The 10 Best Episodes of Pokémon: The Original Series
The original Pokémon series is now 27 years old, but it was the adventures of Ash and Pikachu that lasted for many years. It's cherished by many fans – both adults who grew up with it and children who are just discovering it. The "Original Series" encompasses the first 274 episodes of over 1200 total episodes and takes place in Kanto, Johto, and the Orange Islands.
During this time, Ash traveled with Misty and Brock, catching many of the most famous Pokémon like Charizard, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur. Pokémon was at the height of its popularity back then, turning Ash and his friends into true pop culture icons. This popularity wasn't accidental – it was the result of great episodes like these, which are unforgettable even today.
10Bulbasaur's Mysterious Garden
Pokémon - The Original Series, Episode #55
Ash and Bulbasaur have already experienced many adventures together. But then Ash notices that Bulbasaur is behaving strangely in battle. Concerned, he takes him to the Pokémon Center. There, Nurse Joy explains that Bulbasaur isn't sick but is preparing to evolve. During the night, Bulbasaur is kidnapped by a group of other Bulbasaurs and taken to a secret garden. There, they perform a ritual to evolve together. But Ash's Bulbasaur doesn't want to evolve. Ash and his friends follow him to find out what's going on. Of course, Team Rocket shows up and tries to exploit the situation.
This episode is special because it shows that a Pokémon can refuse to evolve, even if its body seems to crave it.
It's a great episode for Bulbasaur and proves once again that evolution isn't everything. Also, it's exciting to see how wild Pokémon have their own rituals and customs.
9Go West Young Meowth
Pokémon - The Original Series, Episode #72
This episode takes place in an unusual location: Hollywood! It's one of the rare occasions where a real-world place is mentioned in the Pokémon anime. The city reminds Meowth of his difficult past and how he became who he is today.
Meowth was once a completely ordinary Pokémon until he fell in love with another Meowth - Meowzie. But Meowzie seemed to find humans much more exciting than other Pokémon. To impress Meowzie, Meowth taught himself to walk on two legs and talk like a human.
But his plan didn't work out, and in the end, Meowth was left disappointed and hurt. This episode gives us important insights into Meowth's backstory, which is still mentioned in the anime many years later. It makes Team Rocket's mascot a sympathetic and relatable character.
The message of the episode - that it's important to be yourself - is a valuable lesson, especially for young viewers.
8Pikachu's Goodbye
Pokémon - The Original Series, Episode #41
"Pikachu's Goodbye" was the first episode to air after the infamous "Pokémon Shock." In that event, many Japanese children suffered epileptic seizures triggered by a previous episode. In this episode, Ash and his friends encounter a group of wild Pikachu who immediately take a liking to Ash's Pikachu. However, the wild Pikachu are very distrustful of humans and keep their distance from Ash.
Team Rocket has their eyes on the Pikachu group, but Ash's Pikachu helps defend them. Afterward, Ash wonders if Pikachu wouldn't be happier with his own kind and reluctantly tries to leave him behind. But Pikachu doesn't want to be separated from Ash and runs after him, winning him back with a hug.
Since Pikachu was indirectly linked to the "Pokémon Shock," some viewers at the time feared that Pikachu might be removed from the series. From today's perspective, that may sound absurd, but Pikachu's emotional return to Ash still moves fans to tears. This episode shows why the duo is so iconic.
7The Promise is Made!
Pokémon - The Original Series, Episode #224
In this exciting Johto story, Ash and his friends discover a baby Lugia and its mother on the Whirl Islands. But the joy doesn't last long: Team Rocket captures both Lugia and also takes Ash's group prisoner. Team Rocket begins experimenting on the Lugia, but they don't realize that Ash and his friends are getting unexpected help - from a man named Oliver.
With Oliver's support (and surprisingly, a little help from Jessie and James), the group manages to escape from Team Rocket's base. Together, they free the captured Lugia. But the powerful Lugia shows no mercy and ensures that its captors receive their just punishment.
This episode is the culmination of a multi-part story arc around Lugia - one of the first times that a Legendary Pokémon plays such an important role in the series (outside of the movies). The episode offers plenty of action and exciting moments. Fans will also see some familiar faces again, including Ritchie and Butch and Cassidy. An episode full of adventure and great connections to the story so far!
6The Fire-ing Squad!
Pokémon - The Original Series, Episode #143
In this episode from the early Johto era, Ash learns from a man named Koji that a wild Cyndaquil has been sighted nearby. Koji wants to catch the Cyndaquil for himself, but Ash decides to catch it himself, as he no longer has a Charizard on his team. The search begins! Of course, Team Rocket interferes, but eventually, Ash discovers how Cyndaquil flees into a cave system - closely followed by Koji.
In the cave, Ash and Koji fight over Cyndaquil until they are lured into a trap by Team Rocket. Ash persuades Cyndaquil to escape, thus gaining its trust. After Team Rocket is defeated, Ash and Koji fight for the right to catch Cyndaquil - and Ash wins!
This episode shows how Ash catches his Cyndaquil, which later becomes an important part of his Johto team. Although it looks like a typical episode at first glance, it shows what distinguishes Ash from trainers who often pursue selfish goals.
5Bye Bye Butterfree
Pokémon - The Original Series, Episode #21
Ash and his friends witness a special event: Trainers release their Butterfree so they can reproduce during mating season. Ash also decides to let his Butterfree participate. While they float in a hot air balloon among many Butterfree, Ash's Butterfree discovers a rare pink Butterfree and falls in love with her. But it's hard for him to stand out.
When Team Rocket shows up and tries to capture the Butterfree, it's up to Ash's Butterfree to save the day. Eventually, he manages to impress the Pink Butterfree and win her heart. But for Ash, this means a difficult decision: He must release Butterfree so that it can be happy with its new partner.
This episode is known for being unexpectedly and incredibly sad. Ash has built a strong bond with Butterfree since it was a small Caterpie. The story shows how important it is to grow up and make difficult decisions. A younger and more immature Ash probably wouldn't have had the strength to let Butterfree go - but he does it because it's the best thing for his friend.
4Forest Grumps
Pokémon - The Original Series, Episode #157
As Ash and his friends wander through the forest, they take a break. But suddenly, they are attacked by Team Rocket! But before Team Rocket can really strike, their hot air balloon is shot down by a Hyper Beam. Shortly thereafter, Ursaring appear everywhere and cause chaos. The group is separated: Ash, Brock, and Jessie end up together, while Misty is with James and Meowth.
In these unusual teams, the characters have to work together, even though they are actually enemies. In doing so, they learn a lot about each other and can escape the attacks of the Ursaring.
When they see each other again at the end, the short alliances are immediately forgotten, and Team Rocket flies off into the air as usual. The episode is particularly exciting because the characters meet in unusual groups. It's always entertaining to see how Ash and Team Rocket have to work together. The episode also shows that each member of Team Rocket isn't so bad on their own.
3Charizard's Burning Ambition
Pokémon - The Original Series, Episode #136
On their journey, Ash and his friends discover a valley inhabited exclusively by Charizard - the Charizard Valley. The guardian of the valley recognizes Ash as Charizard's trainer and invites him in. Ash's Charizard immediately falls in love with Charla, the guardian's female Charizard. To win Charla's heart, Ash's Charizard challenges the other Charizard in the valley to battle - but it quickly becomes clear that he has no chance.
When Team Rocket suddenly attacks, Ash's Charizard proves his courage and saves the situation. This earns him respect but also shows that he still needs a lot of training. Ash reluctantly decides to leave Charizard in the valley so that he can become stronger. He runs away in tears because the separation is so difficult for him.
This episode is a major turning point for Ash's Charizard. It explains why Ash rarely uses Charizard in the Johto region. But Charizard later returns again and again - stronger and better through the hard training in the valley. This shows that Ash made the right decision.
2Enter the Dragonite
Pokémon - The Original Series, Episode #114
The highlight of Ash's journey to the Orange Islands: In this episode, Ash faces the Gym Leader Drake and his mighty Dragonite. This Pokémon is a tough opponent and defeats almost all of Ash's Pokémon single-handedly. Dragonite defeats Ash's Charizard, Squirtle, and Tauros before Ash is forced to send Pikachu into the field to end the fight. Pikachu dodges a Hyper Beam and hits Dragonite with a close-range Thunderbolt, which ultimately leads to victory.
The episode offers an exciting battle, and Drake's Dragonite seems to be a truly powerful opponent. Although Ash's victory on the Orange Islands is often forgotten, it was a real masterpiece and deserves to be highlighted among his successes. This triumph compensates Ash for his disappointing performance in the Indigo League and gives rarely seen Pokémon like Tauros their moment in the spotlight.
1Charmander – The Stray Pokémon
Pokémon - The Original Series, Episode #11
On their journey, Ash and his friends discover a Charmander sitting all alone on a rock. Pikachu quickly realizes that it is waiting for its trainer - and has been for a very long time. At the Pokémon Center, the friends overhear a trainer bragging about intentionally abandoning his Charmander. Ash is so angry that he almost gets into a fight with the boy. But then he rushes out to save Charmander because it's starting to rain.
Charmander's tail flame is almost extinguished. At the last minute, they take him to the Pokémon Center and are able to save him. But Charmander stubbornly returns to his rock. With a lot of patience and heart, Ash finally wins his trust, and Charmander becomes his Pokémon.
This episode is simply legendary. Above all, the image of Charmander hiding under a leaf in the rain is repeatedly shared as a GIF.
The episode conveys important messages: It shows how wrong it is to mistreat animals and encourages people to intervene when they see something like this.
It also shows the beginning of Ash's close relationship with his Charizard and why it is so special.
For these reasons, "Charmander – The Stray Pokémon" is often referred to as the best episode of the Original Series.