EP065

← EP064 : It's Mr. Mime Time

Original series

EP066 : The Evolution Solution →

Showdown at the Po-ké Corral

EP065   ライバルたいけつ！オーキドけんきゅうじょ Rival Showdown! Okido Laboratory

First broadcast Japan October 8, 1998 United States September 30, 1999

English themes Opening Pokémon Theme Ending

Japanese themes Opening めざせポケモンマスター Ending ニャースのうた

Credits Animation Team Ota Screenplay 冨岡淳広 Atsuhiro Tomioka Storyboard 日高政光 Masamitsu Hidaka Assistant director 鈴木敏明 Toshiaki Suzuki Animation director 志村泉 Izumi Shimura Additional credits

Screenshots on Filb.de

Showdown at the Po-ké Corral (Japanese: ライバルたいけつ！オーキドけんきゅうじょ Rival Showdown! Okido Laboratory) is the 65th episode of the Pokémon anime. It was first broadcast in Japan on October 8, 1998 and in the United States on September 30, 1999.

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

Blurb

On a visit to Professor Oak's house, Ash runs into Gary where they talk about the upcoming Pokémon League. Professor Oak explains that instead of being so competitive with each other they should try and learn from each other. When Team Rocket busts into the lab and tries to steal all the Pokémon everyone learns a lesson about teamwork.

Plot

The episode begins with a crowd of people cheering for our hero, Ash. He throws his Poké Ball, happy to be competing in the Indigo League. However, upon throwing the ball, it comes right back at Ash, becoming ever-so large. Fortunately for him, it was just a nightmare. Unfortunately, he wakes up with Mr. Mime using the vacuum to clean his face.

Giving a big yawn, Ash walks into the kitchen where his friends and mother are waiting for him. He tells his mother what had happened, to which she replies that he cleans whatever is dirty. Misty smirks and tells him it was okay to go another week without a bath. When Ash tells Mr. Mime to suck the smirk off Misty's face, Mr. Mime does nothing. His mother claims that Mr. Mime only listens to her and has him go pick vegetables from the garden.

The episode then switches to Team Rocket walking down a dirt path to go back to Team Rocket HQ. They begin complaining about how they haven't successfully captured a single Pokémon for their Boss. Too afraid to see what the Boss would say, they quickly yell they quit before trying to run off. Before taking a few steps, the Headquarters explodes and a mysterious Pokémon flies out of the debris. Team Rocket turns around and run toward the Headquarters.

Once their boss sees them, he automatically assumed that they have more bad news for him. Frightened, Jessie and Meowth hide behind James. Before he can answer, a helicopter comes for Giovanni. Jessie asks if there is anything they can do, to which Giovanni replies that they can do their job for a change. He then boards the helicopter with his Persian. With renewed confidence, Team Rocket aspires to catch more Pokémon, while Meowth mentions to go on with the show.

The episode then switches to Professor Oak's laboratory. Professor Oak seems excited to see Togepi.

Ash seems unhappy when he sees Gary, his long-time childhood friend and bitter rival, and Professor Oak's grandson. They both immediately begin to argue before Professor Oak tells them that the two top Trainers of Pallet Town should get along. Both are in disbelief that the other could be considered a 'top Trainer.' Then Krabby walks over with a few drinks. Once Gary gets a look at Ash's Krabby, he doesn't think much of it. Professor Oak then goes on to talk about the other Trainers from Pallet Town. They were off to a great start, but couldn't cut it because of the lack of skills. Professor Oak said that Gary had ten Badges, while Ash had eight.

Ash, pumped about the Pokémon League, tries to run off before Gary calls to him, asking him if he even knew where the League was going to take place. Of course, Ash has no idea because he came to find that out. Professor Oak tells him that the Pokémon League would be on top of Indigo Plateau in two months, and more than 200 Trainers would be competing. Ash figured that he'd beat them all, but Gary thought that he'd beat Ash either way.

The episode switches to a view of Ash's house. A doorbell rings and Ash's mom goes to answer it. Team Rocket is at the door, disguised as a news crew. They claim they are from PNN, Pokémon News Network for short, and they want to interview her son for a show called 'Pokémon Masters of Tomorrow'. Upon asking if Ash is home, they are literally swept off their feet by Mimey doing his chores. Delia tells them that her son is with his friends at Professor Oak's laboratory.

Going back to Professor Oak's lab, Gary mocks Ash's Krabby and shows off his own – a giant Krabby. He then goes on to say that he rotates his Pokémon, and that Ash probably didn't. He also states that Ash probably uses the same Pokémon all the time. Brock asks what kind of Pokémon Gary would use against his Geodude. Gary says he'd use a Water-type and have a Grass-type as back-up, and asks Ash what kind of Pokémon he'd use. Misty then answers that Ash would use Pikachu. Gary mocks him, saying it'd be a bad move to match an Electric-type with a Rock-type.

Finally, Gary asks him how many Pokémon he's captured. Professor Oak scans their Pokédex, to find that Gary has seen only 60 Pokémon, while Ash has seen more than 100. However, Gary captured way more Pokémon than Ash did. Gary then suggests to go see all of the Pokémon he's caught, and Professor Oak agrees.

Upon arriving at the lab where Professor Oak keeps all of the Pokémon from Pallet Trainers, there seems to be thousands of Pokémon. Ash has his own shelf with his thirty Tauros Safari Balls, and 2 Poké Balls belonging to Krabby and Muk, respectively. Gary is then shown to have caught 200 Pokémon, if more than one of the same types are included. Gary says that the more Pokémon a Trainer has, the better chance of winning. Ash retaliates, saying that Gary's Pokémon are not his friends, and that being friends with Pokémon is more important.

Professor Oak goes on to explain that people have different personalities, thus different ways of caring for Pokémon. He also says that Pokémon needed to be respected and cared for like people. Brock asks if that was why he decided to take care of so many different Pokémon. Professor Oak tells them that is exactly the reason, because he wants to learn more about Pokémon and their mysteries.

The episode switches to Team Rocket, out of their disguises. They take the back route to Professor Oak's research field. By accident, Jessie kicks a pebble into a tree, knocking down Kakuna. In an instant, a swarm of Beedrill fly at them. Team Rocket make a break for it, only to slam into a Snorlax.

Again, the episode goes back to the lab. Professor Oak explains his day, and says that he starts off by checking on all of the Pokémon's health. He then decides which to let out of their Poké Balls and into a habitat built especially for that type, and feeds them breakfast. By the afternoon, he studies Pokémon and has recently been studying individual Pokémon of the same types. Then it is time for dinner and he puts the Pokémon back in their Poké Balls.

As they walk through the field, a Doduo walks up to the gang. It is revealed to be Gary's Doduo. Professor Oak then states that Pokémon frequently become more and more like their Trainers. Ash then says that Misty is more like Psyduck, and Brock begins to go on about how, if Suzie still loves her Vulpix, then Suzie loves him. After explaining that since Muk and Krabby usually stay with him, that they've become more like him, Muk rushes over and tackles Professor Oak to the ground.

The episode switches back to Team Rocket climbing rocks to get to Professor Oak's lab after escaping the Beedrill. Jessie accidentally grabs hands with a Geodude. Geodude blushes, but is thrown away. When Jessie puts her hand back down, it lands atop of a Sandshrew's head. Sandshrew, unlike Geodude, is angry and scratches Jessie's face multiple times. Then it kicks off Jessie's face and runs off. Suddenly, an angered Onix comes up from out of the ground and starts chasing Team Rocket.

The episode then switches back to the gang. Misty is seen admiring the water Pokémon. Ash then compliments that Professor Oak must have all the kinds of Pokémon there are. Professor Oak disagrees and says that there are many more Pokémon not yet discovered. Ash thinks about it for a moment, and realizes that Togepi is a Pokémon no one ever saw before, and then he remembers the mysterious Pokémon he saw at the beginning of his journey.

Ash and Gary both agree that they want to catch as many Pokémon as they can. Gary then suggests a battle for practice. Before Ash can respond, there is an explosion at the far-end of the field, followed by some smoke. Professor Oak realizes it was coming from the electric Pokémon preserve. Upon arrival, they see that many Voltorb and Electrode have blown up because Team Rocket trotted onto their territory.

Team Rocket then tells them that they are there to steal Pikachu. Gary and Professor Oak are stunned to hear a talking Meowth. Team Rocket then does their motto. Gary challenges them to a fight, but before the fight begins, Ash's thirty Tauros stampede at them, sending them blasting off. Gary then makes his departure, saying that he and Ash could have their battle at the Pokémon League. Ash agrees and says that he'd get working right away. Professor Oak makes him and his friends fix the fence Ash's Tauros broke, first. Ash and his friends then begin working on the fence, knowing they'll have plenty of time to train. The Pokémon League isn't for two months.

Major events

• Ash and Gary both learn that the Pokémon League will be held at Indigo Plateau.
• Gary is revealed to have caught a Doduo and own more than 200 Pokémon.
• Professor Oak reveals that the two other Trainers who left Pallet Town with Gary and Ash did not succeed as Trainers because they could not compare with the former two's battling skills.
• Mewtwo leaves Giovanni and destroys his headquarters.
• Professor Oak encounters Team Rocket for the first time.
• Dub viewers learn that Ash had captured 30 Tauros at some point in his travels.

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

Debuts

Pokémon debuts

• Doduo

English dub debuts

• Ash's Tauros (×30)

Characters

Humans

Dare da?

• Ash
• Misty
• Brock
• Jessie
• James
• Gary
• Professor Oak
• Delia Ketchum
• Giovanni
• Suzie (fantasy)

Pokémon

Who's That Pokémon?

Who's That Pokémon?: Slowbro (US and international), Muk (Japan)

• Pikachu (Ash's)
• Meowth (Team Rocket)
• Togepi (Misty's)
• Krabby (Ash's)
• Muk (Ash's)
• Tauros (Ash's; ×30; dub debut)
• Vulpix (Brock's)
• Mr. Mime (Delia's; Mimey)
• Krabby (Gary's; giant)
• Doduo (Gary's; debut)
• Persian (Giovanni's)
• Mewtwo (Giovanni's; leaves)
• Ho-Oh (anime; flashback)
• Kakuna (multiple)
• Beedrill (multiple)
• Pidgey (multiple)
• Pidgeotto (multiple)
• Rattata (multiple)
• Raticate (multiple)
• Spearow
• Sandshrew
• Nidoran♀ (multiple)
• Nidoran♂ (multiple)
• Oddish (multiple)
• Gloom (multiple)
• Paras (multiple)
• Parasect (multiple)
• Mankey (multiple)
• Primeape (multiple)
• Growlithe (multiple)
• Poliwag (multiple)
• Poliwhirl (multiple)
• Geodude
• Ponyta (multiple)
• Rapidash
• Slowpoke (multiple)
• Seel (multiple)
• Dewgong (multiple)
• Onix (multiple)
• Voltorb (multiple)
• Electrode (multiple)
• Exeggcute (multiple)
• Rhyhorn (multiple)
• Rhydon
• Horsea (multiple)
• Goldeen (multiple)
• Staryu (multiple)
• Starmie (multiple)
• Magikarp (multiple)
• Snorlax

Trivia

• Professor Oak's Pokémon Lecture: Electrode
  • Pokémon senryū summary: Also known as bomb ball: Electrode.
• Meowth's Song replaced Pokémon Ondo as the Japanese ending theme.
• This episode is preceded by Holiday Hi-Jynx and Snow Way Out! in the dub.
• This episode's dub title is a reference to the historical showdown at the O.K. Corral.
• This is the last of three episodes (the other two being The Battle of the Badge and It's Mr. Mime Time) to feature Mewtwo in scenes that are preludes to the first movie, even though after the seizures caused by EP038 the show went on a four-month hiatus and the three Mewtwo episodes ended up airing after the movie premiere on July 18, 1998. In this episode Mewtwo blasts out of Team Rocket HQ, causing it to explode, and this scene is also shown in the movie's prologue: the explosion of Team Rocket HQ is shown here from a different perspective and with a different animation, while the two shots of Mewtwo flying away use the same animation, even though in this episode both shots are cut at the beginning and at the end, and a brief shot (less than a second) of the Rocket Trio is present among the Mewtwo shots, which are not synchronized like in the movie. Also, the shot of Giovanni’s helicopter taking off in this episode uses the same animation (played in reverse) of the same helicopter landing to New Island in the movie’s prologue.
• This is the first episode to use music from Pikachu's Vacation. However, the background music is replaced in the dub.
• This is one of the few episodes that reveals a passage of time.
• Jessie and James were disguised as anchors for PNN, the Pokemon News Network. This could possibly be a spoof on CNN.
• Ash's Poké Balls containing his Tauros are all green Safari Balls when seen in Professor Oak's Lab. Whenever Ash calls Tauros out it is in the regular Poké Ball.
• When Professor Oak is explaining his daily routine to Ash and friends, the frame for the clips shows type symbols from the Trading Card Game. The same frame is also shown on Oak's computer in Spell of the Unown: Entei.
  • Additionally, the Psychic symbol is not seen on the frame.
• When Gary asks Ash what kind of Pokémon he would use against a Geodude, Misty said that Ash would use Pikachu, to which Gary responds that an Electric type against a Rock type would be a bad match-up. This is untrue, however, because Electric attacks against a Rock type would do normal damage. However, the match up would still be bad since Geodude is also part Ground type. However, in Showdown in Pewter City, Ash's Pikachu defeated Brock's Geodude. Because most Rock types were also part Ground type in Generation I, Rock types were frequently misattributed as being resistant or immune to Electric-type attacks during the first season of the anime.
• Professor Oak mentions, "Just like every other living creature, Pokémon need our consideration and our respect." This could be a hint towards other animals, or just referencing humans and plants.
• In this episode, Team Rocket uses a variation of their motto.
• In the Indian Hungama TV dub, Team Rocket say that they are from Hungama channel, which, ironically, is the same channel on which the anime airs. This is one of the few fourth wall breaks that were only in a certain dub.
• On the UK terrestrial TV premier of this episode (on the itv channel), the episode was split into two parts due to time constraints. The two parts aired on different days.

Dub edits

• When his Tauros send Team Rocket blasting off, Ash is surprised that they are all his. This is likely due to the fact that they were caught in EP035, which was banned in the English dub.

Errors

File:EP065 Error.png

The title card mistake

• When the lab's Pokémon are seen, a few Nidoran♂ and Nidoran♀ are present. The males are colored blue and the females are purple, when it should be vice-versa. Despite looking like their Shiny sprite coloring from the games, official game-based alternate coloration did not debut in the anime until Pokémon: The Johto Journeys.
• Additionally, a Primeape is shown as having the body of a Mankey, but its arms are normal.
• The Rattata undergoing body scan has a completely black nose as opposed to nose slits.
• When punishing Meowth, the slit in Jessie's shirt is much longer than normal, extending up and past the top of the R.
• The title card for this episode misspells Corral as Corrall.
• A stock sound effect was used for either an offscreen Ponyta or Rapidash.
• Gary is surprised to see Meowth talking, despite having met him two episodes before in The Battle of the Badge.

In other languages

Language		Title
Mandarin Chinese		宿敵大決鬥，大木研究所
Czech		Protivníci
Dutch		De Krachtmeting in het Po-ké Kamp
Finnish		Ashin ja Garyn nokka-Poké
European French		Règlement de compte à Poké Corral
German		Ewige Rivalen
Hebrew		עימות במכלאת הפוקמוניםimut bemichlaat haPokémonim
Hindi		Professor Oak और पोकेमोन! Professor Oak aur Pokemon! *
Hungarian		Otthon, édes otthon
Italian		Uniti nel pericolo
Korean		영원한 맞수! 지우와 바람!
Norwegian		Duell på Pokémon-farmen
Polish		Pojedynek w zagrodzie
Portuguese	Brazil	Batalha no Curral Pokémon
	Portugal	Espectáculo no Poké-Curral
Romanian		Confruntare la Coralii Poké
Russian		Схватка в поке-корале
Spanish	Latin America	¡Duelo en el Poké-Corral!
	Spain	Duelo en Poké-corral
Swedish		Ash får sig en läxa

← EP064 : It's Mr. Mime Time

Original series

EP066 : The Evolution Solution →

This episode article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of Pokémon animation.