The Lost Porygon Episode - VGF

Seraph · 06-12-2004, 01:35 AM

Don't know how many people know this, but the episode of Pokemon, "Electric Soldier Porygon", is one of the most famed banned episodes known. Many times, certain episodes of Pokemon are banned for reasons dealing with censorship, such as an abscure sexual reference, but in this episode is quite different. In the episode, a strange new Pokemon is discovered, Porygon, as is a way to enter the "computer world". Of course, Ash and company are soon drawn into the world, as are Team Rocket.

Seems innocent enough, right? Well the animators seemed to have made a quite error while animated the episode. In one scene Team Rocket fires missles at Ash and friends, only to have Pikuchu destory said missles a Thunderbolt. The result was a flashing red and blue explosion that put 800 Japanese children in the hospital for epiletic seizures. After this, the show was put on hold for 4 months and nearly banned completely, but in the end, the single episodes was simply banned for good, from everywhere in the world.

Just thought I'd post it because it really interested me. I know I've heard jokes that "anime causes seizures" but I never stopped to think that maybe it was true. If you wanna read it from the source, check it out: http://www.serebii.net/anime/banned.shtml

Seraph · 06-12-2004, 01:44 AM

Something else I just found. After posting this I was determined to find out if a copy of this episode still exsisted, so I made a quick stop to eBay to try and find it. At first I tried "Electric Soldier Porygon" and found nothing, and then "Banned Pokemon Episodes" and still got nothing. Finally, I tried shortening it to "Banned Pokemon" and came up with something that really forced me attention! The banned "Trance" epsiode. The description read as follows:

Quote:

This was put out by VSoM for a limited time several years ago. When this Japanese children's program was televised in mid-December, over 1000 kids were hospitalized and thousands more were apparently "put into a trance". Reportedly, this show used new subliminal techniques in animation which can cause nausea and hypnosis to the viewer. Also includes news broadcasts from Japan showing the mayhem it caused at the time. In japanese with no subtitles. Warning: do not watch alone. Do not show to children.

This was just too much to process at first. I mean first the seizures and now a "trance" DVD? Pokemon seems to have a much darker side that I know I didn't know about!

Mark Kelly · 06-12-2004, 09:57 AM

¬_¬

The Electric Soldier Porygon episode used strobe lighting that caused an above-normal number of children to have epileptic seizures. Although some believe that hysteria was exactly what it was, and that once news of the fits hit the headlines there was a scare campaign.

Of course, it's still not a good idea to watch strobe lighting effects in case it does trigger epileptic seizures, and this episode clearly had too many. But I have never heard about "trances" or "subliminal techniques" used in the episode - I get the feeling that whoever wrote that piece over-dramatised the point.

There is nothing subliminal about strobe lighting - it just overloads the electrical sensors in the brain, causing fits. The trance is either made up, or part of the following hysteria. I mean I know I go into a trance when playing (or watching) Pokemon - because it's good and has my attention, even though I'm just wandering back and forth levelling up a Snorunt or something.

***CaptHayfever*** · 06-12-2004, 11:39 AM

I wanna see that Porygon episode. Strobing has never bothered me.
As for the trance one, that just sounds like a hoax.

And remember, "I'm-a Charizard, number, well, six."

Dark Magus · 06-12-2004, 11:48 AM

You can find the japanese clip of the "seizure scene" on Kazaa. It's worth a look if you're not epileptic.

***CaptHayfever*** · 06-13-2004, 12:22 AM

I don't use Kazaa.

And remember, "I'm-a Charizard, number, well, six."

Seraph · 06-13-2004, 12:36 AM

http://www.snopes.com/radiotv/tv/seizure.htm

It shows a clip of the seizure causing scene.

***CaptHayfever*** · 06-13-2004, 01:05 AM

Cagareha, anyone who would get a seizure from that shouldn't be watching TV or movies at all!

And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

Yoshi Girl · 06-13-2004, 03:34 AM

I watched that episode online in Japanese years ago. I don't remember the link though... But the episode seemed cool. =P

I don't know if this is true or not, but I heard that WB did dub this episode, and slowed down the flashing lights, but still they didn't want to risk it, so they never showed it.

[ June 13, 2004, 03:37 AM: Message edited by: Yoshi Girl ]

Sim Kid · 06-14-2004, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Seraph:
http://www.snopes.com/radiotv/tv/seizure.htm

It shows a clip of the seizure causing scene.

That caused seizures? That was probably a low-quality clip though.

Mariosrpg89 · 06-14-2004, 09:58 AM

The best banned episode was the one where James got implants. Cant forget that. [img]graemlins/lol.gif[/img]

***CaptHayfever*** · 06-14-2004, 12:29 PM

According to TV Tome, he was just wearing an inflatable bikini.

And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

Dark Magus · 06-14-2004, 12:44 PM

Yeah, I saw that clip over at a friend's house. He was wearing an inflatable bikini in a contest, and when Misty was talking to Team Rocker, James, er... inflated the top.

Mentally scarring, that one was.

Arcanine · 06-14-2004, 05:06 PM

O.O that's just wrong. I don't remember seeing any clips from that episode, but I remember hearing about it. Anyway, I wish they would show the episode with dratini in it, I think they were in the safari zone or something. The only reason they didn't show it was because Team Rocket threatened Ash and company with a gun or something like that.

Sim Kid · 06-14-2004, 06:29 PM

I saw that episode with the fake boobs recently-Hillarious. [img]graemlins/lol.gif[/img]

Seraph · 06-14-2004, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Arcanine:
O.O that's just wrong. I don't remember seeing any clips from that episode, but I remember hearing about it. Anyway, I wish they would show the episode with dratini in it, I think they were in the safari zone or something. The only reason they didn't show it was because Team Rocket threatened Ash and company with a gun or something like that.

That episode also included a very important event that effected the rest of the series. That was the episode Ash caught all those Tauros in. Without it, it created a HUGE plothole!

Yoshi Girl · 06-14-2004, 07:20 PM

Yeah I've seen all three of those banned episodes. I can't believe they banned the Safari Zone one because the owner of the Sarafi Zone had a gun.

He pointed it at Ash's head [img]graemlins/lol.gif[/img] and shot at Team Rocket a few times. (But he didn't hit them) And it did create a huge plot hole not showing that episode because of all the Tauros Ash caught.

Mariosrpg89 · 06-19-2004, 10:01 AM

Look at Bugs Bunny and how much that bald dude shoots the gun..why hasnt that been banned?

spicy · 06-19-2004, 11:51 AM

Quote:

It has been scaled down and is not harmful in any way.

I checked out the eBay auction for the trance episode and found out the seller was a POWER SELLER(A person so great and noble lower-case letters could do it no justice), so there may be truth in it.

[ June 19, 2004, 05:55 PM: Message edited by: Alternate Universe Estrotica ]

***CaptHayfever*** · 06-19-2004, 11:58 AM

Actually, a Bugs Bunny cartoon was banned once, but then the morons got less stupid and un-banned it.

And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

06-12-2004, 01:35 AM	#1
Seraph Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Heaven or Hell . . . that all depends . . . Posts: 5,560 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Points: 14,789.57 Bank: 158,109.53 Total Points: 172,899.10 Donate	Don't know how many people know this, but the episode of Pokemon, "Electric Soldier Porygon", is one of the most famed banned episodes known. Many times, certain episodes of Pokemon are banned for reasons dealing with censorship, such as an abscure sexual reference, but in this episode is quite different. In the episode, a strange new Pokemon is discovered, Porygon, as is a way to enter the "computer world". Of course, Ash and company are soon drawn into the world, as are Team Rocket. Seems innocent enough, right? Well the animators seemed to have made a quite error while animated the episode. In one scene Team Rocket fires missles at Ash and friends, only to have Pikuchu destory said missles a Thunderbolt. The result was a flashing red and blue explosion that put 800 Japanese children in the hospital for epiletic seizures. After this, the show was put on hold for 4 months and nearly banned completely, but in the end, the single episodes was simply banned for good, from everywhere in the world. Just thought I'd post it because it really interested me. I know I've heard jokes that "anime causes seizures" but I never stopped to think that maybe it was true. If you wanna read it from the source, check it out: http://www.serebii.net/anime/banned.shtml

06-12-2004, 09:57 AM	#3
Mark Kelly Banned Join Date: Dec 1969 Posts: 0 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Points: 704.00 Bank: 500.00 Total Points: 1,204.00 Donate	¬_¬ The Electric Soldier Porygon episode used strobe lighting that caused an above-normal number of children to have epileptic seizures. Although some believe that hysteria was exactly what it was, and that once news of the fits hit the headlines there was a scare campaign. Of course, it's still not a good idea to watch strobe lighting effects in case it does trigger epileptic seizures, and this episode clearly had too many. But I have never heard about "trances" or "subliminal techniques" used in the episode - I get the feeling that whoever wrote that piece over-dramatised the point. There is nothing subliminal about strobe lighting - it just overloads the electrical sensors in the brain, causing fits. The trance is either made up, or part of the following hysteria. I mean I know I go into a trance when playing (or watching) Pokemon - because it's good and has my attention, even though I'm just wandering back and forth levelling up a Snorunt or something.

06-12-2004, 11:39 AM	#4
*CaptHayfever* Smash Supermod Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: (n) - the place where I am Gender: Posts: 19,265 Thanks: 160 Thanked 729 Times in 471 Posts Points: 105,242.68 Bank: 923.79 Total Points: 106,166.48 Donate	I wanna see that Porygon episode. Strobing has never bothered me. As for the trance one, that just sounds like a hoax. And remember, "I'm-a Charizard, number, well, six."

06-12-2004, 11:48 AM	#5
Dark Magus Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Gender: Posts: 6,260 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Points: 1,992.00 Bank: 500.00 Total Points: 2,492.00 Donate	You can find the japanese clip of the "seizure scene" on Kazaa. It's worth a look if you're not epileptic.

06-13-2004, 12:22 AM	#6
*CaptHayfever* Smash Supermod Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: (n) - the place where I am Gender: Posts: 19,265 Thanks: 160 Thanked 729 Times in 471 Posts Points: 105,242.68 Bank: 923.79 Total Points: 106,166.48 Donate	I don't use Kazaa. And remember, "I'm-a Charizard, number, well, six."

06-13-2004, 12:36 AM	#7
Seraph Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Heaven or Hell . . . that all depends . . . Posts: 5,560 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Points: 14,789.57 Bank: 158,109.53 Total Points: 172,899.10 Donate	http://www.snopes.com/radiotv/tv/seizure.htm It shows a clip of the seizure causing scene.

06-13-2004, 01:05 AM	#8
*CaptHayfever* Smash Supermod Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: (n) - the place where I am Gender: Posts: 19,265 Thanks: 160 Thanked 729 Times in 471 Posts Points: 105,242.68 Bank: 923.79 Total Points: 106,166.48 Donate	Cagareha, anyone who would get a seizure from that shouldn't be watching TV or movies at all! And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

06-13-2004, 03:34 AM	#9
Yoshi Girl Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Medford, OR, U.S.A. Gender: Posts: 2,716 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Points: 2,282.18 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 2,282.18 Donate	I watched that episode online in Japanese years ago. I don't remember the link though... But the episode seemed cool. =P I don't know if this is true or not, but I heard that WB did dub this episode, and slowed down the flashing lights, but still they didn't want to risk it, so they never showed it. [ June 13, 2004, 03:37 AM: Message edited by: Yoshi Girl ]

06-14-2004, 09:58 AM	#11
Mariosrpg89 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Mario's Pad Gender: Posts: 3,191 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Points: 10,972.56 Bank: 541.43 Total Points: 11,513.99 Donate	The best banned episode was the one where James got implants. Cant forget that. [img]graemlins/lol.gif[/img]

06-14-2004, 12:29 PM	#12
*CaptHayfever* Smash Supermod Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: (n) - the place where I am Gender: Posts: 19,265 Thanks: 160 Thanked 729 Times in 471 Posts Points: 105,242.68 Bank: 923.79 Total Points: 106,166.48 Donate	According to TV Tome, he was just wearing an inflatable bikini. And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

06-14-2004, 12:44 PM	#13
Dark Magus Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Gender: Posts: 6,260 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Points: 1,992.00 Bank: 500.00 Total Points: 2,492.00 Donate	Yeah, I saw that clip over at a friend's house. He was wearing an inflatable bikini in a contest, and when Misty was talking to Team Rocker, James, er... inflated the top. Mentally scarring, that one was.

06-14-2004, 05:06 PM	#14
Arcanine Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Yes Posts: 1,137 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Points: 632.00 Bank: 500.00 Total Points: 1,132.00 Donate	O.O that's just wrong. I don't remember seeing any clips from that episode, but I remember hearing about it. Anyway, I wish they would show the episode with dratini in it, I think they were in the safari zone or something. The only reason they didn't show it was because Team Rocket threatened Ash and company with a gun or something like that.

06-14-2004, 06:29 PM	#15
Sim Kid Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: The state of Denial Gender: Posts: 6,869 Thanks: 9 Thanked 54 Times in 29 Posts Points: 32,756.04 Bank: 500.00 Total Points: 33,256.04 Donate	I saw that episode with the fake boobs recently-Hillarious. [img]graemlins/lol.gif[/img]

06-14-2004, 07:20 PM	#17
Yoshi Girl Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Medford, OR, U.S.A. Gender: Posts: 2,716 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Points: 2,282.18 Bank: 0.00 Total Points: 2,282.18 Donate	Yeah I've seen all three of those banned episodes. I can't believe they banned the Safari Zone one because the owner of the Sarafi Zone had a gun. He pointed it at Ash's head [img]graemlins/lol.gif[/img] and shot at Team Rocket a few times. (But he didn't hit them) And it did create a huge plot hole not showing that episode because of all the Tauros Ash caught.

06-19-2004, 10:01 AM	#18
Mariosrpg89 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Mario's Pad Gender: Posts: 3,191 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Points: 10,972.56 Bank: 541.43 Total Points: 11,513.99 Donate	Look at Bugs Bunny and how much that bald dude shoots the gun..why hasnt that been banned?

06-19-2004, 11:58 AM	#20
*CaptHayfever* Smash Supermod Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: (n) - the place where I am Gender: Posts: 19,265 Thanks: 160 Thanked 729 Times in 471 Posts Points: 105,242.68 Bank: 923.79 Total Points: 106,166.48 Donate	Actually, a Bugs Bunny cartoon was banned once, but then the morons got less stupid and un-banned it. And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"