Pokémon Theme

:If you were looking for the CD, see Pokémon Theme (single).
----
Pokémon Theme is the opening theme song for the English dub of the first season, Pokémon: Indigo League, and is the first opening theme song for the English dub of the second season, Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Islands. It was used from Pokémon - I Choose You! to Poké Ball Peril (to Friends to the End in the VIZ Media DVD release). Being featured in 82 episodes, it is the most-used dub opening theme. The opening animation is composed of clips from the first Japanese opening, Aim to Be a Pokémon Master, and episode clips from the Pokémon: Indigo League season. It was written and produced by John Loeffler. The lead vocal was sung by Jason Paige.
The song was played at the end of the VHS A Sneak Peek at Pokémon. A full version of the song is available on the Pokémon 2.B.A. Master and audio CDs, and includes a second verse not usually heard in the show. This version is also featured in the episodes Bye Bye Butterfree, All Fired Up!, and Friends To The End. 
The song was covered by , and this version played during the opening credits of Mewtwo Strikes Back, and is the first track on the movie's soundtrack.
"Pokémon Theme" was later interpolated in the first verse of Born to Be a Winner, the opening for the English dub's fourth season, Johto League Champions.
A second remix titled Pokémon Theme (Version XY) is the opening theme song for the season Pokémon the Series: XY. It was used from Kalos, Where Dreams and Adventures Begin! to Bonnie for the Defense!. The opening animation is composed of clips from the first Pokémon the Series: XY Japanese opening, V (Volt). A full-length version is used as the opening song of Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction.
An orchestral version of the song was performed in Pokémon: Symphonic Evolutions.
A third remix titled Pokémon Theme (Gotta Catch 'Em All) was the opening theme of I Choose You!. It was performed by Ben Dixon, produced by Ed Goldfarb and Stan Cotey, and mixed by Jeff Stuart Saltzman. A solo piano version of the theme performed by Goldfarb is used as part of the ending after . It is also used as an insert song in Partners in Time!. 
A fourth remix titled Pokémon Theme (Mewtwo Mix) was the opening theme of Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution. It was performed by Ben Dixon and The Sad Truth with additional vocals by Haven Paschall, Charity Goodin, and Hilary Thomas, with the power inside by Dani Marcus, guitar by James Harman, synths and FX by Steve Mayer, arranged and produced by Ed Goldfarb, and mixed by Jeff Stuart Saltzman. An instrumental version of the original theme is used during the post-credits scene after Keep Evolving.
The song is also partly sung in by while in a state of misery.
==Versions==
! Year
! Title
! Artist
! Arrangement
! Used in
|-
| 1998
| Pokémon Theme
|rowspan=2| Jason Paige
|rowspan=3| John Siegler
| Pokémon: Indigo League, Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Islands
|-
| 1999
| Pokémon Theme
| Pokémon 2.B.A. Master, 
|-
| 1999
| Pokémon Theme
| Billy Crawford
| Pokémon: The First Movie - Mewtwo Strikes Back
|-
| 2014
| Pokémon Theme (Version XY)
|rowspan=2| Ben Dixon and The Sad Truth
|rowspan=4| Ed Goldfarb
| Pokémon the Series: XY
|-
| 2014
| Pokémon Theme (Version XY)
| Pokémon the Movie: Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction
|-
| 2017
| Pokémon Theme (Gotta Catch 'Em All)
| Ben Dixon
| Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!
|-
| 2020
| Pokémon Theme (Mewtwo Mix)
| Ben Dixon and The Sad Truth
| Pokémon: Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution
|}
|}
==Opening animation: Dub OP 1==
===Synopsis===
The clip begins with and a shining floating in space, as the camera focuses on Earth, while the sun starts to rise. The next scene shows alone in a stadium. After that, a , and are shown quickly, before changing to a being caught, to which Ash snaps excitedly. Shortly afterwards, the camera shows a using on , paralyzing him.
Ash then flips his hat backwards and throws a to the camera. In the following scene, Ash can be seen running along with his , an and a , who then jumps to the skies, disappearing between the legendary birds, who are flying around. Then, a short clip of a unrolling itself, a and Charmander is shown, followed by Ash and Pikachu sitting on a , as they watch a jumping out of the water, and a jumping in. After that, a Poké Ball is seen trapping a Pokémon who has turned into red energy.
A battle between Pikachu and is seen, with the former dodging a of the latter; and then, a bracing for an ' and a 's incoming attack. In the next scene, Ash is seen hugging his Pikachu, followed by a giant attacking a building. Ash then is seen holding a Poké Ball; followed by an . Later, Ash appears to be looking at the screen, when and appear on either side of him, followed by Jessie and James rising up in front of them. Koffing, and Ekans jump up next, followed by holding a Poké Ball.
The camera then runs across while using , while using and ; before Pikachu runs between Ash and a and jumps. The next scene introduces , Delia Ketchum, Officer Jenny and Nurse Joy, as they nod, the camera then shows a giant Charizard using Flamethrower, and Ash and hide behind a boulder, later, a Squirtle is seen running towards Ash, followed by a hug.
The camera does a close-up on Pikachu, and subsequently zooms out, showing Pikachu standing on a Pidgeotto, a holding a Squirtle, and a holding Bulbasaur. The last scene then shows up, on which Ash raises his feet and throws the Poké Ball to the screen, much like a , followed by a spinning Poké Ball and the Pokémon logo.
===Lyrics===
====TV version====
<ab>I wanna be the very best
Like no one ever was
To catch them is my real test
To train them is my cause
I will travel across the land
Searching far and wide
Teach Pokémon to understandhttp://web.archive.org/web/20150110185036/https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/71284/Gmail%20-%20Re_%20%5BFieldhouse%20Music%5D%20Contact%20Us.pdf (archived link)
The power that's inside
Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), it's you and me
I know it's my destiny
(Pokémon!)
Oh, you're my best friend
In a world we must defend
Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), a heart so true
Our courage will pull us through
You teach me, and I'll teach you
Po-ké-mon
(Gotta catch 'em all!)
Gotta catch 'em all!
Pokémon!</ab>
====Shortened version====
A shorter, 30-second version is used in some airings of Volcanic Panic and Beach Blank-Out Blastoise, as well as the ending for episodes which aired as part of the second season, Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Islands.
<ab>I wanna be the very best
Like no one ever was
To catch them is my real test
To train them is my cause
Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), a heart so true
Our courage will pull us through
You teach me, and I'll teach you
Po-ké-mon
(Gotta catch 'em all!)
Gotta catch 'em all!
Pokémon!</ab>
====Extended version====
<ab>I wanna be the very best
Like no one ever was
To catch them is my real test
To train them is my cause
I will travel across the land
Searching far and wide
Teach Pokémon to understand
The power that's inside
Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), it's you and me
I know it's my destiny
(Pokémon!)
Oh, you're my best friend
In a world we must defend
Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), a heart so true
Our courage will pull us through
You teach me, and I'll teach you
Po-ké-mon!
(Gotta catch 'em all!)
Gotta catch 'em all!
Yeah...
Ev'ry challenge along the way
With courage I will face
I will battle ev'ry day
To claim my rightful place
Come with me, the time is right
There's no better team,
Arm in arm, we'll win the fight
It's always been our dream
Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), it's you and me
I know it's my destiny
(Pokémon!)
Oh, you're my best friend
In a world we must defend
Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), a heart so true
Our courage will pull us through
You teach me, and I'll teach you
Po-ké-mon!
(Gotta catch 'em all!)
Gotta catch 'em all!
Gotta catch 'em all!
Gotta catch 'em all!
Gotta catch 'em all!
Yeah!
Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), it's you and me
I know it's my destiny
(Pokémon!)
Oh, you're my best friend
In a world we must defend
Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), a heart so true
Our courage will pull us through
You teach me, and I'll teach you
Po-ké-mon!
(Gotta catch 'em all!)
Gotta catch 'em all!
Pokémon!</ab>
====Movie version====
<ab>I wanna be the very best
Like no one ever was
To catch them is my real test
To train them is my cause
Ooh-ooh-ooh!
I will travel across the land
Searching far and wide
Each Pokémon to understand
The power that's inside
(That's inside)
Pokémon!
It's you and me
I know it's my destiny
(Pokémon!)
Oh, you're my best friend
In a world we must defend
Pokémon!
A heart so true
Our courage will pull us through
You teach me and I'll teach you
Po-ké-mon
(Gotta catch 'em)
Gotta catch 'em
Gotta catch 'em all
Every challenge along the way
With courage I will face
I will battle every day
To claim my rightful place
Come with me, the time is right
There's no better team, yeah!
Arm in arm we'll win the fight
It's always been our dream
(It's always been our dream)
Pokémon!
It's you and me
I know it's my destiny
(Pokémon!)
Oh, you're my best friend
In a world we must defend
Pokémon!
A heart so true
Our courage will pull us through
You teach me and I'll teach you
Po-ké-mon
(I'll teach you!)
(Gotta catch 'em)
Gotta catch 'em
Gotta catch 'em all!
Pokémon!</ab>
====Extended movie version====
<ab>I wanna be the very best
Like no one ever was
To catch them is my real test
To train them is my cause
Ooh-ooh-ooh!
I will travel across the land
Searching far and wide
Each Pokémon to understand
The power that's inside
(That's inside)
Pokémon!
It's you and me
I know it's my destiny
(Pokémon!)
Oh, you're my best friend
In a world we must defend
Pokémon!
A heart so true
Our courage will pull us through
You teach me and I'll teach you
Po-ké-mon
(Gotta catch 'em)
Gotta catch 'em
Gotta catch 'em all
Every challenge along the way
With courage I will face
I will battle every day
To claim my rightful place
Come with me, the time is right
There's no better team, yeah!
Arm in arm we'll win the fight
It's always been our dream
(It's always been our dream)
Pokémon!
It's you and me
I know it's my destiny
(Pokémon!)
Oh, you're my best friend
In a world we must defend
Pokémon!
A heart so true
Our courage will pull us through
You teach me and I'll teach you
Po-ké-mon
(Gotta catch 'em)
Gotta catch 'em
Pokémon!
Pokémon!
It's you and me
I know it's my destiny
(Pokémon!)
Oh, you're my best friend
In a world we must defend
Pokémon!
A heart so true
Our courage will pull us through
You teach me and I'll teach you
Po-ké-mon
(I'll teach you!)
(Gotta catch 'em)
Gotta catch 'em
Gotta catch 'em all!
Pokémon!</ab>
===Characters===
====Humans====
* 
* 
* 
* Jessie
* James
* Nurse Joy
* Officer Jenny
* 
* 
* 
* 
====Pokémon====
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* (A.J.'s)
* (Giselle's)
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* ()
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
===Opening animation spoilers===
* receives his first Pokémon, .
* The capture of Ash's Bulbasaur.
===Video===
===Credits===
* Lead Vocal: Jason Paige
* BG Vocals: Kati Mac, Jason Paige, John Loeffler, Ken Cummings, Louis Cortelezzi
* Guitars: Larry Saltzman, David Rolfe
* Co-produced and arranged by John Siegler
===Trivia===
* Sheet music for this song was included in Pokémon 2.B.A. Master: Recorder Fun!, the and Pokémon Five-Finger Piano.
* This is one of the songs featured in the American release of .
* This song was included on the Exclusive Target Mix! and Exclusive Toys R Us Mix! CDs.
* This song uses .
* Moltres is the only one of the legendary birds that does not make an appearance in the opening. The footage from Aim to Be A Pokémon Master where it appeared was cut out.
* The first "Pokémon" sung after the guitar solo in the full version has different backing vocals added to it. This can be heard more clearly in the full instrumental version.
* The song was played on BBC Radio One's 2011 Christmas special.
* The singer of the Danish version, Michael Elo, was also the original Danish voice of Professor Oak.
* Xander Mobus, the voice of the Super Smash Bros. announcer since the fourth entry, sang the song upon request but got worn out after the first verse.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQPO-5WjpFU
* The song was number 1666 during the 2015 Top2000 on Radio 2 in the Netherlands.http://www.nporadio2.nl/song/48456/gotta-catch-m-all-pokemon-theme-song
** After its entry into the Top2000, it has stayed in the ranking for the last few years. Placing at number 232 in 2016 (1434 places higher than the previous year), number 284 in 2017, number 115 in 2018, number 127 in 2019 and number 187 in 2020.http://www.nporadio2.nl/song/48456/gotta-catch-m-all-pokemon-theme-song
* A 1998 episode of the Mexican TV show Nintendomania featured a segment on various elements of the Pokémon franchise. A fragment of what seems to be an early version of the song is played, featuring someone other than Jason Paige.https://twitter.com/helixchamber/status/1135226299298004992
* Although the theme was recorded in 1998, the extended theme was recorded in 1999 for the album Pokémon 2.B.A. Master.
* In 2017, Jason Paige performed and recorded a Japanese version of Pokémon Theme, which he uploaded to his official YouTube channel.
* In 2022, Rica Matsumoto performed a cover of Pokémon Theme on Hideaki Takatori's YouTube channel.
*Two Catchphrases in Pokémon Trading Card Game Live reference lyrics from this song. They include, "It's you and me, but victory is MY destiny!", and "On my way to being the very best!"
* A mashup of this and the first Japanese opening titled Pokémon Mezase Catch 'em All was posted on the official English and Japanese YouTube channels on March 10, 2023.
* In the dub, the lyrics used for the opening are taken from the second verse instead of the first.
====Errors====
* When , , and all jump onscreen, Meowth's right fang disappears for a split-second.
* Several official sources (including lyric booklets from music CDs and closed captions in the animated series) mis-transcribe the lyrics as "Each Pokémon to understand the power that's inside." John Loeffler has stated that the intended lyric is "teach", not "each".
* The Polish title is mistranslated as Główny temat Pokémon, whereas "theme" would rather mean "kompozycja" or "motyw" in this context instead of "temat".
===In other languages===
===References===
==Opening animation: Dub OP 17==
===Synopsis===
A thick mist clears and , , , and are shown standing on a hill. Ash and are shown while the scene splits diagonally, with the other half showing Ash and Pikachu eating sandwiches. The next scene shows Serena while the scene splits diagonally, with the other half showing Serena and her Fennekin while she chooses between two hats. She throws the red hat away and wears the pink hat. Clemont and Bonnie are then shown and the scene splits diagonally, with the other half showing Clemont fixing one of his inventions while Bonnie chases after Chespin and Dedenne. Bonnie jumps onto Chespin and Dedenne and Clemont's invention explodes.
The Team Rocket trio is on their balloon, holding binoculars. accidentally falls and Jessie and James try to grab him. comes out of its and the trio falls out of their balloon. Ash commands Pikachu to use . Chespin uses , while Clemont instructs Bunnelby to use . Bonnie jumps for joy while Dedenne uses . Serena is shown while Fennekin uses . Ash is then shown while Froakie shoots , and Fletchling uses . Pikachu finally uses . is (briefly) seen Mega Evolving. Ash and his friends are running outside a restaurant.
The "Pokémon Gotta catch 'em all!" logo is shown while the following scenes are in the background (the logo is not present in certain international versions). Two and three are flying in the sky near a grape tree. A school of , a school of , a , , and are swimming in the ocean. Two are in a garden of flowers while four fly in the sky. A town near the pier is drizzling. A , a lady with a male , and a holding a leaf to shield itself from the rain are in the town as well. Three and a are on the pier. A and a are in the water, while a leaps out of the water. Several soar into the sky. The "Gotta catch 'em all!" slogan disappears, and "the Series XY" appears below the "Pokémon" logo.
===Lyrics===
====TV version====
<ab>I wanna be the very best
Like no one ever was
To catch them is my real test
To train them is my cause
(Pokémon!)
(Gotta catch 'em all), it's you and me
(Pokémon!)
I know it's my destiny
(Pokémon!)
Yeah, you're my best friend
In a world we must defend
(Pokémon!)
(Gotta catch 'em all)
Gotta catch 'em all
Gotta catch 'em all!
Pokémon!</ab>
====Movie version====
<ab>I wanna be the very best
Like no one ever was
To catch them is my real test
To train them is my cause
I will travel across the land
Searching far and wide
Each Pokémon to understand
The power that's inside
(Pokémon!)
(Gotta catch 'em all), it's you and me
(Pokémon!)
I know it's my destiny
(Pokémon!)
Yeah, you're my best friend
In a world we must defend
(Pokémon!)
(Gotta catch 'em all), a heart so true
(Pokémon!)
Our courage will pull us through
You teach me, and I'll teach you
Po-ké-mon!
(Pokémon!)
(Gotta catch 'em all)
Gotta catch 'em all
Gotta catch 'em all!
Every challenge along the way
With courage I will face
I will battle every day
To claim my rightful place
Come with me, the time is right
There's no better team
Arm in arm, we'll win the fight
It's always been our dream
(Pokémon!)
(Gotta catch 'em all), it's you and me
(Pokémon!)
I know it's my destiny
(Pokémon!)
Yeah, you're my best friend
In a world we must defend
(Pokémon!)
(Gotta catch 'em all), a heart so true
(Pokémon!)
Our courage will pull us through
You teach me, and I'll teach you
Po-ké-mon!
(Pokémon!)
(Gotta catch 'em all)
Gotta catch 'em all
Gotta catch 'em all!
(Gotta catch 'em all)
Gotta catch 'em all
Gotta catch 'em all!
Pokémon!</ab>
===Characters===
====Humans====
* 
* 
* 
* 
* Jessie
* James
* 
====Pokémon====
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* (multiple)
* 
* 
* (×3)
* 
* (multiple)
* 
* 
* 
* 
* (multiple)
* (Mega Lucario; only partly seen)
* 
* 
* (multiple)
* (Elegant Pattern; ×2)
* (female)
===Opening animation spoilers===
* capturing a and a .
* obtaining a .
* having a and a , and capturing a for to care for.
===Video===
===Trivia===
* When the is Mega Evolving, Lucario cannot be clearly seen, although it can be partly seen in a single frame of the shot. The Mega Evolution logo can be clearly seen, though.
* Although the switch to widescreen occurred over 200 episodes ago, this is the first dub opening that features the intro credits outside of a 4:3 ratio. This was done because before this point, many networks still cropped the 16:9 episodes to a 4:3 ratio.
* The instrumental version that is used in the end credits uses a different instrumentation from the main lyrical version.
** The vocals were removed in the initial television airings of the movie.
* An instrumental version of this song was used in Till We Compete Again!.
* Despite the amount of companies around the globe changing their dubbing staff or dubbing company altogether, which leads into inconsistencies and errors within the different translations of the Pokémon animated series, all of the dub lyrics of this song are consistent with their respective season 1 counterpart from each language.
** The only exception to this is the Russian version, as its current dub (which picked up from season 14) is completely unaffiliated with the original one (which ceased midway through season 2).
** While the TV version only includes the first verse of the original song and skips the second, the lyrics in the Danish version were altered to commingle the first two verses of the original song into one instead. The lyrics from the original song were not restored for the movie version; instead, the first verse was kept as-is from the TV version, and the second verse was re-translated.
** The dub featured a different, original song as the first season opening, though a translation of the Pokémon Theme was made for the first movie. Despite this, a new translation was made years later for re-runs, the lyrics of which were also used for the XY version.
** In the dub, early intro themes were kept in English. For the XY intro, the lyrics were taken from the Pokémon 2.B.A. Master soundtrack released in Greece, despite said CD being completely unaffiliated with the actual Greek dub of the animated series.
** This is the first time the song has been translated into .
* On the U.S. DVD release many changes are made from the original U.S airing these changes include
** Some frames are removed
** Some frames are merged
** Some shots are slowed down
** The Pokémon logo appears a frame late
** The "Gotta catch 'em all!" logo transition is different
====Errors====
* During the scene of a rainy town, a male is miscolored as a female Meowstic.
===In other languages===
==Opening animation: Dub Movie 20 OP==
===Lyrics===
<ab>I wanna be the very best
Like no one ever was
To catch them is my real test
To train them is my cause
I will travel across the land
Searching far and wide
Each Pokémon to understand
The power that's inside
Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), it's you and me
I know it's my destiny
(Pokémon!)
Oh, you're my best friend
In a world we must defend
Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), a heart so true
Our courage will pull us through
You teach me, and I'll teach you
Po-ké-mon!
(Gotta catch 'em all!)
Gotta catch 'em all!
Every challenge along the way
With courage I will face
I will battle every day
To claim my rightful place
Come with me, the time is right
There's no better team,
Arm in arm, we'll win the fight
It's always been our dream
Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), it's you and me
I know it's my destiny
(Pokémon!)
Oh, you're my best friend
In a world we must defend
Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), a heart so true
Our courage will pull us through
You teach me, and I'll teach you
Po-ké-mon!
(Gotta catch 'em all!)
Gotta catch 'em all!
Gotta catch 'em all!</ab>
===Trivia===
* This version was used in a promotional video for Pokémon: Let's Go, Pikachu! and Let's Go, Eevee! uploaded on November 16, 2018, which refers to it as a "familiar song". The order of some clips shown in the video recalls the original animation of the 1998 opening.
* A portion of this version of the theme song can be heard in the background in the beginning the music video of 's song "Ten Cuidado".
===In other languages===
==Opening animation: Dub Movie 22 OP==
===Lyrics===
<ab>I wanna be the very best
Like no one ever was
To catch them is my real test
To train them is my cause
I will travel across the land
Searching far and wide
Each Pokémon to understand
The power that's inside
(The power inside)
Pokémon
it's you and me
I know it's my destiny
Pokémon
Ooh, you're my best friend
In a world we must defend
Pokémon
A heart so true
Our courage will pull us through
You teach me and I'll teach you
Po-ké-mon!
(Gotta catch 'em)
Gotta catch 'em
Gotta catch 'em all
Every challenge along the way
With courage I will face
I will battle every day
To claim my rightful place
Come with me
The time is right
There's no better team
Arm in arm, we'll win the fight
(It's always been our dream)
It's always been our dream
Pokémon
it's you and me
I know it's my destiny
Pokémon
Ooh, you're my best friend
In a world we must defend
Pokémon
A heart so true
Our courage will pull us through
You teach me and I'll teach you
Po-ké-mon!
(I'll teach you)
Gotta catch 'em
Gotta catch 'em
Gotta catch 'em all
Pokémon!</ab>
===Trivia===	
* The Netflix closed captions originally had the fourth line as "'Cause training them is my cost", it has since been fixed.
===In other languages===
Category:English opening themes
de:Pokémon Thema
es:OP01
fr:Thème Pokémon
it:Pokémon Theme
zh:Pokémon Theme