EP028

← EP027 : Hypno's Naptime

Original series

EP029 : The Punchy Pokémon →

Pokémon Fashion Flash

EP028   ロコン！ブリーダーたいけつ！ Rokon! Breeder Confrontation!

First broadcast Japan October 7, 1997 United States October 14, 1998

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 浅田裕二 Yūji Asada Assistant director 浅田裕二 Yūji Asada Animation director 玉川明洋 Akihiro Tamagawa Additional credits

Pokémon Fashion Flash (Japanese: ロコン！ブリーダーたいけつ！ Rokon! Breeder Confrontation!) is the 28th episode of the Pokémon anime. It was first broadcast in Japan on October 7, 1997 and in the United States on October 14, 1998.

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

Synopsis

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The travels of Ash, Misty, and Brock have brought them to Scissor Street. Ash wonders why they're here, but Misty then remembers that Scissor Street is also called "Breeder's Lane." Brock seems to be looking for a particular store.

Brock explains that there are a lot of breeding salons and beauty parlors on this street, all just for Pokémon. Misty suddenly runs ahead and looks at a big poster sporting the latest fashion, featuring an overdressed Koffing and Ekans. There's also a pink scripted R on the poster.

When they find the advertised Salon, someone who sounds awfully familiar is announcing the place as "Salon Rockét." For some reason, this name sounds very familiar to Ash and Misty. Brock looks again at the posing Ekans and Koffing and wonders if it's a Pokémon or a Christmas Tree.

Inside, the stylists of Salon Rockét (Jessie and James) are hard at work putting the latest fashions on a Raichu and a Dodrio. They seem to be a bit too enthusiastic about their work. When they complete their fashion makeover, they present the Pokémon to its trainer, who adores the new look. The Pokémon, however, are less than impressed.

While the stylists see the customer off, Meowth is busy counting the money. He then starts complaining that they're spending too much money on advertising. Jessie corrects him, informing him that the more they hype the place up, the more customers they'll get. And those are customers that would pay thousands for the perfect Pokémon makeover. This sends Meowth practically drooling.

Back outside, Misty's debating if she should get in line, when Brock suddenly interrupts, saying he found the store he was looking for. He leads the others over to the store, which isn't nearly as flashy as any of the other places. Even so, Brock almost can't bring himself to open the door. Thusly, Ash and Misty do it for him.

When they enter, they see a female Pokémon Breeder giving a Chansey a massage. She finishes up just as the customer returns for the Chansey. When Suzy, the breeder, asks if they need help, Ash says they're just browsing around, until Brock interrupts with a red face.

But then Misty herself interrupts, seeing a Vulpix napping on a chair. Ash and Misty make their way over, Ash using his PokéDex on the Vulpix. Misty continually compliments it, then picks it up, only to get a Flamethrower in the face. Dexter belatedly adds that Vulpix uses powerful flame attacks, to which Ash responds with a "Duh!"

Suzy apologizes and explains that Vulpix doesn't like to be touched or hugged by strangers, to which Misty can only reply "I wish I knew that sooner." Brock suddenly manages to speak up, stumbling his way through a greeting. His stumbling becomes worse, until he finally manages to blurt out that he wants to become Suzy's pupil. Everyone is shocked, Suzy foremost. Ash doesn't understand why, but Brock is quickly on top of it.

Brock, getting a microphone from somewhere, begins a recital about her achievements, fame, and other things. Misty asks if Vulpix has ever won any awards. Brock quickly breaks into another tirade about Vulpix, but is soon cut off by Ash, who exclaims "We get the idea!"

Later, Suzy serves tea for the three, and Pikachu is happily munching food. Suzy compliments Pikachu on his shiny coat, and asks if that food is Brock's. Brock says it is, and Misty explains that it's Brock's own recipe too. Suzy explains that she too got into Pokémon breeding because of her interest in Pokémon nutrition.

Vulpix suddenly leaps up to the bowl of food, sniffing at it curiously. Pikachu offers Vulpix the piece it was eating, and Vulpix eats it. As everyone watches, Vulpix proves to enjoy it. This surprises Suzy, as Vulpix usually doesn't eat anything Suzy herself hasn't made. Ash guesses that Vulpix is a fan of Brock's cooking too. All Brock can say is "Thank you, Vulpix," and bows, only to smack his head on the table.

Misty then brings up all the flashily dressed Pokémon they've seen en route. Suzy points out that ever since Salon Rockét opened up, everything has been about making Pokémon look as flashy as possible. Ash thinks that's dumb, but Misty points out that even Pokémon like to dress up once in a while. She then goes on to imagine what Pikachu would look like in fashion.

This, of course, leads to an argument between Ash and Misty about inside and outside being more important. Suzy asks if Brock should try to stop them, but he only responds that that's like trying to stop the tide. Ash finally jokingly suggests that if fashion's so important, why doesn't Misty take her Psyduck over to that salon? Misty loves the idea, and calls out Psyduck.

Ash busts out laughing, saying now they'll see who gets the last "quack." Misty claims that they're so cute that they'll look good no matter what fashion they're in, to which Ash slyly replies, "I'm sure Psyduck will." After shouting at Ash for a bit, Misty realizes that this may be tougher than she thought, but even so, they soon head off to Salon Rockét.

Suzy starts expressing her doubts about her methods after Misty leaves, but Brock and Ash quickly assure her not to give up on what she believes in, and that they have to stick up for what's on the inside together. Suzy wonders how it can be done, but Brock has a plan. If customers want to put style over substance, then give them substance with style.

Soon enough, Suzy, with the assistance of Ash and Brock, is giving a lecture on Pokémon Breeding and treatment. Suzy explains that if a Pokémon has been injured in a battle, it should be given a therapeutic massage. She is demonstrating on Pikachu as she explains.

Outside Salon Rockét, the crowd gradually disappears. Misty looks around in confusion, but then meets the person who had gotten the Chansey earlier. He explains that everyone's over at Suzy's, where she's giving a series of lectures on Pokémon care.

Back at Suzy's, Ash begins to demonstrate the massage technique they were taught on Pikachu. While Ash is giving the massage, Suzy explains that good communication between Pokémon and Trainer are vital to bring out a Pokémon's true personality. Brock adds that a technique is only as good as the trainer or breeder who uses it. Three of the trainers look at their over fashioned Pokémon and start to doubt if it was right.

Back at Salon Rockét, Jessie and James are putting the finishing touches on a Squirtle. James has an emotional artist moment about roses being the flowers of love and romance, though he mentions they also paint daffodils. The Squirtle simply shrugs and sighs. It doesn't seem to be a fan of its new look.

Jessie orders Meowth to send in the next customer, tout suite. Meowth complains that it's counting money, but then realizes there's only one customer left. Jessie and James don't care, and Meowth's starting to worry that maybe they're forgetting what the point of this scam really is.

Misty then enters with Psyduck. Team Rocket reacts with shock when they realize who it is, but quickly compose themselves. They then drag Misty in, despite her protests that Psyduck was the one who needed the fashion makeover, but when she sees the results, she loves them. She asks if they try even more, and Jessie and James happily oblige.

Meowth suddenly butts in, saying that she hangs around with that Pikachu. Misty recognizes him instantly, and Jessie and James start stomping and elbow-dropping him respectively for blowing their cover. Meowth angrily slashes them, ripping off their disguises and revealing them as Team Rocket.

Misty screams that she'll never tell them anything, but James threatens to paint her face like Frankenstein if she doesn't. She quickly mulls it over, then starts screaming for Psyduck. But wait a minute, Psyduck is gone!

Psyduck is racing back to Suzy's Breeder Salon, where it goes into one of its usual Psyduck panics. Pikachu realizes instantly what it's saying: Misty's in danger! Pikachu takes off, Brock and Ash following. They make their way back to Salon Rockét, where they face off against Team Rocket.

But then they see Misty, and wonder what happened to her face. They manage to restrain their laughter, and demand they let Misty go. Team Rocket refuses, claiming they're conducting "important beauty research" on her.

This starts an argument between Suzy and Team Rocket about the beauty inside and the beauty outside. Meowth, however, interrupts, because they don't know anything about breeding. The whole Salon Rockét was designed as a scam all along!

To quote Meowth, "It was a brilliant plan! Part 1: Come up with some dumb Pokémon fashions and take piles of money from gullible trainers. Part 2: If a trainer brought in a rare Pokémon, they would distract the trainer, then steal the Pokémon on the spot!" (Note that the crowd has now gathered around, so they heard the whole thing.)

Team Rocket offers a trade: Misty for Pikachu. Ash isn't about to take any deals, however, and challenges them to a battle. Team Rocket, however, has prepared for this, and pushes a button on a Microphone, presenting the Salon Rockét Battling Platform! They proceed to give a new variation of their motto:

• Jessie: And now, Salon Rockét presents a Fashion extravaganza and Pokémon Battlethon! To protect the world from boring fashion!
• James: To dress all people with flash and passion!
• Jessie: To give all Pokémon pretty faces!
• James: To extend our art to outer spaces!
• Jessie: Jessie!
• James: James!
• Jessie: Salon Rockét: When it comes to chic, we know what's right!
• James: Surrender your taste or prepare to fight!

Jessie sends out Ekans, and James sends out Koffing, both of whom are still dressed in their ridiculous outfits. Ash sends out Pikachu, and Brock uses Geodude. Brock orders a Seismic Toss, and Geodude carries Ekans into the air and flings him down. However, Ekans turns the momentum of the throw into a spinning wheel strike that shoots to slam into Pikachu.

Ash orders a ThunderShock, but the spinning of Koffing and Ekans makes their extravagant outfits deflect the lightning. James then orders a sludge makeover, which blinds both Pikachu and Geodude. But as they're sent in for the finisher, they end up tripping over their outfits, causing what James calls a fashion disaster.

Meowth then leaps in to get Ekans and Koffing going again, and they charge in for the finish, but then Vulpix cuts in. Suzy calls that if you only focus on outer beauty, a Pokémon's inner strength will be lost. And Vulpix drives the point home with a powerful Fire Spin that sends Team Rocket blasting off again.

After checking in with Dexter, who talks about Fire Spin, Brock explains to the crowd that there was first-hand proof that a cute exterior hides inner strength. The crowd, taking the words to heart, begin to remove all the flashy items from their Pokémon and wipe off the applied makeup. Meanwhile, Misty, who couldn't quite escape being roasted once again by Vulpix's flame, is chewing out Psyduck for running out on her.

Back at Suzy's salon, Suzy thanks Ash and his friends for helping her regain confidence in her beliefs. Suzy was very impressed with the way Brock handled his Pokémon in a crisis, and understands that there's a journey ahead of herself too. She plans to leave the salon for a while and go on a journey to learn what it truly means to be a Pokémon breeder, which makes her and Brock rivals.

Vulpix then begins rubbing against Brock's leg. Suzy admits that Brock is the first person other than herself that Vulpix has been friendly with, and asks that Brock take care of Vulpix for her. Brock gratefully accepts, and catches Vulpix. Ash and Misty are happy, but then Ash gets a look at her face and tries vainly to restrain his hysterical chuckling, much to Misty's anger.

Soon enough, Ash, Misty and Brock are on their way once again, standing to wave goodbye to Suzy. Behind them, Team Rocket goes running past, pursued by a crowd of former customers.

• James: Now we need a total makeover! So no one will recognize us!
• Jessie: They're all just jealous because they're not pretty enough to wear our designs!
• All: Back to the drawing board!

So long, Salon Rockét!

Major events

• Brock gets a Vulpix from his breeder friend, Suzy.

Debuts

Pokémon debuts

• Vulpix (Brock's)
• Nidoran♂
• Venonat

Characters

Humans

• Ash
• Brock
• Misty
• Suzy
• Jessie
• James
• Chansey owner

Pokémon

Who’s That Pokémon?: Vulpix

• Pikachu (Ash's)
• Meowth (Team Rocket)
• Psyduck (Misty's)
• Geodude (Brock's)
• Vulpix (Brock's; given by Suzy, debut)
• Ekans (Jessie's)
• Koffing (James's)

Various Pokémon seen in Scissor Street:

• Bulbasaur
• Charmander
• Squirtle
• Caterpie
• Butterfree
• Pidgey
• Pidgeotto
• Rattata
• Raichu
• Sandshrew
• Nidoran♂ (debut)
• Oddish
• Paras
• Venonat (debut)
• Bellsprout
• Weepinbell
• Slowbro
• Dodrio
• Cubone
• Chansey
• Staryu

Trivia

• Meowth's Song replaced Hundred and Fifty-One as the ending.
• The outfits Jessie and James were wearing resembled the outfit of Oscar and Andi.
• This episode marks the first time a variation of the Team Rocket's motto was used.
• According to the third book of the "Kids Pocket Books Pocket Monsters" series, the Chansey Trainer in this episode is a homosexual.

Errors

• During the part where Jessie and James have their covers blown by Meowth, James grabs Misty around the neck and asks her if she wanted her face painted like Frankenstein if she didn't tell them where Pikachu was. When she asks "Do I want a face painted like Frankenstein?" The first part of James' arm disappears for about 4 seconds. (The part to the left of Misty's head) Misty's collarbone also gets bigger. When she yells for Psyduck and lifts her head, James' arm is complete again. While she has her head lifted yelling for Psyduck, Misty's neck overlaps James' arm.

Dub edits

• 22 scenes total were digitally edited in the dub to remove Japanese.
• Jessie and James's codenames were removed from the dub.
• Misty asking permission to touch Vulpix was removed from the dub.
• Two of the accomplishments that Suzie earned are different between the Japanese and the English versions. In the Japanese version, she was just mentioned to be nominated as Trainer of the year, and that she was ranked as number one in terms of Pokémon Breeding for four years in a row. The English version had listed her as being called the most popular Pokémon Breeder for four years straight, and had a hugely popular website that had 10,000 hits per day.
• Misty's response to Ash in regards to Psyduck and her was different between the Japanese version and the English version. In the Japanese version, Misty was saying she's the cute one. The English version, on the other hand, had her asking what did Ash know about fashion.

In other languages

• Brazilian Portuguese: Na Moda dos Pokémons
• Dutch: Poké mode
• Finnish: Pokémonin muotikatsaus
• French: Les Pokémon changent de look
• German: Modezeit - Eitelkeit
• Italian: Il salone di bellezza
• Latin American Spanish: ¡Moda Pokémon!
• European Portuguese: A Moda Pokémon
• Iberian Spanish: La última moda Pokémon
• Mandarin: 美容街，词育家大决斗

← EP027 : Hypno's Naptime

Original series

EP029 : The Punchy Pokémon →

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