Pokemon

Storyline

Ten-year-old Ash aspires to be the greatest Pokémon (pocket monster) trainer in the world. To do this, he enlists the help of many friends, and his own Pokémon, Pikachu. Together, they must search their world for new Pokémon, while avoiding the likes of Team Rocket, as well as other evil organizations, as well as battling rivals, and meeting legendary Pokémon.

Trivia

In December 1997, more than 700 Japanese children suffered seizures, vomiting, irritated eyes and other symptoms after viewing a flashing red background in the episode "Electric Soldier Porygon" from the Japanese version of the show. The show was pulled for retooling until April of 1998. "Electric Soldier Porygon" was only shown once (in Japan), and has never been shown again. The episode was dubbed for the American version with the offending animation slowed down and strobe effects deleted, but was never aired.

Goofs

In one episode Brock's Geodude participates in an all-Fighting Pokemon tournament. A Geodude, however, is NOT fighting, it's rock/ground. In the original card series there was no rock or ground type, only fighting type to represent all three types.

Crazy credits

First season has a "Poke Rap" segment prior to the end credits, combining the names of the (original 150) Pokemon into a rap-style song. There are 5 different segments like this total, adding up to the total 150. Home video releases featured the complete Poke Rap, combining all 5 parts.

Alternate versions

The 4Kids version included removing suggestive content and changing the fate of several characters, as well as editing the story to be much lighter and kid friendly in tone for the US release. Such edits as removal of written Japanese characters on various signs, billboards,etc.; cigar or anything that's a tobacco product, alcoholic like beverages, and any scenes that seem too violent. Ironically, however, the 4Kids Version retained more of the Japanese original soundtrack than the TPCi version did overall The TPCi version would also later in its run follow the same path as the 4Kids version, including censoring alcoholic beverages into orange juice cups by the Sun & Moon Series, removing glitter vomit, Meowth drowning, etc. And it would also censor Ash on a cross in the XYZ Series, as well as a mustache on a character appearing similar to Hitler in the Journeys Series, as well as souls into coffins.

Connections

Edited into Neon Genesis Evangelion: ReDeath (2000)

Soundtracks

Pokémon Theme

(first theme song)

Written by John Siegler and John Loeffler

Performed by Jason Paige