Pokemon Anime Series | Any good?
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The show is aimed at 8-12 year olds. This is no secret. Yes, there are those who, and mostly rightly, argue it's a marketing platform for the games, but the anime is its own thing in its own right, and is not really bad by any sense of the word (we don't discuss Black & White's Decolore arc. No sir).
That's not entirely true. The Sinnoh Saga had Ash as such a badass that the only conceivable way of losing was to contrive a character who has a team of legendaries, and Ash was still the only person in the region to take out any of that team, and he took out two.
Unova was a bit of a step back, but in X & Y he is back on form akin to the Sinnoh Saga.
Hell, I'd argue that, for the most part, the XY series is the best. Animation is utterly amazing, stories are decent for what it is, and there's a level of competency in Ash that hasn't existed before.
That's not entirely true. The Sinnoh Saga had Ash as such a badass that the only conceivable way of losing was to contrive a character who has a team of legendaries, and Ash was still the only person in the region to take out any of that team, and he took out two.
Unova was a bit of a step back, but in X & Y he is back on form akin to the Sinnoh Saga.
Hell, I'd argue that, for the most part, the XY series is the best. Animation is utterly amazing, stories are decent for what it is, and there's a level of competency in Ash that hasn't existed before.
Dusk Soldier
Member
The Pokemon anime is written for small kids and it shows.
You can try to watch it, but you probably won't make it through a full season.
If you're really curious, I would suggest watching one of the movies instead.
You can try to watch it, but you probably won't make it through a full season.
If you're really curious, I would suggest watching one of the movies instead.
Any episodes you recommend in the XY series for someone who hasn't watched since Hoenn? I'm interested to see how much has changed. I'm aware of the reboot in design with the Black/White series, but other than that I'm lost.
You clearly never watched Digimon Tamers.
Once upon a time, I started a list of all the "non-filler" Pokémon anime episodes. I didn't get very far. Just looking at the episode count for Hoenn and Sinnoh scared me out of it.
Stop it
You can't make me go back
Stop it
You can't make me go back
Oh, there's a few. I'll ignore the filler but the first two episodes are definitely good and do show that side of Ash I was mentioning.
Gym battles are always good (A Blustery Santalune Gym Battle!, Battling on Thin Ice!, Climbing the Walls,Showdown at the Shalour Gym!). Note: Ash does lose with Pikachu in one, which caused outrage, but when you see the episode it is fully logical and explainable. It wasn't a loss due to being underpowered.
There was also recently a Mega Lucario arc at the same point as the games had it, featuring Korrina and her Lucario.
There's also a sub series with new episodes every 6 months or so called "Mega Evolution", which is set in the same universe and stars a character other than Ash, Alain, and his Mega Charizard X.
Even many fillers have been pretty ace, but start with the first two and see if that's interesting enough for you.
Stereogatari
Banned
This is how I feel too. I'm going to give Hoenn another go after ORAS comes out.
As a kid I didn't watch all episodes, nor in order, so 5 years ago I decided to treat my inner childhood nostalgia. It was good times, but I got bored when it came to Johto. It was only earlier this year that I watched a bit of Johto, and even then I was selective because there's so many god damn episodes in that saga.
Napoleonthechimp
Member
spoiler: He never catches them all.
Acrylic7
Member
I turned on my tv a few days ago and heard "YEAH your my best friend" instead of Ohh your my best friend and I almost threw up my fucking lunch from when I was a child. I fucking hate Gamerfreak or whomever is in charge of that disgusting shit.
Yeah just look at the Kanto region stuff. There was a time when Ash was a gangster.
Yeah just look at the Kanto region stuff. There was a time when Ash was a gangster.
lazybones18
Banned
they did what!?
ShironRedshift
Member
You mean the region where Ash got half his badges (Pewter/Cerulean/Celadon/Saffaron) because of people pitying him? And his Charmelon/Charizard refusing to obey him until the Orange Islands because it had a pathetic grudge over all that time and lost respect for him just because he wouldn't let it beat up a Paras, and it's the same pathetic behavior on its part and Ash being unable to do anything about it that ends up causing him to lose against Richie in the Indigo League? Yeah, definitely gangster.
Kanto/Johto are both mostly garbage. It really didn't start getting decent until Hoenn (Advance).
This is the appeal:
I agree that Origin moved way to fast. But you're trying to fit 30 hours of game into 40 minutes. Also Red picked Bulbasaur this is CANON.
How were Pewter and Cerulean pity badges? Brock was about to lose, and Misty was on the ropes before Team Rocket intervened.
And the entire premise of Charmander worked so well, that they apparently felt the need to copy its origins with two completely separate fire starters.
This is the appeal:
I agree that Origin moved way to fast. But you're trying to fit 30 hours of game into 40 minutes. Also Red picked Bulbasaur this is CANON.
Main anime is animated similarly now
They seldom use "anime" backgrounds these days. Everything is done in context. Physical contact is made.
I watched Charizard Chills a while back, and the same animation of Poliwrath using Hydro Pump was used multiple times. It's ridiculous.
This person on reddit condensed the show to a 170 episodes based on the following criteria:
Edit: as a personal request, are there any youtuber or other persons who edit Pokemon battles shorter? I would like to see something where we don't get sideline commentary from Ash's friends and also maybe does some cuts\edits on the trainers battle commands. I have always imagined it would make battles much smoother.
- When Ash catches, evolves, releases, or trades a Pokemon.
- When Ash wins a gym battle and gains a badge.
- All of the battles in the final league of a season.
- When Ash's friends join or leave him.
- Any episode required to give these events context.
Edit: as a personal request, are there any youtuber or other persons who edit Pokemon battles shorter? I would like to see something where we don't get sideline commentary from Ash's friends and also maybe does some cuts\edits on the trainers battle commands. I have always imagined it would make battles much smoother.
Check The Strongest Mega Evolution Act I and II, they follow a new character named Alain who has Mega Charizard X and only purpose is to beat the crap out of all the other megaevolutions.
That means in two chapters you get several Mega Evolved battles.
There is also an underlying plot about OmegaRuby/Alpha Saphire featuring Champion Steven Stone and the red headed guy from X/Y, but who cares about that when you can see Mega Rayquaza kicking ass.
That means in two chapters you get several Mega Evolved battles.
There is also an underlying plot about OmegaRuby/Alpha Saphire featuring Champion Steven Stone and the red headed guy from X/Y, but who cares about that when you can see Mega Rayquaza kicking ass.
Acrylic7
Member
You mean the region where Ash got half his badges (Pewter/Cerulean/Celadon/Saffaron) because of people pitying him? And his Charmelon/Charizard refusing to obey him until the Orange Islands because it had a pathetic grudge over all that time and lost respect for him just because he wouldn't let it beat up a Paras, and it's the same pathetic behavior on its part and Ash being unable to do anything about it that ends up causing him to lose against Richie in the Indigo League? Yeah, definitely gangster.
Kanto/Johto are both mostly garbage. It really didn't start getting decent until Hoenn (Advance).
Kanto is great. Dont forget that hes a kid whom is completely new to Pokemon. It was nice seeing him build his team while learning and getting stronger. Plus the Ash/Brock/Misty chemistry was perfect.
so bad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkCs_Japf4w
That's the shitty American/English version. Children music and terrible dub, with a complete different dialogue than the original version. The original Japanese or any other international version (most of them actually kept the original record and dialogues) is x10000000 times better.
The English dub is certainly shit compared to the others, to the point of it being ridiculous. I don't know what the dubbers were thinking, but I believed they trated the American children/viewers as stupid, because there is no other explanation for what they did.
Dark Ninja
Member
I haven't consistently watched since the end of Advanced Challenge. From What I have seen this is what I recommend
Current:
Pokemon Origins
Pokemon X and Y: Watch in Japanese I can't stand the English voice actors they are currently using. This is is the most current season and the animation has changed a bit.
Original:
Pokemon Kanto to the end of Johto League (You can skip certain filler episodes or seasons but they are not horrible by any means)
Pokemon Movie 1 and 2
Pokemon Latias and Latios Movie
Current:
Pokemon Origins
Pokemon X and Y: Watch in Japanese I can't stand the English voice actors they are currently using. This is is the most current season and the animation has changed a bit.
Original:
Pokemon Kanto to the end of Johto League (You can skip certain filler episodes or seasons but they are not horrible by any means)
Pokemon Movie 1 and 2
Pokemon Latias and Latios Movie
InsanerBrainer
Member
It could've been good if they used a new protagonist for each region like
But instead we're stuck with Ash.
Forever.
But instead we're stuck with Ash.
Forever.
It could've been good if they used a new protagonist for each region like
But instead we're stuck with Ash.
Forever.
They change up everyone except Ash. With Ash, you have a long progression for the entire series which is good. If they were to change everyone up, it'd risk alienating the continued audience. Plus, Pikachu is the mascot of the franchise. It'll never not be in it.
Eh, Charizard/Mewtwo is good but "Do you know what that means? I'll tell you! I am the most powerful trainer in the world!", properly animated and all, is pure hype.
George Oscar Bluth II
Banned
U wot m8
It's pretty terrible on retrospect, but I love watching it when playing the games. I can follow the slow repetitive plot and grind my Pokémon or breed them at the same time.
Also, this thread is timed nicely. I bought the new complete DVD set of the original Kanto series that came out last month. It's arriving in my mailbox tomorrow so I'll probably have it going on in the background while I do other stuff. Hopefully they get around to Johto, since that's the last "decent" dub (they're all kind of sub par but the new voices in Hoenn onwards are just terrible).
Also, this thread is timed nicely. I bought the new complete DVD set of the original Kanto series that came out last month. It's arriving in my mailbox tomorrow so I'll probably have it going on in the background while I do other stuff. Hopefully they get around to Johto, since that's the last "decent" dub (they're all kind of sub par but the new voices in Hoenn onwards are just terrible).
fredrancour
Member
I saw a gif from xy recently ofthe first gym leader's surskit wrecking pikachu. It looked slick enough that I'm tempted to try watching the most recent season.
WrenchNinja
Member
It's garbage. XY hasn't changed anything.
Middleground. They're not in every episode, but they're nowhere near as serious as they were in the start of BW
I recommend watching Johto and Kanto with the original gang, and Hoenn too. Chronichles (which takes place between Johto and Hoenn and at the same time) is also well worth a watch. After that, you can decide if you want to watch more. This means Season 1-8 and Chronicles.
I didn't like Battle Frontier or some Sinnoh episodes, but some SInnoh was OK.
I agree with the Origins recommendation.
I didn't like Battle Frontier or some Sinnoh episodes, but some SInnoh was OK.
I agree with the Origins recommendation.
Same lame excuse every time the show , thats why the show isnt half as good as it can be change every thing but keep the same old formula.
Couldn't they just give every protagonist a Pikachu? Seeing Ash every season gets tiring as does the inevitable loss at the League, also he has a goal with no actual definition and his friends' goals usually are never important. It's just dull as hell at this point.
Starwolf_UK
Member
The good thing about Origins is it was 4 episodes long and the protagonist was the Pokemon Champion we had always wanted Ash to be, for the most part it was well put together too in a leave them wanting more way. The bad thing in my eyes was the second episode had terrible animation and I felt the conclusion of episode 4 might as well have said "this was production was bought to you by Pokemon XY".
As for the main show, I felt for a while they tried to make the side characters have goals of their own with the contests but I guess that kind of ended now.
Most episodes are ultimately be foumelic, Pokemon of the week episodes. I am liking the sound of going with the character/team appearance/departure badge progression only list linked to earlier as that number of episodes is far more manageable than over 700. Even then battles have the Shounen problem of narrators slowing the pace down.
As for the main show, I felt for a while they tried to make the side characters have goals of their own with the contests but I guess that kind of ended now.
Most episodes are ultimately be foumelic, Pokemon of the week episodes. I am liking the sound of going with the character/team appearance/departure badge progression only list linked to earlier as that number of episodes is far more manageable than over 700. Even then battles have the Shounen problem of narrators slowing the pace down.
From what I remember this change of direction was dislike in Japan. Also the Big Team Plasma first arc ending of the power plant takeover story being canceled (due to Fukushima Daiichi) meant BW didn't get off to the best start.
The early Pokemon seasons had one good episode out of every ten episode it felt. Most of it was garbage, but there were times an episode was amazing. It usually involved the team going outside the established formula (I loved the development episodes for Team Rocket, particularly for James and Meowth).
This is unacceptable
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