Pokemon Opening FAQ

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A Frame-By-Frame Look at the English Pokemon Opening v. 0.1b
by Kathy Vaughan [cod@compusmart.ab.ca]

This small FAQ is to describe a step-by-step analysis of the scenes found in the English Pokemon opening. It's by no means complete, so if you know details like which episodes certain scenes come from, then contact me at the address above and let me know.

Here's a glossary of the notes next to the scenes:
Original Opening: The frame sequence was in the original Japanese opening.
New Footage: The frame sequence was created especially for the English opening.
Episode xx: The frame sequence can be found in that episode. Note that I'm actually referencing to the English episodes so they might not be the same in Japanese.
Stock Footage: The frames are commonly used in the Japanese Pokemon episodes to save time and the animators' sanity.

Without further delays, here's the English Pokemon Opening analysis!

Analysis of the Opening Animation:

SCENE DESCRIPTION ORIGIN

1 Mewtwo and Mew flying in space Original Opening

2 Ash looking up, standing in the center of a Pokemon arena Original Opening

3 Squirtle New Footage

4 Cubone New Footage

5 Pidgeotto New Footage

6 Bulbasaur getting caught in a Poke-ball Episode 10

7 Ash patting himself on the back Episode 1

8 Haunter slurping Charmander Episode ??

9 Ash throwing a Poke-ball Stock Footage

10 Ash running with Arcanine, Pikachu, Rapidash, Zapdos, and Arcticuno [NOTE: Moltres was cut from the original scene] Original Opening

11 Sandshrew Stock Footage, first seen in Episode 8

12 Kadabra Stock Footage

13 Charmander Stock Footage

14 Ash and Pikachu riding Lapras, with Gyarados and Dragyn splashing around Original Opening

15 Caterpie getting pulled into a Poke-ball Episode 3

16 Raichu and Pikachu fighting Episode 14

17 Koffing and Ekans attacking Caterpie Episode 3

18 Ash hugging Pikachu Episode ??

19 Tentacruel destroying a building Episode 19

20 Ash holding a Poke-ball in the air Episode 1, Stock Footage in Episode 4

21 Onyx attacking Episode 5

22 Misty and Brock stealing Ash's show Original Opening

23 Jessie, James, Koffing, Meowth, Ekans, and Gary Original Opening, actually does follow Scene 22

24 Charizard breathing fire, Blastoise, Venusaur, Ash, and Pikachu running under a girl's skirt Original Opening, actually the first scene

25 Nurse Joy, Professor Oak, Officer Jenny, and Ash's mom Original Opening

26 Charizard almost torching Ash, Misty, and Brock Episode 17

27 Squirtle running into Ash's arms Episode 12

28 Pikachu riding on Pidgeotto's back, Butterfree carrying Bulbasaur, Zubat carring Squirtle Episode 19

29 Ash throwing a Poke-ball Stock Footage, possibly modified for Scene 30

30 Title frame New Footage

Analysis of the English Opening Lyrics:

I wanna be the very best, 'cause no one ever was... Ash's dream is to become the greatest Pokemon trainer in the world, and to do that, he has to find all 150 Pokemon. To date, no one's ever been able to achieve that.

To catch them is my real test... To be a Pokemon trainer, Ash has to be able to catch Pokemon so he can fight against other trainers and Gym Leaders.

... to train them is my cause. Well, he does want to be a Pokemon trainer. ^^;

I will travel across the land, searching far and wide... Upon reaching the age of 10 a person can receive his Pokemon Training license and go out in the world to find Pokemon. Trainers usually travel since Pokemon vary by region.

Each Pokemon to understand the power that's inside. Every Pokemon has different powers. One of the trainer's challenges is to knnow what each Pokemon does and how to train your Pokemon to use attacks that would work against the opponent.

(Pokemon, gotta catch 'em all!) It's what Ash wants to do. ^^;

Yeah, you and me... It's probably a reference to Pikachu and Ash, but it could also apply to any of the characters and their Pokemon. (e.g. Misty and Starmie, Brock and Onix)

I know it's my destiny! Ash believes that he's destined to become the best Pokemon trainer ever. Trust me, he is. ^_^

(Pokemon!)
Oh, you're my best friend... Same reference to "Yeah, you and me..." Ash and Pikachu are very close in the anime, but you get to see experiences of other trainers and their Pokemon.

... in a world we must defend. Team Rocket, 'nuff said. ^_^ It's obviously not a reference to Gary, since he's not out for world domination, he's just Ash's rival.

Pokemon, gotta catch 'em all! See above.

A heart so true... Again, there could be many references made here. Ash is true to defending Pokemon; he risks his life in Episode 1 and Episode 11 just to save his Pokemon. It could also be a reference to Pikachu in Episode 1 for saving Ash, and Episode 14 for having determination in the fight versus Raichu.

... our courage will pull us through! Relates to "A heart so true..." Having a true heart also means having courage.

You teach me and I'll teach you... This line's important. Ash is pretty cocky near the beginning of the series and he thinks that he's the absolute best. He learns through his Pokemon to be more considerate of others. He also learns through his Pokemon the fighting strategy he needs to pic

Po-ke-mon!
(Gotta catch 'em all)
Gotta catch 'em all, Pokemon! Well, the last lines are obvious... ^^;