It might be onerous to consider, however 2023 will mark 25 years for the reason that Pokemon anime first premiered within the west. That’s 1 / 4 century of battles, exploration, and boneheaded selections by Ash Ketchum.
To commemorate this momentous landmark, we’re looking again by rewatching the earliest days of Pallet City and past. Be a part of us on this most marvellous journey down reminiscence lane, and bear in mind to replenish on Tremendous Potions for the journey forward!
PREVIOUS EPISODE: Episode 2: Pokemon Emergency!
Pokemon Episode 3: Ash Catches a Pokemon
First Aired: April 15, 1997 (Japan), September 10, 1998 (US)
Once we final left our heroes (AKA a smattering of obnoxious kids and their enslaved mouse), Ash was within the midst of making an attempt to seize a Caterpie. The episode resulted in dramatic trend, teasing us with breathless anticipation as as to if or not he would succeed on this process.
Now, we arrive at episode 3, the place the title itself is a spoiler. Excellent, significantly appreciated.
The Poke Ball wriggles, jiggles and wiggles, till lastly it involves a cease, including a brand new Pokemon to Ash’s roster. I’ve all the time been a bit curious as to the mindset behind this course of; all as a result of some punk child threw a handheld sphere at me, I’m instantly in servitude to them? If I had been this Caterpie, the very first thing I’d do is shoot some string straight into my captor’s eyeballs after which e-book it towards the closest police station.
Eager to point out off his new swag, Ash unleashes the tiny bug and requests it climb up onto his shoulder. Already he’s attempting to get the poor factor to do circus methods. As a substitute of acquiescing, it catches the unenthused Misty out of the nook of its eye and heads proper for her.
I do know it’s mentioned a lot in a while {that a} flirtatious Golduck that makes a quick cameo is the Pokemon model of Brock, however wow, I forgot how shameless Caterpie is upon its debut. I swear it even shouts “goddamn” when it sees her, the lecherous worm.
Misty ain’t having any of it, declaring it to be a most notable coward, an infinite and limitless liar, an hourly promise breaker, the proprietor of nobody good high quality (I’m paraphrasing barely). Ash doesn’t take too kindly to those barbs, resulting in an argument that carries on into the night time.
Whereas the trainers sleep, Caterpie and Pikachu share a heartfelt dialogue that we after all can not perceive. The 2 banter backwards and forwards, making endearing noises at one another for a literal minute — which is an absolute eternity for impatient viewers who’re simply determined to know whether or not they’re swapping recipes, participating in political debate or really flirting — till we see a shot of a Butterfree hovering majestically throughout the moonlit sky.
Ohh, now I get it. Caterpie desires to grow to be an astronaut sometime. Okay, that is smart.
The subsequent morning, the squad are greeted by a close-by Pidgeotto. Undeterred by his haunting failures at snagging a Pidgey a couple of days prior, Ash springs into motion, hucking a Poke Ball which it casually swipes apart. Misty factors out that, as has been mentioned many, many instances by now, Ash is meant to weaken a Pokemon prematurely of piffing balls like a madman.
In a stroke of pure genius, he opts to ship Caterpie out for this mission. Misty thinks that is silly. Pikachu thinks that is silly. Pidgeotto thinks that is scrumptious, laying into the beleaguered insect as if it owed it cash. Ash is ready to recollect it earlier than it evolves into a brand new kind (meals), using Pikachu instead.
One Thundershock later, and our boy has caught not one however two Pokemon on this episode. Not solely does this make the title a spoiler, it’s additionally a lie as effectively, misrepresenting the haul he pulls in right here. Regardless of his enthusiasm, Misty rightfully factors out that birds eat worms, making his technique of “attempt very onerous and assume good ideas” a hapless endeavor.
Breaking apart the strain, Crew Rocket arrive, offering us with a possible perception into how the plot beats of this anime will proceed for essentially the most half. Significantly, the components is principally going to be:
- Ash arrives at place, meets new Pokemon!
- Crew Rocket are right here! Grr, naughty Rockets!
- Ash wins! The ethical of the story is that Ash is the winner.
- Repeat advert infinitum.
They demand Ash hand over Pikachu, and a part of me would like to see an alternate storyline the place he simply offers in, relinquishes Pikachu and continues on together with his day. Contemplating he beforehand tried utilizing a Bug Pokemon in opposition to a Flying Pokemon, it might most likely be higher off this manner.
Alas, he performs the position of lifeless protagonist as an alternative, defying their request. Jessie and James ship out Ekans and Koffing to do battle, and Ash is downright aghast at their soiled techniques. Two in opposition to one?! Double Battles wouldn’t exist till era 3, you utter fiends!!
Pikachu cops some Sludge to the eyes, and Ash is at an deadlock. Caterpie is just too weak from the previous kerfuffle, leaving Pidgeotto as his solely remaining combatant. Misty can also be very a lot there and really a lot an alleged Pokemon coach, however that is by no means addressed as a possible equalizer.
Pidgeotto seems to be a little bit of a badass (and/or birdass), holding its personal for some time earlier than being overwhelmed. Working out of choices, Ash subsequent decides it’s time to throw arms, and out of all of the concepts he’s had to this point, that is really his greatest one.
Like most issues he makes an attempt in life, it doesn’t work out, so he pulls out his final gambit: a grievously wounded Caterpie. It ensnares the baddies in String Shot — which technically ought to have simply decreased their velocity by one however who’s actually arguing accuracy to the supply materials right here — after which vehicles them like Invoice Goldberg.
The defeated Rockets flee with their mummified kitten, and Ash celebrates his hard-earned victory. That’s to say, it was hard-earned by his Pokemon, as a result of for essentially the most half he simply stood there gawking like an fool. I suppose, if Brian Scalabrine can name himself an NBA Champion, Ash can name himself the winner of this battle.
Following what was certainly a traumatic collection of occasions, Caterpie cocoons itself in its personal string and evolves into Metapod. Although this brings it one step nearer to its aim of sometime taking to the skies, the sudden shift in id should additionally have to be tremendous inconvenient. Now you’ve bought to get used to everybody calling you by a brand new title, anticipating new issues from you… jeez, my dude simply needed to interact in a little bit of holometabolism, no want for such an enormous fuss.
Regardless, Ash’s Pokedex has now climbed to a muscular 4 entries, and he ventures deeper into the Viridian Forest, desirous to kidnap extra harmless members of the native fauna. Are we actually certain he’s the nice man right here?
One other episode is within the books! Give yourselves a pat on the again, coach, or maybe a pat on the again of somebody close by in case you’re acquainted sufficient.
The one strategy to discover out what sort of mischief occurs subsequent time, nevertheless, is by staying tuned to subsequent week’s version of PokeManiac Monday! Alternatively, you may simply watch the following episode your self or learn any variety of synopses which have been accessible for a number of years… however that’s not practically as useful for padding my view rely. Odor ya later!
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