Ā Thereās nothing like a first episode to a series. Itās rough around the edges, maybe itās lacking an element weāve come to expect or has one that was left behind as the series marched on, but it is the groundwork. The foundation. A good first episode will tell the viewer, āHey. Youāve found something special.ā
Not a whole lot actually happens in the episode, plot-point wise; Ash oversleeps, gets a stubborn electric rodent, runs around with the birds while arguing with the rodent, runs away from the birds, steals a bike. etc etc. The majority of the time spent it the back-and-forth between Ash and Pikachu, which I think works to its benefit. Ash and Pikachu both have really strong characterization right out of the gate. Their relationship is so central to the identity of the show, so itās cool to see that consistent theme even from the very beginning. Pokemon knows itās a show about friendship, so it spends the first episode making sure the audience believes in the core friendship. Overall, a solid writing decision.
I hadnāt expected nearly the amount of cartoon violence that Iād be getting from the early episodes, however. I swear, that blessing/favor from Ho-oh is what keeps this boy alive through all the nonsense he faces. By all accounts, he shouldāve drowned in that river or died from electrocution, and thatās just episode one.
I can see the headline now: āLocal boy drowns first day of Pokemon Journey: Sparks questions about trainer reforms.ā Needless to say, that wouldāve been a very different story.
The world of pokemon is fun and exciting, but also dangerous. I donāt remember this much danger from X/Y, but I could easily be mistaken. Iām interested to track this detail to get a view of the regionās environments and culture about the wild in relation to each other.
As for the characters introduced, there are many:
Ash himself is the main event, of course. The opening scene does so much to characterize him despite not being that long. Heās exuberant and confident, but still very immature with a lot to learn. Pokemon are everything to him. Heās meant to be a vehicle for a young audience to project themselves onto, and he works perfectly for that. His excitement, kindness and naivety are a perfect combination for the audience to learn more about the world alongside him. Not to mention itās just fun to watch.
Pikachu, on the other hand, is equally as stubborn and decides not to like Ash immediately after being gifted to him. Their strong-willed natures clash intensely, generating much of the conflict for the first episodes. Despite this, itās clear the two of them are more similar than they are different, as evidenced by mutually saving the other from the flock of spearow. I can definitely see the foundations to their later bond here.
Not much is seen of either Gary or Professor Oak in episode one, but enough to make me reevaluate my pop-culture based opinions on them. Gary is, a brat, but who wouldnāt be as a ten-year-old local celebrity with your own cheer squad? Heās clearly been spoiled. The professor, conversely, is goofier than I anticipated. It becomes apparent in later episodes, but the viewer can still tell heās not that serious of a person here in episode one.
Even in episode one, the Pokemon Anime knows exactly what itās trying to do. I respect that.
