The first episode of the Pokémon animated series, “Pokémon, I Choose You!”, aired in Japan on April 1, 1997.
The episode introduces Ash Ketchum, Professor Oak, and Pikachu. Ash oversleeps on the morning he is meant to receive his first Pokémon, leaving him with Pikachu, a Pokémon that initially refuses to cooperate.
The story ends with Ash and Pikachu facing a flock of Spearow. Pikachu unleashes a powerful electrical attack, and the pair begin forming the partnership that anchors much of the television series.
The Japanese broadcast followed the 1996 launch of Pokémon Red and Green. The English-language version arrived later, beginning in the United States in September 1998. A common mix-up is treating the English premiere as the series premiere; April 1, 1997, refers specifically to the original Japanese broadcast on TV Tokyo.