How do you feel about Sinnoh so far?

[Linkpre]

As the title says, how do you feel about the Sinnoh seasons of Pokemon right now? I feel that while the show has introduced some great new rivals(Paul/Zoey) and the episodes seem more connected now, things still seem sort of "plain". Then again, I have only seen up to where the English dub is currently, so I don't know if it has gotten better.

My main problems with the show now are Ash Dawn and Brock's relationship/personalities and how battle/contest oriented it has become, which I guess started back in Hoenn.Personally, I always watched the show more for it's comedy aspects than for the battles/contests, so that probably explains my current feelings on the show.

Another thing is how Pokemon USA writes the episode scripts. 4Kids, I believed did a better job at inserting the more 'sarcastic" humor in the show for example in the Pokemon Advanced Challenge episode "A Double Dilemma", a clearly giant crowd of people are running toward the gang and Ash asks "What's that?". Brock then sarcastically tells Ash exactly what it is. I don't believe it's just nostalgia talking either, as I have just recently watched the Hoenn episodes.

Anyways, those are just some of my thoughts, I'd love to hear what some of you guys think.

 

[Cybersai]

Another one of these threads? I think this forum is filled with this stuff as it is.

I think Sinnoh is one of the best structured regions of the series, but that's not to say everything is perfect. Sinnoh still has its fair share of crappy episodes (the cake making Pikachu episode, Chingling filler, Bibarel filler, Leona/Swinub ep, and that terrible Darkrai Vs. Cresselia episode), but most has been good.

There are a few things this region that bother me, but I think they've been brought up in other threads enough times by now.

I kind of wish Ash evolved his Pokemon faster this region too. We're over 100 eps in now and a lot of his Pokemon are still not in their full potential. A lot of people hope his Sinnoh team becomes his best team in the series, but the writers still have ways to go.

 

[Linkpre]

^ Sorry man, I don't really post here much on a count of the episode spoilers so I wouldn't really know if this has been discussed much. I just wanted to make a general review on the Sinnoh seasons so far.

 

[Musashi]

This is the region that got me into the anime, so obviously I like it a lot. I really enjoy battles, so I'm not bothered by the show going in that direction. I like how the show has some continuity now, and that the writers have come up with some very enjoyable arcs. It's also nice that Team Rocket has gotten a decent amount of episodes that really show off how nice they all are at heart. Yeah, there have been some stinkers along the way, but that happens with long running shows. I just hope the writers keep it up the good work they've been doing throughout the rest of the region.

Another thing is how Pokemon USA writes the episode scripts.

I agree with this. I haven't seen too much of the 4Kids dub, but I don't like how PUSA writes Team Rocket. They add in all these lines where they pick on each other that aren't there in the original. Maybe they think bad guys shouldn't be nice, even to their own friends, but I wish they'd knock it off.

I kind of wish Ash evolved his Pokemon faster this region too. We're over 100 eps in now and a lot of his Pokemon are still not in their full potential. A lot of people hope his Sinnoh team becomes his best team in the series, but the writers still have ways to go.

They're evolving at about the same rate (gym wise) as the Houen team. It just seems longer because everything has been stretched out more.

 

[Linkpre]

I agree with this. I haven't seen too much of the 4Kids dub, but I don't like how PUSA writes Team Rocket. They add in all these lines where they pick on each other that aren't there in the original. Maybe they think bad guys shouldn't be nice, even to their own friends, but I wish they'd knock it off.

Team Rocket actually use to be one of my favorite parts of the show, but after the "big" change, I kinda zone out whenever they appear on screen. But that's a whole different topic....

 

[Lil Brother]

Ah, I love Sinnoh. It's my favorite arc so far. At first I was a bit concerned that there wasn't going to be anything to set it apart from the earlier seasons, but it quickly gained its own identity and style. Yeah, the whole anime's pretty much the same all the way through, but it feels like every arc has its own subtle differences that make it stand out. With DP, those differences are the astounding amount of quality and continuity. The storylines are actually engaging, surprises pop up everywhere, and it seems like you can't go a single episode without a previous event being mentioned.

 

[ferrari-kun187]

It's the best so far. But It will get boring due to time. for example, I like the advanced series but not the Jhoto but liked dp but niether advanced or jhoto. So that means Gen V series I will like more than the DP, but DP so far is better than the last three series, plus better graphics including CGI.

 

[Snake Bandage]

Sinnoh made me stop watching Pokemon. I just can't get interested in the characters' quests and Team Rocket hasn't done anything interesting in a while. I also hate half the new rivals (except for Jun, really), which doesn't help.

The good news, however, is that my opinion of Dawn has changed and now I'm very fond of her (to the point where I don't call her 'Hikari' out of spite anymore). The Israeli dub of D&P, which started airing three weeks ago, she really sounds like that cute, cheerful and determined character that the writers intended her to be. She sounds way too forced in Japanese and English, which is why I couldn't get to like her at all. Now I find her adorkable nearly on Kanto!Ash levels.

 

[JB88]

The good news, however, is that my opinion of Dawn has changed and now I'm very fond of her (to the point where I don't call her 'Hikari' out of spite anymore). The Israeli dub of D&P, which started airing three weeks ago, she really sounds like that cute, cheerful and determined character that the writers intended her to be.

Wow, I'm becoming the exact opposite now. I used to like her a lot, but it has diminished greatly.

 

[Aestivate]

Wow, I'm becoming the exact opposite now. I used to like her a lot, but it has diminished greatly.

I agree wholly.
I used to think she was cute and spunky
but now I feel like she's getting way too mary-sue.

Now that Hikari has her confidence back, she's just become a stereotypical anime character: cute, high-pitched voice (LOVE her seiyuu though, FMA throwback), can do everything the boys can and more.
Making her a strong lead has its merits as well as its downfalls. Hikari has become so "equal" to Satoshi which puts the other female leads in a poor light. Kasumi was more of a tagalong character, so I'm comparing Hikari more to Haruka at this point. I feel as if, because Hikari's character is made so grandiose, that there really isn't enough room for her to grow as a trainer and a person anymore. Her rivals are all nice to her save for Musashi; Satoshi and Takeshi baby her; she's following her mother's footsteps, yeah, IT'S BEEN DONE BEFORE.

And having her "equal" to Satoshi leaves a sour taste in my mouth, as an older fan (not in age, but in how long i've stuck with the pokemon seasons) whom has followed Pokemon since I was 5 years old (11 years later, still a fan), it makes me very uncomfortable that the writers are, in my eyes, shafting Satoshi for this girl.
Making her the focus of the eyecatch, for example, although minor, is annoying.

 

[JB88]

but now I feel like she's getting way too mary-sue.

Mm-hmm. You do highlight a lot of points that I was thinking about. Although I don't mind her being an equal.

 

[MistyBrockAsh]

3rd favorite after johto and orenge island but it has potentile to be great

 

[Linkpre]

I'm hoping Dawn gets a Pokemon that disobeys her or something similar to Ash's Charizard. It would show she is still getting starting out on her journey and would give her something to work on.

 

[Mooites]

I feel that while the show has introduced some great new rivals(Paul/Zoey) and the episodes seem more connected now, things still seem sort of "plain".

My main problems with the show now are Ash Dawn and Brock's relationship/personalities and how battle/contest oriented it has become, which I guess started back in Hoenn.Personally, I always watched the show more for it's comedy aspects than for the battles/contests, so that probably explains my current feelings on the show.

Another thing is how Pokemon USA writes the episode scripts. 4Kids, I believed did a better job at inserting the more 'sarcastic" humor in the show

you pretty much hit the nail on the head for me. I liked the shows comic and light-hearted nature too, and that isnt around anymore.

I also like the sarcasm added in Hoenn, but, as you said, the new script doesnt include any.

Yes, Paul and Zoey are good rivals, and I like how they acutally appear with regularity. I dont really find the show interesting anymore, I just think its fun to lurk around the forums and find out what the writers will think of next

I'm hoping Dawn gets a Pokemon that disobeys her or something similar to Ash's Charizard. It would show she is still getting starting out on her journey and would give her something to work on.

Piloswine. Its new, but its also the new Charizard.

Thats another thing, since there are so many episodes, old plots are being reused. I understand, its new to the kids, but it is a bit annoying for people who have seen the whole seires.

 

[Aestivate]

One thing about Sinnoh I think is that there's a double edged sword to how the rivals are being handled. I think some people will agree with me when I say that I LOVE Satoshi's rivals. Like lovelovelovelove them and their dynamics, and that I HATE Hikari's so called "rivals."
I absolutely adore Jun, and while I despise Shinji he's an interesting character and definitely very rival-y. These two are characters that have personalities completely out of the norm from what we've ever seen before.
Jun is presented as an arrogant, confidant kid that has this "swagger" that makes him really human compared to the kiddy-comfy characters that have been the show's norm throughout the last decade or so.
Shinji is the completely opposite of Satoshi in terms of personality but is the same in terms of ethic. Shinji and Satoshi are both incredibly hard workers. Shinji's appeal is this 'opposite' dynamic.
Two decidedly NOT-dull rivals with fresh personalities and fabulous character interactions. Although we haven't seen much of Jun (understandably so, how many episodes ago did he appear), he and Shinji and even Shigeru serve as GREAT motivators for Satoshi to do better. Sure, Satoshi has his dream, POKEMON MASUTAA MEZASE, but what really makes him successful as a trainer is his spirit and knack for battle.

But decidedly DULL rivals are the ones belonging to Hikari.
I think Nozomi is fun and Kengo adorably awkward. I won't lie that they are given some sort of personality, but the type of personality leads to extremely boring and tired character relationships.
Nozomi appears almost everywhere while Kengo has appeared in 4 episodes. They are both treated as the 'main' rivals but the unfairness of it all is pretty staggering.
Nozomi, despite all of her appearances, has very very very little room to develop as a character. She's presented as a tough, tomboyish, extremely skilled coordinator. I get that. But there's nothing about this tough and tomboyish exterior that makes her particularly rivalish to Hikari.
Kengo is a childhood friend and seems to have a crush on her. IT'S BEEN DONE, but better in the face of Shigeru/Satoshi. There are things that can be done with that to make it more interesting, but since Kengo seems to be shafted these opportunities for delving are missed.
Rivals usually aren't friends. They can be, but rivalry, unless it's resolved, always comes first. That became present in the case of Shuu/Haruka. "Haruka tai Shuu! RAIVARU wo eien ni!" was even an episode title.
With these amicable and perfectly amiable relationships with her rivals, Hikari has no drive. Where's the COMPASSION? Where's the FIERCE competitive spirit? The reason why a showdown between Hikari and Haruka was so successful is because Haruka LIVES off that spirit and compassion. She embodies it, the way Hikari is sheltered from it. Being sheltered from this spirit really isn't productive for Hikari at all. She needs a fire lit underneath her, like now. Pursuing her passions will only take her so far.

 

[Musashi]

Well said. Maybe this is why Musashi got her second ribbon. She seems to be Hikari's only chance at getting a fiercely competitive rival. The writers could have those two really go at it the next contest and build up to a great Grand Festival face-off.

 

[Luxio2k8]

The Sinnoh Saga has been a good saga overall. I like the stronger continuity in this saga and the quality of episodes stories have been great. There have still been a few bad episodes, but not as many as in past sagas. I like that Ash has a real rival and you know he exist by showing up a lot (unlike Gary where you wonder if he was even around half the time) and I love Brock's Croagunk.

However, the saga does have it's problems. I don't care for Dawn's rivals, especially Zoey, I find her annoying and comes across as more an overconfident coordinator, than she may realize. I would have liked to see some of Ash's Pokémon evolve by now like, Monferno and Staraptor.

It would also be nice if Dawn and Brock actual act like friends, rather than be distant to each other like they are now.

I rather just continue watching and enjoying the current saga before passing any final judgments, but Sinnoh has been fun so far.

 

[Brago]

The Sinnoh Saga has been a good saga overall. I like the stronger continuity in this saga and the quality of episodes stories have been great. There have still been a few bad episodes, but not as many as in past sagas. I like that Ash has a real rival and you know he exist by showing up a lot (unlike Gary where you wonder if he was even around half the time) and I love Brock's Croagunk.

However, the saga does have it's problems. I don't care for Dawn's rivals, especially Zoey, I find her annoying and comes across as more an overconfident coordinator, than she may realize. I would have liked to see some of Ash's Pokémon evolve by now like, Monferno and Staraptor.

It would also be nice if Dawn and Brock actual act like friends, rather than be distant to each other like they are now.

I rather just continue watching and enjoying the current saga before passing any final judgments, but Sinnoh has been fun so far.

wow, you're reading my thoughts!
Actually, the first thing i thought when i saw zoey was : "she looks like a "girl who loves girls" (so i won't frighten kids on the forum)