Thursday, December 8, 2011

Finishing it off with False Swipe!

The Pokémon anime has got to be one of the most craziest shows to date. Granted, the plot pretty much follows a four step process each week:
1. Ash and friends go to a new town.
2. They meet a trainer with the Pokémon of the week.
3. Team Rocket attempts to steal it, Pikachu thunderbolts, Team Rocket blasts off again.
4. Ash and friends say goodbye to the trainer and Pokémon of the week.

Still, there are some hilarious, weird, and touching moments in the show.

One of the most memorable moments happens in a recent episode. Ash and friends meet a sneaky Purrloin and help a trainer reunite with it. All the while, Meowth and Oshawott are flirting with Purrloin trying to have it go out with them. The episode's almost over and the main conflict is resolved when Meowth and Oshawott offer Purrloin roses. Purrloin says something and her trainer tells the Pokémon that "Purrloin's a guy." Meowth and Oshawott's faces are priceless!
Yep, Purrloin's a guy

I bet Rhydon got a charge out of that!
This is a pretty famous goof. It's amazing how often Pikachu defies the type effectiveness chart, and this moment is just one of the many times that Pikachu sticks its tongue at the gameplay mechanics. Ash is fighting Blaine, the seventh gym leader of the Kanto region. At first, Ash orders Pikachu to use thunderbolt on Rhydon. As to be expected, electric attacks don't work on ground types. But then, inspiration hits the young trainer. Pikachu! The horn! Brock gives some stupid explanation that "the horn acts like a lightning rod" and Rhydon faints. It still does not change the fact that RHYDON IS A GROUND TYPE AND ELECTRIC ATTACKS DON"T WORK ON IT! 

We'll miss you old friend
Possibly the saddest moment in Pokémon history was when Ash had to say bye to his Butterfree. The day this episode aired must have been devastating for kids everywhere. Bowls of cereal were filled with tears as children watched Ash bid farewell to Butterfree on that dark, Saturday morning. It's surprising to note that Butterfree was only around for about 19 episodes before it left. Still, this was a memorable episode and it taught me that sometimes, you just have to say goodbye. While you might bid farewell, you'll never forget about old friends you made.  Butterfree is still one of my favorite Pokémon, and I'll never forget it. 

The twerps don't suspect a thing
Another classic Team Rocket moment. In an attempt to steal a Nuzleaf for the boss, Team Rocket decide to dress up Meowth as a Shiftry. Ash and his friends unsuspectingly believe Team Rocket until Dawn pulls out her Pokedex. Her Pokedex talks about "Meowth the Scratch Cat Pokémon" and the pesky feline blows their cover by talking. Even after all that, Ash still asks the trio who are they. Seriously kid, it's been over ten years. If Jessie's abnormal hair style didn't tip you off, then the talking Meowth should have.   


The girl who liked Brock
Oh Brock, there are just too many moments when you hit on girls. Officer Jenny, Nurse Joy, the trainer of the week, the list goes on and on. Too bad each and every time, Misty/Max/Croagunk ruin it for Brock and drag him away. There is one episode when the girl actually LIKES Brock. Unfortunately, he doesn't share the same feelings. Brock finally accepts her until she falls in love with James! Later on, things get heated in a battle and the girl gets knocked out by a water gun. Eventually she recovers, but then falls in love with the doctor who healed her. It's back to square one for Brock. Better luck next time. Besides, she was crazy to begin with.


After over 700 episodes, the show is still going strong. Oddly enough, Ash hasn't aged a bit. While I may not keep up with the show as much as I used to, it's still fun to tune in from time to time.
*Pictures courtesy of Serebii.net