 Pikachu yellow =
Original text (2000) |
 Ditto pink =
Additional text (2003-08) |
 Wobuffet blue =
New segments (2004-08) |
  Ripped from the Headlines...
When you can turn on the television and see shows such as "Threat Matrix", terror-related episodes of "The West Wing" and "Law & Order", and even the day-of-doom Arthur episode "April 9th", it's obvious that the events of September 11, 2001 have left their mark on what Americans are watching. However, when pre-9/11 episodes that you've been watching for years are later found to contain images or dialogue that could be interpreted as similar to such events, despite having no such intentions, they're suddenly banned from U.S. television. And as if it wasn't hard enough for Pokémon fans to acquire episodes such as the aforementioned "Electric Soldier Porygon", "The Legend of Dratini", the original version of the so-called 'lost episode' "Beauty and the Beach", and others that never made it to the United States (or were horribly altered before they did), America's greatest tragedy has left U.S. Pokémon viewers with even less than we were originally allowed to see. So far, a total of five pre-9/11 (Japan and U.S. air dates) Pokémon episodes have been deleted or further edited, for reasons I still can't figure out based on decisions explained below:
However, like cable companies who still claim that poor reception is due to their antennas once being atop the WTC, U.S. censors can't blame the events of 9/11 for everything. Banning "Holiday Hi-Jynx" after its one-and-only, already-delayed U.S. airing was the fault of merely one black woman who is apparently still living in the days of segregation and suffrage (and judging by her scathing essay, already disliked Pokémon, only knowing of it after giving in to her kids' interest and being dragged kicking and screaming to the Mewtwo movie), claiming that Jynx (because of its blackish-purple skin coloring) is a negro stereotype. Although I can't for the life of me figure out what is derogatory about these lovely lady Pokémon being Santa's little helpers. And I'm sure the bitch never noticed that Jynx's pre-evolved form, Smoochum, a pink duckling-like creature looks even less like her paranoia-driven image. It is rumored that a Master Quest episode (U.S. 2002-03) was also banned for including a Jynx, although some claim that its plot centering around a disease outbreak (grossly exaggerated - Brock just caught a cold) was too touchy to be aired during the SARS scare. Too much of a coincidence? Or just a cover? And even though Jynx segments have been deliberately cut from recent episodes, strangely, you can see Jynx regularly in all its black-faced glory as part of the Poké-rap repeats and Pikachu's Jukebox (as of mid 2007). Ah, but Jynx is not limited to two-second cameos. The Orange Islands episode "The Mandarin Island Miss Match" was notably included as a special "Best Battles" episode on 3/9/04 on WB and still airs regularly on Cartoon Network (as of mid 2007). It features Lorelei/Prima's Jynx, of whom James ironically observes, "You don't see one of those every day!"
When I got back from vacation, I was mad to find out that Pokémon had been on for an hour for the first time in months, unannounced on 1/28 (thanks a lot, WB!), and I only had the VCR set for the usual half-hour. I may have missed the episode ("Eight Ain't Enough"), but I know that Ash has earned his eighth Hoenn League badge by the following week. A week later, Ash & friends are suddenly off to Slateport City so May could enter the Grand Festival...after earning her fifth ribbon?? Did I miss that too?? No; yet another Jynx episode was banned in the U.S.! It's Ash and his 30 Tauros all over again! Update! Part one of the 5th ribbon episode ('Mean with Envy') slipped in several weeks after the Grand Festival, complete with a very purple Jynx on 4/1/06. April Fools!
 And banned in all countries, even Japan before ever airing once, "The Battle of the Shaking Island! Barboach vs. Whiscash!" (eighth season) was just too close to home after a series of earthquakes in its native country, though previous episodes of Pokémon featured similar natural disasters¹. Ironically in the post-Katrina era, ongoing natural disasters haven't stopped the U.S. from airing its share of similarly-themed shows/movies/episodes, including the infamous Desperate Housewives tornado episode (2007-08), rather brashly touted by ABC as "the best episode of the season" that meanwhile left me with nightmares for weeks and in a panic whenever a little wind picks up outside my door!
¹The fourth season Pokémon episode "The Poké Spokesman" (U.S., 2001) featured a tornado that destroyed a farm. The Pokémon Chronicles episode "Celebi and Joy" (U.S., 2006) featured a temporal paradox involving a young boy and his father who were destined to die in a landslide.
 , Outside the Box...  
Back to Main
Kimberly's Homepage
|
|
