The original scripts of two unaired episodes from the Black & White anime series of Pokémon, postponed due to the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, have been discovered after more than a decade.
A dedicated fan found a script owner willing to sell the copies for $4,000. The Pokémon community raised the money, but the owner ultimately donated the scripts for free.
The episodes revolve around Team Rocket's leader, Giovanni, who acquires a powerful rock called the Meteonite, planned to use it to take over the Unova region, but Team Plasma steals it and loses control, causing heat waves that destroy entire buildings, which was deemed too similar to the destruction caused by the earthquake.
The discovery of the scripts provides a rare insight into the lost episodes and offers a glimpse into what could have been, although they may not completely match the episodes' final product.
The original Japanese scripts are available online, along with their English translations, and are a significant win for Pokémon enthusiasts worldwide.
After more than a decade, the mystery surrounding the unaired Pokémon episodes from the Black & White anime series has been resolved, thanks to the discovery of their original scripts.
In 2011, two episodes of the series were postponed due to the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck the east coast of Japan, and they were never broadcasted.
Fan Efforts Lead to Unveiling
A dedicated fan found a script owner willing to sell the copies for $4,000. The Pokémon community raised the money, but the owner ultimately donated the scripts for free.
Organizers refunded the contributors and translated the scripts from Japanese.
Now, fans can finally learn the details of the episodes “Team Rocket Vs. Team Plasma Part 1” and “Team Rocket Vs. Team Plasma Part 2.”
The Earthquake’s Impact on the Pokémon Anime
The earthquake and its aftermath had an immense impact on Japan, and understandably, the country’s broadcasters felt it necessary to remove the episodes from the air.
The episodes revolve around Team Rocket’s leader, Giovanni, who acquires a powerful rock called the Meteonite.
He plans to use it to take over the Unova region, but Team Plasma steals it and loses control. The space rock reacts with a meteorite from a nearby museum, causing heat waves that destroy entire buildings.
Fans had long suspected that the episodes’ content was too similar to the destruction caused by the earthquake, and the newly discovered scripts seem to confirm their suspicions.
The original Japanese scripts are available online, along with their English translations. Fans of Pokémon anime history can now enjoy this long-awaited treasure.
The Pokémon Community Unearths Hidden History
The earthquake not only affected Japan but also altered the course of Pokémon history.
Fans speculate that Team Plasma was initially planned to play a more significant role in the Black & White anime series before the episodes were canceled.
Although the episodes may never be seen, the discovery of the scripts offers a glimpse into what could have been.
A Glimpse of the Unseen Episodes
The scripts, which were discovered by Bulbagarden user Maku Atherton, provide a rare insight into the lost episodes.
Atherton started a fundraiser to purchase the texts, but the owner ultimately decided to release them for free.
The original Japanese scripts are available online, along with their English translations. Fans of Pokémon anime history can now enjoy this long-awaited treasure.
Although the scripts may not completely match the episodes’ final product, they give fans a good idea of the events that transpired between Team Rocket and Team Plasma.
Even without the full animation, the discovery of these lost episodes’ scripts is a significant win for Pokémon enthusiasts worldwide.
