Japanese Title: Back in Masara Town
Original Airdate: September 30th, 1999
US Airdate: October 7th, 2000
The one where... Team Rocket puts on a circus.
Ash returns home, where he is pleasantly surprised by an old friend. Unfortunately he faces a new trial, as Team Rocket has besieged the famous Oak Laboratory and captured all the Pokéballs there.
Tropes
- Big Damn Heroes: Gary shows up at the end to stop Team Rocket.
- The Bus Came Back: Brock is found back in the Ketchum household.
- Jumped at the Call: Muk volunteers himself rather enthusiastically to face Team Rocket.
- Noodle Incident: Whatever happened to Brock that made him leave Valencia Island, he's certainly not telling. Any offhand mention of Professor Ivy would suddenly have him curl up into a ball and say "That name". Even Meowth got too curious to find out what happened.
- Squee: Tracey really hopes that Professor Oak likes his drawings.