List of Pokémon : Indigo League episodes - wikipedia List of Pokémon : Indigo League episodes Pokémon : Indigo League The front cover of the DVD collection box of English Pokémon : Indigo League season, containing the first 26 episodes of this season Country of origin Japan No. of episodes 82 ( Japan ) 80 ( U.S. ) Release Original network TV Tokyo Original release April 1, 1997 -- January 21, 1999 Season chronology Next → Adventures on the Orange Islands This is a list of episodes in the animated series Pokémon, named Pokémon : Indigo League for the DVD releases. The episodes aired in Japan as Pocket Monsters ( ポケットモンスター, Poketto Monsutā ), covering the first season of the series about the adventures of series protagonist Ash Ketchum and his friends Misty and Brock on the way to the Indigo Plateau. The episodes were directed by Masamitsu Hidaka and produced by Oriental Light and Magic and TV Tokyo. The first season of Pokémon originally aired in Japan from April 1997 to January 1999 on TV Tokyo and in the United States from September 1998 to December 1999 ( from September 1998 to November 1998, it was on first - run syndication and afterwards premiered on The WB Television Network ). On U.S. television, how the seasons are organized is changed : the first 52 episodes that aired in the U.S. are a part of the first season, and the remaining 28 episodes are a part of Season 2 ( and Beauty and the Beach of Indigo League is aired during Season 2 ), followed by 25 Adventures in the Orange Islands episodes. On DVD, Season 1 is made up of all 80 Indigo League episodes that aired in the U.S. The Japanese opening song is `` Aim to be a Pokemon Master '' by Rica Matsumoto. The ending songs are `` One Hundred Fifty - One '' by Unsho Ishizuka and Pokémon Kids, `` Meowth 's Song '' by Inuko Inuyama, `` Fantasy in My Pocket '' by Sachi & Juri, `` Pokemon Ondo '' by Sachiko Kobayashi, Koffing, and Ekans, and `` Type : Wild '' by Rica Matsumoto. The English opening song is `` Pokémon Theme '' by Jason Paige, while each episodes close with the PokéRAP, which contains 5 different versions ( each profiling about 30 Pokémon for a total of 151 ). Contents 1 Main overview 2 Airing overview 3 Season 1 -- Pokémon : Indigo League ( 1997 -- 1999 ) 4 Notes 5 References 6 External links Main overview Ash Ketchum turns 10 years old and is able to start on a new journey as a Pokémon trainer. The night before Ash is to meet Professor Oak, he has a dream and breaks his alarm clock. The next day he oversleeps, which causes him to miss his chance at getting one of the three Kanto starter Pokémon : Charmander, Bulbasaur or Squirtle. However, Professor Oak has one last Pokémon at his lab, a Pikachu. Pikachu initially does not get along with Ash, but in the first episode, Ash saves Pikachu from a flock of angry Spearow and they become best friends, developing a special bond. On the way Ash meets Misty, the Cerulean City Gym Leader who loves water Pokémon and wants to join him until he pays her for her bike which was accidentally destroyed by Pikachu ; and Brock, the Pewter City Gym Leader who wants to join Ash on his journey so he can become the greatest Pokémon breeder. Ash catches and makes friends with many Pokémon while dealing with opposition from the Team Rocket trio of Jessie, James, and Meowth, and his childhood rival, Gary Oak, Professor Oak 's grandson, who is also a Pokémon trainer and always keeps ahead of him. Airing overview `` Pikachu 's Jukebox '' is seen on the end of episode 56. The division between series of Pokémon is based on the English version openings of each episode as featured on region 1 DVD releases, and may not reflect the actual production season. The English episode numbers are based on their first airing in the United States in syndication, and on The WB Television Network. ( Other English - speaking nations largely followed either this order or the Japanese order. ) Subsequent airings of the English version follow the original Japanese order, except in the case of episodes which are no longer shown in English. Midway through the original series, YTV began to air the episodes before Kids ' WB until sometime in Johto. There are two end - of - show segments and one mid-episode segment during the season. The mid-episode eyecatch is called `` Who 's That Pokémon ? '', where viewers identify the Pokémon covered in the episode. The first one that is shown at the end of the episode is the Pokérap, where they can rap the 150 total Pokémon. The second one is called `` Pikachu 's Jukebox '', which includes six songs from its first official soundtrack 2. B.A. Master. The first season ran from April 1, 1997 -- January 21, 1999 in Japan. This season was shown on TV Tokyo. In the United States, new episodes originally aired in syndication from September 8, 1998 -- November 20, 1998 for the first 41 episodes ( excluding the banned episodes ), but were moved to the Kids ' WB Saturday morning line - up on February 13, 1999, where the rest of the season was aired. With a total of 80 episodes ( 82 in Japan ), on June 24, 2000 ( January 21, 1999 in Japan ) Pokémon : Indigo League finished and became the longest running Pokémon season. The episodes of this season have been released in 26 individual DVDs and VHS between December 13, 1998 and January 23, 2001. Between 2006 and 2008, Viz Media re-released episodes of the season in three DVD compilations. The first twenty - six episodes of this season were released on DVD on November 21, 2006, with `` Beauty and the Beach '', being skipped. The second US season came out on November 13, 2007, with `` Princess vs. Princess '' and `` The Purr - fect Hero '' being moved onto the third part, to match the airing order. The third and final part was released on February 12, 2008. On November 5, 2013, Viz Media re-issued the first twenty - six episodes on DVD with all new packaging. As of November 4, 2013, Pokémon is airing on Boomerang every Monday through Friday from 4 - 5pm and every Saturday and Sunday from 6 - 7pm, but on March 3, 2014, it was pushed back to 6 : 30pm which means that Cartoon Network 's sister channel is airing it every day. On February 27, 2014, it was announced that the first season of Pokémon would be streamed on Netflix from March 1, 2014. The full first season is now on Netflix with the original 1998 versions that included the commercial bumpers voiced by Brock. Since Netflix uses the dub versions of the episodes, `` Dennō Senshi Porygon '' ( translated Cyber Soldier Porygon ) is not on there due to not being officially dubbed, so as episode 35 ( translated The Legend of Dratini ). Beauty and the Beach and Holiday Hi - Jynx are not on Netflix even though they were dubbed and aired. Netflix divides Indigo League into two seasons, according to the dub broadcast order seasons. Therefore, the second season includes Pokémon : Adventures in the Orange Islands, up to Charizard Chills, since the last 11 episodes are in Season 3 in the dub broadcast. Since then Netflix episodes have been reduced to just 52 episodes with `` Beauty and the Beach '', `` Princess vs. Princess '', and `` The Purr - fect Hero '' missing. On October 30, 2017, Manga Entertainment released the first half of the Indigo League saga on DVD and for the first time, Blu - ray as a 5 - disc box - set in the UK. On November 14, 2017, Viz Media released Pokemon : Indigo League -- Season 1 Champion 's Edition for the first time on Blu - ray in the US and on December 6, 2017, Beyond Home Entertainment released the first half of the Indigo League saga for the first time on Blu - ray in Australia. Season 1 -- Pokémon : Indigo League ( 1997 -- 1999 ) EP # English title Japanese title Air date J# E# Japan United States `` Pokémon, I Choose You ! '' ( Pikachu I Choose You ! ) `` Pokemon ! Kimi ni Kimeta ! '' ( ポケモン ! きみ に きめ た ! ) April 1, 1997 September 8, 1998 Ash Ketchum is finally 10 years old, old enough to become a Pokémon Trainer. He wakes up late on the day he is supposed to receive his first Pokémon at Professor Oak 's lab, however, and arrives to discover all the Pokémon are gone. Ash has no choice to take a naughty Pikachu. Pikachu will not listen to Ash or go inside its Poké Ball, so Ash must drag it along with a rope. After many failed attempts at capturing some Pokémon, Ash throws a rock and hits a Spearow. The Spearow gets angry and the entire flock starts chasing Ash and Pikachu. They run away from the Spearow, borrowing a bike from a red - haired girl to escape, but when they can not go any farther, Ash uses his body to shield Pikachu from the attacking Pokémon. Pikachu realizes how much Ash cares for him and uses a powerful electric attack to drive the Spearow away, destroying the bicycle in the process as well. Ash and Pikachu see a glimpse of Ho - Oh. `` Pokémon Emergency ! '' ( Showdown ! Pokémon Center ! ) `` Taiketsu ! Pokemon Sentā ! '' ( たい けつ ! ポケモン センター ! ) April 8, 1997 September 9, 1998 Finally arriving in Viridian City, Ash is cornered by Officer Jenny who asks why he is carrying Pikachu instead of having it in a Pokéball. After explaining, Jenny takes Ash to the Pokémon Center where Nurse Joy begins treatment on the injured Pikachu. Before Pikachu 's treatment finishes, however, Ash is interrupted by Misty, the girl who Ash took the bike from, who vows to stick with Ash until he pays her back for destroying her bike. The Pokémon Center is then attacked by Jessie, James, and their talking Meowth, members of Team Rocket, seeking to steal all of the infirm Pokémon. Ash 's Pikachu and the Pokémon Center 's many Pikachu manage to defeat Team Rocket by shocking them using Thunder Shock, sending them `` blasting off '' into the sky for the first time. `` Ash Catches a Pokémon '' ( I Caught a Pokémon ! ) ( ポケモン ゲット だ ぜ ! ) April 15, 1997 September 10, 1998 Ash discovers and catches a Caterpie -- his first Pokémon capture ! Though Ash is excited, Misty is grossed out by Bug - type Pokémon, so she is repulsed by its attempts to be friends with her. At night, as Ash and Misty sleep, Caterpie shares with Pikachu its dream of evolving into a Butterfree. Ash also captures a Pidgeotto. Team Rocket shows up to steal Pikachu and Pikachu and Pidgeotto are weakened by Koffing and Ekans, so Ash reluctantly sends out Caterpie. To the surprise of Jessie and James -- not to mention Ash -- Caterpie 's String Shot is able to defeat the Team Rocket Pokémon, including Meowth ! When Misty tries to make nice with Caterpie, it evolves into a Metapod. `` Challenge of the Samurai '' ( Challenge of Butterfree ! ) `` Samurai Shōnen no Chōsen ! '' ( サムライ しょう ねん の ちょう せん ! ) April 22, 1997 September 11, 1998 While wandering through Viridian Forest, a Samurai challenges Ash to a battle, and it turns out to be Metapod vs. Metapod. After a short time, a swarm of Beedrill attacks, and Ash 's Metapod is taken by them. Ash is able to rescue his Metapod and it evolves once more into Butterfree. 5 5 `` Showdown in Pewter City '' ( Battle of Nibi Gym ! ) `` Nibi Jimu no Tatakai ! '' ( ニビジム の たたかい ! ) April 29, 1997 September 14, 1998 Ash, Pikachu, and Misty finally reach Pewter City and meet Flint, a mysterious man who sells rocks. Ash is ready to challenge the Pewter City Gym Leader, Brock, for his first Badge, but loses the battle. Flint takes Ash and Pikachu to Brock 's home and Ash learns that Brock cares for his many younger brothers and sisters since their dad left them. He then brings Pikachu and Ash to a watermill to make Pikachu stronger. Ash battles Brock again, this time coming closer to winning. A fire breaks out in the gym, however, and the sprinklers go off, weakening Onix. Ash wants to defeat Onix but is held back by the thought of Brock 's siblings ( when he opens his eyes he finds he was literally held back by them ). Ash leaves the Gym but Brock catches up to him and gives Ash the Boulder Badge. Flint turns out to be Brock 's father and takes over the Gym and the responsibility of his children for Brock when he decides to join Ash on his journey. 6 6 `` Clefairy and the Moon Stone '' ( Pippi and the Moon Stone ) `` Pippi to Tsuki no Ishi '' ( ピッピ と つきの いし ) May 6, 1997 September 15, 1998 Ash, Misty, Brock, and Pikachu arrive at Mt. Moon to find Team Rocket interfering with the local wildlife in hopes of finding the rare Moon Stone. With the help of Seymour the Scientist, the gang saves the Moon Stone and the Clefairies that guard it. Also, Brock catches a Zubat. 7 7 `` The Water Flowers of Cerulean City '' ( The Underwater Flowers of Hanada City ) `` Hanada Shiti no Suichūka '' ( ハナダシティ の すい ちゅう か ) May 13, 1997 September 16, 1998 In his quest to collect Gym Badges, Ash heads for Cerulean City, intending to confront the Cerulean Gym Leader. For some reason, Misty expresses a desire to avoid Cerulean City and disappears along the way. Upon entering the gym, Ash and Pikachu are entranced by a synchronized swimming show being performed by three beautiful sisters, unsure if he has really found another Gym. The three reveal that they are the Gym Leaders but have since converted the Gym into an aquarium and water show, and offer to just give Ash the badge, but Misty appears once more, revealing that she is also one of the Gym Leaders and will battle Ash in lieu of her three older sisters. However, Team Rocket disrupts the battle in an attempt to steal all of the Gym 's Pokémon, and Misty 's sisters decide to award Ash the Cascade Badge for helping save everyone. 8 8 `` The Path to the Pokémon League '' ( The Road to the Pokémon League ) `` Pokemon Rīgu e no Michi '' ( ポケモン リーグ へ の みち ) May 20, 1997 September 17, 1998 After receiving his second badge, Ash sets off triumphantly for Vermilion City. Along the way, they hear of a trainer named A.J., a fierce Pokémon trainer who has never lost a match. Full of self - confidence from his own record of ten victories in a row, Ash heads directly for the gym to find his new opponent. When they arrive, a huge bulletin is in front of the gym with a neon sign declaring `` 98 Consecutive Victories '', which appeals to Ash 's over-confidence. A.J. is on the brink of achieving his goal of 100 straight victories, after which he will embark on a journey to gather badges, and Ash discovers A.J. 's odd training style. 9 9 `` The School of Hard Knocks '' ( Pokémon Certain Victory Manual ) `` Pokemon Hisshō Manyuaru '' ( ポケモン ひっ しょう マニュアル ) May 27, 1997 September 18, 1998 Our three heroes have lost their way in the depths of a dense wooden forest, shrouded in thick, white mist. Momentarily giving up, they decide to break for a brief rest. As Ash wanders deeper into the wood, searching for firewood, he happens across a young boy being bullied by five classmates gathered around him. Eavesdropping on their conversation, Ash learns that the boys are attending a preparatory school for Pokémon trainers. Graduates from the school are automatically qualified to participate in the Pokémon League without travelling around and collecting any badges. Ash, Misty, and Brock head to the school and do not agree with some of their ideas of training, something their `` leader '' does not take well. 10 10 `` Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village '' ( Fushigidane of the Hidden Village ) `` Kakurezato no Fushigidane '' ( かくれ ざと の フシギダネ ) June 3, 1997 September 21, 1998 Ash and friends are still on their way to Vermilion City and still lost. They stop by a pond for a break when they see an Oddish taking a drink. Ash and Misty try to catch it but they are stopped by a mysterious Bulbasaur who rescues the Oddish. They continue on their journey and keep getting caught in traps, until the Bulbasaur 's owner, Melanie, finds them, saves them and brings them back to her cabin. It turns out that she helps injured, sick, and abandoned Pokémon, and they decide to help. Meanwhile, Team Rocket decides to steal all the Pokémon, while Brock wonders if he should stay with Melanie. In the end, Melanie gives Bulbasaur to Ash, but not until Bulbasaur challenges Ash and Pikachu to a battle. 11 11 `` Charmander -- The Stray Pokémon '' ( The Stray Pokémon -- Hitokage ) `` Hagure Pokemon, Hitokage '' ( はぐれ ポケモン ・ ヒトカゲ ) June 10, 1997 September 22, 1998 While on the road to Vermilion City, Ash, Misty, Brock, and Pikachu come across a Charmander sitting on a rock. Ash tries to catch it, but it turns out it has a trainer and can not be captured, so they head to the Pokémon Center. At the Pokémon Center, a hotshot trainer named Damian is bragging about how he left his Charmander behind, promising to come back for it when he means to abandon it for being weak in his eyes. After hearing this, they head back out to get the poor Pokémon as a rainstorm threatens its very life. After a battle with Team Rocket, where Damian witnesses Charmander defeating them, he tries to get Charmander to come back to him, but the Pokémon 's loyalty now belongs to Ash. Ash captures Charmander, gaining a new friend and Pokémon. 12 12 `` Here Comes the Squirtle Squad '' ( The Zenigame Squad Appears ! ) `` Zenigame - gundan Tōjō ! '' ( ゼニガメ ぐんだん とう じょう ! ) June 17, 1997 September 23, 1998 Ash, Misty, Brock, and Pikachu become the victims of pranks played by a gang of Squirtle known as the Squirtle Squad. They end up falling down a hole, and are even eventually captured by them. It turns out that they are working together with Team Rocket. When Pikachu is severely injured, the Squirtle lets Ash out to get medicine from town, but must return soon or his friends will be trapped by the Squirtle Squad forever. In the end, the Squirtle Squad saves the town from a fire started by Team Rocket and Squirtle joins Ash on his further adventures. 13 13 `` Mystery at the Lighthouse '' ( Masaki 's Lighthouse ) `` Masaki no Tōdai '' ( マサキ の とう だい ) June 24, 1997 September 24, 1998 When a Krabby that Ash catches disappears, he goes to a nearby lighthouse to see if it reached Professor Oak 's lab. The keeper of the lighthouse is Bill, a Pokémon Watcher who is searching for a mysterious Pokémon that sometimes appears by his lighthouse. Just as this mysterious Pokémon answers Bill 's call and approaches the lighthouse, Team Rocket appears and tries to capture it. Injured, the Pokémon loses its trust of Bill and vanishes forever, though Bill intends to keep an eye out in case it ever appears again. 14 14 `` Electric Shock Showdown '' ( Electric Shock Showdown ! Kuchiba Gym ) `` Dengeki Taiketsu ! Kuchiba Jimu '' ( で ん げき たい けつ ! クチバジム ) July 1, 1997 September 25, 1998 Ash finally arrives in Vermilion City and is ready to prove that he can defeat its Gym Leader Lt. Surge. However, Lt. Surge and his powerful Raichu easily defeat Ash, and he discovers that many trainers fail to defeat Lt. Surge. After contemplating evolving Pikachu into Raichu as well, Ash decides to use Pikachu 's speed to his advantage in his next battle, defeating Lt. Surge and winning the Thunder Badge. 15 15 `` Battle Aboard the St. Anne '' ( The St. Anne Battle ! ) `` Santo Annu - gō no Tatakai ! '' ( サントアンヌ ごう の たたかい ! ) July 8, 1997 September 28, 1998 Ash wins a ticket to take a trip on a luxury cruise ship, the St. Anne. Ash enjoys the journey, even trading Butterfree for a Raticate, but feels guilty afterwards and asks for Butterfree back. However, the whole cruise is a scheme devised by Team Rocket, who plans to steal the Pokémon of all the trainers on board. During the confusion, James purchases a Magikarp from a devious salesman, under the impression it will make him rich, unaware of Magikarp 's true nature. After Team Rocket 's plans fail, the St. Anne is hit by a powerful storm. Ash loses his Butterfree 's PokéBall in the confusion and goes to get it, just as James tries to retrieve Magikarp 's PokéBall, and both groups are knocked unconscious while the rest of the passengers escape safely. 16 16 `` Pokémon Shipwreck '' ( Pokémon Adrift ) `` Pokemon Hyōryūki '' ( ポケモン ひょう りゅう き ) July 15, 1997 September 29, 1998 Ash, Misty, Brock, and Pikachu wake up aboard the St. Anne, discovering it has capsized and sunk. Elsewhere, Jessie, James, and Meowth wake up as well, and in an attempt to escape only flood the area that they are in. When Ash and his friends find Team Rocket, the group decides to put their differences aside to escape safely, after an attempted battle nearly causes the ship to sink farther. After traversing the ship, they find a weak part of the hull to escape from, using Misty and Ash 's water Pokémon to escape, while Team Rocket uses James ' Magikarp, unaware that it can not swim. After making it to the surface on some debris, the group discovers Team Rocket, once more, and after a day stranded, decide to eat Magikarp, only discovering that it has no meat on it. In anger, James kicks Magikarp off the raft and it evolves into Gyarados. It calls a group of other Gyarados to attack the group, and everyone is stranded once more. 17 17 `` Island of the Giant Pokémon '' ( Island of the Gigantic Pokémon ! ? ) `` Kyodai Pokemon no Shima ! ? '' ( き ょ だい ポケモン の しま ! ? ) July 22, 1997 September 30, 1998 After being hit by a Dragon Rage attack from James ' newly evolved Gyarados while at sea, the humans are separated from their Pokémon on an island that is inhabited by giant Pokémon. Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Meowth, Ekans, and Koffing try to make their way back to their trainers, while they escape the giant Pokémon, unaware that they have all landed on an island owned by Team Rocket to house a theme park dedicated to a giant robotic Pokémon. Note : This seems to date to be the only episode in which subtitles are used to help the viewer understand what the Pokémon are saying. 18 18 `` Beauty and the Beach '' ( Holiday at Aopulco ) `` Aopuruko no Kyūjitsu '' ( アオプルコ の きゅうじ つ ) July 29, 1997 June 24, 2000 Ash and his friends have finally arrived in Porta Vista, a beachside tourist town. After destroying an old man 's ship, they must help in the old man 's business. To attempt to pay the man back faster, Misty enters a beauty contest, only to discover she is competing against Jessie and James ( with fake breasts - All scenes with this were cut in the U.S. airing, when it was finally aired ). Before being broadcast in the U.S. as a `` lost episode '', this episode was deemed controversial, due to James having inflatable breasts. 19 19 `` Tentacool & Tentacruel '' ( Menokurage, Dokukurage ) `` Menokurage Dokukurage '' ( メノクラゲ ドククラゲ ) August 5, 1997 October 1, 1998 Stuck in Porta Vista because they missed the boat, Ash and friends sit around waiting for the next boat and witness a great explosion. They later discover that it is a group of Tentacool that is attacking the city since construction is destroying their reef. Ash and his friends manage to appease the giant Tentacruel and continue on their journey, with Misty catching a Horsea that was being harassed by the Tentacool. 20 20 `` The Ghost of Maiden 's Peak '' ( Ghost Pokémon and the Summer Festival ) `` Yūrei Pokemon to Natsumatsuri '' ( ゆう れい ポケモン と なつ まつり ) August 12, 1997 October 2, 1998 The boat that Ash and his friends arrive in the port city of Maiden 's Peak to attend the Summer 's End Festival. Brock and James both fall for a beautiful girl standing by the sea who disappears. Ash, Misty, and Team Rocket learn that she is the ghost of a maiden who waited for her lover to return from an ancient war and eventually turned into stone. While trying to protect Brock and James with some stickers bought from an old woman, the maiden reveals herself as the old woman, who in turn reveals herself to be Gastly, a ghost Pokémon. Ash tries to fight Gastly to release James and Brock from its spell but fails, until the sun rises and Gastly is forced to disappear. It is revealed that the ghost of the maiden actually exists and is a friend of Gastly, and is still waiting for the one she loves to return. 21 21 `` Bye, Bye Butterfree '' ( Bye Bye Butterfree ) `` Bai Bai Batafurī '' ( バイバイ バタフリー ) August 19, 1997 October 5, 1998 As the group continues on their way to Saffron City, they notice a flock of Butterfree out over the ocean. Brock informs Ash that it is the mating season for all of the Butterfree. Ash decides to release his Butterfree so that it can mate. However, Team Rocket has plans to steal them all. Ash 's Butterfree bravely frees all the Butterfree and in the end, Ash releases it. 22 22 `` Abra and the Psychic Showdown '' ( Casey ! Psychic Showdown ! ) `` Kēshii ! Chōnōryoku Taiketsu ! '' ( ケーシィ ! ちょう の うり ょ く たい けつ ! ) August 26, 1997 October 6, 1998 Ash and his friends finally arrive in Saffron City, but before Ash can enter the Saffron Gym he is warned by a strange man not to go in. Ash enters anyway to discover a strange training facility for people with psychic powers. Ash challenges Sabrina, the Saffron City Gym Leader and her Abra who evolves into Kadabra, and loses. They are transported into a toy box set and forced to play with a dangerous little girl, the group is rescued by the strange man who gives Ash a tip : He may be able to beat Sabrina with a Ghost Pokémon from Lavender Town. 23 23 `` The Tower of Terror '' ( Got It at the Pokémon Tower ! ) `` Pokemon Tawā de Getto da ze ! '' ( ポケモン タワー で ゲット だ ぜ ! ) September 2, 1997 October 7, 1998 Team Rocket encounters the Ghost Pokémon in a haunted tower while setting a trap for Ash and his friends, and end up getting frightened away. Ash and Pikachu enter alone since his friends are afraid to go in. Inside, he and Pikachu are the victims of pranks by a Gastly, Haunter, and Gengar looking for playmates. After being crushed under a falling chandelier, Haunter turns Ash and Pikachu into ghosts where they have some fun, though Ash asks them to send him back after seeing Misty and Brock cry over his lifeless body. Ash and Pikachu are brought back to life and Haunter decides to follow Ash as his new Pokémon. 24 24 `` Haunter vs. Kadabra '' ( Ghost vs. Esper ! ) `` Gōsuto Tai Esupā ! '' ( ゴースト VS エスパー ! ) September 9, 1997 October 8, 1998 Ash and his friends go back to Saffron City ready to try again for the Marsh Badge in the Gym. Ash asks Haunter for help to defeat Sabrina but Haunter disappears during the match. Brock and Misty get turned into dolls, and Ash is rescued just in time by the mysterious man. The man ( who is really Sabrina 's father ) reveals that Sabrina has two personalities -- one of the cold and unfeeling trainer, the other of the repressed little girl, who also turned her mother into a doll. The only way to defeat Sabrina is to make her smile again. During the next match, Haunter suddenly appears in front of Sabrina while Kadabra and Pikachu are battling. Sabrina and her Kadabra become unable to battle after being sent into peals of laughter by Haunter, giving Ash the victory. Haunter chooses to stay with Sabrina and her reunited family. 25 25 `` Primeape Goes Bananas '' ( Do n't Get Angry, Okorizaru ! ) `` Okoranai de ne Okorizaru ! '' ( おこら ない で ね オコリザル ! ) September 16, 1997 October 9, 1998 As Ash is on his way towards Celadon City, he encounters a Mankey. The Mankey starts chasing him and steals Ash 's hat. Ash tries to get it back and fails. Team Rocket arrives to get Pikachu and when Mankey walks by, James kicks it away and in its anger, evolves into Primeape. After remembering the poem Professor Oak said, Ash captures it. 26 26 `` Pokémon Scent - sation ! '' ( Erika and Kusaihana ) `` Erika to Kusaihana '' ( エリカ と クサイハナ ) September 23, 1997 October 12, 1998 When Ash reaches the Celadon Gym, he is kicked out because of his hatred for perfume, so with the help of Team Rocket ( who plotted to steal Erika 's special perfume ), Ash sneaks into the gym disguised as a girl. In the gym, his disguise is ruined by Misty, Brock, and Pikachu, but the Gym Leader, Erika grants him a battle. During the battle, Team Rocket interrupts and sets the gym on fire. After rescuing Erika 's Gloom, Ash is presented with the Rainbow Badge. 27 27 `` Hypno 's Naptime '' ( Sleeper and Pokémon Hypnotism ! ? ) `` Surīpā to Pokemon Gaeri ! ? '' ( スリーパー と ポケモン が えり ! ? ) September 30, 1997 October 13, 1998 Ash and his friends arrive at a town where many of the town 's children are disappearing. They discover that a Hypno, a hypnotic Pokémon is responsible. Adults in the town have come to help their insomnia by being put to sleep by Hypno. However there is a side effect, making the children think they are different Pokémon and run away and put real Pokémon to sleep. Ash stops Team Rocket from stealing Hypno and uses the Pokémon, Drowzee to bring all the children and Pokémon back to normal. A useless Psyduck follows Misty around, and after she drops a PokéBall, Psyduck activates it and captures itself, much to Misty 's dismay. Note : The flashback was originally from `` Pokémon -- I Choose You ! '' in the original Japanese and the flashback was changed with `` Beauty and the Beach '' ( which was aired on June 24, 2000 in the United States ) in the English dub. 28 28 `` Pokémon Fashion Flash '' ( Rokon ! Breeder Showdown ! ) `` Rokon ! Burīdā Taiketsu ! '' ( ロコン ! ブリーダー たい けつ ! ) October 7, 1997 October 14, 1998 Team Rocket plans a scheme to steal many Pokémon by opening a grooming shop. Ash and his friends meet Susie, a famous Pokémon breeder. In the end, Brock gains a Vulpix when Susie tells him to look after it as she goes off to learn more about Pokémon breeding. 29 29 `` The Punchy Pokémon '' ( Fighting Pokémon ! Huge Battle ! ) `` Kakutō Pokemon ! Dai Batoru ! '' ( かく とう ポケモン ! だい バトル ! ) October 14, 1997 October 15, 1998 After meeting a girl whose father is more concerned about training his fighting Pokémon Hitmonchan at the gym instead of his daughter, Ash enters a Fighting Pokémon - only tournament with his Primeape. Team Rocket also enters and resorts to cheating, stealing another man 's Hitmonlee, in order to win. After learning how much his daughter means to him and winning, the man promises to train Primeape to make him stronger, so Ash gives it away and promises to return. 30 30 `` Sparks Fly for Magnemite '' ( Do Coil Dream of Electric Mice ! ? ) `` Koiru wa Denki Nezumi no Yume o Miru ka ! ? '' ( コイル は でんき ネズミ の ユメ を みる か ! ? ) October 21, 1997 October 16, 1998 The group arrives in Gringy City where everything is dark and gloomy. A Magnemite follows Pikachu everywhere ever since he caught a peculiar illness, but it is the Grimers and Muk that are causing trouble in a local Power Plant. Ash captures Muk and Pikachu is cured of his cold. 31 31 `` Dig Those Diglett ! '' ( Full of Digda ! ) `` Diguda ga Ippai ! '' ( ディグダ が いっぱい ! ) October 28, 1997 October 19, 1998 Ash finds himself among a group of Pokémon Trainers hired to protect a construction site from the interfering ground Pokémon, Diglett. The construction is shut down after it is revealed that the Diglett and Dugtrio are trying to protect their home. Jessie 's Ekans and James ' Koffing evolve into Arbok and Weezing respectively. 32 32 `` The Ninja - Poké Showdown '' ( Sekichiku Ninja Showdown ! ) `` Sekichiku Ninja Taiketsu ! '' ( セキチク に んじゃ たい けつ ! ) November 4, 1997 October 20, 1998 The group finds a strange - looking ninja - style mansion. They explore it and encounter various traps. Soon, they discover that this is the Fuchsia Gym and Ash battles Koga, the Gym Leader, for the Soul Badge. When Team Rocket disrupts their battle, Misty discovers how powerful her Psyduck really is. 33 33 `` The Flame Pokémon - athon ! '' ( The Big Fire Pokémon Race ! ) `` Honō no Pokemon Dai Rēsu ! '' ( ほ の お の ポケモン だい レース ! ) November 11, 1997 October 21, 1998 The group arrive at the Laramie Ranch where a family of ranchers, with their daughter, Lara and her Ponyta, prepares for an annual Pokémon race. Ash takes over as Ponyta 's rider when Lara gets hurt due to Team Rocket 's interference. Then, Team Rocket helps a rival competitor to win the race by setting up traps for other participants. As the race continues, however, Ponyta evolves into Rapidash and wins the race. 34 34 `` The Kangaskhan Kid '' ( Garura 's Lullaby ) `` Garūra no Komoriuta '' ( ガルーラ の こもり うた ) November 18, 1997 October 22, 1998 Ash and his friends arrive at the Safari Zone, unaware that the part they have entered is a protected preserve when an Officer Jenny disguised as Chansey nearly arrests them for poaching. They come across a wild boy named Tommy that leads a herd of Kangaskhan and eventually find Tommy 's parents, who were searching for him since he was only three. Unfortunately, Tommy thinks that the Kangaskhan are his family. After battling Team Rocket, Tommy 's parents also become part of the Kangaskhan family. 35 -- `` The Legend of Dratini '' `` Miniryū no Densetsu '' ( ミニリュウ ので ん せつ ) November 25, 1997 -- Ash and his friends get challenged by Team Rocket in seeing who can capture the most Pokémon within the Safari Zone, with Ash catching a whole herd of Tauros. As soon as Ash and his friends head out Pokémon hunting, Team Rocket manages to get the drop on the game warden ( Mr. Kaiza ) and forces him into giving up the location on where Dratini is ( the Dragon Valley ). In the end, Ash, his friends, Team Rocket, and Kaiza end up seeing the legendary Dratini and Dragonair, with the heroes saving the day. This episode was deemed controversial, due to the use of guns, which causes confusion because Ash captures thirty Tauros. 36 35 `` The Bridge Bike Gang '' ( Stormy Cycling Road ) `` Arashi no Saikuringu Rōdo '' ( あらし の サイクリング ロード ) December 2, 1997 October 23, 1998 Continuing their journey, the group came across a bridge which could be used as a shortcut to the next town. They soon discover that the bridge is too long to walk and they would need bicycles to cross. They go to the Pokémon Center where Nurse Joy asks them to take some medicine to a sick Pokémon across the bridge. On their way, a bicycle gang appears to cause trouble and Team Rocket is helping them. When Ash and his friends decide to cross the bridge during a storm, the bicyclists realize that they are acting selflessly, and help them. 37 36 `` Ditto 's Mysterious Mansion '' ( Metamon and the Copycat Girl ) `` Metamon to Monomane Musume '' ( メタモン と ものまね むすめ ) December 9, 1997 October 26, 1998 During a storm, Ash and his friends arrive at a mysterious Mansion. While there, Ash meets Duplica, a girl who is an expert at impersonation, and she happens to own Ditto, a Pokémon that can transform into any Pokémon. However, Ditto can not seem to figure out how to change its face, a fact that stopped Duplica 's variety show. As they all try to help Ditto perfect its transformation, Team Rocket tries to steal the Ditto so it can transform into a Dratini which they can give to the boss. 38 -- `` Cyber Soldier Porygon '' `` Dennō Senshi Porigon '' ( で ん の うせん し ポリゴン ) December 16, 1997 -- Satoshi and his friends arrive at Pokémon Center where the Monster Ball transfer machine has been causing problems, as the transferred Pokémon never end up at the other side. Satoshi and his friends decide to accompany Porygon, a computerized Pokémon, used by Professor Akihabara to investigate the problem, only to discover Rocket - dan and another Porygon are to blame. This episode was deemed controversial due to a scene with red and blue strobe lights causing a huge pair of seizures on Japanese viewers. The episode has also since been removed from rotation within Japan. 39 37 `` Holiday Hi - Jynx '' ( Rougela 's Christmas ) `` Rūjura no Kurisumasu '' ( ルージュラ の クリスマス ) October 5, 1998 December 11, 1999 Ash, Misty, Brock, and their Pokémon must return a lost Jynx to Santa before Christmas, with the help of a Lapras. Meanwhile, Jessie attempts to take revenge on Santa for stealing her favorite doll when she was young. 40 38 `` Snow Way Out '' ( Iwark as a Bivouac ) `` Iwāku de Bibāku '' ( イワーク で ビバーク ) October 5, 1998 December 18, 1999 Ash and his friends are trapped in a snowstorm. Brock suggests that the group uses his Onix to create a bivouac. They are about to start when a strong gust of wind blows Pikachu away, and Ash tries to save him. After saving Pikachu who is about to fall off a cliff, Ash finds himself separated from the rest of the group. He and his other Pokémon must brave out the rest of the storm together in a cave. 41 39 `` Pikachu 's Goodbye '' ( Forest of Pikachu ) `` Pikachū no Mori '' ( ピカチュウ の もり ) April 16, 1998 November 20, 1998 The group come into a forest where it is quiet and peaceful. They notice a large group of Pikachu that Ash 's Pikachu tries to make friends with. After saving a young Pikachu from drowning and rescuing the herd from Team Rocket, Ash 's Pikachu is welcomed among the other Pikachu as one of their own. Saddened by this sudden distance, Ash tries to leave Pikachu behind ( to Misty and Brock 's shock and dismay ), thinking that in the long run, it is going to be better off with its own kind. As they attempt to leave the forest with Ash still standing his ground on leaving Pikachu, the three friends are surprised when Pikachu returns to them, flanked by the other wild Pikachu including the younger Pikachu it risked its life to save earlier. The episode ends with Ash and Pikachu having an emotional reunion and hugging one another while the rest of the wild Pikachu cheer for the two of them as Brock and Misty look on. 42 40 `` The Battling Eevee Brothers '' ( The 4 Eievui Brothers ) `` Ībui Yon Kyōdai '' ( イーブイ 4 きょう だい ) April 16, 1998 October 27, 1998 While traveling through the woods, the group encounters an Eevee that was apparently abandoned near a tree. They take it to its address in Stone Town and find it belongs to a little boy named Mikey. His three brothers are pressuring him into evolving his Eevee into one of three forms ; -- Jolteon, Vaporeon, or Flareon ; -- at an Evolution Party, where everyone uses Evolution Stones to evolve their Pokémon. However, the Evolution Party is disrupted by Team Rocket, and Mikey manages to use Eevee on its own to show his brothers that he does not need to evolve his beloved Eevee. 43 41 `` Wake Up, Snorlax ! '' ( Wake Up ! Kabigon ! ) `` Okiro ! Kabigon ! '' ( おきろ ! カビゴン ! ) April 23, 1998 October 28, 1998 Ash and his friends arrive at a town which is having problems with their water source. It seems that a Snorlax is blocking the water path. Team Rocket plans to capture the Snorlax, but Ash and his friends find help from an unexpected source. 44 42 `` Showdown at Dark City '' ( Showdown ! Pokémon Gym ! ) `` Taiketsu ! Pokemon Jimu ! '' ( たい けつ ! ポケモン ジム ! ) April 30, 1998 October 29, 1998 Upon entering Dark City, Ash and his friends discover that Pokémon Trainers are n't liked due to two rival Gyms who involve Ash and the gang as well as Team Rocket in their feuds to become the city 's legitimate Pokémon Gym. 45 43 `` The March of the Exeggutor Squad '' ( The Huge March of the Nassy Squad ! ) `` Nasshī Gundan Daikōshin ! '' ( ナッシー ぐんだん だい こうしん ! ) May 7, 1998 October 30, 1998 When at a carnival, Ash and his friends meet a magician who is really losing his touch and fails in his own magic show. In his effort to get better, he decides to hypnotize Ash and uses his Pokémon Exeggcute to capture loads of Exeggutor. But the Exeggutor end up hypnotizing themselves and Team Rocket and almost destroy the entire carnival. Luckily, they are saved by Charmander, who evolves into a disobedient Charmeleon. 46 44 `` The Problem with Paras '' ( Paras and Parasect ) `` Parasu to Parasekuto '' ( パラス と パラセクト ) May 14, 1998 February 13, 1999 Having run out of medicine, Ash and his friends go to a local shop to get some Potions. However, they do n't have much due to the owner 's Paras being weak. Ash and his friends decide to help out the owner by training her Paras, hoping that it can evolve into Parasect. 47 45 `` The Song of Jigglypuff '' ( Sing ! Purin ! ) `` Utatte ! Purin ! '' ( うたっ て ! プリン ! ) May 21, 1998 February 20, 1999 Entering Neon Town, a bustling Metropolis where everyone is tired and rude, Ash and his friends find a Jigglypuff who is too shy to sing its hypnotic song. Realizing they can kill two birds with one stone, Misty tries to teach the Jigglypuff to sing while Team Rocket attempts to record the song so they can use it against Ash. Everyone falls asleep, including Ash and his friends and Team Rocket, and a miffed Jigglypuff uses the marker hidden in her microphone to draw on everyone 's sleeping faces. From this point on, Jigglypuff follows Ash around trying to sing her song to a crowd that will not fall asleep in almost every episode. 48 46 `` Attack of the Prehistoric Pokémon '' ( Resurrected ! ? Fossil Pokémon ! ) `` Fukkatsu ! ? Kaseki Pokemon ! '' ( ふっかつ ! ? か せき ポケモン ! ) May 28, 1998 February 27, 1999 Arriving at a canyon to find an old fashioned fossil hunt, Ash, Gary and the gang decide to join in. But Team Rocket arrives and intends to blow the canyon up. Ash, Pikachu, and Team Rocket fall into a pit which is full of awakened ancient Pokémon. Their only hope rests in Ash 's disobedient Charmeleon, which evolves into a powerful, yet still disobedient Charizard to defeat a raging Aerodactyl. In the end, the ancient Pokémon are sealed away once more ( along with a terrified Team Rocket ) and Officer Jenny dismisses the entire event as a side effect caused by Jigglypuff 's singing. Ash, however, finds a rare Pokémon egg in the chaos and keeps it. 49 47 `` A Chansey Operation '' ( Lucky 's Clinical Records ) `` Rakkī no Karute '' ( ラッキー の カルテ ) June 4, 1998 March 6, 1999 After Pikachu gets an apple stuck in its throat, Ash and his friends rush it to a Pokémon Center. After being treated, they hear of a traffic accident ( caused by Team Rocket ) that has left many Pokémon injured so Ash and the gang are recruited to help treat the Pokémon. 50 48 `` Holy Matrimony ! '' ( Gardie and Kojirou ) `` Gādi to Kojirō '' ( ガーディ と コジロウ ) June 11, 1998 March 13, 1999 After finding a missing person sign featuring James, Ash and his friends decide to find James and inform him of his parents ' death. However James ' parents turn out to be alive, and their death was only a decoy to get him to return home to the rich Jessie - look - alike Jessebelle, a girl James was arranged to marry from when he was a little child. James has left because Jessebelle is terrifying, so everyone tries to save James from this fate, including James ' old pet Growlithe, Growlie. 51 49 `` So Near, Yet So Farfetch 'd '' ( Kamonegi 's Easy Mark ) `` Kamonegi no Kamo '' ( カモネギ の カモ ) June 18, 1998 March 20, 1999 When Misty 's PokéBalls are stolen by Farfetch 'd, Ash and the gang investigate to try to find the thief and get all the stolen things back. Note this episode was originally aired out of order. 52 50 `` Who Gets to Keep Togepi ? '' ( Whose Is Togepy ! ? ) `` Togepī wa Dare no Mono ! ? '' ( トゲピー はだれ の もの ! ? ) June 25, 1998 March 27, 1999 When the egg Ash found hatches into a brand new Pokémon, Togepi, everyone wants to own it. They decide to have a small Pokémon Tournament. Ash, who found it, claims he should be the one to keep it. In the end, Ash wins the tournament, but since Misty was the first person Togepi saw when he hatched, he thinks she is his mother and stays with her. 53 51 `` Bulbasaur 's Mysterious Garden '' ( Fushigidane 's Mysterious Flower Garden ) `` Fushigidane no Fushigi na Hanazono '' ( フシギダネ の ふしぎ の はなぞの ) July 2, 1998 April 3, 1999 When Bulbasaur gets injured in a battle, it starts to feel and act different. Ash takes Bulbasaur to a Pokémon Center and is informed that Bulbasaur is just ready to evolve. After hearing this Ash gets totally excited that he did n't even think if Bulbasaur even wanted to evolve. Not knowing that it is time for the Bulbasaur festival when all Bulbasaur in the region evolve. Bulbasaur gets kidnapped by a group of Bulbasaur led by a nasty Venusaur and taken to the festival against its will. 54 52 `` Princess vs. Princess '' ( Fierce Fighting ! Pokémon Girls ' Festival ) `` Gekitō ! Pokemon Hinamatsuri '' ( げき とう ! ポケモン ひなまつり ) July 9, 1998 September 4, 1999 It is the Queen of the Princess Festival and Misty and Jessie are going all out for it. After hours of shopping, they both decide to enter the Queen of the Princess Festival Battle Tournament to win the dolls they both coveted when they were children. 55 53 `` The Purr - fect Hero '' ( It 's Children 's Day ! Everyone Come Together ! ) `` Kodomo no Hi da yo ! Zen'in Shūgō ! '' ( こども の ひだ よ ! ぜん いん しゅう ごう ! ) July 9, 1998 September 11, 1999 Ash and his friends arrive at a small school on Kids ' Day and let the children play with their Pokémon. One of the children only wants to meet Meowth after being saved by a wild one from a Beedrill. Team Rocket 's Meowth pretends to be his hero, but is soon caught by Misty. Later, Timmy is saved again by the wild Meowth. 56 54 `` The Case of the K - 9 Caper ! '' ( Gardie the Police Dog ) `` Keisatsuken Gādi '' ( けい さ つけん ガーディ ) July 16, 1998 April 10, 1999 When Ash and his friends see a group of Growlithe training against a Policeman posing as a robber, Ash decides for him and Pikachu to do the same training to become the best they can be. However, when Team Rocket comes to steal them, Officer Jenny, Ash, and the gang 's voice gets changed, causing the Growlithe to think that Team Rocket are the Officers as they use their ears to follow command. 57 55 `` Pokémon Paparazzi '' ( Shutter Chance Pikachu ) `` Shattā Chansu wa Pikachū '' ( シャッター チャンス は ピカチュウ ) July 23, 1998 April 17, 1999 While eating Brock 's riceballs, Ash hears a shutter which he thinks is a gun. It 's really a camera belonging to a photographer named Todd. Todd was hired by Team Rocket to capture Pikachu, but he thinks they want him to capture a picture of him. After the confusion, Todd joins the group. 58 56 `` The Ultimate Test '' ( Pokémon League Certification Test ! ? ) `` Pokemon Rīgu Kenteishiken ! ? '' ( ポケモン けん てい しけん ! ? ) July 30, 1998 April 24, 1999 While traveling, Ash notes it has been a long time since his last Badge, so Todd suggests he takes the Pokémon League exam. Passing the exam would get him an immediate entry into the competition. But Ash being over confident of himself of passing the exam he totally fails in the first and second tests. In the third test, Team Rocket interferes the match and uses their given Pokémon to take revenge on the examinator for giving them a hard time on the first and second tests. In the end the examinator commands their given Pokémon to attack Team Rocket instead of himself, which sends them blasting off again. 59 57 `` The Breeding Center Secret '' ( The Secret of the Breeding Center ! ) `` Sodate - ya no Himitsu ! '' ( そだてや の ひみつ ! ) August 6, 1998 May 1, 1999 After putting Psyduck in a breeding center, Misty learns that she needs it to get some food from a generous chef. But when she goes to get it, Ash and the gang discover a diabolical plot by two other Team Rocket members, Cassidy and Butch, who are trying to steal Pokémon, and in doing so, Ash and the gang get framed, captured, and arrested by Officer Jenny. 60 58 `` Riddle Me This '' ( Burn ! Guren Gym ! ) `` Moero ! Guren Jimu ! '' ( もえろ ! グレンジム ! ) August 13, 1998 September 18, 1999 After reaching Cinnabar Island, Ash, Brock, and Misty are dismayed to find that the Gym has closed due to crowds of tourists coming to the island and lack of serious trainers. Desperate for his seventh badge, Ash goes around and meets a riddle master who gives him clues about the real Gym 's secret location. After finding the Gym in the island 's volcano, the riddle master appears and reveals that he is actually Blaine, the Gym Leader Ash has been searching for. Ash begins his battle against Blaine with his first Pokémon, Squirtle who loses to Blaine 's Ninetales and Charizard simply refusing to battle Blaine 's Rhydon. Eventually, Pikachu wins against Rhydon but Blaine has a secret weapon up his sleeve in the form of the Fire Pokémon, Magmar. With Pikachu 's electric attacks rendered useless, Magmar pushes Pikachu closer and closer to the edge of the battlefield. The episode ends in a cliffhanger as it shows Pikachu standing, determined as Magmar 's Fire Blast, the most powerful attack that Fire Pokémon have edges ever closer to the Electric Mouse. 61 59 `` Volcanic Panic '' ( Decisive Battle ! Guren Gym ! ) `` Kessen ! Guren Jimu ! '' ( けっせん ! グレンジム ! ) August 20, 1998 September 18, 1999 Pikachu successfully dodges Magmar 's Fire Blast but is left hanging over the edge and is left injured. Upon realizing that no Gym Badge is worth losing Pikachu and that he would be disqualified if he continues, Ash forfeits the match but vows not to leave Cinnabar Island until he has beaten both Blaine and Magmar in a rematch and gotten the Volcano Badge. But when the Gym and island come under threat after Team Rocket 's interference, Ash 's Charizard, Pikachu, Squirtle, Blaine 's Magmar, Misty 's Staryu, Brock 's Geodude, and Onix work together and eventually triumph in preventing the volcano from blowing which would destroy the island. As thanks, Blaine agrees to have a rematch with Ash. With the battlefield damaged beyond repair, the trainers settle for the top of the volcano. Blaine determines that the match will be one on one where only one Pokémon can be used and puts forward his Magmar. Ash 's Pikachu volunteers itself but in a surprise twist, Ash 's Charizard selects itself to battle much to the surprise of Ash and the group. After an intense battle where Ash looks set to lose, Charizard manages to turn things around by using its Seismic Toss which results in Magmar being knocked out and finally granting Ash his Volcano Badge. 62 60 `` Beach Blank - Out Blastoise '' ( Kamex 's Island ) `` Kamekkusu no Shima '' ( カメックス の しま ) August 27, 1998 September 20, 1999 On their way back to the mainland, Ash accidentally knocks into a Blastoise, a ruler of a small island that will not awake from its slumber. Squirtle dons his old persona as head of the Squirtle Squad to solve the case. It turns out Jigglypuff is stuck in one of Blastoise 's blasters. 63 61 `` The Misty Mermaid '' ( Hanada Gym ! Underwater Battle ! ) `` Hanada Jimu ! Suichū no Tatakai ! '' ( ハナダジム ! すい ちゅう の たたかい ! ) September 3, 1998 September 23, 1999 Upon returning to Cerulean City, Misty is asked by her sisters to help out with a new underwater show. She decides to help for this underwater play with her Pokémon, but Team Rocket arrives and try to ruin things. At the end of the episode, Misty leaves her Starmie and Horsea with her sisters to assist in further shows. 64 62 `` Clefairy Tales '' ( Pippi vs. Purin ) `` Pippi Tai Purin '' ( ピッピ VS プリン ) September 10, 1998 September 25, 1999 In Viridian City, Ash and his friends are victims to several thefts by some Clefairy. While investigating with Mr. Oswald, they discover the Clefairy are building a spaceship. 65 63 `` The Battle of the Badge '' ( Tokiwa Gym ! The Last Badge ! ) `` Tokiwa Jimu ! Saigo no Bajji ! '' ( トキワジム ! さい ご の バッジ ! ) September 17, 1998 September 25, 1999 Ash goes to the Gym in Viridian City, but Gary gets in there before him and challenges the Gym Leader for his own satisfaction, as he has already won ten Gym Badges. The Gym Leader, Team Rocket 's commander Giovanni, agrees to the fight, eventually using a never before seen Pokémon ( Mewtwo ), which the Pokédex can not identify, to easily defeat Gary. Team Rocket kidnaps and tries to give Togepi to Giovanni, but Giovanni thinks it is useless. Giovanni leaves the Gym and puts Jessie, James, and Meowth in charge. Ash challenges them and after losing three of Giovanni 's Pokémon, Jessie and James use their own. Togepi sends them blasting off when it plays with the remote controls, and Ash wins the Earth Badge, his eighth and final badge. 66 64 `` It 's Mr. Mime Time ! '' ( Barrierd of the Pokémon Circus ) `` Pokemon Sākasu no Bariyādo '' ( ポケモン サーカス の バリヤード ) September 24, 1998 September 27, 1999 Upon heading back to Pallet Town, Ash and his friends see a Mr. Mime trying to escape from a trainer who runs a circus. Unable to get the circus ' overweight Mr. Mime to act, Ash and the gang have to find another one to take its place. The gang choose to dress up Ash so he can look like a Mr. Mime. Meanwhile, the Mr. Mime from earlier comes to the Ketchum residence and is mistaken by Mrs. Ketchum for Ash. 67 65 `` Showdown at the Po - ké Corral '' ( Rival Showdown ! Ōkido Laboratory ) `` Raibaru Taiketsu ! Ōkido Kenkyūjo '' ( ライバル たい けつ ! オーキド けん きゅうじょ ) October 8, 1998 September 30, 1999 Back in Pallet Town, Ash finds Gary, already there, waiting to partake in the Pokémon League. Always having a bitter rivalry with Gary, Professor Oak tells them both the meaning of Pokémon. Meanwhile, Team Rocket is trying to get inside the lab to steal the Pokémon after their headquarters is destroyed by Mewtwo. 68 66 `` The Evolution Solution '' ( When Yadon Becomes Yadoran ) `` Yadon ga Yadoran ni naru Toki '' ( ヤドン が ヤドラン に なる とき ) October 15, 1998 October 2, 1999 Ash goes to Seafoam Island to help Professor Oak to discover the mystery of how Slowpoke evolves into Slowbro. There, Professor Westwood V is also trying to solve the mystery. Jessie captures Shellder, and tries to rush a Slowpoke 's evolution, forcing Psyduck to stall the evolution. 69 67 `` The Pi - Kahuna '' ( Legend of the Surfing Pikachu ) `` Naminori Pikachū no Densetsu '' ( な みのり ピカチュウ ので ん せつ ) October 22, 1998 October 2, 1999 Ash and the gang take some time off to go surfing. While surfing, however, Ash passes out, but is thankfully rescued by a surfer named Victor and his blue - eyed Pikachu, Puka. Victor then reveals his plans to surf a tsunami called Humungadunga and become a surfing legend. 70 68 `` Make Room for Gloom '' ( Kusaihana of Botanical Garden ) `` Shokubutsuen no Kusaihana '' ( しょく ぶつ えん の クサイハナ ) October 29, 1998 October 4, 1999 Ash goes to a flower garden to get some fertilizer for his mother, but Bulbasaur sniffs the flowers and becomes paralyzed. 71 69 `` Lights, Camera, Quack - tion ! '' ( Pokémon the Movie ! ) `` Pokemon za Mūbī ! '' ( ポケモン ・ ザ ・ ムービー ! ) November 5, 1998 October 8, 1999 When the gang discovers there is a movie with an all Pokémon cast being made nearby, Ash and his friends put their Pokémon in for an audition. Misty 's Psyduck gets the main role while the others get minor roles. 72 70 `` Go West, Young Meowth '' ( Nyarth 's A-I-U-E-O ) `` Nyāsu no Aiueo '' ( ニャース の あいうえお ) November 12, 1998 October 9, 1999 Ash, his friends, and Delia go to Hollywood to see the premiere of the movie their Pokémon were cast in. Team Rocket follows them to find out that Meowth has history in this town ; It is here where he was a member of a gang of street Meowths led by the Persian. He learned to speak and walk upright to win the heart of a female Meowth who was abandoned by her owner. Upon returning, he challenges Persian who was once his mentor for the female Meowth he thought he lost years before. 73 71 `` To Master the Onixpected ! '' ( Elite Four Shiba Appears ! ) `` Shitennō Shiba Tōjō ! '' ( し てん の う シバ とう じょう ! ) November 19, 1998 October 11, 1999 After watching Elite Four member Bruno on TV, Ash and his friends decide to do training in the mountains to be as strong as Bruno. However, they meet Bruno and he manipulates them to do some menial tasks for him. Meanwhile, a giant Onix is on a rampage. 74 72 `` The Ancient Puzzle of Pokémopolis '' ( Clash ! Super-Ancient Pokémon ) `` Gekitotsu ! Chō Kodai Pokemon '' ( げき と つ ! ちょう こ だい ポケモン ) November 26, 1998 October 14, 1999 While training, Ash and his friends accidentally uncover the ruins of Pokémopolis, an ancient city. After a bit of research, they find a giant Gengar and a giant Alakazam starting to fight. Then, a giant Jigglypuff appears to put them to sleep. 75 73 `` Bad to the Bone ! '' ( Garagara 's Bone Club ) `` Garagara no Hone Konbō '' ( ガラガラ の ホネ こんぼう ) December 3, 1998 October 16, 1999 Ash and his friends offer to help a trainer that is heading for the Pokémon League to retrieve his stolen gym badges from Team Rocket. 76 74 `` All Fired Up ! '' ( Fire ! The Pokémon League Opening Ceremony ! ) `` Faiyā ! Pokemon Rīgu Kaikaishiki ! '' ( ファイヤー ! ポケモン リーグ かい かいしき ! ) December 10, 1998 October 23, 1999 Ash finally reaches the Indigo Plateau, home of the Pokémon League conference. Before the tournament begins, they plan on lighting a ceremonial cauldron with the flame of the legendary Pokémon, Moltres. Ash, as a participant, is free to carry the flame but when Team Rocket steals it, the tournament may be cancelled. 77 75 `` Round One : Begin ! '' ( Pokémon League Begins ! Water Field ! ) `` Pokemon Rīgu Kaimaku ! Mizu no Fīrudo ! '' ( ポケモン リーグ かい まく ! みずの フィールド ! ) December 17, 1998 October 30, 1999 Ash enters his first match of the tournament on the water field against Mandi the Astounding. During the battle against Mandi 's Exeggutor, Ash 's Krabby evolves into Kingler, who he then uses against Mandi 's remaining Seadra and Golbat, winning the match and moving onto the next preliminary round. 78 76 `` Fire and Ice '' ( Ice Field ! Blazing Battle ! ) `` Kōri no Fīrudo ! Honō no Tatakai ! '' ( こおり の フィールド ! ほ の お の たたかい ! ) December 24, 1998 November 6, 1999 For the second round Ash battles in the rock arena. Ash 's last Pokémon, Squirtle, defeats his foe 's last Pokémon, Nidorino, and he, victorious, moves on to Round 3. In the third round, Ash faces a trainer named Pete in the ice arena. Both trainers are left with 2 Pokémon each. Pete uses Cloyster and Arcanine. In the end, Ash is victorious and he moves on to Round 4. 79 77 `` The Fourth Round Rumble '' ( Grass Field ! Unexpected Rival ! ) `` Kusa no Fīrudo ! Igai na Kyōteki ! '' ( くさ の フィールド ! い がい な きょう てき ! ) January 1, 1999 November 13, 1999 During the 4th Round, Gary ends up losing after his Nidoking is defeated by a Golem. Meanwhile Ash faces against his toughest opponent yet, a trainer named Jeanette, who uses a Beedrill, a Scyther, and a Bellsprout. After a hard fought battle, the match ends with Ash victorious, and he moves on to the 5th round, becoming one of the final sixteen members of the tournament. 80 78 `` A Friend in Deed '' ( Rival Appears ! ) `` Raibaru Tōjō ! '' ( ライバル とう じょう ! ) January 7, 1999 November 20, 1999 Ash meets a new trainer named Richie, who is eerily similar to Ash, including owning a Pikachu. However, Team Rocket makes another attempt to steal Ash 's and Richie 's Pokémon. Ash and Richie prevent Team Rocket from stealing their Pokémon. Ash discovers his next battle is against Richie. Will Ash manage to reach the quarterfinals ? 81 79 `` Friend and Foe Alike '' ( Sekiei Stadium ! Vs. Hiroshi ! ) `` Sekiei Sutajiamu ! Tai Hiroshi ! '' ( セキエイ スタジアム ! VS ヒロシ ! ) January 14, 1999 November 27, 1999 After making a promise with Richie that he will have the best battle of his life, Ash is kidnapped by Team Rocket, who scheme to prevent him from participating in his fifth round match against Richie, let alone steal Pikachu. Ash is not about to let Team Rocket make him break the promise he made with Richie, so he is able to eventually escape. However, he loses due to his Charizard refusing his orders in the final stretch of his battle against Richie. Richie moves on to the quarterfinals. 82 80 `` Friends to the End '' ( Pokémon League ! Final Battle ! ) `` Pokemon Rīgu ! Saigo no Tatakai ! '' ( ポケモン リーグ ! さい ご の たたかい ! ) January 21, 1999 November 27, 1999 After losing to Richie in the fifth round, Ash is moping around, annoyed that he lost. He is convinced by Misty that he should support Richie who is now in the quarterfinals. However, when Richie loses, they both have to look inside themselves to see if they are good trainers. Notes Jump up ^ This episode was shown as a `` sneak preview '' episode in the United States on September 7, 1998, a day before the series ' premiere. Jump up ^ This episode was initially removed from rotation in the United States. It was later broadcast as a `` lost episode ''. Jump up ^ This episode was removed from rotation in the United States following the September 11 attacks. Jump up ^ This episode was removed from rotation for a short period of time in the United States following the September 11 attacks. Jump up ^ This episode was banned due to the excessive use of guns which subsequently caused continuity problems due to Ash capturing a herd of Tauros. Jump up ^ This episode was banned due to the excessive use of guns which subsequently caused continuity problems due to Ash capturing a herd of Tauros. Jump up ^ This episode was removed from rotation worldwide following the epilepsy epidemic it caused. Jump up ^ This episode was removed from rotation Jump up ^ This episode caused a controversy in the United States and Japan due to the original depiction of the Pokémon Jynx. ^ Jump up to : These episodes aired in Japan as an hour - long special. ^ Jump up to : These episodes were aired together as part of an hour - long special to commemorate the return to broadcast after the `` Dennō Senshi Porygon '' incident. Jump up ^ This is the final syndicated episode in the United States before a 3 - month hiatus during the transfer to the Kids ' WB block. ^ Jump up to : This episode was originally scheduled to air on the day of its respective Japanese holiday. However, due to the `` Dennō Senshi Porygon '' incident the episode 's broadcast was pushed back too far. It was instead broadcast as an hour - long special with the other holiday - themed episode. Jump up ^ In the DVD box set for the season, this episode 's title is given as `` Hollywood Heartbreak ''. References Jump up ^ `` Pokemon Indigo League Seasons ''. Retrieved 2018 - 01 - 03. Jump up ^ `` Pokémon DVD : TV ''. akacool.com. Archived from the original on 2009 - 01 - 31. Retrieved 2009 - 01 - 23. Jump up ^ `` Pokémon Indigo League DVD Guide ''. bulbagarden.net. Retrieved 2009 - 01 - 23. Jump up ^ `` Pokemon Season One : Indigo League Pt. 1 ''. Amazon.com ( US ), Amazon.com, Inc. Retrieved 2013 - 12 - 02. External links Pokémon US official website Pokémon anime website at TV Tokyo ( in Japanese ) Pokémon TV Anime at Pokémon JP official website ( in Japanese ) Pokémon Nintendo Game Freak Satoshi Tajiri Ken Sugimori Junichi Masuda Creatures Inc. The Pokémon Company Video games ( Video games list ) Main series Red & Blue Yellow Gold & Silver ( Crystal ) Ruby & Sapphire Emerald Diamond & Pearl Platinum Black & White Black 2 & White 2 X & Y Sun & Moon Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon Remakes FireRed & LeafGreen HeartGold & SoulSilver Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire Console games Snap Stadium Stadium 2 Colosseum XD : Gale of Darkness Battle Revolution Pokkén Tournament Other Go Mystery Dungeon TCG Online Shuffle Duel Detective Pikachu Television series ( seasons 1 -- 13, 14 -- current ) Original Indigo League `` Pokémon, I Choose You ! 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Question: when does the first pokemon movie take place in the series
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