History Recap / PokemonS1E39PikachusGoodbye

* AwardBaitSong: “The Time Has Come”, which plays of various clips between Ash and Pikachu's interactions of previous episodes.

* AwardBaitSong: ''The Time Has Come'', which plays of various clips between Ash and Pikachu's interactions of previous episodes.

* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: This family of wild Pikachu is consisted of Pikachu only, with the young members being smaller sized Pikachu. This was before Pichu was introduced in ''[[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver Gold and Silver]]''. Additionally, this is before Pokémon sexual dimorphism was established in ''[[VideoGame/PokemonRubyAndSapphire Ruby and Sapphire]]'', hence none of the Pikachu have the heart-shaped tailtips of the females.

* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: This family of wild Pikachu is consisted of Pikachu only, with the young members being smaller sized Pikachu. This was before Pichu was introduced in ''[[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver Gold and Silver]]''. Additionally, this is before Pokémon sexual dimorphism was a thing, hence none of the Pikachu have the heart-shaped tailtips of the females.

* WithAFootOnTheBus: Ash is ready to leave Pikachu with the other Pikachu, so he could be happy with his own kind. Pikachu chose to stay with Ash instead, leading to a tearful reunion.

* AmbiguousGender: The little Pikachu that Pikachu befriends is gendered. Is it small because it's a young Pikachu or is small as a {{Tertiary Sexual Characteristic|s}}? This makes Pikachu's interest in it ambiguous--familial or romantic? The loose manga adaptation ''Manga/TheElectricTaleOfPikachu'' went with the latter adaptation and made it a female LoveInterest.

* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: This family of wild Pikachu is only consisted of Pikachu only, with the young members being smaller sized Pikachu. This was before Pichu was introduced in ''[[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver Gold and Silver]]''. Additionally, this is before Pokémon sexual dimorphism was a thing, hence none of the Pikachu have the heart-shaped tailtips of the females.

-->'''James:''' All of this land is public proerty!\\

* WithAFootOnTheBus: Ash is ready to leave Pikachu with the other Pikachu, so he could be happy with his own kind. Pikachu chose to stay with Ash instead, leading to a tearful reunion.

'''Meowth: So that means these Pikachu are technically ours!

* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: This family of wild Pikachu is only consisted of Pikachu only, with the young members being smaller sized Pikachu. This was before Pichu was introduced in [[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver Gold and Silver]]. Additionally, this is before Pokemon sexual dimorphism was a thing, hence none of the Pikachu have the heart-shaped tailtips of the females.

--> "All of this land is public proerty!"
--> "And ''we're'' part of the public!"
--> "So that means these Pikachu are technically ours!"

!!Japanese Title: Forest of Pikachu
!!!Original Airdate: April 16th, 1998
!!!US Airdate: November 20th, 1998

Misty and Brock continue to journey with Ash as he seeks to become a Pokémon Master. Passing through a beautiful forest, the three of them stop for a rest. As they enjoy the restful mood, Pikachu notices something staring at them from the shadows of the bush around them. Realizing that they are being watched by a group of wild Pikachu, Pikachu bounds after them into the woods. Paying no heed to Ash's call, Pikachu runs further and further into the wild unknown. Though they seem frightened at first, the group eventually opens up to Pikachu and they play together as friends. Will the group be as receptive to Ash when he makes his presence known?

!!Tropes

!!Original Title: Forest of Pikachu

* LeaningOnTheFourthWall: James thanking all the fans for their support can be seen as the producers thanking Pokémon fans for their support after the Porygon incident.

* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: This family of wild Pikachu is only consisted of Pikachu only, with the young members being smaller sized Pikachu. This was before Pichu was introduced in [[VideoGame/PokemonGoldAndSilver Gold and Silver]].

* EyeCatch: This episode, the ''Who's That Pokémon'' is Pikachu, even going as far to show Ash's Pikachu and a smaller sized Pikachu in the original.

* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: This family of wild Pikachu is only consisted of Pikachu only, with the young members being smaller sized Pikachu. This was before Pichu was introduced in Gold and Silver.

!!!US Airdate: November 20th, 1999

!!!Original Airdate: April 16, 1998