Summary
An astutePokemonfan has discovered a curious fact from an episode of the anime’s “Orange Islands” arc that has not happened since in the show’s English version. The anime adaptation of the massively popular monster-catching franchise has seen a long run since its debut in 1997. Throughout its many different seasons and generations, thePokemonanime has aired more than 1,000 episodesand produced more than 20 feature-length films starring its iconic cast of creatures. However, the anime has seen a rocky relationship with one Pokemon in particular.
Serving as a member ofPokemon’s original 151 creatures, Porygon has long been one of the franchise’s most notorious creatures within the anime. Porygon has only made a major starring appearance once within thePokemonanime, in the notorious “Electric Soldier Porygon” from the anime’s original season. The episode featured flashing lights that caused seizures in more than 600 viewers in Japan, with “Electric Soldier Porygon” never being officially dubbed for English viewers as a result. Now, one fan has caught a noteworthy minor appearance from Porygon after its controversy.
Reddit user Paulo_Zero made the Porygon discovery while watchingPokemon’s Orange Islands arc, the second season of the beloved anime. The episode, titled “A Way Off Day Off,” features Ash and friends taking a relaxing break from their adventures in the Orange Islands, only to be interrupted by Team Rocket’s typical antics. ThePokemonepisode’s “Who’s That Pokemon?” segment, however, was the focus, showcasing Porygon and including the only time English viewers hear the Pokemon’s voice. While Porygon does appear briefly in future episodes and movies, the Orange Islands episode serves as Porygon’s only English-speaking role.
Pokemon’s “Orange Islands” Arc Featured Porygon’s Only English Anime Role
The replies to the post were filled with fans voicing their opinions about The Pokemon Company’s treatment of the cybernetic Pokemon. Many fans feel thatThe Pokemon Company has been unfair to Porygonfor excluding it from the anime, suggesting that many Pokemon fans weren’t alive when the offending episode aired. Others pointed out that Pikachu led to the seizure-inducing visuals within the episode, with Porygon shouldering the blame for its starring role in the episode.
While Porygon has seemingly been shunned from thePokemonanime following the controversial episode, the creature has been a mainstay in the games. While being a rare find, Porygon has been available within each generation of the franchise, often a reward from the Game Corner in earlier generations. While Porygon did not appear within the base game forPokemon Scarlet and Violet, it was later added inthe “Hidden Treasure of Area Zero” DLC. Porygon’s seldom-used status in the anime serves as a reminder of one of the massive franchise’s first major controversies.
Pokemon
Pokemon is a franchise that needs no introduction. One of the most successful media empires in history, Pokemon spans games, television, films, manga, merchandise, music, and more.
