A Sneak Peek at Pokémon

The video tape's box

A Sneak Peek at Pokémon is an English-language promotional video cassette issued in limited quantities in the United States during the summer of 1998, prior to the debut of the Pokémon franchise in the country.

The video was a "teaser" for many elements of the franchise, most notably the anime. In addition to anime footage, the video also included live-action footage of exclusive characters said to be "friends and family" of the anime's main cast.

The release has since been posted by fans on YouTube and other video streaming sites.

Characters

Animated humans

• Ash Ketchum
• Misty
• Brock
• Jessie
• James
• Erika
• Giovanni
• Professor Oak
• Nurse Joy
• Seymour
• A.J.
• Joe

Live-action humans

• Hillary (Ash's aunt)
• Trey (Ash's cousin)
• Troy (Ash's cousin)
• Mr. Carlson (Ash's science teacher)
• Amy (Misty's best friend)

Pokémon

Does not include those shown only in Pokérap segments or Pokémon Theme clips or depicted in promotional materials.

• Pikachu (Ash's)
• Meowth (Team Rocket)
• Caterpie (Ash's)
• Butterfree (Ash's)
• Pidgeotto (Ash's; new)
• Bulbasaur (Ash's)
• Charmander (Ash's)
• Squirtle (Ash's)
• Primeape (Ash's)
• Staryu (Misty's)
• Horsea (Misty's)
• Onix (Brock's)
• Ekans (Jessie's)
• Koffing (James's)
• Magikarp (James's; evolves)
• Gyarados (James's; newly evolved)
• Pikachu (Nurse Joy's, multiple)
• Weepinbell (Erika's)
• Squirtle (Squirtle Squad)
• Persian (Giovanni's)
• Kadabra (Sabrina's)
• Butterfree (A.J.'s)
• Beedrill (A.J.'s)
• Rattata (A.J.'s, ×3)
• Sandshrew (A.J.'s)
• Pinsir (Samurai's)
• Ho-Oh (anime)
• Haunter (anime)
• Bulbasaur
• Blastoise
• Spearow (multiple)
• Sandshrew (×3)
• Nidorino
• Mankey (multiple)
• Tentacruel
• Geodude (×6)
• Gastly
• Gengar (×2)
• Rhydon
• Zapdos

Voice cast

The following recorded exclusive dialogue for this video:

• Veronica Taylor - Ash Ketchum
• Ted Lewis - Giovanni and James
• Rachael Lillis - Jessie
• Nathan Price - Meowth
• Nicholas James Tate - Pokédex

Transcript

Main article: Appendix:A Sneak Peek at Pokémon

Trivia

The Poké Ball misspelling

• An exclusive alternate cut of Pokémon (Dance Mix) as well as an alternate clip of the Pokérap are featured in the video.
  • While the Pokérap uses the final names of the Pokémon, featured in-game footage shows Pidgey using its original English name, Pidge.
  • The Pokérap displays the name of Rapidash correctly, but it is pronounced "Rapidos" in this version. This part of the song was re-recorded for the final version.
• The video also contains a clip from Battle Aboard the St. Anne with a script created exclusively for promotional purposes. The alternate script is dubbed using James's original voice, who had been recast by the time the episode the clip was taken from aired with the normal script.
• Pokémon Theme plays prior to the end credits.
• Trey incorrectly pluralizes "Geodude" as "Geodudes".
• "Poké Ball" is misspelled as "Pokéball" on the chalkboard in Mr. Carlson's classroom.
• Cards from the Japanese version of the Pokémon Trading Card Game are seen in the video.
• Hillary's plug for the Pokémon Pikachu virtual pet refers to the device using its Japanese name, "Pocket Pikachu".
• Hillary's breaking of the fourth wall asking viewers to "look at the video's mailing label for the Pokémon TV showtime and station" refers to the fact that the Pokémon anime would debut in first-run syndication.

This article is part of Project Merchandise, a Bulbapedia project that aims to write comprehensive articles on all Pokémon toys, dolls, books, and collectible merchandise.