What is the title of the first episode of the English Pokémon television series?
Answer
Pokémon, I Choose You!
“Pokémon, I Choose You!” is the title of the first episode of the English Pokémon television series.
The episode introduces Ash Ketchum, a young trainer from Pallet Town, on the day he hopes to receive his first Pokémon from Professor Oak. After arriving late, Ash receives Pikachu instead of one of the three traditional starter choices.
Pikachu initially refuses to cooperate, but the two form a bond while escaping a flock of angry Spearow. Ash’s determination to protect Pikachu leads to the dramatic appearance of a mysterious rainbow-colored bird, later identified as Ho-Oh.
The title is sometimes confused with the 2017 film Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!, which retells and rearranges parts of Ash’s early journey. The television episode originally aired in Japan in 1997 and debuted in English in 1998.