The Best Episodes Written By Hideki Sonoda

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   7.8/10(12 votes)

   #1 - Who Gets to Keep Togepi?

   S1:E506/25/1998

   When Ash and friends reach a certain Pokémon E. R., Joy informs Ash that a message has arrived for him, from Professor Oak.

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Hideki Sonoda

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   Director:N/A

   Writer:Hideki Sonoda
2. 

   7.6/10(14 votes)

   #2 - Here Comes the Squirtle Squad

   S1:E126/17/1997

   Ash and his friends walk along a path and fall into a hole dug by a batch of mischievous Squirtle. Ash climbs out and tries to battle them, but they scatter when Officer Jenny arrives.

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Hideki Sonoda

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   Writer:Hideki Sonoda
3. 

   7.6/10(14 votes)

   #3 - The Tower of Terror

   S1:E239/2/1997

   In search of a ghost Pokémon, Ash heads immediately for a tower in Lavender Town where they are said to dwell.

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Hideki Sonoda

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   Writer:Hideki Sonoda
4. 

   7.5/10(20 votes)

   #4 - Challenge of the Samurai

   S1:E44/22/1997

   Misty and Ash continue to wander the Viridian Forest when they spot a Weedle. As Ash battles it, he's distracted by a boy dressed as a samurai and calling himself (naturally) Samurai. Samurai challenges Ash to a battle, and Ash gets the advantage when his Metapod defends itself against Samurai's Pinsir. Samurai sends out his own Metapod—and a standoff begins.

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Hideki Sonoda

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   Writer:Hideki Sonoda
5. 

   7.3/10(11 votes)

   #5 - The Battle of the Badge

   S1:E639/17/1998

   Ash and friends finally make their way to Viridian City where Ash hopes to earn his Earth Badge.

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Hideki Sonoda

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   Writer:Hideki Sonoda
6. 

   7.2/10(10 votes)

   #6 - All Fired Up!

   S1:E7612/10/1998

   Ash finally reaches the Indigo Plateau, home of the Pokémon League conference. Before the tournament begins, they plan on lighting a ceremonial cauldron with the flame of the legendary Pokémon, Moltres. Ash, as a participant, is free to carry the flame but when Team Rocket steals it, the tournament may be cancelled.

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Hideki Sonoda

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   Writer:Hideki Sonoda
7. 

   7.1/10(10 votes)

   #7 - Friend and Foe Alike

   S1:E811/14/1999

   A twist of fate pits Ash and his new friend, Richie, against each other in the fifth round of the Pokémon League Competition. Both are determined to triumph, but who will emerge victorious? And, can their friendship survive the struggle?

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Hideki Sonoda

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   Writer:Hideki Sonoda
8. 

   7.1/10(11 votes)

   #8 - Pallet Party Panic

   S2:E11/28/1999

   After battling in the Pokémon League Tournament, Ash and his friends return to Pallet Town for a hero's welcome.

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Hideki Sonoda

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   Writer:Hideki Sonoda
9. 

   7.0/10(10 votes)

   #9 - The Legend of Dratini

   S1:E3511/25/1997

   Ash and his friends get challenged by Team Rocket in seeing who can capture the most Pokémon within the Safari Zone, with Ash catching a whole herd of Tauros. As soon as Ash and his friends head out Pokémon hunting, Team Rocket manages to get the drop on the game warden (Mr. Kaiza) and forces him into giving up the location on where Dratini is (the Dragon Valley). In the end, Ash, his friends, Team Rocket, and Kaiza end up seeing the legendary Dratini and Dragonair, with the heroes saving the day.

   Director:N/A

   Writer:Hideki Sonoda

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   Writer:Hideki Sonoda
10. 

    7.0/10(7 votes)

    #10 - A Fiery Rite of Passage!

    S19:E411/19/2015

    As our heroes continue their journey to Snowbelle City, they encounter a young Pokémon faced with the challenges of growing up!

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Hideki Sonoda

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    Writer:Hideki Sonoda
11. 

    6.9/10(12 votes)

    #11 - A Chansey Operation

    S1:E476/4/1998

    As our heroes sleep peacefully, Pikachu begins experiencing an unusual sensation. As though it were choking on something, Pikachu's expression grows steadily more and more pained.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Hideki Sonoda

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12. 

    6.8/10(12 votes)

    #12 - Pokémon Scent-sation!

    S1:E269/23/1997

    The party arrives in Celadon City, a perfectly pleasant town full of large department stores, condominiums, and fancy arcades.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Hideki Sonoda

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13. 

    6.8/10(12 votes)

    #13 - The March of the Exeggutor Squad

    S1:E435/7/1998

    After discovering there's a traveling carnival nearby, Ash, Misty and Brock join in on the fun of the fair and stumble across a rather dull magic show.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Hideki Sonoda

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14. 

    6.8/10(12 votes)

    #14 - It's Mr. Mime Time!

    S1:E649/24/1998

    On their way back to Pallet Town, Ash, Brock and Misty encounter a runaway Mr. Mime.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Hideki Sonoda

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    Writer:Hideki Sonoda
15. 

    6.7/10(12 votes)

    #15 - The Punchy Pokémon

    S1:E2910/14/1997

    In the outskirts of Fuchsia City, our heroes come across Hitmonchan, a fighter-Pokémon. With little thought, Ash attempts to capture it, but he and Pikachu are badly defeated.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Hideki Sonoda

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    Writer:Hideki Sonoda
16. 

    6.7/10(12 votes)

    #16 - Holiday Hi-Jynx

    S1:E6510/5/1998

    Ash, Misty, Brock, and their Pokémon must return a lost Jynx to Santa before Christmas, with the help of a Lapras. Meanwhile, Jessie attempts to take revenge on Santa for stealing her favorite doll when she was young.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Hideki Sonoda

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17. 

    6.3/10(12 votes)

    #17 - Pokémon Paparazzi

    S1:E557/23/1998

    Ash and friends are being shadowed by Todd Snap, the world's greatest Pokémon photographer.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Hideki Sonoda

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18. 

    6.1/10(15 votes)

    #18 - Beauty and the Beach

    S1:E187/29/1997

    Ash and his friends have finally arrived in Porta Vista, a beach-side tourist town. After destroying an old man's ship, they must help in the old man's business. To attempt to pay the man back faster, Misty enters a beauty contest, only to discover she is competing against Jessie and James.

    Director:N/A

    Writer:Hideki Sonoda

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    Writer:Hideki Sonoda