Ash’s home region of Kanto, and then the Orange Islands, were just the beginning of his adventure. Along with his partner Pikachu and his good friends Misty and Brock, our hero has arrived in the Johto region in Pokémon: The Johto Journeys, which is now available to watch on Pokémon TV. This third season of Pokémon the Series sees Ash and company learning more about the world of Pokémon while meeting new friends, catching new Pokémon, and dodging Team Rocket at every turn. Before tuning in to watch, read on to see some of the cool things our heroes get up to this season. Then, head on over to Pokémon TV and enjoy!
New Pokémon Friends
A new region means all sorts of new Pokémon for Ash and his friends to encounter, and Pokémon: The Johto Journeys doesn’t skimp on expanding our heroes’ rosters. Throughout this season, Ash makes all sorts of new Pokémon friends, including Heracross (“A Sappy Ending”), Chikorita (“The Chikorita Rescue”), Cyndaquil (“Good ’Quil Hunting”), and Totodile (“The Totodile Duel”). He also catches a rare Noctowl with unusual coloring (“Fowl Play”). Ash’s traveling companions aren’t left out of the action, as Brock catches a Pineco (“Going Apricorn”), and Misty’s Poliwag evolves into Poliwhirl (“The Totodile Duel”). You’ll see how all these wonderful Pokémon came to be with their new partners in these episodes.
The Mysterious GS Ball
It wasn’t chance that brought Ash to the Johto region—he’s a boy on a mission. Specifically, a delivery mission for Professor Oak. The good professor had been working with Professor Ivy to uncover the secrets of a mysterious gold-and-silver Poké Ball dubbed the GS Ball. No one can figure out how to open the GS Ball, so Professor Oak asks Ash to deliver the item to Kurt, a Poké Ball expert who lives in Azalea Town. Trouble arises when Ash comes across a Quagsire who loves to collect spherical objects (“Once in a Blue Moon”). The GS Ball is finally delivered to Kurt, but (of course) Team Rocket arrives to cause trouble for the crew (“Going Apricorn”). Spoiler alert: We never learn what’s inside the GS Ball—it remains one of the great mysteries of Pokémon the Series.
Farewell, Old Friends
Over the course of Pokémon the Series, Ash befriends many Pokémon partners. Sometimes, however, he knows that you must let a Pokémon go in order for it to reach its full potential. Pokémon: The Johto Journeys features two notable departures. One of the first Pokémon that Ash catches after beginning his adventure back in the first season is a poor Charmander who has been abandoned by its Trainer (“Charmander—The Stray Pokémon”). Soon after, Ash earns the respect of the leader of a band of mischievous Squirtle, and it decides to join Ash’s team (“Here Comes the Squirtle Squad”). Over time, both Pokémon become valuable partners and good friends. Charmander even evolves into Charmeleon and then Charizard. Still, when our heroes come across Charicific Valley, a Charizard training ground, Ash realizes that his Charizard could prosper there (“Charizard’s Burning Ambition”). Likewise, when a reunion with Squirtle’s former squad shows that they are in desperate need of their leader, Ash knows what he has to do (“The Fire-ing Squad!”). Bring some tissues when you watch these bittersweet episodes.
Team Rocket’s Wild Schemes
Ash and his friends may be the stars of Pokémon: The Johto Journeys, but there’s no shame in admitting you’re really tuning in to watch the exploits of Team Rocket. The troublesome trio of Jessie, James, and Meowth are always attempting some outlandish caper in order to swipe Pokémon, and they definitely aren’t slacking off this season. You’ll get to see the villains attempt to send an entire tower into orbit by strapping a rocket to it (“A Bout with Sprout”), and the team busts out some armored vehicles designed to look like some of their favorite Pokémon. Can Ash and friends withstand the might of the Arbotank (“Tanks a Lot!”) and a giant Meowth mech (“Good ’Quil Hunting”)? Jessie, James, and Meowth even run into some trouble of their own when they cross paths with their Team Rocket rivals, Butch and Cassidy (“The Fortune Hunters”). You’ll have to watch to see if any of Team Rocket’s plans succeed, or if they’re doomed to blast off again.
Wobbuffet!
Speaking of Team Rocket, it’s easy to consider these omnipresent foes as a trio, but let’s be real—there are four core members of Team Rocket. And this is the season where we’re introduced to that fourth member—Wobbuffet! During a Pokémon Swap Meet, Jessie accidentally trades her Lickitung and gets a Wobbuffet in return (“Tricks of the Trade”). This excitable Wobbuffet tends to pop out of its Poké Ball at the least opportune moments, much to Jessie’s dismay. Despite her initial annoyance with the Pokémon, Jessie eventually learns to care for her new partner, and the two are still together as of season 23. Wobbuffet also forms a strong friendship with Meowth, making them Team Rocket’s premier Pokémon.
There are plenty of fun and exciting adventures to be found in Pokémon: The Johto Journeys, so don’t miss your chance to watch them all. You can catch the entire season by visiting watch.pokemon.com or by loading up the Pokémon TV mobile app to enjoy these classic episodes on the go!
