I review Pokemon Episodes

This is a really neat idea for a thread and I will keep checking back to read your reviews. I personally happen to love Charmander the Stray Pokemon episode. It is true that it didn't shoot for much humor or develop an energetic caper with teamrocket, but I think that was the way to go for this subject matter. The look of heartbreak and shock on charmander's face when he finally realizes that his trainer never loved him holds my interest more than any fight scene would have. Anyway, we can agree to disagree on this one.

I'm glad to hear that you have decided to watch and write a review for Electric Shock Showdown after all. Pikachu and Ash have some important, emotional choices to make and it features intense gym battle.

If you are open to suggestions I would recommend taking one more look at the story Attack of The Prehistoric Pokemon because I always thought of this episode as containing very important additions to the plot, from evolutions to picking up a new character along the way.

Anyway will catch these reviews later, happy watching!!
 
Actually, I think I was being too harsh with the episode. The first action scene was actually pretty good, and the second one wasn't really a fight scene, but rather a joke, and a funny one at that. I also remembered some good humor. So I think i'll bump it up to a 7/10.
 
Last edited:
Time for episode 12!
Pokemon Episode 12 "Here Comes the Squirtle Squad"
Hey look it's a bunch of Squirtles and they're all wearing John Lennon glasses.
Dangerous practical jokes are nothing to laugh about, says Ash. Tell that to Ethan Bradberry
* Nice soundalike of the Good Bad and Ugly theme.
** I got a good chuckle out of all the identical Jennys with the creepy background music.
It's kinda creepy how they all look identical and have the same name and occupation.
* The resturaunt joke was pretty funny, especially Meowth's face.
Wait a second, was that a RICE-BALL? Why didn't 4Kids replace it with a donut?
** Good tense action scene
Honestly Meowth's voice is pretty bad
It's the Kahoot theme!
** More tense action with great direction.
* Ash getting impaled by a Goldeen was pretty funny thanks to the voice.
* Ash getting hit by Gary was more good facial expression humor.
Wait, it's GUNS! Not edited out! WOW! WOW! WOW!
** Great climactic action scene.
Closing Thoughts:
A strong episode.
The plot was strong. Ash and the gang are kidnapped by a pack of Wild Squirtles, trained by Team Rocket to capture Pikachu. The plot was filler-free and action-packed.
Lots of strong action scenes in this episode, such as when Ash was trying to rescue Pikachu.
And humor was strong, with lots of good slapstick.
Overall, 7.5/10.
 
They battled through the ages
But still neither force would yield
Geddy Lee of Rush, "Hemispheres"
Time for Pikachu vs Raichu!
Pokemon Episode 14 "Electric Shock Showdown"
Man what happened in the episode that I missed.
** 15 Rattatas appeared in the last month. Art imitates life.
* Pikachu's talking was both funny and adorable!
It's Raichu! It's Pikachu but bigger, fater, and just as cute!
** Raichu wagging his finger was pretty funny
Wait a second how did Raichu shake it's finger if it doesn't HAVE a finger
*** Great high intensity battling sequence.
** Meowth getting knocked out was funny
Man, poor Pikachu got slammed
Disappointed Pikachu didn't evolve, honestly. Shake up the status quo! Though maybe not this early on.
--- REALLY disappointed about Team Rocket's characterization in this episode! Don't cheer on Pikachu!
*** Though their chant was hilarious! Especially Pikachu's reaction and Brock's "That was disturbing"
* Raichu's dizzy face was funny
** Another great intense action scene, happy to see Pikachu win!
* Meowth knocking Jessie and James.
The ending scene with Pikachu and Ash was ADORABLE!
Closing Thoughts:
One of the best episodes!
The plot was great. Ash fights a Raichu with his Pikachu and wins despite being underpowered. High intensity, filler free, and coherent.
The action was very intense, both battles with Raichu were far from landslides and thrilling.
And the humor was some of the best, one funny joke after another.
However, It wasn't perfect. I didn't like Team Rocket's characterization. They were the villains, they shouldn't be cheering on Pikachu! And I also didn't like Surge's Raichu portrayal, i mean Raichu's so cute!
Still, 8/10.
 
This episode is notable as Ash's first true legitimate gym battle win. Team Rocket cheered on Pikachu because they thought that if Pikachu couldn't win then it wouldn't be worth them trying to steal anymore. We'll occasionally see the villains rooting for the heroes on action shows and this was one of those instances.

If Pikachu had evolved then there goes the show's mascot, unless they were able to change it back at the end of the episode. Pikachu evolving would be a sign the anime is coming to an end I think.
 
I originally had a wall of text here but I LOST it (Damn you, expired token) So let's cut to the chase.
This was the first BAD episode of the series.
The plot was good, with Ash and the gang winning a free cruise while Team Rocket try to catch yet more Pokemon.
The humor was also good, I laughed at Misty's reaction to not getting on the cruise, James saying "COOL" over and over again, James getting pummeled by Jessie, the Magikarp flopping around in James's hands, them eating sped-up, and a few other things.
However:
The action was very bad. The battle with Raticate was strong, but the Starmie one was a one-sided curbstomp, and the everyone VS Team Rocket one was a MEGA-curbstomp with them putting up NO FIGHT at all. Boring.
And the ending... GUH. Sociopath Ash strikes again for the first time since Episode 5, endangering the lives of his friends by NOT escaping the sinking ship JUST so he can get his Butterfree back. Selfish jerk.
Overall only a 6/10. Episode 16 should be better...
 
After the first bad episode, will this one be better?
Pokemon Episode 16 "Pokemon Shipwreck"
CRITICAL FLAWS with Jenny's speech
Flaw 1: Jessie and James are not trainers
Flaw 2: Saying their first names only leaves things ambigous. What are their last names anyway?
This is probably the darkest scene in the Pokemon anime yet? I mean take it out of context it could be dialogue from Titanic (1997)
** Ash upside down and crushing Pikachu was funni
CRITICAL FLAW: Why are there real fish.
"This ship has sunk!" Thanks Ash for telling us what we already knew.
* Ash's facial expression in his fantasy
Misty's voice acting in this episode isn't the best. Almost monotone at parts she really shouldn't be.
** More great facial expressions, this time when Team Rocket were pulled out of the water. The show's really great at that kind of humor.
Jessie and James hold hands, James calls Jessie "Jessica" and they hug. ROCKETSHIPPING OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED!
-- I hate water, especially wet water! Kinda a dumb joke?
They hug again! ROCKETSHIPPING DOUBLY CONFIRMED!
-- And an overly stretched out gag with Magikarp.
Ooh, references to Christianity KEPT in the 4Kids dub!
And now Team Rocket is dead and are gonna be buried at sea. Y'know, for kids!
* Meowth's near drown was funny due to Pikachu's very nonchalant reactions.
Aww look at James sleeping on top of Jessie. ROCKETSHIPPING TRIPLE CONFIRMED!
CRITICAL FLAW: Misty says she didn't "stuff her face full on the St. Anne" when she kinda actually did
** Magikarp flopping around
Oh-no they're trying to EAT Magikarp. GEEZ, Pokemon is a much darker show that I thought it would be.
* Meowth's random high-pitched scream.
Wow, Magikarp has evolved!
Closing Thoughts:
A pretty strong episode.
The plot was pretty good, as the team have to escape the sunk wreckage. An interesting "escape" premise, that was filler free, tense, and really interesting. However, I didn't like the part where they worked together, so I subtract one point.
There wasn't much action in a battle sense, but there were lots of great, tense sequences, the escape definitely wasn't easy.
Humor was strong, though there WERE a few stinkers.
So I can give it a 7/10.
 
Time for another review!
Pokemon Episode 17 "Island Of The Giant Pokemon"
More Rocketshipping, Team Rocket hugging.
W00t! Pokemon talking with subtitles!
* Slowpoke fun
** Squirtle's "Maybe they got eaten by wild Pokemon!" followed by his creepy face.
So much Pikachu cuteness in this episode!
* Team Rocket hititng the sign, coupled with their facial expressions afterwards.
Yay it's Darth Vader boss again.
** It's a giant Pikachu!
** Nice, tense action sequences throughout, especially the train chase.
* More giant Pikachu fun
Why did it get dark all of a sudden
Aww look at Pikachu in Ash's arms he looks ADORABLE!
--- So it was actually all just a theme park? Stupid twist.
* Still, the crudely drawn Clefairy looks pretty funny
Wow it's actually a town that isn't named "____ Town" or "____ City".
Wait, how did they get back?
Closing Thoughts:
Good, but flawed.
The plot was strong. Ash and the gang + Team Rocket wash up on some island, with giant Pokemon! The trainers and Pokemon are separated, and so they have to make it back. The premise was exciting, interesting, and fun, plus we get to see Pokemon talk! (With subtitles) but the twist ending was dumb. It was all just a theme park? Lame. Also, there's a plot hole, how did they get back? It ends with them going into the water then it shows them walking to the beach?
The action was tense and exciting throughout the episode.
And humor was strong, I LOVED the giant Pikachu.

Overall, a 7.5/10, due to the flaws.
 
The Pokémon talking to each other through the subtitles was definitely interesting. I wish they did it a few more times rather than having it so Meowth is with the other Pokémon for the purpose of acting as translator on other occasions. The twist of it all being a theme park didn't really bother me, I thought it was pretty funny actually.
 
Right now, it's time for a review of the most controversial non-banned episode in the series, the most messed up, the most sexual.
That's right... BEAUTY AND THE BEACH.
Pokemon Episode 18 "Beauty And The Beach"
Wow, they forgot to translate the title.
Aww look at Pikachu in his little inner tube
1 minute in and Misty's in nothing but a bra and underwear and Ash and Brock (And Pikachu!) Are dazed: Messed up moment count: 1
** It was also funny
--- Ash says "It's weird to see you looking like a girl" that's kinda sexist. Messed up moment count: 2
** Facial expression after falling in water was funny
So they walk up to an old man who sees Misty and with a starstruck impression says "You remind me of my grand-daughter". What. The. Hell. Messed up moment count: 3.
Meowth's voice has went downhill
The Japanese text is all kept.
* The old man's face after getting broiled
So Misty enters a swimsuit contest, even though she's TEN, and that was out of recommendation from Ash's Mom? Double messed up. Messed up moment count: 5.
Ash's Mom AND Professor Oak are watching Misty in the swimsuit contest.
*** "This is embarassing and degrading, but we need the money!" couldn't have said it better myself.
And everyone's looking at her, including much older men, attractively as she does sexy poses. Messed up moment count: 7.
Gary's voice has got even worse.
And Gary's entire cheerleading squad is there, dressed scantily as well. Messed up moment count: 8
My DAD just walked in on this episode and said "What IS this, is this hentai?" Messed up moment count: off the scale!
*** And we end with a really sweet scene where Ash tells his mother he'll make her proud, Oak says "I'm sure you will, young pumpkin" and Ash's mom responds "I'm sure you will, young man". All while sweet music plays in the background.
Closing Thoughts:
I'm at a loss for words.
So this episode features Misty in nothing but bra and underwear, her entering a swimsuit contest (Nevermind the fact she's TEN)with Ash's MOM and Oak in attendance, Gary also has his scantily clad entourage, and we have several other creepy lines throughout, including an implication the old man has the hots for his granddaughter.
How was this allowed on Kid's TV?

Overall, I can't give a score. All I can give it is the most appropriate rating possible, a 800.85/10.
 
Yeah Beauty and the Beach was just a weird episode, especially the part with James and Misty. The part at the end with Ash's mom and Oak talking about Ash growing up and how great his friends are was a nice moment though, although it's definitely overshadowed by this episode being otherwise messed up.
 
There is no escape
It's the end of your precious life
You're soul slipped away
It belongs to Queen of The Reich!
Geoff Tate of Queensryche, "Queen Of The Reich"
Time for another ep! This one looks really dark, it's about Brock and James having their souls sucked out by a dead woman! Twilight Zone plot? Nope.
Pokemon Episode 20 "The Ghost Of Maiden's Peak" (Sounds like a Dream Theater song)
What summer was missed?
* Pretty funny joke with Brock going gaga over MORE scantily clad women! My dad thinks this is porn, I bet.
** Cute/funny Pikachu moment!
Misty just said "Let's get on the ferris wheel" twice!
* Meowth just saying "I want a corndog" out of nowhere's veryfunny.
That very small old women sounds a lot like 1990 Rob Halford.
"I'm from the local police department and I know EXACTLY what you're doing". Creepi
Man, her backstory's dark, dark, dark. The sad piano music is even darker.
* Lots of the scenes of them going gaga over her is pretty funny.
** The Pidgeotto alarm clock scene was also funny. Dark ep is also funny!
This episode is spooki
So Nurse Joy just talked abut the merits of going to bed early. Reminds me of my dad who makes me go to bed at 8:30 on the weekends.
*** Pretty much all the scenes of Brock and James going loopy are funny!
Umm so they stop the ghost with STICKERS? Okay? Okay.
So the ghost is actually a Ghastly, better yet, it can TALK!
* And this is a good battle scene.
* Charmander's voice here was especially funny.
** As was Squirtle's.
Wait a second Gastly's getting crucified? Oh lord.
* Meowth's flute playing.
Closing Thoughts:
That was the BEST episode yet!
The plot was excellent! Once it reveals the ghost girl's backstory, the plot gets really cool, creepy, dark, and weird like NO other episode i've seen before! A girl waited for her lover to return from the war, but he never did. She continued to wait, eventually turning to stone. 2,000 years later the ghost of the girl takes the soul of a young man, and it's Brock and James's turn. Completely unlike any other episode before, reading more like a horror/supernatural movie plot, and all for the better! Really interesting and weird premise the way I like it.
The action scene was good too, an interesting shapeshifter battle with a Gastly (Who can talk!) shifting into various other forms that are the Pokemon's weaknesses, again competely different from a typical battle and all for the better.
And the jokes were hilarious! I laughed a lot at all the scenes of Brock and James going head over heels over the girl, great slapstick there, Pikachu had a lot of funny/cute moments as well, Meowth also got a good line.
Add in great direction/animation and atmosphere (That creepy piano music!) and you have a completely different episode that's almost perfect.
However, two things keep me from giving it a 10/10. The first is that it never states why the woman turned to stone, she just waited and then she just turned to stone? That's a gaping hole. And also, the way they stop the ghost (Anti ghost stickers?) is really stupid.
But besides that, a great episode, and I give it a 9.5/10!
 
Last edited:
We'll meet again
Don't know where
Don't know when
But I know we'll meet again
Some sunny day
Vera Lynn, "We'll Meet Again"
Next up on the agenda is what is said to be one of the saddest, most-soul crushing, childhood ruining episodes in Pokemon! That's right folks, it's...
Pokemon Episode 21 "Bye Bye Butterfree"
CRITICAL FLAW the Butterfree plural are referred to as "Butterfree" it's "Butterfrees" THAT'S THE TRUTH
"If your Butterfree doesn't cross the sea it won't have babies" tragic. Okay, i'll take that.
Aww, Pikachu cuteness.
* Brock's weird face
** Also his rant, followed by his MASSIVE headwound, was another good slapstick bit.
Butterfree fell in love with a pink one after seeing it's BUTT. Y'know, for kids!
* Butterfree's completely lovestruck voice.
Aww, Pikachu's convo with Butterfree was SO cute!
And now the pink Butterfree's shaking the butt. Oh Japan.
Wow, the Team Rocket banner had like almost ALL the text erased. I love 4K!DS dubbing.
Trivia fact if this episode plot was about humans and not Butterfree it would be rated TV-MA-DSL.
* Pikachu's shocked face was funny
* Meowth's massive mouth after his fantazy.
** A good action scene.
* Pikachu shocking Team Rocket and flat-out murdering them.
--- Wow the allegedly soul-crushing ending scene was AWFUL! The emotion was completely ruined as instead of playing a sad, depressing piano/orchestra piece they play the happy, upbeat (And lame IMO) opening theme, which KILLS the mood.
Closing Thoughts:
A mediocre episode, only one of two bad ones, and the worst one yet.
The plot started out slow and boring. I don't give a damn about Ash's Butterfree finding a mate and getting rejected over and over, that's boring. Save the romance fluff for the fanfics, please. But it wasn't all bad! The action-packed second-half, with Team Rocket capturing the Butterfrees, was great, but dampened by an ending scene which due to music used lacked emotional weight.
As well, The action scenes in the episode were tense and exciting in the continued tradition of the show.
And the humor was good too with nice laughs throughout.
Overall, despite positives a slow plot and failed emotion give this only a 5.5/10. Hopefully next time around is better.
 
Time for the first of two Sabrina episodes, widely considered among the creepiest!
Pokemon Episode 22 "Abra And The Psychic Showdown"
*** WOW, this opening scene was so creepy! The girl saying "It's time to play" in her creepy voice... 3spooky5me!
And her creepy laughing, pure horror!
* Classic Team Rocket disguise fun, I like how they're the millionth visitor, reminds me of weird internet popups.
* Ash's reaction to Team Rocket kissing him.
This episode is SUPREMELY creepy stuff, and I love it
* Pikachu's reaction to Ash bending the spoon.
The guy looks a lot like Gary.
Turns out Sabrina isn't the girl, it's actually a doll? Wow! Great twist.
** Great fight scene!
* Pikachu dancing!
** Brock eating the rock cake
*** Another fantastically creepy fight scene!
* AND ANOTHER great telekenetic fight!
Closing Thoughts:
A great episode- one of the best!
I LOVED the creepy atmosphere of the episode. The plot COULD have been an ordinary "gym battle" episode, but it ain't! The gym battle is against a scary little girl named Sabrina, who from her creepy laughing to her voice to her dialogue creates an incredibly spooky villain very unexpected for a show like this. And then things take a spookier turn when it reveals "Sabrina" is actually a doll, and then after losing the gym battle Ash and his friends are shrunk down and stuck inside the dollhouse (The scene where Ash sees a woman in the bathtub and it's a doll, MORE creepiness) and there's some great battling near the end. It's so creepy and weird and Twilight-Zone-y and I love it!
The action scenes were great too, lots of creepy battling going on in the ep, the scene where Ash fights the creepy man's telekenesis was great!
Unfortunately the humor was uncharacteristically poor. There were some good laughs, but a large amount of lame jokes, like Ash's pants falling down or Team Rocket's lame puns.
But still, a nice one. 8.5/10.
 
Time to watch the one where Ash dies!
Pokemon Episode 23 "The Tower Of Terror"
** Brock getting shocked after pulling Pikachu's tail
Wow, crazy Bruce Dickinson-esque scream by Misty!
They're in Lavender Town, the one where Pokemon die a ton
* Pikachu in his sleeping bag was cute and funny.
** Misty hitting the gong and Ash's reaction
Very nice artsy animation for Meowth getting slapped.
--- Sexist characterization of Jessie
** Pikachu laughing was also cute/funny
Sheesh Pikachu just had a Vietnam flashback.
* More Pikachu cuteness
** Good battle sequence!
* Haunter and Gengar's antics were some good laughs, as were Ash's reactions.
Holy crap Ash and Pikachu just got KILLED by a chandelier, by a chandeliHEEEER- sorry for getting carried away- Man this episode just got dark all of a sudden.
So Ash has literally zero angst over the fact that like, y'know, he's kinda DEAD? That's really dark!
* Aww, look at Pikachu on the swing!
Closing Thoughts:
Another winner!
The plot was a complete turn from the previous episode, being a wacky comedic episode. Ash and the gang try to capture a ghost Pokemon, and a castle's resident Haunter, Gengar, and Gastly have some fun pulling tricks. I loved the fun, Looney-Tunesish style of this episode, a complete turn from the creepiness of the last one.
The action was good with a nice slapstick battle sequence in the middle.
And the humor was some of it's best, tons of great laughs throughout the episode.
Overall, an 8.5/10.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top