If you look back on older dubs, a lot of those performances really don't hold up. But sometimes there's a beauty in those dubs, a so bad its good quality, and there's no better example of that than 4Kids Entertainment's handling of the Pokémon anime.
While 4Kids were notorious for bad dubs and strange localizing decisions, Pokémon was their biggest success and sometimes 4Kids' dub would get a funny line or even had their usual antics actually enhance the show. Sure, these moments aren't comedy gold, but they're a lost art these days and that in itself ought to be appreciated.
10 "BOTH OF ASH'S POKÉMON ARE WATER-TYPES AND ARE TOTALLY WEAK AGAINST FIRE-TYPE" FROM LOVE, POKÉMON STYLE
Usually, Brock is regarded as an expert when it comes to Pokémon, but this wasn't one of his best moments. During this battle of Ash's time in the Johto League, Ash's Pokémon face-off with an Electabuzz which has the type advantage over them and Brock comments "Both of Ash's Pokémon are water-types and are totally weak against fire-type!".
Obviously this was a mistake in the dub's script, since Electabuzz is an electric-type Pokémon and not a fire-type, and fire-types are (unsurprisingly) weak to water-types.
9 "THEY MOSTLY LIVE IN MINNESOTA!" FROM POKÉMON THE FIRST MOVIE
The first movie in Pokémon's library had a lot of memorable moments, and a line so bad that it's actually pretty funny. In this scene, Team Rocket disguise themselves as Vikings to trick Ash and friends into getting on their boat. Brock remarks how weird it is that Vikings are still around, leaving Ash to reply "They mostly live in Minnesota".
Pokémon referencing the Minnesota Vikings football team is a pretty bad joke on its own, but it gets funnier when you consider how it relates to Pokémon. So there's a Minnesota in the Pokémon world, if so does that mean there's a USA too? If not, then what region would it even be in? It does have some funny implications to think about.
8 "WHO TAUGHT YOU THAT ONE, PROFESSOR OAK?" FROM THE CRYSTAL ONIX
Usually, Team Rocket ends up being the butt of the joke, but not this time. While touring the Orange Islands, Ash and the others are on the hunt for a crystal Onix when they fall into a trap by Team Rocket. Misty angrily tells the trio "Why don't you just pretend you're a tree and leave?" and James follows up that bad pun with another. "Oh funny! Who taught you that one, Professor Oak?"
Yes, both of these lines are pretty bad, but it is rare to see Team Rocket get the upper hand on anyone, let alone through dialogue. What elevates this one is James' sarcasm and bringing the tree-themed Professor Oak into it, fighting bad puns with even more bad puns.
7 "I'LL USE MY TRUSTY FRYING PAN AS A DRYING PAN!" FROM POKÉMON: MEWTWO RETURNS
In this feature-length special of Pokémon, once again starring Mewtwo, we get this little gem. Trying to get out of the rain, Ash and his friends try to run for cover. This prompts Brock to say "Hey, I know! I'll use my trusty frying pan as a drying pan!" and covers his head with the said pan.
Whether it's the upbeat delivery of the joke, absurdity of the scene, or just that the joke itself is so dumb, there's something about that line that makes it enjoyable. Clearly this sentiment was shared by fans too since this moment was so well-liked that it became a meme.
6 "NOTHING MAKES ME ANGRIER THAN BEING TOLD THE TRUTH!" FROM WAKE UP SNORLAX!
This episode from the original series features the gang trying to help a town by moving a Snorlax that's blocking a river. The task is so challenging that Ash and company actually decide to team up with Team Rocket to tackle it. As usual, Team Rocket's plan fails, not even surprising the others. Angered by the show of little faith, Ash tells Team Rocket "Well it's the truth." to which James replies with "Nothing makes me angrier than being told the truth!".
What really makes this one work is that it implies that James is fully aware that he and the rest of Team Rocket are total failures. Regardless he's still angry about being reminded about their lack of success, as many in his shoes probably would be. There's something relatable about that, the truth really does hurt sometimes.
5 "THESE DONUTS ARE GREAT, JELLY-FILLED ARE MY FAVORITE! NOTHING BEATS A JELLY FILLED DONUT!" FROM PRIMAPE GOES BANANAS
Yet another one coming from the fan-favorite Brock. While stopping to rest on their journey through the Kanto Region, Ash and friends decide to snack on some onigiri (rice balls). However, in the 4Kids dub, they clearly wanted to Americanize the anime as much as possible. So Brock ends up saying "These donuts are great, jelly-filled are my favorite! Nothing beats a jelly-filled donut!".
This is definitely one of the more infamous examples of 4Kids' localization. What's actually funny about this line is how hard it tried to convince the audience, spending an awful lot of time in this scene emphasizing how what they're eating are donuts (when in fact, they're not). This is the kind of edits in dubbed anime that you just don't see anymore.
4 "ASIDE FROM YOU, WHAT ARE THE OTHER DISGUSTING THINGS?" FROM ASH CATCHES A POKÉMON
Ash and Misty have always had something of a love-hate aspect to their friendship, which has made for some pretty great dialogue. In the very third episode, Misty complains about bugs and declares them to be "one of the three most disgusting things in the world", Ash replies with "Aside from you, what are the other disgusting things?"
Ash is usually depicted as not being the sharpest pencil in the box, but this was a pretty good burn he used to defend his newly caught Caterpie.
3 "THAT'S WHAT SHE MEANS, JAMES." FROM HOLY MATRIMONY!
Sometimes real friends know just how to roast you. In this episode, Team Rocket comes across a sign for a missing child that bears a striking resemblance to James. Jessie points out the similarities between the two, but James disagrees and says "You think so? He looks pathetic." Meowth has a quick clap back, saying "That's what she means, James."
This is a rather small moment, but it brilliantly showcases the comedic chemistry between the Team Rocket trio and why they've stuck around in the anime for so long. The setup and punchline that could have been forgotten but comes out better than it ever needed to be.
2 "DON'T WORRY BROCK, YOU'LL FIND PLENTY OF OTHER GIRLS TO REJECT YOU." FROM MAKE ROOM FOR GLOOM
It's amazing that Brock didn't leave Ash's group after this one. At the end of this episode, Brock is once again ignored by one of the many girls that catch his eye and becomes depressed. Brock miserably mutters "Rejected by the one girl I loved. I'll never find another one like her again." and trying to comfort his pal, Ash tells him "Don't worry Brock, you'll find plenty of other girls to reject you."
It's unclear whether this was Ash's best attempt to soften the blow to Brock's aching heart or if he was being brutally honest. Considering how many other girls Brock would fail to woo in the later seasons of the anime, Ash might have had a point there.
1 "WOW, I HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE TO DISAPPOINT." FROM MEOWTH RULES!
In another Orange Islands episode, Jessie and James get separated from Meowth who winds up on an island where the inhabitants mistake him for a sacred deity of fortune. In order to get Meowth to learn the move Pay Day, the islanders bring him to a stadium to battle. Surrounded by adoring fans, Meowth says to himself "Wow, I have a lot of people to disappoint."
The lack of confidence Meowth has in himself in the face of overwhelming pressure makes this line not just funny but also incredibly relatable. This one was truly super effective.