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On the other side of the world, on the North American continent, the fatal fury fighting tournament was in full swing.
Meanwhile, in Japan, a silent battle had already been secretly deployed.
Huge cardboard boxes, with the simple "pokémon" logo and a highly recognizable silhouette of a cute lightning tail printed on the side, were being quietly transported by trucks to the cooperative warehouses of Toka Co., Ltd., San-X, and Mattel in Japan.
The sheer quantity made even seasoned warehouse managers secretly click their tongues in amazement.
"So much stock… are they trying to capture all the elementary school students in Japan?" he muttered, looking at the towering stacks of cardboard boxes.
The warehouse was brightly lit, like daytime, and forklift drivers worked with utmost concentration, carefully maneuvering back and forth. Staff members neatly stacked boxes of heavy goods.
At the same time, a promotional campaign targeting the children's market, like fine drizzle—no, more like a meticulously woven net—infiltrated every corner of the city, leaving no stone unturned.
On television, during the prime-time animation breaks, which used to be the signal for children to rush to the bathroom or kitchen, now became their "bated breath moments."
A colorful, fast-paced thirty-second preview began to be broadcast repeatedly at an astonishing frequency. This was the preview for Tokyo Television's new October series.
In the screen, a boy wearing a red hat had resolute and vibrant eyes.
Immediately after, a small yellow monster with two bright red dots on its cheeks tilted its head and let out a cute "Pika!" sound.
Subsequently, fire-breathing dragons, clumsy but endearing turtles, mysterious psychic creatures… various wonderful creatures flashed across the screen in succession, each one dazzling to the eye.
"pokémon! Catch 'em all!"
The impassioned male voice-over, coupled with dynamic, foot-tapping music, was extremely captivating.
Overnight, the most prominent display windows of anime merchandise stores throughout the streets were adorned with huge pokémon animation posters.
On the poster, the yellow electric mouse named Pikachu tilted its head, revealing a mischievous and adorable smile, its large eyes seemingly sending out electric charges to every child passing by.
In the background, several other Pokémon of various shapes, equally eye-catching, formed an enchanting picture.
Even inside train cars and on subway station advertisements, their figures began to appear.
Furthermore, some mysterious bookmarks, crafted like exquisite badges never seen before, quietly appeared in stationery stores near schools.
They were given as free gifts with purchases, appearing in children's surprised bags.
The front of the bookmarks featured silhouettes of various Pokémon, or badge-like shapes, or even that iconic lightning tail.
On the back, a small line of text clearly stated: "October 4th, Saturday, Tokyo Television, 8 AM, Premiere!"
"Look! I got a different one!"
"Is this… is this the bookmark of that water-spitting turtle?"
Children excitedly exchanged these "secret badges" during breaks, on their way home from school, and even during tutoring class intervals.
They eagerly discussed the magical creatures in the preview, guessing their names and abilities.
"Do you think we can really 'catch 'em all'? Like Satoshi on TV?"
"I must collect them all! All the badges, all the Pokémon!"
A strong sense of anticipation and possessiveness quickly fermented and swelled in the children's hearts, like an erupting volcano, just waiting for that promised Saturday morning.
Even some adults, when passing by toy store windows, would be drawn to that yellow electric mouse and couldn't help but take a second look.
"This thing… seems a bit interesting."
October 4th, Saturday.
The morning sun had just peeked through the curtains, illuminating thousands of households.
On the Honda family's dining table, a simple Japanese breakfast was laid out.
Kyosuke, a third-grade elementary school student, gnawed on a piece of toasted bread, listlessly fiddling with the TV remote control.
"Kyosuke, eat quickly, we're going to Grandma's house today."
His mother's voice came from the kitchen.
"Hai…"
Kyosuke responded weakly, his gaze casually sweeping across the TV screen.
Just as Kyosuke was boringly munching on toast, the time reached exactly eight o'clock in the morning.
The Tokyo Television logo flashed, and a brand new opening animation sprang onto the screen.
Exciting music played, and a vibrant voice sang: "Aim to be a Pokémon Master!"
Kyosuke's eyes widened slightly.
The first episode of the anime, "Pokémon! I Choose You!"
On the screen, a boy named Satoshi overslept and missed the time to receive his starter Pokémon.
Professor Oak reluctantly handed him the last, and only remaining, Pokémon.
A Poké Ball opened.
"Pika!"
A small, yellow creature with pointed ears and two red electric sacs on its cheeks appeared.
Its name was Pikachu.
Initially, this Pikachu ignored Satoshi's commands, refused to enter its Poké Ball, and even sarcastically mocked Satoshi's various actions. Its distinct "Pika Pika" filled with various emotions instantly melted countless hearts.
Kyosuke couldn't help but let out a chuckle.
This Pikachu was so unique.
During Satoshi and Pikachu's awkward journey of getting used to each other, Satoshi provoked a flock of Spearow, and while the Spearow attacked Satoshi, they also attacked Pikachu, who was Satoshi's Pokémon.
Satoshi felt extremely guilty that his recklessness had caused Pikachu to get hurt. He desperately hugged Pikachu, dodging the Spearow's attacks, and even borrowed Misty's bicycle along the way.
After Satoshi fell down a steep slope, he took out a Poké Ball, and with a choked voice, he asked Pikachu to go inside the Poké Ball, while he himself shielded Pikachu from the attacks.
Pikachu, changing its previous attitude towards Satoshi, jumped out without hesitation and unleashed a powerful electric shock with all its might. This electric shock, occurring during a rainstorm, unleashed immense power, repelling the enemies, and Pikachu itself collapsed to the ground.
The rain stopped, and the sky cleared.
Satoshi picked up the weakened Pikachu and continued on their way to the Pokémon Center.
Pikachu in his arms gently licked Satoshi's cheek, closed its eyes, and seemed to fall asleep peacefully.
At that moment, Kyosuke felt as if something had gently bumped his chest.
He completely forgot the last half-bite of toast in his mouth, staring unblinkingly at the television screen.
This yellow electric mouse wasn't just cute.
It had a temper, its own thoughts, and even… seemed to have feelings.
The ending theme music began to play.
Kyosuke was still sitting there, dazed, savoring the scene of Satoshi and Pikachu fighting side-by-side.
His small face was filled with the sense of loss one feels after finishing a wonderful story.
Suddenly, the screen changed.
A brand new advertisement popped up.
Several fashionably dressed children each held a palm-sized device, somewhat resembling a game console.
On the device's black and white LCD screen, a pixelated outline of Pikachu bounced vividly.
It also made that unique "Pika Pika" sound from the anime.
The children talked to the device and made feeding gestures, and the Pikachu on the screen would turn its head or jump up, making various different responses.
A gentle female voice-over began: "pokémon electronic pet, let Pikachu be with you always."