BW001
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This article is about an episode of the Pokémon animated series that has not been dubbed into English. As such, its coverage may contain romanized Japanese names, rather than dub names. |
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BW001
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First broadcast
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English themes
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Japanese themes
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Credits
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(Japanese: イッシュ地方へ！ゼクロムの影！！ To the Isshu Region! Zekrom's Shadow!!) is the first episode of the Best Wishes series, and the 658th episode of the Pokémon anime. It first aired in Japan, as part of a one-hour special along with BW002, on September 23, 2010.
Synopsis
The episode begins as Zekrom and Reshiram make their appearance. Their black and white colors swirl and fade into the shape of the Earth, in which the narrator begins to explain about the world of Pokémon.
Ash is a ten-year old Pokémon Trainer who aims to become a Pokémon Master. He lives in Pallet Town, which resides in the Kanto region. With his Pikachu, he grabs his belongings and hurriedly walks out of the room. Returning to take his hat, he then expresses his excitement with Pikachu on his upcoming journey. Ash's mom then walks into his room, informing him about Professor Oak coming to pick him up, and straightens his hat.
Professor Oak arrives in a car wearing a colorful collared shirt with Pinap Berry printings. Ash questions Professor Oak on his style of clothing, to which he replies as to have a feel of being on vacation. Ash's mom then became concerned about Professor Oak having to work in Isshu but he told her he has a lot of free time when he is not attending semainars. Ash and his mom board the car.
Meanwhile, in one of Team Rocket's bases, Giovanni questions Jessie, James, and Meowth about Team Rocket's goals: to obtain strong and rare Pokémon, and to form a formidable army of Pokémon to take over the world. He then tells the trio that the Isshu region will be strong foothold for their world domination plans, and has given them mission of infiltrating the region. The trio agrees.
As the reception is cut and Giovanni sits back on his chair, his secretary walks up to him as he tends to his Persian. She informs him about the operations of a mysterious organisation in Isshu, but Giovanni does not flinch. He is, after all, confident that Jessie, James and Meowth will force this organisation in question to reveal their identities and operations, allowing them to strike at the opportune moment.
Ash, together with his mother and Professor Oak are on board a plane to Isshu. Unbeknownst to them, Jessie, James and Meowth are on board the same plane as well. Dressed in dark coats and speaking in hushed voices, they manage to spot Ash and his Pikachu and decides, on the spot, to capture Pikachu as their first objective.
Meanwhile, Ash is reading a brochure on the Isshu region. Professor Oak tells him that the Pokémon native to Isshu cannot be found in any of the other regions, namely Kanto, Johto, Hoenn and Sinnoh, and Ash becomes excited.
Emerging from the clouds, the plane finally arrives at the Isshu region. It makes a gradual turn, slowly descends into the sea and docks near a pier. Despite being one of the last few passengers to leave the plane, Ash expressed relief after landing, and together with his mother and Professor Oak, they make their way out of the pier. However, Pikachu suddenly detects something, stops and turns to face the sea. It then runs forward, and notices black spiraling clouds looming above. Ash, noticing Pikachu's erratic behavior, turns back to observe and question it. However, a jumping Mamanbou on the water caught Ash's attention, and together with Pikachu, they run towards the sea. The Team Rocket trio then appears at their back, grinning with evil intentions.
Ash reaches the end of the pier, and realizes that the Mamanbou had disappeared. He then notices a black cloud approaching, streaking with blue lightning bolts. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a metallic frame reaches out to Pikachu, expands and cages it. Pikachu was trapped! As fast as he could, Ash grabs the cage and tries to pry it open. He then caught sight of Pikachu's captors: three figures dressed in black coats. Upon asking who the three of them were, the they replied with two lines that would soon known to be the start of their motto, and revealed themselves: Team Rocket!
Ash tells Pikachu to use Thunderbolt, but it fails to shock the trio as they opened up a shield to deflect the electric attack. At the same time, the swirling black cloud loomed ever closer, threatening to cover the sky in darkness. The thunderstorm grew stronger and closer to where Ash and Team Rocket were. Increasingly, more blue lightning bolts shot downwards towards the ground, and people started taking notice. A central glowing blue core shone through the clouds, its light ever increasing in intensity. Suddenly, a large bolt of lightning descended, destroying Team Rocket's Pikachu-capturing contraption, sending them flying, and Ash spiraling towards the ground.
Meanwhile, electronic equipment and visual displays around the area starts to malfunction.
Ash lies sprawled on the ground, his eyes trying to recover from the shock that had just happened. Amidst the shining flecks of blue and white light, he gets up and spots Pikachu emitting, or what seems to be absorbing a bolt of blue lightning. Curious, he looks up at the blue core and notices it glowing even brighter, radiating both light and electricity. As Team Rocket is seen backing off slowly, Pikachu aims a bolt of lightning at the central blue core, but it soon dissipates away entirely.
A silhouette of a mysterious figure is seen within the clouds, its eyes glowing red with apparent fury. Seemingly enraged by Pikachu's attack, it summons forth more lightning, causing the core to glow brightly and strongly in blue.
Meanwhile, amidst the broad daylight, a girl and her Kibago pops out from a tree and notices the dark swirling clouds. Curious, she jumps off the tree and grabs a vine, swinging her way towards the dark clouds above the pier. At the same time, Ash's mom became concerned about her son, and heads off with Professor Oak to help him.
The dark clouds are now intense with lightning as lightning steaks pour out from the side into the surrounding area. With Ash and Pikachu trapped in the middle of the violent storm, the mysterious figure henceforth musters it strength and summons a gigantic bolt of blue lightning with its tail, shocking the Pokémon Trainer and his companion and sending them flying. Immediately, the dark clouds disappeared to make way for the bright sky above. Electronic equipment mysteriously regain power.
Ash wakes up to find Pikachu exhausted from the ordeal. Joined by Mrs. Ketchum and Professor Oak, he assures them that he is all right, but suddenly notice Pikachu's cheeks spontaneously emitting sparks. Pikachu, however, in turn assures Ash that it is fine and climbs onto Ash's shoulder. Ash's mom then comments about the thunderstorm. Even though Ash tells them that he saw a Pokémon's shadow from within the clouds, they were not able to tell as from their point of view, they only saw a large black cloud.
Professor Araragi soon arrives, apologizing for being late as she was held up by the apparent thunderstorm. Professor Oak introduces her as a Pokémon Researcher in Isshu. Professor Araragi then drives the group back to her lab. Meanwhile, Ash expressed delight as he spots a herd of Shikijika, a flock of Mamepato and a scurry of Minezumi while in the red jeep. Suddenly, Pikachu's cheeks started emitting sparks. Professor Araragi then suggest giving Pikachu a check-up at her lab. Ash agrees. Meanwhile, Professor Araragi became curious about Pokémon in the Kanto region, and questions Professor Oak. Ash interrupts her conversation, and soon realise that Pikachu is exceedingly rare in Isshu, and has never been encountered before in the wild. The jeep makes a gradual turn to the right near a lake, and Ash manages to spot a dribble of Swanna.
The group soon arrive at Kanoko Town, and Professor Araragi heads straight for her lab. Pikachu's condition is being monitored on a screen and a few basic tests have been performed. As Ash and Pikachu were told that the numerical data do not show any discrepancies, they express their delight and becomes a little excited. However, more tests will have to be conducted. Soon, a lab assistant enters the room, announcing the arrival of a new trainer. Professor Oak then explains that Professor Araragi has the duty of giving new trainers in Isshu their Starter Pokémon. This makes Ash excited.
In the waiting area, a young boy is taking pictures with his camera. Addressing him as Shooti when he approaches, Professor Araragi break into a conversation with him about the Pokémon World. Ash interrupts the conversation this time, talking about the night before he became a Pokémon Trainer. Professor Araragi then introduce him to Shooti. Upon hearing that Ash came from Pallet Town, he smirks and passes it off as some town from the countryside, which Ash took to offence.
Professor Araragi then sends out the three starter Pokémon, first starting with Fire-typed Pokabu. Ash told it that it was 'cool', but the Fire Pig Pokémon ignored him and ran to a side of the waiting area, blowing fire from its snout. Next, the Water-typed Mijumaru was sent out, to which Ash immediately called it 'cute'. Mijumaru blushed. Last but not least, the Grass-typed Tsutarja was sent out. The three starter Pokémon then gathered in front of Shooti, allowing him to decide which one he wanted to choose. With much deliberation, Shooti took out a camera, and took a picture of the three Pokémon. Finally, when he announced that he would pick Tsutarja, the Grass Snake Pokémon smiled, but in turn making Pokabu very sad and Mijumaru extremely shocked.
Shooti is then given a Pokédex, to which he uses to check the data of his Tsutarja. He is also given five Poké Balls and Tsutarja's Poké Ball. Shooti then takes his leave.
As Shooti walks away from the lab, Ash catches up to him and questions him on Gym matches. Similar to Kanto, a Pokémon Trainer in Isshu has to collect eight Gym Badges before he/she can compete in the Isshu League. At that moment, Pikachu runs out from the lab (after the tests are complete) and rejoins Ash. Completely shocked by Pikachu's appearance, Shooti checks his Pokédex and starts snapping pictures of Pikachu. Shooti then realise that Pikachu is Ash's partner, and decides to test its strength by challenging Ash to a Pokémon Battle.
In a clearing near the laboratory, Shooti sends out Tsutarja, and Ash calls on Pikachu. Shooti then starts taking pictures, so as to document his journey and his first ever Pokémon Battle with Ash. Meanwhile, a Mijumaru curiously looks at the two trainers battling from behind a tree.
As a start, Pikachu uses Quick Attack, which hit Tsutarja squarely in the head. Tsutarja quickly recovers on its feet, its eyes brimming with determination. Quickly, Shooti commands it to use Tackle, which Pikachu dodges skilfully. With another leap, it then dodges another Tackle attack from the opposite direction.
Ash then tells Pikachu to use Thunderbolt. However, the move fails, and Pikachu is hit by Tsutarja's Tackle. Pikachu is asked to use Thunderbolt for a second time, but the move fails once again. Shooti then taunts Ash. Taking the bait, he asks Pikachu to use Volt Tackle, but Pikachu grows weary; it loses momentum and stops in the middle of the field. Ash panics for a moment, allowing Shooti to taunt him even further. He then realize that Pikachu is unable to use Electric-based attacks, and tells it to use Iron Tail. The move works successfully. Pikachu's tail hardens into a gleaming block of metal and slams downwards, but Tsutarja nevertheless dodges it.
With a bout of confidence, Shooti tells Tsutarja to use Grass Mixer, and a cyclone of grass and leaves come forth from Tsutarja's tail, trapping Pikachu in the center of the vortex. Ash and Mijumaru gasp simultaneously. Turning its body, Tsutarja slams its tail on the ground, and dust is whipped up, forming a smokescreen. Mijumaru watches attentively.
As the dust settles, a long wide hole is seen on the ground, and Pikachu lies at the end on its belly, unconscious. Ash runs to Pikachu's side and picks it up, while Shooti complements its Tsutarja, and returns it into its Poké Ball. He then taunts Ash when Ash rushes to Professor Araragi's lab, before walking away.
Professor Araragi, after another analysis, tells Ash that Pikachu is being 'overloaded' after receiving a massive amount of electricity during their ordeal under the black cloud. As a result, Pikachu is unable to use Electric attacks. Ash expresses his concern over Pikachu unable to use Electric attacks anymore.
At that moment, the lab's electronics started receiving a lot of interference, and the black cloud that was once at the pier is now forming over Professor Araragi's lab. Pikachu is now being shocked by the electronics that it is attached to. Meanwhile, the girl which had appeared before now stands on top of a tree, quietly observing the black cloud now forming above the town.
A bolt of lightning strikes again, this time through the lightning rod at the top of the lab. With a massive amount of charge being channeled to the lab, it suddenly blacks out and Pikachu starts receiving a lot of electricity. Professor Araragi asks the assistant inside their room to restore the power. Meanwhile, looking at the black cloud, Professor Araragi talks about the legendary Pokémon Zekrom, a guardian that is said to protect both people and Pokémon in the area. The huge clouds represent its watchful eye, and its lightning bolts signify the hammer of judgement, which also act as a support for the sky.
Meanwhile the wings of the mysterious figure in the clouds glows a bright blue, and Pikachu is now being excessively charged by electricity. A storm is now brewing in the area, and the eyes of the mysterious figure, once again, glows a bright red.
Major events
- Ash and Pikachu travel with Delia and Professor Oak to the Isshu region where Professor Oak is attending a conference.
- Ash learns that all of the Pokémon that live in the Isshu region cannot be found in Kanto, Johto, Hoenn or Sinnoh.
- Ash and company meet Professor Araragi.
- Team Rocket also arrive in the Isshu region, having being assigned there by Giovanni.
- Pikachu becomes temporarily unable to use Electric-type attacks after being hit by lightning caused by Zekrom.
- Ash meets a photographer and beginning Trainer by the name of Shooti.
- Shooti obtains a Tsutarja from Professor Araragi then battles Ash's Pikachu and wins.
Debuts
Pokémon debuts
- Reshiram
- Zekrom
- Kibago (Iris's)
- Tsutarja (Shooti's)
- Mamanbou
- Shikijika
- Mamepato
- Minezumi
- Swanna
- Chillarmy
- Pokabu
- Mijumaru
Characters
Humans
- Ash
- Iris
- Jessie
- James
- Professor Araragi
- Shooti
- Professor Oak
- Delia Ketchum
- Giovanni
- Giovanni's secretary
- Professor Araragi's assistants
- Airport employees
- Citizens
Pokémon
- Pikachu (Ash's)
- Meowth (Team Rocket)
- Kibago (Iris's)
- Reshiram (introduction only)
- Zekrom
- Tsutarja (Shooti's)
- Persian (Giovanni's)
- Mamanbou
- Shikijika (multiple)
- Mamepato (multiple)
- Minezumi (multiple)
- Swanna (multiple)
- Chillarmy (child's)
- Pokabu
- Mijumaru
Trivia
- This episode marks the first time that the first episode of a series has focused on Ash since Pokémon - I Choose You!.
- According to the narration at the beginning of the episode, Ash is still ten years old (despite the fact the anime has been airing for over thirteen years at this point).
- Also, in Pikachu and Pichu, Ash states that it is his and Pikachu's anniversary, meaning that he would have to have had at least one birthday by that point.
- For the first time since the series began, Ash receives a physical redesign, with the most significant change being his irises being made larger to match Ken Sugimori's recent character art. Jessie, James, and Delia's eyes are also similarly modified.
- Also, for the first time since the series began Jessie, James and Giovanni are given costume changes, and the Team Rocket logo is also modified, now showing as a stylized "R". However, the logo on the uniforms of Jessie and James remain the same.
- Several of the items in Ash's bedroom at the beginning of the episode are those he received during his travels through Sinnoh. These are:
- The Soothe Bells he received after winning the Hearthome Tag Battle Tournament in Smells Like Team Spirit!.
- The Focus Band he was given at the end of Bibarel Gnaws Best!.
- The wooden model of a Teddiursa he was given as a gift from May in A Full Course Tag Battle!.
- The diploma he received for attending the Pokémon Summer Academy in One Team, Two Team, Red Team, Blue Team!.
- The certificate he received for winning the Squallville PokéRinger competition in Pursuing a Lofty Goal!.
- The trophy he was awarded by Palmer for winning the Twinleaf Tournament in Challenging a Towering Figure!.
- This is the second time Ash has arrived in a new region and Pikachu has had problems with its electricity, the first being Hoenn.
- Two new eyecatches were shown.
- The flight number of the plane Ash took from Kanto to Isshu was "Flight 151", most likely to reflect the original 151 Pokémon.
Errors
- In one scene, Pikachu's ear is missing the black stripe on the tip.
Dub edits
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This episode article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of Pokémon animation. |
- Undubbed episodes
- Stubs
- Episode stubs
- Anime stubs
- Best Wishes series episodes
- Episodes written by Atsuhiro Tomioka
- Episodes storyboarded by Norihiko Sudō
- Episodes storyboarded by Kunihiko Yuyama
- Episodes directed by Masaru Koyama
- Episodes by one-time directors
- Episodes animated by Izumi Shimura
- Episodes by one-time animation directors
- Episodes in which a main character is introduced
- Episodes focusing on Ash
- Episodes focusing on Pikachu
- Episodes in which a legendary Pokémon appears
- Milestone episodes
