Pokemon Episode That Sent Over 600 Children To The Hospital

Pokemon's 'Denno Senshi Porygon' (Electric Soldier Porygon) became one of the most controversial episodes in anime history. Released in Japan on December 16, 1997, the episode was meant to be another exciting adventure in the Pokemon series. However, what happened after its broadcast was something no one expected.

The episode featured a sequence with rapidly flashing red and blue lights, creating a strobe effect. This intense flashing caused hundreds of children across Japan to experience seizures, dizziness, and other health issues. Over 600 children were rushed to hospitals, leading to an immediate investigation and a nationwide discussion about the safety of animation effects in television.

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What Happened In The Electric Soldier Porygon Episode Of Pokemon

'Denno Senshi Porygon' followed Ash, Misty, and Brock as they entered cyberspace to fix a problem with the Pokemon Transfer System. With the help of the digital Pokemon Porygon, they navigated a virtual world. However, when Pikachu used Thunderbolt to destroy some missiles in cyberspace, the screen flashed red and blue lights rapidly.

This flashing sequence lasted for only a few seconds, but it was enough to trigger seizures in many children. This phenomenon, later identified as 'Pokemon Shock,' was linked to photosensitive epilepsy, a condition where certain light patterns can cause seizures in sensitive individuals. Some children fainted, while others experienced nausea, blurred vision, and headaches. Many parents panicked as they saw their kids collapse suddenly after watching the episode.

The Aftermath: Banning The Episode And Industry Changes

Following the incident, 'Denno Senshi Porygon' was immediately banned from television and has never been re-aired. The Pokemon anime itself went on a four-month hiatus while producers investigated the issue. When the show returned, major precautions were put in place to prevent similar accidents in the future.

The Japanese government and broadcasting industry introduced new guidelines for animation, restricting the use of rapidly flashing lights. Animators were advised to avoid certain color patterns and flashing sequences that could trigger seizures. These rules influenced not just Pokemon but the entire anime industry worldwide.

Interestingly, despite the incident, Porygon itself was not at fault, yet the Pokemon has since been largely removed from the anime. Pikachu, who actually caused the flashing effect in the episode, remained the series’ mascot, while Porygon and its evolutions barely appeared in later episodes. This led to fans jokingly calling Porygon the 'forgotten Pokemon' of the series.

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