Originally, in this controversial Hinamatsuri episode entitled “Princess vs Pauper”, the heroes enter a new town where the Princess Festival is being held. Misty and Jessie have their eyes set on a doll collection and attempt to fight their opponents to win it. However, it is decided by the townspeople that she who takes the dolls must leave something more valuable in return. Misty and Jessie, having learned of the Princess Jewel in a lost episode entitled “Weedles of the World, Unite!”, decide that it would be enough to win over the town, but… oh no!… they don’t have enough money to buy it! Through cunning and the help of a new friend, one girl emerges victorious.

This episode, though highly watched, remains the most controversial chapter in the show’s run. This can be attributed mostly to its scathing critique of Japanese attitudes towards foreigners, specifically Americans. It remains the only episode of Pokémon that was officially banned in Russia, and shortly after its airing in France, it incited riots at a smalltime broadcast company headquarters.

At the start of the episode, Misty and Jessie declare the Princess Festival to be officially opened, and state that their companions must do exactly as they say. The narrator explains that the festival is an annual event in which young girls are given special store discounts in exchange for kissing old merchants on the cheek. Misty buys a lot of candy by kissing an inordinate number of merchants and forces Ash, Brock, and Pikachu to carry it all.

Meanwhile, Jessie is purchasing a great deal of fancy clothing. It is assumed that she is kissing merchants as well. James and Meowth shower her in compliments and confetti each time she tries on a new dress, but quickly both she and Misty run out of money. This happens just as they spot their sweetest fruit, the doll collection!

Knowing full well that not just anyone can buy the doll collection, Jessie and Misty settle the dispute by battling Jessie’s Arbok and Misty’s Vulpix. The Arbok is defeated and Misty is the victor, but after she reveals that she doesn’t have any money, the doll merchant refuses to sell. Instead, he suggests that the first person to offer the most valuable payment will win the dolls.

Remembering the Princess Jewel, the rival gangs travel back to the previous town and each decide coincidentally to open restaurants serving soup. Not having nearly as much help as Misty, Jessie and James employ a wandering Lickitung to serve their soup, but not long after he begins serving their customers, a great rash breaks out in their restaurant. In a final act of desperation, Jessie blames the Lickitung and whips it all the while denouncing its incompetence. Dejected, the Lickitung returns to its vagabond ways.

Nonetheless it makes its way to Misty’s restaurant. Misty takes pity on the Lickitung and offers it a job as well, but this time, it is to show guests to their tables. The Lickitung is very popular and earns bonuses from a series of wealthy patrons. In exchange for her kindness, the Lickitung donates its bonuses to Misty, who then buys the Princess Jewel.

Upon returning to the doll merchant, Jessie presents him with a bag of gold coins she stole from her customers. As Misty arrives with her companions and the Lickitung, Jessie and James laugh due to its earlier failure. However, when Misty presents the Princess Jewel to the merchant, she earns the doll collection! Before leaving the town, Lickitung gives Mewoth a big kiss on the cheek and he breaks out in a rash. As the sun sets on the Princess Festival, Misty, Ash, Brock, and Pikachu enjoy a good laugh!