Pokémon Theme

If you were looking for the CD, see Pokémon Theme (single).

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English opening themes

Pokémon World →

Pokémon Theme
Dub OP 1 Artist Jason Paige Lyrics John Loeffler Composer John Siegler and John Loeffler Arrangement John Siegler
KOCH Records Title Pokémon 2.B.A. Master Catalog no. KOC-MC-8901, KOC-CD-8901

Pokémon Theme is the opening theme song for the English dub of the first season, Pokémon: Indigo League. It was used from Pokémon - I Choose You! to Friends to the End. Being featured in 79 episodes, it is the most-used dub opening theme. The opening animation is composed of clips from the first Japanese opening, Aim to Be a Pokémon Master, and episode clips from the Pokémon: Indigo League season. It was written and produced by John Loeffler. The lead vocal was sung by Jason Paige.

The song was played at the end of the VHS A Sneak Peek at Pokémon. A full version of the song is available on the Pokémon 2.B.A. Master and Pokémon X audio CDs, and includes a second verse not usually heard in the show. This version is also featured in the episodes of the anime Bye Bye Butterfree, All Fired Up! and once again in Friends To The End. Another full version sung by Billy Crawford was the theme played during the opening credits of Mewtwo Strikes Back, and is the first track on the movie's soundtrack.

Pokémon Theme was later used as the first verse of Born to Be a Winner, a later opening theme.

A remixed version titled Pokémon Theme (Version XY) is the opening theme song for the season Pokémon the Series: XY. It was used from Kalos, Where Dreams and Adventures Begin! to Bonnie for the Defense!. The opening animation is composed of clips from the first XY series Japanese opening, V (Volt). A full-length version is used as the opening song of Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction.

An orchestral version of the song was performed live at the Pokémon: Symphonic Evolutions event on August 15, 2014.

Opening animation: Dub OP 1

Synopsis

The clip begins with Mewtwo and a shining Mew floating in space, as the camera focuses on Earth, while the sun starts to rise. The next scene shows Ash alone in a stadium. After that, a Squirtle, Cubone and Pidgeotto are shown quickly, before changing to a Bulbasaur being caught, to which Ash snaps excitedly. Shortly afterwards, the camera shows a Haunter using Lick on Charmander, paralyzing him.

Ash then flips his hat backwards and throws a Poké Ball to the camera. In the following scene, Ash can be seen running along with his Pikachu, an Arcanine and a Rapidash, who then jumps to the skies, disappearing between the Legendary birds, who are flying around. Then, a short clip of a Sandshrew unrolling itself, a Kadabra and Charmander is shown, followed by Ash and Pikachu sitting on a Lapras, as they watch a Gyarados jumping out of the water, and a Dragonair jumping in. After that, a Poké Ball is seen trapping a Pokémon who has turned into red energy.

A battle between Pikachu and Raichu is seen, with the former dodging a Body Slam of the latter; and then, a Caterpie bracing for an Ekans' and a Koffing's incoming attack. In the next scene, Ash is seen hugging his Pikachu, followed by a giant Tentacruel attacking a building. Ash then is seen holding a Poké Ball; followed by an Onix. Later, Ash appears to be looking at the screen, when Misty and Brock appear on either side of him, followed by Jessie and James rising up in front of them. Koffing, Meowth and Ekans jump up next, followed by Gary holding a Poké Ball.

The camera then runs across Charizard while using Flamethrower, Blastoise while using Hydro Pump and Venusaur; before Pikachu runs between Ash and a Lass and jumps. The next scene introduces Professor Oak, Delia Ketchum, Officer Jenny and Nurse Joy, as they nod, the camera then shows a giant Charizard using Flamethrower, and Ash and his friends hide behind a boulder, later, a Squirtle is seen running towards Ash, followed by a hug.

The camera does a close-up on Pikachu, and subsequently zooms out, showing Pikachu standing on a Pidgeotto, a Zubat holding a Squirtle, and a Butterfree holding Bulbasaur. The last scene then shows up, on which Ash raises his feet and throws the Poké Ball to the screen, much like a Baseball pitcher, followed by a spinning Poké Ball and the Pokémon logo.

Opening animation spoilers

• Ash receives his starter Pokémon, Pikachu.
• The capture of Ash's Bulbasaur.
• The capture of Ash's Squirtle.

Characters

Humans

• Ash
• Misty
• Brock
• Jessie
• James
• Nurse Joy
• Officer Jenny
• Delia
• Professor Oak
• Gary
• Giselle

Pokémon

• Pikachu (Ash's)
• Meowth (Team Rocket)
• Caterpie (Ash's)
• Butterfree (Ash's)
• Pidgeotto (Ash's)
• Bulbasaur (Ash's)
• Charmander (Ash's)
• Squirtle (Ash's)
• Onix (Brock's)
• Zubat (Brock's)
• Ekans (Jessie's)
• Koffing (James's)
• Sandshrew (A.J.'s)
• Cubone (Giselle's)
• Raichu (Lt. Surge's)
• Haunter (Sabrina's)
• Kadabra (Sabrina's)
• Mewtwo (original series)
• Venusaur
• Charizard
• Blastoise
• Arcanine
• Tentacruel (giant)
• Rapidash
• Gyarados
• Lapras
• Articuno
• Zapdos
• Dragonair
• Mew

Lyrics

TV version

I wanna be the very best
Like no one ever was
To catch them is my real test
To train them is my cause

I will travel across the land
Searching far and wide
Teach Pokémon to understand
The power that's inside

Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), it's you and me
I know it's my destiny
(Pokémon!)
Ooh, you're my best friend
In a world we must defend
Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), a heart so true
Our courage will pull us through
You teach me, and I'll teach you
Po-ké-mon
(Gotta catch 'em all!)
Gotta catch 'em all!
Pokémon!

Extended version

I wanna be the very best
Like no one ever was
To catch them is my real test
To train them is my cause

I will travel across the land
Searching far and wide
Teach Pokémon to understand
The power that's inside

Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), it's you and me
I know it's my destiny
(Pokémon!)
Ooh, you're my best friend
In a world we must defend
Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), a heart so true
Our courage will pull us through
You teach me, and I'll teach you
Po-ké-mon!
(Gotta catch 'em all!)
Gotta catch 'em all!

Yeah...

Ev'ry challenge along the way
With courage I will face
I will battle ev'ry day
To claim my rightful place

Come with me, the time is right
There's no better team,
Arm in arm, we'll win the fight
It's always been our dream

Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), it's you and me
I know it's my destiny
(Pokémon!)
Ooh, you're my best friend
In a world we must defend
Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), a heart so true
Our courage will pull us through
You teach me, and I'll teach you
Po-ké-mon!
(Gotta catch 'em all!)
Gotta catch 'em all!

Gotta catch 'em all!
Gotta catch 'em all!
Gotta catch 'em all!
Yeah!

Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), it's you and me
I know it's my destiny
(Pokémon!)
Ooh, you're my best friend
In a world we must defend
Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), a heart so true
Our courage will pull us through
You teach me, and I'll teach you
Po-ké-mon!
(Gotta catch 'em all!)
Gotta catch 'em all!
Pokémon!

Movie version

I wanna be the very best
Like no one ever was
To catch them is my real test
To train them is my cause

Ooh-ooh-ooh!

I will travel across the land
Searching far and wide
Teach Pokémon to understand
The power that's inside
(That's inside)

Pokémon!
It's you and me
I know it's my destiny
(Pokémon!)
Ooh, you're my best friend
In a world we must defend
Pokémon!
A heart so true
Our courage will pull us through
You teach me and I'll teach you
Po-ké-mon
(Gotta catch 'em)
Gotta catch 'em
Gotta catch 'em all

Ev'ry challenge along the way
With courage I will face
I will battle ev'ry day
To claim my rightful place

Come with me, the time is right
There's no better team, yeah!
Arm in arm we'll win the fight
It's always been our dream
(It's always been our dream)

Pokémon!
It's you and me
I know it's my destiny
(Pokémon!)
Ooh, you're my best friend
In a world we must defend
Pokémon!
A heart so true
Our courage will pull us through
You teach me and I'll teach you
Po-ké-mon
(Gotta catch 'em)
Gotta catch 'em
Pokémon!

Pokémon!
It's you and me
I know it's my destiny
(Pokémon!)
Ooh, you're my best friend
In the world we must defend
Pokémon!
A heart so true
Our courage will pull us through
You teach me and I'll teach you
Po-ké-mon
(I'll teach you!)
(Gotta catch 'em)
Gotta catch 'em
Gotta catch 'em all!
Pokémon!

Credits

• Lead Vocal: Jason Paige
• BG Vocals: Kati Mac, Jason Paige, John Loeffler, Ken Cummings, Louis Cortelezzi
• Guitars: Larry Saltzman, David Rolfe
• Co-produced and arranged by John Siegler

Trivia

File:Fang.png

Meowth's missing fang

• Sheet music for this song was included in Pokémon 2.B.A. Master: Recorder Fun!, the Pokémon 2.B.A. Master piano book and Pokémon Five-Finger Piano.
• This is one of the songs featured in the American release of Donkey Konga.
• This song was included on the Exclusive Target Mix! and Exclusive Toys R Us Mix! CDs.
• This song uses common meter.
• Moltres is the only one of the Legendary birds that does not make an appearance in the opening. The footage from Aim to Be A Pokémon Master where it appeared was cut out.
• The first "Pokémon" sung after the guitar solo in the full version has different backing vocals added to it. This can be heard more clearly in the full instrumental version.
• The song was played on BBC Radio One's 2011 Christmas special.
• The singer of the Danish version, Michael Elo, was also the original Danish voice of Professor Oak.
• Xander Mobus, the announcer of Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS/Wii U, sang the song upon request but got worn out after the first verse.
• The song was number 1666 during the 2015 Top 2000 on Radio 2 in the Netherlands.

Errors

• When Meowth, Ekans, and Koffing jump onscreen, Meowth's right fang disappears for a split second.
• Several official sources (including lyric booklets from music CDs and closed captions in the anime) mis-transcribe the lyrics as "Each Pokémon to understand the power that's inside." John Loeffler has stated that the intended lyric is "teach", not "each".

In other languages

Language		Title
Basque		Pokémon Theme
Bulgarian		Pokémon Theme
Catalan		Pokémon Theme
Czech		Pokémon
Danish		Pokémon Tema Pokémon Theme
Finnish		Pokémon Teema Pokémon Theme
French		Thème Pokémon Pokémon Theme
German		Pokémon Thema Pokémon Theme
Greek		Το τραγούδι των τίτλων Opening titles theme song
Hindi		करने हैं हासिल Karne hai haasil * पाना हर एक को Pana har ek ko *
Hungarian		Pokémon főcímdal Pokémon Theme
Icelandic		Pokémon Theme
Italian		Pokémon Theme
Norwegian		Pokémon Theme
Polish		Główny temat Pokémon Pokémon main theme
Portuguese	Brazil	Tema de Pokémon Theme of Pokémon
	Portugal	Tema Pokémon Pokémon Theme
Romanian		Să îi prind pe toţi Gotta catch 'em all
Russian		Тема Покемон Pokémon Theme
Serbian		Покемон почетак Pokemon opening
Spanish	Latin America	Tema de Pokémon Theme of Pokémon
	Spain	Tema Pokémon Pokémon Theme
Swedish		Pokémonsången The Pokémon song
Turkish		Pokémon Tema Pokémon Theme

Opening animation: Dub OP 17

← It's Always You and Me

English opening themes

Be a Hero →

Pokémon Theme (Version XY)
Dub OP 17 Artist Ben Dixon and The Sad Truth Lyrics John Loeffler Composer John Siegler and John Loeffler Arrangement Ed Goldfarb

Synopsis

A thick mist clears and Ash, Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie are shown standing on a hill. Ash and Pikachu are shown while the scene splits diagonally, with the other half showing Ash and Pikachu eating sandwiches. The next scene shows Serena while the scene splits diagonally, with the other half showing Serena and her Fennekin while she chooses between two hats. She throws the red hat away and wears the pink hat. Clemont and Bonnie are then shown and the scene splits diagonally, with the other half showing Clemont fixing one of his inventions while Bonnie chases after Chespin and Dedenne. His invention explodes and Bonnie lies on the floor.
The Team Rocket trio are on their balloon, holding binoculars. Meowth accidentally falls and Jessie and James try to grab him. Wobbuffet comes out of its Poké Ball and the trio falls out of their balloon. Ash commands Pikachu to use Quick Attack. Chespin uses Pin Missile, while Clemont instructs Bunnelby to use Dig. Bonnie jumps for joy while Dedenne uses Thunder Shock. Serena is shown while Fennekin uses Ember. Ash is then shown while Froakie shoots Water Pulse, and Fletchling uses Steel Wing. Pikachu finally uses Electro Ball. Lucario is (briefly) seen Mega Evolving. Ash and his friends are running outside a restaurant.

The "Pokémon Gotta catch 'em all!" logo is shown while the following scenes are in the background. Two Vivillon and three Swanna are flying in the sky near a grape tree. A school of Luvdisc, a school of Remoraid, a Gorebyss, Octillery and Mantyke are swimming in the ocean. Two Furret are in a garden of flowers while four Swanna fly in the sky. A town near the pier is drizzling. A Parasol Lady, a lady with a female Meowstic, and a Quagsire holding a leaf to shield itself from the rain are in the town as well. Three Wooper and a Ducklett are on the pier. A Lotad and a Lombre are in the water, while a Magikarp leaps out of the water. Several Pidgey soar into the sky. The "Gotta catch 'em all!" slogan disappears, and "the Series XY" appears below the "Pokémon" logo.

Opening animation spoilers

• Ash capturing a Froakie and a Fletchling.
• Serena obtaining a Fennekin.
• Clemont having a Bunnelby and a Chespin.
• Bonnie obtaining a Dedenne.

Characters

Humans

• Ash
• Serena
• Clemont
• Bonnie
• Jessie
• James
• Parasol Lady

Pokémon

• Pikachu (Ash's)
• Meowth (Team Rocket)
• Dedenne (Clemont's)
• Wobbuffet (Jessie's)
• Froakie (Ash's)
• Fletchling (Ash's)
• Fennekin (Serena's)
• Bunnelby (Clemont's)
• Chespin (Clemont's)
• Pidgey (multiple)
• Magikarp
• Furret
• Wooper (three)
• Quagsire
• Remoraid (multiple)
• Octillery
• Lotad
• Lombre
• Gorebyss
• Luvdisc (multiple)
• Lucario (Mega Lucario; only partly seen)
• Mantyke
• Ducklett
• Swanna (multiple)
• Vivillon (Elegant Pattern; two)
• Meowstic (female)

Lyrics

TV version

I wanna be the very best
Like no one ever was
To catch them is my real test
To train them is my cause

(Pokémon!)
(Gotta catch 'em all), it's you and me
(Pokémon!)
I know it's my destiny
(Pokémon!)
Yeah, you're my best friend
In a world we must defend
(Pokémon!)
(Gotta catch 'em all)
Gotta catch 'em all
Gotta catch 'em all!
Pokémon!

Movie version

I wanna be the very best
Like no one ever was
To catch them is my real test
To train them is my cause

I will travel across the land
Searching far and wide
Teach Pokémon to understand
The power that's inside

(Pokémon!)
(Gotta catch 'em all), it's you and me
(Pokémon!)
I know it's my destiny
(Pokémon!)
Yeah, you're my best friend
In a world we must defend
(Pokémon!)
(Gotta catch 'em all), a heart so true
(Pokémon!)
Our courage will pull us through
You teach me, and I'll teach you
Po-ké-mon!
(Pokémon!)
(Gotta catch 'em all)
Gotta catch 'em all
Gotta catch 'em all!

Ev'ry challenge along the way
With courage I will face
I will battle ev'ry day
To claim my rightful place

Come with me, the time is right
There's no better team
Arm in arm, we'll win the fight
It's always been our dream

(Pokémon!)
(Gotta catch 'em all), it's you and me
(Pokémon!)
I know it's my destiny
(Pokémon!)
Yeah, you're my best friend
In a world we must defend
(Pokémon!)
(Gotta catch 'em all), a heart so true
(Pokémon!)
Our courage will pull us through
You teach me, and I'll teach you
Po-ké-mon!
(Pokémon!)
(Gotta catch 'em all)
Gotta catch 'em all
Gotta catch 'em all!

(Gotta catch 'em all)
Gotta catch 'em all
Gotta catch 'em all!
Pokémon!

Trivia

• When the Lucario is Mega Evolving, Lucario cannot be clearly seen, although it can be partly seen in a single frame of the shot. The Mega Evolution logo can be clearly seen, though.
• Although the switch to widescreen occurred over 200 episodes ago, this is the first dub opening that features the intro credits outside of a 4:3 ratio. This was done because before this point, many networks still cropped the 16:9 episodes to a 4:3 ratio.
• The instrumental version that is used in the end credits uses a different instrumentation from the main lyrical version.
• There is an extended version of the song, but it is only heard in the dub of Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction.
  • The vocals were removed in the initial television airings of the movie.
• Despite the amount of companies around the globe changing their dubbing staff or dubbing company altogether, which leads into inconsistencies and errors within the different translations of the Pokémon anime, all of the dub lyrics of this song are consistent with their respective season 1 counterpart from each language, except in Russian version and the Danish movie version, which changed part of the lyrics but not all of them.

Errors

• During the scene of a rainy town, a male Meowstic is miscolored as a female Meowstic.

In other languages

Language		Title
Danish		Pokémon Tema (XY Remix) Pokémon Theme (XY Remix)
Dutch		Pokémon Theme Song (XY)
Finnish		Pokémon Teema (XY Versio) Pokémon Theme (XY Version)
French		Thème Pokémon (Version XY) Pokémon Theme (Version XY)
German		Schnapp' sie dir You Snatch It
Greek		Το τραγούδι των τίτλων (Έκδοση XY) Opening titles theme song (Version XY)
Hindi		पाना हर एक को (XY) Pana har ek ko (XY)*
Italian		Pokémon Theme (Versione XY) Pokémon Theme (Version XY)
Norwegian		Pokémon Theme (Versjon XY) Pokémon Theme (Version XY)
Polish		Główny temat Pokémon (Wersja XY) Pokémon main theme (Version XY)
Portuguese	Brazil	Tema de Pokémon (Versão XY) Theme of Pokémon (Version XY)
	Portugal	Tema Pokémon (Versão XY) Pokémon Theme (Version XY)
Russian		Тема Покемон (Версия XY) Pokémon Theme (Version XY)
Spanish	Latin America	Tema de Pokémon (Versión XY) Theme of Pokémon (Version XY)
	Spain	¡Hazte con Todos! Get All of Them
Swedish		Pokémonsången (Version XY) The Pokémon song (Version XY)
Turkish		Pokémon Tema (XY Remix) Pokémon Theme (XY Remix)

English opening themes of the Pokémon animated series OS: Pokémon Theme • Pokémon World • Pokémon Johto • Born to Be a Winner • Believe in Me AG: I Wanna Be a Hero • This Dream • Unbeatable • Battle Frontier DP: Diamond and Pearl • We Will Be Heroes • Battle Cry - (Stand Up!) • We Will Carry On! BW: Black and White • Rival Destinies • It's Always You and Me XY: Pokémon Theme (Version XY) • Be a Hero • Stand Tall SM: Under The Alolan Sun • Under The Alolan Moon • The Challenge of Life JN: The Journey Starts Today • Journey to Your Heart • With You • Gotta Catch Em All HZ: Becoming Me / We Go (English Ver.) Other: Side by Side • Pokérap GS / Pokémon Chronicles theme • Always Safe

← It's Always You and Me

English opening themes

Be a Hero →

English opening themes

Pokémon World →

This article is part of Project Music, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon song, CD and musician.