What was the first episode of the Pokémon television series called?

The first episode of the Pokémon television series was called “Pokémon, I Choose You!”.

The episode first aired in Japan on April 1, 1997, more than a year after the original Game Boy games debuted. It introduces Ash Ketchum, who receives Pikachu from Professor Oak after arriving too late to choose one of the traditional starter Pokémon.

Pikachu initially refuses to cooperate, but the pair form a bond while being chased by a flock of Spearow. The episode ends with Ash seeing a mysterious Ho-Oh in the sky, although Ho-Oh was not available to catch in the original games.

The English title is sometimes shortened informally to “I Choose You,” but the canonical episode title includes “Pokémon.” A 2017 film also used the title Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You!, though it presents an alternate retelling rather than the original television episode.