10 Biggest Pokémon Controversies

Directly after The Kangaskhan Kid, there was another anime related controversy. The Safari Zone warden threatens Ash at gunpoint, even pointing it at the camera. He later fires at Team Rocket too, and even though he misses, it was deemed too violent and was never aired outside of Asia.

It probably didn’t help that Team Rocket then capture him at gunpoint, meaning gun related imagery takes up a hefty chunk of the runtime.

Though it’s clear to see why this was considered too much, it is a little inconsistent. In the previous episode, Officer Jenny points a rifle at Ash, only lifting it when she realises the gang aren't poachers.

Earlier episodes show Team Rocket committing a robbery with firearms, with multiple townspeople pulling guns on Ash when they mistake him for Team Rocket too. Overall, it’s not a decision too many people objected to, but there’s definitely some inconsistencies in the censor’s reasoning.

One of the most frustrating parts about the episode being cut was that it featured Ash catching a herd of Tauros, which unlike a lot of his Pokémon, he keeps. This means that out of nowhere, Ash has a bunch of new Tauros which the dubbed versions never explain.