CHARIZARD

**CHARIZARD** is the twenty fifth episode of Pokémon Red (Animation Series). It aired on November 12, 2021.

## Synopsis

With their cover blown, Red and Leaf go on the offensive and begin attacking the Grunts. As Charmeleon and Bulbasaur deal with the Grunt's Pokémon, Giovanni witnesses the action on his camera and orders Petrel to deal with them. Suddenly, two more Grunts appear and use Koffing to suffocate Leaf with Smog. Red is restrained by one of the Grunts and gets beaten by the other, while Charmeleon is restrained by the Grunts' Pokémon. Leaf tries to call the police, but she and Ninetales are knocked out and Petrel tells the officer to stand down.

Both Red and Charmeleon get pummeled by the Grunt and their Pokémon, and the latter grows enraged to see his Trainer abused. The rage burrowing inside Charmeleon causes something to awaken and slowly, he begins evolving into his next stage. Charmeleon grows bigger than the Pokémon restraining him, his color changes back to orange, and he grows wings from his back. After a primal roar from Red and Charmeleon, the latter knocks away the Pokémon restraining him and completes his evolution to Charizard.

With no Grunts or their Pokémon left to bother them, Red and Charizard proceed to Giovanni's room after propping Leaf against a wall. Red summons the rest of his Pokémon and the seven walk towards Giovanni's room, ready to stop the latter and the Game Corner scheme. Pikachu and Charizard blow the door down and Red challenges Giovanni to a Pokémon battle. Giovanni accepts and brings out an Onix while Red brings out Vileplume. Vileplume dodges Onix's Rock Throw and uses Sleep Powder to make the latter fall asleep. Then, Vileplume uses Absorb to finish Onix off.

For round 2, Golem fights Rhyhorn and the two trade attacks. Using Dig, Golem dodges Rhydon's Take Down and lands a powerful blow against the latter, knocking it out. With one Pokémon left, Giovanni brings out Kangaskhan while Red uses Charizard. The fight goes back and forth, and even though Kangaskhan uses Comet Punch, Charizard retaliates with Mega Punch. Then, Charizard grabs Kangaskhan from behind and uses Seismic Toss to knock the latter out.

Pikachu stops Petrel from joining in, and Giovanni accepts defeat. He gives Red the Silph Scope and tosses him the keys to unlock the prize Pokémon at the Game Corner. Giovanni and Petrel leave, just as Red collapses next to Leaf after an exhausting battle.

## Cultural References

* **Dragon Ball**: There is a reference to Goku's first transformation to Super Saiyan 3 where Charizard is shown reverting back to an egg before exploding into his final form.
* **One Piece**: The walk towards Giovanni's room references several power walks the Straw Hat Pirates made in the series. These include: the Enies Lobbey Arc and the Arlong Park Arc.
* **Saint Seiya**: When Kangaskhan performs its Comet Punch, it is done in the style of Pegasus Seiya's Pegasus Ryu Sei Ken

## Music Used

* Pokemon Red/Blue/Yellow - Celadon City (Orchestrated) - by Wurtzel
* Dragon Ball Z - SSJ3 Goku Theme Guitar Cover - by 94Stones
* Team Rocket Hideout | The Hit Points - by The Hit Points
* Trainer Red Epic Orchestral Remix - by DJTheFishhead