Home / Episode Guide / Showdown at Dark City/たいけつ!ポケモンジム!/Showdown! Pokémon Gyms!
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Titles and Airdates

Titles

  • United States Showdown at Dark City
  • Japan たいけつ!ポケモンジム!
  • Japan Taiketsu! Pokémon Gym!
  • Japan Showdown! Pokémon Gyms!
  • Germany Duell in Dark City
  • France Sombreville
  • Spain Enfrentamiento en Ciudad Tenebrosa
  • Sweden Uppgörelsen i Dark City
  • Italy La sfida a Tenebropoli
  • Mexico ¡Duelo en Ciudad Obscura!
  • Finland Yhteenotto Dark Cityssä
  • Taiwan 神奇寶貝道館的決鬥
  • Hungary Leszámolás az Árnyékvárosban
  • Poland Mroczne miasto
  • Netherlands Nieuwe Uitdagingen in Dark City
  • Brazil Batalha na Cidade Sombria
  • Israel הרפתקה בעיר האופל
  • Czechia Zápas v Temném městě
  • Norway Oppgjør i byen Dark
  • Denmark Opgøret I Dark City
  • Greece Αναμέτρηση στη Νταρκ Σίτι
  • Portugal Confronto em Dark City
  • Russia Тайна мрачного города

Airdates

Staff List
Anime Studio Logo
Team Ota

Japan Screenplay 武上純希 (Junki Takegami)
Japan Storyboard 横田和 (Kazu Yokota)
Japan Episode Director 大町繁 (Shigeru Ōmachi)
Japan Animation Director 武田優作 (Yūsaku Takeda)

OP/ED List

めざせポケモンマスター
Aim To Be A Pokémon Master
ポケットにファンタジー
Fantasy in My Pocket
모험의 시작
Start of an Adventure
우리는 모두 친구
We Are All Friends
寵物小精靈
Pocket Monster
寶可夢點點名
Pokémon Roll Call
數數小精靈
Count the Pokémon
Screenplay
脚本
Storyboard
絵コンテ
Episode Director
演出
Animation Director
作画監督
Summary


English Official Summary

In the middle of a terrible desert, our heroes inadvertently wandered into Dark City. With no name but Dark, the city has fallen into ruin. The streets, even at midday, are vacant of people. But suddenly, a rare figure appears and begins to throw stones at Ash and friends. They had heard at a restaurant in town, that this town contains two authorized Pokémon gyms, but that their Masters try to battle traveling Pokémon trainers anywhere within the town. This is said to be the cause of the town's desolation. Will our heroes also be caught up in the whirlwind of these battles?

French Official Summary

Alors qu'ils se trouvent au milieu d'un désert accablant, nos héros arrivent par hasard à Sombreville. Mais comme son nom l'indique, la ville n'est qu'un champ de ruines.

German Official Summary

Mitten in einer schrecklichen Wüste verirren sich unsere Helden nach Dark City. Die Stadt macht ihrem finsteren Namen alle Ehre und ist einfach nur total verfallen.

Italian Official Summary

I nostri eroi sono arrivati alla periferia di Tenebropoli che sembra completamente deserta, anche in pieno giorno non c'è nessuno per la strada. Che cosa sarà successo?

Portuguese Official Summary

Nos juntamos a nossos heróis nos arredores da Cidade Sombria, que parece estar deserta. Mesmo durante o dia, não há ninguém nas ruas. O que aconteceu que deixou este lugar tão desolado?

Finnish Official Summary

Tapaamme sankarimme hylätyn näköisen Dark Cityn laitamilla. Kaduilla ei ole ketään edes keskellä päivää. Mikä on tehnyt paikasta aution?

Spanish Latin America Official Summary

Acompañamos a nuestros héroes a las afueras de Ciudad Oscura, la cual parece estar desierta. No hay nadie en las calles, incluso a mediodía. ¿Qué volvió a este un lugar tan desolado?

Spanish Official Summary

En medio de un horrible desierto, nuestros héroes se dirigen sin darse cuenta hacia Ciudad Tenebrosa, una ciudad sórdida,desierta y fantasmal.

English Great Britain Official Summary

In the middle of a terrible desert, our heroes inadvertently wandered into Dark City. With no name but Dark, the city has fallen into ruin. The streets, even at midday, are vacant of people. But suddenly, a rare figure appears and begins to throw stones at Ash and friends. They had heard at a restaurant in town, that this town contains two authorized Pokémon gyms, but that their Masters try to battle traveling Pokémon trainers anywhere within the town. This is said to be the cause of the town's desolation. Will our heroes also be caught up in the whirlwind of these battles?

Dutch Official Summary

We treffen onze helden aan vlakbij Dark City, dat verlaten blijkt te zijn. Zelfs middenop de dag is er niemand op straat. Waardoor is deze plaats zo uitgestorven?

Norwegian Official Summary

Vi blir med våre helter til utkanten av Dark City, som ser ut til å være helt forlatt. Selv midt på dagen, er det ingen ute i gatene. Hva har skjedd som har gjort dette stedet så øde?

Swedish Official Summary

Vi träffar våra hjältar i utkanterna av Dark City, som verkar vara övergiven. Även mitt på dagen är det tomt på gatorna. Vad kan ha hänt som har ödelagt staden?

Danish Official Summary

Vi finder vore helte i udkanten af Dark City, som tilsyneladende er blevet forladt. Selv midt på dagen er gaderne tomme. Hvad mon der er sket, siden bydelen er så øde?

Characters

Character Thumbnail
  • United States Ash Ketchum
  • Japan サトシ
  • Japan Satoshi
  • Japan Satoshi
Character Thumbnail
  • United States Ash's Pikachu
  • Japan サトシのピカチュウ
  • Japan Satoshi no Pikachu
  • Japan Satoshi's Pikachu
Character Thumbnail
  • United States Misty
  • Japan カスミ
  • Japan Kasumi
  • Japan Kasumi
Character Thumbnail
  • United States Brock
  • Japan タケシ
  • Japan Takeshi
  • Japan Takeshi
Character Thumbnail
  • United States Jessie
  • Japan ムサシ
  • Japan Musashi
  • Japan Musashi
Character Thumbnail
  • United States James
  • Japan コジロウ
  • Japan Kojirō
  • Japan Kojiro
Character Thumbnail
  • United States Brock's Vulpix
  • Japan タケシのロコン
  • Japan Takeshi no Rokon
  • Japan Takeshi's Rokon
Character Thumbnail
  • United States Nurse Joy
  • Japan ジョーイ
  • Japan Joy
  • Japan Joy
Character Thumbnail
  • United States Nurse Joy's Chansey
  • Japan ジョーイのラッキー
  • Japan Joy no Lucky
  • Japan Joy's Lucky
Character Thumbnail
  • United States Ash's Bulbasaur
  • Japan サトシのフシギダネ
  • Japan Satoshi no Fushigidane
  • Japan Satoshi's Fushigidane
Character Thumbnail
  • United States Jessie's Arbok
  • Japan ムサシのアーボック
  • Japan Musashi no Arbok
  • Japan Musashi's Arbok
Character Thumbnail
  • United States James's Weezing
  • Japan コジロウのマタドガス
  • Japan Kojirō no Matadogas
  • Japan Kojiro's Matadogas
Yas
Character Thumbnail
  • United States Yas
  • Japan ヤス
  • Japan Yas
  • Japan Yas
Character Thumbnail
  • United States Yas Gym Members
  • Japan ヤスジムのメンバー
  • Japan Yas Gym no Members
  • Japan Yas Gym Members
Character Thumbnail
  • United States Yas Gym Recruiter
  • Japan スカウトのお姉さん
  • Japan Sukauto no onee-san
  • Japan Scout's Sister
Kaz
Character Thumbnail
  • United States Kaz
  • Japan カズ
  • Japan Kaz
  • Japan Kaz
Character Thumbnail
  • United States Kaz Gym Member
  • Japan カズジムのメンバー
  • Japan Kaz Gym no Member
  • Japan Kaz Gym Members
Character Thumbnail
  • United States Kaz' Electabuzz
  • Japan カズのエレブー
  • Japan Kaz no Eleboo
  • Japan Kaz's Eleboo
Character Thumbnail
  • United States Yas' Scyther
  • Japan ヤスのストライク
  • Japan Yas no Strike
  • Japan Yas' Strike
Character Thumbnail
  • United States Bobby
  • Japan コンタ
  • Japan Konta
  • Japan Konta
Character Thumbnail
  • United States Barry
  • Japan カンタ
  • Japan Kanta
  • Japan Kanta
Character Thumbnail
  • United States Billy
  • Japan キンタ
  • Japan Kinta
  • Japan Kinta

Wild Pokémon

Pokémon Thumbnail
  • United States Raticate
  • Japan ラッタ
  • Japan Ratta
Pokémon Thumbnail
  • United States Mankey
  • Japan マンキー
  • Japan Mankey
Pokémon Thumbnail
  • United States Machoke
  • Japan ゴーリキー
  • Japan Goriky
Pokémon Thumbnail
  • United States Golem
  • Japan ゴローニャ
  • Japan Golonya
Pokémon Thumbnail
  • United States Kingler
  • Japan キングラー
  • Japan Kingler
Pokémon Thumbnail
  • United States Hitmonlee
  • Japan サワムラー
  • Japan Sawamular
Pokémon Thumbnail
  • United States Hitmonchan
  • Japan エビワラー
  • Japan Ebiwalar
Pokémon Thumbnail
  • United States Rhydon
  • Japan サイドン
  • Japan Sidon
01:45

Paint Edit

A sign that says Restaurant (レストラン) is painted out in the English dub.
02:24

Culture Reference

This episode's story is based off the 1961 Kurosawa Akira movie Yojimbo (用心棒). Apparently, the tentative script title for this episode was also called: Showdown! Pokémon Bodyguards (たいけつ!ポケモンようじんぼう!)
02:28

Script Error

Misty in the English dub states she's going to be the best at everything but Kasumi in the Japanese original states that she's one of the beauties of this world.

Misty: And I'm gonna be the world's best everything. My name's Misty.
Kasumi: And I'm one of the beauties of this world. The name's Kasumi.
(カスミ): …でもってアタシは 世界の美少女その名も カスミ。
03:15

Note

Pikachu's love of Ketchup is first learned about in this episode.
03:37

Paint Edit

The scrolls on the back wall say: curry rice (カレーライス), chicken rice (チキンライス) and omelets (オムレツ) in the Japanese original was painted out.
05:04

Script Error

The English dub changed what Team Rocket ordered for their lunch from Western-style lunches and two chicken cutlets to just plain lunches and onion rings.

Character English Translation Japanese
Meowth Give me the lunch special for 30 people. We'll take enough western-style lunches for 30 people. 洋風弁当 30人前ニャ。
James We've got to be at Kaz Gym in less than an hour. Send them to the Kaz Gym within an hour. 1時間以内にカズジムへだ。
Jessie Throw in an order of onion rings while you're at it. Add an extra two chicken cutlets to mine. あたしのにはチキンカツ ふたきれおまけしてね!

06:23

Script Error

The English dub removed the beef cooking levels joke that was in the Japanese original when Kojiro says 'Welcome' instead of 'Well done' to which Musashi tells him he's wrong.

Character English Translation Japanese
Meowth Rare! Rare! レア!
Jessie Medium! Medium! ミディアム!
James Well done! Welcome! ウエルカム!
Meowth/Jessie Yeow! Yiee! Yaah! You got it all wrong! That's wrong!

06:37

Paint Edit

The English dub removed a scroll in the background but its eligible.
07:26

Paint Edit

The beige scroll in the background says macaroni (マカロニ) and the white scrolls says hayashi rice (ハヤシライス). Both were painted out in the English dub.
07:28

Paint Edit

In addition to the previously removed wall scrolls, two more scrolls are painted out of the English dub which say omurice (オムライス) and fried oysters (カキフライ).
07:29

Script Error

The names that Ash, Misty and Brock make up are different than the ones that Satoshi, Kasumi and Takeshi use in the Japanese original. The dish on the floor at the restaurant looks like a Napolitan spaghetti dish and is probably the reason why Satoshi decides on that name. Tom Ayto is the way it is spelled in the closed captions on the official English dub DVD and it is a play on the word Tomato.

Character English Translation Japanese
Ash Ketchup. Um... Napolitan! ナ ナポリタン…。
Scout Ketchup? So you're Italian? イタリアの方で?
Ash Uh, no. My name is really Tom Ayto. My name is Ketchupro Riceomelet. オレの名は オムライスケチャップ郎。
Misty Well, my name... My name is Ann Chovie. I'm Sauceko Chickenrice! おなじくチキンライス ソース子。
Brock Uh...Oh, and my name is Caesar Salad. I'm Chutneyzaemon Curryrice! おなじくカレーライスチャツネざえもん。

08:24

Paint Edit

The English dub removes the word Strength (体力) on the scroll.
11:37

Paint Edit

The English dub removes the word Strength (体力) on the scroll once again. The scene appears right after the commercial break and it seems very odd seeing an almost blank scene.
11:48

Paint Edit

The English dub removed Kaz Gym (カズジム) from the sign and replaced it with the Kaz Gym logo.
15:28

Paint Edit

The sign that says P.M. FA. Club (P.M FA.クラブ) gets painted over in the English dub.
17:51

Paint Edit

The sign in the background in the English dub was painted over. In the Japanese original it said Restaurant Shell (レストラン・シェル) but the whole sign is not visible anywhere in the episode.
19:07

Culture Reference

The English dub keeps the Riceomelet face but it doesn't make much sense when they call him Tom Ayto. If his face were all covered in Ketchup like Kaz and Yas's were earlier in the episode, it would have been more appropriate in dub.
19:58

Script Error

The boys ask for Pikachu's autograph but Satoshi thinks they should be asking him for an autograph but Ash in the English dub relents and realizes that Pikachu is the star.

Ash: Oh, well, Pikachu really is the star.
Satoshi: Hello? Aren't you getting something wrong here?
(サトシ): もしもし 何か間違ってやしませんか?
11:04

Who's that Pokémon Indigo League

11:25

Who's that Pokémon Dare da

Episode Music Regions
Music Player

Japanese Music:

Time Track Notes
Japan 00:01 めざせポケモンマスター
Japanese (Romanized): Mezase Pokémon Master
Japanese (TL): Aim to Be a Pokémon Master
Opening Theme for Japanese Version
Japan 01:31 1997-1998-M08 しのびよる影
Japanese (Romanized): Shinobi yoru Kage
Japanese (TL): Sneaking from the Shadows
The group arrives to a town whose name apparently is "Dark City".
Japan 02:23 1997-1998-M52 Title Card Kanto Title Card Music
Japan 04:02 1997-1998-M17 絶対絶命
Japanese (Romanized): Zettai Zetsumei
Japanese (TL): Desperate Situation
Outside the house, fighting between the two gyms breaks out.
Japan 05:43 1997-1998-M20 なんだかんだと聞かれたら…
Japanese (Romanized): Nandakanda to Kikaretara…
Japanese (TL): If You Ask Us About Whatever…
Rocket Gang Motto Music
Japan 05:55 1997-1998-M27 激闘果てしなく~逃げろや逃げろ!
Japanese (Romanized): Nigero ya Nigero!
Japanese (TL): Run Away, Run Away!
Musashi and Kojiro send out their Pokémon to attack the restaurant owner.
Japan 07:27 1997-1998-M28 Today's Pokémon Curiosity Satoshi and his friends announce their fake names.
Japan 08:47 1997-1998-M67 Wreakin' Havoc Yas Leader tests Satoshi by suddenly ordering Strike to attack Pikachu.
Japan 10:08 1997-1998-M27 激闘果てしなく~逃げろや逃げろ!
Japanese (Romanized): Nigero ya Nigero!
Japanese (TL): Run Away, Run Away!
Yas Leader orders his underlings to physically beat Satoshi up with their Pokémon.
Japan 10:59 1997-1998-M24 A Creeping Threat Satoshi makes a flashback to when Strike attacked his Pikachu and finds out that ketchup infuriated the Pokémon.
Japan 11:25 1997-1998-M53 Eyecatch A Dare da?
Japan 11:31 1997-1998-M54 Eyecatch B Strike!
Japan 11:36 1997-1998 M72B Drums play as the two leaders make a speech to their underlings to attack the opposite faction.
Japan 13:01 1997-1998-M56 戦い(VSトレーナー)
Japanese (Romanized): Tatakai (VS Trainer)
Japanese (TL): Battle (VS Trainer)
Fighting begins between the two gyms.
Japan 14:59 1997-1998-M15 襲撃!
Japanese (Romanized): Shūgeki!
Japanese (TL): Attack!
Both the leaders' Pokémon attack their owners, due to the red tomato juice that they see in them.
Japan 16:21 1997-1998-M13 戦い(VS野生ポケモン)
Japanese (Romanized): Tatakai (VS yasei Pokémon)
Japanese (TL): Battle (VS Wild Pokémon)
Strike and Eleboo go out against each other.
Japan 16:57 1997-1998-M01B ~オープニング~
Japanese (Romanized): ~Opening~
Japanese (TL): ~Opening~
Satoshi orders Pikachu to use Thunder that shocks the two entire factions in the process.
Japan 17:36 1997-1998-M62 勝利のバッジゲットだぜ!
Japanese (Romanized): Shouri no Badge, Get da ze!
Japanese (TL): I Got a Victory Badge!
Nurse Joy lectures the two leaders.
Japan 19:12 1997-1998-M02 続くったら,続く
Japanese (Romanized): Tsuzukuttara, Tsuzuku
Japanese (TL): To Be Continued
Both the factions unite to repair the damage they had done to the town.
Japan 20:41 1997-1998-M67 Wreakin' Havoc Upon seeing the red color, Strike and Eleboo attack Rocket Gang.
Japan 21:00 ポケットにファンタジー
Japanese (Romanized): Pocket ni Fantasy
Japanese (TL): Fantasy In The Pocket
Ending Theme for Japanese Version
Japan 22:21 Mezase Pokémon Master Instrumental Episode 43 preview

Dub Music:

Time Track Notes
United States 00:00 Pokémon Theme Opening Theme for the English Dub
United States 01:10 1997-1998-M08 しのびよる影
Japanese (Romanized): Shinobi yoru Kage
Japanese (TL): Sneaking from the Shadows
The group arrives to a town whose name apparently is "Dark City".
United States 02:01 1997-1998-M52 Title Card Title Card
United States 03:41 1997-1998-M17 絶対絶命
Japanese (Romanized): Zettai Zetsumei
Japanese (TL): Desperate Situation
Outside the house, fighting between the two gyms breaks out.
United States 05:21 1997-1998-M20 なんだかんだと聞かれたら…
Japanese (Romanized): Nandakanda to Kikaretara…
Japanese (TL): If You Ask Us About Whatever…
Team Rocket's Motto
United States 05:33 1997-1998-M27 激闘果てしなく~逃げろや逃げろ!
Japanese (Romanized): Nigero ya Nigero!
Japanese (TL): Run Away, Run Away!
Jessie and James send out their Pokémon to attack the restaurant owner.
United States 07:06 1997-1998-M28 Today's Pokémon Curiosity Ash and his friends announce their fake names.
United States 08:26 1997-1998-M67 Wreakin' Havoc Yas Leader tests Ash by suddenly ordering Scyther to attack Pikachu.
United States 09:47 1997-1998-M27 激闘果てしなく~逃げろや逃げろ!
Japanese (Romanized): Nigero ya Nigero!
Japanese (TL): Run Away, Run Away!
Yas Leader orders his underlings to physically beat Ash up with their Pokémon.
United States 10:29 1997-1998-M24 A Creeping Threat Ash makes a flashback to when Scyther attacked his Pikachu and finds out that ketchup infuriated the Pokémon.
United States 11:14 1997-1998 M72B Drums play as the two leaders make a speech to their underlings to attack the opposite faction.
United States 12:39 1997-1998-M56 戦い(VSトレーナー)
Japanese (Romanized): Tatakai (VS Trainer)
Japanese (TL): Battle (VS Trainer)
Fighting begins between the two gyms.
United States 14:31 1997-1998-M15 襲撃!
Japanese (Romanized): Shūgeki!
Japanese (TL): Attack!
Both the leaders' Pokémon attack their owners, due to the red tomato juice that they see in them.
United States 16:29 1997-1998-M01B ~オープニング~
Japanese (Romanized): ~Opening~
Japanese (TL): ~Opening~
Ash orders Pikachu to use Thunder that shocks the two entire factions in the process.
United States 17:08 1997-1998-M62 勝利のバッジゲットだぜ!
Japanese (Romanized): Shouri no Badge, Get da ze!
Japanese (TL): I Got a Victory Badge!
Nurse Joy lectures the two leaders.
United States 18:44 1997-1998-M02 続くったら,続く
Japanese (Romanized): Tsuzukuttara, Tsuzuku
Japanese (TL): To Be Continued
Both the factions unite to repair the damage they had done to the town.
United States 20:13 1997-1998-M67 Wreakin' Havoc Upon seeing the red color, Scyther and Electabuzz attack Team Rocket.
United States 20:41 PokéRAP PokéRAP (Day 2)
United States 21:40 Pokémon Theme Ending Theme for the English Dub

Music Statistics:

Number of Assigned Tracks to the Japanese Original: 22
Number of Assigned Tracks to the English Dub: 19
30 Apr 1998 03:00 AM
AnimeBot Automated Bots
Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Posts: 3088
New episode title(s) has/have been added to the database. Title: Taiketsu! Pokémon Gym!/Showdown at Dark City/たいけつ!ポケモンジム!. Please comment below! Thanks, your friendly PM.Net AnimeBot
17 Sep 2015 11:45 AM
Adamant Administrator
Joined: 12 Jul 2007
Posts: 1310
User Avatar
Summary:
Satoshi's party sets foot in Dark City in the midst of a fierce sandstorm. As one would expect from a city named "Dark", it's completely deserted, with not a single soul to be seen on the main street through the white darkness. Just then, mysterious shadows appear and throw rocks at Satoshi and the others.

Shortly after, in the city's restaurant, the group is told about how there are two Pokémon Gyms in this city that hold Pokémon matches over the title of official Pokémon League Gym with no regard for time and place, and that they involve traveling Trainers in these. This has caused the city to go to ruin; so has Satoshi and his friends now got themselves caught up in the vortex of this dispute as well?

Voice Cast:
Rica Matsumoto: Satoshi
Ikue Ohtani: Pikachu
Mayumi Iizuka: Kasumi
Yuji Ueda: Takeshi
Megumi Hayashibara: Musashi
Shinichiro Miki: Kojiro
Inuko Inuyama: Nyarth
Ayako Shiraishi: Joy
Daiki Nakamura: Yas
Kiyoyuki Yanada: Kaz
Rikako Aikawa: Rokon
Koichi Sakaguchi: Arbo
Wakako Taniguchi: Scout Lady
Unsho Ishizuka: Narration
Last edited 17 Sep 2015 04:25 PM by Adamant