Indigo League, Episode 1: "Pokémon- I Choose You!"

Season 1, Episode 1, Original Airdate: April 1, 1997 (JP), September 8, 1998


We open on a recreation of the opening to Pokémon Red, with a Gengar squaring off against a Nidorino. It's in black and white, indicative of playing the game on an original Game Boy. Even though the Game Boy was an aging system when these games first came out in Japan in 1996; they helped restart sales of the system.




Then, the fight transitions to full color as the fight continues. It's some pretty good animation for the time; and I'm eager to see how each subsequent season interprets the games released when they air. One of the reasons I started this blog was to see how different time periods reflect what's seen in the anime released then; as well as how different adaptations of existing series take the material given to them and make something of their own of it.



Nidorino is taken down, and the trainer sends out Onix. Then, the camera pulls out to reveal it was a TV broadcast of a Pokémon match. This is the bedroom of Ash Ketchum; our hero. which is filled with assorted Pokémon merchandise; much like the room of most fans, young or old.








He is eager to get a Pokémon license and start training. I know the shonen idiot hero is a common archetype, but then again; so is Luke Skywalker. 






Anyway, Ash's mother Delia tells him to go to bed. Also, both Ash and Delia are voiced by Veronica Taylor. I also just got this image in my head of her in a recording booth having to switch between those voices at will.

She changes the channel to a report of Professor Oak telling of the starter Pokémon a beginning trainer can choose from: Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle.


That night, Ash is dreaming of his potential starter Pokémon. First is Bulbasaur.




Next is Squirtle, who is my favorite Kanto starter.




Morning has come, and Ash is still asleep. Lastly, he dreams of Charmander; my second favorite Kanto starter.



Then, it turns out he's broken his clock! With this, he rushes out in his pajamas. I think this would also be a reaction if his home was about to be demolished to make way for a freeway. Also, I think this image would be great for one of those "I don't do mornings" shirts.



Now, we get our entrance of Gary Oak. Starting out, he's a standard condescending shonen rival. Of course, Gary takes every opportunity to belittle Ash that he got a Pokémon first. This is quite similar to his counterpart in the games, Blue (Green in Japan and Fire Red/Leaf Green).Ash asks Gary what kind of Pokémon he got. Gary won't tell him, only saying he has the best one and that it's good to have a grandfather in the Pokémon business.



Then, Gary speeds off in an old roadster with his fans behind him. He's a suave playboy in the vein of Ferris Bueller.





Professor Oak then greets Ash, who asks for his Pokémon. Professor Oak points out the obvious oddity of Ash being there in his PJs; saying he doesn't look ready for Pokémon training. I've seen people cross galaxies in a robe and slippers.

Ash asserts that he is ready as we enter Oak Labs, but sadly all the Pokémon are gone.Yet, there is one more that Professor Oak isn't sure about, but Ash insists that he wants it. Behold, Pikachu! The mascot of the franchise, an icon if there ever was one. He is effectively the Japanese Mickey Mouse, second only to Mario as one of the most recognized and beloved Nintendo characters.



Ash holds Pikachu, and Pikachu responds by zapping him. Pikachu roughly translates to "Electric Mouse" So, my fandom began with this scene.






Professor Oak then hands Ash his Pokédex and Poké Balls. One is another one of the most commonly-recognized things about the franchise (the Poké Ball is every bit as common a sigil in-universe as a mushroom in Mario); and the other was essentially the iPhone of its generation. Ash reaches out to grab them, and Pikachu shocks them both! The whole town has come to meet Ash as he sets off on his journey. Delia in particular has come with his belongings, trying to hold back tears as her only son is setting off.

She then starts handing him everything he will need for his journey. So begins the long-standing running gag; and an even longer-standing anime and video game trope of the magic satchel. This is when a bunch of belongings that are increasingly numerous, large, and implausible fit easily into a bag. This can range anywhere from bicycles and fishing poles in the games to fitting entire portable kitchens in there.

Ash then takes the bag and proclaims that with Pikachu by his side, nothing will stand in their way. Ash then tries to get Pikachu in the Poké Ball, to no avail. Delia remarks they have become fast friends. Ash then holds Pikachu in his arms in another one of the biggest images of the series.


Delia then describes the situation as weird, and Pikachu then shocks the entire crowd!
Delia's last words of advice to Ash are these: "Don't forget to change your underwear every single day."  Oh, 4Kids and their sitcom-caliber lines.

So, Ash and Pikachu set off, and their journey starts on uneasy footing. The two are not friends right now. Not yet. Ash is dismayed it can only say its name, and looks up the Pokédex, which says Pokémon generally stay in their Poké Balls. However, some species dislike confinement.





Just then, a Pidgey comes up as Ash scans it with his Pokédex.  Pidgey is an easy catch, but Pikachu is unwilling to help Ash. This is replicated quite well in Pokémon Yellow; in which Pikachu takes a little bit to warm up to you as a trainer. That's the aspect I work for in the games: the happiness factor. Ash then readies a Poké Ball and gets ready. He tosses the Poké Ball, and it pops right back out.

After that, a Rattata goes through his bag, and the Pokédex says it often steals food from stupid travelers. Suddenly, I'm reminded of JARVIS from Iron Man.Still no luck with, Pidgey, but then, Ash hurls a rock at a Spearow, which is far more aggressive than Pidgey. Spearow then attacks Pikachu! Pikachu then shocks the Spearow, and takes it out! Then, Spearow summons its friends! Ash and Pikachu then run for their lives from the flock!



They continue their attack on Pikachu, and Ash grabs him and is cornered on the side of the cliff! Ash then dives into the water and is carried off by the current! We cut to Misty fishing on the riverbank, and she has caught something! She turns out to have fished Ash and Pikachu. Misty runs over to them, and asks if Pikachu is all right. Misty tells Ash to get Pikachu to the Pokémon Center as soon as he can. The Spearow have found them, and Ash takes Misty's bike to get Pikachu to the Center in time!

Misty is none too pleased at this development. She's going to be fuming after what happens next. Trust me when I say we'll get to that. Ash races through the fields as the rain starts. He ramps the fields, and falls. One thing I've noticed is that throughout this franchise, and in most anime I've seen: there have been plenty of bikes around, but little to no safety gear. I guess when you're contending with superpowered creatures, a few scrapes are small potatoes. Ash sees Pikachu injured before him, and doesn't want this to happen. The storm continues to rage as the Spearow close in! It's here we get one of the most memorable scenes in this episode, and practically the entire series. Ash begs that Pikachu get in the Poké Ball and to trust him.

Then, Ash makes a stand against the Spearow, saying he won't lose to them, or let them hurt his friend. He then dares the Spearow to come get him! Now this is a character I can stand behind. So young, and willing to let a bunch of angry Spearow tear him apart to protect his friend. This act, along with many other selfless acts in the series; are ones that make it so I simply cannot make fun of Ash, nor can I tolerate others treating him so horribly. In fact, the backlash against Ash is now starting to get its own backlash from people who point out there are far worse characters; even within the franchise. Pikachu knows it as well, as he rushes to Ash's side and lets out a massive Thunder Shock! It blows all the Spearow away and knocks Ash back!

The sun has come out. Ash and Pikachu, very scuffed up, but okay, remark that they've beaten them.
Then, Ho-Oh flies over the rainbow; with Ash wondering what it is. That is good planning. They've set up an element that's going to be key to the series almost 2 years in advance. That is also an example of good foreshadowing in storytelling. Making clear that what you're seeing and hearing is going to be important later. So, as Ash carries Pikachu to the Pokémon center, the tale of Pokémon has begun!


That's "Pokémon I Choose You." How does it hold up? Well, I admit it has aged. I have openly admitted the story structure of this anime is very formulaic, and it's every bit about marketing as it is about storytelling; but I can say it understands its audience very well. The characters are easy to latch onto, and the story is clearly-defined. The animation is very good, and there was quite a bit of effort put into it. I can say it holds up by modern standards. Next time is "Pokémon Emergency!" To be continued...

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