EP199

Current Events!

EP199   さよならチコリータ！？でんきのラビリンス！ Goodbye Chikorita!? The Electric Labyrinth!

First broadcast Japan May 24, 2001 United States April 27, 2002

English themes Opening Born to Be a Winner Ending

Japanese themes Opening めざせポケモンマスター (Whiteberry) Ending 前向きロケット団！

Credits Animation Team Ota Screenplay 米村正二 Shōji Yonemura Storyboard 藤本義孝 Yoshitaka Fujimoto Assistant director 鈴木敏明 Toshiaki Suzuki Animation director 志村泉 Izumi Shimura No additional credits are available at this time.

Current Events! (Japanese: さよならチコリータ！？でんきのラビリンス！ Goodbye Chikorita!? The Electric Labyrinth!), is episode 199 of the Pokémon anime. It was first broadcast in Japan on May 24, 2001 and was first broadcast in USA on April 27, 2002

Episode guide

Ash and the gang stop by near a wind power generator in a large field to take a break. Ash releases all his Pokémon for a little rest and some play time while Misty and Brock seemingly, sit around. Of course, they're being spied upon Team Rocket just around the wind generators. Jessie tries to think of a plan that might get all of Ash's Pokémon but James suggests they eat first, and then all their stomachs growl, convincing Jessie.

They find a building next nearby and James knocks on the door. After a few tries, he tries to open up the door but it's electronically locked, as Meowth sees a card reader. He tries to pick at it with his claw but ends up breaking it and the reader, the door opens slowly. They walk in and explore, realizing that the building is abandoned... or is it? As soon as they go downstairs, guess who comes along? It's Jigglypuff.

Meanwhile, Ash and Chikorita are walking across the field when they find the building, the door still open. Ash looks inside the room and goes in along with Chikorita. All of a sudden, the door slams shut! Ash tries to get it open but there's no luck, however Chikorita spots out a map of the complex for him and Ash looks at it. They go downstairs to check out the place. Upon looking through various empty halls, Ash finds out a Magnemite is following him. Ash tries to check it out but it ends up attacking him! He has Chikorita attack it, but soon more come after them. Ash runs for it but ends up in a dead end. Team Rocket heard this and followed and found Ash... but Jigglypuff soon finds Team Rocket and attempts to sing, but James takes away her "microphone" but Jigglypuff slaps him knocking it towards Jessie. Jessie then throws it towards the Magnemite to give them some time. Ash figures out that there's a shutter behind him, so he too tries to escape by breaking through it, making a successful move. Jigglypuff did mangage to get her "microphone" and sings, sending all the Magnemite right to sleep. (of course you know what comes next)

Brock and Misty look around for Ash, wondering where he might've disappeared to. When they came across the building, Brock notices that the lock has shorted, maybe someone in a nearby village is an electronics expert?

On the next floor, Ash wanders around four large generators neatly in a 2x2 pattern. As soon as he gets into the middle however, some Electrode surround him! They make their move but Ash tells Chikorita to use Razor Leaf, making one explode and creating a path for Ash to escape. However the same thing happens as with the Magnemite, more of them come! The hall is soon blasted by explosion after explosion and yet again, Ash is caught in a stand still. Fortunately, Team Rocket is there again... as well as Jigglypuff. James again grabs the microphone and and Jigglypuff slaps it out of him, ending up in Jessie's hands. She tosses it and Jigglypuff goes after it. This time, Jigglypuff coming in allows Ash some time to escape, as well as Team Rocket. Both escape and Jigglypuff is successful at singing to the Electrode. (I wonder why they don't do anything?)

Team Rocket start running around finding a hiding spot to stay in and they find a room. As soon as they get inside, they get interrupted by an Electabuzz! Team Rocket soon gets frightened, but Meowth soon makes his little mark. He tells the Electabuzz that Ash is really the one causing the trouble and their just regulars here. So the Electabuzz marches off to find Ash.

Meanwhile, an electronics expert comes by to check out the situation. She sees the lock and soon starts to fix it, or just try to get the door open. Successful, they make their way in. Brock tries the elevator and it works, so they make their way into the third basement.

Soon Ash runs into the Electabuzz, and sure enough, the Electabuzz isn't too thrilled to see Ash. It seems Ash has no choice but fight. But before even both Pokémon can lay the first blow, a cage slams on them, trapping them, the one resposible? Team Rocket of course! Chikorita tries to break away with Razor Leaf, but the bars are way too strong. They soon run off with the captured Pokémon and Ash chases them. Brock, Misty and the woman walk out and explore for a while, while Team Rocket, unnoticed, zooms into the elevator while it's still open. Ash sees that elevator now closed, has to run up the stairs. He does so but Misty notices him and tells the others.

Soon Ash catches up with Team Rocket on the first floor and Team Rocket makes their way down a hill. Ash soon jumps ahead from another location to cut him off. However, this was a mistake, seeing that Ash has no Pokémon on him Team Rocket takes advantage of the predicament. Jessie and James combo it off with Arbok and Victrebell to attack... Ash! Ash is successful in dodging the first few attacks but soon gets hit and the Pokémon beat him up badly. Chikorita, sitting there helpless, just can't take Ash being beaten up and so she evolves into Bayleaf! Bayleaf uses Razor Leaf and this breaks the bars right off, allowing both Pokémon to escape. Brock and the others catch up but just insist on observing since it looks like the tides have turned. Bayleaf soon bashes Arbok and Victrebell away and throws them towards Team Rocket with a Vine Whip. The woman, who happens to be Electabuzz's trainer, makes her call and tells it to use Thunderbolt and that takes care of them.

It seems now that things might be a little different with Bayleaf around, but Ash is proud anyways. Bayleaf jumps onto Ash, but instead tackles him... looks like she still has a ways to go before she gets used to her new form. Just when things seem happy, Jigglypuff comes out, finishing off by singing. Of course, she isn't all too happy when everyone goes to sleep and she draws on them, stomping away angrily.