Warning: Spoilers for Pokémon: Aim to Be a Master, episode 5The Ash's previous Pokémon make a long-awaited return, but none have been quite so long-awaited as the return of his original team , Bulbasaur, Charizard, and Squirtle. Now, not only are the Kanto starter trio back with Ash, but they've been reunited with each other, too.
Episode 5 sees Ash, Brock, and Misty ing through a town as they learn of a stage performance going on in a park nearby. The performers turn out to be the Squirtle Squad, as led by Ash's Squirtle, all in costume as Power Ranger-inspired heroes. Ash, who has been swapping out his Pokémon between each episode, calls out the team he's carrying around at the moment, which just so happens to include Charizard and Bulbasaur. Both are amazed to see Squirtle again, especially looking so cool on stage.
Ash's Charizard, Bulbasaur, & Squirtle Reunite With a Misunderstanding
However, Squirtle's show is secretly being managed by Pokémon's Team Rocket, who want to keep Squirtle from getting distracted and thus prevent Ash and friends from being able to speak to it. Squirtle was thrilled to see Ash in the audience, but when told that Squirtle is too busy to see them, Ash leaves. Squirtle sees them leaving and is upset, setting up the episode's misunderstanding and leaving both thinking the other no longer cares for them. A second attempt at a reunion in a restaurant is similarly fraught and actually ends with Charizard and Bulbasaur trying to fight Squirtle over its perceived rudeness.
Team Rocket accidentally starts a fire, and the Squirtle Squad, originally firefighters, jump into action. Ash and friends arrive and try to help as well, although Bulbasaur and Charizard are initially reluctant to Squirtle. Misty uses her Water-Type Pokémon, including her new Clauncher, to help beat back the fire, too. As the situation deteriorates and it's revealed that Pokémon are trapped by the fire, however, all three Kanto starters are able to work together to save the Pokémon, with Charizard carrying Bulbasaur and Squirtle up to the rescue point. With their misunderstanding cleared up, the trio joyfully celebrate their success at putting out the fire, and are once again friends. While Squirtle stays with the Squad, everyone is able to leave happy, knowing that they still care.
A Pleasing Reunion for Kanto Starters
The episode's plot may be simple and sitcom-esque, but for characters whose story goes back over 20 years, it manages to carry the weight it needs to. Squirtle, Bulbasaur, and Charmander were all very close at one point, but that seemed to diminish as Charizard evolved and began to disobey. Now that Charizard listens to Ash, it's nice to see the three Pokémon getting along and happy to see one another, satisfying in a different way than Ash's other reunions in Pokémon have been. Pikachu, of course, gets in on it a bit too, but the episode is better off focusing on the Kanto starter trio. They've been through a lot together, and it's good to see Pokémon recognize that fact.
