Japanese Title: Start of Pokémon Summer School!!
Original Airdate: August 7, 2008
US Airdate: January 3, 2009
Ash, Pikachu, Dawn, and Brock find themselves rushing toward a building where it is revealed to be the Pokemon Summer Academy led by Professor Rowan.
This episode has the following tropes:
- The Bus Came Back: Conway makes his return in this episode being a major character during the Summer Academy arc thanks to his popularity.
- Lady Looks Like a Dude: Angie gave off this impression towards Ash who was caught off-guard when she revealed that she was a girl.
- Nervous Wreck: The Raichu that Ash was assigned to was incredibly nervous and would often use Dig to hide itself (or shock Ash as a reflex). However, once Ash helped to build its confidence, Raichu is no longer this.
- Pet the Dog: While the other students weren't too fond of Grimer especially it's stench, Dawn, however, didn't mind it at all even finding it
cute. - The Rival: Angie effectively serves as this for Ash during this arc especially how the two got off on the wrong foot.
- To a lesser extent, Conway serves as this to the group due to being on a different team than them (mainly towards Dawn).
- Jessie as Jessilina is also this but while Conway serves as a more friendly (abet creepy) rival, Jessie is most definitely the unfriendly one.
- Running Gag: Ash, once again, mistook a girl for a guy.
- Story Arc: This is the first episode of the four-part Pokemon Summer Academy arc.
- Throw the Dog a Bone: In a sense, Jessie finally gets to use a Smoochum for herself.
- Ugly Cute: Despite being assigned to a Grimer, Dawn found it very cute especially how affectionate it is in return.
- Villains Out Shopping: Team Rocket decide to, for once, not cause any trouble and enjoy the summer academy alongside the twerps. Jessie directly takes part in it becoming the leader of the green team while James and Meowth serve as the cooks.
