🌩 A Shock That Shook a Nation: The 1997 Pokémon Incident

On December 16, 1997, Japan experienced one of the most shocking moments in television history. During the broadcast of episode 38 of the Pokémon anime—titled “Dennō Senshi Porygon” (Electric Soldier Porygon)—a flashing sequence of red and blue lights triggered seizures, nausea, and vision issues in hundreds of children. Ambulances were dispatched, hospitals were overwhelmed, and media worldwide dubbed it the “Pokémon Shock.”

The incident affected over 600 children, many of whom were diagnosed with photosensitive epilepsy symptoms. Though most recovered quickly, the damage was already done—Pokémon’s reputation took a serious hit, and TV Tokyo immediately pulled the episode from all future airings.

🔒 The Episode That Vanished—But Not Forgotten

Despite featuring Porygon as the main character, the Pokémon blamed most heavily in the aftermath was Pikachu—specifically, a scene where Pikachu uses a Thunderbolt attack on missiles inside a cyberspace simulation, causing the rapid red-blue flashing effect.

Since then, Dennō Senshi Porygon has never been rebroadcast, never released on DVD or streaming services, and remains inaccessible on official Pokémon platforms including Amazon Prime, Netflix Japan, and Pokémon TV. It is the only episode in the entire series to receive such a blanket ban.

What’s even more ironic? Porygon itself was not responsible for the effect—yet it and its evolutionary line (Porygon2 and Porygon-Z) have been virtually excluded from the anime ever since.

🧠 Why the Ban Still Exists in 2025

Even after 28 years, the episode remains locked away. Why?

  • Public sensitivity: The 1997 incident is remembered as a national trauma. Releasing the episode risks reopening wounds or inciting further criticism.
  • Brand protection: Pokémon has built a family-friendly reputation. Associating itself with an episode infamous for hospitalizing children could damage the brand.
  • Legal caution: Medical professionals and regulators may still warn against content that can trigger photosensitive seizures.
  • No “safe” version: Unlike other controversial content, the episode hasn’t been edited or remastered to remove the risky visuals.

It’s worth noting that after the incident, Japanese broadcasters implemented new animation safety guidelines, such as avoiding rapid flashes, using softer colors, and adding viewer warnings. Pokémon itself took a four-month hiatus after the incident to rework its animation process.

💬 Online Reactions: Curiosity and Conspiracy

Many fans—especially those born after 1997—have grown curious about this “lost” episode. Online forums are filled with discussions, fan theories, and even animation recreations. Some common opinions include:

“They should just re-release a safer, edited version.”
“It’s part of Pokémon history. Hiding it only makes people more curious.”
“Porygon was done dirty—it’s Pikachu’s fault!”

On platforms like Reddit and Twitter, hashtags like #FreePorygon occasionally trend, especially on the anniversary of the incident.

🚧 Can You Watch It Today? (Unofficially…)

Despite the strict ban, the internet never forgets. Clips and full versions of Dennō Senshi Porygon are available on video-sharing platforms, torrent archives, and anime fan forums. However:

⚠️ Viewer discretion is advised.
⚠️ Watching the episode in its original form may pose health risks.

Some fan-edited versions reduce the flashing or replace the visual effects altogether, but these are not endorsed by any official Pokémon entity.

🧩 The Legacy of a Digital Soldier

The episode may be gone, but its legacy is not. It shaped the way anime is produced, regulated, and consumed—not just in Japan, but globally. The Pokémon Shock incident led to international awareness of photosensitive epilepsy and forced studios to become more responsible with visual effects.

Porygon, meanwhile, has become a symbol of misunderstood blame and silent exile—a Pokémon that rarely appears, despite its unique sci-fi charm.

✨ Final Thoughts

The Pokémon franchise has evolved far beyond its 1997 roots, but the shadows of Dennō Senshi Porygon still linger. As anime becomes more globally accessible, some fans continue to question whether this episode should remain sealed away or be reintroduced with proper safeguards.

Until then, it remains a relic of both technological ambition and unintended consequences—an unforgettable moment in anime history.

✈️ Still curious about this lost Pokémon episode? Be cautious, be respectful of its history, and most importantly, protect your eyes. 🕶️