Does anyone else find the earlier Pokemon anime series more relatable and enjoyable?

[Pokémon Master Ash]

Recently, watching BW116's flashbacks, I've noticed something I tend to like more about the older Pokemon anime series in general as opposed to the newer Pokemon anime series. I feel like the earlier Pokemon anime series were really enjoyable because of how much you could relate to the characters. You really feel excited seeing them accomplish their goals and tasks, and I feel some characters seem really realistic and believable, and almost like they were real human beings... as opposed to just cardboard cut-out cartoon characters with stereotypical, bland personalities. That's part of why I like the earlier arcs so much. We also used to have episodes where Ash would find x Pokemon, find out it's rebellious and rowdy, and bond with it in a cave during storms and avalanches after have issues with said Pokemon. Ever since Sinnoh debuted, I've noticed that's all gone away, and I miss that genuine feeling I got when Ash showed how much he cared for his Pokemon. That he was willing to sacrifice anything to protect them. Even if that meant his own safety and health. The whole series seemed so much less about battles, "lovey-dovey" stuff, and "friendship rules all," esque-ideas back then, and more about understanding differences and working together to resolve them, and struggling/working harder to improve oneself... despite all the handicaps and pressures involved.

Your thoughts?

 

[Fandango]

Re: Does anyone else find the earlier Pokemon anime series more relatable and enjoyab

The only times where I felt related with the characters were when Ash was facing some of his rivals in Johto and Hoenn. Sinnoh, on the other hand, I was with Ash, Brock and Dawn all the way. How Brock was really becoming a good doctor, Dawn and her contests, Ash and his badges and everything. Sinnoh was the best, for me.

 

[Sneazy Sneasel]

Re: Does anyone else find the earlier Pokemon anime series more relatable and enjoyab

i liked the older episodes more they had the humor

 

[megaevolvedmushroom]

Re: Does anyone else find the earlier Pokemon anime series more relatable and enjoyab

I agree, newer ones just aren't as relatable. There's no emotion, no sense of accomplishment, no sense of urgency, etc.

 

[Cybersai]

Re: Does anyone else find the earlier Pokemon anime series more relatable and enjoyab

For Kanto and Orange, yes, I found the characters and Pokemon enjoyable.

For most of Johto, not really, aside from the very best episodes. Johto was just a more boring or worse version of Kanto. It actually tried to be Kanto with an original trio reunion but failed. Takeshi Shudo's departure really did royally screw over the Johto arc.

 

[GuitarHero]

Re: Does anyone else find the earlier Pokemon anime series more relatable and enjoyab

I would agree with your statement but I think it has to do mostly with what era you started watching pokemon in. Because that period, (whether it truly is more quality or relatable to you) is often the one you like the most and feel more attached to.

The newer arcs I still enjoy, but they definitely have a different feel. Of course they can tend to get a bit more bland as time goes on because inevitabley, its all kind of the same stuff over and over again.

 

[Robo-Floatzel]

Re: Does anyone else find the earlier Pokemon anime series more relatable and enjoyab

Most definitely, I much prefer the older seasons over the newer ones, and as cheesy as some would consider them, they had emotion, conflict, characterization, and various other aspects that were capable of telling a great story, and was overall enjoyable. Now the anime has bland characters, repetitive story-lines, almost no sense of real emotion, very little to nothing gets accomplished, and just overall seems, for a lack of better word, "boring" and "cartoon-like" with little to no sense of trying to be realistic and believable.

Ash has gotten the most drastic change of any character, in the past he was capable of relating to his Pokemon, and would do anything to protect them and his friends, while also trying his best and work hard to reach his goal of becoming a Pokemon master, he was a character that the viewers could relate to because like any other 10 year old kid, he had goals and dreams for his future. Now all he even cares about is winning battles and becoming a Pokemon master and puts nothing else important in front of it. This is something that I feel is a drastic step down from the original series, as it's seemed to have devolved to simply being about competitions rather than actually tying to tell a story.

 

[Mikuri]

Re: Does anyone else find the earlier Pokemon anime series more relatable and enjoyab

I strongly disagree. The newer characters are much more relatable in my opinion. I could never relate to characters like Gary, who was a pretentious boy throughout the original series and did not have one quality that could redeem him. Drew, on the other hand, began as an arrogant kid but changed his attitudes towards May during the series. We have seen various sides of Drew, with Gary we only saw him acting the same way every time he appeared.
And I could go on with other characters, but I think I've made myself understood.
Maybe you relate more with the older characters because at the time you were a child watching a show for children, and now that you're older you can not relate the same way. I dunno.

 

[Master Cyrus]

Re: Does anyone else find the earlier Pokemon anime series more relatable and enjoyab

In a couple more years people will be full on AG fanboy mode.
IN maybe a decade or so people willturn on the nostalgia full blast for DP.
In 15+ years and I hope to arceus I'll be gone by then people will love BW as a masterpiece of their childhood.

 

[Zexy]

Re: Does anyone else find the earlier Pokemon anime series more relatable and enjoyab

Come on, there are all kinds of characters in all kinds of series. I mean, I don't think someone can be so psyched/optimistic as Ash is, or so lovesturck-yet-caring as Brock was. Back then they were people like Gary that seemed believable (in vast contrast to the fake Paul). Today, we can also see such characters (Burgundy/Georgia/Bianca without their comic relief running gags.)

 

[p96822]

Re: Does anyone else find the earlier Pokemon anime series more relatable and enjoyab

Really I can relate to some of the newer charaters like Iris then I did with Misty because she had more backstory that made her intressing then Misty. Also I think the writers put Togipi with Misty to stop her toyboyish actions to make her into a mother and making us having to worry about a Pokemon that cause trouble for all the charaters like Pikachu.

 

[pokemon fan 132]

Re: Does anyone else find the earlier Pokemon anime series more relatable and enjoyab

Definitely, in older seasons i feel there was put more emotion and effort into characterization finding myself to care more for characters like Misty and Brock compared to Iris, Cilan, Dawn etc.

Pokemon series seemed to be much less marketing oriented being treated more like genuine show with group of friends which go on journey exploring wonderful world of pokemon , rather than 20 minute advertizing tool.

For instance i cared about Misty character a lot more than its case with other females being touching and easy to relate toher touching past of having to grow up without parents in older sister shadow fighting hard for everything she accomplished. Her versatile personality having many sides differentiated her from typical stereotype cookie cutter characters other shows tend to have(talking about past early Kanto).
Such as being big dreamer and romantic soul liking love and tenderness, adventurous spirit often taking initiative, standing up from weak and knowing how to fight for herself. Various hobies she was fully devoted to, big passion for water type she adores having lot of spunk, flare and snark in herself but also caring, nurture side showing to have good innocent heart.

Personally i cared about her journey, dream of becoming water pokemon master, all those struggles she went through trying to get out of Daisy and co shadow, prove herself to various trainers out there never giving up when she falls on first obstacle gradually growing attached to Ash and Brock who became not just friend, but family to her.

Or Brock and his parental role he offered to his friends being often "voice of reason"making sure to get others out of trouble providing great deal of wisdom and knowledge being most intelligent member of cast. His eccentric personality being real flirt wanting to find love of his love, while also showing to be kindhearted and caring young teen who just wanted to form his own life and pursue dreams breaking away from role of father he was stuck into for years taking care of large family in absence of their parents.

All three companions Ash, Misty and Brock worked as perfect true group of comrades with their various types of personalities supplementing each other well making interactions always being full of comedy, drama and lot of care. They came of as unforced, natural characters joking, laughing together, sometimes getting on each other nerves but also showing to be sensible when their friend was in danger often reminding me of persons in real life developing strongest bond out of all groups we had imo.

They managed to carry out message of adventure pokemon tried to promote and companions which have fun together , exploring world, new places, people and creatures while pursuing different dreams in realistic, simplified and inbred manner.
Fact that Ash had hardest time leaving them behind and vice versa conjured perfectly how much they grew attached between themselves.

But its not only characters and chemistry they had but also darker, more mature tone series had with older pokemon seeming to have more originality put in their growth and backstory. Whether its about Charizard who got abandoned as Charmander going through spinous path through its trainer taking lot of time to start thrusting Ash and get rid of poisonous influence Damian mistreatment imprinted in its heart. Bulbasaur which struggled with decision of evolving, Squirtle which was member of gang managing to find right path to follow because of Ash and way he treated him etc.

This show used to have more spirit and charm back in day imho having more continuity and sense of story going forward.

For Kanto and Orange, yes, I found the characters and Pokemon enjoyable.

For most of Johto, not really, aside from the very best episodes. Johto was just a more boring or worse version of Kanto. It actually tried to be Kanto with an original trio reunion but failed. Takeshi Shudo's departure really did royally screw over the Johto arc.

Not really its more that Johto was supposed to be treated like sequel made with original cast. As far as emotion goes i still will arguably say how Johto saga used to have more emotion, tension and characterization pout into it than its case with newer regions imo.We had several moments where characters experienced breakdown or tragic incident occurred. Such as whole sad story about Jessi and Blissey, Misty saving Marill having to depart with it or when she burst into tears when nurse Joy shattered her childhood dream. When Bulbasaur got almost killed when saving Odish, when Charizard and Squirtle left Ash etc.
And who could ever forget "Gotta Catch YA Later".

Contemporary original cast if you ask me in Johto still had more spontaneous, flamboyant and amusing dynamic than i ever get to experience with later groups.

Also I think the writers put Togipi with Misty to stop her toyboyish actions to make her into a mother and making us having to worry about a Pokemon that cause trouble for all the charaters like Pikachu.

Misty still had tomboyish actions after Togepi, they were only less violent not hitting people like she did in early Kanto.
Way i see it Togepi was used as step toward her eventual development leading toward becoming more mature in future.

 

[Nymphia]

Re: Does anyone else find the earlier Pokemon anime series more relatable and enjoyab

Where is my option, "Yes, I find enjoyable but I find newer season more enjoyable".

Sorry, but my favourite characters are Ash (in AG and DP) and Dawn. And the histoy of AG and DP is superior to the OS. Including, Best Wishes are better written than the OS.

Sory, but I prefer new seasons to old ones.

 

[Madame Pika]

Re: Does anyone else find the earlier Pokemon anime series more relatable and enjoyab

The older characters were just stereotypes. Takeshi Shudo even said that they made the main cast out of stereotypes so that kids could understand them better. That's not to say that they're bad, just that they weren't deep/realistic. Shigeru was more a collection of gags than he was a character, but I never hated a scene with him in it. Team Rocket were the only really strong and specific character back in Kanto and they stayed on, variating a little in terms of development at about the same level until Best Wishes. In AG and DP I feel that all the rivals, and main cast were at least attempts at having fuller more realistic characters. Shuu may have been like Shigeru in one way (they were both arrogant: a generic rival trait) but when Satoshi interacted with him, he showed more colours than when Shigeru interacted with Kasumi: this alone makes him more a character than a collection of traits. However, his interaction with Haruka has multiple elements to it including possible romance. I could do this with most of the newer characters. Being specific though can mean that the character becomes less relatable in terms of grabbing the audience (a shy character will hit with more people than a shy and mean character) but by being more specific, the character will keep the attention of the viewer far longer creating a stronger relationship with the audience. Please don't get me wrong. I don't hate the older characters: I just feel that they're not as good.

Before anyone mentions that I've only said AG and DP, yeah, I simply haven't seen that much Best Wishes.

 

[CliveKoopa]

Re: Does anyone else find the earlier Pokemon anime series more relatable and enjoyab

Come on, there are all kinds of characters in all kinds of series. I mean, I don't think someone can be so psyched/optimistic as Ash is, or so lovesturck-yet-caring as Brock was. Back then they were people like Gary that seemed believable (in vast contrast to the fake Paul). Today, we can also see such characters (Burgundy/Georgia/Bianca without their comic relief running gags.)

Agreed. And there are all kinds of stories in each of the sagas. I'm sick of all the saga and "filler" bashing personally. I have seen about five threads about fillers in this board in the past couple of days alone.

 

[Pokémon Master Ash]

Re: Does anyone else find the earlier Pokemon anime series more relatable and enjoyab

I would agree with your statement but I think it has to do mostly with what era you started watching pokemon in. Because that period, (whether it truly is more quality or relatable to you) is often the one you like the most and feel more attached to.

The newer arcs I still enjoy, but they definitely have a different feel. Of course they can tend to get a bit more bland as time goes on because inevitabley, its all kind of the same stuff over and over again.

I started watching in Kanto, but I never felt this way until Sinnoh myself.

The older characters were just stereotypes. Takeshi Shudo even said that they made the main cast out of stereotypes so that kids could understand them better. That's not to say that they're bad, just that they weren't deep/realistic. Shigeru was more a collection of gags than he was a character, but I never hated a scene with him in it. Team Rocket were the only really strong and specific character back in Kanto and they stayed on, variating a little in terms of development at about the same level until Best Wishes. In AG and DP I feel that all the rivals, and main cast were at least attempts at having fuller more realistic characters. Shuu may have been like Shigeru in one way (they were both arrogant: a generic rival trait) but when Satoshi interacted with him, he showed more colours than when Shigeru interacted with Kasumi: this alone makes him more a character than a collection of traits. However, his interaction with Haruka has multiple elements to it including possible romance. I could do this with most of the newer characters. Being specific though can mean that the character becomes less relatable in terms of grabbing the audience (a shy character will hit with more people than a shy and mean character) but by being more specific, the character will keep the attention of the viewer far longer creating a stronger relationship with the audience. Please don't get me wrong. I don't hate the older characters: I just feel that they're not as good.

Before anyone mentions that I've only said AG and DP, yeah, I simply haven't seen that much Best Wishes.

That's perfectly fine. As long as the "nostalgia" card isn't being thrown here, then I can definitely understand an actual legitimate argument against my feelings on the matter.

 

[J J M]

Re: Does anyone else find the earlier Pokemon anime series more relatable and enjoyab

Recently, watching BW116's flashbacks, I've noticed something I tend to like more about the older Pokemon anime series in general as opposed to the newer Pokemon anime series. I feel like the earlier Pokemon anime series were really enjoyable because of how much you could relate to the characters. You really feel excited seeing them accomplish their goals and tasks, and I feel some characters seem really realistic and believable, and almost like they were real human beings... as opposed to just cardboard cut-out cartoon characters with stereotypical, bland personalities. That's part of why I like the earlier arcs so much. We also used to have episodes where Ash would find x Pokemon, find out it's rebellious and rowdy, and bond with it in a cave during storms and avalanches after have issues with said Pokemon. Ever since Sinnoh debuted, I've noticed that's all gone away, and I miss that genuine feeling I got when Ash showed how much he cared for his Pokemon. That he was willing to sacrifice anything to protect them. Even if that meant his own safety and health. The whole series seemed so much less about battles, "lovey-dovey" stuff, and "friendship rules all," esque-ideas back then, and more about understanding differences and working together to resolve them, and struggling/working harder to improve oneself... despite all the handicaps and pressures involved.

Your thoughts?

The older series is generally more relatable to us because we were actual kids back then, aka the target audience. As we grow older, obviously it becomes less and less relatable with each series since it's always focused towards the same age group. This isn't rocket science, people...

 

[Pokémon Master Ash]

Re: Does anyone else find the earlier Pokemon anime series more relatable and enjoyab

Come on, there are all kinds of characters in all kinds of series. I mean, I don't think someone can be so psyched/optimistic as Ash is, or so lovesturck-yet-caring as Brock was. Back then they were people like Gary that seemed believable (in vast contrast to the fake Paul). Today, we can also see such characters (Burgundy/Georgia/Bianca without their comic relief running gags.)

Agreed. And there are all kinds of stories in each of the sagas. I'm sick of all the saga and "filler" bashing personally. I have seen about five threads about fillers in this board in the past couple of days alone.

This isn't saga "bashing" so much as "Does anyone feel the older series were more genuine?" to you-esque question. I know every saga has something different to offer, but my taste generally coincides with the older arcs (except I am probably THE only person who likes Unova more than Sinnoh, so nostalgia is not my guiding factor for this conclusion).

 

[megaevolvedmushroom]

Re: Does anyone else find the earlier Pokemon anime series more relatable and enjoyab

The older series is generally more relatable to us because we were actual kids back then, aka the target audience. As we grow older, obviously it becomes less and less relatable with each series since it's always focused towards the same age group. This isn't rocket science, people...

There's actually more to it than that.

(except I am probably THE only person who likes Unova more than Sinnoh, so nostalgia is not my guiding factor for this conclusion).

I also think Unova is better than Sinnoh or Hoenn

 

[Pokémon Master Ash]

Re: Does anyone else find the earlier Pokemon anime series more relatable and enjoyab

(except I am probably THE only person who likes Unova more than Sinnoh, so nostalgia is not my guiding factor for this conclusion).

I also think Unova is better than Sinnoh

What's weird is that I like Hoenn more than Unova, though. XD.