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Pokerap – iconic song from the end of Pokémon series
The Pokerap is one of the most recognizable elements of the first season of the Pokémon anime, gaining immense popularity among fans worldwide. This energetic song, which aired at the end of episodes of the original series, was intended to name all 150 Pokémon from the first generation. In this article, we’ll explore the history of the Pokerap, its various versions, interesting facts, and the controversy surrounding this iconic song.
The History of the Pokerap
It was created by 4Kids Entertainment, the company responsible for the English dubbing of the Pokémon anime. The song debuted in the show’s first season, known as “Indigo League,” and aired at the end of episodes from “Pokémon – I Choose You!” to “The Breeding Center Secret.”
The original song was divided into five parts, which aired consecutively over five days of the week. Each day, viewers could hear a different snippet of the song, and after a full week of airing, all 150 Pokémon were named. This format was due to time constraints – the full version of “Pokerap” was too long to air in its entirety after each episode.
Creators and Performers
John Siegler composed the music for “Pokerap,” with lead vocals by James “D-Train” Williams and Babi Floyd. In a 2015 interview with The Week magazine, D-Train spoke about the song’s creation process. According to him, the song was created gradually – first adding five Pokémon, perfecting the rhythm and rhyme, then adding five more, and so on.
Interestingly, Siegler wasn’t particularly proud of the performance, considering it one of his least successful songs for the Pokémon franchise. As he himself stated, “It wasn’t really a song; it was a way to name 150 Pokémon, so it wasn’t particularly interesting musically.”
Pokerap Song Structure and Lyrics
The original Pokerap begins with a short dialogue:
“OK, friends! It’s time for Pokérap. You do the singing, I’ll do the hard part. Let’s get started!”
Then the actual part begins, listing all 150 Pokémon from the first generation (excluding Mew). The song’s structure is simple – it consists of verses listing Pokémon names, interspersed with the refrain, “Catch ’em, catch ’em, gotta catch ’em all, Pokémon!”
The beginning goes like this:
“I want to be the best there ever was. To beat all the rest, yeah, that’s my cause!”
The Pokémon are then listed:
“Electrode, Diglett, Nidoran, Mankey
Venusaur, Rattata, Fearow, Pidgey
Seaking, Jolteon, Dragonite, Gastly
Ponyta, Vaporeon, Poliwrath, Butterfree”
It’s worth noting that the order in which the Pokémon are listed doesn’t correspond to their numbering in the Pokédex, and the evolutionary lines are often mixed up.
Errors in the music video
Despite its immense popularity, it wasn’t free of errors. Fans noticed several errors in the visual representation of Pokémon during the broadcast:
- When Poliwrath is mentioned, Poliwag (its first evolution) is shown.
- When Graveler is mentioned, Geodude appears on screen.
- The same image of Poliwag reappears when Poliwag is actually mentioned.
- These errors have become a topic of discussion among fans and have gained renewed popularity in recent years thanks to videos on TikTok and other social media platforms that highlight these inaccuracies.
Different Versions of the Pokerap
Over the years, several different versions have been created, adapted to each generation of Pokémon:
- Kanto (original) – lists 150 Pokémon from the first generation, excluding Mew
- Gold/Silver – lists Pokémon from the second generation, excluding Celebi
- Hoenn – lists Pokémon from the third generation, as well as Mew and Celebi, but omits Relicanth and Zigzagoon
After The Pokémon Company International took over production of the English dub from 4Kids Entertainment, the Pokerap tradition was abandoned, and no official versions were created for subsequent generations.
Controversies and Trivia
Despite its popularity, it was not free from controversy:
- Payment Issues – In a 2015 interview, D-Train revealed that the artists did not receive royalties for their participation in the song. 4Kids Entertainment paid them a lump sum for the recording, with no additional compensation for subsequent use of the song. Many of the music creators for the English version later sued 4Kids, although D-Train and Babi Floyd were not involved in these lawsuits.
- Removed Pokémon – According to D-Train, a Pokémon was removed from the roster during production. It’s unclear which Pokémon was removed – it could have been a name change or, in the case of Mew, a decision not to reveal it, as it was still a secret at the time.
- Japanese Version – In the Japanese version of the anime, “Can You Name All the Pokémon?” was used instead of the Pokerap, which served a similar function. In the Japanese version of the Pokémon Trading Card Game, the character Imakuni? mentions singing “Can You Name All the Pokémon?”, while in the English localization, he says he sings the Pokerap.
- Hindi Pokerap – A Hindi version of the Pokerap was created for the second Indian dub of the series and was used as the ending theme for the second half of the first season. Interestingly, it bore no resemblance to the English version.
- Animutation – Neil Cicierega, a well-known internet creator, created his first “animutation” (a surreal Flash animation) based on the Japanese version of Pokerap. This version features various characters, including Mr. Rogers, Pikachu, Colin Mochrie, Theodore Roosevelt, and many others.
- Pokerap Update – In 2021, after about a year and a half of work, a group of fans created an updated version of Pokerap, which includes nearly 900 species. Over 900 artists participated in the project, each drawing a different Pokémon.
Pokerap in Various Language Versions – Song Translation
Pokerap has been adapted into many languages, though not all. It was not broadcast in the Polish version of the anime, which was a significant difference compared to the English version. Polish fans were primarily exposed to it through imported CDs, such as “Pokémon 2.B.A. Master,” or later online.
In some countries, it was translated and recorded in local languages, retaining the original melody and structure but adapting the Pokémon names to the respective language. In other regions, like Poland, it was decided not to adapt this element. If you want to see different versions, including Polish, you can watch them on YouTube.
The Legacy of the Pokerap
Despite the passage of time, it remains one of the most recognizable elements of Pokémon nostalgia from the 1990s. The rhyme is regularly recalled by first-generation fans and is an important part of the popular culture of the period.
It was also released on several official soundtracks, including:
- “Pokémon 2.B.A. Master”
- “Pokémon X”
- “Exclusive Target Mix!”
- “Exclusive Toys R Us Mix!”
The full version is also available on the first disc of the American DVD release of the first season, as well as on volumes 1-7 of the American VHS and DVD releases of the first season.
Summary
The Pokerap, despite its flaws and controversy, remains an iconic element of the Pokémon franchise, helping many fans remember the names of the original 150 Pokémon. Its energetic melody and distinctive rap style made it one of the most recognizable Pokémon-related songs, and its legacy lives on today in the form of parodies, remixes, and nostalgic memories.
For many fans who grew up in the ’90s, the lyrics “Catch ’em, catch ’em, gotta catch ’em all, Pokémon!” will forever remain one of the most iconic elements of their childhood, reminding us of a time when the world of Pokémon was just beginning to capture the hearts of children worldwide.
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