Back in the Old Days

[mashmusic11235]

The evolution of pokemon!

No... not like that...

I'm thinking, how has the series changed over the years? I know there are new pokemon and such, but I mean more that that.

Does anyone think the series has become too comercialized?

Have the episodes gotten more cliche and unorigional over the years?

Ever wonder why Ash never gets older, and Brock never gets a steady girlfriend?

Why haven't any of the pokemon died yet? Don't they have natural life spans?

Here's a doozie: Ever notice how the pokemon have gotten more 'round' over the years? For instance: Compare a boxy Squirtle with a spherical Turtwig.

Anything and everything about the series as a whole!!!

 

[Legacy]

I know the anime has been obviously geared towards kids for the entirety of its existence, but to me it feels even more kid-like today. It is probably because I have grown up along with the show, but even when I go back and re-watch old episodes, I just get the sense that the anime series has been "dumbed down" over the years in some ways.

As for the series itself, like anything, it has grown so huge that its lost a little of that intimacy that it had in its infancy. I can't really find a good way to explain it, or find good examples, but the anime and the pokemon franchise as a whole seemed better back in the day IMO.

I still it now though, so don't get me wrong.

 

[Cybersai]

The show pretty much reboots itself every new generation.

Since its now been going on for 13 years, new generation of kids have never seen the oldest episodes.

 

[Lyra]

Main difference is that before pokemon was teaching people never to give up and the importance of friendship. Now it's just full with stupid and silly remarks with the same things happening over and over again with cheesy episodes with cheesy pokemon. Ash had more life in it let me say it like this

Before
Gary- Haha you stand no chance against me ashy boy
Ash- Oh yeah??? Well we'll see about that me and my pokemon can beat anyone when we want to.

After
Paul(which gary outclasses in every way) - You and your pokemon are weak.
Ash-Let's battle and find out.

They just took the life out of it you know ,I can't really describe it but they did. Misty leaving was a big mistake and ALL THOSE STUPID NEW POKEMON

ps:also should be noted that the "improved drawings,visuals whatever" just doesn't work. Also bring Veronica Taylor back.

 

[Phloop]

Well, I can't speak for the anime, but the games may have gotten cutesier (is that a word?) but it feels more complex. Natures, breeding, new types, friggen daily events, Pokemon that only evolve on-the-second-full-moon-on-a-monday-IF-the-month-starts-with-a-"M" (a little bit of an exaggeration, so sue me)...

I think that the series might be changing, but its fanbase is changing faster. I still insist that if Nintendo makes a more grownup side series for all of us that have been following it since day one they'd make a killing.

 

[mashmusic11235]

You're right.

There should be a more teen-adult series for the rest of us.

I know that kids (6-12 or so) have been into pokemon as long as I can remember. However, it's always kids that are into it. Interest never wavers from the 6-12 set. I think it mostly has to do with peer pressure and kids wanting to watch more adult-oriented shows as they get older, just because they can.

I wonder what a teen-adult oriented Pokemon show would be like?

One other thing about this topic: I doubt that the events of the show could have ACTUALLY gone on for 13 years with pokemon fighting 'to the knockout' without a single drop of blood.
I'm not suggesting a full-on horror show, but the series could be a little more graphic, thereby becoming a little more realsitic.

 

[Drakon]

I wonder what a teen-adult oriented Pokemon show would be like?

I would wager it would be somewhat similar to the Pokémon Special manga.

I just HOPE if they do that it will not be "hyper-dark" like Latias' Journey.

 

[Jugon]

I love the old days of Pokemon <3 It's just not the same anymore with too much Pokemon and new characters instead of Ash, Misty and Brock =.=' They really made it seem like they were gonna be together forever ._.

 

[Ren the Ryoko]

The new episodes of pokmon honestly LOOK better. Better art, smoother animation, some CGI mixed in, more interesting battles.

And yes, I'll say it, I like Dawn more than Misty.

 

[zerohona]

Alot of the characters have changed, and now there are like a billion pokemon haha

 

[GlassMan]

The girls in Pokemon have gotten cuter, I must admit.

But I just don't get the same vibe of excitement from the anime anymore. Back in the day, Ash didn't win all the time. I actually look forward to episodes when Ash and Pikachu get royally served. With the exception of if Paul wins. I dislike Paul with a great intensity. He's like Silver, but an even bigger jackass.

 

[IslandWalker]

The anime has better battles, characters, etc. but the "spirit" of the old days is missing.

 

[GrnMarvl14]

Since this seems to be just about the anime, I'm going to move it to that section.

 

[pikachu200]

Well I liked how only 4-5 pokemons evolved by link trades. I don't like how pokemons like Porygon have to be traded with a hold item and stuff and friendship can be a pain in the neck too

 

[#Daisuke#]

The originals were great for its time. The original trio had great chemistry and Misty brought laughter to the show.

But I still have to say that the show has gotten better over the years. The show has been aimed at kids for its entire span, but the writing has gotten better throughout the series. DP has a great plot and many continuities compared to Kanto's practically gym only plot and countless fillers. And for those of you saying that the show needs more violence, DP is a lot more violent than the original.

The characters have also gotten better. The CotDs actually have personality. Character developement has been amazing, too. Personally, Kanto!Ash was really annoying. So it was a pleasure watching him grow more mature to his point now. Especially in Dawn's case, going from long-term deppresion to runner up in her GF. May was handled very well, too.

And the art and graphics are soooooooo much better than the original.

Despite that, some of the funny stuff from the show was lost. But Harley from AG and Piplup in DP helped a lot.

And I also have to say I like Dawn a lot more than Misty. *cough*

 

[Sombra29]

...What an stupid an unnecessary thread.Let me sum it up for you:

Lots of people that don't watch the anime are going to spend their time writing walls of text complaining about why they don't watch it anymore. Some will bring the "argument" that it is "too kiddie",that "the characters are duller",that it in general more "soulless" OR that "it is too much like the games",anyway,they will just bash every aspect of the show saying it is RUINED FOREVER.

Then some people that do watch the anime and frequent this section regularly will say that it is actually better than how it started.Those people will mention some aspects of show and how they have been improved.Another portion may just say that it is as good or will agree with the people above.


There,I just saved you from reading 40 pages of irrelevant text.

 

[Jukain]

There are some things I remember fondly from the first few story arcs, but I have long since grown apart from the happy happy let's sprinkle everything in sugar. If I watch it too long, I feel like I'll get cavities. I like it more now that there is less of that, but the few whimsical eps aren't bad, either. Some of them are hilarious. I will continually say DP is the best story arc we've had in a long time, and BW will have a lot to live up to. I know I can't convince the naysayers of that, but they can't be convinced of anything as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Constantine]

The villains have gotten better, with people like J and Galactic versus in the old days, it was only the Rocket Trio.

 

[ARC-1300]

yes the oh so great feeling of nostalgia does still lie in my heart.

but i do also love the show even more then i did in the past. what can i say? i just love Pokemon, always have, always will.

 

[Rex Kamex]

Something I do miss from the old episodes is the Japanese culture, which the current episodes don't really have. And I miss things like Misty hitting people with mallets (not that I'm saying Misty has to do it). Not that I'm expecting any of those things to come back, but if the current episodes had stuff like that and well thought out plots with character development, that'd automatically make for the best arc ever.

In my opinion, the oldest stuff = the newest stuff in quality

Have the episodes gotten more cliche and unorigional over the years?

After hundreds of episodes, that was inevitable, unfortunately. And you can't expect the little kids, the target audience, to watch over old episodes, so they can watch the D&P version of the Pikachu VS Raichu story without necessarily knowing that the same thing happened in Kanto.

Ever wonder why Ash never gets older, and Brock never gets a steady girlfriend?

Ash doesn't age so he can always relate easily to the target audience. I wish he and the others did gradually age, but by this point I'd find it... pointless. Brock doesn't get a girlfriend because he's still around, and as long as he's still around, that's his thing. I do hope that whenever Brock leaves he does get a girlfriend. Why should he be without a girlfriend even when he's no longer a main cast member?

Main difference is that before pokemon was teaching people never to give up and the importance of friendship. Now it's just full with stupid and silly remarks with the same things happening over and over again with cheesy episodes with cheesy pokemon. Ash had more life in it let me say it like this

Before
Gary- Haha you stand no chance against me ashy boy
Ash- Oh yeah??? Well we'll see about that me and my pokemon can beat anyone when we want to.

After
Paul(which gary outclasses in every way) - You and your pokemon are weak.
Ash-Let's battle and find out.

I've heard/read people complain that the Pokemon episodes nowadays talk about friendship and stuff while the old episodes didn't. Anyway, the thing Ash wants to prove to Paul is that you can successfully train Pokemon by treating them as friends, while Paul disagrees. Friendship is still a big issue. Also, one part of the current Japanese theme song says, in English, "NEVER GIVE UP."

Those are just two of the many examples of how the things you liked in the old episodes of Pokemon are still around.