Earned the Guinness World record for Causing the Most Convulsions (seizures) ever, after sending 685 viewers (310 boys, 375 girls) to the hospital resulting from bright and rapid flashes. As a result, the producers were forced to go back through the previous episodes and dim the lighting on them so as not to cause an incident of this magnitude again. Following the incident many Japanese Broadcasters joined to ensure this event wouldn't happen again. As a result some new guidelines were introduced: Flashing images, especially those with red, should not flicker faster than three times per second; If the image does not have red, it still should not flicker faster than five times per second; Flashing images should not be displayed for a total duration of more than two seconds; Stripes, whirls and concentric circles should not take up a large part of a TV screen. Known as the "seizure episode", this episode has been banned worldwide after airing only once in Japan.
The Pokemon Porygon has never been featured in the anime in a major role since this episode aired. It has only had cameos in various episodes and the introductory opening scenes in movies. Likewise, Porygon2 only appeared in the opening of the 15th movie and an English music video, and Porygon-Z only appeared in the aforementioned 15th movie opening. As a result of this episode, Porygon and its evolutions, Porygon2 and Porygon-Z, have not made any appearances in the anime since EP038 except in brief cameos.
Though the common title used by English-speakers is "Electric Soldier Porygon," this translation is incorrect. A more accurate translation would be "Computer Soldier Porygon" or "Cyber Warrior Porygon."
This episode was supposed to be follow Ditto's mysterious mansion in season 1.