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m (Update synopsis and blurb, replaced: == Blurb == → ==Synopsis== , ==Synopsis== ''In Trovitopolis City, Ash and friends hear stories about some kind of monster that's been scaring everyone—and when the ground cracks open and dumps them in the sewer, it seems they might meet this monster face to face!''<ref>{{Cite|url = https://www.pokemon.com/us/animation/seasons/2/episode-46-the-mystery-menace/|entry = The Mystery Menace {{!}} Pokémon TV (pokemon.com)|title = The Official Pokémon Website {{!...)
 
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{{EpisodeBox
{{Episode
 
  +
|series = Pocket Monsters (1997 series), Pokémon the Series: The Beginning
|season = Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Islands
 
  +
|subtitle = Pocket Monsters: Orange Islands Arc
|prev = OI020: Get Along, Little Pokémon
 
 
|season = Season 2, Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Islands
|prevnum = OI020
 
 
|prev = TB103: Get Along, Little Pokémon
|next = OI022: Misty Meets Her Match
+
|next = TB105: Misty Meets Her Match
|nextnum = OI022
 
|name = The Mystery Menace
+
|en_title = The Mystery Menace
|jname = ちかどうのかいぶつ!?
+
|ja_title = ちかどうのかいぶつ!?
|image = OI021.jpg
+
|image = TB104.jpg
  +
|num = 104
|jnum = 102
 
|jair = June 24, 1999
+
|ja_air = June 24, 1999
|uair = May 6, 2000
+
|us_air = May 6, 2000
  +
|ko_title = {{Ruby|하수도 괴물 정체를 밝혀라}}
|songs = Pokémon World
 
  +
|kr_air = August 30, 2000
|machars = [[Ash]], [[Misty (anime)|Misty]], [[Tracey Sketchit]]
 
  +
|ja_opening = The Rivals
|rchars = [[Jessie]], [[James]], [[Nurse Joy]], [[Officer Jenny]]
 
  +
|ja_ending = Type: Wild
|michars = [[Mayor (Orange Islands)|Mayor of Trovitopolis]]
 
 
|en_opening = Pokémon World (song)
|guest = [[Mayor (Orange Islands)|Mayor of Trovitopolis]]
 
  +
|en_ending = What Kind of Pokémon Are You? (album)
|pchars = [[Ash's Pikachu]], [[Team Rocket's Meowth]], [[Misty's Togepi]], [[James' Weezing]], [[Ash's Bulbasaur]], [[Ash's Muk]], [[Bulbasaur]] (Mayor's; Giant Pokémon)
 
  +
|kr_opening = Pokémon Forever
|b1 = Coral-Eye_Badge.png
 
  +
|kr_ending = Good Friends
|b2 = SeaRuby_Badge.png
 
 
|machars = [[Ash Ketchum|Ash]], [[Misty (anime)|Misty]], [[Tracey Sketchit]]
|local = [[Mandarin Island South]], [[Trovitopolis]]
 
 
|rchars = [[Jessie]], [[James]], [[Nurse Joy]], [[Officer Jenny]]
|major = }}
 
 
|michars = [[Mayor (Orange Islands)|Mayor of Trovitopolis]]
{{nihongo|The Mystery Menace|ちかどうのかいぶつ!?|Monster of Underground Tunnel!?}} is the 21st episode in [[Pokémon: Adventures on the Orange Islands]] season.
 
 
|guest = [[Mayor (Orange Islands)|Mayor of Trovitopolis]]
 
|pchars = [[Ash's Pikachu]], [[Team Rocket's Meowth]], [[Togetic (anime)|Misty's Togepi]], [[Weezing (anime)|James' Weezing]], [[Ash's Bulbasaur]], [[Ash's Muk]], [[Nurse Joy's Bulbasaur]] (Giant Pokémon)
  +
|badge = Coral-Eye Badge.png, SeaRuby Badge.png
 
|local = [[Mandarin Island South]], [[Trovitopolis]]
  +
|ja_title_card = TB104 TC JA.png
  +
|en_title_card =
  +
|animation = 志村泉 (Izumi Shimura)
  +
|director = 鈴木敏明 (Toshiaki Suzuki)
  +
|screenplay = 武上純希 (Junki Takegami)
  +
|storyboard = 鈴木敏明 (Toshiaki Suzuki)
  +
}}
 
{{Nihongo|The Mystery Menace|ちかどうのかいぶつ!?|The Monster of the Underground Tunnel!?}} is the 22nd episode in [[Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Islands]] season.
   
 
==Synopsis==
 
==Synopsis==
  +
<section begin="Synopsis"/>''In Trovitopolis City, Ash and friends hear stories about some kind of monster that's been scaring everyone—and when the ground cracks open and dumps them in the sewer, it seems they might meet this monster face to face!''<section end="Synopsis"/><ref>{{Cite|url = https://www.pokemon.com/us/animation/seasons/2/episode-46-the-mystery-menace/|entry = The Mystery Menace {{!}} Pokémon TV (pokemon.com)|title = The Official Pokémon Website {{!}} Pokemon.com|access-date = {{MDY|1|22|2024}}}}</ref>
Ash and co. climb over a mountain and notice the city of Trovitopolis. Team Rocket tries (and fails once again) to trap our heroes, however they do fall into the Trovitopolis Sewer System. There they find a monster and who should save them but Officer Jenny, unfortunately they wake up in a jail cell. They were put there by the Mayor of Trovitopolis, even though they were only wandering around the sewers for Ash's Bulbasaur. What is the conspiracy the Mayor is trying to hide, and why would the sewers be off limits?
 
   
==Episode Plot==
+
==Episode plot==
As the gang continues the journey, Ash asks if they need to eat if they are hungry, although Misty tells this is what he thinks all about. Tracey sees a big city and the heroes are pleased to arrive at a settlement. Team Rocket also appear and like that they are heading for the trap. Meowth knows if Pikachu is on a spot, the dynamite will blow up and Pikachu will fall in the trap. Meowth tells to prepare, so James and Jessie chant the motto. Meowth stops them, as they need to make this a surprise for the twerps. James pushes a lever and while no exploison is heard, Team Rocket fall down in their own trap. Misty heard the scream and while the gang does not know why would someone scream, a crack in the ground caused by Team Rocket spreads and the heroes fall down in the hole.
+
As the group continues the journey, Ash wonders when they need to eat, although Misty asks if this is what he thinks all about. Tracey sees a big city and the three are pleased to arrive at a settlement. Team Rocket also appear and like that they are heading for the trap. Meowth knows if Pikachu's on a spot, the dynamite will blow up and Pikachu will fall in the trap. Meowth tells them to prepare, so James and Jessie chant the motto, only to be stopped by Meowth, as they need to make this a surprise for the trio. James pushes a lever and while no explosion is heard, Team Rocket fall down in their own trap. Misty hears the scream and while the gang doesn't know why someone would scream, a crack in the ground caused by Team Rocket spreads and the trio fall down in the hole.
   
When Pikachu and Togepi wake Ash and Misty up, Ash and Misty pull Tracey out of rubble. Tracey thanks them, but Ash replies he does not need to thank him but stand up, as Tracey sits on him. Misty sees a tunnel and head through it. At the end of the tunnel, they arrive to the sewers. Tracey believes they need to find a manhole to get up. The heroes continue and something passes, as Ash hears a small bell. Misty and Tracey think it is a side effect of him falling down the hole. Ash gets tapped and tells Pikachu to stop it. However, Pikachu is in front of him, so they notice a monster. Ash goes to order Pikachu to use Thunderbolt, but Misty warns him they'll get shocked as well. Ash sends Bulbasaur, who uses Razor Leaf. The monster stops the Razor Leaf and takes Bulbasaur away, into the water. Ash goes to rescue Bulbasaur, but Misty and Tracey hold him back, otherwise the monster would pull him too. Officer Jenny removes the manhole, then ties a rope so they can get up.
+
When Pikachu and Togepi wake Ash and Misty up, Ash and Misty pull Tracey out of the rubble. Tracey thanks them, but Ash replies that he doesn't need to thank him but stand up (as Tracey is sitting on him). Misty sees a tunnel and they head through it. At the end of the tunnel, they arrive in the sewers. Tracey believes that they need to find a manhole to get up. The trio continue and something passes, as Ash hears a small bell. Misty and Tracey think that it's a side effect of him falling down the hole. Ash gets tapped and tells Pikachu to stop it. However, Pikachu is in front of him, so they notice a monster. Ash goes to order Pikachu to use Thunderbolt, but Misty warns him that they'll get shocked as well (due to the presence of water). Ash sends Bulbasaur, who uses Razor Leaf. The monster stops the Razor Leaf and takes Bulbasaur away, into the water. Ash goes to rescue Bulbasaur, but Tracey, Misty and Pikachu hold him back and Tracey tells him that the monster would drag him down, too, but Ash doesn't care and tries to struggle out of Tracey, Misty and Pikachu's arms. Officer Jenny removes the manhole cover, hearing Ash's shouts, then lowers a rope so they can get up. Ash refuses to go until Bulbasaur is rescued, but Tracey, Misty and Pikachu tie Ash up and Officer Jenny pulls him out, with Pikachu beside him.
   
Ash refuses to go until Bulbasaur is rescued. So, Ash gets tied up and pulled out. Later, the heroes are in jail, as Ash protests to be freed. Jenny appears and unlocks the jail, telling there were strange things in the sewer. The mayor appears and tells Jenny to have them stay in jail for a week. Jenny refuses, as they have arrived today and have commited no crime. Ash only cares to free his Bulbasaur. The mayor allows them to go out, but they must not mention the monster. Tracey and Misty object, though the mayor tells it is for the public safety. Jenny tells the mayor they cannot keep the secret up, to which the mayor responds they can try. Jenny tells Ash, Misty and Tracey the monster was seen taking food. The mayor tells the monster needs to be captured, as the elections are next week. Misty sees there is no harm if it wants only food. Nurse Joy appears and tells the mayor he cannot do that. The mayor responds that she needs to run her Center and he needs to run the city.
+
Later, Jenny is forced to send the trio to Cell No. 5 for being in the sewer, as Ash protests to be freed and help Bulbasaur. Jenny appears and unlocks the jail, telling the kids that there were strange things in the sewer. The mayor appears and tells Jenny to have them locked up for a week. Jenny refuses, as they have arrived today and have committed no crime. Ash only cares to free his Bulbasaur. The mayor allows them to go out, but they mustn't mention the monster. Tracey and Misty object, though the mayor says that it's for the public safety. Jenny tells the mayor that they can't keep the secret up, to which the mayor responds that they can try. Jenny tells Ash, Misty and Tracey that monster was only seen taking food. The mayor says that monster needs to be captured, as the elections are next week. Misty sees there's no harm if it wants only food. Nurse Joy appears and tells the mayor that he can't do that. The mayor responds that she needs to run her Center and he needs to run the city.
   
Nurse Joy tells the mayor wants to eliminate the creature instead of capture it. The heroes criticise mayor's plan and Jenny tells the mayor he may do illegal activity. The mayor gets angered and yells he runs the city here. The heroes contact Oak, who agrees that this creature may be a new Pokémon or a Pokémon undergone a mutation. Nurse Joy knows it is not possible, as the mayor wants to be re-elected. The heroes see the mayor's campaign posters and statue and see a strange mark. Ash tells them they need to find Bulbasaur. The mayor orders his special police to get inside and eliminate the creature. The heroes see that it will be hard to get in, otherwise this creature will not be seen again. Nurse Joy points at the back end of the sewer. Ash goes to climb up, but falls down.
+
Nurse Joy claims that the mayor wants to eliminate the creature instead of capturing it. The trio criticize the mayor's plan and Jenny claims its illegal activity as the police don't know anything about it. The mayor gets angry and yells that he runs the city here. The trio contact Oak, who agrees that this creature may be a new Pokémon or a Pokémon undergone a mutation. Nurse Joy knows that it's not possible, as the mayor wants to be re-elected. The trio see the mayor's campaign posters and statue and see a strange mark. Ash tells them that they need to find Bulbasaur. The mayor orders his special police to get inside and eliminate the creature. The trio sees that it will be hard to get in, and they need to do it before the special police does, or it'll be the end of the creature (and Bulbasaur). Nurse Joy points at the back end of the sewer. Ash goes to climb up, but falls down.
   
Team Rocket wandered the sewers and Meowth got hungry. He gets tapped by the creature and thanks Jessie and James, but tells it won't get rid of his hunger. Team Rocket notice the creature and flee the scene. Team Rocket are exhausted and hear footsteps, then see a flashing light. James sends Weezing, who uses Smokescreen (dimming the vision of the twerps, whom they did not see) and Team Rocket run off. After the smoke clears, the heroes heard Team Rocket. Misty sees Togepi is gone, who almost ran in water. Misty grabs it, but soon, the creature takes Togepi and Misty away. Ash knew they were coming in the sewer and sends Muk (who comes on him). Team Rocket are *very* exhausted and hear some footsteps. Meowth encourages Jessie and James to scare this monster and make fearsome (which are silly) faces. Team Rocket appear to the special police, who report to the mayor they see three creatures. The mayor is surprised, but orders to shoot, making Team Rocket run away from the goo they shoot.
+
Team Rocket wanders the sewers and Meowth gets hungry. He gets tapped by the creature and thanks Jessie and James, but says that it won't get rid of his hunger. Team Rocket notice the creature and flee the scene. Team Rocket are exhausted and hear footsteps, then see a flashing light. James sends Weezing, who uses Smokescreen (dimming the vision of the trio, whom they didn't see) and Team Rocket run off. After the smoke clears, the heroes heard Team Rocket. Misty sees that Togepi is gone, who almost ran in water. Misty grabs it, but soon, the creature takes Togepi and Misty away. Ash knew that they were coming in the sewer and sends Muk (who comes on him). Team Rocket are ''very'' exhausted and hear some footsteps. Meowth encourages Jessie and James to scare this monster and make fearsome (which are silly) faces. Team Rocket appear to the special police, who report to the mayor that they see three creatures. The mayor is surprised, but orders to shoot, making Team Rocket run away from the goo they shoot.
   
Muk lead Tracey and Ash to a dead end. However, seeing a hidden tunnel, Tracey and Ash dive in water and go through the tunnel. At the end, Ash gets out and sees the monster. The police report they found three creatures and think the sewer is full of them. The mayor orders to block every manhole and seal the sewer. The police use concrete to barricade the manholes and sewer entrances. Ash wakes up and sees Bulbasaur, pleased he found it. Ash gets tapped and Tracey tells it is an overgrown Bulbasaur, who uses Vine Whip. Ash wonders how it got here. Tracey knows that someone left it, as it has the collar and the bell. Tracey believes it wanted company, which is why it took Ash's Bulbasaur and Togepi with it. Ash pats it and notices a mark on the bell.
+
Muk leads the boys to a dead end. However, seeing a hidden tunnel, Tracey and Ash dive in water and go through the tunnel. At the end, Ash gets out and sees the monster. The police report that they found three creatures and think that sewers are full of them. The mayor orders to block every manhole and seal the sewers. The police use concrete to barricade the manholes and sewer entrances. Ash wakes up and sees Bulbasaur, pleased that he found it. Ash gets tapped and Tracey tells his friends that the monster is actually an overgrown Bulbasaur, who uses Vine Whip. Ash wonders how it got here. Tracey knows that someone left it, as it has a collar and a bell. Tracey believes that it wanted company, which is why it took Ash's Bulbasaur and Togepi with it. Ash pats it and notices a mark on the bell.
   
Nurse Joy protests against mayor's decision. The mayor tells they did not exterminate the creature, but Joy reminds him the children are there. The mayor tells he'll let them out after the election is over, but Joy tells the elections end in next week. The mayor responds children shouldn't play in the sewers, making Joy annoyed. The mayor has a bath and knows he'll win the elections with the problem exterminated. Soon, he feels the ground shaking and a leak of water comes out of his tub, letting the water out as the heroes and the overgrown Bulbasaur float out of the mayor's mansion. The mayor sees the heroes and is asked if the Bulbasaur looks familiar. The mayor sees the Bulbasaur and the mark on the bell. The mayor remembers he left the Bulbasaur floating into the sewers because it wouldn't evolve. His Bulbasaur lifts him up, still glad to see him, while others aren't to hear this story.
+
Nurse Joy protests against mayor's decision. The mayor tells her that they didn't exterminate the creature, but Joy reminds him the kids are there. The mayor tells her that he'll let them out after the election is over, but Joy informs him that the elections end in next week. The mayor responds that children shouldn't play in the sewers, making Joy angry. The mayor has a bath and believes that he'll win the elections with the problem exterminated. Soon, he feels the ground shaking and a leak of water comes out of his tub, letting the water out as the trio and the overgrown Bulbasaur float out of the mayor's mansion. The mayor sees the trio and is asked if the Bulbasaur looks familiar. The mayor sees the Bulbasaur and is surprised. When he notices the mark on the bell, he says that bell has his initial on it; he then remembers that when he was a child, he abandoned his Bulbasaur leaving it floating into the sewers because it wouldn't evolve. His Bulbasaur lifts him up, still glad to see him, while others aren't at hearing this story.
   
The mayor asks Bulbasaur to put him down. Misty tells he should apologise first, to which the mayor objects and orders his special police to fire, telling Bulbasaur is taking him hostage. Pikachu uses Thunderbolt to stop them, while Bulbasaur uses Vine Whip to blast them off. The mayor's Bulbasaur spins him and blasts him off, making the mayor fall onto his own statue and crashing it. Later, Jenny tells with the elections coming up, there will be a new mayor soon. Joy tells she will be taking care of the overgrown Bulbasaur. Ash asks if there is Trovita Island nearby. Joy points at an island and tells it will take them few minutes to get there. Jenny tells with a ferry around, they can use the boat and go there. Meanwhile, Team Rocket are in the sewers and see daylight, but the way is barricaded. Jessie sneezes and the bars fall down and they are happy they are out.
+
The mayor asks Bulbasaur to put him down. Misty tells him that he should apologize first, to which the mayor objects (feeling no remorse or regret for abandoning his Pokémon) and orders his special police to fire, telling them that Bulbasaur is taking him hostage. Pikachu uses Thunderbolt to stop them, while Bulbasaur uses Vine Whip to blast them off. The mayor's Bulbasaur spins him and blasts him off, making the mayor fall onto his own statue and crashing it. Later, Jenny explains that, with the elections coming up, there will be a new mayor soon. Joy tells that she will be taking care of the overgrown Bulbasaur. Ash asks if Trovita Island is nearby. Joy points at an island and tells that it will take them few minutes to get there. Jenny tells them that with a ferry around, they can use the boat and go there.
  +
  +
Meanwhile, Team Rocket are in the sewers and see daylight, but the way out is barricaded. Jessie sneezes, causing the bars to fall down, and they are happy that they are out.
   
 
==Debuts==
 
==Debuts==
  +
===Character===
;Human
 
 
[[Mayor (Orange Islands)|Mayor]]
 
[[Mayor (Orange Islands)|Mayor]]
   
 
==Trivia==
 
==Trivia==
The "Who's that Pokémon?" of this episode is Zapdos.
+
*The "Who's that Pokémon?" of this episode is Zapdos.
  +
*This episode's English title is similar to the 1999 film, ''Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace''.
  +
  +
===Mistakes===
  +
*The straps on Tracey's backpack are orange instead of black when the "monster" attacks at first.
  +
*When Misty finds Togepi, the blue triangle symbol on its shell disappears.
  +
  +
===Dub differences===
  +
*In the Japanese version, when the sewers are being sealed, a much more ominous music plays in the background.
  +
*In the Japanese version mayor, before abandoning his Bulbasaur, angrily claims that it is its own fault for not evolving. In the dub, however, he rudely silences it and says that since it doesn't evolve, he won't be needing it.
  +
*In the dub mayor, while being held by his Bulbasaur, speaks in relatively calm tone of voice while in the original version he speaks with panicky tone of voice. Also, in the original version, much more dramatic music plays in the background during this scene.
  +
*In the dub mayor tells his SWAT team that Bulbasaur is taking him hostage while in the original version he merely begs them to help him and tells them to do something with Bulbasaur.
  +
*In the dub mayor, before getting thrown away by his Bulbasaur, desperately tries to make rather insincere truce with it. In the original version, however, he merely begs it not to hurt him.
   
 
==Gallery==
 
==Gallery==
  +
{{Gallery Box|
{{Gallery Box-Small|<gallery captionalign="center" widths="180" position="center">
 
OI021 20.jpg|The Trovitopolis
+
TB104 1.jpg {{!}} The Trovitopolis
OI021 21.jpg|Meowth's plan
+
TB104 2.jpg {{!}} Meowth's plan
OI021 2.jpg|Jessie and James are angry at Meowth
+
TB104 3.jpg {{!}} Jessie and James are angry at Meowth
OI021 22.jpg|James pushes the lever
+
TB104 4.jpg {{!}} James pushes the lever
OI021 23.jpg|Ash and Misty pull Tracey
+
TB104 5.jpg {{!}} Ash and Misty pull Tracey
OI021 5.jpg|Tracey fell on Ash
+
TB104 6.jpg {{!}} Tracey fell on Ash
OI021 6.jpg|Ash gets tapped by the monster
+
TB104 7.jpg {{!}} Ash gets tapped by the monster
OI021 7.jpg|Ash wants to rescue Bulbasaur
+
TB104 8.jpg {{!}} Ash wants to rescue Bulbasaur
OI021 8.jpg|Ash got tied up
+
TB104 9.jpg {{!}} Ash got tied up
OI021 3.jpg|The mayor wants the children to be in jail
+
TB104 10.jpg {{!}} The mayor wants the kids to be in jail
OI021 9.jpg|Ash failed to climb up
+
TB104 11.jpg {{!}} Ash failed to climb up
OI021 10.jpg|Meowth gets affection
+
TB104 12.jpg {{!}} Meowth gets affection
OI021 4.jpg|The gang heard Team Rocket
+
TB104 13.jpg {{!}} The gang heard Team Rocket
OI021 11.jpg|Muk is on Ash
+
TB104 14.jpg {{!}} Muk is on Ash
OI021 12.jpg|Team Rocket, prepared for making fear
+
TB104 15.jpg {{!}} Team Rocket, prepared for making fear
OI021 13.jpg|Ash found Bulbasaur
+
TB104 16.jpg {{!}} Ash found Bulbasaur
OI021 1.jpg|The overgrown Bulbasaur
+
TB104 17.jpg {{!}} The overgrown Bulbasaur
OI021 14.jpg|Nurse Joy does not like the mayor's plans
+
TB104 18.jpg {{!}} Nurse Joy doesn't like the mayor's plans
OI021 15.jpg|Ash, Misty and the Bulbasaur float
+
TB104 19.jpg {{!}} Ash, Misty and the Bulbasaur float
OI021 16.jpg|Pikachu surfs
+
TB104 20.jpg {{!}} Pikachu surfs
OI021 17.jpg|The mayor bumped into the statue
+
TB104 21.jpg {{!}} The mayor bumped into the statue
OI021 18.jpg|Nurse Joy points at the island
+
TB104 22.jpg {{!}} Nurse Joy points at the island
OI021 19.jpg|Team Rocket want to get out
+
TB104 23.jpg {{!}} Team Rocket want to get out
  +
}}
OI021 24.jpg
 
  +
==References==
</gallery>}}
 
  +
{{Reflist}}
   
  +
{{Pocket Monsters: Orange Islands Arc episodes}}
{{Pokémon: The Original Series}}
 
[[Category:Pokémon: Orange Islands Episodes]]
+
{{Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Islands episodes}}
 
[[Category:Episodes focusing on Ash]]
 
[[Category:Episodes focusing on Ash]]
 
[[Category:Episodes focusing on Nurse Joy]]
 
[[Category:Episodes focusing on Nurse Joy]]
 
[[Category:Episodes focusing on Officer Jenny]]
 
[[Category:Episodes focusing on Officer Jenny]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Junki Takegami]]
 
[[Category:Episodes storyboarded and directed by Toshiaki Suzuki]]
 
[[Category:Episodes animated by Izumi Shimura]]
 

Latest revision as of 22:53, 18 February 2024

The Mystery Menace (Japanese: ちかどうのかいぶつ!?, HepburnThe Monster of the Underground Tunnel!?) is the 22nd episode in Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Islands season.

Synopsis

In Trovitopolis City, Ash and friends hear stories about some kind of monster that's been scaring everyone—and when the ground cracks open and dumps them in the sewer, it seems they might meet this monster face to face![1]

Episode plot

As the group continues the journey, Ash wonders when they need to eat, although Misty asks if this is what he thinks all about. Tracey sees a big city and the three are pleased to arrive at a settlement. Team Rocket also appear and like that they are heading for the trap. Meowth knows if Pikachu's on a spot, the dynamite will blow up and Pikachu will fall in the trap. Meowth tells them to prepare, so James and Jessie chant the motto, only to be stopped by Meowth, as they need to make this a surprise for the trio. James pushes a lever and while no explosion is heard, Team Rocket fall down in their own trap. Misty hears the scream and while the gang doesn't know why someone would scream, a crack in the ground caused by Team Rocket spreads and the trio fall down in the hole.

When Pikachu and Togepi wake Ash and Misty up, Ash and Misty pull Tracey out of the rubble. Tracey thanks them, but Ash replies that he doesn't need to thank him but stand up (as Tracey is sitting on him). Misty sees a tunnel and they head through it. At the end of the tunnel, they arrive in the sewers. Tracey believes that they need to find a manhole to get up. The trio continue and something passes, as Ash hears a small bell. Misty and Tracey think that it's a side effect of him falling down the hole. Ash gets tapped and tells Pikachu to stop it. However, Pikachu is in front of him, so they notice a monster. Ash goes to order Pikachu to use Thunderbolt, but Misty warns him that they'll get shocked as well (due to the presence of water). Ash sends Bulbasaur, who uses Razor Leaf. The monster stops the Razor Leaf and takes Bulbasaur away, into the water. Ash goes to rescue Bulbasaur, but Tracey, Misty and Pikachu hold him back and Tracey tells him that the monster would drag him down, too, but Ash doesn't care and tries to struggle out of Tracey, Misty and Pikachu's arms. Officer Jenny removes the manhole cover, hearing Ash's shouts, then lowers a rope so they can get up. Ash refuses to go until Bulbasaur is rescued, but Tracey, Misty and Pikachu tie Ash up and Officer Jenny pulls him out, with Pikachu beside him.

Later, Jenny is forced to send the trio to Cell No. 5 for being in the sewer, as Ash protests to be freed and help Bulbasaur. Jenny appears and unlocks the jail, telling the kids that there were strange things in the sewer. The mayor appears and tells Jenny to have them locked up for a week. Jenny refuses, as they have arrived today and have committed no crime. Ash only cares to free his Bulbasaur. The mayor allows them to go out, but they mustn't mention the monster. Tracey and Misty object, though the mayor says that it's for the public safety. Jenny tells the mayor that they can't keep the secret up, to which the mayor responds that they can try. Jenny tells Ash, Misty and Tracey that monster was only seen taking food. The mayor says that monster needs to be captured, as the elections are next week. Misty sees there's no harm if it wants only food. Nurse Joy appears and tells the mayor that he can't do that. The mayor responds that she needs to run her Center and he needs to run the city.

Nurse Joy claims that the mayor wants to eliminate the creature instead of capturing it. The trio criticize the mayor's plan and Jenny claims its illegal activity as the police don't know anything about it. The mayor gets angry and yells that he runs the city here. The trio contact Oak, who agrees that this creature may be a new Pokémon or a Pokémon undergone a mutation. Nurse Joy knows that it's not possible, as the mayor wants to be re-elected. The trio see the mayor's campaign posters and statue and see a strange mark. Ash tells them that they need to find Bulbasaur. The mayor orders his special police to get inside and eliminate the creature. The trio sees that it will be hard to get in, and they need to do it before the special police does, or it'll be the end of the creature (and Bulbasaur). Nurse Joy points at the back end of the sewer. Ash goes to climb up, but falls down.

Team Rocket wanders the sewers and Meowth gets hungry. He gets tapped by the creature and thanks Jessie and James, but says that it won't get rid of his hunger. Team Rocket notice the creature and flee the scene. Team Rocket are exhausted and hear footsteps, then see a flashing light. James sends Weezing, who uses Smokescreen (dimming the vision of the trio, whom they didn't see) and Team Rocket run off. After the smoke clears, the heroes heard Team Rocket. Misty sees that Togepi is gone, who almost ran in water. Misty grabs it, but soon, the creature takes Togepi and Misty away. Ash knew that they were coming in the sewer and sends Muk (who comes on him). Team Rocket are very exhausted and hear some footsteps. Meowth encourages Jessie and James to scare this monster and make fearsome (which are silly) faces. Team Rocket appear to the special police, who report to the mayor that they see three creatures. The mayor is surprised, but orders to shoot, making Team Rocket run away from the goo they shoot.

Muk leads the boys to a dead end. However, seeing a hidden tunnel, Tracey and Ash dive in water and go through the tunnel. At the end, Ash gets out and sees the monster. The police report that they found three creatures and think that sewers are full of them. The mayor orders to block every manhole and seal the sewers. The police use concrete to barricade the manholes and sewer entrances. Ash wakes up and sees Bulbasaur, pleased that he found it. Ash gets tapped and Tracey tells his friends that the monster is actually an overgrown Bulbasaur, who uses Vine Whip. Ash wonders how it got here. Tracey knows that someone left it, as it has a collar and a bell. Tracey believes that it wanted company, which is why it took Ash's Bulbasaur and Togepi with it. Ash pats it and notices a mark on the bell.

Nurse Joy protests against mayor's decision. The mayor tells her that they didn't exterminate the creature, but Joy reminds him the kids are there. The mayor tells her that he'll let them out after the election is over, but Joy informs him that the elections end in next week. The mayor responds that children shouldn't play in the sewers, making Joy angry. The mayor has a bath and believes that he'll win the elections with the problem exterminated. Soon, he feels the ground shaking and a leak of water comes out of his tub, letting the water out as the trio and the overgrown Bulbasaur float out of the mayor's mansion. The mayor sees the trio and is asked if the Bulbasaur looks familiar. The mayor sees the Bulbasaur and is surprised. When he notices the mark on the bell, he says that bell has his initial on it; he then remembers that when he was a child, he abandoned his Bulbasaur leaving it floating into the sewers because it wouldn't evolve. His Bulbasaur lifts him up, still glad to see him, while others aren't at hearing this story.

The mayor asks Bulbasaur to put him down. Misty tells him that he should apologize first, to which the mayor objects (feeling no remorse or regret for abandoning his Pokémon) and orders his special police to fire, telling them that Bulbasaur is taking him hostage. Pikachu uses Thunderbolt to stop them, while Bulbasaur uses Vine Whip to blast them off. The mayor's Bulbasaur spins him and blasts him off, making the mayor fall onto his own statue and crashing it. Later, Jenny explains that, with the elections coming up, there will be a new mayor soon. Joy tells that she will be taking care of the overgrown Bulbasaur. Ash asks if Trovita Island is nearby. Joy points at an island and tells that it will take them few minutes to get there. Jenny tells them that with a ferry around, they can use the boat and go there.

Meanwhile, Team Rocket are in the sewers and see daylight, but the way out is barricaded. Jessie sneezes, causing the bars to fall down, and they are happy that they are out.

Debuts

Character

Mayor

Trivia

  • The "Who's that Pokémon?" of this episode is Zapdos.
  • This episode's English title is similar to the 1999 film, Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace.

Mistakes

  • The straps on Tracey's backpack are orange instead of black when the "monster" attacks at first.
  • When Misty finds Togepi, the blue triangle symbol on its shell disappears.

Dub differences

  • In the Japanese version, when the sewers are being sealed, a much more ominous music plays in the background.
  • In the Japanese version mayor, before abandoning his Bulbasaur, angrily claims that it is its own fault for not evolving. In the dub, however, he rudely silences it and says that since it doesn't evolve, he won't be needing it.
  • In the dub mayor, while being held by his Bulbasaur, speaks in relatively calm tone of voice while in the original version he speaks with panicky tone of voice. Also, in the original version, much more dramatic music plays in the background during this scene.
  • In the dub mayor tells his SWAT team that Bulbasaur is taking him hostage while in the original version he merely begs them to help him and tells them to do something with Bulbasaur.
  • In the dub mayor, before getting thrown away by his Bulbasaur, desperately tries to make rather insincere truce with it. In the original version, however, he merely begs it not to hurt him.

Gallery

References

  1. ^ (n.d.) . "The Mystery Menace | Pokémon TV (pokemon.com)". From The Official Pokémon Website | Pokemon.com. Archived from the original on January 22, 2024.