Comic Relief Pokemon

[LuxrayOfTheWild]

It seems that almost every series, we end up with a Pokemon on the main cast who ends up being so much fodder for comic relief, we wind up not taking them seriously. The past three series have all had one each, these being Dawn's Piplup, Ash's Oshawott, and Clemont's Chespin. I can't really put my finger on it, but I don't think AG had one, though I can say this kinda was Ash's Totodile also in Johto. Comic relief characters aren't uncommon and in some cases, they're refreshing to have around. I have seen comic relief characters in other shows, like Bolin and Varrick in Legend of Korra, though unlike some of these mon, you can still take them quite seriously. Why does the Pokemon anime though make some mon out to be a complete joke?

 

[Shadao]

There was Corphish, Torkoal, Munchlax, Chimecho, and Mime Jr. who can be considered comic relief, as well as Torchic in its ditzy moments during AG. In truth many Pokémon have their moments of comic relief like Charizard and its disobedient moments, as well as moments of awesome such as Gliscor and its battle against Paul. As for Pokémon like Piplup, Oshawott, and Chespin, I think it might have something do with their more human (or Micky Mouse) stance compare to the other Pokémon, and thus are easily to put in loads of comedic situations. But that is not to say they don't have their moments of awesomeness (Piplup in particular).

 

[EvilChameleon]

How on earth can you forget Wobbuffet?

 

[Sakuraa]

I don't know why they insist on having comic reliefs that can't be taken seriously for 90% of the time, but I wish they'd stop or at least tone it down. I hate characters in TVs shows or movies like this because the writers are usually too focused on making them funny rather than actually developing them. It sucks because they lose so much potential, and for me personally, it makes me really dislike, if not, hate them.

Take Chespin now in XY. I can't stand him. Everything I disliked about Oshawott has been redone with him. Being selfish, gluttonous, and overall a complete joke. I can't take him seriously whatsoever and because of that I can't get excited for anything he may do. Even when he does so something serious, he just reverts back to being a comic relief after the deed is done. It's annoying and overall disappointing. I just can't get behind characters like that.

I really wish the show would lessen the amount of comic relief characters or give them a balance. Clemont has a balance; he has his funny moments, but can also be taken seriously. Piplup kind of had a balance. He did act as the comic mon, but I was able take him seriously and see his growth over the course of the show. I hope they find a way to do this for future characters, Pokemon in particular, because I just am not liking what they did with Oshawott or are doing with Chespin.

 

[Osprey]

I think comic relief types are bad because they often become "annoying quirk personified." What should be one of many parts of a personality is isolated as an entire character, and the character becomes repetitive, predictable, and for those who can't stand the quirk, insufferable.

 

[TeamRocket Pikachu]

Team Rocket's Meowth has had his Comic Relief moments.

 

[Perpetual_Phoenix]

Team Rocket's Meowth has had his Comic Relief moments.

Mostly in the first season.



How was Wobbuffet forgotten? :/

 

[Steel_Justice]

It's not that I find comic relief to be a bad thing but the anime puts very little effort and thought into it. Comic relief pokemon are pretty much cliches personified and have little to no personality outside of their role as the group clown. It's pretty unfortunate in cases like Oshawott where it's whole evolutionary line is about becoming less of a joke and more of a badass. And now Chespin is probably gonna be the same since character depth and development is almost an alien concept in this series for people and pokemon lately.

 

[Yoshi1001]

I have to go with the original-Psyduck. Even the unattached ones in later seasons are good for a laugh. As a species, it also makes some interesting appearances in the TCG.

 

[pokemon fan 132]

Comic relief as concept primarily serves purpose to act as speedbump in decreasing serious, mature or intense tone of story, protagonists and development in literature.

Its not meant to be taken seriously most of the time and role often remains limited and under frame of just being casual entertainment either provided through human character through one of its personality traits or in this situation pokemon themselves.

As such many comic relief pokemon lack more defining purpoise and value outside of giving audience occasional laugh and witty, awkward situations in which it may put its trainer.
Either putting smile on your face or aggravating you when it ruins suspense.

We all know how much we may have liked and disliked moments when Wobbuffet popped out of pokeball,
Ash Oshawortt, Brock Croagunk, Misty Psyduck(im surprised this one was almost forgotten) etc, etc.

However not all pokemon providing comic elief were serving purpose to be there just for simple gimmick.

Thankfully;

Some of good examples were Misty Psyduck. It didnt knew how to battle, it couldnt swim and it could often cause irritation and anger from its trainer resulting in hilarious dynamic.

But Psyduck also served as stepping stone in helping Misty to start better understanding her pokemon and appreciating them for who they are, being road through which its trauner developed more patience over time thus playing role in character development.

This can be noticeable in Misty rather hostile and disappointed nature expressed toward yellow duck, gradually starting to warm up to it, care not wanting to trade her pokemon away such as in that festival where Jessie got Wobbuffet. And being more tolerant of its clueless, confused attitude regardless of sometime getting on her nerves or making her mad losing patience(well no one is perfect).

Psyduck example served its purpose well in helping to develop its trainer, while starting to become more caring and protective over Misty too. Well as helpful as he could be as noticed when trying to save its trainer himself in episode with Coastline leader Dorian for example after seeing Misty pushing him away from Whirlpool created by TR machine ending sucked herself into it. Knowing how despite all yelling and moments of annoyance Misty really cares for him.

Being more than just cheap source of comedy showing more to his personality and reason to exist in story., I miss both that duck and its trainer in anime.

Another good example is Dawn Piplup. It was often seen outside of pokeball garnering lot of attention and being involved in all kind of childish tantrums. Comic situations caused by his pride and temperament nature getting into fight with other group pokemon. Having pretty big appetite, being target for Ash Gible practice with draco meteor, attempting to stop Mamoswine and its preevolved forms or even showing affection toward other pokempon of same gender under influence of chemical reactions such as attract.

Admittedly getting too much spotlight at cost of other pokeon. But there is no denying that Piplup also received character growth as ecvidenced in his relationship with Dawn becoming more caring and attached to her. Being of great help in contests. In deciding to resist evolution wanting to remain in unevolved form and coming to realization how he doesnt need to become bigger to be strong and productive. Along with becoming more acceptable of other pokemon differences in group.

So not all pokemon from main characters which played role of comic relief stayed just at that. Being collection of random gags and exaggerated overused expressions.
Which is good thing afterall.

Because to me comic relief is fine to relieve some of suspense from plot only if its in:
-moderated doses
-pokemon serve some other purpose by either itself developing or influencing development of trainer and story itself.

Having more purpose beside comedy in anime,.

 

[Litten]

I don't see the problem with comic relief Pokemon; not every Pokemon needs to be taken seriously. I'd rather see tons of funny Pokemon in the cast than see several with no semblance of personality.

 

[1rkhachatryan]

See, in XY and with Chespin, I'm okay with it because he's not in every episode and he does actually help out from time to time. I absolutely couldn't stand Piplup or Mijumaru though as they were pointless and did nothing most of the time. Piplup especially because he was an ass most of the time.

See I think a good example of a comic relief character done right is someone like Corphish or Ludicolo. Not only were they funny but also kicked some serious butt. Gliscor is another example of this.

Also I think we should clarify the difference between a comic relief pokemon and what I like to call a merchmon(aka a pokemon made only to sell toys and literally do nothing else(ex. Piplup and Mijumaru)).

 

[Muur]

Eh I'd say comic relief is needed.

 

[BlisseyandtheAquaJets]

Why are they in?

Because, IN THEORY:

Little Japanese boys traditionally like comedy w/o personality, and this sells more merch, so COMEDIC DITZES WITH NO DEVELOPEMENT FOR OLDER(NON-TARGET)FANS=MONEY

It's all about that unrealistic idea of the dominant consumer of Pokémon being a young straight nationalistic traditional Japanese male, and the money traditional Japanese nationalistic capitalism supposedly brings into TPCi's accounts.