A Daily Dose Of Diglett



Pokemon has its origins in Japan where it was first introduced in 1996 as a video game for Nintendo's Gameboy. Later, the video game provided the basis for a television show, produced by Shogakukan Productions. It quickly became the #1 children's show in Japan. However, the show's future was jeopardized on December 16, 1997 when over 700 people were rushed to the hospital 20 minutes into the show. It was discovered that the rapidly flashing lights in that episode had triggered seizures and other less severe physical discomforts such as headaches and nausea. The show was immediately pulled off the air and did not return until April on 1998 after the strobe-like effects were re-edited and guidelines were adopted that limit the use of flashing lights and color in the production of children's programming.

At first, Nintendo executives were skeptical about bringing Pokemon to the United States. Role-playing games tend to be less popular here [The United States] then in Japan and they were uncertain of the U.S. audience's reaction to the Japan style of animation. Eventually, both the video game and the television show were released in September of 1998. 

In order to adapt to the show, 4Kids Entertainment rewrites the script twice (once to Westernize it and once more to match the lip movements of the characters), records voice-overs, and blank out Japanese Text and revamps the musical score. Producing each episode take up to four months but, ever since its U.S. debut on September 7, 1998, the television show has been in huge success. Part of its success is the continuous storyline that makes it necessary to watch every day. According to the 1999 Nielsen Report, Pokemon was the #1 network and syndicated cartoon. It is the first to hold both spots in a decade. Pokemon has also become a hit in Australia, Canada, and New Zeland and has just recently been introduced to Mexico, Latin America, Britain, and the rest of Europe. Even the show's soundtrack, 2.B.A. Master, and the video collections have topped the charts.

The television show follows the storyline of the video game with only slight differences and is, therefore, a good source for game-playing tips. The show involves Ash Ketchum, 10-year-old boy in Pallet Town who decides to become a Pokemon Trainer. He receives his first Pokemon, Pikachu, and a Pokedex from Professor Oak and sets out to catch all 150 Pokemon. On the way he encounters Misty and brock, who accompany Ash on his journey to become a Pokemon Master. Ash needs to become a member of the Pokemon League to achieve his goal, but first he must defeat the Gym Leader of each city and earn a badge from them. All the while he is trying to keep up with his rival Gary Oak (Professor Oak's grandson) and evade Team Rocket (Jessie, James, and Meowth) who want to steal his Pikachu. And don't miss the new "Pikachu's Jukebox at the end of each episode. This one-minute music video replaces the Pokerap features scenes from the show. 


-Excerp from "Collector Guide: Pokemon" Copyright CheckerBee Inc.
-Typed by June Vixen