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ja_op=[[Aim to Be a Pokémon Master|めざせポケモンマスター]] |
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ja_ed=[[One Hundred Fifty-One|ひゃくごじゅういち]] |
ja_ed=[[One Hundred Fifty-One|ひゃくごじゅういち]] |
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footnotes=* {{filb-eppics|pm|004}}
footnotes=* {{filb-eppics|pm|004}}
* [https://youtu.be/_2n8VptXyB0 サムライしょうねんのちょうせん!] on the official Japanese Pokémon [[YouTube]] channel
}}
}}
'''Challenge of the Samurai''' (Japanese: '''サムライしょうねんのちょうせん!''' ''Challenge of the Samurai Boy!'') is the fourth episode of the [[Pokémon anime]]. It was first broadcast in Japan on April 22, 1997 and in United States on September 11, 1998.
'''Challenge of the Samurai''' (Japanese: '''サムライしょうねんのちょうせん!''' ''Challenge of the Samurai Boy!'') is the fourth episode of the [[Pokémon animated series]]. It first aired in Japan on April 22, 1997, and in the United States on September 11, 1998.


{{spoilers}}
{{spoilers}}


==Blurb==
==Blurb==
<!--http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-episodes/01_04-challenge-of-the-samurai/-->
<!--https://www.pokemon.com/us/animation/seasons/1/episode-4-challenge-of-the-samurai/-->
<!--Please do not alter the blurb to fix any errors, there are meant to be presented as they are on the official site.-->
<i>Misty and Ash continue to wander the Viridian Forest when they spot a Weedle. As Ash battles it, he's distracted by a boy dressed as a samurai and calling himself (naturally) Samurai. Samurai challenges Ash to a battle, and Ash gets the advantage when his Metapod defends itself against Samurai's Pinsir. Samurai sends out his own Metapod—and a standoff begins.
<i>Misty and Ash continue to wander the Viridian Forest when they spot a Weedle. As Ash battles it, he's distracted by a boy dressed as a samurai and calling himself (naturally) Samurai. Samurai challenges Ash to a battle, and Ash gets the advantage when his Metapod defends itself against Samurai's Pinsir. Samurai sends out his own Metapod—and a standoff begins.


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==Plot==
==Plot==
As {{Ash}}, {{an|Misty}} and {{AP|Pikachu}} continue on their way through [[Viridian Forest]], a shrill scream disrupts the calm of the trees and the beedrill. Ash turns around, realizing that the sound came from his female companion. She is hiding in a tree because she has seen a {{t|bug}}, to which Ash makes a pun. Then he spots the bug, a {{p|Weedle}}, and decides to catch it. He tries to use Pikachu against it, but it is more interested in sleeping than {{pkmn|battle|battling}}, so he sends out his {{AP|Pidgeotto}}. Pidgeotto manages to defeat Weedle, but, just when Ash is about to toss a {{ball|Poké}} to capture it, a boy dressed as a [[samurai]] arrives on the scene. The samurai asks Ash if he is from [[Pallet Town]], and when Ash replies that, yes, he is from Pallet Town, the samurai challenges Ash to a Pokémon battle. The {{pkmn2|wild}} Weedle escapes and the samurai rebukes Ash for allowing it to escape, but Ash insists that it is the samurai's fault that the Weedle escaped. The two then begin their Pokémon battle.
As {{ashfr|the group}} continue their way through [[Viridian Forest]], {{an|Misty}} lets out a shrill scream. {{Ash}} turns to find her in a tree because she saw a {{type|Bug}} {{OBP|Pokémon|species}}, though he makes light of her fear. Then, he spots the Pokémon in question, a {{p|Weedle}}, and decides to catch it. He is forced to send out his {{AP|Pidgeotto}} because {{AP|Pikachu}} is asleep. Misty walks off, only to encounter a stranger named [[Samurai]] and his sharp sword. When he asks if she is from [[Pallet Town]], she states that she's not, causing him to leave to continue his search. Misty is baffled as to what kind of grudge the stranger could have against Pallet Town inhabitants, but then she realizes the stranger is after Ash.


Ash uses his Pidgeotto and the samurai battles with his {{p|Pinsir}}. The two battle for some time, but Pinsir finally manages to defeat Pidgeotto. Ash then sends out his {{AP|Metapod}}. Metapod breaks Pinsir's pincers with {{m|Harden}} and wins the round. The samurai then sends out his own {{p|Metapod}}! The two Metapod continue to harden themselves, leaving Misty and Pikachu to wonder whether the match will ever finish. Suddenly, a swarm of angry {{p|Beedrill}} arrives, and one Beedrill lifts Ash's Metapod away. The samurai takes Ash, Misty and their Pokémon to a safe place.
Meanwhile, Pidgeotto swoops and defeats Weedle, but, just as Ash is about to toss a {{i|Poké Ball}}, Samurai arrives and asks him if he is from [[Pallet Town]]. When Ash affirms it, Samurai draws his sword at him, with Misty barely yelling out a warning to Ash, and challenges Ash to a Pokémon battle. The {{pkmn2|wild}} Weedle escapes and Ash reprimands Samurai for causing him to lose the Weedle. However, Samurai says that Ash allowed it to escape. The two then begin their Pokémon battle.


In the samurai's hiding place, the samurai furiously rebukes Ash for putting his Metapod in danger. Ash keeps quiet, and promises himself that he will find Metapod the next day and look after it better from then on. During the night, he is unable to sleep and can only think about his Metapod.
Ash uses his exhausted Pidgeotto against Samurai's {{p|Pinsir}}. Pidgeotto uses {{m|Sand Attack}}, but it is defeated by Pinsir's {{m|Tackle}}. Ash then sends out his {{p|Metapod}}, who wins after he {{m|Harden}}s his body to the point where Pinsir's pincers break. Samurai sends out his own Metapod, and the two Metapod continue to use Harden in a battle of willpower for many hours, leaving Misty and Pikachu wondering if the match will ever end. After spotting a {{p|Beedrill}} swarm, Samurai [[recall]]s his Pokémon and flees, though Ash checks his [[Pokédex]] for details. A Beedrill kidnaps Ash's Metapod, despite Ash's attempts to recall his Pokémon. Pikachu shocks a Beedrill and Misty grabs Ash to start running, catching up with Samurai. They hide amongst some shrubs, only to encounter a hive of {{p|Kakuna}}. When the Kakuna evolve into more Beedrill, the group flees to Samurai's log cabin.


Early the next morning, Ash begins his search for Metapod.  He sees it lying at the base of a tree, surrounded by many {{p|Kakuna}}, and attempts to sneak forward through the grass towards it without alerting the Beedrill swarm. However, he is interrupted by {{MTR}}, who jumps on the back of his head.  A moment later, [[Jessie]] and [[James]] appear on a cliff overhead, and launch loudly into their {{motto}}, ignoring Ash's warnings that they will alert the Beedrill.
Samurai rebukes Ash for putting his Metapod in danger, then admits that he lost against three other Trainers from Pallet Town, including {{Gary}}. However, he insists that Ash is a novice. Ash keeps quiet and promises himself that he will find Metapod the next day and look after him better from then on. During the night, he is unable to sleep and can only think about his Metapod.


Sure enough, the sound awakens the Kakuna, which evolve into Beedrill and prepare to dive-bomb Ash and Team Rocket. Ash runs forward below their attacks, reaching the tree where Metapod is waiting. Jessie and James attempt to take cover from the Beedrill beneath a large protective tank they have been carrying, but, as it is made of cardboard, a group of {{p|Weedle}} are easily able to chew through it.
Early the next morning, Ash begins his search for Metapod. He sees him lying at the base of a tree, surrounded by many {{p|Kakuna}}, and attempts to sneak forward through the grass towards him without alerting the Beedrill swarm. However, he is interrupted by {{MTR}}, who jumps on the back of his head. A moment later, [[Jessie]] and [[James]] appear on a cliff overhead, and launch loudly into their {{motto}}, ignoring Ash's warnings that they will alert the Beedrill. The sound awakens the Beedrill, who prepare to dive-bomb Ash and Team Rocket. Ash rolls underneath their attacks and reaches Metapod. Jessie and James attempt to take cover in their cardboard van, but some {{p|Weedle}} have begun to chew through it, and they run instead.


Ash attempts to recall Metapod to its Poké Ball, but it rolls away from his arms. Seeing a look of sorrow in Metapod's eyes, Ash realizes that he has lost Metapod's trust. Ash attempts to explain what happened, saying that losing Metapod was all Samurai's fault. However, Ash suddenly realizes that he is lying to himself and to Metapod, and admits that losing Metapod was his fault and his alone. Ash is upset upon realizing that it was his carelessness that put his Pokémon's life in danger, and, amid tearful apologies to Metapod, he sincerely promises to take better care of it. Its faith in its Trainer restored, Metapod saves Ash by leaping into the path of an attacking Beedrill, but in the process its shell is torn by the Beedrill's needle-like arm. Ash picks up his Metapod and cradles it in his arms, thinking it has been badly injured, but it instead begins to glow; the hole in its shell has triggered Metapod's [[evolution]] into {{AP|Butterfree}}. Ash gazes happily at his first fully-evolved Pokémon, and even Misty doesn't feel her normal fear of {{t|bug}}s, going so far as to call Ash's Butterfree beautiful.
Ash attempts to recall Metapod to his Poké Ball, but he shakes in disagreement. With a Beedrill fast approaching, Ash runs with Metapod in his arms. Seeing a look of sorrow in Metapod's eyes, Ash realizes that he has lost Metapod's trust. Ash attempts to explain what happened, saying that losing Metapod was all Samurai's fault. However, Ash suddenly realizes that he is lying to himself and to Metapod, and admits that losing Metapod was his fault and his alone. Ash is upset upon realizing that it was his carelessness that put his Pokémon's life in danger, and, amid tearful apologies to Metapod, he sincerely promises to stop making excuses and take better care of his Pokémon. As Samurai, Misty, and Pikachu arrive in a protective bug net, Metapod leaps into the path of a Beedrill's {{m|Twineedle}}, sparing Ash. Ash cradles Metapod, thinking he has been badly injured, but he instead begins to glow. The hole in his shell has triggered Metapod's [[evolution]] into {{AP|Butterfree}}. Ash gazes happily at his first fully evolved Pokémon, and even Misty isn't fearful, going so far as to call Ash's Butterfree beautiful.


Ash and the others are then once again attacked by the swarm of Beedrill, but, this time, Ash is prepared for them. He orders his newly-evolved Butterfree to use {{m|Sleep Powder}}, which puts the bee-like Pokémon to sleep and allows the group to escape. Samurai applauds Ash for being able to control his Butterfree well so soon after its evolution. Samurai also tells Ash that he takes back the statements he made about Ash being a novice, and that, compared to Ash, Samurai is the novice.
Another swarm of Beedrill appears, but this time, Ash orders his Butterfree to use {{m|Sleep Powder}}, which puts the bee-like Pokémon, and also Team Rocket, to sleep and allows the group to escape. Samurai applauds Ash for his control over Butterfree so soon after his evolution. He then shows Ash and Misty the path out of Viridian Forest to [[Pewter City]]. He also tells Ash that he takes back his criticism and refers to himself as a novice. Ash, Pikachu, and Misty continue towards Pewter City to earn Ash's first [[Gym]] [[Badge]]. Team Rocket, meanwhile, is left wrapped up like Kakuna amongst a hive of angry Beedrill.
 
Ash and Samurai part as friends, promising to battle again someday. Ash, Pikachu and Misty then go on and finally reach the end of Viridian Forest. Ash runs at full speed towards [[Pewter City]] to earn his first [[Gym]] [[Badge]], with Misty following close behind. Team Rocket, meanwhile, are left wrapped up like Kakuna among a hive of angry Beedrill.


==Major events==
==Major events==
* {{Ash}} tries and fails to {{pkmn2|caught|capture}} a {{p|Weedle}}.
<!-- This is not for summarizing everything that happens in this episode. Only events pertaining to the series as a whole, such as catching and releasing Pokémon and obtaining Badges, go here. -->
* Ash has his first fair {{pkmn|battle}}, with no official winner.
* {{Ash}} tries and fails to {{pkmn2|caught|catch}} a {{p|Weedle}}.
* [[Ash's Pidgeotto]] is revealed to know {{m|Sand-Attack}}.
* [[Ash's Pidgeotto]] is revealed to know {{m|Sand Attack}}.
* Ash's {{p|Metapod}} is revealed to have learned {{m|Harden}}.
* Ash's {{p|Metapod}} is revealed to have learned {{m|Harden}}.
* Ash has his first fair {{pkmn|Trainer}} {{pkmn|battle}}, with no official winner.
* {{MTR}} is revealed to know {{m|Scratch}}.
* {{MTR}} is revealed to know {{m|Scratch}}.
* Ash's Metapod [[Evolution|evolves]] into {{AP|Butterfree}} and learns {{m|Sleep Powder}}.
* Ash's Metapod [[Evolution|evolves]] into {{AP|Butterfree}} and learns {{m|Sleep Powder}}.
{{animeevents}}
{{animeevents}}


==Debuts==
===Debuts===
===Pokémon debuts===
====Pokémon debuts====
* [[Ash's Butterfree]]
* {{p|Weedle}}
* {{p|Pinsir}}
* {{p|Pinsir}}
* {{p|Weedle}}
* {{p|Kakuna}}
* {{p|Kakuna}}
* [[Ash's Butterfree]]


==Characters==
==Characters==
===Humans===
===Humans===
[[File:Dare da EP004.png|thumb|200px|right|{{tt|Dare da?|Who's That Pokémon?}}]]
[[File:Dare da EP004.png|thumb|200px|{{tt|Dare da?|Who's That Pokémon?}}]]
* {{Ash}}
* {{Ash}}
* {{an|Misty}}
* {{an|Misty}}
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===Pokémon===
===Pokémon===
[[File:WTP EP004.png|thumb|200px|right|Who's That Pokémon?]]
[[File:WTP EP004.png|thumb|200px|Who's That Pokémon?]]
[[Who's That Pokémon?]]: {{p|Metapod}}
[[Who's That Pokémon?]]: {{p|Metapod}}
* {{p|Pikachu}} ({{OP|Ash|Pikachu}})
* {{p|Pikachu}} ({{OP|Ash|Pikachu}})
* {{p|Meowth}} ({{TRM}})
* {{p|Meowth}} ({{TRM}})
* {{p|Caterpie}} ({{OP|Ash|Caterpie}}; flashback)
* {{p|Metapod}} ({{OP|Ash|Butterfree}}; evolves)
* {{p|Metapod}} ({{OP|Ash|Metapod}}; evolves)
* {{p|Butterfree}} ({{OP|Ash|Butterfree}}; newly evolved)
* {{p|Butterfree}} ({{OP|Ash|Butterfree}}; newly evolved)
* {{p|Pidgeotto}} ({{OP|Ash|Pidgeotto}})
* {{p|Pidgeotto}} ({{OP|Ash|Pidgeotto}})
* {{p|Ekans}} ({{OP|Jessie|Ekans}}; flashback)
* {{p|Squirtle}} ({{OP|Gary|Squirtle}}{{tt|*|Unknown before EP269 - The Ties that Bind}}; flashback)
* {{p|Koffing}} ({{OP|James|Koffing}}; flashback)
* {{p|Squirtle}} ({{OP|Gary|Squirtle}}*; flashback)
* {{p|Chansey}} ({{OP|Nurse Joy|Chansey}}; flashback)
* {{p|Pinsir}} ([[Samurai]]'s; debut)
* {{p|Pinsir}} ([[Samurai]]'s; debut)
* {{p|Metapod}} ([[Samurai]]'s)
* {{p|Metapod}} ([[Samurai]]'s)
* {{p|Bulbasaur}} (unnamed {{pkmn|Trainer}}'s; flashback)
* {{p|Bulbasaur}} ({{pkmn|Trainer}}'s; flashback)
* {{p|Charmander}} (unnamed {{pkmn|Trainer}}'s; flashback)
* {{p|Charmander}} ({{pkmn|Trainer}}'s; flashback)
* {{p|Weedle}} (multiple; debut)
* {{p|Weedle}} (multiple; debut)
* {{p|Kakuna}} (multiple; debut)
* {{p|Kakuna}} (multiple; evolve; debut)
* {{p|Beedrill}} (multiple)
* {{p|Beedrill}} (multiple; some newly evolved)
* {{p|Spearow}} (multiple; flashback)
 
:''*Unknown before [[EP269|The Ties that Bind]].''


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
[[File:Kakuna evolution anime.png|thumb|200px|Kakuna's original evolution method]]
[[File:Kakuna evolution anime.png|thumb|200px|Kakuna's original evolution method]]
[[File:Metapod evolution anime.png|thumb|200px|Metapod's original evolution method]]
[[File:Metapod evolution anime.png|thumb|200px|Metapod's original evolution method]]
* This is the first episode not to have the word "Pokémon" in its name.
* This is the first time the lines "Prepare for trouble! / And make it double!" are included in {{TRT}}'s {{motto}}.
* This is the first time the lines "Prepare for trouble! / And make it double!" are included in [[Team Rocket mottos|Team Rocket's motto]].
* In this episode, {{p|Metapod}} and {{p|Kakuna}}'s evolution processes are depicted as their shells cracking and their evolved forms emerging, leaving behind an empty carapace, similar to real-life insects' emergence from {{wp|pupa}}tion. [[AG142|In]] [[BW124|later]] [[BW130|episodes]], however, Metapod and Kakuna are shown to evolve like any other Pokémon.
* In this episode, Metapod and Kakuna's evolution processes are depicted as their shells cracking and their evolved forms emerging, leaving behind an empty carapace, similar to real life insects' emergence from pupation. [[AG142|In]] [[BW124|later]] [[BW130|episodes]], however, Metapod and Kakuna are shown to evolve like any other Pokémon.
* {{Ash}} tries and fails to {{pkmn2|caught|catch}} a {{p|Weedle}}; however, he would [[EP161|later]] succeed in catching its [[Casey's Beedrill|final form]], only to give it away shortly thereafter.
* Ash tries and fails to capture a Weedle; however, he would [[EP161|later]] succeed in capturing its [[Casey's Beedrill|final form]] only to give it away shortly thereafter.
** In that episode Ash once again tries and fails to capture a Weedle.
** In that episode Ash once again tries and fails to capture a Weedle.
* This episode features the first [[anime move error]], as [[Pinsir]] cannot legally learn {{m|Tackle}} in the games.
* This episode features the first [[animated series move errors|anime move error]], as {{p|Pinsir}} cannot legally learn {{m|Tackle}} in the {{pkmn|games}}.
* During the Metapod vs. Metapod battle, each side uses Harden in a futile attempt to defeat the other. However, Ash's Metapod should technically know Tackle as well, since it evolved from a Caterpie. It does, in fact, appear to use this move later to protect Ash from a Beedrill's {{m|Twineedle}} attack.
* This episode features the first [[character of the day]], namely [[Samurai]].
* When Ash, Misty and Samurai are settled down for the night and Ash is shown to be awake and worrying about Metapod, "Satoshi", Ash's Japanese name, is seen to be written on his sleeping bag.
* During the Metapod vs. Metapod battle, each side uses Harden in a futile attempt to defeat the other. However, Ash's Metapod should know Tackle as well, since it evolved from a Caterpie.
* This episode was banned in {{pmin|South Korea}} due to a cultural problem.
* When Ash, Misty, and Samurai are settled down for the night and Ash is shown to be awake and worrying about Metapod, "Satoshi", Ash's Japanese name, is written on his sleeping bag.
* Butterfree's Pokèdex entry in this episode states that Metapod evolves after one week. This means that one week has passed since [[EP003|the previous episode]].
* Samurai blames Ash for letting the Weedle escape, even though he only failed to catch it due to Samurai himself interrupting his capture attempt.
* This episode was [[Banned episodes|banned]] in {{pmin|South Korea}} due to featuring a samurai.
* In the {{pmin|Netherlands|Dutch}} and {{pmin|Poland|Polish}} [[dub]]s of the episode, Ash refers to {{Gary}} as "'''Bailey'''" while talking with Samurai. The same error appears in [[Pokémon Stickers series 1 (Artbox)|Pokémon Stickers series 1]] by Artbox, possibly indicating a preliminary name for Gary in the anime's dubbing production.
* This episode marks one of the few times a body part of a Pokémon gets clearly broken, being Samurai's Pinsir's pincers.
* Ash imagining Samurai's Pinsir splitting his Metapod in half is the first of very few instances of a Pokémon dying on-screen.
* This is the only time when the English dub [[title card]] contains dialogue unrelated to the episode title, with Ash following the [[narrator]]'s opening recap by saying, "And now", before reciting the title.


===Errors===
===Errors===
[[File:EP004 error.png|thumb|200px|right|Ash's eyes]]
* During the recap when Caterpie evolves, Ash's eyes are red in color.
* In one scene, when Ash is arguing with Samurai, his gloves disappear.
* When Samurai first points his sword at Ash, Ash's gloves disappear.
* As mentioned above, Samurai's Pinsir uses {{m|Tackle}} in this episode, a move it is [[Anime move errors|normally incapable of learning]].
* After Samurai challenges Ash to a match, Pikachu says "Pika?" and his mouth is white instead of the usual pink.
* Misty refers to Ash's and Samurai's Metapod as "Metapods".
* Right before Ash and Samurai battle, Pikachu says his name but his mouth doesn't move.
** In the scene with the Kakuna hive, Samurai incorrectly refers to the plural of Kakuna as "Kakunas." The Pokédex also makes this mistake.
* As mentioned above, Samurai's Pinsir uses {{m|Tackle}} in this episode, a move it is [[Animated series move errors|normally incapable of learning]].
** Misty and Ash also incorrectly refer to the plural of "Beedrill" in this manner.
* When the two Metapod are battling, the day progresses from morning to evening as shown by their shadows. In the next shot, the sun is still overhead at 90 degrees, which is possible only in afternoon. This is an example of [[animation physics]].  
* The hole a Beedrill makes in the door of the cabin disappears in the next shot.
* The hole a Beedrill makes in the door of the cabin disappears in the next shot.
* When Ash sets out the next morning to look for Metapod, Meowth kicks Ash in the head and scratches him. After he starts crying, Jessie and James are shown on top of the cliff above him. Ash runs off after they finish reciting their motto, during which time Meowth is still next to him. However, when the camera cuts to Jessie and James jumping off the cliff and running after him, Meowth is shown jumping off with them.
* When Beedrill removes itself the cabin door, some Beedrill's limbs are colored yellow.
* In one scene, Ash's eyes are red in color.
* When Ash sets out the next morning to look for Metapod, Meowth kicks Ash in the head and scratches him. Then, Jessie and James are shown on top of the cliff above him. Ash runs off after they finish reciting their motto, during in which Meowth is still next to him. However, when the camera cuts to Jessie and James jumping off the cliff and running after him, Meowth is shown jumping off with them.
* In the end when Misty said "Next time don't do Metapod Versus Metapod." It is an error as Ash's Metapod evolved into Butterfree.
* When Ash's Metapod takes the hit from Beedrill's {{m|Twineedle}}, the center part on [[Ash's hat]] is colored white instead of red.
* At the end of the episode, Samurai's sword appears smaller than normal.
** Also at the end, in one shot Samurai is standing under trees, but the trees disappear in his close-up.
* In the English dub:
** Many times in this episode, when referring to multiple of a Pokémon, characters add "s" on the end of the name when the plural of a Pokémon is the same as the singular.
** When Ash, Misty, and Samurai are running away from the Beedrill, Misty's Japanese voice can be heard.  
* In the {{pmin|Brazil}}ian dub, when talking with Samurai, Ash refers to Gary as "Scary".
 
<gallery>
EP004 error.png|Ash's eyes
EP004 error 2.png|Ash's missing gloves
EP004 error 3.png|The Beedrill's miscolored limbs
</gallery>


===Changes===
===Changes===
====Dub edits====
====Dub edits====
* Ash getting in a cow costume and suggesting that a bug is a "cowterpie" makes more sense in the Japanese version, being an untranslatable pun: Misty says "Mushi! Mushi! Mushi! ...Mushi!" which means "Bug! Bug! Bug! ...Bug!". Ash then says "Ushi?", meaning "Cow?".  
* [[Kanto Pokérap]]: Day 4
* In the original Japanese version, Ash makes an untranslatable pun. Misty says "{{tt|虫!虫!虫! ...虫!|Mushi! Mushi! Mushi! ...Mushi!}}" which means "Bug! Bug! Bug! ...Bug!", and Ash dons a cow costume and says "{{tt|牛?|Ushi?}}", meaning "Cow?". In the English dub, Ash just suggests that the bug Misty is cowering over might just be a "Cowterpie".
* The word "Mika" on Jessie's Kakuna disguise is painted out in the dub.
* The word "Mika" on Jessie's Kakuna disguise is painted out in the dub.
* The narrator talking at the beginning of the episode after the recap was removed in the dub.
* Misty's bikini scene was removed from the {{pmin|Hindi}} Cartoon Network dub and the HungamaTV re-dub.


====Differences between the episode and the comic adaptation====
====Differences between the episode and the [[Pocket Monsters Film Comic|comic adaptation]]====
* The scene where Misty first encounters Samurai is cut, leaving Samurai's first appearance to be when he encounters Ash.
* The Cowterpie joke was cut.
* The scene where Misty first encounters Samurai is cut, leaving Samurai's first appearance to be when he encounters Ash. Similarly, Misty rushing and screaming out for Ash in an attempt to warn him is cut out.
* During the scene where the Metapod are hardening during their battle, only the picture of Pikachu sunbathing is retained, whereas the episode shows both Misty and Pikachu sunbathing.
* During the scene where the Metapod are hardening during their battle, only the picture of Pikachu sunbathing is retained, whereas the episode shows both Misty and Pikachu sunbathing.
** On a related note, the comic has Pikachu briefly saying "Chu..." while lounging, while in the episode, he was completely silent.
* The panel where Misty scolds Samurai and Ash for being "more hardheaded than their Metapods" reuses the panel where Jessie and James knock Meowth off their Beedrill-protection device.
* The panel where Misty scolds Samurai and Ash for being "more hardheaded than their Metapods" reuses the panel where Jessie and James knock Meowth off their Beedrill-protection device.
* Meowth scratching Ash (as well as Ash's reaction) is cut from the comic.
* Meowth scratching Ash (as well as Ash's reaction) is cut from the comic.
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==In other languages==
==In other languages==
{{Epilang|color=AAFFAA|bordercolor=FFAAAA
{{Epilang|color=AFA|bordercolor=FAA
|ar={{tt|مغامرة تحدي الساموراي|The adventure of challenging the Samurai}}
|ar={{tt|مغامرة تحدي الساموراي|The adventure of challenging the Samurai}}
|zh_cmn={{tt|武士少年的挑戰!/ 武士少年的挑战!|Challenge of the Samurai!}}
|bg={{tt|Предизвикателството на Самурая|Samurai's challenge}}
|zh_yue={{tt|少年武士的挑戰|Challenge of the Young Samurai}} {{tt|*|TVB dub}}<br>{{tt|武士少年的挑戰|Challenge of the Samurai Boy}} {{tt|*|i-Cable dub}}<br>{{tt|武士少年的挑戰!|Challenge of the Samurai Boy!}} {{tt|*|Pokémon HK YouTube title}}
|zh_cmn={{tt|武士少年的挑戰!/ 武士少年的挑战!|Challenge of the Samurai Boy!}}
|ca_vc={{tt|El repte del samurai|The Challenge of the Samurai}}
|cs={{tt|Zápas se samurajem|A battle with a samurai}}
|cs={{tt|Zápas se samurajem|A battle with a samurai}}
|da={{tt|Samuraiens Udfordring|Samurai Challenge}}
|nl={{tt|De samoerai-uitdaging|The Samurai Challenge}}
|nl={{tt|De samoerai-uitdaging|The Samurai Challenge}}
|fi={{tt|Samurain haaste|The challenge of Samurai}}
|fi={{tt|Samurain haaste|The challenge of Samurai}}
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|fr_eu={{tt|Le défi du Samouraï|The challenge of the Samurai}}
|fr_eu={{tt|Le défi du Samouraï|The challenge of the Samurai}}
|de={{tt|Die Herausforderung|The challenge}}
|de={{tt|Die Herausforderung|The challenge}}
|hi={{tt|Samurai Ki Chunauti!!|Samurai's Challenge!!}}
|el={{tt|Η Δοκιμασία του Σαμουράι!|The Challenge of the Samurai!}}
|he=אתגר הסמוראי {{tt|etgar hasamurai|Challenge of the Samurai}}
|he=אתגר הסמוראי ''{{tt|Etgar ha'Samurai|Challenge of the Samurai}}''
|hi=समुराई की चुनौती! ''{{tt|Samurai ki Chunauti!|Samurai's Challenge!}}'' {{tt|*|CN dub}}<br>समुराई का चॅलेंज! ''{{tt|Samurai ka Challenge!|Challenge of Samurai!}}'' {{tt|*|Hungama TV dub}}
|hu={{tt|A szamuráj|The Samurai}}
|hu={{tt|A szamuráj|The Samurai}}
|it={{tt|La sfida del Samurai|The challenge of Samurai}}
|it={{tt|La sfida del samurai|The challenge of the samurai}}
|no={{tt|En samurai utfordrer til kamp|A samurai challenges to battle}}
|no={{tt|En samurai utfordrer til kamp|A samurai challenges to battle}}
|pl={{tt|Wyzwanie Samuraja|The challenge of Samurai}}
|pl={{tt|Wyzwanie samuraja|The challenge of samurai}}
|pt_br={{tt|Desafio do Samurai|Challenge of the Samurai}}
|pt_br={{tt|O Desafio do Samurai|Challenge of the Samurai}}{{tt|*|Dub}}<br>{{tt|Desafio do Samurai|Challenge of the Samurai}}{{tt|*|Pokémon TV title}}
|pt_eu={{tt|O Desafio do Samurai|The Challenge of the Samurai}}
|pt_eu={{tt|O Desafio do Samurai|The Challenge of the Samurai}}
|ro={{tt|Provocarea Samuraiului|The Challenge of the Samurai}}
|ru={{tt|Самурай бросает вызов|Samurai calls for challenge}}
|ru={{tt|Самурай бросает вызов|Samurai calls for challenge}}
|sr={{tt|Самурајски изазов|Samurai Challenge}}
|es_la={{tt|¡El desafío del Samurai!|The Challenge of the Samurai!}}
|es_la={{tt|¡El desafío del Samurai!|The Challenge of the Samurai!}}
|es_eu={{tt|El reto del Samurai|The Challenge of the Samurai}}
|es_eu={{tt|El reto del Samurái|The Challenge of the Samurai}}
|sv={{tt|Samurais utmaning|Samurai's Challenge}}
|sv={{tt|Samurais utmaning|Samurai's Challenge}} {{tt|*|spoken & Pokémon TV title}}<br>{{tt|Samurajens utmaning|The samurai's cahllenge}} {{tt|*|VHS release}}
|th={{tt|รับคำท้าจากหนุ่มน้อยซามูไร|Challenge of the Samurai Boy!}}
|tr={{tt|Samuray'ın Mücadelesi|Samurai's Strife}} {{tt|*|TV dub}}<br>{{tt|Samuray'ın Meydan Okuması|Samurai's challenge}} {{tt|*|Netflix}}
|uk={{tt|Виклик Самурая|Challenge of the Samurai}}
|vi={{tt|Trận đấu của võ sĩ|The Challenge of the Samurai}}
|vi={{tt|Trận đấu của võ sĩ|The Challenge of the Samurai}}
|ro={{tt|Provocarea Samuraiului|The Challenge of the Samurai}}
|th={{tt|รับคำท้าจากหนุ่มน้อยซามูไร|Challenge of the Samurai Boy!}}
}}
}}
<br>
<br>
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{{EpicodePrevNext|
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{{Project Anime notice}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:0004}}
[[Category:Original series episodes|004]]
[[Category:Original series episodes|004]]
[[Category:Banned episodes|004]]
[[Category:Banned episodes]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Hideki Sonoda|004]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Hideki Sonoda]]
[[Category:Episodes storyboarded by Toshiaki Suzuki|004]]
[[Category:Episodes storyboarded by Toshiaki Suzuki]]
[[Category:Episodes by one-time directors|004]]
[[Category:Episodes by one-time directors]]
[[Category:Episodes animated by Masayuki Hiraoka|004]]
[[Category:Episodes animated by Masayuki Hiraoka]]
[[Category:Episodes in which a main character's Pokémon evolves|004]]
[[Category:Episodes in which a main character's Pokémon evolves]]
[[Category:Episodes focusing on Ash|004]]
[[Category:Episodes in which a main character's Pokémon learns a new move]]
[[Category:Banned episodes|004]]
[[Category:Episodes focusing on Ash]]


[[pt:EP004]]
[[de:Die Herausforderung]]
 
[[de:Die Herausforderung (Episode)]]
[[es:EP004]]
[[es:EP004]]
[[fr:EP004]]
[[fr:EP004]]
[[it:EP004]]
[[it:EP004]]
[[ja:無印編第4話]]
[[ja:無印編第4話]]
[[pl:EP004]]
[[zh:宝可梦 第4集]]

Latest revision as of 05:15, 3 September 2024

EP003 : Ash Catches a Pokémon
Original series
EP005 : Showdown in Pewter City
Challenge of the Samurai
EP004.png
  EP004  
サムライしょうねんのちょうせん!
Challenge of the Samurai Boy!
First broadcast
Japan April 22, 1997
United States September 11, 1998
English themes
Opening Pokémon Theme
Ending
Japanese themes
Opening めざせポケモンマスター
Ending ひゃくごじゅういち
Credits
Animation Team Ota
Screenplay 園田英樹 Hideki Sonoda
Storyboard 鈴木敏明 Toshiaki Suzuki
Assistant director 大原実 Minoru Ōhara
Animation director 平岡正幸 Masayuki Hiraoka
Additional credits

Challenge of the Samurai (Japanese: サムライしょうねんのちょうせん! Challenge of the Samurai Boy!) is the fourth episode of the Pokémon animated series. It first aired in Japan on April 22, 1997, and in the United States on September 11, 1998.

201
Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.
201

Blurb

Misty and Ash continue to wander the Viridian Forest when they spot a Weedle. As Ash battles it, he's distracted by a boy dressed as a samurai and calling himself (naturally) Samurai. Samurai challenges Ash to a battle, and Ash gets the advantage when his Metapod defends itself against Samurai's Pinsir. Samurai sends out his own Metapod—and a standoff begins.

A swarm of Beedrill interrupts the battle. Ash flees, but leaves his Metapod behind. The Beedrill grab Metapod and take it back to their hive. As Ash sneaks toward the hive to save Metapod, Jessie, James, and Meowth shows up to cause trouble. Ash is able to duck the angry Beedrill, and they instead focus their wrath on Team Rocket.

Metapod is mad at Ash for being abandoned. Has Ash learned his lesson about leaving his friends behind? Will Metapod evolve again? And will Samurai and Ash ever resume their battle?

Plot

As the group continue their way through Viridian Forest, Misty lets out a shrill scream. Ash turns to find her in a tree because she saw a Bug-type Pokémon, though he makes light of her fear. Then, he spots the Pokémon in question, a Weedle, and decides to catch it. He is forced to send out his Pidgeotto because Pikachu is asleep. Misty walks off, only to encounter a stranger named Samurai and his sharp sword. When he asks if she is from Pallet Town, she states that she's not, causing him to leave to continue his search. Misty is baffled as to what kind of grudge the stranger could have against Pallet Town inhabitants, but then she realizes the stranger is after Ash.

Meanwhile, Pidgeotto swoops and defeats Weedle, but, just as Ash is about to toss a Poké Ball, Samurai arrives and asks him if he is from Pallet Town. When Ash affirms it, Samurai draws his sword at him, with Misty barely yelling out a warning to Ash, and challenges Ash to a Pokémon battle. The wild Weedle escapes and Ash reprimands Samurai for causing him to lose the Weedle. However, Samurai says that Ash allowed it to escape. The two then begin their Pokémon battle.

Ash uses his exhausted Pidgeotto against Samurai's Pinsir. Pidgeotto uses Sand Attack, but it is defeated by Pinsir's Tackle. Ash then sends out his Metapod, who wins after he Hardens his body to the point where Pinsir's pincers break. Samurai sends out his own Metapod, and the two Metapod continue to use Harden in a battle of willpower for many hours, leaving Misty and Pikachu wondering if the match will ever end. After spotting a Beedrill swarm, Samurai recalls his Pokémon and flees, though Ash checks his Pokédex for details. A Beedrill kidnaps Ash's Metapod, despite Ash's attempts to recall his Pokémon. Pikachu shocks a Beedrill and Misty grabs Ash to start running, catching up with Samurai. They hide amongst some shrubs, only to encounter a hive of Kakuna. When the Kakuna evolve into more Beedrill, the group flees to Samurai's log cabin.

Samurai rebukes Ash for putting his Metapod in danger, then admits that he lost against three other Trainers from Pallet Town, including Gary. However, he insists that Ash is a novice. Ash keeps quiet and promises himself that he will find Metapod the next day and look after him better from then on. During the night, he is unable to sleep and can only think about his Metapod.

Early the next morning, Ash begins his search for Metapod. He sees him lying at the base of a tree, surrounded by many Kakuna, and attempts to sneak forward through the grass towards him without alerting the Beedrill swarm. However, he is interrupted by Meowth, who jumps on the back of his head. A moment later, Jessie and James appear on a cliff overhead, and launch loudly into their motto, ignoring Ash's warnings that they will alert the Beedrill. The sound awakens the Beedrill, who prepare to dive-bomb Ash and Team Rocket. Ash rolls underneath their attacks and reaches Metapod. Jessie and James attempt to take cover in their cardboard van, but some Weedle have begun to chew through it, and they run instead.

Ash attempts to recall Metapod to his Poké Ball, but he shakes in disagreement. With a Beedrill fast approaching, Ash runs with Metapod in his arms. Seeing a look of sorrow in Metapod's eyes, Ash realizes that he has lost Metapod's trust. Ash attempts to explain what happened, saying that losing Metapod was all Samurai's fault. However, Ash suddenly realizes that he is lying to himself and to Metapod, and admits that losing Metapod was his fault and his alone. Ash is upset upon realizing that it was his carelessness that put his Pokémon's life in danger, and, amid tearful apologies to Metapod, he sincerely promises to stop making excuses and take better care of his Pokémon. As Samurai, Misty, and Pikachu arrive in a protective bug net, Metapod leaps into the path of a Beedrill's Twineedle, sparing Ash. Ash cradles Metapod, thinking he has been badly injured, but he instead begins to glow. The hole in his shell has triggered Metapod's evolution into Butterfree. Ash gazes happily at his first fully evolved Pokémon, and even Misty isn't fearful, going so far as to call Ash's Butterfree beautiful.

Another swarm of Beedrill appears, but this time, Ash orders his Butterfree to use Sleep Powder, which puts the bee-like Pokémon, and also Team Rocket, to sleep and allows the group to escape. Samurai applauds Ash for his control over Butterfree so soon after his evolution. He then shows Ash and Misty the path out of Viridian Forest to Pewter City. He also tells Ash that he takes back his criticism and refers to himself as a novice. Ash, Pikachu, and Misty continue towards Pewter City to earn Ash's first Gym Badge. Team Rocket, meanwhile, is left wrapped up like Kakuna amongst a hive of angry Beedrill.

Major events

For a list of all major events in the animated series, please see the history page.

Debuts

Pokémon debuts

Characters

Humans

Dare da?

Pokémon

Who's That Pokémon?

Who's That Pokémon?: Metapod

Trivia

Kakuna's original evolution method
Metapod's original evolution method
  • This is the first time the lines "Prepare for trouble! / And make it double!" are included in Team Rocket's motto.
  • In this episode, Metapod and Kakuna's evolution processes are depicted as their shells cracking and their evolved forms emerging, leaving behind an empty carapace, similar to real-life insects' emergence from pupation. In later episodes, however, Metapod and Kakuna are shown to evolve like any other Pokémon.
  • Ash tries and fails to catch a Weedle; however, he would later succeed in catching its final form, only to give it away shortly thereafter.
    • In that episode Ash once again tries and fails to capture a Weedle.
  • This episode features the first anime move error, as Pinsir cannot legally learn Tackle in the games.
  • This episode features the first character of the day, namely Samurai.
  • During the Metapod vs. Metapod battle, each side uses Harden in a futile attempt to defeat the other. However, Ash's Metapod should know Tackle as well, since it evolved from a Caterpie.
  • When Ash, Misty, and Samurai are settled down for the night and Ash is shown to be awake and worrying about Metapod, "Satoshi", Ash's Japanese name, is written on his sleeping bag.
  • Samurai blames Ash for letting the Weedle escape, even though he only failed to catch it due to Samurai himself interrupting his capture attempt.
  • This episode was banned in South Korea due to featuring a samurai.
  • In the Dutch and Polish dubs of the episode, Ash refers to Gary as "Bailey" while talking with Samurai. The same error appears in Pokémon Stickers series 1 by Artbox, possibly indicating a preliminary name for Gary in the anime's dubbing production.
  • This episode marks one of the few times a body part of a Pokémon gets clearly broken, being Samurai's Pinsir's pincers.
  • Ash imagining Samurai's Pinsir splitting his Metapod in half is the first of very few instances of a Pokémon dying on-screen.
  • This is the only time when the English dub title card contains dialogue unrelated to the episode title, with Ash following the narrator's opening recap by saying, "And now", before reciting the title.

Errors

  • During the recap when Caterpie evolves, Ash's eyes are red in color.
  • When Samurai first points his sword at Ash, Ash's gloves disappear.
  • After Samurai challenges Ash to a match, Pikachu says "Pika?" and his mouth is white instead of the usual pink.
  • Right before Ash and Samurai battle, Pikachu says his name but his mouth doesn't move.
  • As mentioned above, Samurai's Pinsir uses Tackle in this episode, a move it is normally incapable of learning.
  • When the two Metapod are battling, the day progresses from morning to evening as shown by their shadows. In the next shot, the sun is still overhead at 90 degrees, which is possible only in afternoon. This is an example of animation physics.
  • The hole a Beedrill makes in the door of the cabin disappears in the next shot.
  • When Beedrill removes itself the cabin door, some Beedrill's limbs are colored yellow.
  • When Ash sets out the next morning to look for Metapod, Meowth kicks Ash in the head and scratches him. Then, Jessie and James are shown on top of the cliff above him. Ash runs off after they finish reciting their motto, during in which Meowth is still next to him. However, when the camera cuts to Jessie and James jumping off the cliff and running after him, Meowth is shown jumping off with them.
  • When Ash's Metapod takes the hit from Beedrill's Twineedle, the center part on Ash's hat is colored white instead of red.
  • At the end of the episode, Samurai's sword appears smaller than normal.
    • Also at the end, in one shot Samurai is standing under trees, but the trees disappear in his close-up.
  • In the English dub:
    • Many times in this episode, when referring to multiple of a Pokémon, characters add "s" on the end of the name when the plural of a Pokémon is the same as the singular.
    • When Ash, Misty, and Samurai are running away from the Beedrill, Misty's Japanese voice can be heard.
  • In the Brazilian dub, when talking with Samurai, Ash refers to Gary as "Scary".

Changes

Dub edits

  • Kanto Pokérap: Day 4
  • In the original Japanese version, Ash makes an untranslatable pun. Misty says "虫!虫!虫! ...虫!" which means "Bug! Bug! Bug! ...Bug!", and Ash dons a cow costume and says "牛?", meaning "Cow?". In the English dub, Ash just suggests that the bug Misty is cowering over might just be a "Cowterpie".
  • The word "Mika" on Jessie's Kakuna disguise is painted out in the dub.
  • The narrator talking at the beginning of the episode after the recap was removed in the dub.
  • Misty's bikini scene was removed from the Hindi Cartoon Network dub and the HungamaTV re-dub.

Differences between the episode and the comic adaptation

  • The Cowterpie joke was cut.
  • The scene where Misty first encounters Samurai is cut, leaving Samurai's first appearance to be when he encounters Ash. Similarly, Misty rushing and screaming out for Ash in an attempt to warn him is cut out.
  • During the scene where the Metapod are hardening during their battle, only the picture of Pikachu sunbathing is retained, whereas the episode shows both Misty and Pikachu sunbathing.
    • On a related note, the comic has Pikachu briefly saying "Chu..." while lounging, while in the episode, he was completely silent.
  • The panel where Misty scolds Samurai and Ash for being "more hardheaded than their Metapods" reuses the panel where Jessie and James knock Meowth off their Beedrill-protection device.
  • Meowth scratching Ash (as well as Ash's reaction) is cut from the comic.
  • The final scene where Jessie and James end up wearing Kakuna disguises in the comic cuts out the part where they end up being stung as a result of the Kakuna deducing their real identities.

In other languages



EP003 : Ash Catches a Pokémon
Original series
EP005 : Showdown in Pewter City
Project Anime logo.png This episode article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of Pokémon animation.