Pokémon Theme
- If you were looking for the CD, see Pokémon Theme (single).
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Dub OP 1
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KOCH Records
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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 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.
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
Characters
Humans
Pokémon
- Mewtwo (anime)
- Mew
- Cubone (Giselle's)
- Pidgeotto (Ash's)
- Squirtle (Ash's)
- Bulbasaur (Ash's)
- Charmander (Ash's)
- Haunter
- 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 From the Original Series
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
Po-ké-mon
Gotta catch 'em all! (2x)
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! (4×)
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! (2x)
Pokémon!
Lyrics From Mewtwo Strikes Back
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
Each Pokémon to understand
The power that's inside (2x)
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... Our hearts so true
Our courage will pull us through
You teach me and I'll teach you
Po-ké-mon
Gotta Catch 'em (2x)
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 a dream (2x)
Pokémon... It's you and me
I know it's my destiny
Pokémon, ooh you my best friend
In the world we must defend
Pokémon... Our hearts so true
Our courage will pull us through
You teach me and I'll teach you
Po-ké-mon
Gotta Catch 'em (2x)
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... Our heart so true
Our courage will pull us through
Po-ké-mon
Pikachu
Gotta Catch 'em (2x)
Gotta Catch 'em all
Pokemon!"
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
- 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 movie 9 bonus CD.
- This song uses common meter.
Errors
- In one scene, for a split second, Meowth's right fang disappears.
In other languages
| Language | Title | |
|---|---|---|
 Czech
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Pokémon | |
 Danish
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Pokémon Tema | |
 Finnish
|
Pokémon-teema | |
 European French
|
Thème Pokémon | |
 German
|
Komm schnapp' sie dir | |
 Greek
|
Το τραγούδι των τίτλων | |
 Hindi
|
करने हैं हासिल Karné 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 | |
 Swedish
|
Pokémon sången | |
| English opening themes |
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This article is part of Project Music, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on each Pokémon song, CD and musician. |
