Breaking the fourth wall
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"Breaking the fourth wall" is a term that refers to a point where a character acknowledges that he or she is in a television show, and therefore, fictional. This term is different from an aside, where a character will seemingly detach for a moment to say something to the audience, then continue on as if nothing had happened.
There are several ways of breaking the fourth wall. They include referring to events that happened in said episode, stopping someone from performing a violent act or swearing by saying something along the lines of it being a children's show, responding to a character who is not physically present (e.g., the narrator), or getting people to buy merchandise of the subject in question.
In the anime
In the anime, the fourth wall has been broken numerous times. The most common characters to do this are Team Rocket.
Episodes where the fourth wall is broken
- School of Hard Knocks: In trying to break up an argument between Ash and Misty, Brock comments that they're running late and have to start the show. This may be the first time the fourth wall is broken.
- Mystery at the Lighthouse: In the beginning, the narrator asks Ash to name his Pokémon, which Ash does.
- Electric Shock Showdown: In the end James says Drat we spend a whole episode cheering for the good guys.
- Pokémon Scent-sation: In the 4Kids Dub, Meowth complains that Gloom's horrible stench must have melted his nose from his face. He then remembers and points out to the audience that the show's cartoonists never gave him one.
- Hypno's Naptime: Jessie remarks their early arrival in the episode is based on the half hour time constraint involving the show. Misty also orders the narrator not to congratulate her for "capturing" her Psyduck.
- The Song of Jigglypuff: At the end of Team Rocket's theme song, they sing a line that says that they'll be the stars of the cartoon.
- Beach Blank-Out Blastoise: When Jigglypuff draws on Misty's face she says she looks like a cartoon character, when she really is one. Also, Ash says "Like that could ever happen!", also succeeding in breaking the fourth wall.
- To Master the Onixpected!: When Jessie and James begin to say their motto, Meowth uses a remote to fast-forward it.
- The Crystal Onix: Jessie acknowledges the writers' existence.
- Wherefore Art Thou, Pokémon?: Team Rocket acknowledges the narrator's existence.
- The Whistle Stop: When the bridge is about to collapse, Meowth says that "We usually don't wash out this early in the episode!"
- As Clear as Crystal: Jessie tells James to explain their mecha to the "viewing audience."
- Same Old Song and Dance: When Team Rocket Interrupts the show and sing their song, they say that they'll be the new stars of this cartoon, the same goes for "Song of Jigglypuff".
- The Spheal of Approval: In the European Portuguese dub, when Pikachu's Thunderbolt was absorbed by the cage Team Rocket used to capture it, James said "Acham que ao fim de tantos episódios ainda não sabemos o que é a electricidade!?"
- Vanity Affair: Jessie states that even if she was the one who writes the script it couldn't be any better.
- Sweet Baby James: When James is about to battle Jessie and Meowth. Meowth warns the viewers, by turning to the audience and saying '...and you guys might want to cover your eyes!'
- May's Egg-Cellent Adventure: Meowth comments that James is giving him a pain, but he can't say where because there are kids watching the show.
- New Plot, Odd Lot!: At the end, Jessie takes over the narrator saying "Stay tuned!". This may reveal that Jessie knows about the narrator's existence.
- Gathering The Gang of Four: Team Rocket says they have waited nine seasons to capture Pikachu. Pokémon: Battle Frontier, is the ninth season of the anime, which this episode takes place in.
- Home Is Where the Start Is!: Meowth breaks the fourth wall when James asks upon blasting off if Team Rocket will ever learn. Meowth responds that they'll find out next season.
- Two Degrees of Separation!: When Dawn is confronting Team Rocket, Meowth comments "We've been chasing that Pikachu as long as you've been alive!", referencing the length of the anime at that point.
- When Pokémon Worlds Collide!: When Team Rocket blasts off, James says, "aren't we supposed to leave our audience wanting more?", then Meowth responds with "you go tell that to the writers!".
- Gymbaliar: When Team Rocket is shot down, they jump out of their (deflated) balloon and Meowth says they need to wrap this up, because they 'only have three minutes left!'
- Once There Were Greenfields: Jessie breaks the fourth wall when she says to start up the season in style with the old get-up and go strategy. That is the second episode of Pokémon Diamond & Pearl: Battle Dimension.
- Fighting Fear with Fear!: Jessie says, "I'm sensing a scene change" when Meowth explains his boss fantasy.
- A Lean Mean Team Rocket Machine: When Team Rocket shows off their mecha, they say "Introduce it to the kids". "The kids" refers to the viewers that are watching the show.
- Dealing With Defensive Types!: As Team Rocket sneaks into the Canalave Gym, Meowth addresses the audience, saying, "Look kids, since you know what comes next, let's cut to the chase, so sing along."
Movies where the fourth wall is broken
- The Power of One: Slowking told Team Rocket that lots of people saw them risk their lives to save the world, then all four of them look at the audience and say hi. Earlier, when Team Rocket is saying the motto for the first time, Team Rocket proclaims that they're now on the big screen (since they've forgotten the events of the first movie). Ash then makes the quip of saying he'll "catch the motto on video".
- Spell of the Unown: Team Rocket mentions being in show business near the end of the movie. Meowth also asks Jessie earlier in the movie whether or not she thinks they will get a bigger part in the next one. Ironically, they only had minor roles in that movie.
- Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea: The wall is broken twice with Meowth commenting that Diamond and Pearl are "good names for games" and later says, "let's just get through this season first." which are obviously references to the games and tenth season both titled Diamond and Pearl.