Dennō Senshi Porygon
"Dennō Senshi Porygon" (Japanese: でんのうせんしポリゴン, Hepburn: Dennō Senshi Porigon, translated as "Computer Warrior Porygon", although more commonly "Electric Soldier Porygon") is the 38th episode of the Pokémon anime's first season. Its sole broadcast was in Japan on December 16, 1997.
| "Dennō Senshi Porygon" | |
|---|---|
| Pokémon episode | |
One of the scenes reported to trigger epileptic seizures. | |
| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 38 |
| Directed by | Kiyotaka Isako |
| Written by | Junki Takegami |
| Production code | 138 |
| Original air date | December 16, 1997 |
In the episode, Ash and his friends find that there is something wrong with the Poké Ball transmitting device at the local Pokémon Center. To find out what is wrong, they must go inside the machine.
The episode became infamous for a scene featuring repetitive visual effects that induced photosensitive epileptic seizures in a substantial number of Japanese viewers, with more than 600 children across Japan taken to hospitals. The incident is referred to in Japan as the "Pokémon Shock" (ポケモンショック, Pokemon Shokku).
As a result of the incident, the episode was pulled from rotation and it has not aired in any country since. After the incident, the Pokémon anime went into a four-month hiatus.