04x40 - The Art of Pokémon

[bunniefuu]

male narrator:
Ash and his friends

are moving ever closer
to Olivine City

and the next Johto League Gym.

But today their route
leads them straight

to a place called Whitestone.

- It says here in the guidebook

that Whitestone is one
of the most historic sites

in the whole Johto Region.

- Well, there it is, guys.

- It's beautiful!

I can see why
they call it Whitestone.

- Yep, Whitestone sure does
live up to its name.

- So it seems they're headed
for Whitestone.

It certainly is beautiful.

- It looks like all of them
buildings is made out of marble.

That's ritzy!

- I just adore marble!

I love everything made of it.

I love marble bathtubs,

marble tables,

marble statues.

Mm!

Everything!

- I never understood why
Grandpapa's mansion

was made of marble.

It was like a mausoleum

with lots of bedrooms
and bathrooms.

Maybe they used marble
because it's...

"marble-ous!"

both: Bad joke, James.

- Sorry!

[singing]
- Pokémon, Pokémon, Pokémon

- Let's do it.

I wanna be the very best

Like no one ever was

Ever was, ever was

To catch them is my real test

To train them is my cause

My whole life has led to this

Time to test my skills

I know I just can't miss

Gonna show the world

Born to be a winner

- Johto

- Born to be a champion

Born to be a winner

Born to be the very best

- Pokémon
- Johto

- Born to be a winner

Pokémon

- "Whitestone appears
to be built of marble,

"but it's not.

"Centuries ago,
the townspeople decided

"to paint the town white,

"and succeeding generations

have continued the tradition."

I guess paint's a lot cheaper
than marble is, huh?

- Well, even if
it's not real marble,

it's really pretty.

- Hey!
all: Huh?

- What're you doing
to my nice white wall?

- Smeargle, Smeargle, Smeargle.

- Smeargle!

- Smeargle, Smeargle.

- That's weird.

- Those are some strange
graffiti artists.

- I think they're Smeargle.

- [electronic voice]
Smeargle, the Painter Pokémon.

Colored fluids ooze
from their tails,

which they use to mark
their territory

and to express themselves.

- Those troublemakers!

Let's go get 'em!

[crowd grumbling]

all: Smear?
Smeargle!

[crowd yelling]

[Smeargle whimper]

- So those vandals belong
to you, do they?

[together] Huh?

- You little punks!

This is a historic place,

and the people
who live in this town

work hard to keep it clean!

We don't need your Pokémon
running around

slopping paint
all over the place!

- Hey, hold on a minute!

- We just got here, ma'am.

We don't know
who these Smeargle belong to.

- If they don't belong to you,

why are they all hiding
behind you?

- 'Cause they're scared.

- Just step aside.

We'll show 'em something
to be scared about!

- Pika.

- These Smeargle
might not be ours,

but that doesn't mean
we're gonna let you hurt 'em.

That isn't fair!

- My friend's right!

You're acting like a bully!

- Don't insult me!

- Please don't argue
with each other.

- I can explain
if you'll allow me to.

The Smeargle have nothing
to do with those children.

The Smeargle
are my responsibility.

They belong to me,

and they aren't trying
to make trouble.

They're Painting Pokémon.

[together] Smeargle!

Smeargle!

- In fact,

I prefer to call them
Artist Pokémon.

- They're Artist Pokémon?

- You call that crazy scribbling
art?

- Who's to say what is
and is not art?

Art and beauty are in the eye
of the beholder.

- Keep your theories
to yourself, pal!

Listen, your Pokémon made
this mess,

so you're responsible for it.

- I wholeheartedly agree
with you.

Please use this to clean up
if you wish.

- What's this?

- It's a check from
the First Johto Bank.

You may use it to pay
for repairing any damage

my Smeargle may cause.

- But there's no amount written
on this check!

- You may write in any amount
you like, ma'am.

Spend whatever's necessary
to restore the walls

to their original condition.

- Hey, that old guy
must be loaded!

He handed that big-mouth lady
a blank check,

and he doesn't seem to care
how much it's for!

- If I were her,
I'd write in "$ million"

and cash it quick.

- But, Jessie, what if
that old gentleman's a poor man?

He might need that $ million.

- You're right. Forget it.

- Wobbuff!

- Coming through.

Pardon the intrusion,

but are you by any chance
Jack Pollockson?

- Jack Pollockson?

- Yes, I'm Jack Pollockson.

- I knew I recognized that face!

It's an honor to be speaking
with you Mr. Pollockson, sir!

- Jack Pollockson!

- That's Jack Pollockson?

- The Jack Pollockson?

- Look here.

I've just run into the one
and only Jack Pollockson.

Imagine meeting him in person!

Friends, I came here
to make a documentary

about this historic

but frankly boring and bland
little town.

But now I've changed my plans!

Starting right now,

my documentary will be about
the life and work

of Jack Pollockson!

- Hey, guys, he's pretty famous.

Even I heard of him!

- What's he famous for?

- The book says he's a
world-renowned abstract artist,

a pioneer in the art
of painting,

a superstar.

Here, judge for yourself.

[together] Huh?

- That's a painting?

- Looks more like wallpaper.

- Pika?

- They say
you can't really experience

the real power of his paintings

from pictures in a book
or even on TV.

- This will be
a world TV exclusive!

We'll come to your studio
and show the whole world

the Pollockson paintings
that hang there!

Well, Jack, doesn't that sound
like a blockbuster broadcast?

- You're wasting your time,
sonny.

A picture of a painting
can't capture its true essence.

- Okay, if you don't want us
to show the art,

we'll focus
on the artist instead!

We'll show the viewers how
you create your masterpieces.

First, we'll show
you putting on your smock.

Then we'll zoom in
as you pick your paintbrushes!

- Oh, I don't use paintbrushes.

I leave that to my artistic
little friends here.

The Smeargle
are my paintbrushes!

- [gasps]
- The Smeargle are paintbrushes?

all: Smeargle!

- No!

- Smeargle, Smeargle!

- Smeargle!

- Smeargle, Smear.

- Hey!

- Don't move!

You may be ruining the
Smeargle's newest masterpiece!

- What is this?

- It must be art.

- If you say so.

- Start rolling, Frank!

We're witnessing a masterpiece
in the making!

[Smeargle grunting]

- Sorry, Pikachu.

I guess we're in the picture.

- Imagine!

Me part of masterpiece!

I like it!

- [chirps]

- Stop, Smeargle!

- Smeargle!

- I sincerely apologize.

Obviously they weren't inspired
this time.

all: Huh?

- Sorry.

They really made a big mess,
didn't they?

[all groan]

I'm worried.

It's been a long time

since the Smeargle have painted
anything of quality.

I can't seem to inspire them
anymore.

I just hope
I'm around long enough

to see them do
one more great one.

- "Anyone who sees one
of Pollockson's works

"is certain to be impressed
by it.

"Pollockson only displays works

"with which he's completely
satisfied

and destroys all paintings
he deems inferior."

That's nice.

His artwork must be very rare
and valuable.

- My parents own some artwork:

A Picasso painting,
a Rembrandt etching,

and a gigantic statue
by that Japanese monster Rodin.

- If we could swipe and sell

just one of that guy's
paintings,

our money troubles
would be over forever!

- Then I say let's go swipe one!

[all cheer]

- Maybe the next one
will be better.

In any case, I'm sorry to have
caused you so much trouble.

I have an idea.

My studio's just outside
of town.

Why don't you come,

and you can wash up
and have a bite to eat?

- Thanks, Jack, that'd be great!

- Mr. Pollockson, sir,

perhaps you'd permit us to come

so our viewers can see
the art in your studio.

- I'm sorry,
but I can't allow that.

Art has to be experienced
as it really is,

not as a flickering picture
on a television screen!

- Now I'll thank you to leave me
and my Smeargle alone!

- Huh?
- What are you sayin'?

Your pictures
are better than mine?

- Mr. Pollockson's right!

- He is?

- It's absolutely useless

to try and show art
on a television program!

- Huh?

- Though images in photos
and on television

may resemble
an original painting,

you have to experience one
in person to really feel it!

- He's right.

I really feel it.

- Thank you for honoring
my wishes, young man.

Let's go, Smeargle.

[together] Smeargle!

- Come on.
Let's get you cleaned up.

- Man, that felt great,
didn't it?

- There's nothing
like a hot bath.

- Oh, wow!
- Pika!

- Look at all
of these pictures.

Who painted 'em?

- The Smeargle painted
all of them.

These are some examples
of their earlier works.

They paint whenever
inspiration strikes,

and their mood affects
their work.

If they're happy,

the paintings
are bright and sunny.

If they're sad, the paintings
are muted and somber.

Come on!

I want you all
to look at something brand-new

I've been working on!

- This is interesting.

- Since the Smeargle's recent
paintings haven't been too good,

I've started taking bits
and pieces of them

and putting them all together
to create collages!

[grunts]

[all gasp]

They may be interesting,
but to be honest,

I don't think my collages
are very good either.

Do you?

- Well, I'm not really
an art expert, Mr. Pollockson.

- When the paintings are good,
what is it that makes 'em good?

- It's hard to say.

It's that
indescribable something

that you can sense
when it's there.

- You can sense it?

- You can see it and feel it
and smell it!

- I'm gonna try.

- Pika?

- It smells like turpentine.

- Maybe I'm not
explaining it well.

Here's what I believe.

I believe everyone can sense
when a painting is truly good.

I think we all have
that ability.

We're born with it.

But creating art...

creating art is
a very different matter.

It takes real talent
and hard work

to make something
of great beauty.

- That sounds so cool.

It must be great
to be an artist

and make beautiful things.

- The Smeargle and I used
to create paintings

that were astonishingly
beautiful.

I still have some hanging
in my gallery.

We could go and take
a look at some

right now if you'd like to.

- We would!

- Let's go see 'em, Jack!

[dramatic music]

[all gasp]

- Awesome!

- Sure is. Totally!

- Looking at this makes me feel
like the first time I saw...

Officer Jenny!

- It's an abstract, of course.

It's about the play of light
and color and joy.

And looking at it
still fills me with joy.

- He's right!
He's so right!

I know that technically
we're trespassing,

but I just had to see this
with my own two eyes!

And what you said
before is right.

The real beauty
of these paintings

can't be captured in pictures!

- We won't try.

- I only wish that the whole
world could be here

to see the beauty
that I'm seeing!

- Wobbuffet!

- Wobbuffet?

- That means they're here!

[Team Rocket swooning]

- What beauty!

- What power!

- It sort of reminds me of me.

- Wobbuffet!

- You seem moved by my work.

- Your art evokes a lot
of feeling.

- And that's what makes it
good for stealing.

- To protect the world
from devastation.

- To unite all peoples
within our nation.

- To denounce the evils
of truth and love.

- To extend our reach
to the stars above.

- Jessie!
- James!

- Team Rocket, blasting off
at the speed of light.

- Surrender now or prepare
to fight, fight, fight, fight.

- Wobbuffet!

- That's right!

- You again!

- What do you want here?

- The art.
- What else?

- Hey, guys, I bet we'd make
a ton with this one.

- No, please,
these works belong here

for the whole world to see!

- That's right!

Even you losers can see how
special and beautiful they are!

- Of course!

In fact, looking at them
takes me back

to the lonely days of my youth

and one special moment

and a kind word.

You think I'm like
a beautiful chrysanthemum?

Lone little me?

Thanks for the memories, Jack.

Now let's steal the painting.

- Yes, sir!

- I just thought of something!

If we steal paintings
this valuable,

the cops'll be looking
for us everywhere!

We'll get caught the second
we try to sell 'em!

- Oh.
- Hmm.

I know!

We'll take pictures
of the paintings!

If a picture is worth
a thousand words,

who knows what a picture

from a digital camera
could be worth?

[Team Rocket cackling]

- Come back here!

- Let them go, Ash.

No matter how good a photo is,
it's not the real thing.

I'm just happy
that the originals

are still safe with us.

[Smeargle murmuring happily]

- Who's that Pokémon?

It's...

- Hmm.

No, no, no!

You can't sell cheap copies
of artwork!

- I don't see why, Jessie.

If it worked for Andy Warhol,
why can't it work for me?

- Copies of art are worthless.

Only the original artworks
matter!

- Maybe we need toner.

- If we can't sell copies,
we can't get rich!

- I think I know a way for us
to get very rich.

We don't need to make copies.

We can create our own original
works of art,

and all we need to do that is
to kidnap those Smeargle!

- When I was young,

I wanted to be a Pokémon master

and go on a journey like you,
Ash.

Until one day,
I saw something special

in the art of the Smeargle.

Subtle differences
in their moods change the colors

that came from their tails,

so each painting is unique.

- [chirping]

- I knew then
that I wanted to be an artist.

And I knew I could do it

by collaborating
with the Smeargle.

[sighs]

But now all that
may be over with.

We've done great work,

but I'm afraid
we may never be able

to paint anything great again.

- Why do you say that?

- I don't know
if it's just old age,

but lately I can't make out
the subtle color differences.

I know they're there,
but I can't see them anymore.

I think my days as an artist
must be drawing to a close.

- No way!
Don't say that, Jack!

- It's all right.

I've had a very
fulfilling career in art,

and I've loved every
single minute of it.

But it went by so quickly, Ash.

It seems like I started
only yesterday.

Look.

I remember one morning
years ago

when the rising sun
painted the sky and the sea

and the town
in , colors!

The reds, the blues,
the yellows.

I can see those colors
but only in my memory.

[Smeargle gasp]

- Pika?

[Team Rocket cackling]

[together]
We caught your Smeargle!

- We don't need to steal
your paintings, old man.

- Or take snapshots!

- We got our own painters now.

- Team Rocket!

- Come back with those Smeargle!

- You'll see 'em at a museum!

[Team rocket cackles]

- Oh, no!

My Smeargle are gone!

- Don't worry.

We'll get 'em back...

as long as we can stay
on Team Rocket's tail!

- We did it!

- Our plan is a success!

- An artistic success.

all: Smeargle! Smear!

[paint splatting]

[all gasp]

- It's the Smeargle.

They've left a trail for us!

- Good.

All we have to do is follow it.

- There's no need to be afraid.

We love art just like you do.

Look what we've got for you!

- We have paper, canvas,
lots of art supplies,

everything you need
to create masterpieces.

[Smeargle whimper]

- Now, get busy!

[Smeargle chattering nervously]

- This is going
to be the greatest

and most artistic
money-making scheme

in the history
of Team Rocket!

We'll simply have the Smeargle
complete these canvases.

- Interesting.

- Team Rocket!
- [gulps]

- Are you gonna let
those Smeargle go free?

- No way!

- We're not in favor of
that kind of artistic freedom.

- Let's get 'em!

- I choose Arbok!

[warbling tone]

- Sss-Arbok!

- I choose Pikachu!

- Pika!

- Sss-Arbok!

[Smeargle gasp]

- It's the sun, the colors!

Smeargle!

- Smeargle!
- Smeargle!

- Smeargle!

- Hey, wait!

- Let's go, guys.

- Come on, Pikachu!

- Pika?

- Oh, what are we gonna do?

- Let them go.

- Huh?

- Don't worry.

We've already got all
of these uncompleted paintings.

Maybe...maybe I can make them

into something beautiful!

[shimmering music]

[bell chimes]

- Smeargle!
- Smeargle!

- Smeargle!
Smear, smear, smear!

- Yes, you're getting it!

The roof of the church.

More red!

And a little more yellow too!

- Smeargle!

- And the brick path bathed
in fiery light!

- Smear!

- The walls,

the walls still
in the cold-blue shadows

of the dawn!

- Smeargle!

[all gasping]

- Smeargle.

- Smeargle, Smeargle, Smeargle!

- Smeargle.

[people oohing and aahing]

[glorious music]

[people chattering excitedly]

- They're back!

The colors I saw,

they've all come back to me.

- No, not that one!

Get the super high-definition
digital camera.

We got to sh**t that painting!

- It's no use.

- I didn't think
I'd ever live to see it,

but there it is,

another great one!

You've done it!

Thank you, Smeargle.

[together] Smeargle!

[Smeargle murmuring happily]

- Thank you all.

You've made me happy.

ting!
- Pika?

[rain pattering]

- Rain!

- Look! The painting!

- It's disappearing!

[people groaning]

- That's just fine.

Just fine.

all: Smeargle!

- It's totally washed away.

- The painting was so beautiful.

- I know.

Maybe you can get the Smeargle

to paint the same picture again!

- It wouldn't be the same,
Ash.

It couldn't be.

You see, Ash, each painting

the Smeargle and I create
is unique.

I thought I'd lost my ability
to create art.

But now I know
I can be inspired again,

and maybe the Smeargle and I
can paint once more.

[together] Smeargle!

- You will, Jack.

- The next one'll be
even better.

- I just know it.

- Thank you.

We'll do our best.

narrator: The time has come

for our heroes
to leave Whitestone.

They've just experienced
first-hand

how people and Pokémon
can work together

to create interesting
and beautiful works of art.

Now they continue their journey
with a new perspective

on creativity and on caring.

- [singing]
Pokémon Johto

Pokémon Johto

- [groaning]

[gasps]
I've got an idea!

- Tell us what it is, Jessie.

- Is it a million-dollar idea?

- Yes, if I cut up
these Smeargle drawings

and make a collage,

I'll create an artistic
masterpiece!

- Wobbuff!

- [screams]

ding!

[Team Rocket gasping]

all: Back to the drawing board!

- Let's do it.

[singing]
Born to be a winner

- Johto

- Born to be a champion

Born to be a winner

Born to be the very best

- Pokémon

- Born to be a winner

- Johto

- Born to be a champion

Born to be a winner

Born to be the very best

- Pokémon
- Johto

- Born to be a winner

Pokémon