Introducing a friend to Pokemon...

[LightningTopaz]

A friend of mine has become interested in anime, and I figured showing her an episode of Pokemon would be a good place to start. The problem is, I'm not sure which episode to show.

I do have a short list of episodes:

--The Problem with Paras (one of the first episodes I watched)
--The Battling Eevee Bros. (my first episode)
--Attack of the Prehistoric Pokemon (one of the memorable Kanto episodes)
--Dig those Diglett (another classic episode)
--Good Quil Hunting (since it features Cyndaquil, who I am going to start with on HG/SS)
--The Totodile Duel (another favorite episode of mine)

Should I pick one of those, or another episode not on my list?

 

[Piplup]

Did she ever watch Pokémon before? If not, maybe you should let her watch the first few eps before anything else... or at least the first episodes of AG and DP since they're the two "fresh start" of the show where it's easier to begin from without watching previous eps...

 

[Cybersai]

Start at the first episode of Kanto. Its best to start at the beginning and work your way up from there.

 

[Paperhorse]

I agree with Scott I think you should start her off watching the first few episodes of Kanto, therefore she understands what pokemon is about (it depends on how unfamiliar she is with it) If she likes it and wants to watch more, I'd say pick out your favorite episodes from Kanto and work from there!

 

[Trainer Yusuf]

I say first episode of Kanto, AG or D/P, though my vote goes for Kanto one, as it has GARY MOTHERF***ING OAK in it.

 

[Iteru]

I would ask them if they would want to watch from the beginning or more recent episodes.

Then it will be easier to make a decision.

 

[Cybersai]

I would ask them if they would want to watch from the beginning or more recent episodes.

A person unfamiliar with Pokemon wouldn't know the difference.

Its best to start at Kanto, since not only does it introduce most of the major characters and the concept of Pokemon itself, its also the easiest saga to get into because Ash himself is a beginning trainer.

Also Kanto only being 82 episodes long means you can watch through it quickly, the later arcs go on for 150-200 episodes each so it would be overwhelming to a new viewer.

 

[Lugnut]

I'm going to go with the crowd and say that you should start from the beginning of a series and work out from there. That way your friend can get a feel for what Pokemon is all about.

It would be good to start with the Kanto series, as CartoonNetwork.com and Pokemon.com both have many of the origional episodes posted for free viewing. This way you don't have to buy the DVD's if you don't already have them (althogh nothing beats Pokemon on a nice big TV).

 

[LightningTopaz]

I'm planning to explain who the main characters are before we watch the episode, so I just need to pick the episode.

 

[Cybersai]

Watching eps in chronological order would get someone into the show more than watching random eps.

 

[Iteru]

I'm planning to explain who the main characters are before we watch the episode, so I just need to pick the episode.

On that note then I would recommend that you start them off with the either the start of Kanto, Hoenn or Sinnoh.
Though there are more things to consider that the others on here have pointed out.

Do they know the general gist of pokemon? If not, go for Kanto.

Do they want to watch dated episodes? If not, Hoenn or Sinnoh is probably the way to go.

 

[Piplup]

I think you still didn't answer - did she ever watch Pokémon before? If not, she should try from the very first ep and continue to watch all eps in order if she likes it
If it's too much for her, she can try to start with the first ep of DP to get into to latest series and when she eventually catch up, watch the new ep every week...
Also, do you think that if you explain to her about the characters and story you can just skip eps and watch random ones?... I don't think that's a good idea - even if you explain everything to her, it's not the same as actually watching it

 

[Adamant]

If they aren't familiar with Pokemon, there's nothing "dated" about the early episodes.

 

[Rex Kamex]

How much of Pokemon does she want to watch? 'Cause I assume that it's not best to suspect she has the time and willpower to watch every (unbanned) episode...

Watching eps in chronological order would get someone into the show more than watching random eps.

Not necessarily, IMO. (Why do I keep disagreeing with nearly everything you say?)

For me, personally, I'm fine with watching an episode from the middle, as long as it isn't that hard for people to pick up on. An episode that isn't in the beginning doesn't really spend time explaining the basics of the show.

(Not that I think there's anything wrong with an episode in the beginning of Pokemon. If that's what was being seen, watch that.)

LightningTopaz, I think any episode you find funny would be good. And preferably not an episode where you'd have to explain that much.

But still, how much of Pokemon does she wanna watch? (Especially since it's endless...)

 

[Iteru]

If they aren't familiar with Pokemon, there's nothing "dated" about the early episodes.

To be fair the early DP episodes would suffice in such a case, though overall I do agree that the Kanto episodes would be better to start off with.

 

[Garren]

--The Problem with Paras (one of the first episodes I watched)

I thought you wanted her to become a fan?

Start her off with the Giant Claydol episode dude.

 

[LightningTopaz]

Good idea....

 

[Lil Brother]

Just to list off some of my favorite episodes off the top of my head:

-The Ghost of Maiden's Peak
-Pikachu Re-Volts
-Charizard's Burning Ambitions (although it might not be as effective without having watching Charizard's storyline unfold...)
-Air Time
-Claydol, Big and Tall
-Do I Hear a Ralts?
-Where No Togepi Has Gone Before

 

[Hellion]

-The Ghost of Maiden's Peak

-Where No Togepi Has Gone Before

Those 2 and the first Gible episode, if your friend is into comedy are perhaps the best. If it's more action and battles, I suggest skipping the Kanto gyms and start with perhaps either the Johto League or the beginning of Sinnoh for the gym and contest battles.

If your friend really wants to watch this a lot... start from the very beginning or from the either the beginning of Hoenn or Sinnoh.

 

[Cybersai]

I still say any new fan would understand more if they simply started at Kanto and watched through it in order. Kanto got most of us into the anime after all, its the perfect saga to start with.