The Japanese standards for kids’ shows are really wild. Much adult-oriented comedy is sprinkled throughout these kids’ shows, and the Japanese people don’t mind it. But these shows can’t follow these methods when airing in other countries.
Pokemon anime has been a source of controversy for a long time because of many episodes. But most of these controversies pale in comparison to what this one episode did! Porygon is a Pokemon that you’ll rarely see in the anime, and there’s a reason for it.
Back in the 90s, when Pokemon had just started airing in Japan, an episode involving Porygon in which Ash, Brock, and Misty get sucked up into hyperspace was aired. Here Porygon aids them to accomplish their mission. But when a virus starts attacking the gang, bright-colored lights start flashing on the screen.
These lights are very intense, and if you’re sitting near the TV in a dark room, you’ll indeed feel uncomfortable. But some people felt something more, 700 people reportedly had shown some side effect from watching the episodes, and 685 children had experienced seizures! Yes, read that number once again and let that sink in for a moment.
After this incident, the Pokemon anime went off the air for four months and returned with an apology. Porygon is never shown in the anime since this incident; it only makes minor cameos.
But porygon was not to be blamed for the flashes, Pikachu was the one who caused it, it’s unfair to blame the poor porygon. The episode also got a Guinness world record for causing the most seizures, which is the strangest part of this story.
If you want to watch the scenes for yourself, you can’t, as episode 38 was scrapped altogether. Still, there are many clips on youtube that you can about, air warnings, make sure you’re in a well-lit room, or the tally will keep increasing!
If you think causing seizures by a Pokemon episode was messed up, you haven't seen these three most messed up Pokemon.