Recap: The Flame Pokémon-athon

Dedicated to the memory of Glenn Frey

1949-2016

My Chinese Zodiac theme continues with my look at horses in the cycle; with “The Flame Pokémon-athon!”

Though the dub says the gang has reached the Safari Zone, they still haven’t yet. They do so in the Legend of Miniryu, which I’ve already covered.

Now, there are Tauros on a stampede in a field; as Ash tries to take them on with Charmander. He is stopped by a Growlithe, and confronted by the owner of the Big P Ranch, Lara Laramie. I hope you guys like fake Southern accents, because this episode is full of them. It tends to be a common way of translating the Kansai accent in English dubs.

The Pokémon in the ranch are revered for their power from breeding. Brock agrees, those IVs must be off the charts! Also, Lara’s Ponyta is friendly; but quite hot! That line is my favorite fire type to this day.

There is a party going on that night, along with a massive Pokémon race for an honorary membership in the Laramie Clan. Naturally, we get Jimmy Zoppi in one of the roles he does best: the transparent dick, in this case, Dario.

Quick side note: it turns out this is the top-rated episode ever in the history of the entire franchise. I am glad, since I’m a sucker for races when they’re done well.

The Tauros are on a rampage; and a flash of light knocks Lara off her Ponyta and injures her arm. Thus, Ash decides to fill in for Lara as the day comes.

There are all sorts of Pokémon in the race, as the commentator lets off a hammy string of phrases straight out of a Roger Corman movie. Dario in particular is a great “love-to-hate” rival in the vein of Machine Gun Joe from Death Race 2000.

 

The race takes place in some great traditional animation; and it turns out Dario is every bit as willing to bump off opposing racers as Dick Dastardly and Sebulba alike. A Tauros and Nidorina get pushed off; and an Electrode explodes! 

Brock gets held up at the river by Onix, but Misty on Starmie and Pikachu on Squirtle do quite well. Ponyta also crosses the water effortlessly.

Team Rocket owns up to fixing the race; but they are defeated as Ponyta evolves into Rapidash and gives Dario and his Dodrio the boot! Ash has won, and everyone continues toward the Safari Zone.

The Flame Pokémon-athon” is yet another one of my favorites from Kanto. This was the top-rated episode ever: I can see why. Everything about it just seems to click. The animation, the energy of the race, all the humor presented; all if it is wonderful. It is an episode that remains in heavy rotation to this day.

My Chinese Zodiac theme will be completed very soon! See you, space cowboy!