Recaps

Shiraishi Ritsu and Smeargle answered readers’ questions about Pokémon battles and safety, then proposed adding an illustrated battle-tips feature to Pokémon Adventures. The chapter ended with Ritsu learning that a young Trainer had invited him to give a lesson, prompting him to worry the reader might challenge him to battle.

• Kikkawa Maho told Shiraishi Ritsu that Pokémon Adventures had strong preorder numbers and that Red had topped the reader popularity poll.
• Ritsu and Smeargle sorted reader letters, answered questions about battle tactics and type immunity, and drew illustrations to explain their replies.
• After a young reader proposed imitating a dangerous aerial stunt from the manga, Ritsu added a safety warning and Smeargle drew a comic urging readers not to imitate dangerous stunts.
• Ritsu proposed an illustrated Pokémon battle-tips feature to Maho, who agreed to discuss it with the features editor.
• Maho told Ritsu that a young Trainer had written asking him for battle advice, and Ritsu nervously wondered whether the reader intended to challenge him.

Shiraishi Ritsu watched the Celadon City Rookie Trainer Exchange Tournament with Smeargle and advised Ashu after his attempt to copy a Pokémon Adventures tactic failed. After Ashu and the other young Trainers recognized Shiraishi and Smeargle, Shiraishi answered their battle questions, but one Trainer asked why he never battled himself, recalling his defeat by a Rattata.

• Shiraishi Ritsu took Smeargle to the tournament to watch Pokémon battles and gather manga material.
• Ashu tried using Butterfree’s Stun Spore and the wind to trap Kaori’s Pidgeotto, but Kaori countered with Gust and Quick Attack to win.
• Shiraishi explained that the open court, changing wind, and Pidgeotto’s Gust made Ashu’s copied tactic ineffective, then suggested ways to practice with Butterfree.
• Ashu realized Shiraishi was Masuda Senbei, and the nearby Trainers recognized Smeargle as the artist behind Pokémon Adventures.
• Shiraishi answered the Trainers’ questions about Pokémon battles until one asked why he did not battle himself, reminding him and Smeargle of their defeat by a Rattata.

Shiraishi Ritsu began training Smeargle to battle, and Smeargle successfully learned Quick Attack by using Sketch on Kaori's Pidgeotto. When Smeargle tried painting while dashing, Shiraishi got an idea for a manga panel.

• Shiraishi Ritsu realized Smeargle wanted to battle and decided to train with him.
• At the training ground, Shiraishi discovered Smeargle's poor stamina and planned regular exercise and move practice.
• Shiraishi chose Quick Attack as Smeargle's first move and asked Kaori to have Pidgeotto demonstrate it.
• After studying Pidgeotto's movements, Smeargle successfully used Sketch to learn Quick Attack and tried it out.
• Smeargle attempted to paint while using Quick Attack, and Shiraishi saw the resulting streak and came up with a manga panel idea.

Shiraishi Ritsu and Smeargle faced Ashu and Butterfree in a friendly battle at Celadon City’s public training grounds. After struggling with Butterfree’s attacks, Smeargle used its skill at observing Pokémon to dodge Gust, and the battle continued as Butterfree prepared to use Stun Spore.

• Shiraishi Ritsu accepted Ashu’s challenge to a one-on-one friendly battle, while Smeargle proudly showed off its newly learned Quick Attack.
• Butterfree knocked Smeargle down with Gust, but Smeargle followed Shiraishi Ritsu’s advice and dodged the next attack.
• Smeargle used Quick Attack, but Butterfree avoided it by flying higher, then used String Shot to restrict Smeargle’s movement.
• Smeargle escaped through a gap with Quick Attack, but Butterfree struck it with Gust and left it tiring from the repeated dashes.
• Shiraishi Ritsu urged Smeargle to rely on its skill at observing Pokémon, and Smeargle dodged most of another Gust by reading Butterfree’s movements.
• Ashu ordered Butterfree to use Stun Spore as Butterfree flew forward and downward, and Shiraishi Ritsu saw an opportunity.

Shiraishi Ritsu and Smeargle won their first friendly battle against Ashu and Butterfree, then celebrated Smeargle’s progress and its drawing for Ashu. Back at the studio, Kikkawa Maho reminded Shiraishi that his signing event was the next day, and he realized he had not practiced his signature.

• Shiraishi Ritsu directed Smeargle to land two well-timed Quick Attacks, defeating Ashu’s exhausted Butterfree.
• Shiraishi Ritsu celebrated Smeargle’s first victory, and nearby Trainers applauded its improved battle awareness.
• Ashu thanked Shiraishi for the battle, and Smeargle drew a picture of Ashu and Butterfree as a memento.
• Shiraishi and Smeargle agreed to train regularly while still meeting their manga deadline.
• Kikkawa Maho called to remind Shiraishi that his signing event was tomorrow, and he panicked because he had not practiced his signature.

Shiraishi Ritsu and Smeargle held their first Pokémon Adventures book signing in Celadon City, where they met excited readers and received gifts. The event ended with Lt. Surge confronting Shiraishi about depicting him as a Team Rocket executive.

• Shiraishi Ritsu and Smeargle prepared for their first signing and headed to Celadon Book City, where a large crowd had gathered.
• Shiraishi Ritsu and Smeargle introduced themselves and signed books, answering readers’ questions and drawing Pokémon for them.
• Kikkawa Maho gave Shiraishi Ritsu a box of reader letters and handmade gifts, and Smeargle carefully saved a fan’s drawing.
• Shiraishi Ritsu finished signing for the reserved readers and prepared to meet the final person in line.
• Lt. Surge arrived with a copy of Pokémon Adventures, revealed his identity, and asked Shiraishi why he had made him a Team Rocket executive.

At his first signing event, Shiraishi Ritsu met Lt. Surge, who asked him to draw his manga counterpart as more imposing and praised the battle scenes. Lt. Surge invited Shiraishi Ritsu and Smeargle to watch a real Electric-type battle after the signing.

• Lt. Surge arrived at Shiraishi Ritsu's signing event and asked him to autograph Pokémon Adventures.
• Lt. Surge praised the Raichu-versus-Sandslash battle but asked Shiraishi Ritsu to make his manga counterpart look cooler.
• Lt. Surge summoned his Raichu so Smeargle could study it and draw a portrait.
• Lt. Surge and Raichu admired Smeargle's illustration, and Shiraishi Ritsu gave it to him as a souvenir.
• Lt. Surge invited Shiraishi Ritsu and Smeargle to see a real Electric-type battle after the signing.

After Shiraishi Ritsu’s book signing, Lt. Surge questioned the manga’s battle tactics and discovered that Ritsu had a strong grasp of Pokémon battle theory despite little practical experience or formal training. The chapter ended with Lt. Surge telling Ritsu he was suited to being a Trainer.

• Shiraishi Ritsu finished his book signing with Smeargle, then joined Lt. Surge at a training ground to watch Raichu train.
• Lt. Surge challenged Ritsu to explain why the manga showed him losing to young Trainers, and Ritsu said the manga’s Lt. Surge had underestimated their growth.
• Ritsu explained the tactics Raichu used against Sandslash, including Agility, Iron Tail, and reading the ground to predict Dig.
• Ritsu discussed type disadvantages, feints, and adapting tactics to a Pokémon’s strengths, impressing Lt. Surge with his battle knowledge.
• Lt. Surge learned that Ritsu had rarely battled and had never received formal Trainer education, then said Ritsu was suited to being a Trainer.

Shiraishi Ritsu and Smeargle watched Lt. Surge train Raichu, gathering detailed reference for manga battle scenes and refining how to depict Iron Tail and Thunderbolt. Back at the studio, Ritsu received a letter from Koga of Fuchsia City, suggesting another Gym Leader had taken an interest in his manga.

• Lt. Surge invited Shiraishi Ritsu to watch Raichu train, and Ritsu declined his suggestion to become a Trainer.
• Smeargle sketched Raichu's Agility and Iron Tail, while Lt. Surge explained how Raichu adjusted its stance and sought openings to attack.
• Ritsu helped Smeargle improve a Thunderbolt sequence by dividing the move into panels that showed Raichu's pose and the impact.
• Lt. Surge praised Smeargle's action sketches and invited Ritsu to visit the Vermilion Gym again.
• At the studio, Kikkawa Maho gave Ritsu a letter addressed to Masuda Senbei, and he recognized Koga of Fuchsia City as its sender.

Shiraishi Ritsu received a courteous letter from Koga offering detailed advice on Poison-type battles and ninja tactics, then worked with Smeargle on ideas for the manga and wrote a reply. Just as Ritsu prepared to mail it, Koga appeared outside his window in person.

• Shiraishi Ritsu read Koga’s letter, which praised the manga’s Poison-type battles and suggested using terrain and movement to improve Venomoth’s Double Team tactics.
• Shiraishi Ritsu and Smeargle sketched ninja movements and battle panels for Koga and Venomoth.
• Shiraishi Ritsu wrote Koga a reply thanking him and asking to discuss Pokémon tactics further.
• Shiraishi Ritsu decided to give Koga one of Smeargle’s drawings if they met, then heard a voice say there was no need to mail the letter.
• Koga appeared on the windowsill and told Shiraishi Ritsu that he was already there.

Koga visited Shiraishi Ritsu’s studio to discuss Poison-type battle tactics and ninja techniques, while Smeargle recorded their conversation and demonstrations in storyboards. Koga approved the manga’s portrayal of him as a villain, and left wondering which Gym Leader Shiraishi Ritsu would target next.

• Koga arrived at Shiraishi Ritsu’s window late at night, then agreed to enter through the front door when Shiraishi asked.
• Koga questioned Shiraishi about Poison-type battle tactics, and the two discussed status moves, battlefield conditions, and ways to mislead opponents.
• Koga demonstrated agile movements and a feint in the courtyard, which Smeargle captured in a sequence of action panels.
• Koga praised Smeargle’s drawing and warned Shiraishi to handle real people carefully; he approved of the manga’s villainous version of himself.
• Koga asked what villains Shiraishi planned to introduce next, then left wondering which other Trainers might appear in the manga.

After a newspaper exaggerated Shiraishi Ritsu’s conversations with Sabrina, Lt. Surge, and Koga into close ties, the publisher clarified that the Gym Leaders had not helped create or promote Pokémon Adventures. The publicity boosted reprint preorders, bringing Shiraishi Ritsu and Smeargle closer to their goal of a new home with a separate art studio.

• Kikkawa Maho told Shiraishi Ritsu that his first book signing had succeeded and that the publisher wanted to interview him.
• During the interview, Shiraishi Ritsu explained how he and Smeargle made Pokémon Adventures and mentioned conversations with Sabrina, Lt. Surge, and Koga.
• A newspaper framed those conversations as close ties between Shiraishi Ritsu and Kanto’s three Gym Leaders, prompting readers to speculate about his strength and training.
• Shiraishi Ritsu and Kikkawa Maho arranged a clarification stating that the Gym Leaders had neither advised on nor promoted the manga, while keeping his identity and studio information confidential.
• Kikkawa Maho reported that the publicity increased reprint preorders, especially in Saffron City, Vermilion City, and Fuchsia City, and Shiraishi Ritsu and Smeargle saw their new-home goal getting closer.

Shiraishi Ritsu learned that the first collected volume of Pokémon Adventures had sold over seven thousand copies and was set for a six-thousand-copy reprint. After learning his royalties, he and Smeargle celebrated their success with a lavish meal in Celadon City.

• Kikkawa Maho told Shiraishi Ritsu that the first volume had sold over seven thousand of its eight thousand copies, with strong orders from several Kanto cities.
• Kikkawa Maho announced that the publisher had approved a six-thousand-copy reprint and showed Shiraishi Ritsu his royalty settlement.
• Shiraishi Ritsu and Smeargle celebrated their earnings and planned to reward themselves with a shopping trip.
• Shiraishi Ritsu and Smeargle enjoyed a lavish lunch, toasted their first collected volume, and reflected on how far they had come.

After Shiraishi Ritsu’s manga income grew, he and Smeargle discussed hiring an assistant and explored the possibility of buying a house in Celadon City. The chapter ended with Ritsu asking Smeargle whether they should start considering a home purchase.

• Shiraishi Ritsu took Smeargle to an art supply store, where Smeargle excitedly bought premium paints, brushes, and drawing paper.
• Kikkawa Maho called Ritsu to suggest hiring an assistant to help Smeargle with backgrounds and other artwork, and Ritsu agreed to consider candidates carefully.
• Kikkawa Maho brought Ritsu a distribution plan that listed possible future markets in Johto and Hoenn.
• Ritsu reviewed his savings and manga income, then brought out a Celadon City real estate brochure and considered a small two-story house with a yard.
• Smeargle drew a picture of their imagined home and studio, prompting Ritsu to ask whether they could start thinking about buying a house.

Shiraishi Ritsu and Smeargle found a quiet Celadon City house with room for their studios and paid a deposit, while planning to wait before completing the purchase. Meanwhile, Giovanni learned that Masuda Senbei would attend a public event in Saffron City and ordered his men to find an opportunity to meet him.

• Shiraishi Ritsu and Smeargle viewed several Celadon City homes, rejecting one beside a noisy Pokémon training club and another that exceeded their budget.
• In northwestern Celadon City, Shiraishi Ritsu and Smeargle found a quiet two-story house with a yard and rooms suitable for their work.
• Shiraishi Ritsu reviewed the terms with Machida and paid an affordable deposit to reserve the house pending an inspection and formal contract.
• Shiraishi Ritsu told Kikkawa Maho about the house, learned she was gathering trial pages from potential assistants, and agreed to attend a Pokémon Adventures event in Saffron City.
• Giovanni heard from Murata that Masuda Senbei's Saffron City appearance was publicly scheduled, ordered him to leave the artist's home and studio alone, and decided to arrange a meeting at the event.

Shiraishi Ritsu prepared to travel to Saffron City with Smeargle for a promotional event, while Sabrina contacted him to ask about the next Pokémon Adventures installment. When Sabrina mentioned an incoming challenger from Pallet Town with a Pikachu, Ritsu suspected the Trainer was Ash and wondered whether to warn her about the Saffron Gym challenge.

• Shiraishi Ritsu packed for the Saffron City promotional event, and Kikkawa Maho reviewed the interview arrangements with him.
• Sabrina read a grateful letter from a young Trainer and wondered when the next issue of Pokémon Adventures would arrive.
• Sabrina called Shiraishi Ritsu to ask about the manga's next installment, and he told her it would feature Red, Green, and conflict with the boy in the cap.
• Sabrina praised Smeargle's portrait, and Smeargle excitedly reacted to her compliment.
• Sabrina told Shiraishi Ritsu that a young Trainer from Pallet Town with a Pikachu was heading to Saffron City, and Ritsu suspected he was Ash.

At a Pokémon Adventures promotional event in Saffron City, Shiraishi Ritsu met Ash, Misty, and Brock and learned Ash planned to challenge Sabrina. Sabrina later confirmed she had considered turning Ash into a doll, leaving Ritsu worried that he and Smeargle would need to visit the Saffron Gym.

• Shiraishi Ritsu recognized Ash, Misty, and Brock at the manga exhibition and introduced himself as its creator, Masuda Senbei.
• Smeargle drew Pikachu, while Ash discussed battle tactics with Ritsu and showed him the three Badges he had earned, including Lt. Surge's Thunder Badge.
• Ash announced that he planned to challenge Sabrina at Saffron Gym, and Ritsu warned him that she was extremely strong.
• After Ash, Misty, and Brock left, Sabrina messaged Ritsu that a boy wearing a cap had come to challenge her Gym.
• Ritsu asked Sabrina not to turn Ash into a doll, but Sabrina replied by asking how he knew she would do that, prompting Ritsu to plan a visit to the Gym with Smeargle.

Shiraishi Ritsu tried to dissuade Sabrina and her rag doll from turning Ash into a toy, while Smeargle’s comic made Sabrina more curious about him. The next morning, Sabrina agreed to accept Ash’s formal Gym challenge and ordered the staff to let him in.

• Shiraishi Ritsu nervously explained to Sabrina that his warnings about turning people into toys came from researching psychic-power ideas for manga.
• During a video call, Shiraishi Ritsu urged Sabrina to give Ash a proper Gym battle, and Smeargle showed them a comic depicting Ash and Pikachu as dolls.
• Sabrina agreed to battle Ash according to Gym rules, while Shiraishi Ritsu ended the call before she could say what might happen afterward.
• At Saffron Gym the next morning, a staff member told Sabrina that Ash from Pallet Town had formally applied for a challenge.
• Sabrina remembered Smeargle’s comic, then told the staff member to let Ash in.

Ash challenged Sabrina at the Saffron Gym, but Pikachu could not overcome Abra, which evolved into Kadabra during the battle. After Pikachu was badly hurt, Ash forfeited and left without a Badge, only for Sabrina’s doll to demand that he play with it.

• Ash entered the Saffron Gym with Misty and Brock and began a one-on-one battle against Sabrina, sending out Pikachu against her Abra.
• Abra repeatedly used Teleport to evade Pikachu’s attacks, then evolved into Kadabra during the battle.
• Ash tried to counter Kadabra’s Psychic with Pikachu’s movement and Thunderbolt, but Kadabra caught Pikachu and threw it across the field twice.
• Seeing Pikachu injured, Ash forfeited the match and told Sabrina he would return to challenge her again.
• At a Pokémon Adventures promotional event, Shiraishi Ritsu told a reporter that Trainers should know when to admit defeat to protect their Pokémon.
• As Ash turned to leave the Gym, Sabrina’s doll smiled and told him that, since he had lost, he had to play with her.

After losing to Sabrina, Ash, Misty, and Brock were shrunk and trapped in Sabrina’s dollhouse, where a doll chased them through a dangerous game. A mysterious psychic restored them to normal and warned Ash to keep away from the Saffron Gym while Pikachu recovered, leaving Ash without the Badge.

• Sabrina’s doll shrank Ash, Misty, and Brock and transported them into a dollhouse after they tried to leave the Gym.
• The doll forced the group into a game of hide-and-seek, using animated toys to chase them while injured Pikachu remained in Ash’s arms.
• Ash called out to Sabrina, but the doll continued the chase and began drawing the toys together to trap them.
• A mysterious psychic intervened, returned the group to normal size, and warned them to stay away from the Saffron Gym.
• Ash accepted that he could not yet defeat Sabrina’s Kadabra, and the man told him to take Pikachu to the Pokémon Center before leaving.

After Ash lost to Sabrina and escaped her dollhouse with help, a mysterious man advised him to seek Ghost Pokémon in Lavender Town before challenging her again. Shiraishi Ritsu recognized the suggestion as a chance for Smeargle to find new manga material.

• Shiraishi Ritsu worried that Ash had not returned from challenging Sabrina, while Smeargle showed him a comic depicting Ash shrunk into a doll.
• A breeze opened Pokémon Adventures to a page featuring a tiny pink Pokémon, which a matching figure outside the window noticed before vanishing.
• Ash returned with Misty and Brock, explained that Sabrina's Kadabra had defeated him, and described how Sabrina's doll had shrunk them and trapped them in a dollhouse.
• Ash vowed to challenge Sabrina again, and Shiraishi Ritsu considered how they might prepare for the next attempt.
• The man who had rescued Ash and his friends advised Ash to seek Ghost Pokémon in Lavender Town, and Shiraishi Ritsu saw a chance for Smeargle to find new material.

Shiraishi Ritsu learned that the mysterious psychic who had helped Ash and his friends was Sabrina’s father, and heard why he had struggled to reconnect with her. The conversation ended with Sabrina’s father recognizing Ritsu as the manga artist who had portrayed Sabrina as a villain.

• Ash decided to travel to Lavender Town to seek Ghost Pokémon that might help counter Sabrina’s Kadabra, and Shiraishi Ritsu chose to go as well with Smeargle.
• Shiraishi Ritsu suspected the mysterious psychic was concerned about Sabrina and later encountered him outside a shop, where the man confirmed he was Sabrina’s father.
• Sabrina’s father showed Ritsu a childhood photograph and explained that Sabrina had withdrawn from family and friends as she devoted herself to training her psychic powers.
• Sabrina’s father said he had tried to bring her back into ordinary life, but she regarded such efforts as a waste of training time.
• Shiraishi Ritsu told Sabrina’s father that Sabrina had objected to her portrayal in Pokémon Adventures, and the man recognized him as the manga artist who drew her as a villain.

Shiraishi Ritsu told Sabrina's father about her interest in manga and encouraged him to connect with her through ordinary conversation. After getting permission from Kikkawa Maho, Ritsu and Smeargle joined Ash, Misty, and Brock on their trip to Lavender Town to gather reference material.

• Shiraishi Ritsu told Sabrina's father that Sabrina read Pokémon Adventures, answered readers' letters, and had asked Smeargle to draw her portrait; her father realized she had been changing in ways he hadn't known about.
• Shiraishi Ritsu advised Sabrina's father to talk with her about manga and readers' letters, and the man thanked him before warning him about the Ghost Pokémon in Lavender Town.
• Shiraishi Ritsu called Kikkawa Maho to request a two-day trip to Lavender Town for manga references, and she agreed after he assured her the next installment would stay on schedule.
• Shiraishi Ritsu and Smeargle prepared a checklist for studying Lavender Town, Pokémon Tower, Ghost Pokémon, and potential comedy-manga material.
• The next morning, Shiraishi Ritsu and Smeargle met Ash, Misty, and Brock on the road and joined their journey to Lavender Town.

As Ash read Pokémon Adventures on the road to Lavender Town, Shiraishi Ritsu discussed Smeargle’s training with Brock. During their rest, a wild Pidgey showed unusual interest in the manga before flying away, leaving the group unaware of its reason.

• Ash eagerly read Pokémon Adventures and asked Shiraishi Ritsu about Red’s future adventures, while Misty scolded Ash for reading as he walked.
• At lunch, Shiraishi Ritsu and Brock discussed Smeargle’s sketches, exercise, and Quick Attack training, and Brock offered to review Smeargle’s training plan.
• After lunch, a wild Pidgey ignored Brock’s Berries and moved closer to watch Ash read the manga.
• Pidgey flew away when Shiraishi Ritsu approached, and the group assumed it had been drawn to the colorful pictures.

Ash, Misty, Brock, Shiraishi Ritsu, and Smeargle explored the outside of Pokémon Tower before entering, where they heard a mysterious laugh. Haunter watched the group and became fascinated by the Pokémon Adventures manga sticking out of Shiraishi Ritsu’s backpack.

• Shiraishi Ritsu and Smeargle sketched Pokémon Tower while Ash and Misty argued about whether Ghost Pokémon were frightening.
• Ash led the group toward the tower after they heard laughter from inside, despite Misty’s unease.
• Shiraishi Ritsu warned Smeargle to stay close and be cautious around Gastly and Haunter as they entered the tower.
• Haunter watched the group from the ceiling and first considered scaring Ash, but then noticed the manga in Shiraishi Ritsu’s backpack.
• Haunter became curious about Pokémon Adventures and reached toward the book instead of frightening Ash.