April 21, 2025 • 42 mins
Pokémon Anime Review – EP008: “The Path to the Pokémon League” | Watch Me Whip, Watch Me AJ
In this episode of the Pika Pals Podcast, I revisit Pokémon: The Path to the Pokémon League, where Ash encounters AJ — a tough, no-nonsense trainer with an undefeated record and a secret training regimen. As Ash challenges AJ’s Ground-type Sandshrew, he’s in for a humbling surprise that shakes his confidence and raises questions about what it really takes to be a Pokémon Master.
⚡ Whether you’re a 90s kid reliving Indigo League memories or a new fan exploring the Kanto region for the first time, this nostalgic anime rewatch is full of fun, fan theories, and friendship. 🎧 New episodes weekly! Follow and be part of the Pika Pals family!
⸻
🔗 Connect with Pika Pals:
Instagram / Twitter / Threads: @PikaPalsPod
📧 Email: pikapalspod@gmail.com
💌 Letters via Dragonite airmail also accepted.
⸻
💛 Support Mental Health:
I’m raising money for Mind in Somerset — inspired by Pokémon’s themes of courage and connection.
Donate via Pika Pals Unite and show your support for mental health in the Pokémon community.
⸻
🚨 Disclaimer:
Pika Pals Podcast is a fan project and not affiliated with Nintendo, Game Freak, or The Pokémon Company. All rights to characters, names, and images belong to their respective owners.
Episode details and Pokémon facts referenced from Bulbapedia, with appreciation for their amazing fan community.
⸻
Keywords: Pokémon anime podcast, Indigo League rewatch, Ash Ketchum, Pikachu, Misty, Brock, Kanto region, Team Rocket, 90s anime, Pokémon nostalgia, Pokémon episode review, anime podcast, Pokémon fandom, retro anime, classic Pokémon, fan theories, Pokémon rewatch, mental health & fandom, Pika Pals Podcast
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:18):
Hello my Pika Pals and welcome once again to the Pika Pals
Podcast. I'm your host Pokémon Trainer
Jed and I Thank you for tuning in.
The Peek a Pals podcast is whereI am on a mission.
To re watch. Recap and laugh my way through
every episode of the original Pokémon anime series and on
(00:41):
today's show. We're up to Episode 8.
This is that strange episode where.
That trainer has a whip. And he?
Whips his Pokémon and Santreu's wearing like a strange.
Leather vest. As always, you can follow me
across all the socials at Ytomania if you've got
questions, suggestions, or if you just want to chat about.
(01:02):
Pokémon. Maybe you want to be a guest on
the show? Then send me a message or e-mail
me at ytomania@gmail.com. But let's not wait around.
Let's get straight. To today's episode, turn that
hat backwards. Grab your poker balls.
And get. Ready for the Pika Pals podcast?
(01:35):
The Pokémon re Watch along. Continues and we are now.
Up to episode 8. This one's called The Path to
the Pokémon League. The Japanese title for this was.
The Road to the. Pokémon League and it's episode.
Eight of the original. Pokémon animated series first
aired in Japan on May the 20th, 1997 and we'd go on to air.
(01:58):
In the United States on. September the 17th, 1998 In this
one we get to meet a bit of a controversial character.
He's kind of split whether people like him or hate him, and
that is a character. Called AJ, the episode starts.
With Ash and his friends. On their way to Vermilion City
(02:19):
and along the way, Ash has a battle with another trainer and
Pidgeotto defeats Radata. So this just goes to show that
you don't. Always need to.
Battle against a another Pokémontrainer in an.
Official gym environment if you.Encounter one along your travels
and they would like to have a Pokémon battle, then you could
do that. That happens very.
(02:40):
Often on the Nintendo. Games you'd be just.
Walking along and someone. Would say hey you.
Don't like shorts? You've offended me deeply.
Let's have a Pokémon battle. So that's what happens here.
But we get to see. A quick montage of Ash's battle
here, with the trainer and Piggioto picking up the win.
This would actually be Ash's 10th victory in total for anyone
(03:02):
that's keeping track, and the trainer admires that Ash already
has. Two gym patches which actually.
Leads Misty to interrupt and remind Ash that him having those
badges may have been a mistake. He didn't actually earn them.
He was given them under, you know, special circumstances.
The trainer then points Ash in the direction.
(03:23):
Of an unofficial Pokémon gym. I guess kind of like an
underground Pokémon fighting ring and tells him about the
trainer named. AJ who?
Legend. Has it has never lost a match
and he trains his Pokémon to be absolutely savage.
So, not sure about you, but if Iwas told, Oh yeah, there's this
(03:45):
Pokémon Gym down the road, it's not official, it's off the
books. In fact, it's illegal and the
guy there has never lost and he trains his Pokémon to be
absolutely savage. I'd be a bit concerned, but Ash
is up for the challenge and he decides to track down this.
Unofficial Pokémon gym. Even though it's unlicensed by
the Pokémon League. Not sure why.
(04:06):
Pokémon officials haven't, you know, Ram raided the door and
shut down this activity, but there you go, and we get to find
out that. The scoreboard outside indicates
that AJ has a record. Of 98 wins and 0 losses.
So fast coming up on. 100 wins, undefeated.
(04:26):
This is where we'd meet the character AJ who'd walk up and
challenge Ash to a battle. And this would also be where.
We'd see a JS whip. Yep, that's right, AJ has a
whip. And he cracks his whip, making
Ash jump. And this just goes to show what
kind of Pokémon Trainer AJ. Is he has a whip so.
(04:47):
I don't know about you. But I don't.
Think you need a whip to train Pokémon, but we'll see.
We'll see why he's. Got the whip?
AJ goes on to. Tell Ash Brock.
And Misty that he plans on competing.
For his own gym badges. But only after 100 consecutive
wins. So this guy's got strategy in
mind. He's like.
I'm going to make sure I'm prepared.
(05:09):
I've. Practiced as much as I.
Can and he set 100 wins as his goal before he even goes to try
and compete for Pokémon. Badges so that.
Just goes to show you in comparison to Ash who?
Already has 2. Batches at this stage and from
his. Earlier battle with Piggioto.
That was his 10th. Win.
(05:29):
AJ is far, far more experienced than Ash, and Ash has kind of
been quite. Lucky, really, on his.
Pokémon journey so far to even earn those.
Two badges, I guess he. Far outweighs his actual
experience level. In terms of what he's achieved.
AJ, he's at 98. And O hoping he kept.
Up to 100. Ash tells him that he has ten
(05:51):
wins and two. Badges and this is where.
We'd get to some action as AJ would summon his SAN True
Pokémon to battle against Ash, Misty reminds Ash.
That Pikachu's electricity is. Useless against ground type
Pokémon. Something important to remember,
because we do. See that combination of?
Pokémon styles go up against. Each other at other.
(06:11):
Times and Pikachu sometimes he seems to be like this
undefeatable Pokémon but he can't compete against ground
Pokémon. His attacks would be ineffective
and therefore he wouldn't be able to battle against San.
True, but Ash thinking he knows better, he doesn't want to
listen. To Misty's advice.
He starts off his battle with Piggioto to battle against San
True, and he might know what he's doing here because.
(06:33):
Brock. Looks up and says flying Pokémon
do actually have an advantage against ground Pokémon, so Ash
could be along the right track here.
Maybe he. Does know what he's doing A?
JS SAN True Pokémon uses defencecurl to roll into a ball and it
yeah, hurls itself into the air striking and.
Defeating Piggioto like a flyingbaseball, but a huge one made of
(06:54):
an armadillo. And, and that kind of knocks out
Piggioto. Piggioto, Kayode.
He is defeated. So Ash has to recall his.
Piggioto back into his poker ball.
And then he sends out. Butter free.
Free, free. Butterfree to fight against
Sanchu. Another flying.
Pokémon. But in this case it's a bug type
(07:15):
Pokémon. Butterfree tries to use Stun
Spore but AJ cracks his whip. And orders his Santruda.
Dig underground, which he does. And he's able to avoid.
The attack so as we. Can see here AJ has taught his
Pokémon with a whip they. Respond to the sound of the whip
and they. Know what to do?
When that sound, you know, cracks the ground, Sand True
(07:38):
bursts out of the ground, takingdown Butterfree.
And that's Butterfree defeated. So a quick match here.
Ash went in a little bit too confident AJ, he does have 98
wins at this point so he isn't to be messed around with and Ash
even wants the battle to continue here.
Ash says OK, what about you Pikachu?
You can go up and fight, but Pikachu doesn't want to compete.
(08:00):
He's holding onto the edge of the battlefield.
While while Ash is like trying to pull him by the tail, he's
like really trying to get him tocompete, but he's just seen.
Piggioto. And Butterfree taken down in in
quick succession, so Pikachu's late.
No, I don't want to. I don't want to battle.
And this is just a little bit going back into some of.
Pikachu's earlier traits, where he can sometimes be quite
stubborn and resistant against. Ash.
(08:22):
He doesn't always listen to Ash even though Ash is his trainer.
I'd be pretty upset if someone was pulling on my tail.
And this is where Pikachu would teach Ash a lesson and hit him
with a Thunder. Shock.
Not for the first time, mind you, Ash.
Would end up being struck. By Pikachu's Thunder Shock,
quite a few. Times throughout the Pokémon
series. So the episode continued and we
(08:43):
get to learn a little bit more about a JS training.
Methods with the whip, but first.
Team Rocket make their appearance and they're spying on
the match from a tree nearby andthey see the sound true and how
powerful it is. And they decide that they're
going to steal it. Now Ash here.
Is unsure how AJ's Pokémon are actually so strong and how he
(09:04):
was. Able to be defeated.
So quickly and he accuses AJ of cheating.
And he demands a rematch. And later on in the.
Episode Ash actually overhears AJ.
And his training methods where he's yelling quite angrily at
his Pokémon and, and, and cracking the whip at them.
And I I do. Think you know this?
Is probably quite a controversial.
(09:24):
Training method. Ash is quite a kind hearted,
compassionate Pokémon trainer and so when he hears this and
he. Hears AJ raising his voice and
he hears AJ, you know. Whipping his Pokémon, he he
decides to intervene. AJ on the other hand tells Ash
to mind his own business. And this is where we get to also
see San True wearing a strength intensifier brace.
(09:47):
I had to look at what the name of that.
Was because it kind of looks like some sort of vest leather
black vest that. You might wear and anyway, AJ
says well now this is the strength intensifier brace and
he invented it himself and he makes his sound true wear this
because it allows him to withstand the weakening effects
(10:08):
of water and AJ says he's tougher on San true than his
other Pokémon because he knows that San.
True is his very best. So essentially an add on, an add
on to Pokémon. AJ has added on this vest to his
SAN True, which helps him specifically against water
attacks, but Ash isn't convinced.
He tells AJ that. Good.
Pokémon trainer should make friends with his.
(10:29):
Pokémon he should bond with his.Pokémon and even asks for
Brock's input, but Brock is onlykind of.
Interested in what food? AJ is using Brock.
Very interested. In recipes.
Pokémon Food. Food, Pokémon breeding, he's
more, he's more interested in that.
Side of the Pokémon world. And he thinks, well, these
Pokémon are pretty strong. They.
Must be eating something they must be eating.
I mean they. Must be eating.
(10:49):
Like the same sort of diet as the rock.
I don't know how many pancakes they're eating.
A. Day, but they're.
Eating a lot. Brock doesn't really want to get
involved in the argument, more interested in in how much
protein AJ's Pokémon are getting.
AJ tells Brock that he. Too makes his own Pokémon food.
And it's a secret recipe, like Kentucky.
Fried Chicken. AJ's Pokémon.
(11:10):
Food 100. Herbs and spices secret recipe.
And so to give you kind of a picture of things, AJ's training
tent is kind of full of gym equipment, dumbbells and
treadmills and, you know, other gym.
Equipment. I don't know what the stuff
there is. Exercise bikes.
(11:31):
That's the thing, I guess. Punch bags.
Yeah, punch bags. Pretty sure all gyms have punch
bags but we see Pikachu. Try to get involved with the gym
equipment and he actually tries to.
Lift up a set of the dumbbells, but they're so heavy he just
falls back. And then we see a little Pikachu
kind of trapped under the dumbbells for a second, which
was quite a fun little scene. Don't worry, he was OK.
(11:53):
And while all this is going on. We actually get to see.
Some trainer on trainer violencehere because AJ and Ash are
still. Arguing back and forward and AJ
insults Pikachu which leads. Ash to kind of take a swing at
him and they actually end up both falling into a swimming
pool. And we don't very often see
actual Pokémon trainers. Fighting, I think this.
(12:14):
Is one of the first. And maybe only times that we do,
but whatever. Was going on with AJ and that
whip. It struck A chord with Ash and
he was not happy about it. Because he decided to almost
punch AJ. In fact, they both ended up
taking an early bath because they ended up in.
A swimming. Pool Pikachu Keen to try and
(12:35):
learn a little bit more about the.
Strength Intensifier Vest decides to put it on, but it's
fits him so badly in fact it. Tightens him up into a little.
Pika ball and it's it's on him so tight that he can't get out.
He's in like a yellow ball or quite a funny visual scene and
you can see sand true here just kind of laughing at Pikachu as
he as he rolls the ball around. Speaking of.
(12:58):
Balls, not poker balls, but. Team Rocket Balls because at
this point, team. Rocket roll into the tent.
Inside of a giant rubber. Ball this might be.
One of the most ridiculous Team Rocket traps.
One of the most ridiculous Team Rocket disguises.
But essentially. It's just like a huge rubber.
Ball that they're all inside andthey they roll inside the tent
(13:21):
and while they're rolling along.They couldn't resist.
They tried to snatch Pikachu. Who's?
You know, stuck in this. Intensifier brace.
But instead they end up. Snatching sand true instead and.
AJ soon realizes that his sand true is missing.
He's able to, you know. Quickly release Pikachu from
the. Harness would be.
Pretty terrible if he kept him in there for like the whole
episode, the whole season. That would be a different season
(13:44):
altogether, wouldn't it? Pokémon where Pikachu.
'S stuck in a vest, but because Pikachu.
Was kind of wrapped. Into this ball he didn't.
See where San True went all. He saw was this big rubber ball
rolling through a. JS tent and you know why.
Would you not question that? It's just a big rubber ball.
You see that everyday. Ash.
Here still got his own his own agenda.
(14:05):
He actually tries to convince all of a JS Pokémon to leave.
AJ he tells them that. They don't need to.
Be treated this way, he tells them that AJ is, you know,
essentially. A bad trainer.
Surprisingly, they turn around and they ignore Ash.
The Pokémon are like, no, we're actually happy, despite what you
might think they're. Happy with AJ.
And in a strange. Way although a JS training.
(14:31):
Methods could maybe be questioned by many.
His Pokémon actually care. Very.
Deeply for him. And Ash realises how much.
AJ cares for his Pokémon especially.
When he sees how concerned he iswhen his sand true.
Has gone missing. And it wouldn't be long.
Before our heroes would. Spot the big rubber ball and be
like, wait a minute, now that I think about it, that big rubber
(14:53):
ball wasn't there before. What is going on and inside Team
Rocket are kind of crammed in there with the stolen sand.
True meow to trying to figure out.
What to do? And once they realize that.
They've got a sand true instead of a Pikachu.
They actually decide that they don't.
Want that they still want. Pikachu, they say.
Oh, capturing the sand true was a mistake.
(15:13):
They call it a. Second rate sand true.
Which only goes to. Anger AJ even more.
I mean if anything. He's a first rate sand true.
Let's let's not argue about that.
He's. He's pretty strong Sand True and
so AJ would challenge Team Rocket to a battle and he'd put
his Sand True against Team Rockets, Ekins, and Coffin.
(15:38):
This battle goes back and forth for a little while.
Sand True able to avoid Coffins.Sludge.
Attack then able to avoid ekins rap attack and he's able to take
them out and then he. Also defeats Miauf.
This is one of the occasions where we see Team Rocket also
use Meowth as one of their battling Pokémon.
He's such an integral part of their team that he travels
(16:00):
around with them as a member of team.
Rocket, the leader of Team Rocket I would say, but also he
is a. Pokémon.
He is a Pokémon so when it comesto battling they can use him and
in this situation they do. Or at least they try to.
But Meowth is quickly defeated. Meowth.
Tries to use a bite. Attack on San True But San
(16:21):
True's skin is so armoured and tough.
That I think it breaks. Mouths, Teeth and so San True
would then use a fissure attack to send Team Rocket and Meowth
blasting off again. Well, I think they're kind of
like flee and run away. And I don't mean there's a whip
involved. There's some strange sort of
like restricted brace. I don't.
(16:41):
I mean, I'd probably flee the tent too.
It's a bit. Strange, but yeah, Team Rocket,
their plan of being inside the big rubber ball didn't work out.
They get. Out of there.
And in that defeat, that would actually mark a.
JS 100th win. So AJ had defeated Ash?
Earlier in the episode. But now in an.
Unsanctioned match, I suppose. But not that that matters
(17:03):
because this is an unsanctioned gym.
AJ just defeated Team Rocket. Marking his 100th win.
And at this point, he's happy tobegin his Pokémon journey and.
Start earning gym badges so. An interesting character that we
got to meet there. Let me know what.
Your thoughts are on. AJ and his training methods.
(17:24):
I was never really fond. Of this episode.
I, I I liked Team Rocket's rubber ball trap.
I thought that that was fun, butI I do kind of side with Ash
that I don't really think that what AJ was doing and the way
that he was training his Pokémon, it definitely didn't
resonate with me. But at the same time, we do see
that a JS Pokemons still care and love.
(17:45):
For him, so I don't. Know who am I?
Who? Who's Ash to to question that?
Good luck to AJ on his Pokémon journey.
Hundred wins behind him. Before he's even.
Challenging for his first gym. Badge so.
You know he's got some experience heading out on his
Pokémon. Adventure.
Ash reminds him that he too. Wants to go and become the
(18:06):
world's greatest Pokémon master and actually kind of part on
mutual terms. I suppose they I don't.
Think they're ever going to be best friends?
But they say see down the road, maybe even see you.
At the Pokémon League competitions and I'm going to
continue talking about this episode we're going to look at.
The debuts of AJ. We're going to do a Pokémon
(18:26):
Spotlight as well as look at some of my favorite frames and
Pokémon trivia, but. 1st. We've got to take a pause for
the cause. Keep those lights on in the
peaker. Power Studio with a quick.
Message from our sponsors. Hey there, Peaker Powers podcast
listeners introducing bell sprout blooms.
(18:50):
The Letterbox monthly flower subscription.
Service that delivers. Fresh, beautiful blooms straight
to your door. Say goodbye to those wilted
grocery store flowers. That only last a couple.
Days. And hello to vibrant hand picked
bouquets from our very own Bell.Sprout each month.
You'll receive a carefully curated.
(19:11):
Selection. Of seasonal flowers that are
sure to brighten up. Any room in your home.
Our subscription service is hassle free.
Just sign up and we'll. Take care of the rest.
Your. Bellsprout flowers will be
lovingly. Packed.
In a sleek, eco friendly box that fits right through your
letterbox, ensuring your blooms stay fresh and protected until
(19:36):
you're ready to display them. Bellsprout blooms is.
Perfect for flower enthusiasts, busy professionals and anyone.
Who wants to bring a little extra beauty into their life?
So why wait? Subscribe today and start
enjoying fresh, gorgeous flowersfrom the comfort of your own
(19:57):
home. Hey there Pika Pals podcast
listeners. I've teamed up with Jinx and
she's thrilled to introduce her new.
Line of lipsticks with her monthly Jinx lipstick
subscription box. Whether you're looking.
For a bold, daring shade. Of black.
Or a more subtle everyday purple.
(20:17):
Jinx's lipsticks. Have got you covered.
With long lasting transfer proofformulas and a.
Variety of shades to choose from.
You'll be able to pucker up. With confidence and for Peeker
Pounds podcast listeners, Jinx is offering a special.
Discount with the code KISS kiss.
(20:38):
You can get 120. Four.
That's right. 120. 4 free. Kisses.
With your. First purchase of Jinxes
lipstick. So what are you waiting for?
Pucker up, pika. Powers podcast listeners and
give. Jinxes lipsticks a try today.
(21:17):
OK, we're back. This is the peak powers.
Podcast. I am talking about episode 8 of
the Pokémon anime. This one is the.
Path of the Pokémon League. So.
Let's look at what characters debuted in this episode.
We of course got to see AJ the. Savage Trainer, I think he's
(21:37):
kind of like Marmite. I think people either love him
or hate him. As for Pokémon debuts, we
actually didn't see any Pokémon.Debut in this episode.
Any of the Pokémon that was shown had previously appeared
in. Episodes before this, but
considering. Sand true was given, you know,
quite the showing in this episode with his leather vest.
(21:59):
Today's Pokémon spotlight is going to be about Sand True and
Sand True Japanese name. Sand is a ground type Pokémon
introduced in generation one. His Pokedex number is 27.
Now as I did a little bit more Santru research here, I found
(22:20):
out that Santru and its evolved form.
Both share their category name with Radata, Radicate, Pikachu,
Raichu. Palmi and Palmo, they are also
known as mouse Pokémon, althoughRadata and Radicate.
Were originally known as Rat Pokémon prior to generation. 3
(22:41):
San True. Has the lowest base special.
Attack stack. Of all.
The ground type Pokémon and whenI looked into some of.
The origin for the. Design of the San true
character. I found out that it may be based
on an armadillo or a pangolin. Which you may know from I know
from the South Park episode if you've seen.
(23:02):
That you'll know. You know what I'm talking.
About Randy Marsh. That's all I'm going to say, but
Yep. Sand true is a, you know, mammal
with with hard scales and sharp claws and it can curl into a
ball so. To me it.
Yeah, it looks like an. Armadillo from from.
What I would think and it lives in desert regions.
Both Sand True and its evolved form Sand Slash are also
(23:26):
mentioned to have poisonous claws, similar to how some.
Species of shrew are venomous, which was a fact to me.
I mean, I didn't. Really know that about.
Shrews, did you? Some shrews can be venomous.
Now I did find this fact quite funny.
It says sand Shrews name is a combination of sand and shrew.
(23:46):
Which I was. I was confused as to what.
His name was a combination. Of to be.
Honest, I was like sand. Shrew.
What kind? Of a name is that.
But yeah, there you go. Just to make it official for
you, his name culmination of Sand and Shrew.
So that's today's Pokémon Spotlight on Sand Shrew, and
continuing on the trivia train, let's look at some.
Trivia from the episode in particular.
(24:10):
So this is. Considered to be the first.
Filler episode of The Animated. Series.
There are quite a few episodes that people.
Consider as filler episodes. And by that they mean.
Episodes that don't really. Progress Ash's story too much.
They don't really progress Ash in wanting to become a Pokémon
master and there are quite a lotof, you know, Pokémon side.
(24:32):
Quests. That happen, but for me they're
some of my favorite. Episodes, not this episode in
particular isn't one of my favourites, but a lot of the
episodes that are filler episodes I enjoy.
And the purpose of those, a lot of the time is to.
Introduce new Pokémon because you know.
Got to catch them all. And.
(24:52):
Got to introduce all the Pokémon.
So. Sometimes we have like a random
filler episode, but this episodehere where Ash and the gang
stumbled across a JS unofficial gym is apparently considered the
first filler. Episode of the original
animated. Series As I said earlier, this
is the first episode or so without any Pokémon debuts, so
(25:15):
no new Pokémon debuting for the first time, and also this is the
first time an episode isn't explicitly set within a location
from the games. So a lot of the.
Regions and towns that we go to are recognizable from the
Pokémon Nintendo games, but thisparticular episode isn't really
reference to anything, and it's not related to anything in the
games. Now, you might have picked up on
(25:36):
it during my recap, but early inthis episode, Team Rocket
actually expressed an interest in AJ Sam True, saying how
strong it was. But later on in the episode,
they actually. Turn around and take no.
Interest in Sam True. Instead deciding to go after
Pikachu and calling Sam true second.
Rate. So I'm not sure if it was just
the allure of. Pikachu that they couldn't
(25:58):
resist. Or if they were quickly.
To change their minds, but. For whatever reason, Team Rocket
were keen on catching sand. True.
And then a few minutes later they were like, actually.
No, we don't want him. He's a second rate sand.
True. At one point in this.
Episode we see Ash's. Nose comically extending in the
animation, and this is a reference to the Japanese saying
(26:19):
becoming a Tengu. Which is used to.
Describe a person. Getting a swelled head.
So that's what that reference. Means.
I thought it was. In.
Relation to you know, Pinocchio or lying where someone says oh
your nose is going to grow if you lie but.
This is actually a Japanese reference called Becoming a
Tengu, which means getting a swelled.
Head and Ash he. Can sometimes get a swelled head
(26:42):
in terms of his attitude towardswinning Jim badges and and maybe
he. Thinks he's a bit better of a.
Pokémon train than he actually. Is.
And another fact is to do with Sanshrew's strength intensifier
brace, which actually resembles a macho brace and that is an
item that is not introduced until generation 3 of the games.
(27:04):
So something that you can actually acquire in the Nintendo
games is a macho brace Macho. Man ready, Savage.
Oh yeah. The metro brace is an item that
you can. Apply to your Pokémon in which
it double s all the effort values.
Gained. During a battle, so another.
(27:25):
Little link. Between the Pokémon anime and.
The games I didn't. Actually know that Sam Shrews
leather vest. Was in the Pokémon games until I
found out this this fact. So that was interesting to me.
I always like to look. At the dub edits.
Between the Japanese version of Pokémon and Pokémon in other
countries and for this one in the.
(27:47):
English WD episode Misty actually references a real.
Animal that isn't a Pokémon. She claims that AJ has some true
controlled with the crack of a whip, just like a lion tamer.
Would. Referencing a lion, but in.
The Japanese version, she simplyremarks.
It's amazing. How AJ can control?
Some true with just the. Crack of a whip.
(28:09):
I always thought it was kind of an interesting question or
concept to think if there were actually real animals that we
know in our lives in the Pokémonuniverse.
Misty refers to a lion here, so she knows.
What 1 is and in the previous episode, the water flowers of
Cerulean City at the water gym, they're kind of like in an
(28:29):
aquarium and we do see some. Real life fish.
In the tank that aren't. Magic Garp or Golden or seeking,
you know they're they're just normal, normal fish.
So do. Animals exist in the Pokémon.
World or are. Pokémon the equivalent of
animals like Is there also another whole category of actual
(28:50):
animals? That are used as pets and then
Pokémon are. Pocket monsters used for
paddling. I don't know.
Let me know what you think. Another interesting dub edit.
Was that we got to see. Team Rocket use a slightly.
Different motto in this episode so.
In the Japanese version it. Would translate to Jesse saying.
(29:10):
We are the pretty. Thieves and James saying target.
Pikachu. And in the English dub, Jesse
would say Team Rocket will do what it has to do.
And James would say to snatch that little Pikachu.
Apologies for the awful. Impressions of Team Rocket.
So sometimes I don't know. If it's just based on.
(29:32):
How they were dubbed in different countries or?
If there wasn't a way. To necessarily translate some of
the Japanese wording used. But it's always interesting to
see the dub edits and why thingshave been changed.
And that would be kind of episode.
Eight. Really.
That would be. The path to the Pokémon.
League. I kind of feel like this podcast
episode is a bit of a fellow on.I don't know of how how happy I
(29:53):
am recording it as I've been. Talking about the episode
really. But I don't know it's it's.
It brought up some interesting. Things it brought up Santry.
'S vest it brought up. The big rubber ball that Team
Rocket were hiding in, we got tosee Meowth battling and I also
like to. Dig into.
Each episode and pull out some of my favorite frames of
animation. I've done the same for this
episode and you can check them out.
(30:15):
Across my social media channels.At.
Yeet a mania. That's yeet.
A mania. Also, let me know some of your
favorite parts of the episode. And I can include them on
socials as well, but I'm going to pull out some of my favorite
frames and post them on my. Socials for you to see.
OK, what should we do next? Should we do some Pokémon jokes?
It's time for. Joke him on all.
(30:42):
Right, here we go with. Pokémon jokes How did Ash
Ketchum? Lose weight, he started a bell
sprout diet. Magikarp's splash attack.
Is about as effective. As a paper umbrella.
In a hurricane. Why did them a?
(31:03):
Champ Open a gym. He wanted to help.
Pokémon get in shape. One punch at a time.
That's more of a statement really.
I suppose that's kind of what you do at gyms, isn't it?
Now Anyway, this this next one'skind of OK.
Magma and shelder. Would make the perfect.
(31:23):
Dysfunctional couple one's always hot.
Headed and the other's always clammy.
Why did the Ditto fail the job interview?
He couldn't be himself. Oh, wonder.
What job he was going. For interesting, wouldn't it?
(31:45):
Probably. I don't know.
Working in a. In a bakery, what type of job
would Ditto go for? But.
Yeah, anyway, couldn't be himself.
So he failed the drug interview.There's always a noise.
Going off when I record. That's.
Not my ringtone, that's actually.
The fire alarm. In my building, so I suppose I
(32:08):
better. Pause the recording in case
Charizard decided to burn down the building and.
I'll be right back. This might be the last thing you
ever hear. Really.
Not anyway. But got one more joke when I
come back after this fire alarm.Sorry about that.
(32:29):
OK, I'm back. Luckily the building hadn't
burned down. It's just a a fire drill.
Test a test alarm. I was excited.
I thought might get to meet Charizard.
We were doing some Pokémon. Jokes.
We got one left. I'm pretty sure that everyone is
waiting in anticipation of. Of these jokes.
So anyway. Here's the last one.
(32:55):
Ghastly is the type of guy who tried to sell you a haunted
house and call it a fixer. Upper.
Well worth the wait. Probably should have.
Burned down the building insteadwell, a joy that was joking on
interrupted by a fire alarm and.Also, yeah.
(33:17):
That was a Pokémon joke that wasjoking on.
I just had. To stop the.
Recording again, actually, because my intercom went.
(33:38):
Someone was at the door. This is the episode where.
There's a lot of. Interruptions, but hey, you
know, just recording the podcast.
As I record it, this is the reallife of.
The Bigger Powers Podcast. Let's see, what else.
Can happen. What are we doing next?
I've been. Completely thrown off track.
(33:58):
Any more Pokémon jokes? Oh no, it's time for ring.
Ring ring. Phone call.
Phone call. Hello, this is the Ketchum
residence. OK.
Let's have a look at what. Questions have been sent in.
This week, dear. Pika powers podcast do you think
(34:20):
the Pokémon? World would benefit from having
a universal healthcare system for injured Pokémon.
Or are Pokémon centres enough? What a what a question, Thank
you very much. We do see the Pokémon centres in
pretty much. Every town that Pokémon trainers
travel to. I think that maybe a universal
(34:43):
Pokémon healthcare system would be beneficial, but the Pokémon
are also getting injured quite often because of their Pokémon.
Battles. But they're able to be.
Rejuvenated quite quickly at thePokémon Centre, so there isn't
necessarily a case where they'rehaving to go.
For treatment for a long. Time.
(35:06):
Most of the time they only spendlike one night at.
The Pokémon Centre, sometimes longer.
But I don't know like. Pokémon healthcare system for
injured Pokémon seems. Like there could be some.
Sort of like insurance difficulties there because
people might be getting their Pokémon injured on purpose.
(35:28):
Pokémon do get injured quite. Often so.
I don't know. I don't know.
There's, I don't know, there's Pokémon.
OK, the Pokémon centres are enough.
And the last question here comesfrom Jonathan and It.
Says. Hey, Jed, have you ever?
(35:50):
Considered the possibility that.Pokémon is just a metaphor.
For the struggles of growing. Up and finding your.
Place in the world. Wow, talk about deep, Jonathan.
I mean, I like to. Look back on Pokémon and and
enjoy the nostalgia. Of.
Being a Pokémon fan and when I first discovered it as a kid.
(36:13):
But there are a lot of life lessons that you can.
Kind of learn from Pokémon and yeah.
I don't know. You stumped me this week on the
Pokémon questions. I'm going.
To need to go and. Have a real.
Long think about about that, younotice.
Well, Speaking of life lessons, that'll lead me on nicely to the
(36:36):
next. Section because each episode.
I'd like to look at some of the.Life lessons that we can.
Learn from Pokémon. And today's episode, I wrote
down a couple of life lessons for us all.
I think that today's episode of Pokémon shows us that.
Misunderstandings can lead to conflict.
Now, Ash. Accused AJ of cheating and of
(37:00):
neglecting his Pokémon. Which led to an.
Argument between the two trainers.
But this highlights how. Jumping to conclusions.
Without understanding the full. Context of a situation.
Can sometimes create unnecessaryconflict.
But. On the other hand.
I also think another lesson thatwe could learn is for us to
(37:20):
stand. Up for what we believe.
In Ash didn't agree. With the way that AJ was
training. His Pokémon and he spoke.
Up about it. He didn't stay quiet and this
demonstrated. That we should have the courage
to speak up. Against actions.
That go against our beliefs because if you stay.
Quiet, then things won't change.You need to be.
(37:43):
Heard. You need your voice to be heard.
So there's a couple Pokémon lifelessons for you and I like to
look at life lessons so that we can be reminded that the world
of. Pokémon can provide valuable
insights. That we can apply to our
everyday lives. And that will bring us to an
end. For this episode, but before.
(38:04):
I go, let's have a. Look at what we.
Learn on the show tonight. What did we learn on the show
tonight? Well, dear listeners.
We found out that. Even in the world of Pokémon,
there are some trainers. Who take their methods?
A little too far, AJ with his. Savage training tactics and.
(38:26):
Secret recipes and whips. Reminded us that not everyone.
Shares the same level of compassion as Ash to raising
Pokémon. And Speaking of compassion, who?
Could forget the image of poor old Pikachu getting.
Stuck in the restraining? Vest it looks like.
Ash. Still has a lot to learn.
About being a Pikachu trainer. But hey, at least.
(38:47):
Team Rocket managed to snatch. Up a sand true instead of a
Pikachu, so that's kind of a win.
For them. All in all, this was a roller
coaster of an episode. Had a mix of.
Laughter drama, yes, had some questionable training methods,
but hey, past Just another day in the world of Pokémon.
(39:08):
And that's the end of this week's podcast.
And you know what that means? Somehow, someway, we'd have to
(39:41):
say goodbye. Somehow today we'd have to say
goodbye. Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo.
Somehow, someway, we have to saygoodbye.
(40:07):
OK, that was today's episode. That was the path to the.
Pokémon. League, thank you very much for.
Listening Please leave a review.And a rating on Spotify and
Apple Podcasts that will help. Others discover the show.
And if you know anyone who may enjoy the Peak Powers Podcast,
(40:29):
a. Friend or family member?
Please send it to them, see if. We can get some more.
Pika Powers on board Full episodes are now available on
YouTube as well. So if you'd like to stare at the
screen. And listen to the podcast, then
you can do that. And as always, don't.
Forget for. More exclusive content and all.
(40:50):
Things. Pokémon, you can visit me across
all socials at yeet a mania that's at.
Yeet a mania. And you can feel free to.
Share your love of Pokémon. Sending questions, comments,
suggestions, complaints. You can even send them via
e-mail at yeetamania@gmail.com. Thank you again for everyone for
(41:13):
your support. And also for your support.
Of my fundraiser for Mind in Somerset.
You can find more details in theepisode description, or you can
go to justgiving.com forward slash page forward slash Pika
Pals Unite, where we're trying to raise £151.00, the same
(41:35):
number of original Pokémon to support my local mental health
charity. And any donation of any size
really means a lot to me. So thank you very much for
everyone who's donated so far. Thank you very much.
That does it for this week's episode.
I've been Jed, this has been thePika Pals podcast, and you've
(41:57):
been a real Pika pal.
Hello my Pika Pals and welcome once again to the Pika Pals
Podcast. I'm your host Pokémon Trainer
Jed and I Thank you for tuning in.
The Peek a Pals podcast is whereI am on a mission.
To re watch. Recap and laugh my way through
every episode of the original Pokémon anime series and on
(00:41):
today's show. We're up to Episode 8.
This is that strange episode where.
That trainer has a whip. And he?
Whips his Pokémon and Santreu's wearing like a strange.
Leather vest. As always, you can follow me
across all the socials at Ytomania if you've got
questions, suggestions, or if you just want to chat about.
(01:02):
Pokémon. Maybe you want to be a guest on
the show? Then send me a message or e-mail
me at ytomania@gmail.com. But let's not wait around.
Let's get straight. To today's episode, turn that
hat backwards. Grab your poker balls.
And get. Ready for the Pika Pals podcast?
(01:35):
The Pokémon re Watch along. Continues and we are now.
Up to episode 8. This one's called The Path to
the Pokémon League. The Japanese title for this was.
The Road to the. Pokémon League and it's episode.
Eight of the original. Pokémon animated series first
aired in Japan on May the 20th, 1997 and we'd go on to air.
(01:58):
In the United States on. September the 17th, 1998 In this
one we get to meet a bit of a controversial character.
He's kind of split whether people like him or hate him, and
that is a character. Called AJ, the episode starts.
With Ash and his friends. On their way to Vermilion City
(02:19):
and along the way, Ash has a battle with another trainer and
Pidgeotto defeats Radata. So this just goes to show that
you don't. Always need to.
Battle against a another Pokémontrainer in an.
Official gym environment if you.Encounter one along your travels
and they would like to have a Pokémon battle, then you could
do that. That happens very.
(02:40):
Often on the Nintendo. Games you'd be just.
Walking along and someone. Would say hey you.
Don't like shorts? You've offended me deeply.
Let's have a Pokémon battle. So that's what happens here.
But we get to see. A quick montage of Ash's battle
here, with the trainer and Piggioto picking up the win.
This would actually be Ash's 10th victory in total for anyone
(03:02):
that's keeping track, and the trainer admires that Ash already
has. Two gym patches which actually.
Leads Misty to interrupt and remind Ash that him having those
badges may have been a mistake. He didn't actually earn them.
He was given them under, you know, special circumstances.
The trainer then points Ash in the direction.
(03:23):
Of an unofficial Pokémon gym. I guess kind of like an
underground Pokémon fighting ring and tells him about the
trainer named. AJ who?
Legend. Has it has never lost a match
and he trains his Pokémon to be absolutely savage.
So, not sure about you, but if Iwas told, Oh yeah, there's this
(03:45):
Pokémon Gym down the road, it's not official, it's off the
books. In fact, it's illegal and the
guy there has never lost and he trains his Pokémon to be
absolutely savage. I'd be a bit concerned, but Ash
is up for the challenge and he decides to track down this.
Unofficial Pokémon gym. Even though it's unlicensed by
the Pokémon League. Not sure why.
(04:06):
Pokémon officials haven't, you know, Ram raided the door and
shut down this activity, but there you go, and we get to find
out that. The scoreboard outside indicates
that AJ has a record. Of 98 wins and 0 losses.
So fast coming up on. 100 wins, undefeated.
(04:26):
This is where we'd meet the character AJ who'd walk up and
challenge Ash to a battle. And this would also be where.
We'd see a JS whip. Yep, that's right, AJ has a
whip. And he cracks his whip, making
Ash jump. And this just goes to show what
kind of Pokémon Trainer AJ. Is he has a whip so.
(04:47):
I don't know about you. But I don't.
Think you need a whip to train Pokémon, but we'll see.
We'll see why he's. Got the whip?
AJ goes on to. Tell Ash Brock.
And Misty that he plans on competing.
For his own gym badges. But only after 100 consecutive
wins. So this guy's got strategy in
mind. He's like.
I'm going to make sure I'm prepared.
(05:09):
I've. Practiced as much as I.
Can and he set 100 wins as his goal before he even goes to try
and compete for Pokémon. Badges so that.
Just goes to show you in comparison to Ash who?
Already has 2. Batches at this stage and from
his. Earlier battle with Piggioto.
That was his 10th. Win.
(05:29):
AJ is far, far more experienced than Ash, and Ash has kind of
been quite. Lucky, really, on his.
Pokémon journey so far to even earn those.
Two badges, I guess he. Far outweighs his actual
experience level. In terms of what he's achieved.
AJ, he's at 98. And O hoping he kept.
Up to 100. Ash tells him that he has ten
(05:51):
wins and two. Badges and this is where.
We'd get to some action as AJ would summon his SAN True
Pokémon to battle against Ash, Misty reminds Ash.
That Pikachu's electricity is. Useless against ground type
Pokémon. Something important to remember,
because we do. See that combination of?
Pokémon styles go up against. Each other at other.
(06:11):
Times and Pikachu sometimes he seems to be like this
undefeatable Pokémon but he can't compete against ground
Pokémon. His attacks would be ineffective
and therefore he wouldn't be able to battle against San.
True, but Ash thinking he knows better, he doesn't want to
listen. To Misty's advice.
He starts off his battle with Piggioto to battle against San
True, and he might know what he's doing here because.
(06:33):
Brock. Looks up and says flying Pokémon
do actually have an advantage against ground Pokémon, so Ash
could be along the right track here.
Maybe he. Does know what he's doing A?
JS SAN True Pokémon uses defencecurl to roll into a ball and it
yeah, hurls itself into the air striking and.
Defeating Piggioto like a flyingbaseball, but a huge one made of
(06:54):
an armadillo. And, and that kind of knocks out
Piggioto. Piggioto, Kayode.
He is defeated. So Ash has to recall his.
Piggioto back into his poker ball.
And then he sends out. Butter free.
Free, free. Butterfree to fight against
Sanchu. Another flying.
Pokémon. But in this case it's a bug type
(07:15):
Pokémon. Butterfree tries to use Stun
Spore but AJ cracks his whip. And orders his Santruda.
Dig underground, which he does. And he's able to avoid.
The attack so as we. Can see here AJ has taught his
Pokémon with a whip they. Respond to the sound of the whip
and they. Know what to do?
When that sound, you know, cracks the ground, Sand True
(07:38):
bursts out of the ground, takingdown Butterfree.
And that's Butterfree defeated. So a quick match here.
Ash went in a little bit too confident AJ, he does have 98
wins at this point so he isn't to be messed around with and Ash
even wants the battle to continue here.
Ash says OK, what about you Pikachu?
You can go up and fight, but Pikachu doesn't want to compete.
(08:00):
He's holding onto the edge of the battlefield.
While while Ash is like trying to pull him by the tail, he's
like really trying to get him tocompete, but he's just seen.
Piggioto. And Butterfree taken down in in
quick succession, so Pikachu's late.
No, I don't want to. I don't want to battle.
And this is just a little bit going back into some of.
Pikachu's earlier traits, where he can sometimes be quite
stubborn and resistant against. Ash.
(08:22):
He doesn't always listen to Ash even though Ash is his trainer.
I'd be pretty upset if someone was pulling on my tail.
And this is where Pikachu would teach Ash a lesson and hit him
with a Thunder. Shock.
Not for the first time, mind you, Ash.
Would end up being struck. By Pikachu's Thunder Shock,
quite a few. Times throughout the Pokémon
series. So the episode continued and we
(08:43):
get to learn a little bit more about a JS training.
Methods with the whip, but first.
Team Rocket make their appearance and they're spying on
the match from a tree nearby andthey see the sound true and how
powerful it is. And they decide that they're
going to steal it. Now Ash here.
Is unsure how AJ's Pokémon are actually so strong and how he
(09:04):
was. Able to be defeated.
So quickly and he accuses AJ of cheating.
And he demands a rematch. And later on in the.
Episode Ash actually overhears AJ.
And his training methods where he's yelling quite angrily at
his Pokémon and, and, and cracking the whip at them.
And I I do. Think you know this?
Is probably quite a controversial.
(09:24):
Training method. Ash is quite a kind hearted,
compassionate Pokémon trainer and so when he hears this and
he. Hears AJ raising his voice and
he hears AJ, you know. Whipping his Pokémon, he he
decides to intervene. AJ on the other hand tells Ash
to mind his own business. And this is where we get to also
see San True wearing a strength intensifier brace.
(09:47):
I had to look at what the name of that.
Was because it kind of looks like some sort of vest leather
black vest that. You might wear and anyway, AJ
says well now this is the strength intensifier brace and
he invented it himself and he makes his sound true wear this
because it allows him to withstand the weakening effects
(10:08):
of water and AJ says he's tougher on San true than his
other Pokémon because he knows that San.
True is his very best. So essentially an add on, an add
on to Pokémon. AJ has added on this vest to his
SAN True, which helps him specifically against water
attacks, but Ash isn't convinced.
He tells AJ that. Good.
Pokémon trainer should make friends with his.
(10:29):
Pokémon he should bond with his.Pokémon and even asks for
Brock's input, but Brock is onlykind of.
Interested in what food? AJ is using Brock.
Very interested. In recipes.
Pokémon Food. Food, Pokémon breeding, he's
more, he's more interested in that.
Side of the Pokémon world. And he thinks, well, these
Pokémon are pretty strong. They.
Must be eating something they must be eating.
I mean they. Must be eating.
(10:49):
Like the same sort of diet as the rock.
I don't know how many pancakes they're eating.
A. Day, but they're.
Eating a lot. Brock doesn't really want to get
involved in the argument, more interested in in how much
protein AJ's Pokémon are getting.
AJ tells Brock that he. Too makes his own Pokémon food.
And it's a secret recipe, like Kentucky.
Fried Chicken. AJ's Pokémon.
(11:10):
Food 100. Herbs and spices secret recipe.
And so to give you kind of a picture of things, AJ's training
tent is kind of full of gym equipment, dumbbells and
treadmills and, you know, other gym.
Equipment. I don't know what the stuff
there is. Exercise bikes.
(11:31):
That's the thing, I guess. Punch bags.
Yeah, punch bags. Pretty sure all gyms have punch
bags but we see Pikachu. Try to get involved with the gym
equipment and he actually tries to.
Lift up a set of the dumbbells, but they're so heavy he just
falls back. And then we see a little Pikachu
kind of trapped under the dumbbells for a second, which
was quite a fun little scene. Don't worry, he was OK.
(11:53):
And while all this is going on. We actually get to see.
Some trainer on trainer violencehere because AJ and Ash are
still. Arguing back and forward and AJ
insults Pikachu which leads. Ash to kind of take a swing at
him and they actually end up both falling into a swimming
pool. And we don't very often see
actual Pokémon trainers. Fighting, I think this.
(12:14):
Is one of the first. And maybe only times that we do,
but whatever. Was going on with AJ and that
whip. It struck A chord with Ash and
he was not happy about it. Because he decided to almost
punch AJ. In fact, they both ended up
taking an early bath because they ended up in.
A swimming. Pool Pikachu Keen to try and
(12:35):
learn a little bit more about the.
Strength Intensifier Vest decides to put it on, but it's
fits him so badly in fact it. Tightens him up into a little.
Pika ball and it's it's on him so tight that he can't get out.
He's in like a yellow ball or quite a funny visual scene and
you can see sand true here just kind of laughing at Pikachu as
he as he rolls the ball around. Speaking of.
(12:58):
Balls, not poker balls, but. Team Rocket Balls because at
this point, team. Rocket roll into the tent.
Inside of a giant rubber. Ball this might be.
One of the most ridiculous Team Rocket traps.
One of the most ridiculous Team Rocket disguises.
But essentially. It's just like a huge rubber.
Ball that they're all inside andthey they roll inside the tent
(13:21):
and while they're rolling along.They couldn't resist.
They tried to snatch Pikachu. Who's?
You know, stuck in this. Intensifier brace.
But instead they end up. Snatching sand true instead and.
AJ soon realizes that his sand true is missing.
He's able to, you know. Quickly release Pikachu from
the. Harness would be.
Pretty terrible if he kept him in there for like the whole
episode, the whole season. That would be a different season
(13:44):
altogether, wouldn't it? Pokémon where Pikachu.
'S stuck in a vest, but because Pikachu.
Was kind of wrapped. Into this ball he didn't.
See where San True went all. He saw was this big rubber ball
rolling through a. JS tent and you know why.
Would you not question that? It's just a big rubber ball.
You see that everyday. Ash.
Here still got his own his own agenda.
(14:05):
He actually tries to convince all of a JS Pokémon to leave.
AJ he tells them that. They don't need to.
Be treated this way, he tells them that AJ is, you know,
essentially. A bad trainer.
Surprisingly, they turn around and they ignore Ash.
The Pokémon are like, no, we're actually happy, despite what you
might think they're. Happy with AJ.
And in a strange. Way although a JS training.
(14:31):
Methods could maybe be questioned by many.
His Pokémon actually care. Very.
Deeply for him. And Ash realises how much.
AJ cares for his Pokémon especially.
When he sees how concerned he iswhen his sand true.
Has gone missing. And it wouldn't be long.
Before our heroes would. Spot the big rubber ball and be
like, wait a minute, now that I think about it, that big rubber
(14:53):
ball wasn't there before. What is going on and inside Team
Rocket are kind of crammed in there with the stolen sand.
True meow to trying to figure out.
What to do? And once they realize that.
They've got a sand true instead of a Pikachu.
They actually decide that they don't.
Want that they still want. Pikachu, they say.
Oh, capturing the sand true was a mistake.
(15:13):
They call it a. Second rate sand true.
Which only goes to. Anger AJ even more.
I mean if anything. He's a first rate sand true.
Let's let's not argue about that.
He's. He's pretty strong Sand True and
so AJ would challenge Team Rocket to a battle and he'd put
his Sand True against Team Rockets, Ekins, and Coffin.
(15:38):
This battle goes back and forth for a little while.
Sand True able to avoid Coffins.Sludge.
Attack then able to avoid ekins rap attack and he's able to take
them out and then he. Also defeats Miauf.
This is one of the occasions where we see Team Rocket also
use Meowth as one of their battling Pokémon.
He's such an integral part of their team that he travels
(16:00):
around with them as a member of team.
Rocket, the leader of Team Rocket I would say, but also he
is a. Pokémon.
He is a Pokémon so when it comesto battling they can use him and
in this situation they do. Or at least they try to.
But Meowth is quickly defeated. Meowth.
Tries to use a bite. Attack on San True But San
(16:21):
True's skin is so armoured and tough.
That I think it breaks. Mouths, Teeth and so San True
would then use a fissure attack to send Team Rocket and Meowth
blasting off again. Well, I think they're kind of
like flee and run away. And I don't mean there's a whip
involved. There's some strange sort of
like restricted brace. I don't.
(16:41):
I mean, I'd probably flee the tent too.
It's a bit. Strange, but yeah, Team Rocket,
their plan of being inside the big rubber ball didn't work out.
They get. Out of there.
And in that defeat, that would actually mark a.
JS 100th win. So AJ had defeated Ash?
Earlier in the episode. But now in an.
Unsanctioned match, I suppose. But not that that matters
(17:03):
because this is an unsanctioned gym.
AJ just defeated Team Rocket. Marking his 100th win.
And at this point, he's happy tobegin his Pokémon journey and.
Start earning gym badges so. An interesting character that we
got to meet there. Let me know what.
Your thoughts are on. AJ and his training methods.
(17:24):
I was never really fond. Of this episode.
I, I I liked Team Rocket's rubber ball trap.
I thought that that was fun, butI I do kind of side with Ash
that I don't really think that what AJ was doing and the way
that he was training his Pokémon, it definitely didn't
resonate with me. But at the same time, we do see
that a JS Pokemons still care and love.
(17:45):
For him, so I don't. Know who am I?
Who? Who's Ash to to question that?
Good luck to AJ on his Pokémon journey.
Hundred wins behind him. Before he's even.
Challenging for his first gym. Badge so.
You know he's got some experience heading out on his
Pokémon. Adventure.
Ash reminds him that he too. Wants to go and become the
(18:06):
world's greatest Pokémon master and actually kind of part on
mutual terms. I suppose they I don't.
Think they're ever going to be best friends?
But they say see down the road, maybe even see you.
At the Pokémon League competitions and I'm going to
continue talking about this episode we're going to look at.
The debuts of AJ. We're going to do a Pokémon
(18:26):
Spotlight as well as look at some of my favorite frames and
Pokémon trivia, but. 1st. We've got to take a pause for
the cause. Keep those lights on in the
peaker. Power Studio with a quick.
Message from our sponsors. Hey there, Peaker Powers podcast
listeners introducing bell sprout blooms.
(18:50):
The Letterbox monthly flower subscription.
Service that delivers. Fresh, beautiful blooms straight
to your door. Say goodbye to those wilted
grocery store flowers. That only last a couple.
Days. And hello to vibrant hand picked
bouquets from our very own Bell.Sprout each month.
You'll receive a carefully curated.
(19:11):
Selection. Of seasonal flowers that are
sure to brighten up. Any room in your home.
Our subscription service is hassle free.
Just sign up and we'll. Take care of the rest.
Your. Bellsprout flowers will be
lovingly. Packed.
In a sleek, eco friendly box that fits right through your
letterbox, ensuring your blooms stay fresh and protected until
(19:36):
you're ready to display them. Bellsprout blooms is.
Perfect for flower enthusiasts, busy professionals and anyone.
Who wants to bring a little extra beauty into their life?
So why wait? Subscribe today and start
enjoying fresh, gorgeous flowersfrom the comfort of your own
(19:57):
home. Hey there Pika Pals podcast
listeners. I've teamed up with Jinx and
she's thrilled to introduce her new.
Line of lipsticks with her monthly Jinx lipstick
subscription box. Whether you're looking.
For a bold, daring shade. Of black.
Or a more subtle everyday purple.
(20:17):
Jinx's lipsticks. Have got you covered.
With long lasting transfer proofformulas and a.
Variety of shades to choose from.
You'll be able to pucker up. With confidence and for Peeker
Pounds podcast listeners, Jinx is offering a special.
Discount with the code KISS kiss.
(20:38):
You can get 120. Four.
That's right. 120. 4 free. Kisses.
With your. First purchase of Jinxes
lipstick. So what are you waiting for?
Pucker up, pika. Powers podcast listeners and
give. Jinxes lipsticks a try today.
(21:17):
OK, we're back. This is the peak powers.
Podcast. I am talking about episode 8 of
the Pokémon anime. This one is the.
Path of the Pokémon League. So.
Let's look at what characters debuted in this episode.
We of course got to see AJ the. Savage Trainer, I think he's
(21:37):
kind of like Marmite. I think people either love him
or hate him. As for Pokémon debuts, we
actually didn't see any Pokémon.Debut in this episode.
Any of the Pokémon that was shown had previously appeared
in. Episodes before this, but
considering. Sand true was given, you know,
quite the showing in this episode with his leather vest.
(21:59):
Today's Pokémon spotlight is going to be about Sand True and
Sand True Japanese name. Sand is a ground type Pokémon
introduced in generation one. His Pokedex number is 27.
Now as I did a little bit more Santru research here, I found
(22:20):
out that Santru and its evolved form.
Both share their category name with Radata, Radicate, Pikachu,
Raichu. Palmi and Palmo, they are also
known as mouse Pokémon, althoughRadata and Radicate.
Were originally known as Rat Pokémon prior to generation. 3
(22:41):
San True. Has the lowest base special.
Attack stack. Of all.
The ground type Pokémon and whenI looked into some of.
The origin for the. Design of the San true
character. I found out that it may be based
on an armadillo or a pangolin. Which you may know from I know
from the South Park episode if you've seen.
(23:02):
That you'll know. You know what I'm talking.
About Randy Marsh. That's all I'm going to say, but
Yep. Sand true is a, you know, mammal
with with hard scales and sharp claws and it can curl into a
ball so. To me it.
Yeah, it looks like an. Armadillo from from.
What I would think and it lives in desert regions.
Both Sand True and its evolved form Sand Slash are also
(23:26):
mentioned to have poisonous claws, similar to how some.
Species of shrew are venomous, which was a fact to me.
I mean, I didn't. Really know that about.
Shrews, did you? Some shrews can be venomous.
Now I did find this fact quite funny.
It says sand Shrews name is a combination of sand and shrew.
(23:46):
Which I was. I was confused as to what.
His name was a combination. Of to be.
Honest, I was like sand. Shrew.
What kind? Of a name is that.
But yeah, there you go. Just to make it official for
you, his name culmination of Sand and Shrew.
So that's today's Pokémon Spotlight on Sand Shrew, and
continuing on the trivia train, let's look at some.
Trivia from the episode in particular.
(24:10):
So this is. Considered to be the first.
Filler episode of The Animated. Series.
There are quite a few episodes that people.
Consider as filler episodes. And by that they mean.
Episodes that don't really. Progress Ash's story too much.
They don't really progress Ash in wanting to become a Pokémon
master and there are quite a lotof, you know, Pokémon side.
(24:32):
Quests. That happen, but for me they're
some of my favorite. Episodes, not this episode in
particular isn't one of my favourites, but a lot of the
episodes that are filler episodes I enjoy.
And the purpose of those, a lot of the time is to.
Introduce new Pokémon because you know.
Got to catch them all. And.
(24:52):
Got to introduce all the Pokémon.
So. Sometimes we have like a random
filler episode, but this episodehere where Ash and the gang
stumbled across a JS unofficial gym is apparently considered the
first filler. Episode of the original
animated. Series As I said earlier, this
is the first episode or so without any Pokémon debuts, so
(25:15):
no new Pokémon debuting for the first time, and also this is the
first time an episode isn't explicitly set within a location
from the games. So a lot of the.
Regions and towns that we go to are recognizable from the
Pokémon Nintendo games, but thisparticular episode isn't really
reference to anything, and it's not related to anything in the
games. Now, you might have picked up on
(25:36):
it during my recap, but early inthis episode, Team Rocket
actually expressed an interest in AJ Sam True, saying how
strong it was. But later on in the episode,
they actually. Turn around and take no.
Interest in Sam True. Instead deciding to go after
Pikachu and calling Sam true second.
Rate. So I'm not sure if it was just
the allure of. Pikachu that they couldn't
(25:58):
resist. Or if they were quickly.
To change their minds, but. For whatever reason, Team Rocket
were keen on catching sand. True.
And then a few minutes later they were like, actually.
No, we don't want him. He's a second rate sand.
True. At one point in this.
Episode we see Ash's. Nose comically extending in the
animation, and this is a reference to the Japanese saying
(26:19):
becoming a Tengu. Which is used to.
Describe a person. Getting a swelled head.
So that's what that reference. Means.
I thought it was. In.
Relation to you know, Pinocchio or lying where someone says oh
your nose is going to grow if you lie but.
This is actually a Japanese reference called Becoming a
Tengu, which means getting a swelled.
Head and Ash he. Can sometimes get a swelled head
(26:42):
in terms of his attitude towardswinning Jim badges and and maybe
he. Thinks he's a bit better of a.
Pokémon train than he actually. Is.
And another fact is to do with Sanshrew's strength intensifier
brace, which actually resembles a macho brace and that is an
item that is not introduced until generation 3 of the games.
(27:04):
So something that you can actually acquire in the Nintendo
games is a macho brace Macho. Man ready, Savage.
Oh yeah. The metro brace is an item that
you can. Apply to your Pokémon in which
it double s all the effort values.
Gained. During a battle, so another.
(27:25):
Little link. Between the Pokémon anime and.
The games I didn't. Actually know that Sam Shrews
leather vest. Was in the Pokémon games until I
found out this this fact. So that was interesting to me.
I always like to look. At the dub edits.
Between the Japanese version of Pokémon and Pokémon in other
countries and for this one in the.
(27:47):
English WD episode Misty actually references a real.
Animal that isn't a Pokémon. She claims that AJ has some true
controlled with the crack of a whip, just like a lion tamer.
Would. Referencing a lion, but in.
The Japanese version, she simplyremarks.
It's amazing. How AJ can control?
Some true with just the. Crack of a whip.
(28:09):
I always thought it was kind of an interesting question or
concept to think if there were actually real animals that we
know in our lives in the Pokémonuniverse.
Misty refers to a lion here, so she knows.
What 1 is and in the previous episode, the water flowers of
Cerulean City at the water gym, they're kind of like in an
(28:29):
aquarium and we do see some. Real life fish.
In the tank that aren't. Magic Garp or Golden or seeking,
you know they're they're just normal, normal fish.
So do. Animals exist in the Pokémon.
World or are. Pokémon the equivalent of
animals like Is there also another whole category of actual
(28:50):
animals? That are used as pets and then
Pokémon are. Pocket monsters used for
paddling. I don't know.
Let me know what you think. Another interesting dub edit.
Was that we got to see. Team Rocket use a slightly.
Different motto in this episode so.
In the Japanese version it. Would translate to Jesse saying.
(29:10):
We are the pretty. Thieves and James saying target.
Pikachu. And in the English dub, Jesse
would say Team Rocket will do what it has to do.
And James would say to snatch that little Pikachu.
Apologies for the awful. Impressions of Team Rocket.
So sometimes I don't know. If it's just based on.
(29:32):
How they were dubbed in different countries or?
If there wasn't a way. To necessarily translate some of
the Japanese wording used. But it's always interesting to
see the dub edits and why thingshave been changed.
And that would be kind of episode.
Eight. Really.
That would be. The path to the Pokémon.
League. I kind of feel like this podcast
episode is a bit of a fellow on.I don't know of how how happy I
(29:53):
am recording it as I've been. Talking about the episode
really. But I don't know it's it's.
It brought up some interesting. Things it brought up Santry.
'S vest it brought up. The big rubber ball that Team
Rocket were hiding in, we got tosee Meowth battling and I also
like to. Dig into.
Each episode and pull out some of my favorite frames of
animation. I've done the same for this
episode and you can check them out.
(30:15):
Across my social media channels.At.
Yeet a mania. That's yeet.
A mania. Also, let me know some of your
favorite parts of the episode. And I can include them on
socials as well, but I'm going to pull out some of my favorite
frames and post them on my. Socials for you to see.
OK, what should we do next? Should we do some Pokémon jokes?
It's time for. Joke him on all.
(30:42):
Right, here we go with. Pokémon jokes How did Ash
Ketchum? Lose weight, he started a bell
sprout diet. Magikarp's splash attack.
Is about as effective. As a paper umbrella.
In a hurricane. Why did them a?
(31:03):
Champ Open a gym. He wanted to help.
Pokémon get in shape. One punch at a time.
That's more of a statement really.
I suppose that's kind of what you do at gyms, isn't it?
Now Anyway, this this next one'skind of OK.
Magma and shelder. Would make the perfect.
(31:23):
Dysfunctional couple one's always hot.
Headed and the other's always clammy.
Why did the Ditto fail the job interview?
He couldn't be himself. Oh, wonder.
What job he was going. For interesting, wouldn't it?
(31:45):
Probably. I don't know.
Working in a. In a bakery, what type of job
would Ditto go for? But.
Yeah, anyway, couldn't be himself.
So he failed the drug interview.There's always a noise.
Going off when I record. That's.
Not my ringtone, that's actually.
The fire alarm. In my building, so I suppose I
(32:08):
better. Pause the recording in case
Charizard decided to burn down the building and.
I'll be right back. This might be the last thing you
ever hear. Really.
Not anyway. But got one more joke when I
come back after this fire alarm.Sorry about that.
(32:29):
OK, I'm back. Luckily the building hadn't
burned down. It's just a a fire drill.
Test a test alarm. I was excited.
I thought might get to meet Charizard.
We were doing some Pokémon. Jokes.
We got one left. I'm pretty sure that everyone is
waiting in anticipation of. Of these jokes.
So anyway. Here's the last one.
(32:55):
Ghastly is the type of guy who tried to sell you a haunted
house and call it a fixer. Upper.
Well worth the wait. Probably should have.
Burned down the building insteadwell, a joy that was joking on
interrupted by a fire alarm and.Also, yeah.
(33:17):
That was a Pokémon joke that wasjoking on.
I just had. To stop the.
Recording again, actually, because my intercom went.
(33:38):
Someone was at the door. This is the episode where.
There's a lot of. Interruptions, but hey, you
know, just recording the podcast.
As I record it, this is the reallife of.
The Bigger Powers Podcast. Let's see, what else.
Can happen. What are we doing next?
I've been. Completely thrown off track.
(33:58):
Any more Pokémon jokes? Oh no, it's time for ring.
Ring ring. Phone call.
Phone call. Hello, this is the Ketchum
residence. OK.
Let's have a look at what. Questions have been sent in.
This week, dear. Pika powers podcast do you think
(34:20):
the Pokémon? World would benefit from having
a universal healthcare system for injured Pokémon.
Or are Pokémon centres enough? What a what a question, Thank
you very much. We do see the Pokémon centres in
pretty much. Every town that Pokémon trainers
travel to. I think that maybe a universal
(34:43):
Pokémon healthcare system would be beneficial, but the Pokémon
are also getting injured quite often because of their Pokémon.
Battles. But they're able to be.
Rejuvenated quite quickly at thePokémon Centre, so there isn't
necessarily a case where they'rehaving to go.
For treatment for a long. Time.
(35:06):
Most of the time they only spendlike one night at.
The Pokémon Centre, sometimes longer.
But I don't know like. Pokémon healthcare system for
injured Pokémon seems. Like there could be some.
Sort of like insurance difficulties there because
people might be getting their Pokémon injured on purpose.
(35:28):
Pokémon do get injured quite. Often so.
I don't know. I don't know.
There's, I don't know, there's Pokémon.
OK, the Pokémon centres are enough.
And the last question here comesfrom Jonathan and It.
Says. Hey, Jed, have you ever?
(35:50):
Considered the possibility that.Pokémon is just a metaphor.
For the struggles of growing. Up and finding your.
Place in the world. Wow, talk about deep, Jonathan.
I mean, I like to. Look back on Pokémon and and
enjoy the nostalgia. Of.
Being a Pokémon fan and when I first discovered it as a kid.
(36:13):
But there are a lot of life lessons that you can.
Kind of learn from Pokémon and yeah.
I don't know. You stumped me this week on the
Pokémon questions. I'm going.
To need to go and. Have a real.
Long think about about that, younotice.
Well, Speaking of life lessons, that'll lead me on nicely to the
(36:36):
next. Section because each episode.
I'd like to look at some of the.Life lessons that we can.
Learn from Pokémon. And today's episode, I wrote
down a couple of life lessons for us all.
I think that today's episode of Pokémon shows us that.
Misunderstandings can lead to conflict.
Now, Ash. Accused AJ of cheating and of
(37:00):
neglecting his Pokémon. Which led to an.
Argument between the two trainers.
But this highlights how. Jumping to conclusions.
Without understanding the full. Context of a situation.
Can sometimes create unnecessaryconflict.
But. On the other hand.
I also think another lesson thatwe could learn is for us to
(37:20):
stand. Up for what we believe.
In Ash didn't agree. With the way that AJ was
training. His Pokémon and he spoke.
Up about it. He didn't stay quiet and this
demonstrated. That we should have the courage
to speak up. Against actions.
That go against our beliefs because if you stay.
Quiet, then things won't change.You need to be.
(37:43):
Heard. You need your voice to be heard.
So there's a couple Pokémon lifelessons for you and I like to
look at life lessons so that we can be reminded that the world
of. Pokémon can provide valuable
insights. That we can apply to our
everyday lives. And that will bring us to an
end. For this episode, but before.
(38:04):
I go, let's have a. Look at what we.
Learn on the show tonight. What did we learn on the show
tonight? Well, dear listeners.
We found out that. Even in the world of Pokémon,
there are some trainers. Who take their methods?
A little too far, AJ with his. Savage training tactics and.
(38:26):
Secret recipes and whips. Reminded us that not everyone.
Shares the same level of compassion as Ash to raising
Pokémon. And Speaking of compassion, who?
Could forget the image of poor old Pikachu getting.
Stuck in the restraining? Vest it looks like.
Ash. Still has a lot to learn.
About being a Pikachu trainer. But hey, at least.
(38:47):
Team Rocket managed to snatch. Up a sand true instead of a
Pikachu, so that's kind of a win.
For them. All in all, this was a roller
coaster of an episode. Had a mix of.
Laughter drama, yes, had some questionable training methods,
but hey, past Just another day in the world of Pokémon.
(39:08):
And that's the end of this week's podcast.
And you know what that means? Somehow, someway, we'd have to
(39:41):
say goodbye. Somehow today we'd have to say
goodbye. Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo.
Somehow, someway, we have to saygoodbye.
(40:07):
OK, that was today's episode. That was the path to the.
Pokémon. League, thank you very much for.
Listening Please leave a review.And a rating on Spotify and
Apple Podcasts that will help. Others discover the show.
And if you know anyone who may enjoy the Peak Powers Podcast,
(40:29):
a. Friend or family member?
Please send it to them, see if. We can get some more.
Pika Powers on board Full episodes are now available on
YouTube as well. So if you'd like to stare at the
screen. And listen to the podcast, then
you can do that. And as always, don't.
Forget for. More exclusive content and all.
(40:50):
Things. Pokémon, you can visit me across
all socials at yeet a mania that's at.
Yeet a mania. And you can feel free to.
Share your love of Pokémon. Sending questions, comments,
suggestions, complaints. You can even send them via
e-mail at yeetamania@gmail.com. Thank you again for everyone for
(41:13):
your support. And also for your support.
Of my fundraiser for Mind in Somerset.
You can find more details in theepisode description, or you can
go to justgiving.com forward slash page forward slash Pika
Pals Unite, where we're trying to raise £151.00, the same
(41:35):
number of original Pokémon to support my local mental health
charity. And any donation of any size
really means a lot to me. So thank you very much for
everyone who's donated so far. Thank you very much.
That does it for this week's episode.
I've been Jed, this has been thePika Pals podcast, and you've
(41:57):
been a real Pika pal.
Popular Podcasts
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.