Appendix:A Sneak Peek at Pokémon
The following is a transcript of A Sneak Peek at Pokémon, one of the first commercials that aired in America to promote Pokémon's arrival.
Script
(On-screen caption: The software in this advertisement is not rated by the ESRB)
Ash: You've been selected to receive this sneak peek about a phenomenon called Pokémon. A hit TV show, a Game Boy game, and loads of other cool things that are about to take America by storm!
Chorus: Gotta catch 'em all, gotta catch 'em all!
Brock: A sneak peek at Pokémon.
(music begins)
Hillary Ketchum: Well, it all starts with the TV show, September 7th. My nephew, Ash, he just turned 10, is the show's star. His dream is to become a Pokémon Master. This is no easy task. First of all, Ash has to capture all of these little Pokémon things. And they're pretty tricky.
(a segment from Ash Catches a Pokémon plays)
Hillary Ketchum: Each one is totally different from the other, and—are you ready for this?—there are 150 of them! And you gotta catch 'em all!
(a segment from the Pokérap plays)
Brock: Wait! There's more!
Trey: Well, there's Brock. He's a good guy. Ash challenged him once at the Gym in Pewter City. But now they're buds and they're on the journey together.
Troy: And then, Team Rocket, they're bad—really bad.
(a segment from Clefairy and the Moon Stone plays)
Troy: They wanna steal Pikachu away from Ash to fulfill their evil boss's diabolical plan for total domination.
(a segment with dialogue exclusive to the sneak peek plays with a scene from Battle Aboard the St. Anne)
Giovanni: Team Rocket, blast off at the speed of light. Surrender now or prepare to fight. Attention!!!
Jessie and James: At your service!
Meowth: Meowth too, sir!
Giovanni: Everything is proceeding exactly as I have foreseen. The Pokémon craze is sweeping the world. I want the three of you to catch me the rarest of all Pokémon, Ash Ketchum's Pikachu.
Meowth: We've been trying...
Giovanni: Ooh, then try harder! And you better steal Pikachu away from them soon, because the TV show is about to launch. And the Game Boy game, and the toys, the card game, comic books... Soon the whole world will be looking for Pikachu. Does anyone else know of our plans?
James: Only a bunch of kids who were lucky enough to get their hands on this video...
Giovanni: Well, if they don't play the Game Boy game or watch the TV show, they'll never catch Pikachu! (smirks, followed by an evil laugh)
Brock: Pika-who?
Mr. Carlson: I was glad to find out that Ash's first Pokémon was in fact little Pikachu. And OK, Pikachu doesn't like being transported in the Poké Ball, and it doesn't talk much, and when it does, all it can say is "Pikachu".
(a segment from Pokémon - I Choose You! plays)
Mr. Carlson: Don't be deceived. These little cheeks unleash electric potential and electromotive forces equal to the difference of a constant current of 1000 amperes when the power dissipates between points—well, let's just say that little Pikachu can zap you.
(another segment from Pokémon - I Choose You! plays)
Mr. Carlson: What I like best about Ash and Pikachu, though, is how they bonded—loyalty. Now there's a quality you can't teach in the classroom.
(a third segment from Pokémon - I Choose You! plays)
Brock: Who's the redhead?
Amy: Misty met Ash when he took her bike to get Pikachu to a hospital. But it got burned to a crisp by one of Pikachu's electrical bolts. So now she's on the journey with them. But I don't see the point. Misty doesn't need Ash. She's got skills of her own. You should see her do battle with her Water Pokémon. She really knows her strategy. She's even brave enough to take on Team Rocket all by herself.
(a segment from Pokémon Emergency! plays)
Brock: The strategy.
Mr. Carlson: To become a great Trainer, Ash has to capture all of these amazing Pokémon creatures. And there's a lot he's got to know in order to catch 'em all.
Chorus: Gotta catch 'em all!
Mr. Carlson: That's why Professor Oak gave him his first Pokédex. It's the newest model with the latest digital technology that will give Ash instant Pokémon information with greater clarity and better reception than ever before. Hmm... I need to upgrade my model.
(a montage of footage from multiple episodes plays, with dialogue exclusive to the sneak peek overlaid)
Dexter: I am Dexter, personal Pokédex programmed by Professor Oak for the exclusive use of Ash Ketchum, a Pokémon Trainer in the making. My function: to illuminate and educate the young beginner to the ways of the Pokémon. My databanks contain all available knowledge currently on file for the 150 known species, with many more Pokémon still to be discovered.
(the montage continues)
Trey: Geodudes are really tough.
Mr. Carlson: I'm partial to the Fire-element monsters.
Amy: (holding a Poké Ball) This is a Poké Ball.
(the montage continues, with dialogue exclusive to the sneak peek overlaid)
Dexter: In the world of Pokémon, ten-year-olds are eligible to become Pokémon trainers. Ash received his first Pokémon, Pikachu, from Professor Oak and began his long journey.
(a segment from Challenge of the Samurai plays)
Mr. Carlson: I like the fact that capturing a Pokémon takes real skill. Real strategy. And Ash has always showed determination in class. Do I think he's got what it takes to be a Pokémon Master? Yes. Yes I do. I think Ash can cut it.
(a montage of footage from multiple episodes plays, with dialogue exclusive to the sneak peek overlaid)
Dexter: To become a great Pokémon trainer, Ash must catch as many as possible by battling his own Pokémon against the other. Once the Pokémon has been weakened in the battle, Ash can catch it within a Poké Ball. The captured Pokémon become loyal to Ash, who must choose the correct type of Pokémon to use when battling with another. Like a Rock-Paper-Scissors match, it's all about strategy. There are 15 Pokémon types, including Electric, Flying, Bug, Grass, Fire, and Water, to name a few.
(The cover of issue 111 of Nintendo Power magazine and several images from the first issue of Pokémon Power appear)
Dexter: Nintendo Power magazine has a 36-page insert. The next six issues will have them. They're full of maps and strategies that will help you be a better Pokémon player when the Game Boy game comes out, both versions Red and Blue.
(montage of Pokémon Red and Blue game footage and Pokémon designs)
Dexter: And here's a tip from Dexter: collecting is the key. The more monsters you collect, the better Trainer you will be. So if you read the inserts and watch the shows, you'll have what it takes to be a great Pokémon Master.
Troy: It's time to duel, Trey!
Trey: Prepare to lose, Troy!
Brock: And that's not all...
Hillary Ketchum: This is Pocket Pikachu. I can exercise with it, give it gifts, even watch it sleep! I know, there are 150 Pokémon out there. But is there really one more adorable than Pikachu? I don't think so!
Mr. Carlson: This is a Pokémon strategy card game. Playing this game can help you finesse your Pokémon training skills, and then show them off in battle with others.
Amy: I'm collecting the Pokémon bean bags and toys. I can't wait for the comic books!
Brock: Stay tuned!
Trey: You gotta watch Monday through Friday starting September 7th.
Hillary Ketchum: And be sure to look on your video's mailing label for the Pokémon TV show time and station. And— (sound of car honking) Oh, that must be the PokéCar! And be sure to watch out for it too! Ten PokéCars will be cruising around giving away lots of free stuff! You can track where they are on your computer. WWW-dot-Pokémon-dot-com.
Chorus: Gotta catch 'em all! Gotta catch 'em all!
Mr. Carlson: Remember, it's about strategy!
Chorus: Gotta catch 'em all! Gotta catch 'em all!
Amy: Remember, you gotta catch 'em all!
Chorus: Gotta catch 'em all, Pokémon!
(the Pokémon Theme plays)
(in Toys "R" Us version) Ash: Toys "R" Us: your Pokémon headquarters!
(On-screen caption: Pokémon Game Boy available at Toys "R" Us on September 29, 1998.)
(On-screen caption: Pokémon home videos available in November from Pioneer Home Video.)
(On-screen caption: Not all products shown in this video will be available in the U.S.)
(On-screen caption: Pokémon: © 1995, 1996, 1998 Nintendo/Creatures, Inc./Game Freak, Inc.)
(On-screen caption: ™ and ® are trademarks of Nintendo of America Inc. © 1998 Nintendo of America Inc.)