Inside the ‘cursed’ Pokémon episode that hospitalised 12,000 children before it was taken off screens by panicked bosses – lead actress Rachel Lillis dies at the age of 46
The popular anime series Pokémon was first broadcast in 1997 and is still very popular in all households today.
And OG fans were devastated to learn that voice actress Rachael Lillis – who voiced characters Misty and Jessie on the popular series – died this week at the age of 46.
Co-star Veronica Taylor, who voiced the character Ash Ketchum, confirmed that Lillis died as a result of her battle with breast cancer.
Rachael’s death is not the only tragedy that has befallen the show in recent years. Last year, scientists confirmed that thousands of children had been hospitalized due to a Pokémon-related incident.
The cursed episode titled “Dennō Senshi Porygon” aired on December 6, 1997 and was never shown again.
The popular anime series Pokémon was first broadcast in 1997 and is still a household favorite today
The episode, titled “Dennō Senshi Porygon,” aired on December 6, 1997, and was never shown again.
One hour after the initial broadcast, over 600 children were hospitalized, reporting symptoms such as cramps, nausea and vomiting.
In this episode, the main characters Ash, Misty, Brock and Pikachu discover that something is wrong with the Poké Ball and go inside it to fix the problem.
When Pikachu launched one of his Thunderbolt attacks, a barrage of red and blue strobe lights occurred.
The following day, TV Tokyo (the original broadcaster behind Pokémon) apologized and suspended the broadcast.
In the days following the episode’s broadcast, an incredible 12,700 children were affected.
26 years after the episode aired, a study identified the true cause of the mass illness.
A study by doctors Benjamin Radford and Robert Bartholomew found that while many of the children in the first group admitted to hospital did indeed suffer from epileptic reactions, the remaining children did not.
It states: “The victims were almost exclusively school children in their early teens. The fear of the dramatic media coverage of the first wave of reports of illness was clearly palpable.”
It was subsequently concluded that thousands of children had indeed fallen victim to mass hysteria.
One hour after the initial broadcast, over 600 children were hospitalized, reporting symptoms such as cramps, nausea and vomiting.
In the days following the episode’s broadcast, an incredible 12,700 children were affected.
It states: “Media reports and publicity fuel hysteria as news of the disease spreads. They plant the thought or concern in society and reinforce and confirm the authenticity of the disease for the original victims.”
This happened after voice actress Rachael passed away following her battle with breast cancer.
“Rachael was an extraordinary talent, a bright light that shone through her voice whether she was speaking or singing,” Taylor wrote in a tribute.
“She will forever be remembered for the many animated roles she has played, with her iconic performances as Misty and Jessie in Pokémon being the most popular.”
Taylor added: “I’m not sure how this very dark void is going to be filled now that her light no longer shines in it.”
In the series, which debuted in 1996, the character Misty has a short orange ponytail, travels with Ash, and specializes in water-type Pokémon.
The character Jessie is a member of the rival Team Rocket who followed Ash and his friends and often tried to steal his Pikachu.
Lillis’ sister, Laurie Orr, wrote in an update on GoFundMe that her health began to deteriorate last week.
Pokemon voice actress Rachael Lillis has died at the age of 46 from complications of cancer
Lillis played Misty (pictured), who wore a short orange ponytail and traveled with Ash while specializing in water-type Pokémon
Jessie (right) is a member of the rival Team Rocket who followed Ash and his friends and often tried to steal his Pikachu
“This was unexpected and we are deeply saddened. I am heartbroken by the loss of my beloved little sister, but I take comfort in the fact that she is free,” Orr said.
“She remembered many of you, whom she had had the pleasure of meeting at conferences, for example, and told us stories about these experiences and all the people she had enjoyed getting to know.”
In the Pokémon universe, Lillis also lent her voice to the popular singing Pokémon Jigglypuff, according to Variety, and played the character in the popular Nintendo game Super Smash Brothers.
She also had roles in “Your Lie in April,” “Hunter x Hunter,” “Winx Club,” and many other shows.
It was revealed that Lillis was diagnosed with breast cancer in May and had been living in a nursing home since January.
