Iconic Pokemon Quotes From the Original Anime (2024)

The Pokémon anime began airing in April 1997, with the dub following a year later, quickly becoming a global phenomenon and capturing the hearts of children everywhere. There are currently twenty-six Pokémon seasons, and despite having so many seasons to choose from, most fans agree that the original, first season of Pokémon stands among the rest with the most quotable moments.

The writing of Pokémon's first season, as well as its early movies, don't feel like they're specifically catered to a younger audience. There's a lot for adults to enjoy too, be it humorous and iconic lines like Brock's drying pan scene, or more serious lessons like Mewtwo's famous quote at the end of Pokémon: The First Movie. Even after over two-and-a-half decades, fans keep returning to Pokémon's first season and quoting many of its best lines.

Updated On February 27, 2024 by Hannah Grimes: Pokemon's first season still proves to be one of its most popular, and there are many more famous lines that fans love quoting to this day. We've added a few more of them to this list, while adding additonal information to existing entries.

15 "I'll Use My Trusty Frying Pan As A Drying Pan!"

Brock, in the Pokémon special "Mewtwo Returns"

This famously funny Pokémon quote from Brock was part of the direct-to-DVD special episode "Return of Mewtwo". When caught in a sudden storm, Brock, the cook of the group, has a brilliant idea. "Hey, I know," he exclaims, suddenly covering his head with a pan, "I'll use my trusty frying pan as a drying pan!"

Although the wisdom of holding a metal pan over your head in a storm is certainly questionable, the hilarity of this line is beyond doubt. It has become one of the most famous memes about the Pokémon anime, with some Brock cosplayers even using a pan as props for photos.

14 "No One's Carried Me Since My Momma."

James from the 2002 Pokemon Spin-off episode, Training Daze

The episode "Training Daze" featured a flashback to when Jesse and James of Team Rocket first met. Both eager to prove themselves, Jesse told James that she hoped he was a good trainer, as she had no desire to carry his dead weight.

With a delightful smile, James turned to Jesse and let out this iconic Pokémon quote. As funny as this line is, it's also a defining moment for James, who was later revealed to have grown up in an extremely wealthy family, and now wanted to make something of himself entirely on his own. Even though they're far more often bumbling failures, it's these moments of charisma and charm that make Team Rocket such great rivals to Ash.

13 "I Think You Just Proved You Have A Lot Of Courage, Too."

Brock, in Episode 21: Bye Bye, Butterfree!

"Bye Bye Butterfree" is widely regarded as one of the most emotional and rewatchable episodes of the series, and was pivotal to Ash's early development as a trainer. When his Butterfree falls in love with a female pink Butterfree, Ash has to make one of the hardest decisions on his journey so far and chooses to let Butterfree go to be with his newfound love.

The team says goodbye, and Ash reminisces on how he met his Butterfree as a Caterpie and trained him and fought alongside him. Brock approaches him from behind and puts a hand on Ash's shoulder, stating that he raised Butterfree to be courageous, leading to this emotional and hard-hitting Pokémon quote. It's a great and insightful line from Brock that proves that being a trainer is about much more than just winning battles.

12 "Looks Like Team Rocket's Blasting Off Again!"

Team Rocket, every time they're defeated by Ash and his companions

This Pokémon quote is famous for its repetition, but despite it happening almost every episode, it never gets old. Maybe it's because it almost never happens in the exact same way, or maybe hearing it so many times makes it so funny, but one way or another, the Pokémon anime has made it work for decades.

Even Team Rocket themselves never seem to get tired of it as much as they do get used to it, sometimes even calmly debating what went wrong as they're blasted into the sky. Each one is the same and yet unique, with the various Pokémon Team Rocket use often getting in on the fun as well.

11 "First, There Are Some Things I Have To Tell You."

Brock to his father, in Episode 5: Showdown In Pewter City!

Despite losing on his first try for the Boulder Badge, Ash was encouraged by a wandering loner named Flint to try again with different strategies. After Ash's victory, Flint returns and reveals himself to be Brock's father, who had abandoned his family in shame after failing to become the Pokémon Master he wanted to be. To atone, he will take over the gym, so Brock can have the life of adventure he deserves.

Accepting that Brock has a right to be angry, Flint readies himself when Brock replies with this Pokémon quote — only to be surprised and overwhelmed when Brock, instead of lashing out, begins rapid-firing everything he'll need to know to take care of his younger siblings. Although Brock is often seen as a sidekick or companion to Ash, he's a character who could easily be the protagonist of his own story.

10 "It'll Do Gary Good To See Every Road Has A Few Bumps Along The Way."

Professor Oak, Episode 79: The Fourth Round Rumble

Throughout the Indigo League, Pokémon's first season, Gary Oak is consistently ahead of Ash at every turn. He already has a Pokémon while Ash oversleeps, he's typically blazing past Ash in terms of overall progression, and Gary always has a horde of devoted fangirls accompanying him at every turn.

At the end of the Pokémon anime, along with Ash, Gary Oak also loses during the Indigo League's Tournament. Professor Oak is completely unbothered by this, knowing how applauded his grandson was throughout his entire Kanto journey, and states in this Pokémon quote that a loss or two will be good for Gary. Being able to accept losses and grow from them, especially for those who aren't used to doing so, is a valuable life lesson.

9 "That's Right, I Am Too Weak To Work, But A Pokémon Battle Isn't Work!"

Ash, during a battle in Pokémon: The First Movie

A classic line from the equally classic film Pokémon: The First Movie, this line is a perfect summary of Ash's character. Having just finished grumbling that he was too weak from hunger to do any work, Ash is suddenly challenged to a Pokémon battle by another trainer, which he immediately accepts of course.

​​​​​​Misty is quick to point out the hypocrisy of Ash claiming he was too weak to work while apparently having enough energy to fight a Pokémon battle, Ash retorts with this iconic Pokemon quote. It's a perfect display of Ash's passion as a Pokémon trainer, and that despite how skilled he is, he is still young and has much to learn about life.

8 "In Their Hearts, They Know They'll Go On To Face Every Challenge Together."

The Narrator talking about Ash and Pikachu, Episode 39: Pikachu's Goodbye

Ash and Pikachu have been through more than any other duo in the Pokémon series, and one heartbreaking episode that almost ended their adventure entirely is "Pikachu's Goodbye". After coming across a safe sanctuary for Pikachu to live together, Ash gets it in his head that his Pikachu would be better off staying with them instead of continuing on as Ash's partner.

Pikachu quickly catches up to Ash when its trainer tries to leave, and the two reunite with a tearful and emotional hug, their bond strengthened. The narrator goes on to state this heartwarming Pokémon quote, as Ash and Pikachu know that nothing could ever tear them apart again.

7 "Everybody Makes A Wrong Turn Once In A While."

Ash in the 2002 Pokémon Heroes movie

After losing the beautifully animated water-chariot race at the beginning of the Pokémon Heroes movie, Ash consoles his Totodile, who had lost the race after being tricked into following the invisible legendary Pokémon Latios and Latias. Ash reassures Totodile that he isn't upset, especially not with him, stating that "everybody makes a wrong turn once in a while."

Although Ash was being literal, it's very easy to interpret this Pokémon quote as a deeper statement about life itself, and it's reflective of how Ash views his journey as a trainer. He might gripe and bellyache when lost in the woods, but by and large, it is much more about the journey than the destination to him, and that's a lesson everyone could use a reminder of.

6 "Prepare For Trouble, And Make It Double!"

Jessie and James, every time they do their Team Rocket speech

The iconic motto of one of the most famous trios in anime history, "Prepare for trouble, and make it double", is heard almost every single time Team Rocket makes their appearance. At first, this Pokémon quote was used to show that these were dangerous people, and to explain their motivations and the philosophy of Team Rocket, but over time it just became a big joke.

Even Ash and his friends would often interrupt Team Rocket during their monologuing, and since they almost always lose, the grandstanding is a bit pointless. Nonetheless, Jesse, James, Meowth, and the other Pokémon of Team Rocket take great pride in their performance, showing that they and Ash have a lot more in common than they might think: especially their unwavering determination.

5 "We Do Have A Lot In Common."

Meowth, from Pokémon: The First Movie

Although not often, every once in a while, a member of Team Rocket shares surprising wisdom when compared to their typical antics. From Pokémon: The First Movie, the same movie that contains Mewtwo's famous Pokémon quote, Team Rocket's Meowth agrees that despite their differences, everyone gathered together has a lot in common.

Meowth goes on to question how things would be different if everyone looked at what made them similar, rather than what made them different. This hits especially hard knowing Meowth's backstory, as he learns to speak English to impress a female Meowth, only to be rejected for being different.

4 "Spearows, Do You Know Who I Am?"

Ash, to the flock of Spearows attacking he and Pikachu from Episode 1: I Choose You!

Ash goes through a lot in Pokémon's first episode. He's so excited about getting his first Pokémon that he can't sleep, then he oversleeps, and ends up having to pick an unruly Pikachu after having his defeat rubbed in by Professor Oak's grandson. And while Ash does get a Pokémon, Pikachu refuses to listen to him, and his journey starts off anything but ideal.

Even so, when a flock of Spearow threaten he and Pikachu, Ash does everything possible to shield his new partner from harm. He holds his arm out in front of Pikachu, begging Pikachu to get into its Pokéball while telling off the oncoming flock of Spearow with this Pokémon quote. His words encourage Pikachu to leap in front of Ash and protect him in return, sparking one of Pokémon's most important relationships.

3 "I See Now That The Circ*mstances Of One's Birth Are Irrelevant."

Mewtwo from Pokémon: The First Movie

Perhaps the most famous Pokémon quote from any of its movies, this Pokémon: The First Movie quote comes from a conversation between Mewtwo and Mew, the two most powerful Pokémon in existence at the time. After witnessing Ash sacrifice himself to save his Pikachu from the clones he had made, Mewtwo has a sudden moment of clarity.

"I see now that the circ*mstances of one's birth are irrelevant," he tells Mew; "It is what you do with the gift of life that determines who you are." Through Ash's sacrifice, Mewtwo realized that just because he had been born a slave in a life of pain, that didn't define him, only he could define himself.

2 "I Choose You!"

Ash, in almost every episode when calling out his Pokémon

This famous Pokemon quote, spoken by Ash Ketchum, echo the lines of the equally famous opening theme song. Ash doesn't just command his Pokémon to enter battle, but rather states that they have been chosen by him. This declaration of trust in his chosen Pokémon signifies the deep bond that Ash builds with his Pokémon team.

When Ash sends his Pokémon out into battle, he is doing so because of his faith that they are the right ones for the job. He believes the Pokémon he chooses will be able to help him accomplish his own goals, not at ]their expense, but rather by working together.

1 "I Don't Want To Change!"

Pikachu, translated by Meowth, Episode 14: Electric Shock Showdown

This particular Pokémon quote is translated by Meowth, since Pikachu can't directly communicate with Ash and the others, but the impact of this line is the same. After arriving in Vermillion City, Ash quickly challenges the Gym there and suffers a devastating loss to Lt. Surge's Raichu. He and the other onlookers at the gym taunt Pikachu, saying it'll never beat a Raichu unless it evolves, too.

These words deeply affect Ash, who offers Pikachu a Thunder Stone but keeps the choice entirely up to his partner. Pikachu declines, saying that it doesn't want to win if it can't beat Raichu without evolving. It's a heartwarming sentiment from Pokémon - that one shouldn't have to change just to achieve victory - and Pikachu goes on to defeat Raichu with superior speed and creative tactics.

Pokémon (1997)

TV-Y7

Anime

Action

Adventure

Ash Ketchum, his yellow pet Pikachu, and his human friends explore a world of powerful creatures.

Release Date

September 8, 1998

Cast

Veronica Taylor , Eric Stuart , Rachael Lillis , Sarah Natochenny , Bill Rogers , Rica Matsumoto , Ikue Ootani

Main Genre

Anime

Seasons

25

Studio

OLM Inc.