People get waay too excited for old things

[Master Cyrus]

It started with I think Dawn returning for BW2 or maybe even BW2 itself with rampant OMG MISTY AND BROCK HAS TO COME BACK PWT!!, then we got the Charizard poster and I'll admit I was looking forward too because Ash's unova team was so full of fail. But when Misty's VA was announced all that mattered was what would she be doing and what her lines was. Now with Dekoroa the speculation flooodgates has been thrown wide open with everything from a Kanto arc (3 guesses as to who absolutely needs to show up_) to having Ash go into full flashback mode to Jirachi. Is what we have now so bad people need to scour everything just for the faintest trace of oldness to satisfy their childhood memories? Besides there really is no need for them. They had their time, I think iris and cilan should be allowed to be themselves without constantly being overshadowed by the past.

 

[Iteru]

Let's just put it this way: the fandom is silly. On the one hand we have people who cannot come to terms with bits of particular ink no longer being animated or a certain pitch not being spoken, and then we have those who are legitimately threatened that it could occur.

It would be nice if the fandom just accepted what happens or waited for the next saga if they don't like the current one but that would be too mature given the target audience is kids. Stating your opinion here and there is fine but too many times is just... urgh.

 

[Misty Calls Masquerain]

May I ask: Why not get excited for old things?

 

[Iteru]

May I ask: Why not get excited for old things?

That's not really what he's protesting about.

Is what we have now so bad people need to scour everything just for the faintest trace of oldness to satisfy their childhood memories? Besides there really is no need for them

Take the new saga annoucned (Decolara or something). It mentions Kanto. Guess what people instantly jump to, Brock and Misty. Like, if they're confirmed to appear get excited by all means. If we have no confirmation than let's just say what we hope happens and get back to speculating everything else that is confirmed. Old things don't need to be the only speculation (or de-speculation as the case may very well be).

 

[Red]

I am nostalgic. Quite simply because I grew up during the original series, and now I watch the new series with my daughter, so knowing something from my childhood fandom is coming back, well, that's just the bee's knees. I am ecstatic about Charizard's Return, he was my favorite growing up, loved fire and dragons, so come on. Plus he had a flaming tail and I just thought that was so cool.

Brock and Misty and the whole original crew, those are who I followed eagerly as a child, and now my daughter eagerly follows Cilan, Iris, and the whole new crew. But knowing that they can bridge those two, well, distinct, fan groups, that's a joy. And it is distinct in my opinion, because those who watched originally were kids, then grew up, had kids of their own, and so it's two very distinct groups, because the new kids, through most likely their parents, can claim a generation or series as their own, and I think that's so incredible.

Do I prefer the original series? Yeah, just like I preferred the original actors, it's what I grew up with. I'm no fool, I know fandom and favoritism can be blinding. But I've also grown up, and while the new shows aren't necessarily to my liking for various reasons; missing Pokemon, missing cast, missing actors, in some, most, cases the show is overall better. The animation is far cleaner, some of the stories have been epic. But my show happened a long time ago. And, well, favoritism.

I say bravo to bridging the generations.

 

[DracoMan]

We need these old things. It seems like the past is continuously being forgotten, and the best way to counter it is to reestablish continuity.

 

[Jukain]

I do not need old things to return to remember them. As for continuity, that got flushed down the toilet the instant this saga began. Even if everything that happened before this saga still applies, it means nothing because it no longer makes sense. Even before all this happened, the return of old characters was simply for it's own sake. It didn't make things better or change the quality of show. It was just there. That's exactly what happened this time, only Dawn's arc was plagued by idiocy.

I'll tell the people who think that old characters returning means anything of the past gets restored the same thing I told another part of the fandom: the past is not what you remember it to be. Or at least I hope it isn't. It is altered by the fact you were a kid at the time, and thus, your view was different. If your view is honestly the same as it was then, then I don't understand why it would be. This is how I see it at least. I will not argue the show changed, because it did. Some of us came to care about stuff other than random happy nothing plots and silliness. For me, I see it as a function of getting older. In that regard, the show didn't change, I did. My standards are different than they were then, and this is why I no longer look on the earlier saga in such high esteem. To me, it's like being a room full of little kids who know very little. If this is not the case, then I apologize, but I just don't understand people enjoying this randomness. Regardless, just because the old characters come back, doesn't mean everything from your childhood will come with it. I don't even understand why people even care about their childhood that much. I left all of that behind a long time ago, and I do not regret it.

 

[Sweet Veil]

True, true.

References to past things we like are nice once in a while but I don't expect to or get heavily excited about it all the time. I mean, for example, how pointless was that flashback to Caterpie in the Aaron episode? I guess continuity is nice but in the grand scheme of things it didn't matter. Eh, to be honest the possibility of seeing Brock and Misty again doesn't really matter a great deal, it's not even confirmed or foreshadowed. I'm not expecting, or wanting, either to return to the main cast list. One of the things I really like about Pokemon is the character replacing, Pokemon isn't a deep show at all and it thrives on advertising alongside new places, new faces, and quick spunky plots. Misty or Brock has zero reason to ever be main characters in this show again from a marketing standpoint. At the end of the day I'm here to see Iris and Ash get into a spat or Oshawott get some form of development, not Misty returning to somehow fix Oshawott's scalchop or something.

We need these old things. It seems like the past is continuously being forgotten, and the best way to counter it is to reestablish continuity.

We got those early on though. Many times, it wasn't as heavy as in DP but it was there.

 

[Cybersai]

What I don't understand is why people overreact over minor stuff like flashbacks or references. The amount of people overblowing this on twitter and tumblr was absolutely ridiculous.

But I guess when people get a 30 second glimpse of a character who was written off the series 10 years ago and hasn't had an episode cameo in 7 years, people overblow the smallest and most minor of details.

 

[Pokémon Master Ash]

I am nostalgic. Quite simply because I grew up during the original series, and now I watch the new series with my daughter, so knowing something from my childhood fandom is coming back, well, that's just the bee's knees. I am ecstatic about Charizard's Return, he was my favorite growing up, loved fire and dragons, so come on. Plus he had a flaming tail and I just thought that was so cool.

Brock and Misty and the whole original crew, those are who I followed eagerly as a child, and now my daughter eagerly follows Cilan, Iris, and the whole new crew. But knowing that they can bridge those two, well, distinct, fan groups, that's a joy. And it is distinct in my opinion, because those who watched originally were kids, then grew up, had kids of their own, and so it's two very distinct groups, because the new kids, through most likely their parents, can claim a generation or series as their own, and I think that's so incredible.

Do I prefer the original series? Yeah, just like I preferred the original actors, it's what I grew up with. I'm no fool, I know fandom and favoritism can be blinding. But I've also grown up, and while the new shows aren't necessarily to my liking for various reasons; missing Pokemon, missing cast, missing actors, in some, most, cases the show is overall better. The animation is far cleaner, some of the stories have been epic. But my show happened a long time ago. And, well, favoritism.

I say bravo to bridging the generations.

Yeah, I have to say, I pretty much agree with everything you said. Except that the show is overall better, because that's also a matter of opinion solely up to the viewer to decide. :sweatlol:

I wasn't actually excited about the BW116 flashbacks, but I really liked them and I did enjoy seeing them as a whole. I tend to join the bandwagon about BW at times, but then I realize I do like BW and it's been a breath of fresh air for me. I didn't like DP myself, but most people love it. So, in the end, it's all a matter of opinion. I myself am really excited because it's what I grew up with. I love the fact that the newer generation of children will get a glimpse of we watched. It's just a nice feeling.

 

[pokemon fan 132]

If people grew attached to characters liking them, its only natural to see them excited and pleased when their favorite returns. The longest someone is absent this only adds more fuel on fire making even non fans interested in character in question again due to not being seen for long time to witnessed how much he/she changed and what has been happening with him in meantime.

In long running show like pokemon which is based as continuity following adventures of constant protagonist its only faiur and appropriate to give characters which played important role in pokemon history influencing Ash growth as trainer some recognition, acknowledge of their existence.
Its always welcomed to see all times favorites like Misty,May etc updated,to learn new things about characters we like ,what new pokemon or clothes they might have,how much they improved in meantime etc.
Not to mention their presence adds extra flavor to character interaction, and provides more references and flashbacks to past strengthening continuity of pokemon series.

Otherwise if we are in favor of them being ignored never to be seen again we have to ask ourselves than, whats the point of introducing them in first place if any development they experienced, potential to offer more and contribution they gave to push anime forward is going to be erased? Like it never happened or mattered in first place?

That's not creative and optimal way to keep things exciting with writers current approach with little to none continuity, fragmented development and disrespect toward history and previous important characters doing nothing but increasing disappointment among viewers with constant decline in popularity with each passing generation only reflecting slump in which writers brought anime currently running into wall.

Anyone who knows me in here is aware how im not in favor of constant cast changes because such approach only discourage people from growing attacked to characters, damages continuity and series reputation, deprives anime of viewers loyalty to stick until end to see how will things play out, giving us in end shallow story and practically erased continuity at start of every new generation. Since any opportunity to do build up on already existing friendship Ash established with current companions and already developed story which could be carried over to next region taking things forward gets flushed down the toilet once characters gets replaced taking away loyalty and eagerness in staying tune toward this anime.

Personally i know i would be more interesting to follow story of already somewhat developed character going on bigger things, and see in what new exciting directions writers can take them. As opposite to overused predictable formula of constantly replacing characters like they are on assembly line replacing them in half of development eventually fading away never to be seen again.

 

[Cinderfella]

Best Wishes is so shitty, I refuse to apologize for wanting remembrences of the past.

There's my reason: the writers drove me to it!

 

[Winterdaze]

If people want to be excited for reappearances of past characters or references to past events, that's their prerogative. It's not your place or anyone else's to tell them how to be fans.

 

[WolfMan]

Why not get excited, I was hoping that Charizard would be Ash's because apart from Pikachu his squad is the pits now. Sinnoh had a good squad, even if I weren't that fond of the season and that is something missing this season. Brock and Misty I didn't fall for simply because even if Misty did come back it wouldn't be the same chemistry they had in Kanto, Misty getting smacked with logs and grabbing ears and all. I agree that this season has been full of nostalgia but I don't think it's been overwhelming. BW2N has a good story still coming with it and I think that Charizard being back adds to the epicness but it doesn't define it.

 

[Almonds]

I'm guessing it's because people aren't satisfied with the way the show is going, and they've been comparing the current saga with the old ones - which were obviously way better than what trash we've been having until Episode N.

If the Ash vs Trip rivalry had better build-up...
If Iris didn't get such an overpowered Dragonite for no reason...
If Cameron wasn't such a derp...
If Virgil actually did something else than advertising the Eevees...
If Ash placed better at the league...

If the current season had done better - at least in a decent way, then maybe people wouldn't miss the old saga as much that they'd hype over old things. This proves that Best Wishes clearly hadn't been able to be any better than the older part of the series, and practically ended up being the worst in people's hearts, disappointing them further and making them miss the old days where Pokemon hadn't been this bad. Best Wishes failed to capture the hearts of people on their own, which ended up them relying on old characters making a return. And that's where people look forward to - at least, if they bring back the old characters, maybe this saga might not have been an entire waste to watch after all?

 

[pokemon fan 132]

Brock and Misty I didn't fall for simply because even if Misty did come back it wouldn't be the same chemistry they had in Kanto, Misty getting smacked with logs and grabbing ears and all. I agree that this season has been full of nostalgia but I don't think it's been overwhelming. BW2N has a good story still coming with it and I think that Charizard being back adds to the epicness but it doesn't define it.

Personally i don't see that as bad thing at all being to expect how since Misty matured she wont be smacking people heads left and right. Originally slapstick humor disappeared in second half of Kanto but it didn't stopped me from enjoying in her and other character personalities afterwards compensating for it through various other qualities they have.

If Misty did came back i presume interactions would probably be similar to how she interacted in hosos and cameo appearances before liking to tease, being playful and hotheaded with more mature spin being added to her dynamics.

I wont lie, i would definitely be interested in how she would interact with Iris and Cilan. Especially since she and Iris share quite a few things in common with wild, hyperactive Iris side colliding with someone more tomboyish and adventurous like Misty adding for amusing mix.

Nevertheless there is also Cilan who share great deal of passion for various hobbies just like Misty being flaming trainers.
Rekindle between her and Ash friendship after so much time would be something worth to see too since they know each other for long time already having developed friendship.

Hell i would like to see her battle Ash in PWT tournament(assuming we get sequel), giving us proper full match without interruptions(such as Psyduck popping out).

 

[Zexy]

What I think as most important is that the show is called Pokemon, not Ash and co's <region> Adventure!
Instead of focusing on Ash/Misty/everyone else, we should see it as Pokemon. The region, its Pokemon, the way their planet works, and so on.
To make it interesting, put some interesting characters to add flavour.
Caring that much about WHICH character shows up every now and then makes us lose the point of the show. They want to show us Gen 5, they show us Gen 5. Giving us a handful of anime episodes for Misty/Brock would be possible, because of PWT, but also unneeded, because Gen 5 kids don't know that Misty/Brock were more important than every other PWT Leader! The developers no longer have a reason to shoehorn them with such things!

 

[Araragi-hakase]

I don't think there's anything wrong with being excited about something that is nostalgic to you. Many of us have been watching Pokemon since the Kanto series, and though in general reactions were mixed when it was revealed that Lizardon was returning, I was extremely excited, and I hadn't enjoyed a Pokemon episode like I did BW116 in a very long time.

Hikari hadn't left all that long ago, and while I'll agree with those that say that her appearance wasn't all that important plot wise (why would a contest trainer want to compete in a battle competition?) I didn't mind seeing her again at all. Her interactions with Iris especially made it more fun.

And yes, while Dent has filled Takeshi's 'mentor' role to Satoshi a bit and the cooking thing, it's hard to compare them because they both bring different things to the table. It's natural to compare them because Dent did essentially replace Takeshi, but why can't a character just stand on their own? Leave Takeshi out of the mix and just try to appreciate Dent for who his character is, and what his goal is, and his personality. The same goes for Iris, and hell, even Hikari and Haruka, when compared to Kasumi. It's fine to like one better than the other, but why can't they be appreciated on their own without being constantly compared to their predecessor?

Of course older fans were excited to see Takeshi and Kasumi in the flashback, and who knows, something might similar might happen with Mewtwo's return in the Genesect movie this summer. The writers bring back old characters and scenarios for a lot of reasons, but nostalgia factor has to be one of them. Even Kenji still has his place on the show- we still see him as Okido's assistant. It's a nice reminder to see them again, and I'm especially excited to see what Mewtwo has to do with Genesect.

Personally I think things like this are a nice reminder that these events weren't retconned, revives interests to older fans who might not have been watching the new series, and interests the younger viewers to see what happened before they started watching. I like that they're tying old things in with the new, because it gives a sense of familiarity.

 

[Cybersai]

I think the Johto saga soured people on the original series characters and pokemon, so when something Kanto-related returns (ala Charizard) it feels like a big deal.

Truthfully I remember people being more excited when May's Wallace Cup cameo was announced back in 2008 compared to now, you can even go back and read the old threads announcing it and see how people reacted to the news. Dawn's cameo had hype at the beginning, but once the episodes aired people felt disappointed.

 

[Sakuraa]

Of course people get excited when their favorite nostalgic characters appear after not being seen for years. How could anyone view this as a bad thing?