It started with a lightning bolt and a synth-heavy drum beat. If you grew up in the late nineties, those first few notes of the original English theme song probably trigger a physical reaction. It’s nostalgia, sure, but it’s something deeper than just a catchy tune. Pokemon I want to be the very best wasn’t just a lyric; it became a generational manifesto for millions of kids sitting on their bedroom floors with a brick-shaped Game Boy.
Honestly, it’s kinda wild how a localized theme song for a Japanese cartoon became one of the most recognizable pieces of music in modern history. We aren't just talking about a show. We’re talking about a cultural shift.
The song, officially titled "Pokémon Theme," was performed by Jason Paige. At the time, he probably didn't realize he was recording the anthem for the biggest media franchise on the planet. He just went into the booth and gave it everything he had. You can hear it in the grit of his voice. It sounds like a rock ballad, but it’s actually a mission statement.
The Psychology Behind the Lyrics
Why does this specific phrasing stick? "I want to be the very best, like no one ever was." It’s incredibly ambitious. It’s borderline arrogant. Yet, it resonates because it’s paired with the idea of "to train them is my cause." It balances the ego of being number one with the responsibility of mentorship and growth.
Most people think Pokemon is just about fighting. It’s not. If you look at the mechanics of the original Red and Blue games, the "best" players weren't just the ones with the highest-level Charizard. They were the ones who understood the nuance of type matchups and the grind of the Safari Zone.
The lyrics mirror the player's journey. You start with nothing. You have a messy-haired rival who is always one step ahead of you. You’re constantly told you aren't ready for the Elite Four. That struggle makes the payoff of the song feel earned. It’s aspirational.
Jason Paige and the Sound of a Generation
Jason Paige’s vocals are the secret sauce here. He wasn't some polished pop star; he was a seasoned session singer who brought a soulful, almost gospel-like intensity to a show about pocket monsters.
Interestingly, Paige has talked in interviews about how he didn't even know what Pokemon was when he recorded it. He saw the lyrics and treated them with the same respect he’d give a mainstream hit. That lack of irony is why it works. If he had winked at the camera or played it "for kids," the song would have aged poorly. Instead, it feels timeless. It feels heavy.
📖 Related: Catching the Blue Marlin in Animal Crossing: Why This Giant Fish Is So Hard to Find
What Most People Get Wrong About Being the Best
There’s a common misconception that being the "best" in the Pokemon world means winning every battle. If you follow the journey of Ash Ketchum—the protagonist who literally lived these lyrics for over two decades—you’ll notice he lost. A lot.
He lost the Indigo League. He lost in Johto. He struggled in Sinnoh.
Being the best wasn't about a win-loss record. It was about the "test" and the "cause" mentioned in the song. The "test" is the emotional resilience required to keep going after a devastating defeat. For many fans, Pokemon I want to be the very best became a mantra for real-life hurdles. Taking an exam? Listen to the theme. Going for a job interview? Put on the headphones.
It’s basically the "Eye of the Tiger" for people who know the difference between a Pidgey and a Spearow.
The Evolution of the Catchphrase
As the franchise grew, the theme songs changed. Every new region—Hoenn, Sinnoh, Alola—brought a new track. Some were pop-inspired, others were techno-heavy. But none of them ever eclipsed the original.
Why? Because the original captured the lightning in a bottle that was the 1998-1999 cultural zeitgeist. It was the "Poke-mania" era.
By the time Pokemon GO launched in 2016, the song saw a massive resurgence on streaming platforms. Spotify reported astronomical jumps in plays for the original theme. People weren't just playing the game; they were reclaiming the feeling of that 11-year-old kid who believed they could actually catch 'em all.
👉 See also: Ben 10 Ultimate Cosmic Destruction: Why This Game Still Hits Different
The Global Impact of a Simple Hook
It’s worth noting that the Japanese version of the show had a completely different vibe. "Mezase Pokémon Master" (Aim to be a Pokémon Master) is also iconic, but it’s funkier and more whimsical. The Western version, produced by 4Kids Entertainment, leaned into the "hero’s journey" aesthetic.
They knew the American audience wanted a hero. They wanted a rock star.
They got both.
John Siegler and John Loeffler, the writers behind the track, tapped into a specific frequency of Western competitive spirit. They took a property about collecting bugs and turned it into an epic saga. This wasn't just a hobby; it was a destiny.
Nuance in the Competitive Scene
If we look at the actual competitive scene—the VGC (Video Game Championships)—being the "very best" takes on a much more technical meaning.
You’ve got to worry about:
- Individual Values (IVs) which are basically genetic stats.
- Effort Values (EVs) which are earned through specific training.
- Nature modifiers that boost one stat while cutting another.
- Held items like Choice Scarfs or Life Orbs that change the flow of a turn.
The casual fan sings the song while walking their dog. The pro fan lives the song by staring at spreadsheets for six hours to ensure their Garchomp outspeeds a specific threat by one single point. Both are valid. That’s the beauty of the franchise. It scales with you as you get older.
✨ Don't miss: Why Batman Arkham City Still Matters More Than Any Other Superhero Game
Why the Message Still Matters Today
We live in a world of short-form content and instant gratification. Pokemon, at its core, is the opposite. It’s a slow burn. You have to walk through the tall grass. You have to endure the Zubats in the caves.
The phrase Pokemon I want to be the very best serves as a reminder that greatness is a process. It’s a "journey across the land, searching far and wide." It’s not a "sit on your couch and wait for it to happen" kind of deal.
In 2023, when Ash Ketchum finally became the World Champion and exited the show as the main protagonist, the internet nearly broke. People who hadn't watched the show in fifteen years were checking the news. It felt like a collective closure. The kid who wanted to be the very best finally was. It took twenty-five years, but he got there.
Actionable Insights for the Modern Fan
If you're looking to reconnect with that "very best" energy, or if you're trying to climb the ranks in the current games like Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, here is how you actually do it:
- Master the Type Chart: Don't just rely on power. Understand why a Fairy type is immune to Dragon moves. Knowledge is the foundation of the "test."
- Build a Balanced Team: A team of six legendary Pokemon might look cool, but a well-synergized team with a "Core" (like Fire-Water-Grass) will usually beat brute force.
- Engage with the Community: Whether it's Smogon for competitive builds or Serebii for raw data, the "world we must defend" is a real community of millions.
- Don't Forget the "Cause": The games are most fun when you actually like the creatures you're using. Efficiency is great, but sentimentality is what made the show a hit.
The legacy of the theme song isn't just in the sales numbers or the streams. It's in the fact that you can start singing those five words in a crowded room, and someone, somewhere, will finish the line. It's a universal language. It's the sound of potential.
To be the very best isn't an end state. It’s a way of moving through the world. Whether you're catching monsters or just trying to survive the work week, the goal is the same: keep searching, keep training, and never stop believing in the power that's inside.
How to apply this mindset today:
- Audit your current "team": In your professional or personal life, identify the people and tools that help you grow. Are you training them, or just using them?
- Identify your "Elite Four": What are the four major obstacles standing in your way right now? Name them. It makes them easier to beat.
- Embrace the grind: Like leveling up a Magikarp, the most frustrating phases of life often lead to the biggest evolutions.
- Stay curious: The world of Pokemon expanded from 151 to over 1,000. Your potential is just as expansive if you keep "searching far and wide."
The journey doesn't end just because the song stops playing. It's a continuous loop of growth, challenge, and eventually, mastery. You have the spirit. You have the heart. Now go out there and prove it.