A pokeseizure is an epileptic seizure, induced by the flashing of red and
bluethat occured in episode 38 of the
anime Pokemon. The original airing of episode
38 saw the seizures of 700 japanese adults and children as a result. Since then,
the episode can only be found on the internet, often with the frame-rate reduced
on the infamous
scene.
Often this
scene is referred to as, "SEIZURES EVERYWHERE"
Specifically, the
scene involves the protagonists trying to rescue the
geometrically inclined pokemon Polygon. A hovercraft/rocket/spaceship/thing
fires missiles at the heroes. In responce, pikachu shoots a thunderbolt at the
projectile, causing it to explode. The main
scene that was responcible for the
seizures was one where satoshi(ash) and his friends are standing near an opening
and the majority of the frame is filled with alternating
blue/
red flat color
pallettes.
The same effect (FLYING COLORS: meant to create dynamic flashing/explosions) is
utilized a few times in the much more-acclaimed
anime, Evangelion, a few times,
but those instances are far less likely to cause seizures do to the brevity and
slower frame rates of their animation.
This episode has been all but removed from media distribution but, due to the
internet, has been viewed by many a nostalgic/foolhardy otaku.
In non-Epileptic viewers the
scene has been know to caused head aches,
especially loops of the
scene with music.
Other banned/unaired episode of the series include #18 and #
19 as well as #23,
due to sex, violence, and 9/11.
Alex - "Dude wanna see episode 38 I found it on youtube!"
Kevin - "I
don't know man, what if I get a pokeseizure?"
Alex - "You don't know if you're epileptic though."
Kevin - "I don't want to find out, man."