Interested in watching the anime series. I have a few questions?

[escargon]

I wanted to watch the Pokemon series and all that is available to me (of course) is the English version.

How different is the English one compared to the original Japanese version? Are the edits (both in dialogue and visual wise) really that bad? Is it still enjoyable to watch? Voices tolerable? I guess that might depend from person to person, but I just kinda want an opinion?

Does it get redundant to watch after a while? Reason I ask is because its like over 500 eps. so far? Does it ever seem like they run out if ideas?

I only ever played the games, so I was wondering how the animated series turned out to be. Thanks!

 

[Blondie]

I only watch the dub and I still enjoy it. I dont care what anyone says.

The ideas stay relatively fresh, surprisingly. I think by giving Ash new Pokemon and new traveling partners, theres enough new stuff goin on to keep things fresh.

I don't really see the point of asking, becuase YES of course you should start watching the anime! Everyone here will tell you that, since its the anime forum!

 

[Musashi]

http://dogasu.bulbagarden.net

That site will show you the differences. There really isn't much different with the exception of Team Rocket, and even then unless your an obsessive fan like me it shouldn't bother you. But I wouldn't wake up early to watch it every week if I didn't still find it enjoyable. We're not allowed to talk about voices so it's best for you to just watch and form your own opinions.

I pretty much agree with what Blondie said. Things naturally get a bit repetitive, but Diamond and Pearl has done a pretty good job of keeping things fresh, and I'd say most people here consider it their favorite season yet. You should definitely start watching.

 

[escargon]

Oh, I only asked because I heard it was "dumbed down" to the point only a 4 yr. old would find it enjoyable. >_> I don't mind watching edited stuff, as long as it is not tooo far away from the original and still enjoyable for anyone.

And, sorry. I wasn't trying to start any debates about voices or anything.

Thanks for the incites, so far!

Another question, is it ok to start with a season without seeing the stuff before it (like if I started watching the D/P eps)? Or would I get lost?
Is it best to just watch from the beginning (I would prefer to do this anyway, but was just asking!)

Thanks again!

 

[Legacy]

Oh, I only asked because I heard it was "dumbed down" to the point only a 4 yr. old would find it enjoyable. >_> I don't mind watching edited stuff, as long as it is not tooo far away from the original and still enjoyable for anyone.

And, sorry. I wasn't trying to start any debates about voices or anything.

Thanks for the incites, so far!

Another question, is it ok to start with a season without seeing the stuff before it (like if I started watching the D/P eps)? Or would I get lost?
Is it best to just watch from the beginning (I would prefer to do this anyway, but was just asking!)

Thanks again!

Well it IS a kid's show, but I don't think the dub is all that bad compared to the original. And of course it's better to watch it from the beginning, but I suppose you could start from anywhere as the plot pretty much recycles itself from season to season besides some minor stuff.

But I do recommend starting with Episode 1 if possible.

 

[Adamant]

Another question, is it ok to start with a season without seeing the stuff before it (like if I started watching the D/P eps)? Or would I get lost?
Is it best to just watch from the beginning (I would prefer to do this anyway, but was just asking!)

Thanks again!

You'll be able to follow the series, but it never pretends the stuff from eariler regions never hapens, references it every now and then, and occationally brings back old characters. If you want to follow the series completely, start at the beginning, but both the beginning of Advanced and DP are good jump-on points.

 

[Musashi]

I can vouch for DP being a good jump-on point as that's what I did. I was a little confused at first, but it didn't take me long to figure things out.

I'd recommend doing what I've been doing. Watching DP, but also starting from the first episode and working your way up. It'll take a long time (I've only just started AG, and if you check my join date you'll know just how long I've been at it) but it's fun to see just how show has changed in 12 years while you also watch the current stuff.

 

[Dogasu]

Starting at the beginning of DP is good if you're interested in catching up to where the show is currently at. While there are a few things in DP that are lame or just out-right stupid, overall, I'd say the writing in the current saga is stronger than any other saga.

As far as getting redundant...yeah, there's quite a bit of that at times. For example, a few of the DP episodes are treated as remakes of older episodes by some fans because the overall plotlines of the two episodes are very, very close. And sometimes, the whole "stop everything to help the character-of-the-day with his or her problem" stuff does wear thin. But I think that as long as you space out your viewings (I wouldn't recommend marathoning this show or anything) the redundancy doesn't seem so bad.

Also, for future reference, discussion of any of the VAs on these forums is banned. It's a long story.

 

[Yamato-san]

But I think that as long as you space out your viewings (I wouldn't recommend marathoning this show or anything) the redundancy doesn't seem so bad.

but by marathoning, wouldn't you be getting past all the crap that much faster (assuming you're the type of viewer who wants to see EVERYTHING)? I mean, Jouto was horrible, plain and simple, and I doubt having it once a week for the duration of three years made it any better.

 

[Dogasu]

But I think that by watching a bunch of crap episodes in a row, the repetitiveness of each episode's plots will become much more apparent than it would if you gave yourself some breathing room in between sessions.

 

[Geodude]

It all depends on what you expect to get out of it. For a first time viewer, you have to keep in mind that certain practical things in the anime (battling especially) do not work the same way as in the games. The games are boolean (true or false only) and mathematical, whereas in the anime the characters are dealing with living, breathing creatures instead of bytes of data. As long as you can accept that, you should at least be able to tolerate the show.

 

[anonymous920314]

While the show has changed dramatically over time, it has always kept the same basic formula. It's not a difficult show to jump into, but as others have been saying before, you'd get the most out of it by starting at the beginning of a series, be it Kanto, AG or DP.

Kanto's episodes are more... I want to say raunchy in their delivery of things. The episodes were comedic and featured things that were banned from the dub because they were considered too mature for the overseas audience. I watch both the dub as well as the original, but I only watch the dub for sake of tradition. I would go with watching the original, if you can understand it.

Kanto is really great fun, and DP has a more concrete plot foundation that the writers have been able to sustain throughout the series. AG introduced a lot of different things from the original series, but to fully get that feeling I think you would have to watch Kanto and Johto.

 

[QuietDragon]

Totally agreed with pianoplaynfool. Watching from Kanto first, or, if you really want to just jump into DP, watch the the recap special things. I know one of those things was subbed by #PM and they go over all of the important stuff needed to enjoy DP, but I'd watch Kanto first, then take Jouto onwards in stride, as Kanto's all you REALLY need to get DP. ^^

And while the dub is... pretty bad in terms of faithfulness when it comes to Kanto, trust me on this, DP has a pretty awesome dub in terms of translation (adaption, on the other hand, varies, with some odd delivery by the voice actors and silly phrasing), so you'll mostly just need to read Dogasu's comparisions, especially for Kanto, to get most information or jokes you may have missed out on.

 

[Zephy]

The dub is fine. There's not a lot of big problems. It's more of a kids show though so don't expect anything too heavy.

 

[ii kanji]

It's an enjoyable show, but don't expect too much more. In terms of good fun and some actual good plot, DP is your friend. If you're already familiar with the franchise, the mechanics won't be too hard to grasp, and if you start at the beginning of DP, neither will the characters be. Kanto (and the Orange Archipelago) are great fun, but I'd skip all but the Jouto league, though AG's very good and different from all before it. But if you can't be bothered, there's nothing wrong with just doing DP.

And until and unless you expose yourself to the raw, you're unlikely to be bothered by the dub. It's not great, but it's not so bad as some people make out (unless you're a TR fan ;-))

 

[Cybersai]

I'd recommend starting at Kanto, honestly. I think everyone should see how the show started.

We meet Ash, Misty, Brock and Team Rocket for the first time. See Ash's original Pokemon team, the original league, and the intro to Giovanni and Gary.

After that continue to the Orange Islands, its fairly short and Ash still has his Kanto Pokemon with him. Orange was also nice closure to the "first gen" as a whole.

Once you get into Johto things get really redundant, the fillers start coming in full-force, and a lot of the main characters become rather static, but it does pick up toward the end of Johto.

 

[J J M]

It doesn't matter which season you start from as each season kinda jump-starts at the beginning of every region. But if you really want to see some of the older episodes, it's best to pick out some good/important ones from the huge pile.

 

[Blob]

Does it get redundant to watch after a while? Reason I ask is because its like over 500 eps. so far?

There are almost 600 episodes of the main series, so it wouldn't hurt to skip some filler episodes.

I'm not sure about you, but I like to watch all of the episodes in order, including Movies and Specials.

 

[Amazed4587]

Another question, is it ok to start with a season without seeing the stuff before it (like if I started watching the D/P eps)? Or would I get lost?
Is it best to just watch from the beginning (I would prefer to do this anyway, but was just asking!)

Does it get redundant to watch after a while? Reason I ask is because its like over 500 eps. so far? Does it ever seem like they run out if ideas?

In my experience, it is okay to start watching the current saga if you haven't caught up with Kanto, Jotho, and AG series. The story is very easy to follow. On here if you read the posts,there are people who would complain at some the points that is redundant and debate forever. Yes, its been over 500 episodes, and some the plots are reused from other seasons, but sake of it, mainly to keep fans up to speed of what is going on, and don't need to go back finding the wild goose chase hunt.

But if your one of those people who sit back don't mind the obvious antics between a children's show, don't take everything seriously, you would find it enjoyable. You will laugh at some the comical stuff that goes on, sometimes be on your toes of what is happening through the drama. A lot could happen in this show.

And if you wonder about the older seasons, about what happen to a certain character or the story, you could go back and watch it all to experience. I been on and off through the show, so I missed several seasons, but its not hard to keep up. And I enjoying currently DP saga. But you could choose DP, or not, going to the beginning or middle is not bad at all.