favourite anime generation

GaryOak123

GaryOak123

Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2014
Messages
97
Reaction score
13
i was looking for a thread like this and was surprised that i couldn't find one, so i'll start one up.

what was your favourite series in the anime? for me the advanced series were great, contests were great and may was a fresh breath on what had become a slightly stale trio, i liked how ash was a mentor to may and max, and the battle frontier was great to. the only bad thing that i didnt like about the advanced series was the league, because ash never really had a main rival unlike may who had 2, and because the battle frontier was coming up his team did not really feel like a team that could win or even challenge. so what's everybody else's opinion?


P.S please dont be one of the people to just put ORIGINAL SERIES ALL THE WAY!!! give a reason
 
Gen 4/Diamond & Pearl -

Loved it because it had the best rivals(except for Kenny, dunno why but there's nothing of his rivalry to Dawn that appealed to me(like the first round of the Grand Festival lawlawl) but how he assumed Dawn and Ash had a thing and became jealous of Ash) this saga also ad the best villains, Team Galactic blew up all the lakes in the games, but in the anime, they actually tore the spaces between the modern world and Azelf's World and then attracting the other 2 Lake Guardians, they basically completed their goal by controlling those 3 pokemon and then Palkia and Dialga themselves(for a moment) Cyrus basically makes himself lost in space, and Charon/Pluto escapes, although... Archie of Team Aqua did the same with Kyogre :x. J was also awesome, trying to kill Ash instead of just getting him out of the way or in a cage, and she always escaped. Plus, every member of the Sinnoh Elite Four appeared, teaching Ash and Dawn to become a bit better at battling(observation from Bertha, etc.) let's not forget the Sinnoh League/Lily of the Valley Conference, where Ash did his best, but thanks to Trollbias, it was just...why?qq they should have made the Trollbias vs Ash battle like Tyson vs Ash in Hoenn, but I guess they had to rush things for BW :/

Wow..that was more of a 'review'(or whatever you want to call it) than a "this is my favorite saga" reply.
I was born into Gen 1, but I just loved Gen 4 :p
 
For me, it has to be the Diamond and Pearl anime. It was basically the part of the Pokemon anime that shows it an do more than just advertise the games, but tell a story, and it told a good one. Ash grew a lot from Hoenn, and in his return to Kanto. However, it reaches basically ia mass improvement as Ash matures as a trainer in his Sinnoh adventure. His crew is awesome as well, featuring Brock and Dawn. Brock, our lovable ladies man, grows as well evolving with his love for Pokemon, which eventually making his seek to become a Doctor (Or maybe he just decided he prefers Nurse Joy over Officer Jenny Badum tsss). We also have Dawn, who grows as a trainer as well, becoming a pretty good trainer and coordinator with some of the experience in her journey with Ash. Of course, an amount of that is indeed from the fact we meet the Elite Four who gives some guidance.
Oh, and the villains, Hunter J and Team Galactic. J was awesome. Hunter J was interesting, being very brutal in her way of crime. Team Galactic was great as well, actually posing as a threat even when our heroes get in on the action. We see them make their moves, and it is interesting to see it actually happen from their own work, like the capturing of the 3 Lake Guardians.
Shall I also talk about the inclusion of Cynthia? The use of her in the series was fantastic, from teaching Paul a lesson and in how she is tied to the plot and the characters. It is both her and the anime and the games that makes her my favorite Champion.
We also have the tale of Chimchar. Abandoned by Paul, picked up by Ash, he grows and overcomes obstacles in his way, masters his own power, and gives us the greatest Pokemon battle, in my opinion, that the anime has given us EVER.
This, of course, factors of how Ash was dealt with by, again, facing a character which is his total opposite. Ash loses constantly to him, we see him take on tough opponents, but Paul over shadows all of them with his backstory and quest for strength. This rivalry grows and grows, meeting a point at a battle by one of the lakes. Ash is basically obliterated. However, he rises up and trains harder with his crew. In which we get an amazing battle. The music was awesome as always, and the all the Theme songs, except for the first one, was excellent, they are very good. I especially love the "Stand Strong" one.
However, we then HAD to meet Tobias. And then we HAD to face B/W which did probably the worst things to Pokemon. -_-

So, that is my post on my favorite Season. It's a little long, but it tells everything that I loved about that season.
 
I have to go with OS hands down, encompassing seasons 1-5. Between the art style, screenplay, and overall tone this was what made Pokemon anime really feel like, well an anime and not something that relies on its notoriety or other elements of the franchise to exist. I mean I can just pretend that everything Pokemon doesn't exist except anime and feel that the adventure was grander, the relationships more meaningful, and be more connected to the characters. To me, all of these things seem downplayed in one way or another these days including production and script/acting and it hurts. You can wow me with the visuals and point out epic battles and silly gags but in the end its missing something genuine and special, that spark that really makes me care about Ash, his Pokemon, his friends, their adventures. I'll never stop watching, never want Ash to be gone, and by the way I grew up watching in English and will continue with it. But I long deeply for the day when they realize they are taking this show for granted and they need to look again at what Pokemon is, was, and what it could become.
 
My favorite Generation for the anime was Generation III (AG), as it was also my first series for this franchise.
Looking back at Generation I-II's, they were great, but I think Generation III's anime improved a lot of things
and changed things up a bit with May's introduction to the anime bring contests into the series for the first time.
May also had a nice set of rivals, IMO and even though I'm not too fond of him, her rivalry with Drew was pretty good,
as he, along with her other friends were able to push her skills to the point where she actually made it into the Top 4.
I also think May, Max, Brock and Ash were still relatable as characters one could/can identify themselves with, with Ash learning not to get too cocky like he did from time to time, May warming up to Pokémon as time went on, despite not liking them at all when she first started her journey.

And IMO, all of Generation III's films were good IMO, but that's just me.
 
Last edited:
OS (Gen I-II)and AG (Gen III) for me. OS had a lot of funny things for it, great cast, and everyone was at their best here. I can't say much on it because most of it has been repeated to death. AG improved on the more action side of things, and man did they do good. May's introduction was great despite what some say, contests was a cool idea so the female of the group would do more than nag at Ash (nothing wrong with that though XD), and as much as I hate Drew, he was a good rival for May's growth as a trainer and character, etc. Sorry if this was too short.

So OS and AG are both my favorites. But even so, I feel that every series has their ups and downs.
 
Last edited:
I can't really answer that one - I loved OS growing up until midway through the Johto run, then I stopped. I also owe BW for getting me back into the anime. But since I've not seen any generation to an excessive amount aside from OS (and looking back, the early episodes are really hard to watch now), it wouldn't be right for me to say anything.
 
Johto, and here's why:

- The characters are likable and dynamic.
- The plots are actually varied aside from certain filler episodes and aren't complete rehashes of others, and have better characters too.
- The morals that are missing now. Some of the modern episodes have morals here and there, but they mainly relate to losing battles (for example, Johto had morals like "Pride goes before the fall" while XY's morals tend to be limited to "Don't give up until the very end". The old series had that as a theme, too, but it wasn't the only one.
- The humor was much better because they didn't rely on cheap gags all of the time.
- The connections to Kanto allowed for stronger continuity, even though the Kanto Pokemon may have overshadowed the Johto ones in their own home region, at least they got a decent showing. Also, there were no new regular characters, which meant they had to make use of the ones they did have, and it really showed.
- The battles may not be as *epic* as most of DP's, but they're still enjoyable. Ash's Johto team is also my favorite in the series.
- The emotion was much more genuine and not forced (one only needs to watch Charizard's Burning Ambitions).
- The Johto League at its worst is the best league so far, probably ever.
- The openings (both sub and dub, but especially OP3), endings (sub only), episode titles (Fossil Fools for one), dialogue, voices, music, etc. are in their prime.
- Its movies (especially Spell of the Unown) are the best in the series.
- Nothing to do with the show itself, but: Kids WB had the best promos for this series, like these ones for example: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZErJyif_bs , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuPSpX4YlVE (not Pokemon only, but I counted it anyway), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSJPQTly3V8 , and many more I can't find anymore.
 
Last edited:
On balance, Advanced Generation was my favourite. Pokémon Contests gave it the kind of variety previous sagas didn't have, Ash hadn't completely started from scratch in terms of his own abilities without being a smug twerp about it (Something that's beginning to become apparent in Kalos), and it didn't have that overexcited, desperately trying to be EPIC thing that got on my nerves with Diamond and Pearl.
 
Generation IV's series without a doubt. Ash actually had a half decent team by the end of it, the characters were bubbly, the characters' Pokemon were bubbly and well developed, the evil team had a big role, excellent rival who didn't suck, the Gym Battles were good, the animation was great, Ash seemed a lot more mature than before, Brock was still there... man, the list goes on.
 
I'm more like the DP series. The rivals especially Paul is the best one that Ash ever encountered. The running gags are also more funnier than AG and this where the more people watched this series. I mean, come on this is the golden age of the anime for me IMO
 
From best to worst:
* Advanced Generation series/Diamond and Pearl series (I can't decide, they are equal, nuff said)
* Original Series
* Best Wishes series, what a failure, great games generation, horrible anime adaptation of it
Once XY is done, it will (I can already tell at this point) certainly take place above Best Wishes, like definitely. That one was atrocious. So yeah:

* AG/DP
* OG
* XY
* BW

But still not sure, because I really don't remember everything from the original, perhaps it was better/worse than I recall. So maybe XY is actually better than the original, shrugs.
 
To me pokemon series were at their very best, at their peak during era Original Series aired. Basically first and second generation liking how much emotion, personality, creativity and substance was implemented in Kanto, Orange Islands and Johto sagas feeling more like actual anime filled with strong continuity, powerful relationship between characters and story which went somewhere not resetting. Set in its own continuity, timeline and rules it followed.

Sure pokemon was always primarily there for promotion of new pokemon games, but back than i got impression how creators wanted to treat it as something more than just marketing tool. Especially under batton of Takeshi Shudo who wad head writer at that time(God bless his soul). He had vision of making series written for all type of pepple. Small kids, teenagers, adults, even elders. No matter what age range were talking about he had idea of writing pokemon as family oriented show, which had elements of comedy, action, drama and adventure sprinkled with abit of romance on top in which all age groups could enjoy.

What i enjoyed and appreciated as long time pokemon anime fan during Original series was amount of emphasis on human personalities, build of their relationships and overcoming personal problems. Whole message was centered around journey, exploration of world with Ash and his companions(Misty and Brock) having fun in discovering new places, pokemon, items pursuing their own dreams in company.

Not to mention i thought interactions between original trio were golden full of enthusiasm, zest, humor and emotion. Delivering organic, full of flaws and realism characterization capturing essence of what pokemon was truly about. With amount of attachment and growth in friendship between them which made all three Ash, Misty, Brock develop as persons being fully emphasized at end of Johto.
There existed healthy balance between promotion of game products and incentive in telling story from creative angle making it filled with continuity, consistent folowing and originality developing over long poeriod of time with no resets and rehashes being made.

Another reason behind my preference toward OS comes from amount of imagination and thought writers put in creating most episodes memorable, original and completely different from what we may have seen in past. Adding on world building and in increasing suspense among viewer of never knowing what they might throw at you.
Making several arcs, even whole storylines which came out of their own workshop. Such as Orange Islands which felt like pirate adventure dealing with spooky ships, various bandits and tropical hidden bays introducing unique setting and concept of pokemon league.

Mini storylines which build on themselves like St. Anne, island of giant pokemon in ownership of Giovanni, quite tragic and dark backstory concerning Mewtwo, invoke of mega big pokemon like Alakazam and Gengar threatening to destroy world in apocalyptic like scenario, even Johto side adventures like Whirl islands and Whirl Cup brimming with mystery and connection to ancient times theme etc which retained portion of wacky, out of place writing Kanto used) etc.

Depicting gym leaders(especially in Kanto, but Orange and to extent in Johto too if Price or Morty were something to go by)in peculiar, unique light and portraying pokemon world as darker, more dangerous place emphasiting on danger through use of real guns. Introduction of corrupted to bone people like Nastina or opportunists like TR elite member Tyson.

Bonus points go for fact how during Kanto and Johto Misty was still part of pokemon anime. Character who in my opinion brought lot of magic and charm to serieswith her spunk, wide palette of emotions and complex, passionate personality making things more lively. In often taking incentive, coming up with creative solutions and
pushing things forward through strong presence.
Being one of most fleshed out characters in personality sense, yet unexplored in many aspects as far as her water master dreams which was unique and could be took in many directions, past and unsolved issues go. Leaving you in desire to get more.

I could go on, but in general for all things mentioned above i liked Original series(first and second generation) the most regardless of poorer animation, less detailed battles and less plot based planning in developing story or characters.
 
Last edited:
Let's say each Pokemon series is unique in its own way. But Original and Advanced Generation still kept the original pokemon anime "spirit" it had. This was lost with Diamond and Pearl, but it still was good in its own right. If I had to compare things, Original Series was something like Part I. of Naruto or Dragon Ball, while Advanced Generation felt like Naruto Part 1.5 and something between Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z.
Diamond and Pearl is Naruto Shippuden and Dragon Ball Z of Pokemon imo, more complex and action packed.

Best Wishes was a failed attempt at a reboot.
XY feels like a better done attempt at a semi-reboot/semi-diamond and pearl sequel
 
I felt the Original series was the golden years of Pokemon. Kanto/Orange Islands/Johto was the time that the show felt more like a real anime, the characters felt more like real people and the show felt more like Pokemon, the battles were realistic and truely epic, the plots were really.

I do felt that the Diamond & Pearl series was a failure, it is one of the worst series to ever be part of the anime, the characters weren't all that interesting are even great, Hunter J wasn't all that great and i do believe some people did gotten a little carry away with J trying to kill Ash crap, the Sinnoh league was ok but it wasn't as good as the Kanto/Johto/Hoenn/Unova Leagues, most of the battles wasn't as epic as they appeard to be, Team Rocket were at their worst in this series and They were not funny at all.

Best Wishes series might not have been perfect but i do felt that the show did gotten back on track here, because the animation improved a whole lot, the battles were more interesting, the characters have more interesting personalities, the Unova League wasn't perfect but it was interesting for the most part.

Here's how i rate each series:
*OS
*AG
*BW
*XY
*DP
 
Last edited:
Diamond and Pearl arc for obvious reasons...Ash being smart for once & the entire Sinnoh League among other reasons.
 
I feel like my favorites would be either AG or DP. I liked AG because it felt really light-hearted, energetic and fun. The battles felt like they were faster-paced and unpredictable then in some of the other series. I also enjoyed the dynamics of the group and how their personalities seemed to complement each other for the most part.

I also enjoyed DP because I think that the writers really put a good effort into the character development of the various characters. Ash seemed a little more mature, Dawn wasn't a bland sidekick, she was her own person with her own goals and developed personality, and I think that Paul was one of the more interesting and effective rivals we've seen on the series.
 
evi said:
I do felt that the Diamond & Pearl series was a failure, it is one of the worst series to ever be part of the anime, the characters weren't all that interesting are even great, Hunter J wasn't all that great and i do believe some people did gotten a little carry away with J trying to kill Ash crap, the Sinnoh league was ok but it wasn't as good as the Kanto/Johto/Hoenn/Unova Leagues, most of the battles wasn't as epic as they appeard to be, Team Rocket were at their worst in this series and They were not funny at all.

Best Wishes series might not have been perfect but i do felt that the show did gotten back on track here, because the animation improved a whole lot, the battles were more interesting, the characters have more interesting personalities, the Unova League wasn't perfect but it was interesting for the most part.

Here's how i rate each series:
*OS
*AG
*BW
*XY
*DP
Click to expand...

Are you serious? How do you rate Sinnoh League lower than Unova League? Unova's was a parody at best and not a good one at that. And yes, I agree, characters had interesting personalities, everyone except Ash and Iris, the two who mattered the most were the worst. Ash was reduced into a rookie trainer with intelligence lower than in the original series. Him acting like an idiot with the guy who owned Lucario didn't help much either.

The majority agrees that Diamond and Pearl was the peak of the anime while Best Wishes marked the decline and was a lame reboot.
 
My favourite was AG, because it was the saga where the writers had started experimenting with a lot of new things in the anime. It really felt like a breath of fresh air and it seemed like the show had gone on a new level with AG. First of all, it had the Contests (which were a different perspective on Pokemon battles compared to the usual Gyms, and yet not overtly girly like in DP).
It had May, a really balanced and well-developed heroine who was easy to relate to. Her rivals, Drew and Harley were quite interesting as well. And even though I was a little mad about Ash not having a rival in this saga, these two almost made up for it, with their rather intense rivalry with May.
Max was another adorable character from this saga. His interactions with May were a real fun to watch. And I liked how he acted as a grown-up and know-it-all most of the time, yet it used to become fairly obvious that he is still a little kid whenever he was scared or something.
Ash's personality in AG was another thing that I had enjoyed a lot. He was mature and responsible, but had still managed to retain a few aspects of his OS personality. Also this was the saga where he was acting like a mentor for the first time, and I found it really interesting. His Hoenn team was also one of my favourites (especially Sceptile and Swellow). And this was the first region where he had an almost fully-evolved team (except Corphish), which is another plus.
Also I think Brock was handled a lot better in this saga, with him getting a few focus-episodes during Battle Frontier.
Another thing was that the specials used to air along with AG, so it gave a feeling that the older characters weren't forgotten. And the show still felt like one tight unit with some continuity.
The writers had tried something new with Team Aqua and Team Magma in this region. And even though it hadn't worked out well, I think it was the experience and the writers learning from their mistakes which they produced in this saga, that led them to make some excellent villains like Hunter J and Team Galactic in the next region.
So overall, I like AG the best because this saga served as a platform for lots of new experiments. It felt like the writers had taken real efforts with this saga, and improvised whatever mistakes they made over here in the next one.

Also, OS is my second favourite because of the nostalgia. Ash's rookie personality (which was a good thing at that time, unlike BW), his original team, Misty, Gary, Brock (Kanto only), and Tracey to some extent too.
And yeah, I am enjoying the current XY saga too. So maybe if they gave some cameos to the older characters, plus some more focus too Serena, this one would become a favourite of mine too.
 
Please note: The thread is from 11 years ago.
Please take the age of this thread into consideration in writing your reply. Depending on what exactly you wanted to say, you may want to consider if it would be better to post a new thread instead.
Back
Top Bottom