The Pokémon Snapshot

The Pokémon Snapshot
  • 4.9 (16)
  • ANIMATION & MANGA
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Pokémon anime has been going strong for 25 years. Every week, Jeff and Josh review an episode of the anime and go through a deep dive on new Pokémon. No part of the anime is off limits. Episodes will include typical anime episodes, Pikachu shorts, and the movies.

  1. Episode 103: Meowth Rules!

    2D AGO

    Episode 103: Meowth Rules!

    In this episode, Jeff and Josh dive into Meowth Rules!, an Orange Islands standout that finally puts Team Rocket—and specifically Meowth—where they belong: dead center. While Ash, Misty, and Not Brock float around on Lapras talking about friendship and badges Ash still doesn’t understand, the real plot kicks off with Team Rocket stranded, broke, and once again pinning their financial hopes on Meowth learning Pay Day… a move he permanently locked himself out of by choosing the far more impressive skill of talking. We break down Meowth’s accidental rise to godhood after he’s mistaken for the prophesied “Meowth of Bounty” by an island cult that immediately proves it should not be left unsupervised. From IOUs being treated as legal tender to a giant golden Meowth statue that is also, for reasons, a fully functional mech, the episode leans hard into cult logic, prophecy loopholes, and anime escalation. Along the way, we dig into the meaning of Pay Day, the maneki-neko inspiration behind Meowth, and why James collecting bottle caps is somehow the most emotionally devastating detail in the entire story. As Ash and the Twerps threaten to blow Meowth’s cover, the episode takes a sharp turn, reframing Team Ash as the villains through Meowth’s eyes and forcing him to choose between comfort, worship, and his actual friends. We unpack Meowth denying Jessie and James like a cat-themed Simon Peter, the increasingly unhinged “training” meant to force Pay Day out of him, and the moment Jessie and James quietly prove—again—why Team Rocket works as a trio by saving Meowth without expecting anything in return. By the time the bounty ceremony devolves into what can only be described as ritualized assault, the episode reveals its real theme: power and praise mean nothing if they cost you the people who actually care about you. It’s funny, uncomfortable, surprisingly sincere, and easily the first truly great Orange Islands episode—one that understands Meowth isn’t compelling because he wants money, but because he keeps choosing Jessie and James, even when being worshipped would be easier. Twitter: @pokemonsnapshot Email: thepokemonsnapshot@gmail.com Discord: https://discord.gg/PrRCKFjJrc Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@pokemonsnapshot TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thepokemonsnapshot Raving Energy (faster) by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5030-raving-energy-faster- License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    52 min
  2. Episode 102: A Shipful of Shivers

    JAN 6

    Episode 102: A Shipful of Shivers

    In this episode, Jeff and Josh dive into A Shipful of Shivers, one of the Orange Islands’ most atmospheric outings, complete with foggy seas, a stolen Orange League trophy, and a genuinely unsettling ghost ship. What begins as a straightforward Team Rocket heist quickly spirals into a supernatural mystery as Ash and friends give chase, only to find themselves trapped aboard an abandoned vessel that is very clearly not empty. We break down Team Rocket’s surprisingly successful museum robbery, the high-seas pursuit on Lapras versus a Seadra-shaped paddleboat, and the episode’s commitment to classic ghost imagery before pulling back the curtain on Gastly and Haunter’s true identities. From Togepi gleefully wandering into danger to Ash realizing that some artifacts don’t belong in museums, we unpack how the episode blends spooky vibes with unexpectedly thoughtful lore. Along the way, we discuss the episode’s supernatural turn, the creative way Gastly and Haunter reveal their tragic backstory, and why the loyalty of Pokémon to their long-lost Trainer ends up being the emotional core of the story. It’s a ghost story that actually sticks the landing—and one of the Orange Islands episodes that benefits most from leaning into mood, mystery, and Pokémon folklore. Twitter: @pokemonsnapshot Email: thepokemonsnapshot@gmail.com Discord: https://discord.gg/PrRCKFjJrc Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@pokemonsnapshot TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thepokemonsnapshot Raving Energy (faster) by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5030-raving-energy-faster- License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    56 min
  3. Episode 101: Pokemon the Movie: I Choose You! (2017)

    JAN 1

    Episode 101: Pokemon the Movie: I Choose You! (2017)

    In this episode, Jeff and Josh take a deep dive into Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! (2017)—a reimagining of Ash and Pikachu’s very first adventure that somehow manages to be nostalgic, emotionally heavier than expected, and still absolutely unhinged. We break down Ash’s worst (and occasionally best) decisions, Pikachu’s “setting boundaries” era, and how a kid who can’t wake up on time keeps getting chosen by destiny. We unpack the movie’s major story beats and featured Pokémon—including Ho-Oh, Entei, Marshadow, Charizard, and Charmander—while digging into the themes hiding under the surface: abandonment, connection, what it actually means to be a “Pokémon Master,” and why this version of the story hits differently than the original series. Along the way, we call out the anime logic that makes no sense (legendary Pokémon being extremely rare… until they’re not), debate Team Rocket’s role in a feature-length film, and try to make sense of Ash’s ongoing habit of dying and coming back to life. If you love Pokémon but also love laughing at its nonsense while still appreciating when it surprisingly gets things right, this episode’s for you. Twitter: @pokemonsnapshot Email: thepokemonsnapshot@gmail.com Discord: https://discord.gg/PrRCKFjJrc Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@pokemonsnapshot TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thepokemonsnapshot Raving Energy (faster) by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5030-raving-energy-faster- License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    1h 20m
  4. Episode 100: Detective Pikachu

    08/29/2023

    Episode 100: Detective Pikachu

    Join Jeff and Josh on their last episode of The Pokemon Snapshot as they watch the 2019 movie, Detective Pikachu. We would like to thank all of our listeners who have been with us through these 100 episodes. We could not have done it without all of you! Twitter: @pokemonsnapshot Jeff's Twitter: @ranzrik Josh’s Twitter: @JBall90 Email: thepokemonsnapshot@gmail.com Discord: https://discord.gg/PrRCKFjJrc Part of the Pokecasters Network Raving Energy (faster) by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5030-raving-energy-faster- License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    1h 30m
  5. Snapshot Rewind: The Water Flowers of Cerulean City

    08/22/2023

    Snapshot Rewind: The Water Flowers of Cerulean City

    In this week's episode, Team Ash arrives in Cerulean City where they meet Misty's sister who just give him the Cascade badge. Misty does not agree with this and battles Ash for the badge. Twitter: @pokemonsnapshot Jeff's Twitter: @ranzrik Josh’s Twitter: @JBall90 Email: thepokemonsnapshot@gmail.com Discord: https://discord.gg/PrRCKFjJrc Part of the Pokecasters Network Raving Energy (faster) by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5030-raving-energy-faster- License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    42 min
  6. Snapshot Rewind: Showdown in Pewter City

    08/15/2023

    Snapshot Rewind: Showdown in Pewter City

    In this week's episode, Ash arrives in Pewter City and challenges the gym leader, Brock, who specializes in rock type Pokémon. Twitter: @pokemonsnapshot Jeff's Twitter: @ranzrik Josh’s Twitter: @JBall90 Email: thepokemonsnapshot@gmail.com Discord: https://discord.gg/PrRCKFjJrc Part of the Pokecasters Network Raving Energy (faster) by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5030-raving-energy-faster- License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    55 min
  7. Snapshot Rewind- Pokémon- I Choose You!

    08/08/2023

    Snapshot Rewind- Pokémon- I Choose You!

    In this week's episode, Ash embarks on his Pokemon journey, but is late so is left with a Pikachu who just will not listen to him. Ash and Pikachu must put aside their differences if they want the show to continue. Spoiler alert- It does! Twitter: @pokemonsnapshot Jeff's Twitter: @ranzrik Josh’s Twitter: @JBall90 Email: thepokemonsnapshot@gmail.com Discord: https://discord.gg/PrRCKFjJrc Part of the Pokecasters Network Raving Energy (faster) by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5030-raving-energy-faster- License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    54 min
  8. Episode 099: Snack Attack

    08/01/2023

    Episode 099: Snack Attack

    In this week's episode, Team Ash help Ruby stop a Snorlax from destroying her grapefruit crop and eating up her entire livelihood. Twitter: @pokemonsnapshot Jeff's Twitter: @ranzrik Josh’s Twitter: @JBall90 Email: thepokemonsnapshot@gmail.com Discord: https://discord.gg/PrRCKFjJrc Part of the Pokecasters Network Raving Energy (faster) by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5030-raving-energy-faster- License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

    1h 7m
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4.9
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

The Pokémon anime has been going strong for 25 years. Every week, Jeff and Josh review an episode of the anime and go through a deep dive on new Pokémon. No part of the anime is off limits. Episodes will include typical anime episodes, Pikachu shorts, and the movies.

Information

  • Creator
    The Pokémon Snapshot
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    107
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 265781
  • Show Website
    The Pokémon Snapshot