The series starts with Ash Ketchum's tenth birthday, which according to Pokémon trainer registration bylaws allows him to become a full-fledged Pokémon trainer and obtain a starter Pokémon.

The Marowak collects bones from a secret graveyard and throws them skillfully like a boomerang to KO targets.

Ash was offered a choice between three Pokémon as his starter: Bulbasaur, Squirtle and Charmander. While he was planning to choose Squirtle, he received Pikachu instead, because he woke up late and all the other starter Pokémon had been taken by other trainers.

Eevee's unstable genetic code allows it to evolve into one of eight different Pokémon, informally known as "Eeveelutions".

Charmander evolves into Charmeleon who then evolves into Charizard.

Ever since being defeated by Ash's Pikachu, the comical and bumbling members of Team Rocket, Jessie and James and their talking Meowth, have obsessively chased after Ash, hoping to steal his Pokémon.

Vulpix has a flame inside its body that never goes out, and is capable of manipulating fire to such precision as to create floating wisps of flame. When the temperature outside increases, it will expel flames from its mouth to prevent its body from overheating.

A Z-Ring allows a trainer to bring forth super-powered attacks from their Pokémon. When Ash used the Z-Ring for the first time with Pikachu, it produced a massive surge of energy that overloaded and shattered the Z-Crystal that powered it.

The flame on its tail indicates Charmander's life force. If it is healthy, the flame burns brightly.

Raichu glows in the dark, and is capable of storing over 100,000 volts of electricity. However, it will become aggressive if it has stored too much electricity. To keep from reaching this state, it discharges electricity through its tail into the ground.