Halloween is ofast approaching, and many who celebrate are trying to get in the mood by watching movies or episodes of television shows that are themed after the spooky holiday. While there may not be many anime series that give off the Halloween vibe, plenty of them have episodes that fit perfectly with the spirit. The Pokémon anime, which has been running for over twenty years, contains a notorious example of this in its first season with the classic episode, “Tower of Terror”.
Although it was temporarily banned in the United States due to its controversial name, “Tower of Terror” remains a favorite to several Pokémon fans. In the previous episode, “Abra and the Psychic Showdown (Part 1)”, Ash seeks to earn his fourth gym badge by challenging Saffron City’s gym leader, Sabrina. However, he is quick to find out he is no match for her, and retreats when he is given some useful advice, thus setting up the events of the fan-favorite episode.
Journeying To the Notorious Lavender Town
Knowing that psychic-type Pokémon are weak to ghost types, Ash decides to travel to Lavender Town with Misty, a tomboyish water Pokémon enthusiast, and Pewter City’s rock-type gym leader, Brock. Intending to catch a ghost Pokémon, Ash enters a haunted tower while Misty and Brock insist on staying behind following a traumatic experience. Acknowledging that he and his Pokémon need to face their fears so that they can successfully defeat Sabrina, Ash heads inside withPikachu and Charmander, where they encounter a trio of ghost Pokémon, Gastly, Haunter, and Gengar.
Despite his efforts, Ash catching these Pokémon doesn’t go as planned, as they keep messing with him in an attempt to make him laugh. When this doesn’t succeed, the trio recede into the floor, feeling defeated. After Ash and Pikachu fail to stop them, the two are suddenly struck by a chandelier. Seeing that they’ve been knocked unconscious, Haunter decides to turn them into ghosts. Although Ash and Pikachu are initially shocked at being separated from their bodies, they decide to have fun with it while it lasts, ranging from flying around to scaring Misty and Brock.
Ash later on discovers that Gastly, Haunter, and Gengar were lonely and only wanted someone to play with. Knowing that he still needs to defeat Sabrina, Ash reluctantly tells them he needs to go back to his body, causing the ghost trio to feel sad. As he leaves, however, Haunter decides to tag along and become part of his team, to which Ash happily accepts.
A Spooky Fan-Favorite
Although an episode of Pokémon does not come to mind when someone is choosing something to watch during the Halloween season, it is no doubt a suitable option, especially for those with young children. While the October holiday is known for embracing frightening subjects, it is essential that children and adults alike learn to face their fears. Ash exemplifies this when he enters the haunted tower a second time, refusing to let the ghost Pokémon stop him.
On top of that, “Tower of Terror” is filled with plenty of other Halloween-related aspects, such as a haunted building, ghosts, and even one scene where Ash scares his friends with a skull mask. With the episode now being over two decades old, it provides the perfect mix for adults who may be nostalgic Pokémon fans while giving children something entirely new for them to watch during the spooky season.
