallet Town—plus the desire to become a Pokémon Master!

Ash is finally old enough to receive his first Pokémon from Professor Oak, the town's Pokémon expert-but on the morning Ash is supposed to claim it, he oversleeps! By the time he arrives at Professor Oak's, the three Pokémon he wanted have already been chosen by the other Trainers-in-training, including his rival, Gary! The only Pokémon remaining is a strong-willed Pikachu.

Trainer and Pokémon don't get along right away. Not only does Pikachu refuse to enter its Poké Ball, it would rather climb a tree than battle a Pidgey that Ash encounters! Disagreements aside, they start to bond when they find themselves chased by an angry flock of Spearow. The Spearow wound Pikachu, but Ash risks his own safety to protect his Pokémon.

To further their escape, Ash "borrows" a bike owned by a young girl named Misty. He soon wrecks the bike; however, he and Pikachu are surrounded by the Spearow. When Ash fearlessly confronts the Spearow, Pikachu is inspired to summon its remaining energy to repel the Pokémon with a powerful electric shock.

Finally out of harm's way, the wild experience makes Ash and Pikachu realize that they've begun what promises to be a blooming friendship.

Plot

In a small Kanto region settlement called Pallet Town, a boy named Ash Ketchum stays up late watching a Pokémon battle on television. Ash’s mother, Delia Ketchum, scolds her son and tells him to go to bed, which Ash reluctantly does. Ash is eagerly anticipating the next day, where he will receive his first Pokémon from a man called Professor Oak.

Unfortunately, during the night, Ash accidentally breaks his alarm clock and is very late to arrive at Professor Oak’s laboratory. Since the usual Kanto starter Pokémon – Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle – are all taken by Trainers who arrived on time, one of which was taken by Ash’s rival, Gary Oak, Professor Oak hesitantly gives Ash a Poké Ball containing a disobedient Pikachu and also presents to Ash a Pokédex containing information on all Pokémon native to Kanto.

While Ash is excited to have a new Pokémon, Pikachu is not excited to have a new Trainer and the two of them have a very rocky relationship at first. Pikachu is extremely mistrusting of Ash and is so stubborn that Ash has to drag him around with a clothesline leash from the backpack Delia prepared for him. Making matters worse is the fact that Pikachu absolutely hates being inside his Poké Ball, so Ash has to keep Pikachu out with him at all times.

In the process of trying to capture a wild Pidgey, Ash accidentally angers a flock of Spearow. While running away from the Spearow, Pikachu is grievously injured due to many vicious attacks from the flock. After being fished out of a pond by a girl, Ash takes the girl’s bicycle so he can get away from the pursuing Spearow, an effort that is hampered by a raging thunderstorm. Eventually, Ash is left with no other choice but to stand in front of his injured Pokémon and defend it from the Spearow. This selfless act convinces Pikachu to help Ash, so Pikachu leaps over his Trainer’s shoulder and uses the lightning from the storm to defeat all of the Spearow simultaneously. However, Pikachu’s attack also hits the girl’s bicycle, destroying it.

As Ash and a barely conscious Pikachu get ready to continue to Viridian City, Ash sees a shimmering golden Pokémon flying overhead in the aftermath of the storm. Wondering what it could be, as the Pokédex is unable to identify the Pokémon, Ash and Pikachu make their way to Viridian City and Ash wonders what will lie ahead of him on his journey.

Major events

For a list of all major events in the anime, please see the history page.
201 Spoilers end here. 201

Debuts

Humans

Pokémon

Characters

Humans

Dare da?

Pokémon

Who's That Pokémon?

Who's That Pokémon?: Pikachu

Trivia

The beginning of the anime (left) and the opening of Pokémon Red and Green (right)
An early frame
The shadowed Trainer that resembles Bruno.
The green Poké Ball from the first scene
Ho-Oh in its debut
  • The beginning of the episode features sound effects from the original Game Boy games, drawing from the opening animation from Pokémon Red and Green (with a Gengar battling a Nidorino) before transitioning seamlessly into the battle that Ash himself is watching on TV.
  • An early, unused frame of the stadium battle scene exists.
  • The shadowed Trainer using Nidorino and Onix to battle greatly resembles Bruno of the Indigo League.
  • Ash's introductory shot is repeated in the first episode of the Best Wishes series as a throwback to this episode.
  • Ash has a Voltorb clock with a cuckoo Pidgey in it. Furthermore, he ends up breaking it in his sleep, unknowingly using it as a Poké Ball shortly after 4 AM.
  • The order in which Ash opens the starter Pokémon's Poké Balls, only to find them empty, indicates his preferred choices: Squirtle first, Bulbasaur second, and Charmander last.
  • Despite this episode centering around receiving a starter Pokémon, neither Bulbasaur, Charmander, nor Squirtle actually appeared in the flesh until Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village, Charmander – The Stray Pokémon, and Here Comes the Squirtle Squad, respectively. This is unlike the following generations, when at least one of the starter Pokémon appeared in the first episode of each generation.
  • This is the only episode where Ash's Pikachu is seen inside his Poké Ball.
    • This caused confusion in the scene in which Ash drags Pikachu by a rope while wearing rubber gloves.
  • This episode revealed that Spearow see in black and white.
  • This is one of the few episodes in which Rachael Lillis provides the voice of Pikachu in a few scenes of the dub. This happened when another Japanese voice actor spoke over Ikue Ohtani's Pikachu voice and the audio could not be used.
  • The legendary bird Ash saw at the end of the episode was Ho-Oh. This makes Ho-Oh the first Generation II Pokémon seen in the series, and in the first episode of the entire series.
  • The book I Choose You! is based on this episode.
  • This episode can be found on volume 3 of Game Boy Advance Video.
  • This episode is featured on Volume 1: Pikachu from Viz Media's Pokémon All-Stars series.
  • This episode is featured on Pokémon All-Stars: Pikachu from Magna Pacific's Pokémon All-Stars series.
  • Coincidentally, Ash would later attempt to use a Pidgey and Rattata in the following episode against Team Rocket after failing to capture both Pokémon in this episode.
  • This is the only episode of the original series where Jessie, James and Meowth do not appear in. The next time would not occur in the regular episodes until Rematch at the Nacrene Gym!, 672 episodes later. They either did not appear in a clip show episode AG120, which was never aired outside Japan.

Errors

  • As Delia catches the alarm clock Ash threw, her ponytail curls to her left shoulder. When seen from behind in the next shot, it is curled to her right shoulder.
  • When Professor Oak appears on television to discuss the starter Pokémon, the background colors behind Charmander and Squirtle are reversed (blue behind Charmander and red behind Squirtle). Bulbasaur's background color, green, is correctly shown.
    • In this same scene, the starters look significantly different between the shot of the whole television and the close-up of the screen. Charmander, for instance, has a much larger tail flame and more open mouth in the close-up.
  • When Ash throws the Poké Balls containing Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle in his dream, both sides of the Poké Balls are red. This was fixed in the scenes of the Poké Balls releasing the Pokémon.
  • As Ash runs to Professor Oak to collect his first Pokémon, the top button on his pajamas changes from green to yellow.
  • The sneakers that Delia hands Ash are the same ones he is already wearing.
  • After Gary tells Ash that his Pokémon is inside its Poké Ball, the order of Gary's cheerleaders reversed.
  • If all three starters had already been taken, then the Poké Balls containing them should be with their Trainers, as Gary's is, and not with Professor Oak.
  • After Ash opens Charmander's Poké Ball in Oak's lab, part of Oak's coat unnaturally changes position as he speaks.
  • When Professor Oak hands Ash Pikachu's Poké Ball, the bottom portion of the black ring surrounding the white center of the Poké Ball turns white.
  • As Pikachu's Poké Ball opens with a strobe-like flash of light, the background behind Ash differs greatly between the two frames. The buttons and features of the large machine change position and size. Also, the table and beaker in front of it change position and shape, respectively.
  • When Ash opens his Pokédex for the first time, the directional buttons are not present.
  • When Pikachu is up in the tree, Ash's coat loses its yellow stripes, but they return later on.
  • In the Japanese version, the Pokédex misidentifies Pidgey as the Sky Pokémon instead of the Tiny Bird Pokémon.
  • When Ash sees the Spearow flock again after Misty tells him where the nearest Pokémon Center is, his shoes are not colored, making it look like he only has white socks on. Then, when he puts Pikachu on Misty's bike, his shoes are colored normally.
  • When Ash places Pikachu's Poké Ball on the ground, his thumb passes right through it when he stands up to face the flock of Spearow.
  • When Ash stands up to the Spearow to protect Pikachu, he incorrectly refers to them "Spearows." The plural of a specific species of Pokémon is the same as the singular.
  • As Ash looks at Ho-Oh at the end of the episode, his hat points backward as it had since he jumped into the river. As he walks uphill in the next scene, it points forward. When he gets to the top and looks at Viridian City, it points backward again. Lastly, as we see him from behind as he walks toward Viridian, his hat points forward again.
  • In the slap scene cut from the English version, the hole in Ash's hat matches his skin color despite being above his hairline.

Changes

Dub edits

The cut shot
  • Onix's Tackle was not referred to by its name in the dub, whereas in the Japanese version, the announcer clearly identifies the attack.
  • During the shot of the whole television and Ash moving his head into view, Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle have their Japanese names written below their pictures. The names are gone during and after the close-up, however.
  • When the people outside of Professor Oak's lab cheer for Ash, the flag says "ガンバレサトシ" on the Japanese version. The dub edits this to "GO ASH GO".
  • The Poké Balls in Professor Oak's lab are labeled in Japanese when they first appear, but are painted over when Ash picks up one up. These labels are also partially visible when Pikachu's Poké Ball is revealed.
  • In the Japanese version, after being shocked by Pikachu, Delia tells Ash to change into his pajamas before going to sleep, even if it's the dirty pajamas he was wearing at the moment. The dub changed this to her telling Ash to remember to change his underwear every single day.
  • The Japanese version of the scene with Ash talking with Pikachu on Route 1 contains an untranslatable pun. When Ash asks Pikachu to talk () to him, Pikachu misunderstands this as him saying it has "no teeth" (歯なし), thus opening its mouth to show Ash that it indeed does have teeth. In the dub, Ash asks Pikachu to open its mouth and tell him what's wrong, to which Pikachu responds to by literally opening its mouth wide open.
  • In the Japanese version, after Ash thanks Misty, she slaps him. This was cut from the dub (the screen freezes just as Ash answers Misty) due to physical violence. In the next scene, Ash can clearly be seen rubbing his aching face and Misty has her hand in the air.
  • In the Japanese version, Misty tells Ash there is a hospital in Viridian City; in the dub, she just says that it is nearby.

Differences between the episode and the comic adaptation

  • The opening League Battle was shortened, cutting out the reference to the Game Boy opening scene.
  • Ash's attempt at catching Rattata was cut.
  • Ash's escape through the river was shortened, only showing the first swimming distance. Gyarados and Ash's attempt to swim away from it were cut.
  • In the ending of the episode, after Pikachu licks Ash, Ash was silent, though his gratefulness for finally earning Pikachu's respect is still implied. In the comic, it has Ash either saying or thinking, "Hey, Pikachu really does like me!"

Differences between the episode and Pokémon the Animation Volume 1

  • After Misty scolds Ash for endangering Pikachu, she directly comforts and cradles the injured Pikachu instead of simply expressing concern for him.

In other languages



Original series
EP002 : Pokémon Emergency!
Project Anime logo.png This episode article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of the Pokémon anime.