Kanto Route 5/Anime

Route 5 appeared in The Path to the Pokémon League, The School of Hard Knocks, and Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village. This is where and the gang find the Hidden Village and he catches his. Run by Melanie, the village is a place for Pokémon who have been abandoned by their Trainers. She takes care of them until they are ready to return to the wild.

Ash and stumbled across the Hidden Village by accident. They were trying to head to Vermilion City but had gotten lost. While on the way, fell off a bridge and was swept away by a river. Melanie rescued him, and she brought Ash and to the village. Helping to protect the village was a, who Melanie said volunteered to guard it. Although it meant well, the Bulbasaur was unintentionally causing all the Pokémon to stay in the village since it was so safe. After saving it from, Melanie asked Ash if he wanted Bulbasaur to come with him. Ash agreed, and captured the Bulbasaur.