Pokémon, this episode of the classic series made even the hardest of people cry

The level of depth that the first seasons of the anime managed to reach is incredible

Image Credit: The Pokémon Company (TPC)

Even though the franchise has now changed protagonists, Ash Ketchum and his Pikachu remain in the hearts of all historic Pokémon fans, who still today remember the first historic seasons of the anime with affection and nostalgia. Between challenges, tournaments, special encounters, and battles with Team Rocket, those first episodes will always remain etched in our memory for the depth they managed to reach, reaching dramatic heights notable for a series dedicated mainly to kids. Without going to bother the famous Mewtwo monologue in the first film (perhaps the most touching moment of the entire saga), several episodes of the cartoon have put even the coldest viewers to the test. 

One of those for which it is literally impossible not to shed a few tears is, for example, episode 11 of the first season, entitled A New Pokémon. Here, Ash meets the one who will later become one of his best friends: Charmander. But the encounter with the "pocket monster" is not without drama, indeed it turns out to be one of the saddest of the entire anime. While they are continuing their journey, Ash, Brock, and Misty spot a Charmander sitting alone on a rock. With the help of Pikachu, they discover that it is not a wild Pokémon, but that it is waiting for its trainer, who has ordered it to wait there for its return.

The group continues their journey until they reach a Pokémon Center, where Brock hears the speeches of a boy, Damian, who boasts of having abandoned a Charmander in the forest because it was too weak. Just at that moment, a violent storm breaks out, which puts the little Pokémon in danger. Ash and his friends, then, run to save Charmander, who in the meantime is almost exhausted due to the attack of a group of Spearow and the bad weather. The next day, however, the Pokémon stubbornly returns to the rock, still convinced that its trainer will return to it. However, after Team Rocket arrives, it helps Ash save Pikachu using the Flamethrower attack. 

Damian, who witnesses the scene, tries to convince it to return with him, having finally seen its power in battle. Only at this point, does Charmander understand that its owner does not really love it, but only wants it for its strength, so decides to join Ash's group. The episode is particularly touching because of the courageous decision to show for the first time a form of abuse by a trainer towards his Pokémon. Both Ash and the young spectators, in fact, understand that there are also evil trainers, who want to exploit the cute creatures for their personal gain, rather than truly taking care of them. 

In a broader sense, it could also be said to be an episode on the theme of animal abandonment: Charmander, in fact, waits with trust and love for the return of its owner, and fortunately in the end finds a new home, being adopted by someone who truly loves it. From this fateful encounter, one of the most beautiful relationships in the Pokémon series will be born, that between Ash and his Charizard, the final evolution of Charmander. Although at first it does not respect its trainer's orders and prefers to do its own thing, this Pokémon will form a very strong bond with Ash, returning to his side in all the most important battles.

Source: Screen Rant