Continuity mistake: When the computer in Professor Oak's laboratory turns on, there are no lights or moulding, but in the next shot, there are. Also, the raised ceiling's limits to the left and right cannot be seen, but in the next shot, they can. Additionally, three panels are on the screen, but in the next shot, there are five. (00:06:29)
Continuity mistake: When Professor Oak asks, "Are you there already?" there are lights and moulding on the screen, but in the next shot, there are not. (00:06:31)
Continuity mistake: When Misty tells Ash that they should take a break, her bag disappears. This also happens when she says that they may be on a deserted island. (00:02:28)
Continuity mistake: When Ash allows Misty to have a break, there is no tree in front of the tree behind Ash that is closest to him, but in the next shot, there is. Also, Ash's head is turned, but in the next shot, it is not. (00:02:35)
Continuity mistake: When Ash tells Tracey to watch out, the strap on Misty's bag disappears. (00:06:30)
Continuity mistake: When Team Rocket is eavesdropping on Ash and his friends, Meowth does not have a lei, but in the next shot, one appears. (00:09:06)
Revealing mistake: When Ash tells Lapras to go back to the ocean, his left arm is transparent. (00:14:18)
Revealing mistake: When Ash's friends run over to him, as he dives into the pool, Pikachu can be running in midair. (00:14:27)
Revealing mistake: The pedal James presses when he slows down the lorry is the same one he used when speeding it up. This is due to the shot of him slowing the lorry down being a recycled shot of him speeding it up. (00:18:35)
Continuity mistake: Right before Tracey says that Ash is heading towards a cliff, Pikachu's tail turns completely yellow. (00:19:13)
Character mistake: The name of the island Ash and friends visited in the previous episode, is called "Mikan", which is Japanese for orange. As such, it should be pronounced as "mee-khan." However, the narrator pronounces the name as "mike-an" instead. (00:01:10)
Continuity mistake: When Ash calls out to Pikachu after he disappears, his bag disappears. (00:03:49)
Continuity mistake: When first showing the entrance to the satellite dish, three blocks are above the doors, but in the next shot, there are two. Also, there is a sign that says, "Keep Out," but in the next shot, there is no text on it. Additionally, there is a sign with "WARNING" with a skeleton angled to the top right coner of it with its arms and legs straight, but in the next shot, it has "WARNING!" with its skeleton pointing to the top left corner with its limbs bent. (00:06:42)
Continuity mistake: When Ash gets the certificate, part of Pikachu disappears briefly. Also, the man with a red shirt goes from having a split in his shirt too not. Additionally, a girl with an orange shirt between Ash and Officer Jenny goes from being there to vanishing with a man with a yellow shirt going from absent to present. Furthermore, the woman with a green tank top goes from having pink shorts and people to the right of her to having pink pants and not having people to her right. (00:20:20)
Factual error: It is stated in this episode that Ghost types are strong against Psychic Pokémon. However, in Generation I, Psychic types were only weak to Bug-type attacks. It is also implied that Ghost-type Pokémon are immune to Psychic-type attacks. However, they actually take normal damage from Psychic-type attacks.
Continuity mistake: When Meowth says that he will use The Crystal Onix to make a charm, his white claws turn cream, like his body. (00:16:51)
Character mistake: Mateo orders his Charmeleon to use Ember against Crystal Onix but it uses Fire Spin instead. [It is yet another result of mistranslation. In the original version he orders Charmeleon to use Fire Spin.]. (00:18:42)
Continuity mistake: In several shots throughout the episode, the black straps on Tracey's bag turn orange.
Continuity mistake: When Misty says, "I wouldn't be surprised if the next gym leaders are tougher than the last ones," the right strap of Tracey's rucksack is on his collar, but in the next shot, it is not. Also, the marks on Ash's cheek go from looking like zs to looking like two pairs of lines. Additionally, his mouth is open, but in the next shot, it is closed. (00:01:42)
Other mistake: When Meowth is reading about the trophy, he has five lines on his charm instead of four. (00:03:30)
Answer: There are a lot of fan theories around this, but the most common theme is that Pikachu had another trainer before Prof. Oak, who gave him to Ash. Pikachu didn't appreciate being handed over.
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