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| Season | Pokémon: Indigo League (Season 1) · Bulbasaur, Charmander & Squirtle arc (EP8–EP14) |
| Episode | Season 1, episode 11 · English episode 11 · Japanese episode 11 · Bulbapedia code EP011 |
| English title | Charmander – The Stray Pokémon |
| Japanese title | はぐれポケモン・ヒトカゲ Hagure Pokemon, Hitokage — “The Stray Pokémon – Hitokage” |
| First aired (Japan) | 10 June 1997 · TV Tokyo |
| First aired (US) | 22 September 1998 · first-run syndication |
| Screenplay | Junki Takegami |
| Opening / ending (Japan) | Mezase Pokémon Master (Aim to Be a Pokémon Master) – Rica Matsumoto · Hyakugojūichi (One Hundred Fifty-One) – Professor Oak & the Pokémon Kids |
| English opening | Pokémon Theme – Jason Paige |
| Who’s That Pokémon? | Charmander (US) · Charmander (Japan) |
| Previous episode | Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village (EP010) |
| Next episode | Here Comes the Squirtle Squad (EP012) |
Plot episodeAsh gets Charmander
Charmander – The Stray Pokémon is the 11th episode of Pokémon: Indigo League, the first season of the Pokémon anime, and the 11th episode of the English dub overall (Japanese episode 11, Bulbapedia code EP011). It first aired in Japan on 10 June 1997 and in the United States on 22 September 1998. It falls within the season’s Bulbasaur, Charmander & Squirtle stretch (EP8–EP14).
Synopsis
Ash and friends are finally on the right path to Vermillion City but along the way they come to a Rock where they find a stray Charmander sitting. Ash’s first instinct is to try and catch it but it turns out that it has a trainer and so can’t be captured. Thinking it best to leave the Charmander alone because it belongs to someone our heroes continue to the Pokemon Center where they overhear a nasty Pokémon trainer called Damian bragging about how he left his dumb Charmander on a rock because he thought it was weak, he had promised it he would come back but had no intentions of doing so. Meanwhile heavy rain is starting outside which could kill Charmander if it put out the flame on it’s tail. Ash rushes to find the Charmander who is still huddled, loyally waiting on the rock, weak and being attacked by Spearow with it’s flame almost out. Ash, Misty and Brock are running with Charmander desperately trying to get it to the Pokemon Center before its now very weak flame goes out. They get it to Nurse Joy just in time who is able to save it.
Early the next morning Brock wakes everyone up to find that Charmander has disappeared from the Emergency room. They suspect that Charmander will have headed back to the Rock to wait for Damian so they head back there. Team Rocket have set a trap for them nearby, minus Pikachu our heroes fall into the hole and Team Rocket turn up in shock proof suits to steal Pikachu. With Pikachu captured in a rubber bag and our heroes still trapped in a hole Team Rocket are about to escape but Charmander stops them and saves the day. Damian had been hiding in the bushes and witnessing the events, now seeing that Charmander isn’t weak like he thought he tries to claim Charmander and get it back. He says things which it make it clear he is a horrible Pokemon Trainer, Charmander rejects Damian, throws his PokéBall back in his face and joins Ash’s Team! Damian runs off crying, burnt and electrocuted. Ash got a Pokemon, and a new friend.
Major Events
- — Ash catches Charmander (abandoned by Damian)
- First mention that Pokémon can die
- Meowth first translates Pokémon speech. Debut: Charmander (in person). All-Stars Vol. 9.
Pokémon making their anime debut
Charmander#0004 · EP011
Captures and evolutions
- Charmander#0004 · Ash · abandoned by Damian
Trivia
- The screenplay is by Junki Takegami.
- This is a plot episode: it advances the Kanto storyline.
Changes in the English Dub
- Dub ending: the Kanto Pokérap (Monday segment)
Part of our Pokémon: Indigo League guide. Browse every season of the Pokémon anime.