Pokémonthe Original Seriesis 27 years old at this stage, but it was the original starting point for the adventure of Ash and Pikachu, which lasted for much of those years. It’s close to the hearts of many fans, both long-time adult fans and kids who are just experiencing it for the first time. “The Original Series” covers the first 274 episodes of the 1200+ episode run, delineated as everything that takes place in Kanto, Johto, and Orange Islands.
This was the period when Ash traveled with Brock and Misty, and caught many of his most iconic Pokémon, like Charizard, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur.Pokémonwas arguably at the peak of its popularity at this time, and made Ash and friends into pop culture icons. That wasn’t just something that happened, though–Pokémon was propelled to its success by great episodes like the ones listed below, chosen for their impact on fans and being memorable to this day.
10Bulbasaur’s Mysterious Garden
Pokémon the Original Series, Episode #51
After traveling together with Bulbasaur for many episodes at this point, Ash begins to notice thatBulbasaur is behaving strangely in battle, and takes it to the Pokémon Center. There, Nurse Joy tells him thatBulbasaur is actually preparing to evolve, and not sick at all. That night, Bulbasaur is abducted by a group of other Bulbasaur and is brought to a secret garden, where they undergo ritual evolution. But Ash’s Bulbasaur doesn’t want to evolve, and Ash and his friends chase after it. Of course, Team Rocket can’t wait to take advantage of the situation…
The episode is noteworthy for being a rare case of a Pokémon refusing to evolve, even as its body seemingly demands it to.
The episode is noteworthy for beinga rare case of a Pokémon refusing to evolve, even as its body seemingly demands it to. It’s overall a good character episode for Bulbasaur, once again proving that evolution isn’t everything. It’s also fascinating to see the wild Pokémon perform a ritual, as if they have their own customs.
9Go West, Young Meowth
Pokémon the Original Series, Episode #70
In a bizarre twist, this episode is actually set in Hollywood, a rare mention of a real place in thePokémonanime. The town reminds Meowth of his difficult past and how he came to be. Meowth was once an ordinary Pokémon who fell in love with another Meowth named Meowzie, who seemed to value human companionship much more highly than that of Pokémon.
In an attempt to impress Meowzie,Meowth learned to walk on two legs and to speak like a human, but he failed to make an impact, leaving Meowth distraught.The episode provides some crucial backstory for Meowth, which would continue to be referenced even over a decade later. It serves to make the Team Rocket mascot a much more sympathetic and relatable character, and the episode’s moral of being one’s self is an important one for kids to learn.
8Pikachu’s Goodbye
Pokémon the Original Series, Episode #39
“Pikachu’s Goodbye” was the first episode aired afterthe “Pokémon Shock,”which sent many Japanese children to the hospital for seizures. The episode involves Ash and company stumbling across a group of wild Pikachu, who take to Ash’s Pikachu immediately. The wild Pikachu are very distrusting of humans, however, and are not so receptive to Ash himself.
Team Rocket set their sights on the Pikachu group, but Ash’s Pikachu helps defend them. Feeling that Pikachu might be better off with his own kind, Ash attempts to leave him, but Pikachu won’t have it, and catches up to Ash with a hug.
Since Pikachu was technically responsible for the “Shock,” there was an honest fear when this episode debuted that Pikachu was being written out. While a ridiculous idea now,Pikachu’s emotional return to Ash still manages to tug at the heart strings, and goes to show just why the pair are so iconic.
7A Promise is a Promise
Pokémon the Original Series, Episode #222
In this Johto-era story arc, Ash and friends discovera baby Lugia and its motherin the Whirl Islands, but the Lugia are soon captured by Team Rocket, as is Ash’s group. Team Rocket begins experimenting on the Lugia, but little do they know that Ash’s friends have an ally in the form of a man named Oliver, who helps the group to break out (surprisingly, with some aid from Jessie and James).
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Ash and company manage to escape from the Team Rocket base and break free Lugia, who shows no mercy on its captors. This episode is the culmination of a multi-episode story arc surrounding Lugia,one of the first times a Legendary Pokémon was allowed to play a major role in the anime’s story(outside of movies). It’s an exciting episode with lots of action, and features a number of recurring characters, such as Ritchie and Butch and Cassidy, making for a fun piece of continuity.
6Good ‘Quil Hunting
Pokémon the Original Series, Episode #141
In this early Johto-era episode, Ash learns of a wild Cyndaquil nearby from a man named Koji who’s hunting it. Ash decides he wants this Cyndaquil for himself,since he no longer has Charizard, and begins searching as well. Team Rocket attempts to intervene, but Ash soon finds Cyndaquil entering a cave system, with Koji chasing it inside. Ash and Koji struggle over Cyndaquil, and get caught by Team Rocket’s trap.
Ash urges Cyndaquil to escape, winning its trust. When Team Rocket is dealt with,Ash battles Koji for the right to catch Cyndaquil, and wins!The episode provides the origin for Ash’s Cyndaquil, who would go on to be a key member of Ash’s Johto team. While in many ways a typical episode, it’s well-executed, and goes to show what sets Ash apart from other trainers with more selfish motives.
5Bye Bye Butterfree
Pokémon the Original Series, Episode #21
Ash and friends stumble across an event where trainers release their Butterfree for mating season, and Ash opts to allow his Butterfree to take part as well. Floating in a hot air balloon among a crowd of Butterfree, Ash’s Butterfree sets its sights on a rare Pink Butterfree, but struggles to stand out. As Team Rocket make their move to catch the Butterfree, it’s up to Ash’s Butterfree to save the day.
It’s a good lesson in growing up and being mature, as a more childish Ash wouldn’t have had the strength of will to release Butterfree for its own good.
With its victory, it wins the heart of the Pink Butterfree, and Ash is faced with the difficult choice to release Butterfree. The episode is infamous for being both unexpected (it’s rather early in the series’ run) and incredibly sad, asAsh has bonded with Butterfreeand raised it up from a mere Caterpie.It’s a good lesson in growing up and being mature, as a more childish Ash wouldn’t have had the strength of will to release Butterfree for its own good.
4Forest Grumps
Pokémon the Original Series, Episode #155
While traveling through a forest, the gang takes a break, only to be assaulted by Team Rocket. Except Team Rocket’s balloon is suddenly taken out by a Hyper Beam, and the area is swarmed with Ursaring, causing both Ash’s group and Team Rocket to be split up, with Ash, Brock, and Jessie together, while Misty is stuck with James and Meowth.Forced to work together in these interesting combinations, the characters learn quite a bit about one another, and manage to survive the onslaught of Ursaring.
Once regrouped, however, all truces are off, and Team Rocket inevitably goes blasting off. The episode is fun in that it rearranges the key characters into a combination that hasn’t been seen before, and it’s always interesting to see Ash and Team Rocket forced to work together. It serves as proof that, individually,each member of Team Rocket isn’t so bad.
3Charizard’s Burning Ambitions
Pokémon the Original Series, Episode #134
While traveling, Ash and friends are discovered by the caretaker of a valley populated entirely by Charizard, the Charicific Valley. Recognizing Ash as a fellow Charizard trainer, she invites them in, and Ash’s Charizard quickly falls for the caretaker’s female Charizard, Charla. Charizard attempts to win Charla’s affections by battling the other Charizard in the area, but is quickly outmatched.
When Team Rocket attacks,Ash’s Charizard saves the day, winning some respect, but it’s still clear it needs a lot of training. Ash decides to leave Charizard at the valley to train, and runs off crying because it’s so difficult to part.This is a major episode for Ash’s Charizard, as it explains why Ash doesn’t continue to use Charizard throughout Johto. Charizard does come back several times after this, having benefited from its training, proving that Ash did the right thing.
2Enter the Dragonite
Pokémon the Original Series, Episode #112
The culmination of Ash’s journey through the Orange Islands, this episode sees Ash battling against Supreme Gym Leader Drake’s Dragonite, a powerful foe who manages to take down almost all of Ash’s Pokémon singlehandedly.Dragonite defeats Ash’s Charizard, Squirtle, and Tauros before Ash is forced to send out Pikachu to finish the job. Pikachu dodges a Hyper Beam and hits Dragonite with a close-up Thunder, finally defeating it and earning Ash his first major victory.
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The episode makes for an exciting battle, and Drake’s Dragonite feels like a truly powerful adversary. While often forgotten,Ash’s victory in the Orange Islands is a legitimate champion-tier challenge, and it deserves to be remembered among his other accomplishments. It helps to make up for his disappointing performance in the Indigo League, and gives some rarely seen Pokémon, like Tauros, a moment in the spotlight.
1Charmander–the Stray Pokémon
Pokémon the Original Series, Episode #11
While traveling,Ash and friends find a Charmander sitting alone on a rock. Pikachu discovers it’s waiting for its trainer, and has been for a while. They continue on to a Pokémon Center, where they overhear a trainer bragging about abandoning his Charmander. Ash nearly gets into a fist fight with the kid, then races out to save Charmander as it begins to rain.
Charmander’s tail flame is nearly out, so they rush it back to the Pokémon Center and manage to save it. Charmander stubbornly returns to the rock, but is eventually won over by Ash, becoming his Pokémon. This episode is positively iconic, withthe image of Charmander huddled under a leafin the rain a commonly shared gif to this day.
The episode teaches valuable lessons about animal abuse, encouraging viewers to stand up when they see mistreatment.
It’s the origin of Ash’s Charizard, and helps to explain why Ash has such a strong relationship with it.The episode teaches valuable lessons about animal abuse, encouraging viewers to stand up when they see mistreatment. For these reasons, “Charmander—the Stray Pokémon” may very well be the best episode ofPokémonthe Original Series to have aired.
Pokémon
Cast
Pokémon follows Ash Ketchum on his journey to become a Pokémon Master, accompanied by his loyal Pikachu. Released in 1997, the series explores Ash’s travels through various regions, where he encounters new friends and challenges, underscoring the themes of adventure and teamwork.
