The Pokémon shōnen manga series is based on the Pokémon anime. The manga is made by Toshiro Ono . In Japan, the series is known as Pocket Monsters: Dengeki Pikachu.

The manga was released in four volumes, or tankōbon. In the North American English adaptations, they are named: The Electric Tale of Pikachu, Pikachu Shocks Back, Electric Pikachu Boogaloo, and Surf's Up, Pikachu. The Singapore English version uses "Electric Tale of Pikachu" for all four volumes. The characters are the same as in the anime.

The manga was published in English in North America by Viz Communications. The English manga is flipped to the Western left to right format. In Singapore, the manga is published in English by Chuang Yi.

Editing in the North American version

The initial printing of the manga in North America drew ire from parents who read the manga, so the graphic novels were edited for American audiences.

In the original Japanese version, Toshiro Ono drew most of the female characters with oversized busts and revealing outfits. There were a few scenes that could be construed as risqué by American parents, including one involving Misty relaxing in a hot tub, only to be interrupted by Ash clumsily bursting in. Any excess skin was covered up by American translators. Some purist fans are disgusted by this 'butchering' of the manga, and sites were created on the internet campaining for the removal of these edits.

Characters

Japanese names in Western order (given name before surname) are given first, followed by the English name. For the sake of simplicity, English language names will be used in this and other articles in Wikipedia about Pokémon, unless explicitly referring to the Japanese version.

• Satoshi / Ash Ketchum - The main character, whose name in the Japanese version (Satoshi) is named after Satoshi Tajiri, the creator of the Pokémon games. Ash aspires to be a Pokémon Master, and together with the various friends and Pokémon that travel with him, embark on many adventures. In a similar fashion to the game, Ash does this by entering various Pokémon League competitions.
• Pikachu, a little yellow mouse-like creature with a lightning bolt tail and the ability to create an electrical jolt from its cheeks. It is the Pokémon that Ash receives from Professor Oak to start his Pokémon Journey.
• Takeshi / Brock - the Pewter City Gym Leader who leaves his post to become a Pokémon Breeder, leaving the care of his gym to his father. He is one of Ash's travelling companions. He has a sweet spot for girls, and seems like a pervert in this series.
• Kasumi / Misty - the Cerulean City Gym Leader who leaves her post to become a Water Pokémon expert. She is the youngest of four sisters. At the end of the Johto saga, she returns to Cerulean City in order to run the Pokémon Gym there. In this manga, she seems to have black hair.
• Kenji / Tracey Sketchit - a Pokémon Watcher who idolizes Professor Oak, and travels with Ash and Misty throughout the Orange Islands. This has led him to become Professor Oak's assistant.
• Musashi / Jessica "Jessie" - the smarter, female half of Team Rocket
• Kojirō / James - the dumber, male half of Team Rocket
• Nyarth (ニャース Nyāsu) / Meowth - One of the few Pokemon that can speak a human language.

See also

• Magical Pokémon Journey
• Pokémon Adventures
• Ash & Pikachu
• Pokémon Gold & Silver (manga series)
• Pokémon (anime)