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"Pikachu's Goodbye" is the 39th episode of Pokémon the Series (though it is actually the 41st episode chronologically, takes place after Snow Way Out!). It was first broadcast in Japan on April 16, 1998 (alongside the following episode The Battling Eevee Brothers as a first hour-long Pokémon special) and in the United States on November 20, 1998. In Japan, it was the first episode to air after the incident of Electric Soldier Porygon (4-month hiatus). In this episode, Ash attempts to release Pikachu, but Pikachu returns to him.
In Japan, this episode was later re-aired as the fifth episode of Pocket Monsters Premier 10, as chosen by Asuca Hayashi.
Plot[]
Ash Ketchum and his friends come into a forest where it is quiet and peaceful. They notice a large group of Pikachu that Ash's Pikachu tries to make friends with. After saving a young Pikachu from drowning and rescuing the herd from Team Rocket (who have apparently forgotten their original reason for specifically going after Ash's Pikachu in the first place), Ash's Pikachu is welcomed among the other Pikachu as one of their own. Saddened by this sudden distance, Ash tries to leave Pikachu behind (to Misty and Brock's shock and dismay), thinking that in the long run, it is going to be better off with its own kind. As they attempt to leave the forest with Ash still standing his ground on leaving Pikachu, the three friends are surprised when Pikachu returns to them, flanked by the other wild Pikachu including the younger Pikachu it risked its life to save earlier. The episode ends with Ash and Pikachu having an emotional reunion and hugging one another while the rest of the wild Pikachu cheer for the two of them as Brock and Misty look on.
Explanation of Electric Soldier Porygon incident[]
Miyuki Yadama explaining the incident
The first broadcast in Japan begins with Miyuki Yadama formally greeting the viewers while surrounded by Pokémon dolls. Miyuki mentions that Pokémon the Series will be starting again soon. Miyuki then mentions the details of the incident and apologizes for the issue and its effects on the viewers.
Miyuki continues by discussing the hiatus and the reason why the anime was taken off the air, mentioning that research was conducted into how the incident occurred with the help of doctors, Japanese government officials, and broadcasting stations. She highlights that the main cause of the issue was a scene where the colors red and blue were rapidly switched at a rate higher than 24 frames per second. She then notes early hypotheses that had been rejected, such as the effect of strong lights. She mentions that the research found that striped or swirling patterns and the color red should be used with care.
The scene then switches to a board with letters, drawings, and postcards from viewers in support of the anime. After focusing on two of the drawings, Miyuki thanks the viewers for the letters of encouragement.
After the scene changes back, Miyuki makes a request for all viewers to watch television at a distance from the screen and in a room that is well lit. The debriefing ends with a shot of the Pokémon around Miyuki.
Videos[]
Home media releases[]
- VHS
- Pokémon: Pikachu Party
- DVD
- Pokémon: Pikachu Party
- Pokémon Indigo League: Volume 2
- Pokémon All-Stars, Volume 1: Pikachu
- Pikachu & Friends
Trivia[]
External links[]
- Pikachu's Goodbye at Bulbapedia, the Pokémon wiki
- Pikachu's Goodbye at the Internet Movie Database