Pokémon, I Choose You! facts for kids
Quick facts for kids "Pokémon - I Choose You!" |
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| Pokémon episode | |
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| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 1 |
| Directed by | Masamitsu Hidaka |
| Written by | Shoji Yonemura |
| Original air date | April 1, 1997 |
"Pokémon - I Choose You!" (ポケモン！きみにきめた！, Pokemon! Kimi ni Kimeta!) is the very first episode of the Pokémon anime (Japanese animated TV show). It first aired in Japan on April 1, 1997. Later, it came to the United States on September 8, 1998, and South Korea on July 14, 1999.
In this exciting first episode, Ash Ketchum begins his big Pokémon journey. He gets his first Pokémon, a Pikachu, but Pikachu is not very friendly at first! Ash tries to catch other Pokémon, but it doesn't go well. He even throws a rock at a Spearow, which makes a whole flock of Spearow very angry. They chase Ash and Pikachu. Pikachu then shows its amazing power to protect Ash.
Nintendo, the company that makes the Pokémon video games, asked for some changes when the episode was translated into English. Some parts where characters were punching were removed. This included a scene where Misty slaps Ash. The script was translated by Paul Taylor. Veronica Taylor, who voiced Ash in English, said she really enjoyed recording his lines.
Since it first aired, the episode has been very popular. Critics praised it for being true to the games. A children's book based on "Pokémon - I Choose You!" came out in July 1999. The episode was also released on Game Boy Advance Video in 2004. In 2017, a movie called Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! was made, based on this very first episode.
Contents
Ash's Journey Begins
In the world of Pokémon, kids can become official Pokémon trainers when they turn 10 years old. Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town is about to get his very first Pokémon from Professor Oak.
On the big day, Ash accidentally breaks his alarm clock and sleeps in! He wakes up late and rushes in his pajamas to Professor Oak's lab. There, he bumps into his rival, Gary Oak, who is Professor Oak's grandson. Gary teases Ash for being late. He also brags about already having received his own first Pokémon.
When Ash finally gets into Professor Oak's lab, he learns that all three usual starter Pokémon are already gone. Ash begs for any Pokémon that might be left. Professor Oak tells him he has one more. Ash doesn't care what it is and happily accepts it.
The Pokémon turns out to be an electric-type Pokémon called Pikachu. Ash thinks Pikachu is cute and tries to hug it. But Pikachu gives him a big electric shock! Professor Oak then gives Ash a Gameplay of Pokémon#Pokédex (a device that tells you about Pokémon) and six Poké Balls. Ash then heads out to start his journey to become the greatest Pokémon trainer ever.
Ash and Pikachu's First Adventure
Ash quickly learns that Pikachu doesn't like being inside its Poké Ball. Pikachu prefers to be free and independent. Ash carries the unwilling Pikachu, hoping they can become friends. But Pikachu acts distant and doesn't seem to trust Ash.
Suddenly, they find a Pidgey in the wild. Ash tries to catch it by throwing a Poké Ball, but it doesn't work. Ash uses his Pokédex and learns that to catch a Pokémon, a trainer must first battle it with their own Pokémon. This weakens the wild Pokémon, making it easier to catch with a Poké Ball.
Since Pikachu won't cooperate, Ash tries to fight the Pidgey himself. But he is easily beaten, which makes Pikachu laugh! The Pidgey flies away. Ash then finds a List of Pokémon (1–51)#Rattata digging through his backpack. He chases it off.
Ash then hears sounds behind him. He turns to see several Pidgey in the tall grass. Frustrated, Ash throws a rock at what he thinks is a Pidgey. However, it turns out to be a Spearow! The Spearow gets angry and starts attacking Ash and Pikachu. Pikachu shocks the Spearow, which makes a whole flock of Spearow appear.
The angry Spearow flock chases them. They eventually catch up and attack Pikachu. Ash quickly grabs Pikachu and dives down a waterfall to escape. Downstream, a young girl fishes them out of the water. She tells Ash to take the injured Pikachu to the Pokémon Center in Viridian City. Seeing the Spearow flock coming closer, Ash takes the girl's bike and escapes with Pikachu.
Pikachu's Powerful Attack
Ash pedals very fast toward Viridian City, with the flock of Spearow still chasing him. Ash loses control of the bike and crashes down a hill. He realizes Pikachu is badly hurt. Ash begs Pikachu to go inside its Poké Ball so he can protect it from the approaching Spearow.
Pikachu sees how much Ash cares. It then uses a super powerful Thunder attack! This drives the Spearow away, but it also destroys the girl's bike. As the rain clouds clear, a mysterious golden bird flies over a rainbow. Ash's Pokédex tells him there is no information on this Pokémon. It says there are still many Pokémon that haven't been identified yet. Ash carries Pikachu into Viridian City. Pikachu then licks Ash's cheek, showing they are finally becoming friends.
Making the Episode
"Pokémon - I Choose You!" was the very first episode of the Pokémon TV show to be made and shown in Japan. Shoji Yonemura wrote the episode, and Masamitsu Hidaka directed it.
When the creators started working on the show, they wanted a special Pokémon to be the main character's partner. At first, they thought about making Clefairy Ash's first Pokémon. But at the last minute, they chose Pikachu instead. This was because Pikachu was already quite popular. The creators thought both boys and girls would like it. The episode was animated by Shogakukan in Japan. It was made for elementary school students.
Voice Acting for Ash
Veronica Taylor was the voice of Ash in this episode and for many seasons. She said that recording Ash's lines was "really great." She enjoyed playing a 10-year-old boy with so much energy and excitement.
Taylor explained how they record an episode. First, the script is translated from Japanese to English. Then, it's changed to match the mouth movements of the characters. Taylor usually records her lines alone in the studio. She often records first, so she has to imagine how the previous line would be said. She said her director helps her understand the lines and match the voice to the animation.
Books and Re-releases
A children's book based on the episode came out in July 1999. Scholastic Corporation published it, and Tracey West wrote it. The episode was also released on VHS and DVD in late 1998. It was part of the first volume of the Indigo League series. This release also included the next two episodes.
On September 24, 2004, Nintendo announced that two Game Boy Advance Video cartridges would be released. These cartridges had "classic" episodes from the early days of Pokémon. "Pokémon, I Choose You!" was one of the four episodes available. In 2017, a Pokémon movie based on this first episode was released. It was called Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!.
