Sydney
The Good Samaritan
Hey there guys and gals! Today I wanted to discuss about the Pokémon anime series. I’m sure every single one of us has at least watched one episode of the Pokémon anime, some more than others. If any of you remember the first few seasons, you’ll remember an amazing journey and adventure that started out with a bang. But, unfortunately, the journey became less exciting as the series progressed. There are a total of 14 seasons of Pokémon, with about 15 movies released (some are not released yet, but are in production). My main focus for creating this thread is that I want to discuss the decline of the Pokémon anime series.
Seasons 1-5 (Original series):
Professor(s): Oak, Ivy, Elm
Villain(s): Team Rocket
The Original Pokémon animated series takes place in both the Kanto and Johto regions. Ash starts his journey in these seasons, and begins to strive for his long term goal; to become a Pokémon Master. Along the way, he is accompanied by Misty, Brock, and later in the season, Tracey. He creates many rivals and constantly fends off the recurring evil syndicate, Team Rocket. Ash collects all eight badges and advances to the Indigo League where he is eventually defeated. Accepting his loss, he moves onward to the Orange Islands to participate in the island’s league after collecting four badges. He succeeds with Misty and Tracey by his side. Moving forward from his victory, Ash continues onto the Johto region, collects the eight badges, and enters the Silver Conference with Brock and Misty beside him. Sadly, he loses. The three of them part ways as Ash heads for the Hoenn region to continue on.
The reception for the first several seasons was phenomenal, and is claimed to be a favorite by almost everybody (including myself). Although there have been some arguable controversies that have surfaced while the series aired, it still remains cherished and adored by many fans. The characters also received positive reception for their roles and personalities. Movies such as The Origin of Mewtwo (Mewtwo Strikes Back) and Pokémon 2000 have been highly successful movies based off of these seasons, generating no obvious complaints.
Seasons 6-9 (Advanced Generation series):
Professor(s): Birch
Villain(s): Team Rocket, Team Magma, Team Aqua
Seasons 6-9 of the Pokémon animated series take place mostly in the Hoenn region, with an exception where the protagonists revisit the Kanto region. Here, Ash is accompanied by two new companions, as well as an old one. Max and May come into the picture, and Brock also makes his highly anticipated return. Although Team Rocket does make another appearance in this season, the heroes are encountered by two more evil teams: Team Magma and Team Aqua. The Battle Frontier was also featured, and ended with Ash defeating the final Frontier Brain, Brandon, and declining to become a Frontier Brain himself.
Reception for these seasons was positive and welcoming, but not as much as the Original series had received. Some viewers were partially unsatisfied with May and Max, and preferred Misty and Brock as Ash’s only partners. Some viewers, not all of course, began to develop some disinterest. There were even a few who believed that the show should have ceased with Ash becoming a Frontier Brain, but of course that did not happen. There were some general but rather weak complaints. The seasons all together were fairly good though.
Seasons 10-13 (Diamond & Pearl series):
Professor(s): Rowan
Villains: Team Rocket, Team Galactic
Ash continues his journey and comes across a new region. This region goes by the name of Sinnoh. Arming himself with only his Pikachu and a very sneaky Aipom, Ash reunites with Brock and creates a new friend, Dawn. As he collects gym badges, Dawn collects ribbons, and Brock continues his research, they come across new rivals and villains. Team Rocket appears once again to stop them in their tracks, and they’re not alone. Team Galactic also comes into view and wishes to take over control of the Pokémon universe, but is stopped in its tracks by the main protagonists, including Cynthia (Champion) and Looker (a detective). Afterwards, Ash enters the competition for the Sinnoh League, but ends up losing to an incredibly strong trainer who utilizes the sacred power of Legendary Pokémon. The season ends with Dawn, Brock, and Ash all parting ways after the Sinnoh League to continue and fulfill their own dreams.
Reception for these seasons hasn’t been as positive as their predecessors. Many have claimed that the Diamond & Pearl series is much worse than the successful Original series. Not many were fond of Dawn’s character and how she was presented, but not too many complaints came up about her. Unfortunately, some fans have decided to stop watching the series as a whole during seasons 10-13. The seasons all together were somewhat of a disappointment, but some could argue otherwise.
Seasons 14-Present (Best Wishes! series):
Professor(s): Juniper
Villain(s): Team Rocket, Team Plasma
The start of season 14 is where the Pokémon anime began to have its major decline. Many fans who’ve still been watching the series at this point began to break away, finding other shows to watch instead of what is now being aired. Many upon many fans so far are very dissatisfied with the characters and Pokémon that have been featured in this series.
There isn’t much to describe about Best Wishes! Brock, Dawn, and Ash have all parted ways at this point. Ash ends up discovering a brand new region. This time, the region is called Unova. Not having his old companions by his side, he makes some new ones. He meets one of the Striation City Gym Leaders, Cilan, and a Dragon Master in the making, Iris. The three of them explore the Unova region; Ash focusing on obtaining all eight badges, Iris focusing on her training, and Cilan there to support the two (I honestly have no idea why he’s there in the first place). Unlike previous seasons, Team Rocket appears sporadically throughout the show, and does not appear in every episode. There is also a new crime syndicate on the block, Team Plasma. Not much more can be said, so you’ll have to stay tuned for episodes if you’re willing to even watch it that is.
Reception for these seasons has been at an all time low. As I previously mentioned, fans have ceased to watch the series because of how “ludicrous” it has gotten. Many were beyond disappointed with the character, Brock, not returning this season. Some were already displeased with the Unova region and general characters as whole, causing them to care less for watching. Fans were also unhappy with the character changes as seen below. Although, some views on this series is somewhat bias, seeing how it has yet to be finished. Overall though, people are very upset.
The characters have taken somewhat of a “dramatic” change since they were last seen in prior series. If you have a look below, you’ll see the changes that have been made to some of their appearances.
Taking a step back and glancing at the anime, it seems fairly stable. However, there are several bumps in the road, specifically towards the release of the newer series. Between characters to Pokémon, fans began to become less happy with the results the animated show had to offer. Thus the reason the series, as a whole, had its long, overdue decline.
What are your thoughts on the Pokémon anime series? Do you like it? Do you agree that it declined over the years? Do you still watch it? Which individual series do you like best? Worst? If you stopped watching, what is your reasoning behind doing so? Discuss.
Seasons 1-5 (Original series):
Professor(s): Oak, Ivy, Elm
Villain(s): Team Rocket
The Original Pokémon animated series takes place in both the Kanto and Johto regions. Ash starts his journey in these seasons, and begins to strive for his long term goal; to become a Pokémon Master. Along the way, he is accompanied by Misty, Brock, and later in the season, Tracey. He creates many rivals and constantly fends off the recurring evil syndicate, Team Rocket. Ash collects all eight badges and advances to the Indigo League where he is eventually defeated. Accepting his loss, he moves onward to the Orange Islands to participate in the island’s league after collecting four badges. He succeeds with Misty and Tracey by his side. Moving forward from his victory, Ash continues onto the Johto region, collects the eight badges, and enters the Silver Conference with Brock and Misty beside him. Sadly, he loses. The three of them part ways as Ash heads for the Hoenn region to continue on.
The reception for the first several seasons was phenomenal, and is claimed to be a favorite by almost everybody (including myself). Although there have been some arguable controversies that have surfaced while the series aired, it still remains cherished and adored by many fans. The characters also received positive reception for their roles and personalities. Movies such as The Origin of Mewtwo (Mewtwo Strikes Back) and Pokémon 2000 have been highly successful movies based off of these seasons, generating no obvious complaints.
Seasons 6-9 (Advanced Generation series):
Professor(s): Birch
Villain(s): Team Rocket, Team Magma, Team Aqua
Seasons 6-9 of the Pokémon animated series take place mostly in the Hoenn region, with an exception where the protagonists revisit the Kanto region. Here, Ash is accompanied by two new companions, as well as an old one. Max and May come into the picture, and Brock also makes his highly anticipated return. Although Team Rocket does make another appearance in this season, the heroes are encountered by two more evil teams: Team Magma and Team Aqua. The Battle Frontier was also featured, and ended with Ash defeating the final Frontier Brain, Brandon, and declining to become a Frontier Brain himself.
Reception for these seasons was positive and welcoming, but not as much as the Original series had received. Some viewers were partially unsatisfied with May and Max, and preferred Misty and Brock as Ash’s only partners. Some viewers, not all of course, began to develop some disinterest. There were even a few who believed that the show should have ceased with Ash becoming a Frontier Brain, but of course that did not happen. There were some general but rather weak complaints. The seasons all together were fairly good though.
Seasons 10-13 (Diamond & Pearl series):
Professor(s): Rowan
Villains: Team Rocket, Team Galactic
Ash continues his journey and comes across a new region. This region goes by the name of Sinnoh. Arming himself with only his Pikachu and a very sneaky Aipom, Ash reunites with Brock and creates a new friend, Dawn. As he collects gym badges, Dawn collects ribbons, and Brock continues his research, they come across new rivals and villains. Team Rocket appears once again to stop them in their tracks, and they’re not alone. Team Galactic also comes into view and wishes to take over control of the Pokémon universe, but is stopped in its tracks by the main protagonists, including Cynthia (Champion) and Looker (a detective). Afterwards, Ash enters the competition for the Sinnoh League, but ends up losing to an incredibly strong trainer who utilizes the sacred power of Legendary Pokémon. The season ends with Dawn, Brock, and Ash all parting ways after the Sinnoh League to continue and fulfill their own dreams.
Reception for these seasons hasn’t been as positive as their predecessors. Many have claimed that the Diamond & Pearl series is much worse than the successful Original series. Not many were fond of Dawn’s character and how she was presented, but not too many complaints came up about her. Unfortunately, some fans have decided to stop watching the series as a whole during seasons 10-13. The seasons all together were somewhat of a disappointment, but some could argue otherwise.
Seasons 14-Present (Best Wishes! series):
Professor(s): Juniper
Villain(s): Team Rocket, Team Plasma
The start of season 14 is where the Pokémon anime began to have its major decline. Many fans who’ve still been watching the series at this point began to break away, finding other shows to watch instead of what is now being aired. Many upon many fans so far are very dissatisfied with the characters and Pokémon that have been featured in this series.
There isn’t much to describe about Best Wishes! Brock, Dawn, and Ash have all parted ways at this point. Ash ends up discovering a brand new region. This time, the region is called Unova. Not having his old companions by his side, he makes some new ones. He meets one of the Striation City Gym Leaders, Cilan, and a Dragon Master in the making, Iris. The three of them explore the Unova region; Ash focusing on obtaining all eight badges, Iris focusing on her training, and Cilan there to support the two (I honestly have no idea why he’s there in the first place). Unlike previous seasons, Team Rocket appears sporadically throughout the show, and does not appear in every episode. There is also a new crime syndicate on the block, Team Plasma. Not much more can be said, so you’ll have to stay tuned for episodes if you’re willing to even watch it that is.
Reception for these seasons has been at an all time low. As I previously mentioned, fans have ceased to watch the series because of how “ludicrous” it has gotten. Many were beyond disappointed with the character, Brock, not returning this season. Some were already displeased with the Unova region and general characters as whole, causing them to care less for watching. Fans were also unhappy with the character changes as seen below. Although, some views on this series is somewhat bias, seeing how it has yet to be finished. Overall though, people are very upset.
The characters have taken somewhat of a “dramatic” change since they were last seen in prior series. If you have a look below, you’ll see the changes that have been made to some of their appearances.
Nurse Joy:
Officer Jenny:
Ash Ketchum:
Officer Jenny:
Ash Ketchum:
Taking a step back and glancing at the anime, it seems fairly stable. However, there are several bumps in the road, specifically towards the release of the newer series. Between characters to Pokémon, fans began to become less happy with the results the animated show had to offer. Thus the reason the series, as a whole, had its long, overdue decline.
What are your thoughts on the Pokémon anime series? Do you like it? Do you agree that it declined over the years? Do you still watch it? Which individual series do you like best? Worst? If you stopped watching, what is your reasoning behind doing so? Discuss.