Home / Episode Guide / Road to the Pokémon League/The Path to the Pokemon League/ポケモンリーグへのみち
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Titles and Airdates

Titles

  • United States The Path to the Pokémon League
  • Japan ポケモンリーグへのみち
  • Japan Pokémon League e no michi
  • Japan Road to the Pokémon League
  • Germany Harte Schale – weicher Kern
  • France Le chemin qui mène à la Ligue Pokémon
  • Spain El camino hacia la Liga Pokémon
  • Sweden Vägen till Pokémon Ligan
  • Italy Il viaggio verso la Lega Pokémon
  • Mexico ¡El Camino a la Liga Pokémon!
  • Finland Matkalla Pokémon-liigaan
  • Taiwan 邁向神奇寶貝的擂台之路
  • Hungary A Pokémon-liga
  • Poland Droga do Ligi Pokémon
  • Netherlands Op Weg naar het Pokémon Kampioenschap
  • Brazil O Caminho para a Liga Pokémon
  • Israel הדרך לליגת הפוקימונים
  • Czechia Cesta do pokémonové ligy
  • Norway Veien til Pokémon-ligaen
  • Denmark Vejen Til Pokémon Ligaen
  • Greece Ο Δρόμος για το Πρωτάθλημα Πόκεμον
  • Portugal O Caminho para a Liga Pokémon
  • Russia Путь в лигу покемонов

Airdates

Staff List

OP/ED List

めざせポケモンマスター
Aim To Be A Pokémon Master
ひゃくごじゅういち
Hyakugojūichi
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
Screenplay
脚本
Storyboard
絵コンテ
Episode Director
演出
Animation Director
作画監督
Summary
On their way to Vermilion City, Misty suggests that they check out the gorgeous cruise liner, the St. Anne while there. Brock also explains that there is a gym there as well and Ash excited as ever marches along faster. Misty yells to Ash that there are a lot of trainers around the area they are currently in but that doesn't phase Ash in the slightest.

Ash battles ten trainers in a row, winning all them. The 10th battle was against a beginning trainer with a Rattata who was easily defeated by Ash's Pigeotto. The trainer tells Ash that he is quite strong and Ash flashes his two gym badges attached to his vest which Misty comments that the only reason he has any badges is out of pity.

The trainer suggests that Ash might be strong enough to beat A.J. Ash and his friends arrive outside an unauthorized Pokémon League gym and Misty notices that the sign says he has won 98 straight battles. A.J. arrives and asks Ash if he is planning to challenge him and that's when the trouble starts.

A.J. invites them into the gym for a match and asks Ash and his friends which one of them was going to battle him and lose. Ash quickly takes up the challenge. A.J. sends out his Sandshrew and Ash counters with his Pigeotto realizing that flying should have the advantage after Misty explains to him that Pikachu's electric moves would be useless.

The battle starts and it is quite apparent that A.J.'s Sandshrew is quite strong as it jumps into the air and is able to hit a flying Pigeotto. Ash recalls Pigeotto and switches it with Butterfree. Ash tells it to use Stun Spore but with the crack of a whip Sandslash has already taken out Butterfree.

Mad that his two Pokemon were easily defeated, Ash tries to force Pikachu into the match by it obviously doesn't want to battle after seeing what had just transpired. Pikachu shocks Ash and temporarily paralyzes him in the process. A.J. declares himself the winner by stating he has won his 99th straight battle.

Ash quickly challenges him to a rematch outside but Misty and Brock dicuss that Ash is getting carried away again noting A.J. is quite strong. A.J. goes inside and the cracks of a whip and yelling are head which raises the attention of Ash and his friends.

Ash peaks inside to see A.J. getting mad at his Sandshrew and and quickly takes exception and tackles him into the pool after seeing him force it into the water. A.J. gets mad at Ash and explains that Sandshrew could possibly be the only Sandshrew in the world that can stand water.

A.J. returns to training his Pokemon and Brock notices that all his Pokemon look quite strong. Being a Breeder, Brock realized that A.J. must make his own Pokemon food. A.J. is happy someone noticed and shows them all the different food blends he has created.

Meanwhile outside the Gym, Team Rocket is starting to put their latest plan into action. During A.J.'s training break, Team Rocket infiltrates the Gym disguised as a Pokeball and captures Sandshrew. When the training resumes, A.J. notices his Sandshrew is missing and tells his Pokemon to go looking for it.

After a few minutes of carrying Sandshrew, James gets tired and suggests Jessie should carry it. Jessie counters by saying that girls shouldn't have to do the physical work and Sandshrew escapes into the ground with Meowth bitting on it tail. Moments later, Sandshrew returns to the Gym and Ash and his friends see Meowth came with it as well. Meowth scratches Ash's face just as Jessie and James arrive.

Jessie and James target has changed and they are once again after Pikachu telling A.J. that his Pokemon are weak. He takes exception to their remark and challenges them to a battle. He sends out Sandshrew again while Jessie sends out Ekans and James sends out Koffings.

Sandshrew proves to be too powerful for them and causes Ekans, Koffings and Meowth to flee the battle while Jessie and James chase after them. A.J. wins his 100th straight battle and decides that its time for him to start his badge journey.

Vowing to return to the Gym one day after he has become a Pokemon Master, A.J. says goodbye to his new rival Ash as he starts on his journey with his Pokemon.

English Official Summary

On the way to Vermillion City, Ash meets AJ, a Gym Leader at an unsanctioned Gym who has 98 wins and zero losses. They battle, and Ash is surprised that AJ's Ground-type Sandshrew can easily beat his Flying-type Pokémon. (Flying-type Pokémon are usually strong against Ground-type Pokémon.) Ash and his friends later see that AJ puts his Pokémon through very tough training—he makes his Sandshrew, normally weak to Water-type attacks, train in a swimming pool! Although Ash doesn't approve of the intensive training session, Brock is impressed. Ash begs for a rematch, but AJ refuses. The two argue a bit and when they fall into the pool, AJ's Sandshrew goes missing. Are AJ's training methods too tough? Will Ash get his rematch? And what happened to AJ's Sandshrew?

French Official Summary

Alors qu'il se rend à Carmin sur Mer, Sacha rencontre Albert, le Champion d'une Arène officieuse, qui compte 98 victoires et aucune défaite à son actif. Ils s'affrontent et, à la grande surprise de Sacha, le Sabelette de type Sol d'Albert bat facilement son Pokémon de type Vol.

German Official Summary

Auf dem Weg nach Orania City trifft Ash auf A.J., den Arenaleiter einer nicht eingetragenen Arena. A.J. hat bereits 98 Mal gewonnen und nicht einmal verloren. Die beiden kämpfen und Ash ist vollkommen verdattert, weil A.J.s Boden-Pokémon Sandan sein Flug-Pokémon mühelos besiegt.

Italian Official Summary

Dopo aver ottenuto la sua seconda Medaglia, Ash si dirige ad Aranciopoli. Lungo la strada sente parlare di A.J. - un Allenatore che si fregia di ben 98 vittorie consecutive, pieno di fiducia in sé, Ash lo sfida!

Portuguese Official Summary

Após ganhar sua segunda insígnia, Ash parte para a Cidade de Vermilion. No caminho, ele ouve falar de A.J, um Treinador prestes a conseguir 100 vitórias seguidas. Cheio de confiança, Ash desafia este temível Treinador!

Finnish Official Summary

Voitettuaan toisen merkkinsä Ash lähtee voitonriemuisena kohti Vermilion Cityä. Matkan varrella hän kuulee kouluttajasta nimeltä AJ,  joka on saamaisillaan 100 voittoa peräjälkeen. Itsevarmana Ash haastaan hurjan kouluttajan!

Spanish Latin America Official Summary

Luego de ganar su segunda medalla, Ash parte triunfal hacia Ciudad Carmín. En el camino escucha acerca de AJ, un Entrenador a punto de conseguir 100 victorias seguidas. ¡Lleno de confianza, Ash reta a este temible Entrenador!

Spanish Official Summary

De camino a Ciudad Carmín, Ash se encuentra con A.J., un Líder de Gimnasio en un Gimnasio no autorizado que cuenta con 98 victorias y cero derrotas. Luchan, y a Ash le resulta sorprendente que el Sandshrew de tipo Tierra de A.J. pueda ganar fácilmente a su Pokémon de tipo Volador.

English Great Britain Official Summary

On the way to Vermillion City, Ash meets AJ, a Gym Leader at an unsanctioned Gym who has 98 wins and zero losses. They battle, and Ash is surprised that AJ's Ground-type Sandshrew can easily beat his Flying-type Pokémon. (Flying-type Pokémon are usually strong against Ground-type Pokémon.) Ash and his friends later see that AJ puts his Pokémon through very tough training—he makes his Sandshrew, normally weak to Water-type attacks, train in a swimming pool! Although Ash doesn't approve of the intensive training session, Brock is impressed. Ash begs for a rematch, but AJ refuses. The two argue a bit and when they fall into the pool, AJ's Sandshrew goes missing. Are AJ's training methods too tough? Will Ash get his rematch? And what happened to AJ's Sandshrew?

Dutch Official Summary

Met zijn tweede badge op zak vertrekt Ash naar Vermillion City. Onderweg hoort hij over AJ, een Trainer die op het punt staat om honderd overwinningen op rij te behalen. Vol vertrouwen daagt Ash deze geduchte Trainer uit.

Norwegian Official Summary

Med sin andre badge, drar Ash triumferende videre til Vermilion City. På veien får han høre om AJ, en Trainer som har vunnet nesten 100 kamper på rad. Stolt og selvsikker, utfordrer Ash denne fryktinngytende Treneren!

Swedish Official Summary

Efter att han fått sin andra Badge beger sig Ash triumferande mot Vermilion City. På vägen hör han talas om AJ, Tränaren som snart vunnit 100 segrar på raken. Full av självförtroende utmanar Ash den skräckinjagande Tränaren!

Danish Official Summary

Da Ash har vundet sit andet Badge, tager han fuld af sejrsvilje af sted mod Vermilion City. På vejen hører han om Træneren AJ, som snart har vundet 100 sejre i træk. Fuld af selvtillid udfordrer Ash den frygtløse Træner!

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 Ash's Pidgeotto
  • Japan サトシのピジョン
  • Japan Satoshi no Pigeon
  • Japan Satoshi's Pigeon
Character Thumbnail
  • United States Brock
  • Japan タケシ
  • Japan Takeshi
  • Japan Takeshi
Character Thumbnail
  • United States Meowth
  • Japan ニャース
  • Japan Nyarth
  • Japan Nyarth
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 James's Koffing
  • Japan コジロウのドガース
  • Japan Kojirō no Dogas
  • Japan Kojiro's Dogas
Character Thumbnail
  • United States Jessie's Ekans
  • Japan ムサシのアーボ
  • Japan Musashi no Arbo
  • Japan Musashi's Arbo
Character Thumbnail
  • United States Ash's Butterfree
  • Japan サトシのバタフリー
  • Japan Satoshi no Butterfree
  • Japan Satoshi's Butterfree
Character Thumbnail
  • United States A.J.
  • Japan アキラ
  • Japan Akira
  • Japan Akira
Character Thumbnail
  • United States A.J.'s Butterfree
  • Japan アキラのバタフリー
  • Japan Akira no Butterfree
  • Japan Akira's Butterfree
Character Thumbnail
  • United States A.J.'s Sandshrew
  • Japan アキラのサンド
  • Japan Akira no Sand
  • Japan Akira's Sand
Character Thumbnail
  • United States A.J.'s Rattata
  • Japan アキラのコラッタ
  • Japan Akira no Koratta
  • Japan Akira's Koratta
Character Thumbnail
  • United States A.J.'s Beedrill
  • Japan アキラのスピアー
  • Japan Akira no Spear
  • Japan Akira's Spear

Wild Pokémon

Pokémon Thumbnail
  • United States Rattata
  • Japan コラッタ
  • Japan Koratta
Pokémon Thumbnail
  • United States Sandshrew
  • Japan サンド
  • Japan Sand
03:02

Paint Edit

The sign outside A.J.'s gym is translated into English. In English it states: "A.J.'s GYM UNDEFEATED!! NOTE: GYM NOT SANCTIONED BY POKEMON LEAGUE". In Japanese, it is slightly different. Welcome to Akira's Gym (ただいま アキラのジム) & Gym unauthorized by the Pokémon League (ポケモンリーグ非公認ジム). The English scoreboard added a loss column which the original Japanese version did not have.
08:39

Paint Edit

As Ash goes to find out what all the noise coming from Akira's tent is, a sign is shown. In Japanese it state: Justice in victory! Love in strength! (勝利こそ正義!強さこそ愛!) In the English dub, the text is replaced with just a picture of a whip hitting a PokéBall.
09:54

Culture Reference

Both Satoshi and Ash call out Akira/A.J. for his training methods but the wording is very different due to it originally being an untranslatable pun followed by a pop culture reference. Satoshi accuses Akira of using Sand (サンド) as a sandbag (サンドバッグ), or punching bag. Pikachu then holds up a zabuton as a reference to the Japanese comedy show Shōten (笑点), in which people are rewarded with a zabuton for telling funny jokes. This is changed to Ash referencing A.J.'s earlier comment about Sandshrew's "pacing" (making a pun on it and "passing"), and after Pikachu holds up the zabuton he stumbles over his own words and says "padding".

Ash: Hey, wait, I thought you said pacing, not passing! Huh? I said padding, I mean, I said pacing.
Satoshi: Stop it! You think Sand is some kind of sandbag? Huh? A zabuton? Is this the time to play around?
(サトシ): やめろ! サンドをサンドバッグにする気か? あ? 座布団1枚? 遊んでる場合か!
20:46

Paint Edit

As the group leaves towards Vermilion City, the sign appears again, but this time the score changed to indicate A.J.'s 100th win.
11:39

Who's that Pokémon Indigo League

11:59

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 01:28 1997-1998-M01 ~オープニング~
Japanese (Romanized): ~Opening~
Japanese (TL): ~Opening~
Music begins after opening theme at the beginning of the episode.
Japan 02:00 1997-1998-M52 Title Card Kanto Title Card music
Japan 02:16 1997-1998-M32 ファンファーレ ポケモンゲット
Japanese (Romanized): Fanfare Pokémon Get
Japanese (TL): Fanfare - Got a Pokémon
Satoshi beats the Rattata trainer and does a victory pose as the fanfare plays.
Japan 02:30 1997-1998-M28 Today's Pokémon Curiosity Satoshi shows off his badges
Japan 03:33 1997-1998-M08 しのびよる影
Japanese (Romanized): Shinobi yoru Kage
Japanese (TL): Sneaking from the Shadows
The gates to Akira's facility begin to open as the music starts.
Japan 05:06 1997-1998-M13 戦い(VS野生ポケモン)
Japanese (Romanized): Tatakai (VS yasei Pokémon)
Japanese (TL): Battle (VS Wild Pokémon)
Akira sends out Sand as the battle music begins.
Japan 07:03 1997-1998-M26 ロケット団隠密作戦
Japanese (Romanized): Rocket-dan Onmitsu Sakusen
Japanese (TL): The Rocket Gang's Secret Schemes
Rocket Gang looks on through their binoculars as Satoshi looses the battle.
Japan 08:40 1997-1998-M25 You Have to Earn Respect Akira training his Pokemon
Japan 10:23 1997-1998-M45 Safe and Sound (Reunion Sample) Akira and Sand show their training vision
Japan 11:18 1997-1998-M26 ロケット団隠密作戦
Japanese (Romanized): Rocket-dan Onmitsu Sakusen
Japanese (TL): The Rocket Gang's Secret Schemes
Rocket Gang gets their supplies ready.
Japan 12:00 1997-1998-M53 Eyecatch A Kanto Eyecatch - Dare da
Japan 12:09 1997-1998-M54 Eyecatch B Sand!
Japan 13:05 1997-1998-M28 Today's Pokémon Curiosity Team Rocket roll around
Japan 14:48 1997-1998-M29 Not Another Argument! Rocket Gang escapes with the goods
Japan 15:46 1997-1998-M09 再会
Japanese (Romanized): Saikai
Japanese (TL): Reunion
Sand returns to Akira.
Japan 16:45 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 17:55 1997-1998-M13 戦い(VS野生ポケモン)
Japanese (Romanized): Tatakai (VS yasei Pokémon)
Japanese (TL): Battle (VS Wild Pokémon)
Musashi and Kojiro send out Arbo and Dogas to battle.
Japan 19:42 Fanfare - Theme 6 - Sound Ideas Series 4000 Akira gets to his 100th win
Japan 19:56 1997-1998-M04 出会いと別れと
Japanese (Romanized): Deai to Wakare to
Japanese (TL): Meeting and Parting
Music plays as Akira closes the gates and heads off on a journey.
Japan 20:59 ひゃくごじゅういち
Japanese (Romanized): Hyakugojūichi
Japanese (TL): One Hundred Fifty-One
Ending theme for Japanese Version.
Japan 22:19 Mezase Pokémon Master Instrumental Episode 9 preview

Dub Music:

Time Track Notes
United States 00:00 Pokémon Theme Opening Theme for the English Dub
United States 01:07 1997-1998-M01 ~オープニング~
Japanese (Romanized): ~Opening~
Japanese (TL): ~Opening~
Music begins after opening theme at the beginning of the episode.
United States 01:39 1997-1998-M52 Title Card Kanto Title Card music
United States 04:44 1997-1998-M13 戦い(VS野生ポケモン)
Japanese (Romanized): Tatakai (VS yasei Pokémon)
Japanese (TL): Battle (VS Wild Pokémon)
A.J. sends out Sandshrew as the battle music begins.
United States 16:24 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 17:33 1997-1998-M13 戦い(VS野生ポケモン)
Japanese (Romanized): Tatakai (VS yasei Pokémon)
Japanese (TL): Battle (VS Wild Pokémon)
Jessie and James send out Ekans and Koffing to battle.
United States 20:43 PokéRAP PokéRAP (Day 3)
United States 21:44 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: 8
20 May 1997 03:00 AM
AnimeBot Automated Bots
Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Posts: 3088
New episode title(s) has/have been added to the database. Title: The Path to the Pokemon League/Pokémon League e no michi/ポケモンリーグへのみち. Please comment below! Thanks, your friendly PM.Net AnimeBot
28 Oct 2009 06:20 AM
Sunain Administrator
Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Posts: 1190
User Avatar
A.J. always seemed to be too hard on his Pokemon but at least in the end he showed that he liked his Pokemon even though he had a rigorous training routine for them. A decent episode, though I find it hard to believe that a normal trainer could have 100 straight wins against normal trainers of similar abilities. Fighting weaker opponents isn't much of a win.
Administrator of PocketMonsters.net
28 Oct 2009 06:47 PM
Adamant Administrator
Joined: 12 Jul 2007
Posts: 1310
User Avatar
If that other random trainer from this episode (not to mention the other 9 trainers Satoshi mentioned beating) is any indication, this area wasn't exactly populated with expert battlers, so Akira's victory streak is believable enough, if not too impressive.
07 Nov 2012 07:40 PM
Joined: 05 Nov 2012
Posts: 9
Pieces Kept:
1997-1998-M01: ~Opening~
1997-1998-M52
Battle (VS Wild Pokémon)
If You Ask Us About Whatever...
Battle (VS Wild Pokémon)
13 Jan 2014 11:05 AM
Adamant Administrator
Joined: 12 Jul 2007
Posts: 1310
User Avatar
Summary:
Having got his second badge, Satoshi proudly sets off towards his next destination, Kuchiba City, alongside his friends. On the way, they hear rumors of a Trainer called Akira the Beast Tamer, who is said to have never lost a Pokémon showdown.

Satoshi, who has just had 10 straight wins, thinks of him as just another opponent, and heads to his Gym. When they reach the Gym, they see a sign calling it an "Unofficial Pokémon Gym" in huge letters, as well as a giant electronic billboard stating "Currently 98 straight wins" with abnormal confidence. Akira tells them he is is just on the verge of his goal, 100 straight wins, and that he'll be leaving on a journey to gather Pokémon Badges once he does.

Who will be victorious in the match between the 10-streak Satoshi and the 98-streak Akira?

Voice Cast:
Rica Matsumoto: Satoshi
Ikue Ohtani: Pikachu
Mayumi Iizuka: Kasumi
Yuji Ueda: Takeshi
Megumi Hayashibara: Musashi
Shinichiro Miki: Kojiro
Inuko Inuyama: Nyarth
Nobuyuki Hiyama: Akira
Tomoko Kotani: Boy
Rikako Aikawa: Butterfree
Koichi Sakaguchi: Arbo
Unsho Ishizuka: Narration
Last edited 13 Jan 2014 11:07 AM by Adamant