Japanese Title: Dance! Pokémon Showboat!
Original Airdate: April 1st, 1999
US Airdate: February 12, 2000
The one where... People voice act Pokémon in Pokémon plays.
Ash, Misty, and Tracey buy tickets to the Pokémon Showboat, a wonderful carnival where Pokémon can speak and perform plays! A young actress from the performance has been having problems with her Raichu ever since it shocked her early in their relationship. Ash and Pikachu may be able to help. Of course, they'll have to deal with Team Rocket first, as they attempt to steal all the talking Pokémon.
Tropes
- Cross Counter: The theater that Ash and his friends watch in the beginning has this happen during the boxing match between Hitmonchan and Machoke, with Machoke being the one to collapse in defeat.
- Diegetic Soundtrack Usage: The finale of the showboat performance features a kickline set to the opening theme.
- Leaning on the Fourth Wall: Ash notes how hard it is to get the Mouth Flaps right.
- Missing Episode: Despite its minor role, Jynx’s presence in this episode means it is no longer officially available.
- Shout-Out: Kay tries to get Raichu to lip sync to The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.
- Suddenly Voiced: Averted. The talking Pokémon are lip synching to human speech.
