Pokémon

Meet Ash Ketchum, a 10-year-old boy full of imagination, confidence, and dreams that are almost too big for his home 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 lab, most of the Pokémon have already been chosen by the other beginner Trainers, including his biggest 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 injure 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, and 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. Once they’re 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.

Ash rushes into Viridian City with his badly wounded Pikachu. When he arrives, the city’s on high alert for Pokémon thieves—thieves like Jessie, James, and Meowth of Team Rocket, a group of bad guys dedicated to stealing valuable Pokémon. While Ash waits at the Pokémon Center for news on Pikachu’s condition, Misty arrives, angry about the bike Ash wrecked—but she softens when she sees Pikachu wheeled out on a gurney. Suddenly, Team Rocket crashes through the roof of the Pokémon Center! While Nurse Joy transports Poké Balls to Pewter City for safety, Ash tries to fight off Team Rocket’s Pokémon, Koffing and Ekans. Ash is having no luck battling, so his Pikachu, still recovering, teams up with a bunch of other Pikachu at the Pokémon Center to blast Team Rocket out of the building! Jessie, James, and Meowth realize that Ash’s Pikachu is not your ordinary Pikachu, and decide that capturing it is now their top priority. With the bad guys taken care of, Misty joins Ash and Pikachu on their journey to Pewter City. While they’re strolling through Viridian Forest, a Caterpie makes an appearance. Ash sees an opportunity to catch his first Pokémon. Will he be successful?

Ash discovers and catches a Caterpie, the first Pokémon he’s ever caught! Though Ash is excited, Misty is grossed out by Bug-type Pokémon and repulsed by Caterpie’s 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 get too excited, Misty reminds him that his success is due more to luck than skill. Soon, Team Rocket shows up to steal Pikachu, and Ash vows to defend himself. Pikachu and Pidgeotto are weak after battling Team Rocket’s Koffing and Ekans, so he reluctantly sends out his new Caterpie. To the surprise of Jessie and James—not to mention Ash—Caterpie’s String Shot is able to defeat all of 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?

Misty and Ash continue to wander the Viridian Forest when they spot a Weedle. As Ash battles it, he’s distracted by a boy dressed as a samurai and calling himself (naturally) Samurai. Samurai challenges Ash to a battle, and Ash gets the advantage when his Metapod defends itself against Samurai’s Pinsir. Samurai sends out his own Metapod—and a standoff begins! With neither Pokémon gaining ground, the battle is interrupted by an angry swarm of Beedrill. Ash flees, but leaves his Metapod behind, and the Beedrill grab it and take it back to their hive. As Ash sneaks toward the hive to save Metapod, Jessie, James, and Meowth show up to cause trouble for our heroes. Ash is able to avoid the attentions of the incensed Beedrill, and they instead focus their wrath on Team Rocket. Metapod is mad at Ash for abandoning it. Has Ash learned his lesson about leaving his friends behind? Will Metapod evolve again? And will Samurai and Ash ever resume their battle?