Pokémon: Master Quest facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pokémon: Master Quest
English front cover of the Pokémon: Master Quest collection box
Country of origin	Japan
No. of episodes	65 (Japanese version) 64 (International version)
Release
Original network	TV Tokyo
Original release	August 9, 2001 (2001-08-09) – November 14, 2002 (2002-11-14)

Pokémon: Master Quest is the fifth exciting season of the Pokémon TV show. It's the final part of the Pokémon the Series: Gold and Silver story. In Japan, this anime (Japanese animated TV series) is called Pocket Monsters: Gold and Silver.

The season first aired in Japan on TV Tokyo from August 9, 2001, to November 14, 2002. In the United States, it was shown on Kids' WB from September 14, 2002, to October 25, 2003. This season was special because it was the first Pokémon season to use digital animation. This new style started with the episode "Here's Lookin' at You, Elekid".

The story follows ten-year-old Pokémon trainer Ash Ketchum and his loyal electric mouse partner, Pikachu. They are on a quest to collect Gym Badges in the make-believe Johto region. Their goal is to compete in the big Johto League competition.

Masamitsu Hidaka directed the episodes. The animation studio OLM produced the series.

Music from the Show

The Japanese version of the show had different opening and ending songs. The first opening song was "Aim to be a Pokemon Master" by Whiteberry. The second was "Ready Go!" by Naomi Tamura.

For the ending songs, the first was "Face Forward Team Rocket!" sung by the Team Rocket trio. The second ending song was "Pocket-erring Monster-ing" by Kana. In the English version, the opening song was "Believe in Me" by David Rolfe. A shorter version of this song was also used for the end credits.

Episodes in Master Quest

This season has many adventures for Ash and his friends. Here are some of the exciting episodes:

Whirl Islands Adventures

Exploring the Whirlpool Islands

• Around the Whirlpool (Original air date: August 9, 2001; English air date: September 14, 2002): Ash and his friends get separated from their ship near the Whirl Islands. They meet Professor Elm, who tells them about the upcoming Whirl Cup.
• Fly Me to the Moon (Original air date: August 16, 2001; English air date: September 21, 2002): On Pudgy Pidgey Isle, they find a Pidgey that dreams of flying higher than any other Pokémon.
• Takin' It on the Chinchou (Original air date: August 23, 2001; English air date: September 28, 2002): Ash and friends see an amazing annual migration of Chinchou in Blue Lagoon.
• A Corsola Caper! (Original air date: August 30, 2001; English air date: October 5, 2002): On Yellow Rock Isle, Misty hopes to catch her own Corsola during a Corsola frenzy.
• Mantine Overboard! (Original air date: September 6, 2001; English air date: October 12, 2002): They meet Luka, a Pokémon researcher. She wants to explore a sunken ship, but a Mantine protects it fiercely.

Whirl Cup Challenges

• Octillery the Outcast (Original air date: September 13, 2001; English air date: October 19, 2002): In Scarlet City, Ash and Misty help a young trainer whose Octillery feels lonely after evolving.
• Dueling Heroes (Original air date: September 20, 2001; English air date: October 26, 2002): Ash and Misty both make it to the second round of the Whirl Cup finals.
• The Perfect Match! (Original air date: September 27, 2001; English air date: November 2, 2002): Ash and Misty face each other in an exciting battle during the Whirl Cup.

More Johto Journeys

Protecting Pokémon and Legends

• Plant It Now... Diglett Later (Original air date: October 4, 2001; English air date: November 9, 2002): Ash and friends help a village of elderly people protect their Diglett herd from invaders.
• Hi Ho Silver... Away! (Original air date: October 11, 2001; English air date: November 16, 2002): On Silver Rock Isle, they hear a legend about a mysterious Pokémon on Ogi Isle.
• The Mystery Is History (Original air date: October 18, 2001; English air date: November 23, 2002): Ash meets his old friend Richie on Ogi Isle. They also find a baby Lugia who is friends with a Lanturn.
• A Parent Trapped! (Original air date: October 25, 2001; English air date: November 30, 2002): Professor Nanba from Team Rocket uses the baby Lugia to capture its mother. Ash and his friends are caught too.
• A Promise is a Promise (Original air date: November 1, 2001; English air date: December 7, 2002): Ash and his friends try to escape Team Rocket's underwater base. They want to free both Lugias.

Gym Battles and New Friends

• Throwing in the Noctowl (Original air date: November 8, 2001; English air date: December 14, 2002): Ash needs to get to Olivine City for a gym battle. He and his friends meet an old pilot who can help.
• Nerves of Steelix! (Original air date: November 15, 2001; English air date: December 21, 2002): Ash's long-awaited gym battle against Jasmine, the Olivine City Gym Leader, finally begins. He faces her powerful Steelix.
• Bulbasaur... the Ambassador! (Original air date: November 22, 2001; English air date: September 23, 2002): Ash's Bulbasaur goes to Professor Oak's lab to help solve a conflict between different Pokémon.
• Espeon, Not Included (Original air date: November 29, 2001; English air date: September 24, 2002): Back in Ecruteak City, Ash and friends see Sakura again. They learn her Eevee has evolved into an Espeon.
• For Ho-Oh the Bells Toll! (Original air date: December 6, 2001; English air date: September 25, 2002): Team Rocket steals a sacred bell, causing Pokémon in the area to become angry.
• Extreme Pokémon! (Original air date: December 13, 2001; English air date: January 4, 2003): Ash and his Bayleef compete in a Pokémon racing competition against Gary and his Arcanine.
• An EGG-sighting Adventure! (Original air date: December 20, 2001; English air date: January 11, 2003): Ash wins a Pokémon egg as a prize. But then, the egg gets stolen!
• Hatching a Plan (Original air date: December 27, 2001; English air date: January 18, 2003): Ash's egg hatches into a Phanpy. This new Pokémon quickly starts causing some playful trouble.
• Dues and Don'ts (Original air date: January 10, 2002; English air date: January 25, 2003): Jessie, James, and Meowth find out their Team Rocket contracts have ended. They try to get back in.
• Just Waiting On a Friend (Original air date: January 17, 2002; English air date: September 26, 2002): Ash, Brock, and Misty stay in a house with a girl named Lokoko. They soon discover she is an illusion created by a Ninetales.
• A Tyrogue Full of Trouble (Original air date: January 24, 2002; English air date: February 1, 2003): The friends find a Tyrogue who seems cold to humans. But inside, it cares for weaker Pokémon.
• Xatu the Future (Original air date: January 31, 2002; English air date: February 8, 2003): A girl uses her Xatu's ability to see the future. But the Xatu's predictions are not always correct.
• Talkin' 'Bout an Evolution (Original air date: February 7, 2002; English air date: February 15, 2003): Ash and friends see a mysterious red Gyarados. They learn Team Rocket forced many Magikarp to evolve.
• Rage of Innocence (Original air date: February 14, 2002; English air date: February 22, 2003): Lance tries to catch the red Gyarados before it destroys Mahogany Town.
• As Cold as Pryce (Original air date: February 21, 2002; English air date: March 1, 2003): Ash helps Pryce, the Mahogany Town Gym Leader, find his lost Piloswine.
• Nice Pryce, Baby! (Original air date: February 28, 2002; English air date: March 8, 2003): Ash challenges Pryce of Mahogany Town to an exciting gym battle.
• Whichever Way the Wind Blows (Original air date: March 7, 2002; English air date: March 22, 2003): Ash and the gang find a group of Bellossom fighting with a group of Vileplume.
• Some Like It Hot! (Original air date: March 14, 2002; English air date: March 29, 2003): Ash and friends meet a Magcargo that won't let them pass. A boy tries to catch it.
• Hocus Pokémon (Original air date: March 21, 2002; English air date: April 5, 2003): A Pokémon magician tries a spell. Team Rocket steals her spell book. Ash even gets turned into a Pikachu!
• As Clear as Crystal (Original air date: March 28, 2002; English air date: April 12, 2003): Ash returns to human form, but Pikachu gets sick. A crystal in a lake heals electric Pokémon.
• Same Old Song and Dance (Original air date: April 11, 2002; English air date: April 19, 2003): A trainer and her Igglybuff perform, making Jigglypuff feel jealous.
• Enlighten Up! (Original air date: April 18, 2002; English air date: April 26, 2003): Ash, Misty, Brock, and Team Rocket train at a Slowpoke Temple.
• Will the Real Oak Please Stand Up? (Original air date: April 25, 2002; English air date: September 27, 2002): James pretends to be Professor Oak to gain fame.
• Wish Upon a Star Shape (Original air date: May 2, 2002; English air date: May 3, 2003): Phanpy tries to reunite a Cleffa with its family.
• Outrageous Fortunes (Original air date: May 9, 2002; English air date: May 10, 2003): Misty's Poliwhirl evolves into a Politoed during a battle!
• One Trick Phony! (Original air date: May 16, 2002; English air date: May 17, 2003): Ash trains at a Battle Park, unaware that the trainers are Team Rocket in disguise.
• I Politoed Ya So! (Original air date: May 23, 2002; English air date: May 24, 2003): A cheerleader's Politoed gets mixed up with Misty's cheerful Politoed.
• The Ice Cave! (Original air date: May 30, 2002; English air date: N/A): Brock gets a cold while they travel through Ice Path.
• Beauty Is Skin Deep (Original air date: June 6, 2002; English air date: May 31, 2003): Clair, the Blackthorn City Gym Leader, must protect a Dratini during a special ritual.
• Fangs for Nothin' (Original air date: June 13, 2002; English air date: June 7, 2003): Ash and Clair's gym battle is put on hold. Team Rocket steals the Dragon Fang.
• Great Bowls of Fire! (Original air date: June 20, 2002; English air date: June 14, 2003): James accidentally starts a forest fire. This makes Dragonite, the Holy Land's Guardian, go wild with rage.
• Better Eight Than Never (Original air date: June 27, 2002; English air date: June 21, 2003): Ash has his second rematch against Clair. He hopes to win his final badge for the Johto League.
• Why? Wynaut! (Original air date: July 4, 2002; English air date: June 28, 2003): Team Rocket steals Ash's badges, but then a wild Wynaut steals them from Team Rocket!
• Just Add Water (Original air date: July 11, 2002; English air date: July 12, 2003): Ash and Misty visit the Coastline gym, which specializes in Water Pokémon.
• Lapras of Luxury (Original air date: July 18, 2002; English air date: July 26, 2003): Ash reunites with his Lapras from the Orange Islands.
• Hatch Me If You Can (Original air date: July 25, 2002; English air date: August 9, 2003): The egg Professor Elm gave Ash hatches into a Pokémon called Larvitar.
• Entei at Your Own Risk (Original air date: August 1, 2002; English air date: August 16, 2003): A trainer tries to find the legendary Pokémon Entei at a hot spring.
• A Crowning Achievement (Original air date: August 8, 2002; English air date: August 23, 2003): A Slowpoke named Arthur tries to evolve into a Slowking.
• Here's Lookin' at You Elekid! (Original air date: August 15, 2002; English air date: August 30, 2003): Casey meets Ash and wants to catch an Elekid.
• You're a Star, Larvitar! (Original air date: August 22, 2002; English air date: September 6, 2003): Ash relies on Larvitar to help free Pokémon stolen by Team Rocket.
• Address Unown! (Original air date: August 29, 2002; English air date: September 13, 2003): Unown accidentally sends Ash and his friends into Larvitar's mind. They learn about Larvitar's past.
• Mother of All Battles (Original air date: September 5, 2002; English air date: September 15, 2003): The same poachers who once captured Larvitar now catch its mother.

Johto League Conference

The Silver Conference Begins

• Pop Goes the Sneasel (Original air date: September 12, 2002; English air date: September 16, 2003): Ash meets Harrison from the Hoenn region. They help battle a Sneasel that is causing trouble.
• A Claim to Flame! (Original air date: September 19, 2002; English air date: September 17, 2003): The Johto League begins! Ash meets his longtime rival, Gary Oak, again.
• Love, Pokémon Style (Original air date: September 26, 2002; English air date: September 18, 2003): Ash battles Macey in the Johto League preliminaries. Ash wins and moves on to the next round.
• Tie One On! (Original air date: October 3, 2002; English air date: September 19, 2003): Ash faces Jackson in the Johto League. Their battle ends in a draw, but Ash gets enough points to move to the Championship Round. He finds out he will battle Gary!

Final Battles and New Journeys

• The Ties That Bind (Original air date: October 10, 2002; English air date: September 20, 2003): Ash's skills are truly tested as he battles his rival, Gary Oak.
• Can't Beat the Heat! (Original air date: October 17, 2002; English air date: September 27, 2003): Ash's Charizard battles Gary's Blastoise. Ash wins and moves on to face Harrison!
• Playing with Fire (Original air date: October 24, 2002; English air date: October 4, 2003): Ash battles Harrison for a spot in the semi-finals. It's a long and tough battle, ending with Ash's Charizard against Harrison's Blaziken.
• Johto Photo Finish (Original air date: October 31, 2002; English air date: October 11, 2003): Ash's journey in the Johto League ends when Charizard is defeated by Harrison's Blaziken. Harrison also loses in the semi-finals. The Silver Conference ends, and everyone goes their separate ways. Gary decides to retire from battling.
• Gotta Catch Ya Later! (Original air date: November 7, 2002; English air date: October 18, 2003): Brock and Misty say goodbye to Ash. Ash decides to travel to the Hoenn region, following Harrison's suggestion.
• Hoenn Alone! (Original air date: November 14, 2002; English air date: October 25, 2003): Ash starts his journey to the Hoenn region. But a Team Rocket plan goes wrong, making Pikachu very sick.

Home Media

You can find Pokémon: Master Quest on DVD! In the United States, Viz Video and Ventura Distribution first released two DVD sets. Each set had about 32 episodes. These DVDs are no longer being made.

Later, Viz Media and Warner Home Video released Pokémon: Master Quest – The Complete Collection on DVD. This full collection came out in the United States on October 11, 2016.