Ep. 17: Ash and friends face Gyarados and get separated on an island of giant Pokémon
Aired on July 22, 1997
17
After surviving a sinking ship, Ash, his friends, and Team Rocket are attacked by Gyarados. The situation escalates as one Gyarados multiplies, creating a tornado that scatters the group across different locations on an island. Ash loses Pikachu, along with the Poké Balls containing Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur. Meanwhile, Jessie and James land in a remote area and also lose their Pokémon. Consequently, both the trainers and their Pokémon are separated and must search for each other on this strange island, which is inhabited by gigantic Pokémon. The narrative poses the question of where this island is located.
Episodes
- Ep. 13 · The group encounters Bill the researcher at a cliffside lighthouse while Team Rocket plots nearby
- Ep. 14 · Ash and Pikachu face Lt. Surge's evolved Raichu in a tough electric battle at the gym.
- Ep. 15 · Ash and friends board the St. Anne cruise ship, unaware of Team Rocket's deceptive plot to steal Pokémon from trainers.
- Ep. 16 · Team Rocket traps heroes, storm sinks ship, forcing Ash and rivals to cooperate for survival.
- Ep. 17 · Ash and friends face Gyarados and get separated on an island of giant Pokémon
- Ep. 18 · Ash and friends work for an old man in Acapulco after breaking his cruiser.
- Ep. 19 · Heroes confront a hotel project threatening coral reefs and Pokémon in Hutber Port.
- Ep. 20 · Ash and friends join a summer festival while Team Rocket seeks profit and a shrine scroll reveals a 2,000-year-old legend.
- Ep. 21 · Ash releases Butterfree near Saffron City as it seeks a mate during egg-laying season.