Character changes; With them or Against them?

[Brony]

Something we all know and have had to cope with for years is Character Changes and Removal.

Basicially, Do you like the changing Characters? Do you want them to bring back old ones? do you want them to ALL be together?

I for one miss the old Brock and Misty lineup, Not this Iris and Cilian crap.

And JIGGLYPUFF! WHERE'S DAT JIGGLYPUFF?

 

[Wes118]

well i thought that Brock was a great character. he should of stayed with ash.

 

[djulienr]

i want them all together. And by all i mean recurring too. Ash Brock Misty Tracey May Max Iris Cilan Gary Paul Barry Drew Conway Luke Bianca Lyra Khoury etc.... Jigglypuff, Korrokok, Ho-oh, Suicune included

 

[Cybersai]

The original trio bored me to death in Johto. Had they stuck with it I probably would have never continued with the show.

 

[Insanish Danish]

I welcome character changes. Brock and Misty were great, but they had to go. Same with all the older characters, really. Iris and Cilan will get to the point where they need to leave, too. It helps keep the show fresh.

 

[Almonds]

I wish for a lot of things, but I'll just say three

1. I wish Ash would go through a huge change in character and for once NOT be reset all over

2. Bring back Gary. Paul was good, so give Gary more screentime and make him a proper childhood rival once and for all

3. Where's TEAM PLASMA?!!

 

[Itsuki]

ITT: nostalgia

I like the group dynamics of Ash/Iris/Cilan way more than I ever liked Ash/Misty/Brock. Most of their interactions were lame except for a few rare moments with Ash and Misty. They didn't seem to work together quite as well either.

....also where are people getting the idea there's another I in Cilan :| there is no such thing as 'Cilian'. jaskjdls.

 

[SolgaleoGX]

I welcomed changes in the main cast. It keeps things from getting stale. I complain about Best Wishes, but even I can ignore my dislikeings and admit that having Cilan and Iris around is better than having Brock and Misty. This two (IMO atleast) may not be handled so well, but what could Misty and Brock (or any old cast member) bring to the table that's better than what Cilan and Iris are?

I also believe things like Jigglypuff should be around (not constantly though, it'd get tired really fast). Having Jigglypuff appear a couple of times in DP would've been fun. More should've been done with the evil Togepi and Sandile should've been managed better (and maybe a return for the Ducklette trio would be nice). Seriously..this little "wtf../lul wut?" Pokemon are always amusing. xD

 

[Hellion]

I welcome changes in the main cast because it refreshes the Animé and at some point, the characters are just done. There's nowhere for them to go with the show's format and restriction, so I'd rather see them go, get some closure and move on. As much as I liked Dawn as a character, what I liked was her growth from an insecure beginner who puts too much pressure on herself to a coordinator with friends, great pokémon, skills and confidence in herself. After that's done, there's nowhere left for her to go. Same for Misty or Max. Brock showed us what happens when a character is stale and kept for too long...

The only character that I felt might've had another series in her was May, because I felt that her trying to find her own style, distinct from everyone could've been explored a bit more, but I was still satisfied with the development she had while on the show, so I never felt like that was really a missed opportunity.

 

[matt0044]

I don't mind Character changes so long as they've been developed and a ready to leave. The Anime failed with Misty but May and Dawn weren't done too badly. Iris, well, we'll just have to wait and see.

PokeSpe does this better since the main characters change every arc or every other arc but develops them so they don't seem wasted. If the Anime could do this, we wouldn't have such a problem.

 

[Jukain]

I don't think any of the character changes were bad at all. Sure, some of them could've been executed a lot better, but I will never be against that they happened. The only exception I may have is Tracey, since not only was he brought on the show for the wrong reasons, but he was not executed well, either. Granted, he may not have been that bad of a character, but the way he was used is what is wrong. A good example of characters staying around way too long for their own good would be Brock, as he indeed got stale and was gradually fading into the background. They tried one last ditch effort to make him interesting again, but it only makes me think that they should've done that earlier. A character can last a long time if they're kept fresh and interesting. Unfortunately, this anime doesn't have too good examples of such a thing except perhaps for Ash, but that was a requirement, and I don't like the direction they went with it this time. I prefer to think of change as something that if they want it to happen, then that's just the way it's going to be, for bad or good.

 

[Cybersai]

ITT: nostalgia

I like the group dynamics of Ash/Iris/Cilan way more than I ever liked Ash/Misty/Brock.

The other thing is Iris and Cilan don't feel like they're going to be neglected similar to the way Misty and Brock were.

The original series was way too much, "The Ash show," and every other character got minimal screentime at best.

 

[Itsuki]

It sort of feels like Iris might, but hopefully the upcoming episodes with her help with that.

 

[Blue1225]

The Original trio got boring after a while (During Johto) and I don't see how the show would've flourished if they'd stayed. They had their time and they ran their course. Now we've moved on.

 

[pokemon fan 132]

At end of the day im against them.I dont see any point in constant character replacing after very 4 years or so just to add new one which will end up in same boat as previous companions anyway.Formula is stale,predictable and repetitive bringing nothing new on table not even feeling fresh anymore.Not to mention its pointless because there is no point in constantly introducing new characters while older ones still have lot of potential to develop them more unlike its case now laving with open stories,being halfway developed.
Reuse of some of popular older characters judging by demand and potential they could bring could be beneficial serving as unpredictable nice twist.

Several replaced characters left in middle of development never being fleshed out and explored more with their stories being left unfinished.Like Misty which was never developed enough leaving many things about character unexplored(like goal,backstory,pokemon,her motives etc).
Or Max which never had much of story anyway leaving cast without any real progress being made.Or Tracey about whose past we dont know nothing nor what are his motivations and other ambitions.

Character replacing serves no purpose anymore losing appeal,it used to had.We constantly see characters come in,start getting developed and after some time ditched like trash,for what?To cause consequence of many previous characters being left to rot in past forgotten just to end up in same boat after 4 years or so anyway.

To me it would be better to work more with something you already have refreshing older characters who already has solid groundwork developing them further,updating their pokemon team along with opening new subplots and progressing unfinished ones definitely having potential bringing in end same entertainment value as new ones provide(sometimes even more)pleasing many fans.

For that reason i think bringing some of well liked and popular characters like Misty,May,Brock etc to develop them more doing continuation of their stories would be nice breath of fresh air bringing unexpected twist adding something new on table.

Reuse of some of popular older characters judging by demand and potential they could bring could be beneficial being interesting to see writers diving more in previous traveling companions bringing balanced and entertaining dynamic with their personalities,exploring their stories more along with getting some updates.

What?They might get boring?
Every character gets boring sometimes but as long writers handle him well implementing new things there doesnt exist danger of character getting stale.Even if it does writers can revamp characters to make them interesting again getting them back on right track.

People usually appreciate when character stays for longer periods of time because he can be developed more,we can learn more about him and follow further continuation of someone story dealing with struggles and obstacles making step forward doing new things.

The original trio bored me to death in Johto. Had they stuck with it I probably would have never continued with the show.

If original trio stayed since quality of writing improved in later sagas compared to Johto days,writers realized what they were doing wrong in that saga and new writer started to do construction for pokemon series from Hoenn and onwards(Atsuhiro Tomioka)already showing to have quality im pretty sure anime would be different from what it was in Johto if Ash,Misty and Brock as group were kept.

I welcome character changes. Brock and Misty were great, but they had to go. Same with all the older characters, really. Iris and Cilan will get to the point where they need to leave, too. It helps keep the show fresh.

Personally as i said above i dont see nothing fresh in it,just to introduce someone and ditch him out regardless of having potential to provide more eventually ending up forgotten and abandoned.

Also problem is that some of past characters(like Misty) left before it was their time to go not being exploited and developed enough to provide closure to their stories and tie up loose ends.

I welcomed changes in the main cast. It keeps things from getting stale. I complain about Best Wishes, but even I can ignore my dislikeings and admit that having Cilan and Iris around is better than having Brock and Misty. This two (IMO atleast) may not be handled so well, but what could Misty and Brock (or any old cast member) bring to the table that's better than what Cilan and Iris are?

Well for start they could bring same quality of dynamic and chemistry within group,perhaps even better.If anything other than fact how it would be interesting for a change to see rekindle of friendship between Ash and previous traveling companions being made with relationship being developed further.It would be certainly more different and fresh compared to usual formula "Ash meets new friends,befriends them and say goodbye to them after 4 years".Rinse and repeat.

We could also see further development with older companions being made with continuation of stories from characters we grew to like being done.Why to lav Misty,Brock,May etc in past forgotten and abandoned when they could still offer a lot more on table having potential to be developed forward.
Whats the point in introducing new ones when older companions themselves werent fully explored yet having potential to do grow more?

Imo return of some older characters would also serve as nice change of pace providing something different and new on table being given opportunity to see them more with new things being done with them.

I welcome changes in the main cast because it refreshes the Animé and at some point, the characters are just done. There's nowhere for them to go with the show's format and restriction, so I'd rather see them go, get some closure and move on. As much as I liked Dawn as a character, what I liked was her growth from an insecure beginner who puts too much pressure on herself to a coordinator with friends, great pokémon, skills and confidence in herself. After that's done, there's nowhere left for her to go. Same for Misty or Max. Brock showed us what happens when a character is stale and kept for too long...

That doesnt sound as very convincing argument to me because there doesnt exist limit in how much you can develop someone as long its done in convincing and proper way warranting justification behind further stay.Writers can open new subplots about characters,refresh them,introduce new obstacles and struggles progressing story forward,even when one part of someone journey gets down.

Yes there exist danger of overexposure exaggerating with things,but when it comes to Ash and most characters in pokemon considering how little they were in reality developed and fleshed out such issue doesnt exist in here.In other long running shows like One Piece or Naruto which keeps same characters some could assume how fandom is bored of them,but that obviously isnt case with majority appreciating characters being developed further.

Using Brock as any indication isnt very valid example,because problem within his goal and role in general is that it was quit passive not having much connections with battling or competing preventing any way to display progression being made through some visible way limiting writer options to do more with him,Not to mention he was always treated as third wheel character which got the least with people not getting bored of character itself but fact how writers never did much with his story leaving it to stagnate.

Also May and Dawn may have received satisfying amount of development with most things going for them being resolved in one or another way but that obviously wasnt case with Misty.Anyone who watched original series can clearly notice how much things in story were never developed regarding Misty.Like goal of becoming water pokemon master which was unexplored for most part,her backstory(not knowing many things like what happened with parents,why she prefers water type,why she fears bugs etc),several of her pokemon were unexplored(like Psyduck,Horsea,Starmie) etc leaving lot of untapped potential there which could be used to do more with her character.
Unlike its case with Dawn or May we dont know even motives behind Misty desire to become water pokemon master and what influenced her to have preference for one type.We didnt see Misty overcoming her personal issues which stand on her way of becoming water pokemon master never coming to significant realization how to achieve her dreams either.

Her character clearly wasnt fleshed out as much as it could have been with ex had writer(mr,Shudo)himself admitting how he didnt developed her enough apologizing for it.

I don't mind Character changes so long as they've been developed and a ready to leave. The Anime failed with Misty but May and Dawn weren't done too badly. Iris, well, we'll just have to wait and see.

Anime didnt failed with Misty.Reason why ratings in Johto started to decline was due to poor writing and not character itself.

The Original trio got boring after a while (During Johto) and I don't see how the show would've flourished if they'd stayed. They had their time and they ran their course. Now we've moved on.

They didnt run their course,because they had juice to offer more on table being still relatively unexplored.Reason why Johto failed was because of poor writing with plots like GS ball being botchered and wasted after all that build up,too many unecessary fillers being included which didnt advanced main character stories in any way,Ash rivals like Gary becoming non existent,his Johto team being handled poorly along with some of his release of older pokemon at that time like Charizard angering several fans(though they werent aware how Charizard wasnt gone forever at that time).

Group of Ash,Misty and Brock was already well liked and had potential and room to develop them forward bringing more on table,but writers screw things up by not utilizing that potential properly.

 

[The Puppetmaster]

If a character's story is over, they should leave. Simple as that. Loose ends should be tied up at the end of his/her run, and any challenges the character faced should be resolved.

On the other hand, if a character is irredeemable, and no amount of writing can improve the damage that's already been done, the character should leave as soon as possible.

So I'm usually with them.

 

[pokemon fan 132]

If a character's story is over, they should leave. Simple as that. Loose ends should be tied up at the end of his/her run, and any challenges the character faced should be resolved.

Question which comes in here is why not do continuation of character story when certain part is over doing new things with them?Many other anime tend to do that by opening new subplots about characters and bringing up things from past which may have not been addressed before.

Out of all replaced characters anyone had room and unexplored things to do more with them.Even fully fledged out characters like Dawn for example and i dont see anything wrong in reopening someone story to learn more about him,being given more substance and development.If writers are creative enough thy can justify further exposure of character.

Beside how many past traveling companions stories really were over?At best Dawn(which wasnt completely closed either) and Tracey(only character which accomplished his dream,though ironically got almost non development).

On the other hand, if a character is irredeemable, and no amount of writing can improve the damage that's already been done, the character should leave as soon as possible.

So I'm usually with them.

I dont think any character we had in cast so far was damaged that much that it wasnt possible to reverse what was done.Writers sometimes screw things up.They are only humans after all not being perfect.

However quality of good writer is if he is able to acknowledge mistakes he did with someone getting back character on right track reviving his role.If good writing is present behind anyone can be revamped and refreshed enough to become intriguing again being given either new purpose or his oldre plots being exploited more diving in charactre deeper.

 

[Iteru]

I'm with character changes for the reasons that others have stated before me. They help to keep things fresh and to an extent make sagas more unique. If a character has been around for a while, then I want them to be retired before they get boring and so go out on a high note.

 

[The Puppetmaster]

Out of all replaced characters anyone had room and unexplored things to do more with them.Even fully fledged out characters like Dawn for example and i dont see anything wrong in reopening someone story to learn more about him,being given more substance and development.If writers are creative enough thy can justify further exposure of character.

But her main plot was over. Sure, the writers could make up something else about her, but what's the point of doing so when she's already an established character who's known for her original storyline? A new character would do just fine.

However quality of good writer is if he is able to acknowledge mistakes he did with someone getting back character on right track reviving his role.If good writing is present behind anyone can be revamped and refreshed enough to become intriguing again being given either new purpose or his oldre plots being exploited more diving in charactre deeper.

Why make a character over-complicated and drag them out? Depth is alright, but after a while, I would get bored with a single character experiencing several plots. I don't need a full-fledged biography of a character's life to enjoy them.

 

[HumanDawn]

Dawn wouldn't make sense to have in BW because they don't do contests there. They could make her do musicals, but those don't give ribbons or do the same things as contests. If I was a co-ordinator, I wouldn't go to a region that doesn't support contests for me to participate in. They could have made May go to Sinnoh, but then that doesn't help advertise the games since Dawn is the main playable female character.