Illusion Confusion (ホーホーと怪しい森！ Hoothoot's Doubtful Forest!) is the 5th episode of Pokémon: The Johto Journeys.


On their way to Violet City, Ash and co. are lost in a giant forest. As luck would have it, they meet up with Gary who has a Hoothoot, a type of guide in the forest. Realizing they need one, Ash and Co. run into an old woman named Hagatha, who loans them a Hoothoot. However, the Hoothoot only likes pretty girls like Misty. Can they get out of the forest with Hoothoot’s help? Or will they be lost forever?

Episode Plot



Hagatha tells them she rents Hoothoot since their powers can pierce through the forest illusions. Ash asks of Hagatha to rent a Hoothoot and she agrees, but there is a problem. The last Hoothoot she has will likely lead them to the wrong path. The last traveler that used that Hoothoot came back after three days, starved as well. Hagatha believes that tomorrow the Hoothoot will come back, but Ash does not want to, as Gary will advance and thinks Hoothoot needs a strong trainer like himself. Ash raises it and tells they already have a bond, but Hoothoot pecks him and goes to Misty. Hagatha then explains that since she’s the one who raised it, her Hoothoot likes to hang out with pretty girls. Ash remarks that it is bad there aren’t any — which makes Misty and Hagatha furious over his words.

James studies the map of the area, since he, Jessie and Meowth were lost. Team Rocket sees the twerps going with Hoothoot. As the heroes wander, Ash notices they are at the place where they saw the tree illusions. Hoothoot shakes but gets angry when Ash calls it scared. Suddenly, the heroes notice blue specks of fire, but Team Rocket do not see any problem. Ash asks of Hoothoot to do something, but Hoothoot refuses. Misty asks it and it accepts, making Ash not pleased about that. Hoothoot pursues the blue specks but fails. Ash orders it to get them away, but Hoothoot listens to Misty (who begs it) and attempts to do so once more. The specks form into one big speck, making the heroes and Hoothoot frightened, so they run away. Team Rocket saw this and know the twerps lost their minds, but think they might lose Pikachu, too.

Ash tells Hoothoot it did not do its best. Misty recalls Hagatha warned them, but Ash refuses to believe and takes Hoothoot, telling it needs to start acting as a real Pokemon. Even if it cannot, it has to try. Hoothoot goes to Misty, who tells that it should use its powers to become stronger and get her and her friends out of the forest. Hoothoot agrees to this, making Ash feel displeased a second time. Suddenly, Pikachu gets wrapped (although Ash gets on the rope), as Team Rocket appear to steal him. Ash gets bashed onto a tree, as Team Rocket escape the area. However, the rope breaks and they fall down. Ash gets Pikachu, while Team Rocket is sad to see their plan failed. Jessie sends Arbok and James Victreebel (who bites James). Ash sends Bulbasaur while Hoothoot jumps around, wary of something.

Team Rocket turn around and see a Dragonite. Victreebel and Arbok attack it, but Dragonite dodges and floats away. Team Rocket follow it, but the gang sees there is no Dragonite and they are following nothing. Suddenly, Misty and Brock are surrounded by Ash's illusions. Pikachu makes a desperate move — he electrocutes the illusions and the real Ash, although the illusions are banished. Suddenly, Misty is surrounded by bugs. Misty is very terrified, and while Hoothoot hops away, Ash warns it that Misty is in trouble, and that she has faith in it. With those words, Hoothoot uses its red vision to pierce the illusions. As a result, the heroes see that Gengar and Haunter are the ones causing the illusions. They cover the field in a fog, but Hoothoot prevents them from doing so. Bulbasaur uses Vine Whip and Pikachu Thunderbolt to chase them away. Ash is glad that Hoothoot listens to him, but Hoothoot pecks him and goes to Misty, who praises it, as Hoothoot was inspired by her.

Later, the heroes came to the ruins and see Hagatha. The woman yells at them, telling them she is Nagatha, Hagatha's twin sister. They contact Hagatha, telling her that they came safely out and depart to Violet City. Meanwhile, Team Rocket is on a beach — although the beach is one of many illusions caused by Haunter and Gengar.






  • The blue specks resemble the Generation III move Will-O-Wisp.


  • Brock has six fingers on his left hand after recoiling from Hagatha's anger.

