Samurai shonen no chouse nichi!

This episode was complete filler, it contributed almost nothing, but what it did was made in a good way. In this episode we get to see Ash grow more responsible, similarly to him sacrificating himself for Pikachu during the storm in the previous episodes, this time around he does something similar for his Metapod. We get to see an hillarious fight with a Samurai where both use a Metapod and the only attack they use does no damage but only increase defense, which was pretty funny, I remember seeing a sketch about pokemon in real life where they had that same battle take place. Anyway, nothing much going on plotwise, but we get characters changing.

Filler, if not GREAT filler. Ash is able to grow and develop as a trainer, and that's what I like most about this episode. When Metapod is stolen away by the Beedrill, the Samurai bashes Ash for being an irresponsible trainer. So, then Ash learns his lesson and goes to save his Pokémon. All in parts, this is another great episode, my only problem is team rocket comes off a little too goofy. Still, great episode, and love the ending!!!!

I have to say I thought this episode was pretty fun.

The ideas here are zany enough to work And be entertaining:

• A random samurai fetishist with a little net who wants to battle Ash
• a ridiculous metapod v metapod battle of hardening (proving that the samurai boy and Ash are equally inept at Pokémon battles)
• an insect plot to kidnap Ash's metapod (so cute)
• weedles chewing through team rocket's box
• a shrieking butterfree shooting out sleep spores

This Is pretty much a non essential episode, but I found it to be a fun one.

Now - any series that runs for over 1,200 episodes is bound to take a few diversions along the way, but for an episode that some may feel is the first bit of "filler" we saw, it still has plenty to offer.

Continuing in the mode of early episodes introducing viewers to a game mechanic, the focus today is placed on trainer battles, as Ash faces down a trainer named "Samurai" While we're not presented with anything to confirm whether trainer actually is a Samurai, or if it's just a hobby/outfit, he's still an entertaining foil, for a still fairly clueless Ash! Along the way, we also get some reinforcement of the game's approach to Pokemon typing matchups and the tedium a Metapod vs Metapod match would bring. (We've all been there.)

It's also the first hint we see of Team Rocket taking out a more comedic spin - Much like the Viridian Forest from the game it takes cues from, this is a welcome early side track from the fastest route through the story.