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If you were looking for the CD, see Pokémon Theme (single).

Pokémon Theme is the opening theme song for the English dub of the first season, Pokémon: Indigo League. It was used from Pokémon - I Choose You! to Friends to the End. Being featured in 79 episodes, it is the most-used dub opening theme. The opening animation is composed of clips from the first Japanese opening, Aim to Be a Pokémon Master, and episode clips from the Pokémon: Indigo League season. It was written and produced by John Loeffler. The lead vocal was sung by Jason Paige.

The song was played at the end of the VHS A Sneak Peek at Pokémon. A full version of the song is available on the Pokémon 2.B.A. Master and Pokémon X audio CDs, and includes a second verse not usually heard in the show. This version is also featured in the episodes of the anime Bye Bye Butterfree, All Fired Up!, and Friends To The End.

The song was covered by Billy Crawford, and this version played during the opening credits of Mewtwo Strikes Back, and is the first track on the movie's soundtrack.

Pokémon Theme was later sampled in the first verse of Born to Be a Winner, the opening for the English dub's fourth season, Johto League Champions.

A second remix titled Pokémon Theme (Version XY) is the opening theme song for the season Pokémon the Series: XY. It was used from Kalos, Where Dreams and Adventures Begin! to Bonnie for the Defense!. The opening animation is composed of clips from the first Pokémon the Series: XY Japanese opening, V (Volt). A full-length version is used as the opening song of Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction.

An orchestral version of the song was performed in Pokémon: Symphonic Evolutions.

A third remix titled Pokémon Theme (Gotta Catch 'Em All) was the opening theme of I Choose You!. It was performed by Ben Dixon, produced by Ed Goldfarb and Stan Cotey, and mixed by Jeff Stuart Saltzman. A solo piano version of the theme performed by Goldfarb is used as part of the ending after I Choose You.

A fourth remix titled Pokémon Theme (Mewtwo Mix) was the opening theme of Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution. It was performed by Ben Dixon and The Sad Truth with additional vocals by Haven Paschall, Charity Goodin, and Hilary Thomas, with the power inside by Dani Marcus, guitar by James Harman, synths and FX by Steve Mayer, arranged and produced by Ed Goldfarb, and mixed by Jeff Stuart Saltzman. An instrumental version of the original theme is used during the post-credits scene after Keep Evolving.

The song is also partly sung in Detective Pikachu by Detective Pikachu while in a state of misery.

Opening animation: Dub OP 1

Synopsis

Mew

The clip begins with Mewtwo and a shining Mew floating in space, as the camera focuses on Earth, while the sun starts to rise. The next scene shows Ash alone in a stadium. After that, a Squirtle, Cubone and Pidgeotto are shown quickly, before changing to a Bulbasaur being caught, to which Ash snaps excitedly. Shortly afterwards, the camera shows a Haunter using Lick on Charmander, paralyzing him.

Ash then flips his hat backwards and throws a Poké Ball to the camera. In the following scene, Ash can be seen running along with his Pikachu, an Arcanine and a Rapidash, who then jumps to the skies, disappearing between the Legendary birds, who are flying around. Then, a short clip of a Sandshrew unrolling itself, a Kadabra and Charmander is shown, followed by Ash and Pikachu sitting on a Lapras, as they watch a Gyarados jumping out of the water, and a Dragonair jumping in. After that, a Poké Ball is seen trapping a Pokémon who has turned into red energy.

A battle between Pikachu and Raichu is seen, with the former dodging a Body Slam of the latter; and then, a Caterpie bracing for an Ekans' and a Koffing's incoming attack. In the next scene, Ash is seen hugging his Pikachu, followed by a giant Tentacruel attacking a building. Ash then is seen holding a Poké Ball; followed by an Onix. Later, Ash appears to be looking at the screen, when Misty and Brock appear on either side of him, followed by Jessie and James rising up in front of them. Koffing, Meowth and Ekans jump up next, followed by Gary holding a Poké Ball.

The camera then runs across Charizard while using Flamethrower, Blastoise while using Hydro Pump and Venusaur; before Pikachu runs between Ash and a Lass and jumps. The next scene introduces Professor Oak, Delia Ketchum, Officer Jenny and Nurse Joy, as they nod, the camera then shows a giant Charizard using Flamethrower, and Ash and his friends hide behind a boulder, later, a Squirtle is seen running towards Ash, followed by a hug.

The camera does a close-up on Pikachu, and subsequently zooms out, showing Pikachu standing on a Pidgeotto, a Zubat holding a Squirtle, and a Butterfree holding Bulbasaur. The last scene then shows up, on which Ash raises his feet and throws the Poké Ball to the screen, much like a Baseball pitcher, followed by a spinning Poké Ball and the Pokémon logo.

Lyrics

TV version

I wanna be the very best

Like no one ever was

To catch them is my real test

To train them is my cause



I will travel across the land

Searching far and wide

Teach Pokémon to understand[1]

The power that's inside



Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), it's you and me

I know it's my destiny

(Pokémon!)

Oh, you're my best friend

In a world we must defend

Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), a heart so true

Our courage will pull us through

You teach me, and I'll teach you

Po-ké-mon

(Gotta catch 'em all!)

Gotta catch 'em all!

Pokémon!

Short version

A shorter, 30-second version is used in some airings of Volcanic Panic and Beach Blank-Out Blastoise, as well as the ending for episodes which aired as part of the second season, Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Islands.

I wanna be the very best

Like no one ever was

To catch them is my real test

To train them is my cause



Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), a heart so true

Our courage will pull us through

You teach me, and I'll teach you

Po-ké-mon

(Gotta catch 'em all!)

Gotta catch 'em all!

Pokémon!

Extended version

I wanna be the very best

Like no one ever was

To catch them is my real test

To train them is my cause



I will travel across the land

Searching far and wide

Teach Pokémon to understand

The power that's inside



Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), it's you and me

I know it's my destiny

(Pokémon!)

Oh, you're my best friend

In a world we must defend

Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), a heart so true

Our courage will pull us through

You teach me, and I'll teach you

Po-ké-mon!

(Gotta catch 'em all!)

Gotta catch 'em all!



Yeah...



Ev'ry challenge along the way

With courage I will face

I will battle ev'ry day

To claim my rightful place



Come with me, the time is right

There's no better team,

Arm in arm, we'll win the fight

It's always been our dream



Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), it's you and me

I know it's my destiny

(Pokémon!)

Oh, you're my best friend

In a world we must defend

Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), a heart so true

Our courage will pull us through

You teach me, and I'll teach you

Po-ké-mon!

(Gotta catch 'em all!)

Gotta catch 'em all!



Gotta catch 'em all!

Gotta catch 'em all!

Gotta catch 'em all!

Yeah!



Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), it's you and me

I know it's my destiny

(Pokémon!)

Oh, you're my best friend

In a world we must defend

Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), a heart so true

Our courage will pull us through

You teach me, and I'll teach you

Po-ké-mon!

(Gotta catch 'em all!)

Gotta catch 'em all!

Pokémon!

Movie version

I wanna be the very best

Like no one ever was

To catch them is my real test

To train them is my cause



Ooh-ooh-ooh!



I will travel across the land

Searching far and wide

Each Pokémon to understand

The power that's inside

(That's inside)



Pokémon!

It's you and me

I know it's my destiny

(Pokémon!)

Oh, you're my best friend

In a world we must defend

Pokémon!

A heart so true

Our courage will pull us through

You teach me and I'll teach you

Po-ké-mon

(Gotta catch 'em)

Gotta catch 'em

Gotta catch 'em all



Every challenge along the way

With courage I will face

I will battle every day

To claim my rightful place



Come with me, the time is right

There's no better team, yeah!

Arm in arm we'll win the fight

It's always been our dream

(It's always been our dream)



Pokémon!

It's you and me

I know it's my destiny

(Pokémon!)

Oh, you're my best friend

In a world we must defend

Pokémon!

A heart so true

Our courage will pull us through

You teach me and I'll teach you

Po-ké-mon

(I'll teach you!)

(Gotta catch 'em)

Gotta catch 'em

Gotta catch 'em all!

Pokémon!

Extended movie version

I wanna be the very best

Like no one ever was

To catch them is my real test

To train them is my cause



Ooh-ooh-ooh!



I will travel across the land

Searching far and wide

Each Pokémon to understand

The power that's inside

(That's inside)



Pokémon!

It's you and me

I know it's my destiny

(Pokémon!)

Oh, you're my best friend

In a world we must defend

Pokémon!

A heart so true

Our courage will pull us through

You teach me and I'll teach you

Po-ké-mon

(Gotta catch 'em)

Gotta catch 'em

Gotta catch 'em all



Every challenge along the way

With courage I will face

I will battle every day

To claim my rightful place



Come with me, the time is right

There's no better team, yeah!

Arm in arm we'll win the fight

It's always been our dream

(It's always been our dream)



Pokémon!

It's you and me

I know it's my destiny

(Pokémon!)

Oh, you're my best friend

In a world we must defend

Pokémon!

A heart so true

Our courage will pull us through

You teach me and I'll teach you

Po-ké-mon

(Gotta catch 'em)

Gotta catch 'em

Pokémon!



Pokémon!

It's you and me

I know it's my destiny

(Pokémon!)

Oh, you're my best friend

In a world we must defend

Pokémon!

A heart so true

Our courage will pull us through

You teach me and I'll teach you

Po-ké-mon

(I'll teach you!)

(Gotta catch 'em)

Gotta catch 'em

Gotta catch 'em all!

Pokémon!

Characters

Humans

Pokémon

Opening animation spoilers

Ash receives his starter Pokémon, Pikachu.

The capture of Ash's Bulbasaur.

Video

By This video is not available on Bulbapedia; instead, you can watch the video on YouTube here.

Credits

Trivia

Meowth's missing fang

Errors

When Meowth, Ekans, and Koffing all jump onscreen, Meowth's right fang disappears for a split-second.

Several official sources (including lyric booklets from music CDs and closed captions in the anime) mis-transcribe the lyrics as "Each Pokémon to understand the power that's inside." John Loeffler has stated that the intended lyric is "teach", not "each".[1]

In other languages

References

Opening animation: Dub OP 17

Synopsis

A thick mist clears and Ash, Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie are shown standing on a hill. Ash and Pikachu are shown while the scene splits diagonally, with the other half showing Ash and Pikachu eating sandwiches. The next scene shows Serena while the scene splits diagonally, with the other half showing Serena and her Fennekin while she chooses between two hats. She throws the red hat away and wears the pink hat. Clemont and Bonnie are then shown and the scene splits diagonally, with the other half showing Clemont fixing one of his inventions while Bonnie chases after Chespin and Dedenne. Bonnie jumps onto Chespin and Dedenne and Clemont's invention explodes.

The Team Rocket trio is on their balloon, holding binoculars. Meowth accidentally falls and Jessie and James try to grab him. Wobbuffet comes out of its Poké Ball and the trio falls out of their balloon. Ash commands Pikachu to use Quick Attack. Chespin uses Pin Missile, while Clemont instructs Bunnelby to use Dig. Bonnie jumps for joy while Dedenne uses Thunder Shock. Serena is shown while Fennekin uses Ember. Ash is then shown while Froakie shoots Water Pulse, and Fletchling uses Steel Wing. Pikachu finally uses Electro Ball. Lucario is (briefly) seen Mega Evolving. Ash and his friends are running outside a restaurant.

The "Pokémon Gotta catch 'em all!" logo is shown while the following scenes are in the background (the logo is not present in certain international versions). Two Vivillon and three Swanna are flying in the sky near a grape tree. A school of Luvdisc, a school of Remoraid, a Gorebyss, Octillery and Mantyke are swimming in the ocean. Two Furret are in a garden of flowers while four Swanna fly in the sky. A town near the pier is drizzling. A Parasol Lady, a lady with a female Meowstic, and a Quagsire holding a leaf to shield itself from the rain are in the town as well. Three Wooper and a Ducklett are on the pier. A Lotad and a Lombre are in the water, while a Magikarp leaps out of the water. Several Pidgey soar into the sky. The "Gotta catch 'em all!" slogan disappears, and "the Series XY" appears below the "Pokémon" logo.

Lyrics

TV version

I wanna be the very best

Like no one ever was

To catch them is my real test

To train them is my cause



(Pokémon!)

(Gotta catch 'em all), it's you and me

(Pokémon!)

I know it's my destiny

(Pokémon!)

Yeah, you're my best friend

In a world we must defend

(Pokémon!)

(Gotta catch 'em all)

Gotta catch 'em all

Gotta catch 'em all!

Pokémon!

Movie version

I wanna be the very best

Like no one ever was

To catch them is my real test

To train them is my cause



I will travel across the land

Searching far and wide

Each Pokémon to understand

The power that's inside



(Pokémon!)

(Gotta catch 'em all), it's you and me

(Pokémon!)

I know it's my destiny

(Pokémon!)

Yeah, you're my best friend

In a world we must defend

(Pokémon!)

(Gotta catch 'em all), a heart so true

(Pokémon!)

Our courage will pull us through

You teach me, and I'll teach you

Po-ké-mon!

(Pokémon!)

(Gotta catch 'em all)

Gotta catch 'em all

Gotta catch 'em all!



Every challenge along the way

With courage I will face

I will battle every day

To claim my rightful place



Come with me, the time is right

There's no better team

Arm in arm, we'll win the fight

It's always been our dream



(Pokémon!)

(Gotta catch 'em all), it's you and me

(Pokémon!)

I know it's my destiny

(Pokémon!)

Yeah, you're my best friend

In a world we must defend

(Pokémon!)

(Gotta catch 'em all), a heart so true

(Pokémon!)

Our courage will pull us through

You teach me, and I'll teach you

Po-ké-mon!

(Pokémon!)

(Gotta catch 'em all)

Gotta catch 'em all

Gotta catch 'em all!



(Gotta catch 'em all)

Gotta catch 'em all

Gotta catch 'em all!

Pokémon!

Characters

Humans

Pokémon

Opening animation spoilers

Ash capturing a Froakie and a Fletchling.

Serena obtaining a Fennekin.

Clemont having a Bunnelby and a Chespin, and capturing a Dedenne for Bonnie to care for.

Video

By This video is not available on Bulbapedia; instead, you can watch the video on YouTube here.

Trivia

Errors

During the scene of a rainy town, a male Meowstic is miscolored as a female Meowstic.

In other languages

Opening animation: Dub Movie 20 OP

Lyrics

I wanna be the very best

Like no one ever was

To catch them is my real test

To train them is my cause



I will travel across the land

Searching far and wide

Each Pokémon to understand

The power that's inside



Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), it's you and me

I know it's my destiny

(Pokémon!)

Oh, you're my best friend

In a world we must defend

Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), a heart so true

Our courage will pull us through

You teach me, and I'll teach you

Po-ké-mon!

(Gotta catch 'em all!)

Gotta catch 'em all!



Every challenge along the way

With courage I will face

I will battle every day

To claim my rightful place



Come with me, the time is right

There's no better team,

Arm in arm, we'll win the fight

It's always been our dream



Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), it's you and me

I know it's my destiny

(Pokémon!)

Oh, you're my best friend

In a world we must defend

Pokémon (Gotta catch 'em all), a heart so true

Our courage will pull us through

You teach me, and I'll teach you

Po-ké-mon!

(Gotta catch 'em all!)

Gotta catch 'em all!



Gotta catch 'em all!

In other languages

Opening animation: Dub Movie 22 OP

Pokémon Theme (Mewtwo Mix) Dub Movie 22 OP Artist Ben Dixon and The Sad Truth Lyrics John Loeffler Composer John Siegler and John Loeffler Arrangement Ed Goldfarb

Lyrics

I wanna be the very best

Like no one ever was

To catch them is my real test

To train them is my cause



I will travel across the land

Searching far and wide

Each Pokémon to understand

The power that's inside

(The power inside)



Pokémon

it's you and me

I know it's my destiny

Pokémon

Ooh, you're my best friend

In a world we must defend

Pokémon

A heart so true

Our courage will pull us through

You teach me and I'll teach you

Po-ké-mon!

(Gotta catch 'em)

Gotta catch 'em

Gotta catch 'em all



Every challenge along the way

With courage I will face

I will battle every day

To claim my rightful place



Come with me

The time is right

There's no better team

Arm in arm, we'll win the fight

(It's always been our dream)

It's always been our dream



Pokémon

it's you and me

I know it's my destiny

Pokémon

Ooh, you're my best friend

In a world we must defend

Pokémon

A heart so true

Our courage will pull us through

You teach me and I'll teach you

Po-ké-mon!

(I'll teach you)

Gotta catch 'em

Gotta catch 'em

Gotta catch 'em all

Pokémon!

Trivia

The Netflix closed captions originally had the fourth line as "'Cause training them is my cost", it has since been fixed.

In other languages





