Airdate: December 17th, 1998
Summary: Ash checks into the Pokémon League while all of Pallet Town gathers to watch. Brock explains that you have to win on all four of the water, grass, ice, and rock fields to make it to the Indigo Stadium. Ash’s first battle is on the water field versus hipster magician Mandy. Team Rocket try to steal Mandy’s Pokémon, but he shows them up. Meanwhile, Ash is on the way to the stadium, he rejects Misty’s offer to borrow a water Pokémon and loses a bit of confidence when meeting Gary. Ash calls Professor Oak, who sends Ash his Krabby for the battle. Delia calls her baby boy, reminds him to eat and wear clean underwear, what a mom. Mandy won’t shake Ash’s hand, and Brock and Misty give him some advice about… you know… thinking about his matchups. Gary wins his first match, now it’s time for Ash to battle Mandy. Team Rocket coopt the announcer’s booth, publicly declare their support for Ash, and get escorted out by Officer Jennies. Brock takes a moment to explain to us the various differences between all the Jennies. Krabby has never battled, but it has some pretty good instincts. Exeggutor uses a psychic attack to make a whirlpool, and Egg Bombs the vortex. Krabby jumps up and uses a Vicegrip, Leer, Stomp combo to beat Mandy’s eggplant. Is that Kingler’s music?! Krabby evolves into Kingler after one battle, what a crab. Mandy throws out Seadra, the Dragon Pokémon, who is a water type…. Hmmm… anyways, Kingler’s Bubble sends Seadra flying before a Crabhammer finished this water dragon. Mandy sends Golbat out, when Kingler tries to Vicegrip Golbat it uses a Razor Wind to knock Kingler off its center, but Kingler has a Hyper Beam up its sleeve. Mandy is dropped in straight sets, and Ash proves his skills and gloats a little. You can’t expect much more from a kid.
Best Trainer/Pokémon: Krabby/Kingler, KOOOOKIIIIIKOOOOOKIIIIIII! 3-0, undefeated!
Worst Trainer/Pokémon: Mandy, fuck off buddy, smell ya later!
One thing I learned: Sometimes it takes one battle to evolve.
Pikachu-o-meter: 3/5, didn’t have to do anything, but it was in Ash’s rotation.
Best Quote: “And then there is the vivacious Vermillion City Jenny” -Brock
Best Scene: Krabby evolving, what a good crab. Sidenote: HOW DOES KINGLER KNOW HYPER BEAM!!
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