Smile is notable in that it was the first ending sequence to be updated whenever one of the main characters caught or evolved one of their Pokémon. Updating opening and ending sequences with team changes became a standard practice during Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire and Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl.
Ending animation
Synopsis
Ash and Pikachu are walking along the riverbank at night in the background, while short clips play in the foreground. Ash is lying against the tree, while Treecko/Grovyle rests on another tree. Pikachu jumps onto Ash's knees, Corphishand Torkoal walks towards Ash, and Taillow/Swellow flies and lands on the tree that Treecko/Grovyle is on. Pikachu jumps onto Ash's hat and onto his shoulders. Ash puts his hat on Pikachu's head and smiles. May joins Ash and Pikachu in the background. May is alone under a lotus leaf, feeling sad. Torchic/Combusken, Skittyand Bulbasaur walk, Beautifly flies toward May. She looks at her Pokémon, wipes off a tear with her finger, and smiles. Max and Brock joins Ash, Pikachu and May in the background. Brock is cooking a wok of soup, while Max, Mudkip, Forretress and Lotad/Lombre looks at him. He takes a sip and nods his head. Max smiles. On a stack of rocks, Jessie, James, Wobbuffetand Chimecho are awake, and Meowth, Seviper, Dustox and Cacnea are sleeping. The short clips end and in the background, the sun rises over the mountain. Finally, a group shot is shown.
The second version of the shot featuring May (used between AG073 and AG081) has a higher transparency level than in the first version. In AG073, the transparency level reverts back to the first version for a split-second. This is corrected in the following episode.
