51. Bulbasaur's Mysterious Garden
Air date: 1998-07-02 · 22 min
During a battle, the bulb on Bulbasaur's back begins to glow. They rush it to the Pokemon Center where Nurse joy tells them that Bulbasaur is getting ready to evolve. Soon after Bulbasaur leaves its bed and is taken by other Bulbasaur to the mysterious garden where the Bulbasaur evolve into Ivysaur. They follow it to the garden where a Venusaur appears to start the ceremony. The rest of the Bulbasaur evolve, but Ash's refuses to. Venusaur and Ivysaur get mad and try to punish it, but Ash steps in the way. Then Team Rocket shows up, and they want Ivysaur and Venusaur.
Open episode 51 ↗52. Princess vs. Princess
Air date: 1998-07-09 · 22 min
It is Princess Day, the day when there are incredible discounts in the malls, and all sorts of events and activities, but only for girls. Just after having gone shopping and buying a present to get on the boss' good side, Jessie encounters a Lickitung. The Lickitung eats everything Jessie had bought, and so she captures it. When Jessie and Misty hear about a competition where girls can enter to win a set of Pokemon dolls they both decide to compete for the ultimate prize.
Open episode 52 ↗53. The Purr-Fect Hero
Air date: 1998-07-09 · 22 min
On the way to the next gym, Ash and friends arrive a school on what just happens to be Children's day. However, the people who were suppose to visit the school are not able to make it. Ash, Misty, and Brock decide to let them play with their pokemon to make up for it. Then, Team Rocket shows up as magicians and try to steal Pikachu. However, they end up capturing one of the students, Timmy, instead. Timmy, who was once saved by a Meowth from a Beedrill, becomes obsessed with Meowth, thinking it is the same one. Team Rocket decide to take advantage of this and send Timmy and Meowth back to the school, where Meowth can not talk and blow his cover while he tries to capture Pikachu.
Open episode 53 ↗54. The Case of the K-9 Caper!
Air date: 1998-07-16 · 22 min
While traveling through the forest, the group see who they think is a thief. Ash sends Pikachu after it, but Pikachu is scared because he holds a gun. When a Growlithe comes by to knock the gun out of it's hand, Pikachu goes. They are all stopped because he isn't a thief, but a police officer training the K-9 police squad. Ash wants to have them train Pikachu, but doesn't realize he must go, too. Officer Jenny then drills Ash morning til night and he becomes exhausted. Team Rocket then busts into the school and uses a special gas to confuse the pokemon and alter Ash, Misty, Brock, and Officer Jenny's voices. They then use megaphones that project Ash, Misty, Brock, and Officer Jenny's real voices. Now the Pokemon can't tell where their trainers really are, and Team Rocket plans to use this to steal Pikachu.
Open episode 54 ↗55. Pokémon Paparazzi
Air date: 1998-07-23 · 22 min
As Ash and the group continue on their way, they notice a boy trying to take a picture of Pikachu. The boy, whose name is Todd, invites them to his place for pancakes and he tries to get a picture of Pikachu. However, Team Rocket has hired him because he says he can "capture" any pokemon. However, he means capture them on film. Later on Team Rocket finds out about this and they decide to get revenge and capture Pikachu themselves, and get rid of Todd
Open episode 55 ↗56. The Ultimate Test
Air date: 1998-07-30 · 22 min
While everyone is eating lunch, Misty mentions that it has been a while since Ash received a gym badge. Todd then tells Ash about a test that he can take that will allow him to enter the Pokemon League if he passes it. Everyone heads over to the building and Ash enters, and Jessie and James (in disguises) also enter. However, the test turns out to be harder then they thought, and Jessie quits during the first part. When it comes time to battle with random pokemon that obey whoever uses them, Team Rocket come up with a plan to capture all of the pokemon and Pikachu!
Open episode 56 ↗57. The Breeding Center Secret
Air date: 1998-08-06 · 22 min
Stopping in a town on the way to Cinnabar Island, Ash and friends see a commercial for a Breeding Center and decide to check it out. Misty decides to leave Psyduck there. Afterwords, they find a restaurant where the chef will give a free buffet meal to anyone who can show him his favorite pokemon, which just happens to be Psyduck. Everyone the races back to the Breeding Center to get it. However, it is closed. After sneaking in the back, they discover that the people who run it are Butch and Cassidy, another duo from Team Rocket and they plan to send all of the pokemon to Giovanni. After trying to escape, everyone (including Jessie and James who were trying to steal some of the pokemon) are sent to jail except Misty, Pikachu, and Togepi. Now those three must find a way to prove them innocent and save Psyduck and all the other pokemon.
Open episode 57 ↗58. Riddle Me This
Air date: 1998-08-13 · 22 min
Ash and friends finally make it to Cinnabar Island, but are saddened to see that the gym has been closed because the island is now a tourist destination. They try to find a place to stay, but every place is packed. They finally find a room at a hotel run by a man who loves riddles. While in the hot spring, they end up discovering an entrance into the volcano, which leads them to a battlefield. The old man appears and reveals himself to be Blaine, the leader of the Cinnabar Gym. Ash challenges him and he accepts, but this match will be way more then Ash expected.
Open episode 58 ↗59. Vocanic Panic
Air date: 1998-08-20 · 22 min
Pikachu was able to dodge Magmar's attack, but just by an inch and is now hanging from the edge of the battlefield. Before anything worse happens, Ash forfeits. He takes Pikachu to the hot spring to heal it, and is trying to come up with ways to beat Blaine. Meanwhile, Team Rocket enters the battlefield to capture Magmar, but when Magmar is unaffected by their freeze guns, they proceed to freeze the entire area. This causes the volcano to become really unstable. Now Ash, Misty, Brock, and Blaine must stop the volcano from erupting, and Ash must still figure out a way to battle and defeat Blaine.
Open episode 59 ↗60. Beach Blank-Out Blastoise
Air date: 1998-08-27 · 22 min
Ash and friends are running to catch the last ferry off of Cinnibar Island, and just as they are approaching the ferry, they collide with a Wartortle. Wartortle talks with Ash's Squirtle and the two race off the island. Everyone follows them and they wind up on an island that is a haven for Squirtle and Wartortle and they are protected and led by a Blastoise. However, Blastoise has fallen asleep and will not wake up, and Ash and friends decide to help figure out what is wrong. Meanwhile, Team Rocket is planning on steal the Blastoise.
Open episode 60 ↗61. The Misty Mermaid
Air date: 1998-09-03 · 22 min
On the way to Viridian City, Misty notices that Horsea isn't feeling well. She decides to take Horsea back to the Cerulean City Gym to get a chance to swim around in their bigger pool. Her sisters get an idea to generate publicity for the gym by having an underwater ballet. To everyone's surprise, they picked Misty to be the star of the show. She reluctantly agrees and the ballet begins perfectly. However, Team Rocket have stolen the villain outfits from Violet and Lily and are planning on crashing the ballet in order to capture the pokemon they are using.
Open episode 61 ↗62. Clefairy Tales
Air date: 1998-09-10 · 22 min
In Viridian City, Ash and friends are enjoying Ice Cream when a Clefairy comes and steals their backpacks. They report this to Officer Jenny, who tells them this has happened to more people as well. They then meey a guy names Oswald, and they follow the Clefairy down city pipes to find a spaceship underground! The Clefairy are stealing stuff in order to repair the ship. While Brock goes to get Officer Jenny, the other decide to sneak on the ship and retrieve the stolen stuff.
Open episode 62 ↗63. The Battle of the Badge
Air date: 1998-09-17 · 22 min
Ash arrives at the Viridian Gym and is ready to head inside when Gary shows up. Gary brags about how many badges he has and goes inside the gym before Ash can. Inside Gary is having an easy time battling the Gym Leader until he brings out a pokemon that can't be identified, and uses it to beat Gary. Meanwhile, Togepi gets separated from the group and everyone goes searching for it. Togepi ends up with Team Rocket who deliver it to Giovanni, who wants nothing to do with it. He is then called away on important business and leaves the gym in the care of Jessie, James, and Meowth and hands them pokemon to use. Ash and the others arrive back at the gym only to discover that Togepi is inside. Once inside they find Gary and wake him up and they talk about what happened. Team Rocket then shows up for a battle with Ash. He agrees to a gym battle, but it may have some shocking consequences if he makes a wrong move.
Open episode 63 ↗64. It's Mr. Mimie Time
Air date: 1998-09-24 · 22 min
On the way to Pallet Town, Ash and friends run across Stella, a girl who is trying to get her Mr. Mime to obey her so she can properly perform her circus routines. Mr. Mime is lazy and wants nothing to do with her or the circus. Because of this, Ash and friends decide to help her out (and Ash reluctantly end up in a Mr. Mime outfit) Then, Team Rocket show up and take Ash, thinking him to Mr. Mime. Knowing Ash will be ok, Delia takes Misty and Brock her house where another Mr. Mime shows up. Thinking it is Ash, Delia puts it to work, that is until Ash shows up. Team Rocket then return to try and take the Mr. Mime.
Open episode 64 ↗65. Holiday Hi-Jynx
Air date: 1998-10-05 · 22 min
Jessie is convinced that Santa stole a doll from here when she was younger and wants revenge and comes up with a plan to get it back. Meanwhile, Ash, Misty, and Brock encounter a Jynx who wants to get back to Santa at the North Pole. They decide to help it but Team Rocket's plan could pose some trouble for them.
Open episode 65 ↗66. Snow Way Out
Air date: 1998-10-05 · 22 min
Continuing on their way to the next town, Ash and friends come to a fork in the road. Ash rushes down one path and ends up almost falling of the mountain. His compass does not work and he is now lost and can not find Misty and Brock, so he must make his way off of the mountain, and survive the terrible blizzard. Meanwhile, Team Rocket is stuck in the bad weather and are stuck in igloo. Jessie is enjoying this however, remembering her childhood and all the things she used to do with her mother.
Open episode 66 ↗67. Showdown at the Po-ké Corral
Air date: 1998-10-08 · 22 min
Ash has finally returned home to Pallet Town. With the Pokemon League still a few months away, he decides to visit Professor Oak. However, his rival Gary is also there. After compared their Pokedexes, it turns out that while ash has seen more Pokemon, Gary has captured more, which upsets Ash. Everyone then decides to spend the day seeing what Professor Oak does each day at the lab. Meanwhile, Team rocket have found their way into the lab's reserve and are planning to steal all the Pokemon!
Open episode 67 ↗68. The Evolution Solution
Air date: 1998-10-15 · 22 min
Delia, Misty, and Brock leave Ash behind in Pallet Town while they head to Seafoam Island for a vacation. When goes looking for them at Oak's lab, he learns that Professor Oak is trying to figure out the secrets of Slowpoke's evolution. Oak then suggests that Ash should go visit Professor Westwood, the creator of the Pokedex and find out. Ash heads out and surprises they other when he arrives. They head to Westwood's lab where they follow him around as he also studies Slowpoke. Meanwhile, Giovanni is tired of Team Rocket's failures and commands them to go and steal the Pokemon from Westwood's lab.
Open episode 68 ↗69. The Pi-Kahuna
Air date: 1998-10-22 · 22 min
While jogging on Seafoam Island, Ash becomes blinded and accidentally causes a traffic mess. Officer Jenny comes along and clears it, and tells everyone about the high tourist traffic is due to the huge tidal wave that is due to hit the island soon "Humunga Dunga". Ash and friends go surfing, and while surfing Ash's foot cramps up and he starts to pass out. He is saved by a man named Victor and his Pikachu "Puka". Ash thanks hims and Victor tells everyone how everyone who rides Humunga Dunga tries to place a flag on the giant rock that sits off shore, as well as the story about his hero, Jan, who is the only one to ride the wave to the top of the rock and place a flag on it. Victor dreams of also doing this. Team Rocket then shows up and steals the two Pikachu's and try to retreat to sea. now they must get they Pikachu's back, as well as get ready for the big wave that is approaching.
Open episode 69 ↗70. Make Room for Gloom
Air date: 1998-10-29 · 22 min
To avoid work around the house, Ash, Misty, and Brock run off to find something to do. They wind up at the famous Xanadu Nursery, a place where Ash used to go all the time when he was little. There they meet Florinda, a shy girls who helps run the place and her Gloom. Florinda has recently lost her confidence after a Leaf Stone she bought failed to make her Gloom evolve. Professor Oak shows up and reveals that is is fake and they find out Team Rocket are the ones who sold it. Brock says that he will catch them for Florinda, who has fallen in love with him. Meanwhile, Team Rocket sneak into the nursery to steal plants.
Open episode 70 ↗71. Lights, Camera, Quack-tion!
Air date: 1998-11-05 · 22 min
While wondering around near Pallet Town, Ash and friends come across a girl named Kay who wants to battle. Ash agrees to, but before the battle can start Team Rocket comes an interrupts it. However, they accidentally capture Katrina's Raichu instead of Ash's Pikachu. Before anything else can happen, a movie director by the name of Cleavon Schpielbunk arrives and talks about how he needs starts for his upcoming Pokemon movie. His star, Wigglytuff, it a bit bratty and he must find a star that can handle her. Everyone then decides to audition for the role. When Arbok and Weezing get rejected, Team Rocket decide to take revenge and steal all of the Pokemon on the movie set.
Open episode 71 ↗72. Go West Young Meowth
Air date: 1998-11-12 · 22 min
Ash, Misty, Brock and Delia get invited to Hollywood for the premiere of the movie they helped to make "Pokemon In Love". They all head to Hollywood (as well as Team Rocket) and wind up at an abandoned movie theater where the director is waiting. After they go in the theater Team Rocket come out of hiding. Meowth says that he will catch up with them in a little bit. As everyone else watches the movie, Meowth walks around town remembering his past in the town and the events that lead him to join Team Rocket.
Open episode 72 ↗73. To Master the Onixpected
Air date: 1998-11-19 · 22 min
Ash and Brock are watching Bruno of the Elite 4 on TV, when Misty turns it off and tells Ash to do some real training. Delia then mentions that she heard that Bruno likes to train at Mt. Hideaway near Pallet Town. They decide to try and go find him. On the way up the mountain they have a quick ordeal with Team Rocket trying to steal from an old lady. While walking on the mountain they notice that there is a giant trail, and t was made by a giant Onix that is coming after them! All of a sudden Bruno himself appears and saves them. Ash asks Bruno to train him, but Bruno's lessons are not what Ash had expected. Meanwhile, Team Rocket decide to capture the giant Onix, which causes it to go on a rampage.
Open episode 73 ↗74. The Ancient Puzzle of Pokémopolis
Air date: 1998-11-26 · 22 min
Ash continues his training for the Pokemon League by having a battle with Brock. When Jigglypuff randomly appears in the middle of the battlefield, Ash and Brock have Pikachu and Vulpix deflect their attacks. The resulting explosion unearths a mysterious looking thing. A girl named Eve immediately arrives to take the artifacts that they unearthed. She then explains that this must be the ancient city of Pokemopolis, and tells them about the story of the city. That night Team Rocket send Arbok into the ruins to find something. Arbok retrieves a black bar-bell looking object that sucks it along with Team Rocket into it. The next morning Eve's team find the object and are also captured in it. They it suddenly turns into a giant Gengar! Ash and friends run to make sure Eve is ok, but she is stuck in a trance from another one of the artifacts. The two artifacts combine together and turn into a Giant Alakazam. The two ancient pokemon begin to battle and threaten to destroy the surrounding areas. Now everyone must find some way to stop the fight.
Open episode 74 ↗75. Bad to the Bone
Air date: 1998-12-03 · 22 min
Ash finds out that the Pokemon League is starting soon, so he, along with Misty, and Brock, begins the journey to the Indigo Plateau. Along the way he is challenged by a trainer named Otoshi. He demands that the winner takes the loser's gym badges. Thinking he will win, Ash agrees. Luckily Ash wins, only to discover that Otoshi does not have any badges, and he tells them that they were stolen by Team Rocket. Meanwhile, James and Meowth discover that they gym badges are gone, and so is Jessie. Jessie has taken the badges and it planning on entering the Pokemon League without Team Rocket's help. Otoshi has now become depressed about losing his badges and has given up hope. His Marowak is angered by this and leaves. Ash, Misty, and Brock agree to help him find his badges and get them back, and reunite him with Marowak.
Open episode 75 ↗76. All Fired Up!
Air date: 1998-12-10 · 22 min
Ash has made it to the Pokemon League. A man is carrying the torch up towards the League, where it will burn throughout the entire event. Ash steps in and asks if he can carry the torch. Although Officer Jenny would not let him, the president of the Pokemon League decides to let him try. He does not get far until Team Rocket appears and tries to steal the torch, and they manage to get away with it. Thankfully, Mr. Goodshow has a spare flame and they continue on their way to the stadium and eventually make it. However, Team Rocket's stolen flame burns out and they decide to crash the opening ceremony and steal the flame!
Open episode 76 ↗77. Round One -- Begin!
Air date: 1998-12-17 · 22 min
The Pokemon ceremony is about to begin, so Ash heads to register. Each trainer must first battle on four fields made up of Water, Ice, Rock, and Grass before reaching the main stadium. Ash's first match will be on the Water Filed against the arrogant "Astounding Mandi". Ash runs into Gary who taunts Ash as usual and gets him fired up to win, especially after Gary ins his first battle. with his first battle on the Water Field, Ash calls Professor Oak and has him send Krabby over so he can have two water pokemon to use. Misty and Brock advise him not to use Krabby but Ash won't listen, and when the match starts, Ash picks Krabby, but will Krabby be able to pull of a victory in its first battle, and in such an important battle?
Open episode 77 ↗78. Fire and Ice
Air date: 1998-12-24 · 22 min
As the Pokemon League continues, Ash pulls off a win on the Rock Field. After the battle Ash leaves his Pokemon with Misty and Brock, while he and Pikachu go to find something to eat. Misty is upset by this and her and Brock take him Pokemon and go to find him. They catch up with him, and tell him to take his Pokemon to the Pokemon Center. However, everyone is filled up. Luckily a strange looking Nurse Joy appears to guide them to a vacant center. It turns out to be a trap by Team Rocket who try to steal his Pokemon. They stop them and finally get them to a real center and they go out to eat. The next say Ash has his third battle on the Ice Field, and so far the match it tied, but his opponent's Arcanine may change that.
Open episode 78 ↗79. The Fourth Round Rumble
Air date: 1999-01-01 · 22 min
Gary is battling his fourth match of the Pokemon League. His Nidoking is battling against a Golem on the rock field. After a little fighting, Nidoking is defeated and Gary is out of the Pokemon League. This defeat makes Ash nervous that he too may lose his fourth battle. Meanwhile, Team Rocket is making money by selling "official" Pokemon League badges. They also try to distract unsuspecting trainers so they can steal their pokemon, however Officer Jenny quickly puts a kink and the plan and they flee. The time has finally come for Ash's battle on the Grass Field, his final challenge before heading into Indigo Stadium. His trainer is the beautiful Jeanette Fisher, a trainer who is very skilled with her grass-type Pokemon. After tough fights Ash manages to defeat her Beedrill and Scyther, but when she calls out Bellsprout, Ash is in for his toughest league match yet.
Open episode 79 ↗80. A Friend in Deed
Air date: 1999-01-07 · 22 min
Following his fourth win in the Pokemon League, Ash is enjoying his day off. He goes to get something to eat, and finds his mom in the restaurant cooking for him. After the meal Ash meets another trainer named Richie who he shares a lot in common with. They begin talking when Team Rocket come by in a car pretending to be league officials saying that trainers must get their Pokemon inspected. Team Rocket made a mistake and reveal themselves, so they flee. Ash and Richie chase after them, but eventually lose them. That night they camp out by a river and talk more about their journeys. The next day they manage to find Team Rocket, but Team Rocket wake up and trap them in the back of the van as well. Now they must figure out a way to get out and return the Pokemon.
Open episode 80 ↗81. Friend and Foe Alike
Air date: 1999-01-14 · 22 min
The fifth round match-ups have been determined and Ash is up against his new friend Richie. The two of them are shocked, but determined to win the battle, despite little sleep that night. The day of there battle, Team Rocket use a voice changer to sound like Richie and call Ash. "Richie" wants to meet Ash and talk to him about Pikachu. When Ash arrives at the meeting point, Team Rocket reveal themselves and capture Ash and Pikachu and begin to take him and Pikachu away. Ash manages to escape, but Team Rocket is in pursuit. Now Ash must race back to Indigo Stadium before he is disquialifed for not showing up, while at the same time dodging Team Rocket's attacks.
Open episode 81 ↗82. Friends to the End
Air date: 1999-01-21 · 22 min
Ash is upset about losing in the Pokemon League and does not want to talk to anybody. when Misty tries to talk to him it turns into a fight. However, Ash does in the end decide to go and watch Richie's sixth round match, which he just narrowly loses. After the match Ash and Richie go out to the lake and talk about their experiences in the league. However, Team Rocket once again comes to interrupt the battle. After defeating them, the only thing left is the awards and closing ceremonies.
Open episode 82 ↗