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EP003: Difference between revisions

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{{TRT}} intrudes on their argument, reciting their {{motto}}. They decide to target his Pikachu, mentioning his incredible power, which causes them to become distracted in a short internal argument before they decide to attack. They then send out {{TP|James|Koffing}} and {{TP|Jessie|Ekans}} to battle, despite a [[Double Battle|double-team]] being unfair. Misty wants to jump in, but Ash does not want to break the rules. Koffing's {{m|Sludge}} attack blinds Pikachu, taking him out of the battle. While he hands Pikachu off to Misty, he decides to send out his newly caught Pidgeotto, which dodges both Koffing and Ekans's attacks before going into a {{m|Quick Attack}}. Ekans avoids the attack by {{m|Dig|going underground}}, forcing Pidgeotto to come to a sudden stop. Koffing fires a {{m|Smog}} attack, which Pidgeotto splits with its wings before dodging multiple Sludge attacks and Ekans's retaliation. Despite soaring high into the sky, both Ekans and Koffing are able to keep up with Pidgeotto. Pidgeotto tries to hit Koffing with {{m|Gust}}, but misses and is defeated.
{{TRT}} intrudes on their argument, reciting their {{motto}}. They decide to target his Pikachu, mentioning his incredible power, which causes them to become distracted in a short internal argument before they decide to attack. They then send out {{TP|James|Koffing}} and {{TP|Jessie|Ekans}} to battle, despite a [[Double Battle|double-team]] being unfair. Misty wants to jump in, but Ash does not want to break the rules. Koffing's {{m|Sludge}} attack blinds Pikachu, taking him out of the battle. While he hands Pikachu off to Misty, he decides to send out his newly caught Pidgeotto, which dodges both Koffing and Ekans's attacks before going into a {{m|Quick Attack}}. Ekans avoids the attack by {{m|Dig|going underground}}, forcing Pidgeotto to come to a sudden stop. Koffing fires a {{m|Smog}} attack, which Pidgeotto splits with its wings before dodging multiple Sludge attacks and Ekans's retaliation. Despite soaring high into the sky, both Ekans and Koffing are able to keep up with Pidgeotto. Pidgeotto tries to hit Koffing with {{m|Gust}}, but misses and is defeated.


Ash recalls Pidgeotto and tries to fight Team Rocket with his fists, but [[James]] easily holds him back. In a final attempt, Ash sends out Caterpie, which only amuses Team Rocket. Ekans and Koffing attack and Caterpie cowers, but Ash orders him to use {{m|String Shot}}. The attack completely incapacitates Koffing before Caterpie muzzles Ekans. Caterpie {{m|Tackle}}s Koffing, knocking it into Ekans and taking them both out. {{MTR}} tries to intervene, but he is also wrapped in String Shot. Taken by surprise, Team Rocket flee, but promise that they will be back.
Ash recalls Pidgeotto and tries to fight Team Rocket with his fists, but [[James]] easily holds him back. In a final attempt, Ash sends out Caterpie, which only amuses Team Rocket. Ekans and Koffing attack and Caterpie cowers, but Ash orders him to use {{m|String Shot}}. The attack completely incapacitates Koffing before Caterpie muzzles Ekans. Caterpie {{m|Tackle}}s Koffing, knocking it into Ekans and taking them both out. {{MTR}} tries to intervene, but he is also wrapped in String Shot. Taken by surprise, Team Rocket flees but promises they will be back.


Ash congratulates Caterpie on coming through, and after some encouragement, Misty pats Caterpie's head. At that moment, Caterpie begins to spray silk from his mouth, startling her. Ash puts Caterpie down as the thread covers its body, signaling its evolution. Caterpie evolves into {{p|Metapod}}, and Ash's Pokédex notes that it has reached this stage more quickly than any other Caterpie on record. In addition, Misty shows approval of Ash's strengthening bonds with his Pokémon. Despite having fewer reservations about {{AP|Metapod}}, the sight of a {{p|Beedrill}} scares Misty, who looks forward to leaving the forest.
Ash congratulates Caterpie on coming through, and after some encouragement, Misty pats Caterpie's head. At that moment, Caterpie begins to spray silk from his mouth, startling her. Ash puts Caterpie down as the thread covers its body, signaling its evolution. Caterpie evolves into {{p|Metapod}}, and Ash's Pokédex notes that it has reached this stage more quickly than any other Caterpie on record. In addition, Misty shows approval of Ash's strengthening bonds with his Pokémon. Despite having fewer reservations about {{AP|Metapod}}, the sight of a {{p|Beedrill}} scares Misty, who looks forward to leaving the forest.
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==Trivia==
==Trivia==
* In ''[[EP002|Pokémon Emergency!]]'', {{Ash}} says "{{i|Poké Ball}}, go!" while throwing a Poké Ball at {{AP|Caterpie}}. In this episode, he instead says, "Caterpie, you're mine!"
* In ''[[EP002|Pokémon Emergency!]]'', {{Ash}} says "{{i|Poké Ball}}, go!" while throwing a Poké Ball at {{AP|Caterpie}}. In this episode, instead he says, "Caterpie, you're mine!"
* This is the first episode in which [[evolution]] is shown.
* This is the first episode in which [[evolution]] is shown.
** This was the first time a main character {{pkmn2|caught|catches}} a {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} that would later evolve in the same episode. This scenario would not be repeated until more than 500 episodes later, in ''[[DP080|The Thief That Keeps on Thieving!]]''.
** This is the first time a main character {{pkmn2|caught|catches}} a {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} that would later [[Evolution|evolve]] in the same episode. This scenario would not be repeated until more than 500 episodes later, in ''[[DP080|The Thief That Keeps on Thieving!]]''.
* This is the first episode in which a main character catches more than one Pokémon of different species. This wouldn't occur again until [[SS006]], 1,088 episodes later.
* This is the first episode in which a main character catches more than one Pokémon of different species. This wouldn't occur again until ''[[JN006|Working My Way Back to Mew!]]'', 1,088 episodes later.
* According to a quote from this episode, {{an|Misty}} cannot stand carrots, peppers, and {{type|Bug}} Pokémon.
* According to this episode, {{an|Misty}} cannot stand carrots or peppers, and her fear of {{type|Bug}} Pokémon is established here.
** Also, in regards to another quote from this episode, Misty mentions that she is ten years old. This was only said in the original version.
* Misty mentions in the Japanese version that she is ten years old.
* Misty owns a red sleeping bag decorated with bubbles, while Ash owns a blue sleeping bag with "Satoshi" (Ash's Japanese name) appearing on the name-tag.
* Misty owns a red sleeping bag decorated with bubbles, while Ash owns a blue sleeping bag with "Satoshi" (Ash's Japanese name) appearing on the name-tag.
* This is the first episode where type advantages are mentioned: {{type|Flying}} moves are effective against {{type|Bug}} Pokémon.
* This is the first episode where type advantages are mentioned: {{type|Flying}} moves are effective against {{type|Bug}} Pokémon.
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* This is the first episode where Ash uses his signature catchphrase and pose when successfully catching a Pokémon.
* This is the first episode where Ash uses his signature catchphrase and pose when successfully catching a Pokémon.
** Each of Ash's {{ashfr|traveling companions}} would attempt to copy this during the [[original series]].
** Each of Ash's {{ashfr|traveling companions}} would attempt to copy this during the [[original series]].
* {{AP|Caterpie}}'s fight with Pidgeotto, and Ash's capturing of the latter was shown on the VHS ''[[A Sneak Peek at Pokémon]]''.
* {{AP|Caterpie}}'s fight with Pidgeotto and Ash's capturing of the latter was shown on the VHS [[A Sneak Peek at Pokémon]].
* In this episode, when {{p|Caterpie}} evolves into {{p|Metapod}}, it shoots a shower of white silk string from its mouth onto itself and sheds its skin in the process, similar to a real caterpillar going into pupation. Later episodes show Caterpie evolving like the rest of the Pokémon do.
* In this episode, when {{p|Caterpie}} evolves into {{p|Metapod}}, it shoots a shower of white silk string from its mouth onto itself and sheds its skin in the process, similar to a real caterpillar going into pupation. Later episodes show Caterpie evolving like the rest of the Pokémon do.
* Ash mentions that the [[Pokémon League]] has regulations stating that Trainers may only use one Pokémon at a time in battles. This rule may have changed years later in the {{series|Advanced Generation}}, in which [[Double Battle|two-on-two battles]] are not considered unusual.
* Ash mentions that the [[Pokémon League]] has regulations stating that Trainers may only use one Pokémon at a time in battles. This rule may have changed years later in ''[[Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire]]'', in which [[Double Battle|two-on-two battles]] are not considered unusual.
* This was for a long time the episode with the lowest number of [[human]] characters appearing, featuring only {{Ash}}, {{an|Misty}}, [[Jessie]], and [[James]]. 672 episodes later, ''[[BW018|Sewaddle and Burgh in Pinwheel Forest!]]'' matched this record.
* This was for a long time the episode with the lowest number of [[human]] characters appearing, featuring only {{Ash}}, {{an|Misty}}, [[Jessie]], and [[James]]. 672 episodes later, ''[[BW018|Sewaddle and Burgh in Pinwheel Forest!]]'' matched this record.
** Coincidentally, both of these episodes take place in a [[forest]] and feature Ash catching a Bug-type Pokémon.
** Coincidentally, both of these episodes take place in a [[forest]] and feature Ash catching a Bug-type Pokémon.
** Six other {{series|Best Wishes}} episodes would also later come to share this record: ''[[BW024|Emolga the Irresistible!]]'', ''[[BW025|Emolga and the New Volt Switch!]]'', ''[[BW028|Oshawott's Lost Scalchop!]]'', ''[[BW032|Facing Fear with Eyes Wide Open!]]'', ''[[BW055|Scraggy and the Demanding Gothita!]]'', and ''[[BW074|Battling the Leaf Thieves!]]''.
** 1,013 episodes later, the record was broken by ''[[SM077|Guiding an Awakening!]]'', which features only three human characters.
** 1,013 episodes later, the record was broken by ''[[SM077|Guiding an Awakening!]]'', which features only three human characters.


===Errors===
===Errors===
* When Ash is shown running to Caterpie's Poké Ball, his hat is backwards as it should be (you can see the Pokémon League icon and the brim on the back) but the colors are reversed; the front becomes red and the back becomes white.
* When Ash runs to Caterpie's [[Poké Ball]], his hat is backwards but the colors are reversed; the front becomes red and the back becomes white.
* In the shot right before Caterpie dashes over to Misty, she is partially hiding behind a tree and the trees behind her are obscured by bushes, but when Misty backs away from Caterpie, the bushes and the trees disappear.
* Just before Caterpie dashes over to Misty, she is partially hiding behind a tree and the trees behind her are obscured by bushes, but when Misty backs away from Caterpie, the bushes and the trees disappear.
* During the scene when Ash and Misty are sleeping and Pikachu and Caterpie are "talking," Pikachu starts bouncing back and forth on his two feet. He suddenly stops on his left foot, but the bouncing noises can still be heard.
* During the scene when Ash and Misty are sleeping and Pikachu and Caterpie are "talking," Pikachu starts bouncing back and forth on his two feet. He suddenly stops on his left foot, but the bouncing noises can still be heard.
* When Pikachu does two backflips in front of Caterpie, Pikachu freezes in midair.
* Pikachu freezes in midair while doing two backflips in front of Caterpie.
** However, this could be an example of [[anime physics]].
* When Ash and Pikachu are startled awake by Misty's scream, Caterpie's Poké Ball starts off facing away from Misty, but when Caterpie goes back in it, it is facing towards Misty, but upside down when Ash picks it up.
* When Ash and Pikachu are startled awake by Misty's scream, Caterpie's Poké Ball starts off facing away from Misty, but when Caterpie goes back inside his Poké Ball, it is facing towards Misty, and is upside down when Ash picks it up.
* When Caterpie is about to attack Pidgeotto, one of its right "paws" is green.
* When Caterpie is about to attack Pidgeotto, one of its right "paws" is green.
* When Pidgeotto is hit by Pikachu's Thundershock, Pidgeotto stays hovering in the air without support.
* When Ash throws the Poké Ball at Pidgeotto, both halves of the Poké Ball are red.
** This could be another instance of anime physics.
* Pikachu's tail turns entirely yellow twice, first when Jessie and James point, and again after {{TP|Jessie|Ekans}} and {{TP|James|Koffing}} are first called out before they attack anything.
* When Ash throws the Poké Ball at Pidgeotto to catch it, both halves are red.
* When Jessie and James point at Pikachu, his tail is all yellow, lacking the brown base.
** This happens again after Ekans and Koffing are first called out, before they attack anything.
* When Ash calls back Pidgeotto, it somehow acquires bandages in midair.
* When Ekans and Koffing knock out Pidgeotto and they go in to attack Caterpie, Ekans's Japanese voice is heard.
* When Ekans and Koffing knock out Pidgeotto and they go in to attack Caterpie, Ekans's Japanese voice is heard.
* In the {{pmin|Russia}}n dub, several {{pmin|Poland|Polish}} words can be heard throughout the episode.
* In the {{pmin|Russia}}n dub, several {{pmin|Poland|Polish}} words can be heard throughout the episode.
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===Dub edits===
===Dub edits===
[[File:Misty Slap2.png|thumb|200px|right|The cut shot]]
[[File:Misty Slap2.png|thumb|200px|right|The cut shot]]
* [[PokéRap]]: Day 3
* [[Kanto Pokérap]]: Day 3
* In the English version, Misty reads the episode title instead of Ash, while in the Japanese version, Ash reads the title.
* In the English version, Misty reads the episode title instead of Ash, while in the Japanese version, Ash reads the title.
** This is justified in that, in the dub at least, Ash is busy gloating over his caught {{p|Caterpie}}, and thus is unable to read the episode title like he usually does.
** This is justified in that, in the dub at least, Ash is busy gloating over his caught {{p|Caterpie}}, and thus is unable to read the episode title like he usually does.
* In the scene before Misty tells him about the three things she hates, Ash complains about girls and their selfishness. In the dub, after she says that bugs are one of three things most disgusting things of the world, Ash asks her what the disgusting things are ''aside from herself''.
* In the scene before Misty tells him about the three things she hates, Ash complains about girls and their selfishness. In the dub, after she says that bugs are one of three things most disgusting things of the world, Ash asks her what the disgusting things are ''aside from herself''.
* When Caterpie is looking sad due to Misty telling him to stay in his Poké Ball, the katakana for "Ga~n" (a Japanese sound effect) moves across the screen. This was painted out for the dub.
* When Caterpie is looking sad due to Misty telling him to stay in his Poké Ball, the katakana for "Ga~n" (a Japanese sound effect) moves across the screen. This was painted out for the dub.
* How Misty and Ash commented on Caterpie is different between the versions (mostly due to religious censorship). In the English version, Ash was mentioning how he loves Caterpie, and Misty sarcastically responds how it takes a worm to love a worm; whereas in the original version, Ash comments that he and Caterpie are the same kind of Heaven, and Misty retorts that their Heaven is ''her'' Hell.
* How Misty and Ash commented on Caterpie is different between the versions (mostly due to religious censorship). In the English version, Ash was mentioning how he loves Caterpie, and Misty sarcastically responds how it takes a worm to love a worm; whereas in the original version, Ash comments that he and Caterpie are the same kind of Heaven and Misty retorts that their Heaven is ''her'' Hell.
* When Misty is telling Ash that birds eat worms, there is a shot where she slaps him for putting his Pokémon in danger. This was cut from the dub.
* When Misty is telling Ash that birds eat worms, there is a shot where she slaps him for putting his Pokémon in danger. This was cut from the dub.
** Oddly, the sound effect of the slap is kept in.
** Oddly, the sound effect of the slap is kept in.
* While Ash tells Caterpie "Counter", some have taken this to mean the {{m|Counter|move}}, which Caterpie cannot learn. In the original, Ash told it merely to "counter strike".
* While Ash tells Caterpie "Counter", some have taken this to mean the {{m|Counter|move}}, which Caterpie cannot learn. In the original, Ash merely told it to "counter strike".
* In the English version, the scenes where Ekans and Koffing each tackle Pidgeotto, knocking it out in the process, were slowed down, while in the Japanese version, they each tackle Pidgeotto in a fast pace.
* In the English version, the scenes where Ekans and Koffing each tackle Pidgeotto, knocking it out in the process, were slowed down, while in the Japanese version, they each tackle Pidgeotto in a fast pace.


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|ar={{tt|آش يمسك ببوكيمون|Ash catches a Pokémon}}
|ar={{tt|آش يمسك ببوكيمون|Ash catches a Pokémon}}
|bg={{tt|Аш хваща Покемон|Ash catches a Pokémon}}
|bg={{tt|Аш хваща Покемон|Ash catches a Pokémon}}
|zh_cmn={{tt|收服神奇寶貝！/ 收服神奇宝贝!|Catch (a) Pokémon!}}
|zh_yue={{tt|終於捉到寵物小精靈了！|Finally Caught a Pokémon!}} {{tt|*|TVB dub (spoken)}}<br>{{tt|終於捕捉寵物小精靈了|Finally Caught a Pokémon}} {{tt|*|TVB dub (subtitle)}}<br>{{tt|收服精靈寶可夢|Catch Pokémon}} {{tt|*|i-Cable dub}}<br>{{tt|收服寶可夢！|Catch Pokémon}} {{tt|*|Pokémon HK YouTube title}}
|zh_cmn={{tt|收服神奇寶貝！/ 收服神奇宝贝！|Catch Pokémon!}}
|ca_vc={{tt|Ash atrapa a un Pokemon|Ash Catches A Pokémon}}
|ca_vc={{tt|Ash atrapa a un Pokemon|Ash Catches A Pokémon}}
|cs={{tt|První chycený pokémon|The first Pokémon caught}}
|cs={{tt|První chycený pokémon|The first Pokémon caught}}
|da={{tt|Ash Fanger En Pokémon|Ash Catches A Pokémon}}
|da={{tt|Ash Fanger En Pokémon|Ash Catches A Pokémon}}
|nl={{tt|Ash vangt een Pokémon|Ash catches a Pokémon!}}
|nl={{tt|Ash vangt een Pokémon|Ash catches a Pokémon!}}
|fi={{tt|Ashin Pokémon-saalis|Ash's Pokémon haul}}{{tt|*|Pokémon TV, spoken title}}<br>{{tt|Ash onnistuu vihdoin|Ash finally succeeds}}{{tt|*|VHS release}}
|fi={{tt|Ashin Pokémon-saalis|Ash's Pokémon haul}} {{tt|*|spoken & Pokémon TV title}}<br>{{tt|Ash onnistuu vihdoin|Ash finally succeeds}} {{tt|*|VHS release}}
|fr_ca={{tt|Ash capture un Pokémon|Ash captures a Pokémon}}
|fr_ca={{tt|Ash capture un Pokémon|Ash captures a Pokémon}}
|fr_eu={{tt|Capture du premier Pokémon|Capture of the first Pokémon}}
|fr_eu={{tt|Capture du premier Pokémon|Capture of the first Pokémon}}
|de={{tt|Ash im Jagdfieber|Ash has a hunting fever}}
|de={{tt|Ash im Jagdfieber|Ash has a hunting fever}}
|he=אש לוכד פוקימון {{tt|''Ash lokhed Pokémon''|Ash catches a Pokémon}}
|he=אש לוכד פוקימון ''{{tt|Ash lokhed Pokémon|Ash catches a Pokémon}}''
|hi=Ash ने एक पोकेमोन पकड़ लिया है! {{tt|''Ash ne ek Pokemon pakad liya''|Ash caught a Pokémon!}} {{tt|*|CN dub}} <br> Ash का पहेला पोकेमोन शिकार! {{tt|''Ash ka pehla Pokemon shikar!''|Ash's first Pokémon victim!}} {{tt|*|Hungama dub}}
|hi=Ash ने एक पोकेमोन पकड़ लिया है! ''{{tt|Ash ne ek Pokemon pakad liya|Ash caught a Pokémon!}}'' {{tt|*|CN dub}}<br>Ash का पहेला पोकेमोन शिकार! ''{{tt|Ash ka pehla Pokemon shikar!|Ash's first Pokémon victim!}}'' {{tt|*|Hungama TV dub}}
|hu={{tt|Ash Pokémont fog|Ash Catches a Pokémon}}
|hu={{tt|Ash Pokémont fog|Ash Catches a Pokémon}}
|it={{tt|Il primo Pokémon catturato|The first Pokémon captured}} {{tt|*|Original airing}} <br> {{tt|Ash cattura un Pokémon|Ash catches a Pokémon}} {{tt|*|2014 K2 Airing}}
|it={{tt|Il primo Pokémon catturato|The first Pokémon captured}} {{tt|*|Italia 1 dub}}<br>{{tt|Ash cattura un Pokémon|Ash catches a Pokémon}} {{tt|*|K2 TV dub}}
|ko=캐터피 넌 내꺼야 {{tt|kaeteopi neon naekkeoya|Caterpie, you're mine}}
|ko=캐터피 넌 내꺼야 ''{{tt|Kaeteopi neon naekkeoya|Caterpie, you're mine}}''
|no={{tt|Ash fanger en Pokémon|Ash catches a Pokémon}}
|no={{tt|Ash fanger en Pokémon|Ash catches a Pokémon}}
|pl={{tt|Ash złapał Pokémona|Ash caught a Pokémon}}
|pl={{tt|Ash złapał Pokémona|Ash caught a Pokémon}}
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[[it:EP003]]
[[it:EP003]]
[[ja:無印編第3話]]
[[ja:無印編第3話]]
[[zh:精灵宝可梦 第3集]]
[[zh:宝可梦 第3集]]

Revision as of 22:11, 16 July 2020

← EP002 : Pokémon Emergency!
Original series
EP004 : Challenge of the Samurai →
Ash Catches a Pokémon
EP003.png
  EP003  
ポケモン ゲットだぜ！
I Caught a Pokémon!
First broadcast
Japan April 15, 1997
United States September 10, 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 冨岡淳広 Atsuhiro Tomioka
Storyboard 浅田裕二 Yūji Asada
Assistant director 浅田裕二 Yūji Asada
Animation director 玉川明洋 Akihiro Tamagawa
Additional credits

Ash Catches a Pokémon (Japanese: ポケモン ゲットだぜ！ I Caught a Pokémon!) is the third episode of the Pokémon anime. It was first broadcast in Japan on April 15, 1997 and in United States on September 10, 1998.

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

Blurb

Ash discovers and catches a Caterpie—his first Pokémon capture! Though Ash is excited, Misty is grossed out by Bug-type Pokémon, so she is repulsed by its attempts to be friends with her. At night, as Ash and Misty sleep, Caterpie shares with Pikachu its dream of evolving into a Butterfree.

The next day, Ash is able to capture a Pidgeotto after battling it with Pikachu. Before Ash can celebrate too wildly, Misty reminds him that his success is due more to luck than skill.

Team Rocket shows up to steal Pikachu—they realize that there's really something special about this Pokémon—and Ash vows to defend himself. Pikachu and Pidgeotto are weakened by Koffing and Ekans, so he reluctantly sends out Caterpie. To the surprise of Jessie and James—not to mention Ash—Caterpie's String Shot is able to defeat the Team Rocket Pokémon, including Meowth!

When Misty tries to make nice with Caterpie, it evolves into a Metapod. Could a Butterfree Evolution be far behind?

Plot

Picking up right where the previous episode left off, Ash throws his Poké Ball at a Caterpie in Viridian Forest. It attempts to break free but is unsuccessful. Ash celebrates catching his first Pokémon, holding the Poké Ball and running in circles out of joy. When Ash holds the Poké Ball closer to Misty's face, she reveals that she has a fear of bugs, even if they are contained in a Poké Ball. Pikachu is happy to have Caterpie along, and Ash decides to bring Caterpie out, scaring Misty away. Caterpie wants to make friends with Misty, but she prefers Pikachu. Ash is offended by Misty's discomfort and complaints, which hurt Caterpie's feelings. Ash reassures Caterpie and continues traveling without Misty. Misty, however, has other plans, as she is still upset about her ruined bicycle and wants Ash to replace it. Because of this, she continues following Ash.

Later that night, Ash sets up camp for the night. Misty, also getting ready to go to sleep, exchanges a few smart remarks with Ash, upsetting Pikachu and Caterpie. While Ash and Misty sleep, Pikachu and Caterpie get to know each other a little better. In the morning, Misty remains frightened of Caterpie, causing the Pokémon to become subdued and return to his Poké Ball. Although Ash is angry, a wild Pidgeotto captures his attention.

Wanting to catch Pidgeotto, Ash throws a Poké Ball, but Pidgeotto simply swats it away. Misty retorts that a Trainer needs to battle and weaken a wild Pokémon to capture it. She then mentions that he caught Caterpie only because it was weak, irritating Ash, who summons Caterpie to battle it despite the type disadvantage against Pidgeotto, of which both Misty and Pikachu are aware. Ash recalls Caterpie just in time, causing Pidgeotto to get its beak stuck in a tree.

Ash sends Pikachu after Pidgeotto just as it frees itself. Pikachu uses Thunder Shock to hit Pidgeotto, weakening it and allowing Ash to toss a Poké Ball. The Ball takes Pidgeotto in and drops to the ground and starts swaying. After a few moments, the Ball stops moving; Ash has captured the Pidgeotto. Despite the success, Misty continues to berate him for his lack of knowledge about strategy.

Team Rocket intrudes on their argument, reciting their motto. They decide to target his Pikachu, mentioning his incredible power, which causes them to become distracted in a short internal argument before they decide to attack. They then send out Koffing and Ekans to battle, despite a double-team being unfair. Misty wants to jump in, but Ash does not want to break the rules. Koffing's Sludge attack blinds Pikachu, taking him out of the battle. While he hands Pikachu off to Misty, he decides to send out his newly caught Pidgeotto, which dodges both Koffing and Ekans's attacks before going into a Quick Attack. Ekans avoids the attack by going underground, forcing Pidgeotto to come to a sudden stop. Koffing fires a Smog attack, which Pidgeotto splits with its wings before dodging multiple Sludge attacks and Ekans's retaliation. Despite soaring high into the sky, both Ekans and Koffing are able to keep up with Pidgeotto. Pidgeotto tries to hit Koffing with Gust, but misses and is defeated.

Ash recalls Pidgeotto and tries to fight Team Rocket with his fists, but James easily holds him back. In a final attempt, Ash sends out Caterpie, which only amuses Team Rocket. Ekans and Koffing attack and Caterpie cowers, but Ash orders him to use String Shot. The attack completely incapacitates Koffing before Caterpie muzzles Ekans. Caterpie Tackles Koffing, knocking it into Ekans and taking them both out. Meowth tries to intervene, but he is also wrapped in String Shot. Taken by surprise, Team Rocket flees but promises they will be back.

Ash congratulates Caterpie on coming through, and after some encouragement, Misty pats Caterpie's head. At that moment, Caterpie begins to spray silk from his mouth, startling her. Ash puts Caterpie down as the thread covers its body, signaling its evolution. Caterpie evolves into Metapod, and Ash's Pokédex notes that it has reached this stage more quickly than any other Caterpie on record. In addition, Misty shows approval of Ash's strengthening bonds with his Pokémon. Despite having fewer reservations about Metapod, the sight of a Beedrill scares Misty, who looks forward to leaving the forest.

Major events

Ash after catching Caterpie
For a list of all major events in the anime, please see the history page.

Debuts

Pokémon debuts

Characters

Humans

Dare da?

Pokémon

Who's That Pokémon?

Who's That Pokémon?: Caterpie


Trivia

  • In Pokémon Emergency!, Ash says "Poké Ball, go!" while throwing a Poké Ball at Caterpie. In this episode, instead he says, "Caterpie, you're mine!"
  • This is the first episode in which evolution is shown.
  • This is the first episode in which a main character catches more than one Pokémon of different species. This wouldn't occur again until Working My Way Back to Mew!, 1,088 episodes later.
  • According to this episode, Misty cannot stand carrots or peppers, and her fear of Bug-type Pokémon is established here.
  • Misty mentions in the Japanese version that she is ten years old.
  • Misty owns a red sleeping bag decorated with bubbles, while Ash owns a blue sleeping bag with "Satoshi" (Ash's Japanese name) appearing on the name-tag.
  • This is the first episode where type advantages are mentioned: Flying-type moves are effective against Bug-type Pokémon.
  • A real-world animal appears in this episode, as Pidgeotto is seen eating a regular worm.
  • Despite the episode title saying "a Pokémon", Ash catches two Pokémon.
  • Both of the Pokémon Ash catches in this episode are released by the time Ash travels to the Orange Islands.
  • This is the first episode where Ash uses his signature catchphrase and pose when successfully catching a Pokémon.
  • Caterpie's fight with Pidgeotto and Ash's capturing of the latter was shown on the VHS A Sneak Peek at Pokémon.
  • In this episode, when Caterpie evolves into Metapod, it shoots a shower of white silk string from its mouth onto itself and sheds its skin in the process, similar to a real caterpillar going into pupation. Later episodes show Caterpie evolving like the rest of the Pokémon do.
  • Ash mentions that the Pokémon League has regulations stating that Trainers may only use one Pokémon at a time in battles. This rule may have changed years later in Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire, in which two-on-two battles are not considered unusual.
  • This was for a long time the episode with the lowest number of human characters appearing, featuring only Ash, Misty, Jessie, and James. 672 episodes later, Sewaddle and Burgh in Pinwheel Forest! matched this record.
    • Coincidentally, both of these episodes take place in a forest and feature Ash catching a Bug-type Pokémon.
    • 1,013 episodes later, the record was broken by Guiding an Awakening!, which features only three human characters.

Errors

  • When Ash runs to Caterpie's Poké Ball, his hat is backwards but the colors are reversed; the front becomes red and the back becomes white.
  • Just before Caterpie dashes over to Misty, she is partially hiding behind a tree and the trees behind her are obscured by bushes, but when Misty backs away from Caterpie, the bushes and the trees disappear.
  • During the scene when Ash and Misty are sleeping and Pikachu and Caterpie are "talking," Pikachu starts bouncing back and forth on his two feet. He suddenly stops on his left foot, but the bouncing noises can still be heard.
  • Pikachu freezes in midair while doing two backflips in front of Caterpie.
  • When Ash and Pikachu are startled awake by Misty's scream, Caterpie's Poké Ball starts off facing away from Misty, but when Caterpie goes back in it, it is facing towards Misty, but upside down when Ash picks it up.
  • When Caterpie is about to attack Pidgeotto, one of its right "paws" is green.
  • When Ash throws the Poké Ball at Pidgeotto, both halves of the Poké Ball are red.
  • Pikachu's tail turns entirely yellow twice, first when Jessie and James point, and again after Ekans and Koffing are first called out before they attack anything.
  • When Ekans and Koffing knock out Pidgeotto and they go in to attack Caterpie, Ekans's Japanese voice is heard.
  • In the Russian dub, several Polish words can be heard throughout the episode.

Dub edits

The cut shot
  • Kanto Pokérap: Day 3
  • In the English version, Misty reads the episode title instead of Ash, while in the Japanese version, Ash reads the title.
    • This is justified in that, in the dub at least, Ash is busy gloating over his caught Caterpie, and thus is unable to read the episode title like he usually does.
  • In the scene before Misty tells him about the three things she hates, Ash complains about girls and their selfishness. In the dub, after she says that bugs are one of three things most disgusting things of the world, Ash asks her what the disgusting things are aside from herself.
  • When Caterpie is looking sad due to Misty telling him to stay in his Poké Ball, the katakana for "Ga~n" (a Japanese sound effect) moves across the screen. This was painted out for the dub.
  • How Misty and Ash commented on Caterpie is different between the versions (mostly due to religious censorship). In the English version, Ash was mentioning how he loves Caterpie, and Misty sarcastically responds how it takes a worm to love a worm; whereas in the original version, Ash comments that he and Caterpie are the same kind of Heaven and Misty retorts that their Heaven is her Hell.
  • When Misty is telling Ash that birds eat worms, there is a shot where she slaps him for putting his Pokémon in danger. This was cut from the dub.
    • Oddly, the sound effect of the slap is kept in.
  • While Ash tells Caterpie "Counter", some have taken this to mean the move, which Caterpie cannot learn. In the original, Ash merely told it to "counter strike".
  • In the English version, the scenes where Ekans and Koffing each tackle Pidgeotto, knocking it out in the process, were slowed down, while in the Japanese version, they each tackle Pidgeotto in a fast pace.

In other languages



← EP002 : Pokémon Emergency!
Original series
EP004 : Challenge of the Samurai →
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