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 ? Arrangement John Siegler
KOCH Records Title Pokémon 2.B.A. Master Catalog no. ?

Pokémon Theme is the first opening theme music from the English dub of the Pokémon anime. It was used from Pokémon - I Choose You! to Poké Ball Peril. Being featured in 83 episodes makes it the most-used dub opening theme. The opening animation uses footage from the first Japanese opening, Aim to Be a Pokémon Master.

It was written and produced by John Loeffler. The lead vocal was sung by Jason Paige.

A full version of the song is the first track on the Pokémon 2.B.A. Master audio CD, and includes a second verse not usually heard in the show. This version is also featured in the episode of the anime, 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.

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 in 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 earlier 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 Pidegotto, 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

Characters

Humans

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

Pokémon

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

Lyrics

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
Each 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
Pokémon
Gotta catch 'em all!
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
Pokémon
Gotta catch 'em all! (5×)

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
Pokémon
Gotta catch 'em all!
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.jpg

Meowth's missing fang.

• Sheet music for this song was included in Pokémon 2.B.A. Master: Recorder Fun! and the Pokémon 2.B.A. Master piano book.
• This is one of the songs featured in the American release of Donkey Konga.
• This song was included on the movie 9 bonus CD.

Errors

• In one scene, for a split second, Meowth's right fang disappears.
• Despite not having any arms, Brock's Zubat is flying 'carrying' Ash's Squirtle.

In other languages

Language		Title
Czech		Pokémon
Danish		Pokémon Tema
Finnish		Pokémon-teema
European French		Thème Pokémon
German		Komm schnapp' sie dir
Greek		Το τραγούδι των τίτλων
Hindi		करने हैं हासिलKarané Hain Haasil
Hungarian		Pokémon főcímdal
Norwegian		Pokémon Theme
Polish		Główny Temat Pokémon
Portuguese	Brazil	Tema de Pokémon
	Portugal	Tema Pokémon
Romanian		Să îi prind pe toţi
Spanish	Latin America	Tema de Pokémon
	Spain	La canción de Pokémon

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

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.