Pikachu's Vacation (Japanese: ピカチュウのなつやすみ, Pikachū no Natsuyasumi) is a 21-minute short movie that is shown before Mewtwo Strikes Back in both the theatrical and the VHS and DVD version of the main movie. It is the first of the "Pikachu shorts" in what would be a traditional process of hosting a 20+ minute mini-movie before the main Pokémon feature that would last up until the 6th movie. Pikachu's Vacation, like the five Pikachu shorts that would follow, focuses primarily on an action-packed affair involving solely the Pokémon seen from the anime as they take part in a scenario that eventually illustrates a moral.
In Pokémon fan communities, Pikachu's Vacation was noted for introducing the never-before-seen Pokémon character Snubbull (albeit spelled Snubble), as well as the first primary anime appearance of the already popular Marill. This became a tradition for all Pikachu shorts, as they were used to introduce new Pokémon from the upcoming "generations" of Pokémon games, cards, and anime material.
Plot[]
When Ash Ketchum and his friends stumble upon a Pokémon vacation resort, they decide to let their Pokémon have a day of fun and relaxation and let all their Pokémon out as the trainers go relax on their own. Pikachu and the Pokémon (Bulbasaur, Charizard, Squirtle, Pidgeotto, Geodude, Onix, Vulpix, Zubat, Staryu, Goldeen, Psyduck, and Togepi) go off into the resort and react contend with an unhappy Togepi, which they succeed in doing. Soon, a group of border-ruffian Pokémon Raichu, Cubone, Snubbull, and Marill come along and cause trouble for Pikachu's group. The ensuing standoff soon becomes a series of competitions such as a swimming race. Their increasingly passionate rivalry soon comes to a standstill when Pikachu's companion Charizard crashes and finds its head stuck in a tight pipe. Quickly in a scrabble, Pikachu and Raichu's groups join to release Charizard, and they soon find themselves as friends for the rest of the day. Meanwhile Team Rocket's Meowth alongside James' Weezing and Jessie's Arbok try to find a place to nap at the resort, however Meowth is constantly awakened by the rivalry between Pikachu and Raichu and eventually Charizard's roaring while it was stuck in the pipe. Eventually Meowth finally has enough with the interruptions and plans to use a bomb to stop the noise but is soon crushed by Charizard who got freed from the pipe. The bomb explodes next to him causing him to pass out. At the end of the day, Pikachu and his fellow Pokémon leave the resort with fond memories and new friends and rejoin their trainers.
Appearances[]
Debuts[]
Pokémon[]
- Pikachu (Ash's)
- Togepi (Misty's)
- Meowth (Team Rocket's Meowth)
- Psyduck (Misty's Psyduck)
- Vulpix (Suzy's Vulpix)
- Geodude (Brock's Geodude)
- Onix (Brock's Steelix)
- Zubat (Brock's Crobat)
- Squirtle (Ash's Squirtle)
- Bulbasaur (Ash's Bulbasaur)
- Charizard (Ash's Charizard)
- Goldeen (Misty's Goldeen)
- Staryu (Misty's Staryu)
- Pidgeotto (Ash's)
- Eevee
- Koffing
- Seaking
- Lickitung
- Mr. Mime
- Growlithe
- Hitmonlee
- Hitmonchan
- Weezing (James' Weezing)
- Arbok (Jessie's Arbok)
- Raichu
- Cubone
- Seel
- Starmie (Misty's Starmie)
- Slowbro
- Horsea (Misty's Horsea)
- Electrode
- Snorlax
- Chansey
- Jigglypuff
- Bellsprout
- Magikarp
- Exeggutor
- Oddish
Other[]
Trivia[]
- This was the first time Charizard was seen crying.
- Instead of the regular narrator, Dexter, the voice of Ash's Pokédex, does much of the narration for the short.
- The cheek-to-cheek footrace between Pikachu and Raichu would eventually be re-created between Serena's Pancham and Clemont's Chespin in Pikachu and the Pokémon Music Squad.
- The English dub songs "Vacation" and "Catch Me If You Can" are featured on the Pokémon: The First Movie soundtrack album.
Errors[]
- Despite being shown as running past (and stepping on in the process) Pikachu, Psyduck is seen moments later with Bulbasaur and Squirtle, trying to cheer up Togepi.
- At one point when Pikachu and Togepi are rolling away on the log bridge, grass can be seen beneath them instead of water.
- Misty's Goldeen and Staryu are not seen helping to rescue Charizard from his predicament.
- The English dub mistakenly credits Takeshi Shudo as the writer for this short. Hideki Sonoda is the true writer.
Gallery[]
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| Pikachu shorts | |
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| Pokémon | |
| #001–015 |
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| #016–027 |
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| Pikachu shorts | |