Which Pokémon anime episode caused the 1997 Pokémon shock incident?

The Pokémon anime episode “Dennō Senshi Porygon” caused the 1997 Pokémon shock incident.

The episode aired in Japan on December 16, 1997. During a scene involving an explosion, rapidly alternating red and blue flashes appeared on television. Some viewers reported symptoms including dizziness, headaches, nausea, and seizures, and hundreds were taken to hospitals for medical attention.

The incident led broadcasters and producers to suspend the anime temporarily while the episode was investigated. “Dennō Senshi Porygon” was not rebroadcast in Japan and was withheld from international distribution. The episode’s title is often translated as “Electric Soldier Porygon,” although the Japanese title is the canonical name used in episode lists.

The event changed animation safety practices in Japan. Producers adopted stricter guidelines for flashing images, including limits on brightness, color changes, and flash frequency. Despite the episode’s title, Pikachu—not Porygon—was responsible for the visual scene most associated with the incident.