Home / Episode Guide / Electric Shock Showdown! Kuchiba Gym/でんげきたいけつ！クチバジム/Electric Shock Showdown
SL
[SL 15]
Media
Main Image
Available On:
Titles and Airdates
  • United States 1998-09-25 Electric Shock Showdown
  • Japan 1997-07-01 でんげきたいけつ！クチバジム
  • Japan Dengeki taiketsu! Kuchiba Gym
  • Japan 1997-07-01 Electric Shock Showdown! Kuchiba Gym
  • Germany Vorsicht Hochspannung!
  • France Confrontation électrique
  • Sweden 2000-09-02 Den elektriska duellen
  • Italy Uno scontro elettrico
  • Mexico ¡Duelo Eléctrico!
  • Finland 2000-02-05 Shokkihoitoa kerrakseen
  • Taiwan 對擊電戰枯葉道館
  • Hungary Többet ésszel, mint erővel
  • Poland Elektrowstrząs, ostateczna rozgrywka
  • Netherlands Een schokkende uitdaging
  • Brazil A Exibição do Choque Elétrico
  • Israel מכת ברק
  • Czechia Elektrický zápas
  • Norway Elektrosjokk-møte
  • Denmark En Dyst Med Stød I
  • Greece Πίκατσου Εναντίον Ράιτσου
  • Portugal Confronto Eléctrico
  • Russia Решающий удар молнии
Staff List
Anime Studio Logo
Team Ota
Japan Screenplay 冨岡淳広 (Atsuhiro Tomioka)
Japan Storyboard 日高政光 (Masamitsu Hidaka)
Japan Animation Director 志村隆行 (Takayuki Shimura)
Japan Episode Director 日高政光 (Masamitsu Hidaka)

OP/ED List

Japan OP めざせポケモンマスター
めざせポケモンマスター
Aim To Be A Pokémon Master
Japan ED ひゃくごじゅういち
ひゃくごじゅういち
Hyakugojūichi
United States OP Pokémon Theme
Pokémon Theme
South Korea OP 모험의 시작
모험의 시작
Start of an Adventure
Summary


English Official Summary

Our heroes finally reach Vermillion City, and they discover that the Pokémon Center is filled with Pokémon hurt during battles with Lt. Surge, the Vermillion City Gym Leader. Ash and Pikachu head to the Vermillion City Gym, where Lt. Surge is proud of his Raichu. (Lt. Surge's attitude is to evolve Pokémon as soon as possible.) The two Electric-type Pokémon battle, and Raichu, being the evolved form of Pikachu, delivers stronger attacks that send Pikachu to the hospital. Even Team Rocket, spying the scene from outside, is disappointed. Nurse Joy offers Ash a Thunderstone, which is required for a Pikachu to evolve. As a Raichu, Pikachu would have a better chance of defeating Lt. Surge's Raichu, but if it evolves, it can never go back to being a Pikachu. What will Pikachu decide? Are there disadvantages to evolving Pokémon as soon as possible? And why is Team Rocket rooting for Pikachu?

French Official Summary

Nos héros arrivent enfin à Carmin sur Mer, où ils découvrent que le Centre Pokémon est rempli de Pokémon qui ont été blessés lors de duels contre Major Bob, le Champion de l'Arène de la ville.

German Official Summary

Unsere Helden kommen endlich in Orania City an, wo sie herausfinden, dass das Pokémon-Center voller verletzter Pokémon steckt, die im Kampf gegen Major Bob, den Arenaleiter von Orania City, verloren haben.

Italian Official Summary

Intenzionato a vincere un'altra Medaglia, Ash sfida Lt. Surge. Pikachu è un po' timoroso all'inizio della lotta dove si trova ad affrontare un Raichu, un Pokémon agguerrito, capace di immagazzinare grande energia elettrica e lo stadio evolutivo finale Pikachu!

Portuguese Official Summary

Ansioso para ganhar uma insígnia, Ash desafia o Tenente Surge. Pikachu entra na batalha e descobre que seu oponente é um Raichu, um Pokémon com um poder elétrico tremendo e a forma evoluída de Pikachu.

Finnish Official Summary

Haluten voittaa merkin Ash haastaa Lt. Surgen. Pikachu osallistuu vastentahtoisesti otteluun vain huomatakseen, että sen vastustaja on Raichu, hurjan voimakas Pokémon, joka on Pikachun kehittynyt muoto!

Spanish Latin America Official Summary

Ansioso por ganar una medalla, Ash reta al Lt. Surge. Pikachu entra sin ganas a la batalla, donde descubre que su oponente es un Raichu, un feroz Pokémon con un tremendo poder eléctrico, ¡y la forma evolucionada de Pikachu!

Spanish Official Summary

Nuestros héroes finalmente llegan a Ciudad Carmín, y descubren que el Centro Pokémon está lleno de Pokémon heridos durante las batallas con el Teniente Surge, Líder del Gimnasio de Ciudad Carmín.

English Great Britain Official Summary

Our heroes finally reach Vermillion City, and they discover that the Pokémon Center is filled with Pokémon hurt during battles with Lt. Surge, the Vermillion City Gym Leader. Ash and Pikachu head to the Vermillion City Gym, where Lt. Surge is proud of his Raichu. (Lt. Surge's attitude is to evolve Pokémon as soon as possible.) The two Electric-type Pokémon battle, and Raichu, being the evolved form of Pikachu, delivers stronger attacks that send Pikachu to the hospital. Even Team Rocket, spying the scene from outside, is disappointed. Nurse Joy offers Ash a Thunderstone, which is required for a Pikachu to evolve. As a Raichu, Pikachu would have a better chance of defeating Lt. Surge's Raichu, but if it evolves, it can never go back to being a Pikachu. What will Pikachu decide? Are there disadvantages to evolving Pokémon as soon as possible? And why is Team Rocket rooting for Pikachu?

Dutch Official Summary

Ash wil dolgraag weer een badge verdienen en daagt Lt. Surge uit. Pikachu begint het gevecht wijfelend en ontdekt dan dat zijn tegenstander een Raichu is, een woeste en zeer sterke Pokémon en de geevolueerde vorm van Pikachu!

Norwegian Official Summary

Ash er ivrig etter å vinne en badge, og utfordrer Løyntnant Surge. Pikachu blir motvillig med i kampen, og oppdager at motstanderen er Raichu, en vill Pokémon med enorme elektriske krefter - og den utviklede form av Pikachu!

Swedish Official Summary

Angelägen om att vinna en Badge utmanar Ash Surge. Pikachu ger sig motvilligt in i striden, bara för att upptäcka att motståndaren är en Raichu, en grym Pokémon med enorm elektrisk kraft, och den utvecklade formen av Pikachu!

Danish Official Summary

Opsat på at vinde et Badge udfordrer Ash løjtnant Surge. Pikachu går modvilligt ind i kampen, men opdager så, at hans modstander er Raichu, en voldsom Pokémon med en enorm elektrisk kraft – og den udviklede form af Pikachu!

Characters

Ash Ketchum
Character Thumbnail
  • United States Ash Ketchum
  • Japan サトシ
  • Japan Satoshi
  • Japan Satoshi
Pikachu
Character Thumbnail
  • United States Pikachu
  • Japan ピカチュウ
  • Japan Pikachu
  • Japan Pikachu
Misty
Character Thumbnail
  • United States Misty
  • Japan カスミ
  • Japan Kasumi
  • Japan Kasumi
Brock
Character Thumbnail
  • United States Brock
  • Japan タケシ
  • Japan Takeshi
  • Japan Takeshi
Meowth
Character Thumbnail
  • United States Meowth
  • Japan ニャース
  • Japan Nyarth
  • Japan Nyarth
Jessie
Character Thumbnail
  • United States Jessie
  • Japan ムサシ
  • Japan Musashi
  • Japan Musashi
James
Character Thumbnail
  • United States James
  • Japan コジロウ
  • Japan Kojirō
  • Japan Kojiro
Nurse Joy
Character Thumbnail
  • United States Nurse Joy
  • Japan ジョーイ
  • Japan Joy
  • Japan Joy
Nurse Joy's Chansey
Character Thumbnail
  • United States Nurse Joy's Chansey
  • Japan ジョーイのラッキー
  • Japan Joy no Lucky
  • Japan Joy's Lucky
Lt. Surge
Character Thumbnail
  • United States Lt. Surge
  • Japan マチス
  • Japan Matis
  • Japan Matis
Lt. Surge's Raichu
Character Thumbnail
  • United States Lt. Surge's Raichu
  • Japan マチスのライチュウ
  • Japan Matis no Raichu
  • Japan Matis' Raichu

Wild Pokémon

#10: Caterpie
Pokémon Thumbnail
  • United States Caterpie
  • Japan キャタピー
  • Japan Caterpie
#16: Pidgey
Pokémon Thumbnail
  • United States Pidgey
  • Japan ポッポ
  • Japan Poppo
#19: Rattata
Pokémon Thumbnail
  • United States Rattata
  • Japan コラッタ
  • Japan Koratta
#27: Sandshrew
Pokémon Thumbnail
  • United States Sandshrew
  • Japan サンド
  • Japan Sand
#43: Oddish
Pokémon Thumbnail
  • United States Oddish
  • Japan ナゾノクサ
  • Japan Nazonokusa
00:00

YouTube

On October 15th, 2020, the official Japanese Twitter account announced that this episode was available to watch on the official Japanese YouTube channel. The video was region locked to Japan only. A special artwork showcasing the episode was created to promote its release on YouTube.

It was part of the Anipoke Selection (アニポケセレクション), a limited-time promotion to release select episodes from the older anime series on the official Japanese YouTube channel! A playlist was available to watch these episodes.
01:42

Paint Edit

At the beginning of the episode, Ash and friends look up at a sign that says "Vermilion City" in the English dub. In the Japanese original it says: Welcome to Kuchiba City (ようこそクチバシティへ)
07:01

Script Error

The dex entries for Raichu are very similar except for the final line. The dub states that Raichu could render a Dragonite unconscious but the original Japanese stated an Elephant instead.

Pokédex: Raichu, a mouse Pokémon of the electric element. Raichu is the evolved form of Pikachu. It can shock with more than 100,000 volts, enough to render a Dragonite unconscious.

Zukan: Raichu, Electric-type Mouse Pokémon. Pikachu's evolved form, the electricity it can conduct is 100,000 volts. It's said to even cause an Indian elephant to faint.
15:15

Paint Edit

Meowth's explanation heading up to the cheer in the Japanese version is different compared to the English dub. The actual cheer is fairly similar.

Japanese:
Nyarth: We're a Cheering Squad pursuing a public crusade, sounding off the "L for Love". Now then, we shall pray for Pikachu-kun's victory in a 3-3-7 rhythm!

English Dub:
Meowth: We're the Challengers Cheerleaders and we're here to show our support for the brave Pikachu and Ash. In honor of the great Pikachu's bravery, we wish to offer a cheer.
17:55

Script Error

One of the only times in the series that a character curses occurs in the Japanese version but is stated in English. The English dub removed "God damn!" and replaced it with "Okay Raichu!"

English Dub - Lt. Surge: Okay Raichu! Give it a Thunderbolt.
Japanese - Matis: God damn! Raichu, cut off the baby's movements.
18:23

Script Error

During the battle, Pikachu grounds itself with its tail to defend against Raichu's electric attacks. This leads to a bevy of puns based on the word "Earth" by Rocket Gang after watching Pikachu. The English dub also did a pun but was not able to incorporate Dogas (Koffing)

Japanese:
Musashi: Grounding in the earth is incredible.
Kojiro: Doga-arth is incredible.
Nyarth: Don't be stupid!
Nyarth: Just watch and take this seriously, nya-arth.
Musashi: You did it too.
Kojiro: Doga-arth...

English Dub:
Jessie: What a shocking story.
James: That was quite a... tail.
Meowth: Me-owth! And now, you've both been... 'pun'-ished.
Koffing: Koffing!
10:06

Who's that Pokémon Indigo League

Raichu
10:26

Who's that Pokémon Dare da

Raichu (ライチュウ)

Japanese Music:

Time Track Notes
Japan 00:01 めざせポケモンマスター
Japanese (Romanized): Mezase Pokémon Master
Japanese (Trans): Aim to Be a Pokémon Master
Opening Theme for Japanese Version
Japan 01:32 1997-1998-M03 ポケモン!ゲットだぜ!
Japanese (Romanized): Pokémon Getto Da ze!
Japanese (Trans): Get Pokémon!
Music starts a few seconds into the main part of the episode.
Japan 02:19 1997-1998-M52 Title Card Kanto Title Card Music
Japan 04:34 1997-1998-M65A No Way, No How Pikachu is afraid to battle
Japan 05:33 1997-1998-M16 強敵現わる
Japanese (Romanized): Kyōteki Arawaru
Japanese (Trans): A Formidable Opponent Appears
Satoshi opens the doors to the gym
Japan 06:52 1997-1998-M17 絶対絶命
Japanese (Romanized): Zettai Zetsumei
Japanese (Trans): Desperate Situation
Raichu is released from its monster ball.
Japan 08:38 1997-1998-M14 Rocket-Powered Disaster! Go Raichu!
Japan 10:28 1997-1998-M53 Eyecatch A Dare da
Japan 10:31 1997-1998-M54 Eyecatch B Raichu!
Japan 11:53 1997-1998-M39 月の石
Japanese (Romanized): Tsuki no Ishi
Japanese (Trans): The Moon Stone
Satoshi gets a Thunderstone from Joy
Japan 14:28 1997-1998-M01 ～オープニング～
Japanese (Romanized): ~Opening~
Japanese (Trans): ~Opening~
Satoshi and Pikachu leave the Pokémon Center (the track stops before resuming again).
Japan 15:09 1997-1998-M20 なんだかんだと聞かれたら…
Japanese (Romanized): Nandakanda to Kikaretara…
Japanese (Trans): If You Ask Us About Whatever…
Rocket Gang Motto Music
Japan 16:24 1997-1998-M15 襲撃!
Japanese (Romanized): Shūgeki!
Japanese (Trans): Attack!
Rematch battle begins.
Japan 17:15 1997-1998-M13 戦い（VS野生ポケモン）
Japanese (Romanized): Tatakai (VS yasei Pokémon)
Japanese (Trans): Battle (VS Wild Pokémon)
The rematch battle continues as Pikachu uses Agility.
Japan 18:17 1997-1998-M03 ポケモン!ゲットだぜ!
Japanese (Romanized): Pokémon Getto Da ze!
Japanese (Trans): Get Pokémon!
Pikachu uses its tail as a ground
Japan 19:49 1997-1998-M02 続くったら,続く
Japanese (Romanized): Tsuzukuttara, Tsuzuku
Japanese (Trans): To Be Continued
Satoshi gets the Orange Badge.
Japan 21:00 ひゃくごじゅういち
Japanese (Romanized): Hyakugojūichi
Japanese (Trans): One Hundred Fifty-One
Ending Theme for Japanese Version.
Japan 22:20 Mezase Pokémon Master Instrumental Episode 15 preview

Dub Music:

Time Track Notes
United States 00:00 Pokémon Theme Opening Theme for the English Dub
United States 01:11 1997-1998-M03 ポケモン!ゲットだぜ!
Japanese (Romanized): Pokémon Getto Da ze!
Japanese (Trans): Get Pokémon!
Music starts a few seconds into the main part of the episode.
United States 01:58 1997-1998-M52 Title Card Title Card
United States 04:12 1997-1998-M65A No Way, No How Pikachu is afraid to battle
United States 05:10 1997-1998-M16 強敵現わる
Japanese (Romanized): Kyōteki Arawaru
Japanese (Trans): A Formidable Opponent Appears
Ash opens the doors to the gym.
United States 06:32 1997-1998-M17 絶対絶命
Japanese (Romanized): Zettai Zetsumei
Japanese (Trans): Desperate Situation
Raichu is released from its Poké Ball.
United States 08:16 1997-1998-M14 Rocket-Powered Disaster! Go Raichu!
United States 14:05 1997-1998-M01 ～オープニング～
Japanese (Romanized): ~Opening~
Japanese (Trans): ~Opening~
Ash and Pikachu leave the Pokémon Center (the track stops and has dub music before resuming again).
United States 14:46 1997-1998-M20 なんだかんだと聞かれたら…
Japanese (Romanized): Nandakanda to Kikaretara…
Japanese (Trans): If You Ask Us About Whatever…
Team Rocket's Motto
United States 16:01 1997-1998-M15 襲撃!
Japanese (Romanized): Shūgeki!
Japanese (Trans): Attack!
Rematch battle begins.
United States 16:54 1997-1998-M13 戦い（VS野生ポケモン）
Japanese (Romanized): Tatakai (VS yasei Pokémon)
Japanese (Trans): Battle (VS Wild Pokémon)
The rematch battle continues as Pikachu uses Agility.
United States 17:55 1997-1998-M03 ポケモン!ゲットだぜ!
Japanese (Romanized): Pokémon Getto Da ze!
Japanese (Trans): Get Pokémon!
Pikachu uses its tail as a ground
United States 20:15 1997-1998-M02 続くったら,続く
Japanese (Romanized): Tsuzukuttara, Tsuzuku
Japanese (Trans): To Be Continued
The narrator closes out the episode while James laments they didn't do anything evil.
United States 20:44 PokéRAP PokéRAP (Day 4)
United States 21:45 Pokémon Theme Ending Theme for the English Dub

Music Statistics:

Number of Assigned Tracks to the Japanese Original: 18
Number of Assigned Tracks to the English Dub: 15
View Forum Thread
Post #1
01 Jul 1997 03:00 AM
AnimeBot Automated Bots
Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Posts: 2878
New episode title(s) has/have been added to the database. Title: でんげきたいけつ！クチバジム/Dengeki taiketsu! Kuchiba Gym/Electric Shock Showdown. Please comment below! Thanks, your friendly PM.Net AnimeBot
Post #2
13 Jan 2014 01:26 PM
Adamant Administrator
Joined: 12 Jul 2007
Posts: 1181
User Avatar
Summary:
Satoshi and friends have finally reached Kuchiba City. They head straight to the Pokémon Center to grab a meal. There, they see an extreme amount of Pokémon being treated for their injuries.

Satoshi and Pikachu both tremble with fear after learning these Pokémon were all beaten by Matis of the Kuchiba Gym. However, Satoshi still challenges Matis so he can get a badge.

A Raichu is then sent out before the reluctant Pikachu, and in the resulting battle, Pikachu is unable to compete with Raichu's overwhelming strength...

Voice Cast:
Rica Matsumoto: Satoshi
Ikue Ohtani: Pikachu
Mayumi Iizuka: Kasumi
Yuji Ueda: Takeshi
Megumi Hayashibara: Musashi
Shinichiro Miki: Kojiro
Inuko Inuyama: Nyarth
Fumihiko Tachiki: Matis
Urara Takano: Raichu
Ayako Shiraishi: Joy
Yuko Kato: Boy Trainer
Takahiro Sakurai: Matis' Apprentice
Unsho Ishizuka: Narration
SL
[SL 15]
IL
[IL 15]
PSB
[PSB 15]
IL2
[IL2 15]
PIL3
[PIL3 15]
PM
[PM 15]
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