Pokémon's new TV season will tell the story of baby Pikachu

The new series of the Pokémon anime arrives in Japan this month, and the very first episode appears to show Ash's Pikachu as a Pichu for the very first time.

Titled "Birth of Pikachu", it looks like the episode will be a flashback focusing on an adventure baby Pikachu had before teaming up his trainer.

If, like me, you don't understand Japanese, here's the synopsis of the episode (thanks, Crunchyroll):

"In a forest somewhere in Kanto, there once was a lonely Pichu. This Pichu - who was still quite young - had a certain encounter and farewell. This took place shortly before Ash and his partner Pikachu started travelling together. This is the beginning of the anime 'Pocket Monster'."

This new series follows Ash's adventures in the Alola region, where, in another series first, he finally became the Pokémon League champion.