History Recap / PokemonS1E29ThePunchyPokemon

'''Jessie:''' We're not finished!

* ShoutOut: The two featured pokemon in this episode are kicking pokemon Hitmon[[Creator/BruceLee lee]] and punching pokemon Hitmon[[Creator/JackieChan chan]], making this one of the few direct references to pop culture in the franchise.
* TookALevelInKindness: When Ash shows concern for Primeape when he gets tossed out of the ring by Machop, the Pig Monkey Pokemon is moved by Ash's kindness and starts following his orders instead of acting like a crazed berserker all the time.

* RealityEnsues:
** Powerful as it may be, Pikachu has no boxing experience whatsoever. So naturally, the little guy's punches have no effect on Hitmonchan, who utterly clobbers the mouse once it starts fighting back.
** If you spend a lot of time carrying someone on your shoulders, you're bound to tire yourself out. Just ask poor James.

'''James:''' ''(slowly falls to his knees as their {{leitmotif}} peters out)'' Surrender now...surrender now, or prepare to...prepare to...''(starts whimpering)''

* InformedFlaw: Misty says that Primeape used to be disobedient towards Ash. Was it? Well, since it didn't get any screen time since being caught, who knows?

'''James:''' To extend our reach to the st--oh, I can't take it!\\

'''James:''' ''(slowly falls to his knees)'' Surrender now...surrender now, or prepare to...prepare to...''(starts whimpering)''

'''James:''' To extend our reach to the star--oh, I can't take it anymore!\\

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: Giant is last seen tied up in a restroom by Team Rocket. There was no indication that he was eventually freed or that Hitmonlee was returned to him after the tournment.

In the outskirts of Fuchsia City, our heroes come across Hitmonchan, a fighter-Pokémon. With little thought, Ash attempts to capture it, but he and Pikachu are badly defeated. Hitmonchan's master has abandoned his family, training day and night, aiming for victory at the P1 Grand Prix (the number one Pokémon Grand Prix). His daughter tells Ash and his friends of her desire to make her father remember his family. In the meantime, Ash's party enters the P1 Grand Prix, but with Team Rockets unwanted, not to mention, unofficial presence at the competition, the battle goes out of control.

* '''Jessie:''' To protect the world from devastation!\\

* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: This is perhaps the ONLY TIME IN THE SERIES where Team Rocket successfully steals another trainer's Pokemon and uses it on their behalf. It's unknown if Hitmonlee is even returned to Giant at the end of the episode, making this even more bizarre.
* EyeCatch: This episode, the ''Who's That Pokémon'' is Hitmonchan.

* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: This is perhaps the ONLY TIME IN THE SERIES where Team Rocket successfully steals another trainers Pokemon and uses it on their behalf. It's unknown if Hitmonlee is even returned to Giant at the end of the episode, making this even mor bizarre.

->''I can't wait for the chance to show you 3 little goody-goodies what losers you are. You don't stand a chance against us. We're going to win that championship belt!''
->''And after we do, you can find us at the all-you-can-eat buffet table.''

!!!Original Air Date: October 14th, 1997
!!!US Air Date: October 15th, 1998

!!Tropes:

* ShoutOut: The two featured pokemon in this episode are kicking pokemon Hitmon[[Creator/BruceLee lee]] and punching Hitmon[[Creator/JackieChan chan]], making this one of the few direct references to pop culture in the franchise.

* TotemPoleTrench: Jessie and James do this after stealing Giant's coat in order to enter in the tournament with his Hitmonlee. Eventually, James complains that Jessie is too heavy and collapse from exhaustion.

* HilariousInHindsight: The name of the fighting competition is [[VideoGame/Persona4Arena P-1 Grand Prix]].

!!Original Title: Fighting Pokémon! The Great Battle!

* HilariousInHindsight: The name of the fighting competition is [[Persona4Arena P-1 Grand Prix]].

* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: Giant is last tied up in a restroom by Team Rocket, and there was no indication that he was freed or that Hitmonlee was returned to him after the tournment.

* WhatHappenToTheMouse: Giant is last tied up in a restroom by Team Rocket, and there was no indication that he was freed or that Hitmonlee was returned to him after the tournment.

* LettingTheAirOutOfTheBand: Team Rocket's usually dramatic and hammy motto goes out with a whimper when James, [[ButtMonkey being the bottom of]] their TotemPoleTrench disguise, collapses from exhaustion after carrying Jessie for too long.
* PutOnABus: Ash's Primeape stays with Anthony to continue its career as a P1 Champion. [[DubInducedPlothole Despite what the narrator said in the 4Kids version]], there was nothing in the original version implies that Ash will reunite with Primeape in the future.

* TotemPoleTrench: Jessie and James do this after stealing Giant's coat in order to enter in the tournament with his Hitmonlee. Eventually, James complains that Jessie is too heavy and collapse from exhaustion.

* LettingTheAirOutOfTheBand

* TotemPoleTrench