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The Pokemon series is very popular among fans. However, not all of its episodes were broadcast on television. In many different countries, banned Pokemon episodes differ from each other. There are many reasons, from cultural differences to an epileptic attack. Check the banned episodes and the reason for their removal from the schedule. This is a list of episodes that have not been aired worldwide.
Episode 18 – Beauty and the Beach
The heroes arrive on a tropical island, help one of the local restaurateurs, and a rival restaurant is helped by the villains from Team Rocket. The only salvation seems to be a beauty contest in which you can win a large cash prize.
The episode „Beauty and the Beach” caused controversy due to its portrayal of the character James from Team Rocket. In the original version of the episode, James appeared at the beauty pageant wearing a flowing gown and with visibly enlarged breasts, which sparked controversy and protests, especially from non-Japanese viewers. The show was criticized for its gender stereotypical portrayal and causing confusion among viewers. An altered version of the episode, in which James is dressed differently, was available in some countries after the changes were made.
Episode 35 – The Legend of Dratini
Ash and his friends reach the safari zone. This is a place where you can only use Safari Balls to catch Pokemon. The restriction was introduced due to the sterilization of the zone by trainers arriving there. Guardian Kaiza hides a secret related to the mysterious and powerful Pokemon – Dratini. Team Rocket is also on the trail of this creature. After they find Dratini, Ash and his friends try to thwart an attempt to kidnap him. With the help of Dragonair, they manage to defeat Team Rocket. Kaiza can reunite with his old friend.
This is the episode where Ash caught all of his Tauros, a plot hole was created due to this episode not being aired. The episode „The Legend of Dratini” was controversial in North America due to the use of firearms in some scenes. As a result, the episode was pulled from subsequent U.S. broadcasts and was never aired in an English-language version beyond its original showing.
Episode 38 – Electric Soldier Porygon
At the Pokemon Center, the transfer system fails. Pokemon sent will not be delivered to the owner, another creature will be delivered instead. The probable cause is a computer virus. The only solution seems to be the use of Porygon, which will transfer the heroes directly to the computer program.
When the group is pulled into virtual reality, they discover that something has gone wrong. Pikachu begins fighting against Team Rocket’s virtual missiles, and this is where one of the most controversial sequences in Pokémon anime history occurs. In this sequence, the animation screen flashes in intense colors and patterns, which caused many viewers to suffer epileptic seizures. The episode was quickly cut short after only a few minutes, and the series was taken off air in Japan for a period of time.
After the episode aired, approximately 685 children in Japan were taken to hospitals complaining of illness after watching the controversial sequence. This incident became known as „Pokemon Shock” and had serious consequences for further broadcasts of the series. As a result of this episode and its negative consequences, „Dennō Senshi Porygon” was completely withdrawn from further broadcasts, and Porygon never appeared in the series again. This episode also contributed to a significant change in broadcasting policy and restrictions on Japanese television and became an important moment in the history of the Pokémon anime.
Episode 65 – Holiday Hi-Jynx
Ash, Misty and Brock continue their journey through the world of Pokémon. During their journey, they come across a beach where Jynx, an Ice/Psychic-type Pokémon, was staying. Jynx tells her story, we learn that she is Santa’s helper. The heroes will try to help her get back to the Pole. On the way, they meet Lapras, who helps them get to Santa’s residence. They are followed by Team Rocket in their boat. After defeating Jessie and James, Santa can return to his job.
The episode „Holiday Hi-Jynx” sparked controversy due to Jynx’s skin color. In episodes from the first series, she initially had black skin, large lips and eyes, reminiscent of negative racial stereotypes. Due to this controversy, the episode was pulled after its original showing and has not been rebroadcast in the United States. To avoid problems with controversial depiction, later versions of this episode changed Jynx’s skin color to purple. From then on, Jynx in the series had purple skin, and the episode „Merry Christmas, Jynx” was changed to reflect this new character appearance.
Banned Pokemon episodes – Summary
There are as many as three episodes in the first series, completely unaired due to weapons, nudity and intense light. The Christmas episode was revised and frequently aired in different countries without any problem. The series had its share of problems, but with a few exceptions, there weren’t many banned Pokemon episodes anymore. For example, in Japan, episodes 23-24 of the Black & White series were omitted due to their depiction of tsunamis and earthquakes. Apart from these few examples, the series is still broadcast without any problems to this day.
