103 Pokémon premier screening
In Tokyo, Japan, a multitude of people gathered at various cinemas.
Kenshin and Reina strolled hand in hand into Shibuya Cinema, where they were joined by notable figures like Kenji, Taki, and his family.
Akimitsu, the CEO of Nippon TV, entered Shibuya Cinema with his family, and his child sported Mario's iconic red hat.
Prominent figures like Shiko and Seki secured VIP seats or front-row seats at Ginza Cinema to get a clearer view of the cinema screen.
At Ikebukuro Cinema, Shin, Mira, Ruki, and Airi enjoyed the show, secretly accompanied by the Oyabun and high-ranking members of the Yamauchi-gumi.
Shin gazed around the audience with a warm smile, and as the anime episode unfolded on the screen, beautifully designed creatures filled the scene, accompanied by a catchy song: "I wanna be the very best, like no one ever was!"
The audience watched in awe as the theme played, with animated characters bringing the screen to life: "To catch them is my real test, to train them is my cause!"
As the theme played, the screen lit up with a series of bizarre-looking creatures, and the song's lyrics carried on: "I will travel across the land, searching far and wide, to understand each Pokémon, the power that's inside."
The catchy theme resonated with the audience in Shibuya Cinema. Kenji, among them, nodded along to the rhythm, while some in the crowd couldn't help but frown.
Even Shiba Kei, a film critic, attended to witness the anime's hype on the big screen, despite it being a TV show.
The theme song persisted, accompanying the unfolding scene: "Oh, you're my best friend in a world we must defend. A heart so true, our courage will pull us through."
The colorful creatures on the screen sparked excitement among the young viewers in the cinema.
"Teach me, and I'll teach you, Pokémon, gotta catch 'em all, gotta catch 'em all, Pokémon!"
The anime segment concluded with a spinning white and red ball, bearing the title 'Pokémon' displayed on the screen.
Following the theme song's conclusion, the audience engaged in a spirited discussion. "What was that?" one person pondered.
A young man chimed in, a chuckle in his voice. "Well, it was certainly a catchy song, no doubt about that."
A foreigner turned to his Japanese friend, offering an observation, "Please don't take offense, but hearing a Japanese person sing in English has a unique charm to it, a bit rough and... cute."
His friend chuckled in response.
Then, an almost eerie silence fell upon the theater as the anime officially began.
On the screen, two creatures faced off in black and white, before the camera zoomed out, and the scene transitioned to an arena filled with cheering spectators.
The commentator at the scene enthusiastically exclaimed, "Nidorino begins the battle with a horn attack!"
Gengar effortlessly dodged the attack, leaving the commentator in amazement, who then continued, "But Gengar bounces right back!"
The Gengar, a shadowy, round-bodied creature, touched both its palms together, creating waves around it. The commentator shouted, "Oh, there it is! The hypnotizing power of Gengar!"
The audience was captivated by the anime.
After Gengar gained the upper hand, Nidorino, the rabbit-like creature, was swapped with 'Onix,' a serpent-like rock creature.
The scene transitioned to the young person seen earlier watching the creatures battle on television. The young man clenched his fist and thought, "Yes! I am Ash." A narrator's voice chimed in, "Ash Ketchum is a boy from Pallet Town."
As Ash tied his shoes, he declared, "Now that I'm 10, I can finally get my own Pokémon license!"
The narrator continued, "Ten-year-olds can receive a beginner Pokémon from Professor Oak, the town's Pokémon expert."
With this introduction, the audience was completely absorbed in the anime.
On the screen, Ash seemed lost in his own world, playfully tossing a Pokéball while his mother scolded him.
The episode title, 'I Chose You!', appeared on the screen. In the night scene, Ash lay in bed, visibly excited, dreaming as a Pokémon toy ball accidentally fell into his hand.
Come morning, he instinctively hurled the toy Pokéball, hoping to catch the Pokémon from his dream, only to wake up abruptly and realize he'd broken the clock.
Surprised, the young boy, Ash, noticed he was running late. He rushed out in his pajamas, which drew laughter from many children in the audience.
Shiba Kei's interest was piqued. As he continued watching the show, he remarked, "So, Pokémon are creatures with special powers? This is fascinating..."
Many in the audience shared similar sentiments.
The anime continued with Ash sprinting to the front of Professor Oak's house, where a group of girls cheered for Gary Oak.
Ash and Gary had a face-off, and Gary taunted Ash as he sped away in his flashy red sports car.
The cheering girls followed Gary's departing car, while Professor Oak extended an invitation for Ash to enter his mansion.
Inside, Professor Oak presented Ash with a choice of three Pokéballs, though Ash noticed that there were no Pokémon inside. Professor Oak, fully aware, chuckled at Ash's tardiness and introduced a Pokéball with a yellow thunder mark on its button.
As Ash opened it, he discovered the adorable yellow Pikachu.
When Pikachu made its appearance on the screen, many young girls were captivated, especially when Pikachu cheerfully exclaimed, "Pika Pika Chu!"
[Shibuya Cinema]
Reina watched the Pikachu on the screen with great interest.
Kenshin noticed her fascination and inquired with a smile, "What do you think?"
Reina mumbled, "I want that little yellow creature..."
---
In another cinema, Ruki gazed at Pikachu with starry eyes and turned to Shin, who was sitting nearby. She asked, "Do you already have Pikachu stuffed toys?"
Shin had expected the request, so he nodded and said, "Yes, I'll give one to you later."
Airi, Shin's mother, also expressed a desire for one.
Shin couldn't help but laugh with Mira as they both promised to provide Pikachu stuffed toys to the two of them.
---
The anime continued, portraying a scene where Ash and Pikachu were in a playful argument. Ash's attempt to catch a Pokémon on his own ended with Pikachu's laughter.
Pikachu's infectious cuteness prompted laughter from the audience as well.
Taki observed his child's joy and heard his son's request, "Papa, can you buy me a Pikachu?"
Taki's wife exchanged glances with him, and he could only respond with a smile.
---
Shiba Kei remained engrossed in watching the anime, completely captivated by it.
...
Meanwhile, other 'The Legend of Zelda' anime fans like Kuku, Kuro, and Kenji found themselves engrossed in the world of Pokémon with genuine interest.
"This is even more captivating than 'The Legend of Zelda'!" they thought.
The anime continued, and a scene unfolded where Ash and Pikachu were chased away by a flock of Spearow, with Pikachu sustaining injuries. This left many early Pikachu fans deeply concerned.
In the first episode of Pokémon, as Ash attempted to defend Pikachu and the audience's eyes welled up, Pikachu leaped onto Ash's shoulder. With the power of the rain-soaked thunderstorm coursing through Pikachu, it fiercely retaliated against the flock of Spearow.
When this pivotal moment occurred, the audience cheered with renewed enthusiasm.
...
Shiba Kei watched the scene with avid interest, thinking excitedly, "This could be a groundbreaking moment for the anime industry!"
Episode 1 of Pokémon concluded, and the audience stood and applauded for a solid half-minute.
In Ikebukuro Cinema, Shin and Mira shared smiles as the audience wholeheartedly embraced Pokémon.
As the screening of Pokémon's first episode ended and seamlessly transitioned into episodes 2 and 3, viewers were taken on a journey where Ash caught a Caterpie and faced off against Team Rocket. Team Rocket was eventually defeated, but as they retreated, they vowed to steal Pikachu.
With the conclusion of episode 3, the Pokémon screening concluded, leaving the audience on a suspenseful cliffhanger. Nonetheless, the viewers experienced a mix of emotions as this Pokémon anime exceeded all expectations.
