Recap: The Legend of Dratini (The Legend of Miniryu)

Hello again. Well, September is once again upon me; and I am once again behind on projects that I wanted to do a year ago, if not longer. Given how the Endless 8 convinced me to do something to unwind; I think maybe I could take a break from OVAs, feature-length pilots, and heavy-handed cases of seasonal rot for a while. So, I’m declaring this month Catch-Up Month. 

To start us off, it’s once again time to look at one of the banned episodes of Pokémon; this time revolving around a topic that tends to be rather touchy, particularly in media. Let’s open up “The Legend of Dratini” and find out why.

We open on the Japanese theme of the Kanto series, “Aim to Be a Pokémon Master.” Despite my predilection for the Pokémon theme it was eventually dubbed into; it is a very good tune. I shall post a link of it so you can hear for yourself. I particularly like the rendition HAL Laboratories made for Pokémon Pinball. 

I also particularly like this shot, one of the last ones in this opening, and one of the first in the dub. The parallel lyrics are an ideal indication of what Ash wants. This is a franchise with a very diverse assortment of trainers; and I realized a long time ago that this one has always been more interested in the journey than its destination. I say that anything worth doing takes time, so make your own assumptions. 

We belong in a world that must be strong! That's what dreams are made of!

We open proper on the Safari Zone, where we get some fairly good shots of stampeding Tauros. I am old enough to remember the hassle of finding the HMs I needed as well as the warden’s dentures within the time limit. For that reason, I did that first on later playthroughs.

Also, there is a Nidorina and Nidorino embracing. These two don’t let a breeding glitch spoil their love!

Much to Ash’s delight, as well as mine, everyone has reached the Safari Zone. He bursts into song with a spring in his very ‘90s kicks.

Just so you know, I am working off a subtitled version by the fan group KMS; the watermark on the ending says it was first encoded in 2005. If you’ve been following me for this long; you are indeed aware that in Japan, Ash is named Satoshi, for series co-creator Satoshi Tajiri; Brock is named Takeshi, possibly in reference to the late head writer Takeshi Shudo (who handled the original series before his retirement and death in 2010); and Misty is named Kasumi; a rather common name for young girls in Japan, roughly translating to “flower.” The group decided to use the romanized names from the dub; so I shall follow suit.

Ash continues his rapturous singing, much to Brock’s dismay.

Dear mother, can you hear me laughing? It's been six whole months since that I have left your home!

After Misty and Pikachu join in, Brock gives in; before the warden offers his own candid assessment.

When Ash objects, we get the primary reason this episode has never officially aired in the US, and most likely never will. A realistic-looking hand gun favored by the warden. 

Just exercising mah constitutional right!

The warden, named Kaiza, introduces himself as we get our title card. I have always liked the series’ title cards. They tend to be every bit as interesting to look at as the episodes themselves.

Papa just killed a man, put a gun against his head, pulled the trigger, now he's dead...

About 3 and half minutes in, you have yet another reason why I got back into Pokémon as a teenager: Kaiza very bluntly explains that only Safari Balls are allowed in the Safari Zone. Try to break the rules, his “Thunderbolt” will be more than happy to blow their heads off.

Gawd, I love that 2nd amendment!

Misty then notices an old photograph of Kaiza with Dratini, given how it ties into the title, as well its original Japanese name, “The Legend of Miniryu”.

Kaiza then cocks his revolver again; and everyone sheepishly agrees to keep quiet about the Dratini. Hope nobody tries to go over the line. 

You're entering a world of pain. A world of pain.

Then, he walks outside and reflects that he knew Dratini well, in a particularly sad bit of foreshadowing. 

Hello darkness, my old friend, I've come to talk with you again....

Everyone decides to call Professor Oak, and apparently Kaiza is an old friend of his. Also, the series was surprisingly prescient about video phones in the form of cell phones with front-facing cameras and computers with VoIP (Voiceover Internet Protocol) services such as Skype.

The professor informs them that Dratini was there, and the Safari Zone was once a much more bustling destination. The previous methods that had been used to catch Pokémon there reduced the area to a shell of its former beauty; and as a result, only Safari Balls were permitted from that day forward. This is actually a surprisingly insightful look at something not many would think about in the franchise; least of all, the target audience of young children. Unlike “A Double Dilemma” or “Love, Petalburg Style,” it’s handled in a way that’s well-written and thoughtful; and children and adults can appreciate alike.

Two riders were approaching...

As for Dratini, it has not been seen since then, and Professor Oak requests Ash catch more Pokémon. Oh yes, the Safari Zone is a boon for filling in the blank spaces of the Pokédex. Ash agrees, and takes the crate of Safari Balls on his game. 

Team Rocket, of course, is spying on them. These folks are far better stalkers than Yuno Gasai could ever hope to be. It helps that Jessie and James have a much healthier relationship given their circumstances than that trollop and the tweed that I still have no idea what she sees in.

They make an effort to lay claim to the entire Safari Zone. 

They say their motto on top of the front gate, but it turns out Kaiza has other ideas.

He whips out his guns, and starts firing at their feet to dance; doing his best emulation of Buford “Mad Dog” Tannen.

Dance!

Roughly 7 minutes in, Kaiza makes evidently clear that like any peacekeeper, he is armed to the teeth for just such an occasion. More on how this got the episode banned later. 

Dial .357 for your local Ammu-Nation!

Team Rocket then tries to parachute down, but in a rare subversion of Hollywood skydiving; they fall flat on their faces.

Oof!

Everyone then just awkwardly makes light of the situation while Team Rocket tries to get out of the parachute. Huh. In a way, this is sort of like an early version of what’s going in Best Wishes and the XY series; in which Ash, Pikachu and the others just play along while they come up with even more schemes gathered from the ACME Corporation.

You people...

Team Rocket then proposes a deal: if they capture the most Pokémon, they will leave the “twerps” alone. If they do, however, Ash, Misty, and Brock must give theirs up. They would use this concept later, and I actually like the idea of battling for pink slips.

At least until next week!

Naturally, Ash agrees, much like the all-loving hero that he is.

Please, go all the way!

The game starts off smoothly, with two Tauros in the bag. This is another advantage this episode has; as it explains where the Tauros later in the season came from. Just try to think of watching that as a kid without any knowledge of this episode.

RUNNING DOWN THE FAMILY! WITH A POCKET FULL OF SHELLS!

Next up is Rhyhorn, who I am pleased is one of the Pokémon you can mount as a steed in X and Y; as well as even providing the sport of Rhyhorn racing.

Ash goes for it, but gets Tauros instead.

Of course, we see a trait of Team Rocket’s that I’m glad is making a resurgence as of late: some of their more malevolent tactics to get Pokémon. They start interrogating Kaiza in a manner that would please Steve Haines immensely.

The mouth don't stop!

With this scene, which would not be out of place in a yakuza crime drama; greeting us as we come back from the commercial break, we are given yet more reasons why this episode didn’t make it past standards and practices. Even in 1999, this would be a tall order. 

Kaiza tries to resist, but Jessie has Arbok restrain him. Meowth comments that he gets excited for an old man. To this day, Team Rocket tends to be one of the prime source for hiding the writers’ blue material; but wow, Meowth is into some real sick stuff!

Then, Jessie actually hits on Kaiza for information on Dratini. I may be crazy, but I’m not crazy enough to make something like that up. Even moreso, Kaiza likes it.

Then, we get the return of that gaudy outfit from “Battle Aboard the St. Anne.” Ultimately, Kaiza does not give in. 

Love Hurts!

Then, James and Meowth actually start interrogating Kaiza; police setting and all.

Where were you on the evening of July the 21st?

Regarding Meowth’s mustache: save it. I’m personally weirded out by the fact that it looks like nose hair.

I grow tired of asking. Where is the rebel base?

Meowth then offers him a bowl of katsudon, roasted pork and rice. This is what would have gotten me to talk; since it is quite tasty. Plus, according to my associate, Dogasu; this is a rather common trope in Japanese police dramas. In addition to having this episode in heavy rotation; I did read his recap quite extensively. I recommend you go check it out if you haven’t already; as well as his website.

Yet, this plan fails, and they decide to use their machine for this episode; which they made by stacking loans upon loans. Yep, that sounds about right. Despite the list of anticipated games this fall; I will still keep it to a few titles to also have money for student loan payments. 

It is a tickle device, and it looks much like one of the gadgets that Rocket Raccoon would come up with. 

Keep your electric eye on me, babe! Put your raygun to my head!

This is what finally breaks Kaiza: interrogation techniques that would not be out of place on the Kiln.

It turns out this episode is also the introduction of the idea of custom Pokémon lures; chief among them the Misty special. The earliest I remember seeing it is one of my favorite Johto episodes; “The Totodile Duel,” and we will get to that. I am also pleased that Misty gave it to Ash later; as it symbolizes that even though they don’t see each other all the time; they will always enjoy the time they spent together.

Misty special!

Of course, Kaiza steps up, asking for the kids’ help. 

After he is freed from the machine, he does reveal that Dratini is in the Dragon Valley. 

We cut to the Dragon Valley, and it is a very nice-looking environment. I have long admired the series for its world-building, to the degree that I often dock episodes and adaptations for not taking advantage of the settings at their disposal. However, I can say that this is quite a step up from black and white mazes (monochrome color if you owned a Game Boy Color at the time). 

James and Meowth are underwater, while Jessie is surveying the area on land.

Then, suddenly, Dratini appears; as if from a dream.

Sing with me! Sing for the years! Sing for the laughs and sing for the tears!

Jessie is all a tingle at this rare Pokémon.

She invites Dratini over, unaware that she’s standing on the oxygen hose of her comrades’ diving outfits. 

With this, they jump out of the water and spook Dratini. 

BWAAAUGGH!

Jessie then berates James and Meowth for their failure. This has been a common theme of Team Rocket since their inception: one of the most notable ways they are done in is through their own ambition. 

How dare you fail in water! This is like when we tried to take on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!

They do, however, have one more trick up their sleeve: an underwater bomb to simply blast out Dratini and the other Pokémon. 

Ash, Misty, Brock, and Kaiza confront Team Rocket; furious that they never intended to honor their agreement, but delighted that they managed to use all the Safari Balls. Interesting how they did that; since there does not appear to be a time limit like in the games.

Ash then decides to help stop the bomb. I must once again address how I like that quality about him and other trainers I admire: to remove themselves from the equation if needed. I often find trainers that lack that quality harm a lot of potential for them as characters.

I am human and I need to be loved! Just like everybody else does!

He collects the bomb, and tries to bring it back to the surface before it explodes. 

Kaiza surfaces and informs everyone else Ash is after the bomb.

Even so, Ash loses consciousness; marking one of many time’s he’s almost drowned. With the movies, I think he’s come close enough to death enough times to be a time lord. 

The World's too big, mom!

Then, a massive thunderstorm occurs; as if Zeus is summoning his gladiators.

Your gladiators, Nitro, Blaze, Gemini, and Titan!

Then, Dragonair rises from the lake; as a guardian for the entire Safari Zone and those who inhabit it.

Ash then decides to return the bomb to Team Rocket.

It explodes, and sends them over the rainbow.

As Kaiza and Dragonair reunite, this episode has something I admire about all my favorite ones; and why I’m disappointed that it never aired officially in the US: a genuine human emotion. 

Then, it turns out the Dratini is the child of that Dragonair. It is at that moment when I saw this for the first time at age 16; that it’s OK to admire something like this for what it is. 

As the sun sets, everyone wishes they could see more Pokémon like this.

Ash then sends his haul to Professor Oak; and everyone heads off.

We then close on everyone heading out towards the setting sun, looking ahead towards tomorrow, and to Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.

It is now I must address the most obvious reason that this episode never aired in English; and most likely never will within my lifetime. Unlike in Japan; we Yanks tend to be a lot tighter in firearms in media meant for children. Especially since the line between what’s acceptable and what isn’t is so thin by the FCC. For example: being held at an arm’s length away arresting someone generally isn’t a problem, as shown with the previous episode. Point blank range at a 10-year-old kid’s head; obviously not. Tranquilizer darts can generally get a free pass, but firing off live ammunition? That’s big time.

As such, it’s also the reason for the “invisible guns” in Yu-Gi-Oh, which were soundly mocked by Little Kuriboh. It’s the reason that the GUN storyline in Sonic X suffered in the states; despite the fact the Sonic Adventure 2 game it was based on was rated E; but has since been bumped up to E10 for the Playstation Network and Xbox Live Arcade rerelease. That’s a matter for another day, and the less I say about the infamous “shower head on a stick” in One Piece, the better. Let’s just say I was ecstatic to see the Flintlock in the uncut version.

I must also point out that it’s not an issue unique to anime. At the time, the Batman Beyond movie had to have key scenes edited because of the Joker’s usage of guns in his crime sprees.

In this case however, the edits could not be made in this context without severely butchering the plot of the episode. Which is a shame, since it’s a key standout in beautiful animation and meaningful storytelling that helped get me back into the franchise. Be that as it may, I strongly recommend checking out the subtitled version of this episode. If you run a Google or YouTube search for “Pokémon: The Legend of Miniryu,” you’ll most likely find this copy I used to write this or a similar one. I will be looking at “Electric Soldier Porygon” to closeout the original trilogy of banned episodes; but it may be some time before I can find the subtitled copy in a workable format. In the meantime, there are some projects I want to do in the meantime. 

See you, space cowboy!