Weekly Anime Discussion - You bet your ass there's spoilers

[Linkachu]

It's back and bolder than ever!

... or something

Here you can discuss the Pokemon Anime series week to week, Japanese or English dubbed. If you're only following the English dub of the series beware of spoilers - because there's sure to be lots of 'em. Nobody is required to use spoiler tags in this thread.

So, have fun discussing the show.

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I'm currently several episodes behind, so I have nothing to add as of yet. Until my usual fansubbers catch up with the Grand Festival I'm definitely not reading this thread. Some of the latest episode pictures on Serebii look interesting, tho, and apparently Ash has obtained a brand new Pokemon...? This intrigues me greatly, but I shall wait to find out what it is! ... Or at the very least, try to avoid spoilers. Not always possible. XD

Last edited by Linkachu on Sat Jun 26, 2010 3:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Well, I haven't yet watched today's episode, "Yes in Dee Dee, it's Dawn!" (ENGLISH DUBBER HERE) but I will get to watching it later and post my thoughts on it!

I like to follow just tiny spoilers on the Japanese Anime, like what the episode is called, so I know what is destined to happen. Like, the next two episodes in Japan are Ash battling Nando, and Ash battling Conway in the Sinnoh League! But...it said in the little spoiler (two weeks from now episode, btw) that Conway beat Paul...I don't know, that's just me >_>

apparently Ash has obtained a brand new Pokemon...? This intrigues me greatly, but I shall wait to find out what it is! ... Or at the very least, try to avoid spoilers. Not always possible. XD

Mhm, I can tell you that it's a *u*l*v*...Oh, and what I don't get is that Ash only takes four pokemon to the Sinnoh League! WTH?! Pikachu and Staraptor are his only Sinnoh Pokemon he takes...and two of his previous ones...

Okay, maybe I do a little bit more research than just looking at the Japanese Episode title...And you said spoilers are expected so...

He takes Pikachu, Staraptor, Heracross and Quilava! >_>

[Sem]

Excuse me, Professor.  But what you did right there is double posting.  Use the modify button next time.  Handing out a warning - make sure to read the forum rules before making anymore posts

Just saw the Nando vs Ash match.

I didn't really think much of the match until Kricketune and Heracross's epic final battle. Firstly, Ash started the match off with his 'heart of the cards' principles and didn't really think the match through (Staraptor and Quilava against Armaldo. Really, Ash? I thought you finally knew better.) Secondly, the animation quality for the battle seemed, slightly below standard. Ash and Nando's gestures looked more animated by comparison. Fortunately, the last match was pretty cool. Way to go, Heracross, for learning Sleep Talk. And that last bit where he uses Megahorn to utterly destroy the field was just awesome. Oh, and Kricketune using Fury Cutter made it look pretty badass as well.

Oh, and also there's this.

I dunno if the writers decided 'what the hell, let's put a haxxor person in this league' or if this is some kind of Isshu foreshadowing (Zoroark's Illusion Ability comes to mind.) Its kind of amusing how no one really cares about it but Barry though.

Can't wait to see what Paul does to the schmuck.


and finally

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQrfVi1_bDs

New Outtro feels out of place, I think. While Pokemon has done something like this once (first outtro for the Hoenn Saga) It just feels really different compared to the last 2 EDs which were mostly silly and adorable. (The Notch-Eared Pichu Song and Which one is it?~)

[Linkachu]

[me=Linkachu]hasn't watched the 8th gym battle yet or the league matches and thus skips RX's post since she noticed mention of Ash battles.[/me]

Soz, RX. XD

But yeah, Grand Festival time. Just finished watching it last night and hot damn... What an amazing set of episodes!

All of the battles were great, but the final matches between Zoe and Nando and Zoe and Dawn were simply incredible. Aerical Ace, Psychic energy-winged Leafia was frelling EPIC. No other words for it. I was spazzing out while I watched, which I later did again when Piplup and Togekiss combined Peck and Sky Attack. Holy hell, Batman. Just <333333.

The flow of the episodes was really enjoyable, too, from the character develop of Jessie to Dawn's mommy's little insight into how Dawn had developed over the course of the saga. I was kinda sad to see Dawn and Jessie's battle shafted because of it, but it still worked out fine. By that point I was just dying to see the finals.

Zoe won, but I couldn't see her not winning. She's quite possibly the best coordinator the series has ever seen. Call it cheap or call it natural talent, I don't care. It was all for the plot, and I loved her. Dawn tried, but she truly wasn't as good as Zoe. :X

So wheee... Grand Festival. Fun stuff. Now, onward to the Sinnoh League! 8D

[StellarWind Elsydeon]

Wait.

What is this bullshit.

A legendary fucking PokeMon being used by a trainer?

In an official league battle?

... Yeah, the series totally flipped the fuck out.

It seems like Ash isn't using some of his strongest Pokemon this time.

No Sceptile or Swellow, or Charizard and the other Kanto starters. Its almost like Ash is setting himself up for a loss.

Or y'know, the writers are trying to deviate from the norm and not use the same Pokemon over and over again. Quite frankly, there is no real ground to say which of Ash's Pokemon is the most powerful. If you're gonna base it on experience and time in the series, take a good look at Pikachu, who still cannot defeat an entire gym by himself. It's called character development. I can imagine a lot of people who would dislike the series if Ash used his so-called 'Trump Cards' every time he gets into the Pokemon League.

I have to agree about chracter development, but Ash would probably do the smart thing and save heavy hitters for stronger opponents (and we'll more than likely get to see an ausome battle between Ash's Infernape and Paul's Electivire, if not Torterra vs Torterra). Though I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up using Infernape or Charizard against Darkrai (if it isn't really Zoroark being used by Karen, which I think it is). So yeah, pokemon like those will more than likely be used in more challenging, er, challenges. But I think they should use more Noctowl and Quilava, those are fan favorites if not either evolve Buizel or Gible during the LEague, which probably won't happen.


Edit: I may need to reconsider my theory on Karen, as this person looks similar, but looks like a guy to me.

Last edited by Doubled on Thu Jul 22, 2010 7:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I notice Ash is using very few Kanto/Hoenn Pokemon this league. Obviously this is because DP and HGSS means the Sinnoh/Johto teams are going to get more focus.

Ash's Hoenn team was one of his best developed teams of the series, and of course the Kanto trio were always viewed as Ash's trump cards. Feels strange to see Ash's two best teams ignored, and for the sake of the Johto team.

I understand this is like four days late. But too bad! :|

Pokemon DP Anime Discussion: Episode 1-something or other, Flint Sparks the Fire!

I feel this episode showed some needed backstory on our what-seemed-to-be-a-veteran Volkner dude. I liked it because Flint was present, as well as my favorite Gym Leader Volkner. Also, we got some insight on how Flint and Volkner made their Bromance. I enjoyed the episode.

Clean animation, Deep, touching moments and some childish dialogue (I just hate how Pokemon is STILL geared for like 7 year olds even though the character's ages should have something to do with the age target. Also, in Isshu, it had BETTER be more for preteens in dialogue, because those protagonists are like 18 >_<)

What did you guys think of the anime? Ash's Infernape isn't very strong, apparently >_>

*Spoiler, but too bad!* Apparently, Ash isn't the only one that has/had a Pikachu with Volt Tackle WHAT NOW ASH?! 

[Linkachu]

I notice Ash is using very few Kanto/Hoenn Pokemon this league. Obviously this is because DP and HGSS means the Sinnoh/Johto teams are going to get more focus.

Ash's Hoenn team was one of his best developed teams of the series, and of course the Kanto trio were always viewed as Ash's trump cards. Feels strange to see Ash's two best teams ignored, and for the sake of the Johto team.

Considering all that's occurred throughout the Sinnoh saga, I'd say that his most recent team of Pokemon is just as developed - if not moreso - than any teams he's had previously. Infernape has power and speed, Torterra is a powerhouse and tank, Buizel kicks asses and takes names on a regular basis, Staraptor easily matches Swellow, Gible is a silly goof but no moreso than Snorunt was, and ... Pikachu is Pikachu. Honestly, I really don't understand where people get this notion that his previous teams were stronger. They certainly weren't.

But I digress... I think the writers just wanted to shake things up in general, but I honestly don't think it's solely due to HGSS. To me it seems like the Pokemon who are receiving a stronger focus now (namely Quilava, who's evolution was a bloody dream come true) are simply the ones who needed it. Noctowl also has the whole "ooo SHINY!" thing going on, and it's fun to show it off with new Gen 4 attacks.

Now... Looking at the episodes: I'm loving them to pieces. All of the BG music is bloody awesome, and when "Mezase Pokemon Master" came on in the most recent episode I could've died of squee. It was all just so perfect. Yay for Gible finally blowing something up that isn't Piplup! The next set of episodes look like they'll be frelling epic, too. Can't wait to see 'em. ^^

(Also, random thought that hit me when watching the OP. If this mystery trainer ends up having an Entei and Lucario as well, I'm gonna die of foreshadowing goodness. Doubt it will happen, but yeah...)

Last edited by Linkachu on Thu Aug 05, 2010 4:34 am, edited 1 time in total.

(Also, random thought that hit me when watching the OP. If this mystery trainer ends up having an Entei and Lucario as well, I'm gonna die of foreshadowing goodness. Doubt it will happen, but yeah...)
[/quote]

Ah yes, the pain of randomness. What do Entei and Lucario have to do with Darkrai?

Anyway, I liked this week's episode. Fleeing Tower of Sunyshore. A little more mature dialogue, sort of. And I liked the animation sequences. Everything was nice, even though it sucks we have to wait another...7-11 episodes(?) for Ash's battle. Well, let's enjoy the Grand Festival Saga in a little while.

[Linkachu]

Ah yes, the pain of randomness. What do Entei and Lucario have to do with Darkrai?

Like I said, watch the Japanese opening. Then you'll see.

Again, I highly doubt there's any connection with that battling sequence. It'd just be amusing if there were.

Well, might as well talk about episode that recently aired in Japan, episode 654. I was waiting for the conclusion of Ash and Paul's rivalry since the beginning, but even though the battle so far was good, It didn't go the way I thought it would. For one, even though the battle is just starting, half of Paul's team aren't the original six that Ash had to deal with.

Paul's normal team: Torterra, Glyscor, Honchkrow, Weavile, Electivire, and Magmortar.

And here's the team we've seen so far:

[spoiler]Aggron, Gastrodon, and Drapion.[/spoiler] I know the battle isn't nearly over yet, but I hope that we get to see a fight with Ash's Infernape and Paul's Electivre. I'm pretty sure we all knew the battle was going to happen, so if they just replace Paul's whole team for this fight, I'll be extremely PO'd.

My thought to how it will play out: I think Ash will win this time, then get crushed by the dude with the Darkrai, who turns out to be a Zoroark (at least I think), and sometime after that, Paul, Barry, Dawn, and Ash and Brock will all part ways, which leads Ash and Brock back to Kanto.

However, judging by the new episode titles, I'm guessing Brock has another "Prof. Ivy" moment. Personally, as rabid as the nostalgia fans are, I don't think it'll last long. Still though, it's some of the first (if not last) character development we've seen for Brock/Takeshi in a while.

On a side note, Ash's Gliscor is frelling HUGE! o_o Whatever it's been doing with the old dude it got left with must've been pretty intense. Perfected Giga Impact looks rather awesome~

Pretty sweet match so far~ Ash's managed to take down 2/6 Pokemon on Paul's team, at the cost of revealing nearly his entire party to Paul. Next Week: Paul's epic counterattack. That Drapion of his looks to be Toxic spamming Ash's poor team into submission. Also loving ho he trolls Ash by using Counter Shield and Water Aura Sphere. It was just ffffawesomesauce.

So it seems like Brock is finally leaving for good this time.

Brock has been horrible in the DP arc, so I'm glad to see him go to salvage any dignity the character has left. If there's one character over the course of the anime who has become a shallow empty shell of its former self (aside from Misty, I guess), you need to look no further than Brock.

So it seems like Brock is finally leaving for good this time.

Brock has been horrible in the DP arc, so I'm glad to see him go to salvage any dignity the character has left. If there's one character over the course of the anime who has become a shallow empty shell of its former self (aside from Misty, I guess), you need to look no further than Brock.

I don't care if he's a broken shell, he wouldn't be if it wasn't for him having no character development after day 2. Don't leave us Brock! I'll never accept any possibility of Dento taking your flirt-with-Jenny/Joy gag and you shouldn't either! My only comfort is the fact that nothing is confirmed yet.

Okay, let's discuss episode 655 (and also predictions for 656).

Now, here's what's happened so far: (also, decided no to use spoiler tags. Read the title people!)

Paul's team: Aggron, Gastrodon, Drapion, Glalie, Ninjask, and Electivire

Ash's team: Pikachu, Infernape,Torterra, Buizel, Staraptor, and GLyscor (bigger and badder than ever )

Paul: 2 left
Ash: 3 left

Now, Drapion has taken down Buizel, Staraptor, and even Torterra, which obviously make him one of Paul's major powerhouses. Not only that, because of some move he used, Ash's Glyscor and Infernape have been poisoned. Paul aslo apparently kept that Ninjask he captured a bit before he met Chimchar, which gave Glyscor a hard time, leaving teh mighty Infernape to take care of the job. Ash and Paul aslo let their Glalie and Pikachu brawl it out, and Pikachu (dunah ) came out on top. Now, It's a battle between scorpions, Drapion and Glyscor.

And now, predictions.

Now, Glyscor may have gotten stronger (and definatelt larger), but he's been poisoned. Not only that, but Drapion is so strong, that he took down half of Ash's team. I think glyscor will lose inevidably, I mean, I'm rooting for the most epic scorpion to win as well, but let's face it, Drapion clearly has more strength left than Glyscor, plus he'll be slower thanks to poison. Fear not, because Ash still has the main underdogs right now, Infernape and Pikachu. Now, Even though Infernape is poisoned, I still think he can win. Unlike some of the others, he's got (can't even beleive I'm saying this) spirit, and a type advantage (ignoring Staraptor *close combat* and Torterra *earthquake*), not only that, he's also got amazing speed.

Now, if Infernape wins, then we'll have the epic battle of the season, Infernape versus Electivire. Now, I'm sure that even the most loyal Pokemon ANime fan will admit, that the writers would be fricken stupid to not have this battle. Now, Paul could win this, that is, if he's done the smart thing by teaching Electivire Earthquake, however, my heart is set on Underdog Infernape to win, just to mentally bitchslap Paul for letting him go. However, we also have Infernape's poison to worry about. So, to conquer this, Ash should (probably won't, but still should) use his 2 lead advantage over Electivire. Now, Infernape may be poisoned, which will also make him tire more easily, but Ash's Pikachu has an advantage that could wear out Electivire while Infernape rests, and that is is practical, compact and versitile size. Pikachu is by far the fastest left, so Ash should wear out Electivire by trying to get him to play keep up. Now, if he has Earthquake, this could be trouble, but the producers probably won't think of it. Anyway, If Pikachu isn't strong enough to knock him out, Infernape should still be able to fight, with the added effect of Blaze. In this state, Infernape and Electivire would be on the same amount of tiredness, so if Paul spams Giga Impact, then this will also leave Electivire open to more attacks. Infernape can use a powerful smack to knock out Electivire, if not make him so tired that Pokachu can handle the rest.

Now, despite my personal oppinion, if either Ash or Paul wins, they will have to face Takuto, the man with the Darkrai (who I'm still convinced is Zoroark in disguise) and if the series follows the same track as the other eps, whoever wins won't beat him. If Ash wins, we all know (and if you still think so, look back at all the other championships) that he'll lose eventually, and even if somehow he does, he'll not accept the title so they can continue the show. If Paul wins, all the more reason to let Ash continue.

And that's my input on it. (realizes that he's done a lot of spoilers lately) And if you have a different theory, be my guest, this is just my thoughts. Now, just to be clear, I wasn't dissing Ash at all, just stating the obvious.

So it seems like Brock is finally leaving for good this time.

Brock has been horrible in the DP arc, so I'm glad to see him go to salvage any dignity the character has left. If there's one character over the course of the anime who has become a shallow empty shell of its former self (aside from Misty, I guess), you need to look no further than Brock.

I don't care if he's a broken shell, he wouldn't be if it wasn't for him having no character development after day 2. Don't leave us Brock! I'll never accept any possibility of Dento taking your flirt-with-Jenny/Joy gag and you shouldn't either! My only comfort is the fact that nothing is confirmed yet.

Um, I hate to break it to you, but it's more than likely to happen. Look at the title for 658, "Pokemon Doctor Brock". If that isn't a major confirmation, I don't know what is. 

Now, judging by reactions like this, I'm guessing that maybe Brock will return if the newbies don't work out, but let's face it, this would probablt be the best way to have it. I will admit, besides Pikachu, Brock has been with us longer (except Team Rocket) than any other character, but that's just it. He's been around for so long, he's becoming dead weight, not only that, but really more of an annoyance to each episode with a skirt than he is comedy relief anymore. Granted that he should get a cameo episode, but I don't see him showing up as a main char again for a while. I'm not trying to flame you, but I'm simply stating my opinion, and probably many others' opinions.

Yes he will be missed, and there won't be any other character like him, but thats good, we don't want someone mimicing him, we would want someone who has fresh material, a new gag (or hopefully not, IMO) for instance. Dento will probably be like Tracy, examining other Pokemon, but Dento will probably be checking alot of compatibilities between Trainers and Pokemon. Now, we all got over Misty leaving, and she was practically in the 1st episode, so we should be able to get over Brock.