So do you think making Piplup into a second mascot was a good idea?

[Cybersai]

Now that DP is over, how do you feel about what they did with Dawn's Piplup?

It stayed out of its ball in most episodes, refused to evolved, and was used heavily over most of Dawn's other Pokemon. They also gave Piplup the type of screentime Pikachu got back in Kanto.

In general, how do you feel about what they did with Piplup? And do you think the next girl will keep her starter out and it'll be a mascot the same way?

 

[Coasting Wingull]

I love penguins, So ive always thought Pippip was awesome. For it to actually get a personality an dbe a main character, Was just sheer brilliance.

 

[Trainer Yusuf]

I am neutral. Liking it at some episodes, disliking it at some episodes.

In long:
-I liked Piplup's personality's clash with Dawn's a bit.
-I liked the fact it got some episodes focusing on it.
-I liked his rivalry with Prinplup and Cyndaquil.
-I liked his interactions with any Pokémon.
-I liked the fact it gave Pikachu a back seat.

But!
-I hated the fact it refused to evolve for sake of marketability. But this goes for any other main character's Pokémon who did not evolve. Except maybe Psyduck.
-I hate the fact it abuses Bubblebeam. Same goes for any main character's Pokémon's most overused move and of course Pikachu's Thunderbolt.
-I hate the fact it hogged to screentime.
-I hate the fact it was used a lot, especially during early D/P.

 

[Keegman]

I like seeing a Pokemon who's clearly on the same character tier as the humans, i.e., getting the Pikachu treatment, and I can definitely see them continuing this trend. It'd be cool if they did it with someone who's not so obviously "cute" (maybe even a pokemon who's the same height as the humans), but the odds are heavy that any poke they do this with will be a starter, who are, by definition, cute.

 

[Rex Kamex]

I'd hate for Piplup to get all this screentime just to be replaced by a new mascot while the rest of the show goes on...

 

[Iteru]

Its abuse was funny and it could get a laugh out of me at times. However sometimes I felt it was used too much and as such some of Dawn's other Pokémon didn't get a chance to develop. Therefore I am neutral, but leaning towards liking it in some episodes.

 

[Piplup]

Now that DP is over

Correction: ALMOST over... there's still almost half a year which is almost 26 episodes

how do you feel about what they did with Dawn's Piplup?

They did an awesome thing - brought as one of the best and most entertaining Pokémon ever, it made me laugh a lot, I loved its relationship with Dawn, I love its Japanese voice, his personality is funny too, its bad luck is really funny and the Draco Meteor thing is like the best thing this anime ever did!
It also got some really nice battles/performances
Not to mention it finally gave us a true second mascot after so much time with just Pika... (no, I don't count Togepi who just sat there 90% of the time and became part of Misty's clothes)

It stayed out of its ball in most episodes,

All eps since DP 60
I also want to point out how DP 60-61 was the Solaceon Contest - where Dawn had her second performance failure in a row
They often showed to us that during Dawn's depression, Pip usually was the only one who noticed how Dawn is feeling
So while they never explained why Pip is all of a sudden out of ball, my speculation is that Dawn kept it out for support and that Pip itself also wanted to stay outside to give her this support (I can see Pip jumping out of ball after Dawn returned it to its ball after the Solaceon Contest and Dawn realizing it wants to be with her)

refused to evolved,

Well, it had no choise as a mascot and... I like it
I doubt I'd enjoy Pip so much if it stayed in its ball and evolved
Also, Kenny and Barry gave a pretty good showcasing of its evolved forms

and was used heavily over most of Dawn's other Pokemon. They also gave Piplup the type of screentime Pikachu got back in Kanto.

Don't exaggerate... just because it was out of ball doesn't mean it stole everyone's screen time... it wasn't as bad as Ash and Pika in Kanto
If you'll list the Poké Dawn used in each of her Contests, I think you'll see that she didn't favor Pip over others that much

In general, how do you feel about what they did with Piplup?

Best thing ever

And do you think the next girl will keep her starter out and it'll be a mascot the same way?

I have no doubts at all - and this time it'll probably start from the very first ep
Hopefully it'll be as entertaining as Pip... but I doubt it

 

[Lugnut]

I liked Piplup, and I always like the fact that some Pokemon get the same development and focus that some human charecters do in the show. Piplup had a good personality, and it was cool to watch how it clashed with Dawn at times. I do think it could have evolved, but lots of people on the show already had the later forms, so it might have felt a bit too busy for some peoples taste. Its a shame we will probably see Piplup go for the next generation.

 

[Duckgon Z]

I liked Pochama, but I hated Piplup.

I hope you can tell the difference, since I don't think I can discuss it here. "Bootleg Torchic" and "horrible Pokemon imitator shows in the 90's that failed" comes to mind.

 

[Cybersai]

I hope you can tell the difference, since I don't think I can discuss it here. "Bootleg Torchic" and "horrible Pokemon imitator shows in the 90's that failed" comes to mind.

Haha, I know what you mean. Piplup was a better character in the Japanese version.

 

[Del Rio]

Piplup was my starter when I first got Diamond, and I liked seeing him get a bunch of screentime. He was hilarious to watch most of the time and his childish behavior didn't bother me since I found out the Pochama pun.

It didn't bother me that he didn't evolve either. Kenny's Prinplup and Barry's Empoleon did a good job of showcasing its evolution.

 

[GrovyleGuru]

Overall, I liked him. It was certainly a nice change of pace to see another pokemon out of its ball.
Piplup's dream sequences concerning Dawn were what made me laugh the most, though. I hope they showcase a couple more of those before the season ends.

 

[Keegman]

WAIT. Piplup was a boy? But... but I have all these magazines! OH GOD.

 

[Iteru]

WAIT. Piplup was a boy?

Yep. Confirmed a few times I think.

 

[Cybersai]

Piplup was in a cheerleading outfit in early DP, which causes confusion.

 

[Keegman]

On the note of gender confirmation: Kimono Pikachu is the best Pikachu.... well, maybe second to Ketchup Pikachu.

 

[Nagini]

They do a fair amount of cross-dressing on Pokemon. Especially Ash. Now I just assume everyone's the opposite of what they actually are.

 

[Jukain]

Given that Japan loves penguins, it makes sense in that regard. Personally, as idiotic as Piplup is, I just can't hate him too much for that. Piplup's main thing is that it's proud, and this one definitely shows it. He wants to lead and be admired by people and pokemon alike. Unfortunately, this also gives him a swelled head, and he often falls short of his own expectations. He also acts like a spoiled brat at times. He honestly tries, though. All in all, I think he's a well rounded character. A nice mix of contest powerhouse and comedy relief. Does he rip off Pika? Yes, but he is not entirely successful at doing so, Pika is just more skilled than he is. I think it was interesting for another pokemon to at least try to take the lead. Maybe one day Piplup will be a capable leader, but he still has a lot to learn. We will never see it happen, though. Sure, he's inept, but that's the point, and that is what makes him a good character.

 

[MarshiyanMisutaa]

Piplup was in a cheerleading outfit in early DP, which causes confusion.

He wears it in recent eps too.

On the note of gender confirmation: Kimono Pikachu is the best Pikachu.... well, maybe second to Ketchup Pikachu.

Interestingly, before Piplup's gender confirmation, Piplup's a dress and Pikachu's a kimono wearing is considered a gender confirmation among fans...

Given that Japan loves penguins, it makes sense in that regard.

What?

 

[Piplup]

It was clearly stated by the characters that Piplup is male in at least 2 episodes: the ep it falls in love with Marill and the evil Togepi ep (at least in the Japanese version, I think the Marill ep didn't keep this line in the dub)

Also, I agree that Pochama is MUCH better than Piplup... too bad they changed its name... people would probably like it more if it kept its Japanese voice
But I have to say... in Barry's third ep, where the Poké get lost, there's a certain scene that Pip is doing a REALLY funny voice (a quick "pipipipipipipipip"... not so funny when I write this, but you'll hear it...) if anyone has this ep, I think it was immediately after the twerps find the group of Piplup/Empoleon/Grotle/Happiny