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The pivotal day-one event — Ash's selection of Pikachu as his starter (by default, because he overslept) and the Spearow-flock attack on Route 1 that cemented their bond forever.
This is the origin event of the entire anime. Ash missed the three starter Pokémon because he slept in; Oak handed him a Pikachu that refused the Poké Ball. Pikachu rode Ash's shoulder. A Spearow attack drove them to a river; Ash shielded Pikachu with his body; Pikachu unleashed a Thunderbolt that broke the storm and the flock. Then Ho-Oh flew over. Ash said, 'I choose you.' The whole series is still in that moment.
Route 1 at mid-morning, clear sky, wheat-gold grass. A swarm of Spearow fills the sky in a dark furious cloud. Ash in his original red-white cap, Pikachu in his arms, sprinting toward Viridian with a stolen bicycle (Misty's) in pieces behind them. Rainstorm. Then Ho-Oh overhead, trailing rainbow.
Also known as: Day One, The Spearow Flock, Pokémon I Choose You