Japanese Title: Hiwada Town! Yadon Well!!
Original Airdate: April 6th, 2000
US Airdate: March 3rd, 2001
Ash carelessly makes enemies of the Slowpoke-worshipping residents of Azalea Town, but sees a chance at redemption when Team Rocket arrives to capture each and every one of these revered Pokémon.
Tropes
- Art Shift: The tale about the Slowpoke legend is done in a different animation style.
- Actually, I Am Him: After being asked where Kurt is, the Pokeball expert removes the head of the Slowpoke costume to reveal that he is indeed Kurt.
- *Crack!* "Oh, My Back!": The elderly Kurt cracks his back while trying to run from Team Rocket's Diglett Digger.
- Disproportionate Retribution: Step on a Slowpoke, be beaten by a mob!
- Dowsing Device: Meowth uses a pair of rods to find water.
- Drill Tank: Team Rocket's latest mecha is a Diglett inspired digger.
- Mythology Gag: The actual battle at the well is very close to the battles in Pokémon Gold and Silver. The main difference is that Team Rocket is represented by Jessie and James. Although Kurt went hearing distressed sounds in the well, instead of knowing Team Rocket was there, he still hurt his back in the confrontation, handing off to Ash when the twerps get there.
- Reasonable Authority Figure: Unlike the other residents of Azalea Town, Kurt understands that Ash didn't mean to hurt Slowpoke and informs him and his friends why the Slowpoke are so revered, and he even helped them escape the angry mob by lending them Slowpoke costumes.
- Sacred Cow: In-Universe. The Slowpoke are revered by the citizens of Azalea Town and when Ash accidentally steps on one's tail, a large mob chase him and his friends.
