Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2013 1:01:08 GMT -8
So we've had our character discussions, but what about series discussions as a whole?
I figure we should start of with the Original Series anyways, as it's the first series from this seemingly endless anime.
The Original Series is broken up into three parts:
- Kanto
- Orange Islands
- Johto
I'll give my opinion on each one of them.
Anyways,
Kanto. This is where it all began basically, and it sets up the premise for the entire show. Ash is a rookie trainer, going through the Kanto region, so he can participate in the Pokemon League. The saga is interesting as naive Ash goes along and gets his Pokemon. For the most part, it's actually pretty faithful to how the games progressed, and the fast pacing is nice for an anime of this caliber. Heck, this saga was even the inspiration to Pokemon Yellow, the canon game amongst the likes of RBG and FrLg. This doesn't mean it's flawless though. Ash's pity badges in particular made me wonder how Ash will do in the Indigo League, and it shows. Top 16 isn't something to brag about in my opinion, but it was his first time, so meh. Also, the fact that this saga ignored some of the ground rules on Pokemon typings was also a detriment, such as the 'Aim for the Horn' moment, but it's passable, considering that it had logic based around it as opposed to some of the more ridiculous moments of the anime later on (I'm looking at you Thunder Armor).
Next up is 'The Adventures in the Orange Islands' saga, and surprisingly, it's actually better than Kanto imo. Sure, the saga was just filler, but it introduced interesting locations, characters, and Pokemon. Without this saga, Tracey Sketchit, or Ash's Snorlax would have never existed, and with the case of the former, would have made Misty's Chronicle episodes much less interesting. I also liked the fact that the Orange League had more challenges to face outside of just gym battles, such as Sissy's Wave Race, or Danny's Mountain Climb, and it was definitely a nice change of pace. Heck, Ash even won all of his badges legitimately this time around! Also, the Orange League was spectacular, and was Ash's ONLY League win ever. It's very amazing for a filler arc I'd say. Also, I'm guessing this might have been the inspiration for Fire Red and Leaf Green's Sevii Islands, which is awesome, as that region honestly justified their purchase (well, besides the whole 151 Pokemon absent from RSE thing).
Lastly, we have 'The Johto Journey'. It actually starts off rather well in my opinion, and despite Pikachu losing to Gary's new Eevee, it manages to stay true to the games and what not, going through all of Johto's badges, with true battling skills. In fact, this was the arc that transformed Ash from the idiot I didn't really mind, to a person that can actually keep his head cool. Now then, for the things I actually don't like about it. Too. Many. Effing. Fillers. Middle Johto drops the ball on this, because after the great start it had, all people got to see from weeks on end were pointless filler after filler. Now then, I've been told that this is justified as Ash is on a Pokemon journey, and that the anime should exemplify life on a day to day basis, but after seeing Ash help character X with his Hoothoot/Mareep/Oddish problems so many times, it's hardly realistic in my opinion, and in the games, sidequests such as those are few and far in between. Not to mention, the fact that Gary Oak only appears THREE TIMES before the Silver Conference! This is what aggravates me so much about people who decry Adavance Generation for Ash's 'lack of a rival'. For starters he had MORRISON as a rival in Hoenn, and I'm pretty sure he appeared in more episodes than all of Gary's appearances in Johto. >.> . In conclusion, the fillers really hurt Johto. It really does. At least the Silver Conference League kinda made up for it, which is interesting as I actually believe that Johto has the BEST Pokemon League out of all of Ash's travels. I also got a kick out of seeing Ash's Charizard getting stomped by Harrison's Blaziken. It even had a terrible moveset, and still won against Charizard. lul.
Overall, the Original Series is basically a rollercoaster of a show, starting decently with Kanto, reaching a peak somewhere between Orange Islands and early Johto, before dipping itself into perpetual disappointment, only to save itself with a brilliant finale. The one glaring criticism I have with this arc is that Team Rocket's plans from RBGY/GSC were practically ignored in Kanto, and barely glossed over in Johto, besides the whole Lake of Rage ordeal.
- Kanto (7/10)
- Orange Islands (8/10)
- Johto (5/10)
- Original Series Total: 6.7/10
But I'll be generous and round it to a 7.
Now, if I were to rate the Original Series in relative comparison to other Anime I've watched, then I'd give it around 4/10. This is a kodomo anime for a reason.
I figure we should start of with the Original Series anyways, as it's the first series from this seemingly endless anime.
The Original Series is broken up into three parts:
- Kanto
- Orange Islands
- Johto
I'll give my opinion on each one of them.
Anyways,
Kanto. This is where it all began basically, and it sets up the premise for the entire show. Ash is a rookie trainer, going through the Kanto region, so he can participate in the Pokemon League. The saga is interesting as naive Ash goes along and gets his Pokemon. For the most part, it's actually pretty faithful to how the games progressed, and the fast pacing is nice for an anime of this caliber. Heck, this saga was even the inspiration to Pokemon Yellow, the canon game amongst the likes of RBG and FrLg. This doesn't mean it's flawless though. Ash's pity badges in particular made me wonder how Ash will do in the Indigo League, and it shows. Top 16 isn't something to brag about in my opinion, but it was his first time, so meh. Also, the fact that this saga ignored some of the ground rules on Pokemon typings was also a detriment, such as the 'Aim for the Horn' moment, but it's passable, considering that it had logic based around it as opposed to some of the more ridiculous moments of the anime later on (I'm looking at you Thunder Armor).
Next up is 'The Adventures in the Orange Islands' saga, and surprisingly, it's actually better than Kanto imo. Sure, the saga was just filler, but it introduced interesting locations, characters, and Pokemon. Without this saga, Tracey Sketchit, or Ash's Snorlax would have never existed, and with the case of the former, would have made Misty's Chronicle episodes much less interesting. I also liked the fact that the Orange League had more challenges to face outside of just gym battles, such as Sissy's Wave Race, or Danny's Mountain Climb, and it was definitely a nice change of pace. Heck, Ash even won all of his badges legitimately this time around! Also, the Orange League was spectacular, and was Ash's ONLY League win ever. It's very amazing for a filler arc I'd say. Also, I'm guessing this might have been the inspiration for Fire Red and Leaf Green's Sevii Islands, which is awesome, as that region honestly justified their purchase (well, besides the whole 151 Pokemon absent from RSE thing).
Lastly, we have 'The Johto Journey'. It actually starts off rather well in my opinion, and despite Pikachu losing to Gary's new Eevee, it manages to stay true to the games and what not, going through all of Johto's badges, with true battling skills. In fact, this was the arc that transformed Ash from the idiot I didn't really mind, to a person that can actually keep his head cool. Now then, for the things I actually don't like about it. Too. Many. Effing. Fillers. Middle Johto drops the ball on this, because after the great start it had, all people got to see from weeks on end were pointless filler after filler. Now then, I've been told that this is justified as Ash is on a Pokemon journey, and that the anime should exemplify life on a day to day basis, but after seeing Ash help character X with his Hoothoot/Mareep/Oddish problems so many times, it's hardly realistic in my opinion, and in the games, sidequests such as those are few and far in between. Not to mention, the fact that Gary Oak only appears THREE TIMES before the Silver Conference! This is what aggravates me so much about people who decry Adavance Generation for Ash's 'lack of a rival'. For starters he had MORRISON as a rival in Hoenn, and I'm pretty sure he appeared in more episodes than all of Gary's appearances in Johto. >.> . In conclusion, the fillers really hurt Johto. It really does. At least the Silver Conference League kinda made up for it, which is interesting as I actually believe that Johto has the BEST Pokemon League out of all of Ash's travels.
Overall, the Original Series is basically a rollercoaster of a show, starting decently with Kanto, reaching a peak somewhere between Orange Islands and early Johto, before dipping itself into perpetual disappointment, only to save itself with a brilliant finale. The one glaring criticism I have with this arc is that Team Rocket's plans from RBGY/GSC were practically ignored in Kanto, and barely glossed over in Johto, besides the whole Lake of Rage ordeal.
- Kanto (7/10)
- Orange Islands (8/10)
- Johto (5/10)
- Original Series Total: 6.7/10
But I'll be generous and round it to a 7.
