Why is Porygon Illegal? The Truth Behind the Banned Pokémon Episode

Porygon itself isn’t illegal. The Pokémon remains a part of the broader franchise, appearing in games and merchandise. What is “illegal” (more accurately, banned) is the episode of the Pokémon anime in which Porygon prominently featured: “Dennō Senshi Porygon” (“Electric Soldier Porygon”). The episode aired only once, in Japan, on December 16, 1997, before being permanently pulled from broadcast due to causing photosensitive epileptic seizures in hundreds of children. The ban is related to the specific visual effects employed in the episode, not the Pokémon Porygon itself. Rapidly alternating red and blue flashes at a high frequency triggered seizures in susceptible viewers, leading to the episode’s immediate and indefinite ban.

The “Pokémon Shock”: A Visual Catastrophe

The incident, often referred to as “Pokémon Shock,” was a watershed moment in the history of animation. While isolated cases of seizures related to flashing lights had occurred before, the scale of the “Pokémon Shock” was unprecedented. It involved hundreds of children across Japan being rushed to hospitals with symptoms ranging from nausea and headaches to loss of consciousness and convulsions.

The crucial sequence occurred approximately 20 minutes into the episode. Pikachu destroys missiles with a “Thunderbolt” attack, resulting in a large explosion rendered with intense, rapidly flashing red and blue lights. These flashes, at a frequency of roughly 12 Hz, are believed to have been the primary trigger for the seizures.

The Fallout: A Temporary Hiatus and Lasting Changes

The immediate aftermath of the “Pokémon Shock” was chaos. TV Tokyo pulled the Pokémon anime off the air immediately, and the incident made international headlines. An investigation was launched to determine the cause, and measures were taken to prevent similar incidents from happening again.

When the Pokémon anime returned to television screens several months later, it was with significant changes:

• Reduced Flash Frequency: The frequency and intensity of flashing lights in animated sequences were drastically reduced. Guidelines were established to limit the use of rapidly alternating colors, particularly red and blue.
• Color Palette Modifications: The overall color palette of the anime was adjusted to reduce the likelihood of triggering seizures.
• Epilepsy Warnings: Warnings about photosensitive epilepsy were added to the beginning of the show, as well as other anime and video games, advising viewers to watch in a well-lit room and take breaks.

Porygon’s Unfortunate Association

Despite not being directly responsible for the seizures (Pikachu’s attack, not Porygon itself, triggered the problematic sequence), Porygon became inextricably linked to the incident. The association was so strong that Porygon and its evolutions, Porygon2 and Porygon-Z, have largely been absent from the anime ever since. While Porygon does appear in the Pokémon games, it’s largely been omitted in the animated series due to the negative association. It’s a case of guilt by association, and a public relations decision rather than any inherent fault of the Pokémon.

The “Dennō Senshi Porygon” episode remains banned worldwide and is unlikely to ever be broadcast again. It stands as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible animation techniques and the potential dangers of photosensitive epilepsy. The incident prompted widespread changes in the animation industry and raised awareness about the risks of rapidly flashing lights in visual media. The Games Learning Society can provide valuable insights into the educational implications and the impact of such events on media consumption.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Porygon and the Banned Episode

1. Is Porygon a banned Pokémon in the games? No, Porygon is not banned in the Pokémon video games. It is a obtainable Pokémon that can be caught and trained like any other.

2. Did Pikachu get banned after the incident? No. Despite Pikachu delivering the attack that triggered the seizures, the Pokémon was not banned and remains the face of the franchise.

3. What exactly caused the seizures in the “Electric Soldier Porygon” episode? The seizures were triggered by a sequence of rapidly alternating red and blue flashes, at a frequency of about 12 Hz, during an explosion.

4. How many people were affected by the “Pokémon Shock”? Estimates vary, but hundreds of children in Japan were reported to have experienced symptoms ranging from mild discomfort to full-blown seizures.

5. Why was the episode banned globally? To prevent the risk of triggering seizures in viewers worldwide, broadcasters chose not to air the episode outside of Japan.

6. Has the animation industry changed since the “Pokémon Shock”? Yes, the incident led to stricter guidelines on the use of flashing lights in animation to minimize the risk of triggering seizures.

7. What is photosensitive epilepsy? Photosensitive epilepsy is a type of epilepsy where seizures are triggered by visual stimuli, such as flashing lights, patterns, or certain colors.

8. Are there other anime episodes that have been banned for similar reasons? While the “Electric Soldier Porygon” incident was the most prominent, other anime episodes have been edited or pulled from broadcast due to concerns about photosensitive epilepsy.

9. Is Porygon-Z a glitch Pokémon in the games? Porygon-Z is designed to be glitching in-universe, due to faulty software, but is not technically a “glitch Pokemon” in the same way as MissingNo.

10. Why is Kadabra banned from the Pokémon TCG? Kadabra’s ban from the trading card game stemmed from a lawsuit filed by magician Uri Geller, who claimed the Pokémon resembled him and appropriated his likeness. Geller later withdrew his complaint, and Kadabra cards have since been reprinted.

11. Is Jynx banned from the Pokémon anime? Several episodes featuring Jynx were banned or edited due to its original design being seen as racially insensitive. Jynx’s skin color was later changed to purple.

12. What is the rarest Pokémon card? The rarest and most valuable Pokémon card is generally considered to be the Pikachu Illustrator card, awarded to winners of an illustration contest in 1998.

13. Where can I learn more about the impact of games and media on learning? You can find valuable information and resources at the GamesLearningSociety.org website.

14. Is it safe for people with epilepsy to watch Pokémon today? The Pokémon anime and video games now include warnings about photosensitive epilepsy, and animation techniques have been adjusted to reduce the risk of triggering seizures. However, individuals with epilepsy should still exercise caution and follow recommended guidelines (watching in well-lit rooms, taking breaks).

15. Will the “Electric Soldier Porygon” episode ever be rebroadcast? It is highly unlikely that the episode will ever be rebroadcast, given the potential risks and the controversy surrounding it.