Who directed the first episode of the Pokémon anime, “Pokémon, I Choose You!”?

Masamitsu Hidaka directed the first Pokémon anime episode, “Pokémon, I Choose You!”.

The episode first aired in Japan on April 1, 1997. It was written by Takeshi Shudo and directed by Hidaka, whose work helped establish the visual and dramatic style of the early television series.

The story follows Ash Ketchum as he receives Pikachu from Professor Oak and begins his journey. Pikachu’s reluctance and the encounter with the Spearow flock provide the episode’s central conflict, while the mysterious Ho-Oh appearance adds a memorable early mystery.

Hidaka’s directing credit is sometimes confused with other major Pokémon creators’ roles. Satoshi Tajiri created the original game concept, Shudo wrote the episode, and Kunihiko Yuyama served as chief director of the first anime season. Those are separate credits from directing this specific premiere episode.