Pikachu, Snorlax, Heracross and Donphan.

[FireEmblemPride]

As far as we know, these will be the only Pokemon that have been used/battled in all three of the anime series (Pocket Monsters, Advanced Generation, Diamond and Pearl). The lists grows to include Muk, Bulbasaur, and the Johto Pokemon if you count pure appearances, but that doesn't amount to much. Tauros and Kingler may also fall under this list if they show up at Oak's when Ash returns.

I guess it's unfair to state this since it's not possible for the Hoenn and Sinnoh Pokemon to meet this criteria, and Pikachu will always be around, but it's shocking that only Snorlax, Heracross and Donphan will have had the privilege of being used in all three series. Let's see if any of them can retain this honor in BW (Snorlax the most likely).

A surprise appearance and battle by the Kanto trio would add them to the list, but that's looking as likely as Misty appearing in DP based on our current information.

 

[Cybersai]

Why are you counting Johto as part of the, "original series?" That was a totally separate arc.

Heracross and Phanpy/Donphan did not exist in Kanto/Orange.

So no, only Pikachu and Snorlax appeared in all the major series.

 

[FireEmblemPride]

Why are you counting Johto as part of the, "original series?" That was a totally separate arc.

Heracross and Phanpy/Donphan did not exist in Kanto/Orange.

So no, only Pikachu and Snorlax appeared in all the major series.

1. The cast was the same between Kanto and Johto.
2. The outfits were the same.
3. And so were the Pokemon for the first half of Johto.

I find it funny that you're counting Kanto and Orange as one arc, when they at least had a different cast.

 

[Musashi]

Why are you counting Johto as part of the, "original series?" That was a totally separate arc.

Because it's part of the original series in Japan.

 

[Trainer Yusuf]

Yeah, obvious reason is obvious; marketability+ strength= screentime.

I can't say much of Donphan though. Yes, he had some good screentime, but still not so much. He only had two regions in it's evovled form; with not doing much in first(Johto).

 

[Cybersai]

1.
I find it funny that you're counting Kanto and Orange, when they at least had a different cast.

When people think of "classic Pokemon," they're talking about Kanto and *maybe* Orange Islands.

Ash's Johto Pokemon were not his, "original team." All those Johto filler episodes are not, "classic Pokemon episodes."

Back in the old days of 1998-2002, everyone considered Kanto/Orange as, "the first gen" and Johto as a separate arc.

And that's what it was. Johto Journies was "A whole new world," and meant to be a new beginning. The writers just didn't think of doing the "fresh start" that AG and DP had.

 

[FireEmblemPride]

When people think of "classic Pokemon," they're talking about Kanto and *maybe* Orange Islands.

Ash's Johto Pokemon were not his, "original team." All those Johto filler episodes are not, "classic Pokemon episodes."

Back in the old days of 1998-2002, everyone considered Kanto/Orange as, "the first gen" and Johto as a separate arc.

And that's what it was. Johto Journies was "A whole new world," and meant to be a new beginning. The writers just didn't think of doing the "fresh start" that AG and DP had.

1. Oh really. I'm glad you asked all 20 Million Pokemon fans.

2. No one would dare claim that the Johto Pokemon were Ash's original team. That's completely irrelevant. The human cast changed mid-series, and so can the Pokemon.

3. Arcs and series are different things. If you choose to go by arc, then you cannot lump Kanto and the Orange Islands together, and you cannot lump Hoenn and the BF together, either.

4. "Johto Journeys" and "A Whole New World" were dub creations.

5. Johto resolved many of the plots established in the Kanto part of the original series, such as Misty's Bike and Ash and Gary's rivalry.

 

[Cybersai]

The human cast changed mid-series, and so can the Pokemon.

The reason is Orange Islands is to Kanto what Battle Frontier was to Hoenn. Even though they were separate arcs, they were part of the same gen and direct sequels. Nobody considered Battle Frontier not, "AG" do they?

Johto was the start of Gen II, it was a totally different arc.

5. Johto resolved many of the plots established in the Kanto part of the original series, such as Misty's Bike and Ash and Gary's rivalry.

Both AG and DP touched upon plots from the original series too. Like Jessiebell re-appearing, Phanpy returning and evolving to Donphan in AG, Arbok/Weezing being released in Hoenn.

The Johto arc was far too different in writing and structure to include it with Kanto or Orange Islands.

 

[Ash6K]

Yeah, obvious reason is obvious; marketability+ strength= screentime.

I can't say much of Donphan though. Yes, he had some good screentime, but still not so much. He only had two regions in it's evovled form; with not doing much in first(Johto).

Actually, traveling in two regions is pretty cool for Donphan considering they represented two different generations. None of Ash's currently held pokemon have traveled with him in two different generations so I find it interesting to see that it has been one of the wildcard reserves that are focused on in some significant manner.

And I agree that it made sense for these three pokemon to show up and battle in each of the anime series we've seen: Original, AG, and D/P. Original included Johto where Snorlax was finally used in some sort of league (it didn't participate in the Orange League) and Heracross and Donphan (as a Phanpy) were both caught and used in the league since it's their home region.

AG, Snorlax was strong and helped promote some Kanto for FRLG. Donphan got more of a chance to shine since Johto. Heracross didn't need to be used but it makes sense that it was used when you see that Heracross (as well as Donphan) appear in the Hoenn Dex.

As for D/P, Snorlax played a part in HGSS while Donphan and Heracross are Johto pokemon (also promoting HGSS).

So it's natural to see these pokemon battle throughout the three anime series.

I do find it interesting and cool that they're the only pokemon to do so. And tbh, I do find them to be some of the strongest wild card reserves Ash has had due to their typings, battling styles, etc.

 

[Every Breaking Wave]

Why are you counting Johto as part of the, "original series?" That was a totally separate arc.

In Japan there have only been three series; Pocket Monsters, Pocket Monsters AG and Pocket Monsters DP. Johto was part of Pocket Monsters, and is considered to be part of the original series.

 

[Sombra29]

When people think of "classic Pokemon," they're talking about Kanto and *maybe* Orange Islands.

Ash's Johto Pokemon were not his, "original team." All those Johto filler episodes are not, "classic Pokemon episodes."

Back in the old days of 1998-2002, everyone considered Kanto/Orange as, "the first gen" and Johto as a separate arc.

And that's what it was. Johto Journies was "A whole new world," and meant to be a new beginning. The writers just didn't think of doing the "fresh start" that AG and DP had.

We had this disscussion before Scott.Dont make us waste out time and yours repeating it.

We don't give a damn about your patterns or interpretations.Johto is part of the original series and this is how it is stated in the very official site of poket monsters.

 

[FireEmblemPride]

The reason is Orange Islands is to Kanto what Battle Frontier was to Hoenn. Even though they were separate arcs, they were part of the same gen and direct sequels. Nobody considered Battle Frontier not, "AG" do they?

Johto was the start of Gen II, it was a totally different arc.

I completely agree with you.

Pokemon Arcs: Kanto, Orange, Johto, Hoenn, BF, Sinnoh
Pokemon Series: Original, AG, DP, BW

Both AG and DP touched upon plots from the original series too. Like Jessiebell re-appearing, Phanpy returning and evolving to Donphan in AG, Arbok/Weezing being released in Hoenn.

The Johto arc was far too different in writing and structure to include it with Kanto or Orange Islands.

Jessiebell is such a minor plot point, and is more of a throwback. Certainly nothing on the magnitude of Misty and Gary. I may have believed you if you decided to bring Wobbufett, Brock or Gary up instead. Arbok/Weezing's release shortly after Johto also reinforces the relatively continuous nature of the original series. Did you want James to be without a Pokemon for the first few AG episodes?

I also disagree that the difference in writing between Kanto, Orange and Johto automatically prevents them from being tied. The story is still undeniably continuous in terms of the series' major plot points, such as rivalries and casts.

 

[Cybersai]

Certainly nothing on the magnitude of Misty and Gary.

So in other words the only thing that connects Johto to the original series for you are Misty and Gary?

What does that have to do with anything? Brock and Team Rocket continued into AG and DP, does that connect them too?

 

[FireEmblemPride]

So in other words the only thing that connects Johto to the original series for you are Misty and Gary?

What does that have to do with anything? Brock and Team Rocket continued into AG and DP, does that connect them too?

Wow. You totally just proved my point. I guess my sarcasm slipped by you.

In spite of Pokemon being divided up into three series, there is still a sense of continuity between series. Misty would never have made her first cameo in AG if it weren't for her Togepi. Even though Lance wasn't initially a GBA character, his role in AG did fit his profile better than it would have for Steven. So, there are cameos across the three series, and yes, Misty, Gary and the Pokemon Ash used were recurring themes and are part of the identity of the series that preceded AG.

Another funny thing that ties the three regions together is the GS Ball.

 

[Zwampert]

So in other words the only thing that connects Johto to the original series for you are Misty and Gary?

What does that have to do with anything? Brock and Team Rocket continued into AG and DP, does that connect them too?

I think it was connected to the original series because Johto and Kanto are connected and that Ash accedentaly went to Johto.

 

[Cybersai]

And then Brandon, the Pyramid King and AG character, re-appeared in DP.

There are character cameos in the entire series from previous arcs, that does not mean DP has anything to do with AG, despite May, Brandon, Wallace, and some of Ash's Hoenn pokemon appearance. Or Jessie's Seviper/Dustox and James Cacnea and Brock's Bonsly.

Why do I get this thread is a subtle attempt to make Misty look more important than May or Dawn?

 

[FireEmblemPride]

And then Brandon, the Pyramid King and AG character, re-appeared in DP.

There are character cameos in the entire series from previous arcs, that does not mean DP has anything to do with AG, despite May, Brandon, Wallace, and some of Ash's Hoenn pokemon appearance. Or Jessie's Seviper/Dustox and James Cacnea and Brock's Bonsly.

Why do I get this thread is a subtle attempt to make Misty look more important than May or Dawn?

You are completely missing the point of my above post. I think you need to read it again.

I just said that the series divisions do not preclude cameos. But those are just that: cameos. Would you consider Charizard and Squirtle's appearances in the Johto League to be cameos? In some senses, yes, but certainly not in the way they were cameos in the Battle Frontier. The Johto League effectively capped off what these Kanto Pokemon had earlier left the show for.

And no, this thread has little to do with Misty, so you can take your offensive comment and shove it. In fact, it was you who decided to throw this thread off-topic by trying to argue that Johto was a separate series, even though that's clearly subjective. You're trying to tell me that I anticipated your disagreement to subtly make this into a Misty thread. Very laughable. I made the thread because there's been so much discussion about the Pokemon used for the league. This thread wasn't meant to downplay any Pokemon or character. After all, I didn't create the show.

Anyway, I won't bother debating about whether Johto is a separate series or not further. Quit ruining my thread.

 

[V Faction]

Actually, traveling in two regions is pretty cool for Donphan considering they represented two different generations. None of Ash's currently held pokemon have traveled with him in two different generations so I find it interesting to see that it has been one of the wildcard reserves that are focused on in some significant manner.

You're forgeting Aipom. A Johto Pokemon caught near the end of BF (an AG series) in Kanto and taken with him to Sinnoh. On top of that, was part of the first major trade between main characters and received an evolution into a Sinnoh Pokemon that was then given away.

If Pikachu was #1 on the list, Aipom would be #2, and Donphan #3.

 

[Cybersai]

In your opening post, you said this:

A surprise appearance and battle by the Kanto trio would add them to the list, but that's looking as likely as Misty appearing in DP based on our current information.

^ Based on this, you seem to state that DP might be the first saga where Bulbasaur/Squirtle/Charizard and Misty have no significant appearance.

And you may be right. There's no indication the Kanto starters will be used, and Misty might not appear at Pallet Town either.

But even if Misty does appear, that does not mean the writers are attempting to make things from the original series look more important than things from later arcs.

Dawn didn't even exist for the first 9 years of the show. So she missed out on a huge chunk of the shows history, for example.

 

[FireEmblemPride]

In your opening post, you said this:

I also said this:

I guess it's unfair to state this since it's not possible for the Hoenn and Sinnoh Pokemon to meet this criteria

By default, May and Dawn get thrown into this statement, too. Furthermore, there would be no point in trying to make Misty look more important. Length of series is irrelevant to importance of character. All three girls are important in their own ways and will always represent the Pokemon anime across different eras.