S01
| Pokémon: Indigo League Season 1 | ||
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| File:IndigoLeague.PNG Pokémon: Indigo League title screen. | ||
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Pokémon: Indigo League (known at the time it was first aired simply as Pokémon) is the first dubbed season of the Pokémon anime. The season follows rookie Pokémon Trainer Ash Ketchum, his Pikachu, and his friends Misty and Brock as they travel across the Kanto region. The subtitle "Indigo League" is not used within the episodes, but was later added both by fans and by the DVD boxed sets to distinguish it from the later seasons.
In Canada, the series was picked up by YTV.In the US ,the series originally aired in syndication, but was picked up by Kids' WB! about halfway through. The season began with Pokémon, I Choose You!, which originally aired on September 8, 1998, and ended with Pallet Party Panic, which originally aired on December 4, 1999.
This season was then followed by the Orange Islands filler arc, which was created to allow time for the development of Pokémon Gold and Silver, and when dubbed, served the same purpose for the translation of the aforementioned games.
See the list of Pokémon: Indigo League episodes for a list of episodes aired as part of this season.
Important events
- Ash begins his journey as a Pokémon Trainer with the goal of being a Pokémon Master. His starter is Pikachu. (EP001)
- Gary begins his journey as a Pokémon Trainer. His starter is Squirtle. (EP001)
- Misty follows Ash after the latter "borrows" and destroys her bike, demanding repayment. (EP001)
- Jessie, James, and Meowth follow Ash after his Pikachu demonstrates considerably advanced power for a Pokémon of its species. (EP002)
- Brock joins the group after his father returns to become the Pewter City Gym Leader. (EP005)
- Ash defeats each of the Kanto Gym Leaders, gaining eight badges to qualify for his first Pokémon League Conference. (See Gym battles section)
- Ash journeys to the Indigo Plateau to compete in his first Pokémon League Conference.
- Ash comes in the top 16 in the Indigo League, one bracket above his rival, Gary. (EP079)
- Professor Oak tells Ash to journey to the Orange Archipelago to pick up the mysterious GS Ball, which cannot be teleported via PC. (EP081)
Party changes
Additions
The following Pokémon are obtained:
- Ash's Pikachu (EP001)
- Ash's Caterpie (EP003)
- Ash's Pidgeotto (EP003)
- Ash's Bulbasaur (EP010)
- Ash's Charmander (EP011)
- Ash's Squirtle (EP012)
- Ash's Krabby (EP013)
- Ash's Raticate (EP015)
- Ash's Primeape (EP025)
- Ash's Muk (EP030)
- Ash's Tauros (EP035)
- Misty's Horsea (EP019)
- Misty's Psyduck (EP027)
- Misty's Togepi (EP050)
- Brock's Zubat (EP006)
- Brock's Vulpix (EP028)
- Jessie's Lickitung (EP052)
- James's Weepinbell (before EP057)
Evolutions
The following Pokémon evolve:
- Ash's Caterpie → Metapod → Butterfree
- Jessie's Ekans → Arbok
- James's Koffing → Weezing
- Ash's Charmander → Charmeleon → Charizard
- James's Weepinbell → Victreebel
- Ash's Krabby → Kingler
- Ash's Pidgeotto → Pidgeot
Releases
The following Pokémon are released:
- Ash's Raticate (traded, EP015)
- Ash's Butterfree (EP021)
- Ash's Primeape (EP029)
- Ash's Pidgeot (EP081)
Other
- Misty's Horsea (left at Cerulean Gym, EP061)
- Misty's Starmie (left at Cerulean Gym, EP061)
Gym battles
Ash defeats the following Gym Leaders:
- Brock, after one failed attempt. (EP005)
- Misty, though officially earned after Ash saved the gym from Team Rocket. (EP007)
- Lt. Surge, after one failed attempt. (EP014)
- Sabrina, after two failed attempts. (EP024)
- Erika, though officially earned after Ash saved her Gloom from the burning gym. (EP026)
- Koga (EP032)
- Blaine, after one failed attempt. (EP059)
- Team Rocket (substituting for Giovanni) (EP063)
DVD Release
- Volume 1 (EP001-EP027)
- Volume 2 (EP028-EP057)
- Volume 3 (EP058-EP081-also-EP052-EP053)
- Holiday Hi-Jynx and Snow Way Out!
In other languages
- Brazilian Portuguese: Pokémon - Liga Índigo
