Chapter Summaries

Fuchsia Gym Leader Koga discovered that the popular manga Pokémon Adventures portrayed him as a Team Rocket executive. After studying its battle tactics, he became interested in meeting its author, Masuda Senbei, to discuss Pokémon battles.

• Janine showed Koga a Pokémon Adventures panel depicting a character named Koga as a Team Rocket executive, and Koga accepted it as artistic fiction rather than taking offense.
• Koga studied Venomoth's battle in a narrow corridor and praised the tactical use of terrain and Stun Spore while suggesting improvements to the Double Team strategy.
• Janine told Koga that Masuda Senbei wrote the manga and that a Smeargle illustrated it, and Koga admired the accuracy of the Pokémon's movements.
• Koga agreed to let Janine buy the first collected volume, but told her she would have to analyze its battle tactics as training.
• Koga said he would like to meet Masuda Senbei and discuss Pokémon battles after reading the manga's credits.

Koga called Lt. Surge to discuss Pokémon Adventures, and they brought Sabrina into the conversation to examine its battle tactics. After discovering that Sabrina secretly followed the manga closely, Koga decided to visit its artist, Masuda Senbei, in Celadon City.

• Janine asked Koga whether he planned to confront the author, and Koga called Lt. Surge to ask about Pokémon Adventures.
• Lt. Surge showed Koga a drawing from Masuda Senbei and complained about being portrayed as a Team Rocket executive who lost to young trainers.
• Koga and Lt. Surge contacted Sabrina, and the three Gym Leaders discussed the manga's battle tactics and their fictional villain roles.
• Sabrina recalled a specific command error from the latest issue, and her doll revealed that she had reread an earlier issue, prompting Lt. Surge to tease her before she ended the call.
• Koga told Janine that he planned to visit Celadon City and meet Masuda Senbei.

Shiraishi Ritsu rejected Kikkawa Maho’s plan to invite Sabrina, Lt. Surge, and Koga to promote Pokémon Adventures, fearing their manga portrayals would put him in danger. After Smeargle drew a mock poster showing Ritsu surrounded by the three Gym Leaders, Maho shelved the idea and proposed a reader meet-and-greet with a signing.

• Kikkawa Maho proposed inviting Sabrina, Lt. Surge, and Koga to promote Pokémon Adventures, but Shiraishi Ritsu insisted they needed the Gym Leaders’ consent and opposed the plan for now.
• Shiraishi Ritsu suggested safer promotions, including reader polls, character previews, and a Pokémon drawing contest, while Smeargle eagerly began sketching.
• Smeargle drew a poster of Shiraishi Ritsu looking terrified between the three Gym Leaders, and Kikkawa Maho laughed at the picture.
• Kikkawa Maho put the Gym Leader collaboration on hold, then showed Shiraishi Ritsu a proposal for a volume one reader meet-and-greet and suggested holding a signing.

Shiraishi Ritsu agreed to attend his first public signing as Masuda Senbei, with Smeargle joining him as the manga’s artist. The event’s eighty reservations sold out in under half an hour, leaving Ritsu nervous about meeting his readers.

• Kikkawa Maho proposed a signing, and Shiraishi Ritsu agreed on the condition that his identity and private information would remain protected and three Gym Leaders would not be invited.
• Shiraishi Ritsu and Smeargle designed a commemorative illustration of Red setting out with Poliwhirl and Bulbasaur.
• Kikkawa Maho approved Smeargle signing sketches, so Shiraishi Ritsu and Smeargle practiced their signatures and drawings.
• The publisher announced the Celadon City signing, and all eighty reservations were filled in less than half an hour.
• Kikkawa Maho told Shiraishi Ritsu that the reservations had sold out, and he became nervous about meeting the readers while Smeargle eagerly anticipated the event.

Sabrina read reader letters about her portrayal in Pokémon Adventures and was surprised that children admired her and wanted to learn from her. She agreed to consider answering Pokémon training questions and became interested in attending the manga’s signing event in Celadon City.

• After training Kadabra, Sabrina read the latest Pokémon Adventures installment and quietly finished it despite claiming it was only all right.
• Sabrina read letters from young fans, including a child who wanted to become a Psychic-type Trainer and a girl asking how to train her sleepy Abra.
• Sabrina decided to keep the letters separate and told her staff to send her readers’ Pokémon training questions so she could consider replying.
• Sabrina found a flyer for a Pokémon Adventures signing event in Celadon City and kept looking at it as she thought about seeing Masuda Senbei and Smeargle.

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.