Samurai (Japanese: サムライ Samurai) is a young boy who lives in Viridian Forest and dresses up in samurai armor. He specializes in Bug-type Pokémonand carries around a sword and a bug-catching net. He appears to have been inspired by the Bug Catchers in the Pokémon games, with the exception of the samurai armor.
He is the very first character of the day in the anime and the first Trainer Ash had a fair battle against.
History[]
Samurai appeared in the episode Challenge of the Samurai. Ash and Misty were traveling through Viridian Forest, and Ash intended to catch more Pokémon. He was just about to catch a Weedle when Samurai jumped out of the bushes and threatened him with his sword, demanding to know if Ash was from Pallet Town. Samurai challenged Ash to a battle, having already lost to Gary and the other two Trainers from Pallet.
In the confusion caused by Samurai's yelling and sword-waving, the Weedle escaped. Samurai insulted Ash, saying that he is a "bad Trainer". Because of this, they started a battle. Samurai's powerful Pinsirknocked out Ash's Pidgeotto, but Ash's Metapod used Harden to damage Pinsir's pincers. Samurai sent out his own Metapod, and the two Pokémon, being unable of using any move besides Harden, were locked in a complete stalemate for hours.
Their match was interrupted by a Beedrill swarm, apparently angered by Ash's attack of the Weedle earlier. The Beedrill snatched Ash's Metapod and flew off. The trio hid in Samurai's cabin, where the boy continued to berate and insult Ash, saying that Ash was not a good Trainer to his Pokémon because he didn't go to rescue his Metapod when the Beedrill attacked.
Samurai eventually gained respect for Ash when he used his newly evolved Butterfree to put the Beedrill to sleep by using Sleep Powder and reunited with his Pokémon.
At the end of the episode, Ash, Misty, and Samurai say good-bye, and the two boys say that they will battle again some day.
He reappeared in flashbacks in Battle Aboard the St. Anne and Bye Bye Butterfree.
He made a cameo appearance with his Pinsir in the second opening theme, The Rivals, and its English dub counterpart, Pokémon World.
Manga History[]
Samurai makes a cameo appearance in The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga. In the chapter Pikachu's Excellent Adventure, he, along with A.J., Ash andBrock, make plans to find the Hidden Village, where powerful wild Pokémon supposedly live. Samurai is particularly interested in level 99 Slowpoke andMagikarp rumored to live there. He and A.J. are separated from Ash and Brock when Pikachu goes missing.
Samurai appears to be a little older in the manga than he is when he appears in the anime. He also appears taller and thinner, with a predilection for using words like, "Verily!"
Pokemon[]
- Pinsir
- Metapod