So its been a year, how do you feel about the Aipom/Buizel trade?

[Cybersai]

One thing I noticed after being in the Pokemon fandom for so long, is that the things people complain about in the series when they happen initially, they eventually wind up being accepted and people change their opinions about them.

If you remember back in 2007, the whole Aipom/Buizel trade was always a debate. Before the ep happened, people furiously defended the fact that Ash and Aipom loved each other or that "Ash would never trade his Pokemon again after the Butterfree/Raticate incident" or how Dawn can have a tough Pokemon like Buizel instead of all little cutesy Pokemon.

Then the trade happened. And now we're almost a year and a half later.

Now that Dawn has Ambipom and Buizel has become Ash's powerhouse, do you guys still have a problem with it? Do you think Dawn should have kept Buizel and that Ambipom should have stayed with Ash? If you were one of those people who were in denial about the trade, have you changed your opinion about it now?

 

[Snake Bandage]

I'm still pissed at Nozomi for suggesting it in the first place, especially after rewatching the Oreburg Gym episodes.

 

[Lil Brother]

My feelings toward it are the same as when it first happened.

Mild surprise that we finally got a major trade involving the twerps mixed with amusement that they foreshadowed it as early as the Jubilife Contest before we even knew Dawn would catch a Buizel. Heck, they were probably planning on the trade as early as Aipom's introduction, before we even knew about Dawn (or at least before we knew for sure that Ash and Dawn would be traveling together). While it's kind of odd that Ash would trade away a Pokémon that cared for him at Bayleef levels and Dawn would trade away a Pokémon she spent a period of time training, it still works out, especially with the fact that we all thought Ash would be the one catch Buizel when we saw that Movie 10 art. XD After all, it would have been very stupid had Ash and Dawn not developed bonds with the Pokémon they would someday trade away.

What I'm still wondering is whether or not we're going to see some dramatic departure between Ash and Ambipom, despite the fact that we never got one for Bayleef.

 

[Duckgon Z]

Since my long ass reply got deleted, I'll just sum up what I feel: I didn't really care about the trade. I saw it coming from a mile away, I just hoped that the trainers would work on their differences instead of just shipping then to another trainer, but I knew it would all work out for the best. It was just the arrogance of people either insisting or denying it (like the writers actually knew them personally), people think/thought that Dawn "stole" Buizel from Ash, when it was clear that he was ok with her getting, and the backwards ass gender stereotypes that people had (for both Ash and Dawn).

 

[Grave-E]

At the time, I know numerous members of the fandom always went on about how well Aipom went with Dawn, or how Buoysel suited Ash, but I never quite understood the appeal there. I liked the mismatching trainer and pokémon pairs. It made for an awkward, yet undeniably fun dynamic, which was lost once the trade went down. I mean, look at Ambipom at the moment. It likes contests and participates in them. But really, what's unique about that? When it entered so-called 'serious' battles, showing off and attacking with flashy contest-esque moves, it was different, and something that none of Ash's other pokémon up to that point had been interested in. Now that it's with Dawn, it just doesn't have the same effect, and tends to come off as a 'run-of-the-mill' contest pokémon. Vice versa for Buoysel.

I'm not particulary bothered by their current place in the show, and it was nice to have all that foreshadowing for the(largely mediocre) trade climax. But in a way, it's still a shame.

 

[Shift]

I was one of the ones who thought that the bonds were too strong for a trade to happen. There was all the development that went into showing how much Ash cared about the li'l monkey, or how Dawn had to dig a bit deeper to work things out with Buizel, which got an episode devoted to the matter, starring an E4 member to boot! All that felt like it'd be pointless if they were just gonna trade in the end. And I still kinda think it was. It's not like a trade should never happen; after all, we went through all of Butterfree's development only for it to be released in the end. But it felt like it was way too easy, like there was no backlash whatsoever, like trading solves all the problems. And maybe it does, but that doesn't mean it has to sit well with me. Still, I think they went about this trade in a very weird way, going through all that heart-felt stuff just to trade easy-peasy, explained away in-episode or not.

But in the end, I can see it was for the best; Ash has his fighter, Dawn has her star, and they're doing what they wanna do. It was probably meant to be from the start, and by now, I'm cool with it. I'm still hoping they touch on the "not being with their old trainers anymore" issue once they eventually split, especially with Ambipom. But if they don't hey, what else'll be new?

At the time, I know numerous members of the fandom always went on about how well Aipom went with Dawn, or how Buoysel suited Ash, but I never quite understood the appeal there. I liked the mismatching trainer and pokémon pairs. It made for an awkward, yet undeniably fun dynamic, which was lost once the trade went down. I mean, look at Ambipom at the moment. It likes contests and participates in them. But really, what's unique about that? When it entered so-called 'serious' battles, showing off and attacking with flashy contest-esque moves, it was different, and something that none of Ash's other pokémon up to that point had been interested in. Now that it's with Dawn, it just doesn't have the same effect, and tends to come off as a 'run-of-the-mill' contest pokémon. Vice versa for Buoysel.

I'm not particulary bothered by their current place in the show, and it was nice to have all that foreshadowing for the(largely mediocre) trade climax. But in a way, it's still a shame.

What I felt once before put into words. Oh yeah, you win. :ksmile:

 

[Rosakai]

The trade was a terrible idea back when it happened, and it still is today.

What was it supposed to tell us? Instead of working out the kinks yourself you just take the easy way out and shove it off on another person?

Especially since neither Aipom or Buizel had any issues with their trainer's profession UNTIL the trade episode (where it was falsely claimed that both Pokemon had problems with their trainer's style from the beginning, this was only true for Buizel), the whole trade just "reeked" of inconsistency.

Not to mention the fact that Ash and Aipom had an extremely close bond. Why build up a great friendship if the Pokemon is simply going to be traded away? (yet another reason why the trade wasn't planned from the beginning-there's no way it could have been) After Buizel was caught, however, they decided to do a trade, which is why Dawn never formed any bond with Buizel.

So anyway, I hate the trade, it was a terrible idea. Ash should have skipped Starly, caught Buizel instead, and kept Aipom as his.

At least there are hints that Ambipom will be returned to Ash eventually. I'll be really angry (and I know I'm not alone in believing this)if Dawn keeps Ambipom and doesn't return her to Ash when it's time for Dawn to go.

 

[Chaosblazer]

At least there are hints that Ambipom will be returned to Ash eventually.

There are also hints for Ash to get Riolu, and like them these so called hints are easily shot down.

I'll be really angry (and I know I'm not alone in believing this)if Dawn keeps Ambipom and doesn't return her to Ash when it's time for Dawn to go.

the only plausible way i see a trade back is if somehow Ambipom and Buizel bonked thier heads on something, developed amneasia and suddenly pulled 180's and became intrested in the others profession.

Of course Buizel would also have to evolve or the trade wouldn't hardly seem fair to Dawn.

Though i doubt it will happen, i didn't really care then and i don't care now, the only thing i care for is for Chimchar to evolve and start ripping limbs off of other pokemon.

 

[Geodude]

Two words: Who cares?

I think some people blew it completely out of proportion.

 

[MistyBrockAsh]

The trade was a terrible idea back when it happened, and it still is today.

What was it supposed to tell us? Instead of working out the kinks yourself you just take the easy way out and shove it off on another person?

Especially since neither Aipom or Buizel had any issues with their trainer's profession UNTIL the trade episode (where it was falsely claimed that both Pokemon had problems with their trainer's style from the beginning, this was only true for Buizel), the whole trade just "reeked" of inconsistency.

Not to mention the fact that Ash and Aipom had an extremely close bond. Why build up a great friendship if the Pokemon is simply going to be traded away? (yet another reason why the trade wasn't planned from the beginning-there's no way it could have been) After Buizel was caught, however, they decided to do a trade, which is why Dawn never formed any bond with Buizel.

So anyway, I hate the trade, it was a terrible idea. Ash should have skipped Starly, caught Buizel instead, and kept Aipom as his.

At least there are hints that Ambipom will be returned to Ash eventually. I'll be really angry (and I know I'm not alone in believing this)if Dawn keeps Ambipom and doesn't return her to Ash when it's time for Dawn to go.

i like your opinion but you are wronge about the part that she should return ambipom to ash when she leaves. Think about it, all of ashs pokemon eventually leave the show except pikachu and ambipam is no different. even if she did give him back he would be doomed to go to proffesor oaks lab like the rest of his poke. at least this way he can stay with the group and we can still see him alot with dawn instead of ash sednign ambipawn to profesor oaks inorder to make more room in his group.

 

[Geodude]

Return Ambipom to Ash? Bull. And exactly what "hints" are these? It makes zero sense for Dawn to give it to Ash for no reason. If Aipom didn't want to go with Dawn, it wouldn't have. Ambipom belongs to Dawn. It's that simple.

Of course Aipom enjoyed Contests from the beginning, have you completely forgotten the episodes surrounding its capture?

 

[Rosakai]

i like your opinion but you are wronge about the part that she should return ambipom to ash when she leaves. Think about it, all of ashs pokemon eventually leave the show except pikachu and ambipam is no different. even if she did give him back he would be doomed to go to proffesor oaks lab like the rest of his poke. at least this way he can stay with the group and we can still see him alot with dawn instead of ash sednign ambipawn to profesor oaks inorder to make more room in his group.

Well, the only way I can see it happening BEFORE Dawn leaves is if Staravia evolves into Staraptor, because the it's very likely to get released, because it would be the right size to carry Ash around (in addition to being a competent flier, unlike Gliscor) and that's a big no-no.

With Staraptor gone, Ash has free party space, which should go to Ambipom.

I can see them pulling off an episode where Ambipom is watching Ash train and remembers how much she liked the gyms, or something.

Return Ambipom to Ash? Bull. And exactly what "hints" are these?

Ambipom and Ash still have WAY more interaction with each other than Dawn has with Ambipom. Ambipom is always really happy when Ash compliments her (Dawn rarely compliments her, and when she does, Ambipom is nowhere near as happy as when Ash compliments her), and in most scenes when all the Pokemon are out of their Pokeballs Ambipom is usually standing next to Ash, not Dawn.

Of course Aipom enjoyed Contests from the beginning, have you completely forgotten the episodes surrounding its capture?

In Aipom's capture episode, it was stated that Aipom was more interested in the fact that it was a battle, not that it was a contest. Aipom's interest in contests and her contest style of battling didn't show up until the first contest of Sinnoh.

Anyways, even though I would have preferred for the trade to have never taken place and Ash to have caught Buizel in the first place, I agree with what Grav-E said. Clashing personalities were much more interesting and enjoyable to watch the what we're being dealt now.

 

[Jukain]

Why did this have to be dug up again? Seeing how things are in the anime now, all that buildup for Aipom means nothing anymore, and the fact that Dawn caught Buizel also evidently doesn't matter, except that Ash is now using Dawn's ice missile. Ambipom also got to show its prowess in the Celestic Contest. The only conclusion I can come to is that the trade was not random, but intended. Although even I find it hard to believe that they planned all this for Aipom when it was caught at the end of Battle Frontier, but it is possible. It's affinity for contests was known even then, and obviously, it would not have any purpose that late in Battle Frontier, so it's true purpose was in the next saga: DP. We could mull on this for all eternity, but the main thing is that it did happen, and now, it has made both parties all the better having pokemon that have experienced both sides. I think it shows how much more creative this writing team is from past ones.

 

[Mooites]

I think it went well. Both Pokemon get to do what they do. Notice how they're also the seccond most used Pokemon for each trainer. Well, I guess you could argue Ash uses Chimchar as much...

I dont mind it. Ash would have been cool with Ambipom, but Gliscor suits him better. Even if Paul already has one. And I never liked Dawn having Buizel, it was destined for Ash, and giving it to Dawn, in my opinion, was a waste of 20 episodes with it.

 

[TheArsenalRisen]

Aipom/Buizel trade. Never actually saw the episode (saw the VERY end of it). Quite frankly, I don't care. Buizel seems to be happy with Ash, and Ambipom with Dawn. Don't know what all of this fuss is about.

Just watch and enjoy~

 

[Cybersai]

I always figure they did plan Aipom to go to Dawn, honestly.

Aipom had an interest in Contests as early as the Kanto GF, and the writers obviously knew they were introducing Dawn as they have to write episodes 6 months before they air.

As for Aipom's crush thing being ignored, hell the writers did the same thing to Bayleef. Except Bayleef didn't even get a goodbye, and the writers tend to avoid references to Ash's adventure in Johto like the plague, so that's probably why.

 

[Rhyperior]

Too bad that the screentime of Ambipom was all stolen by Piplup. Whay had Ambipom done except doing appeal? It had potential to be a good battler like Piplup! She should use it more often in battle rounds. Ambipom could be stronger than Piplup! The problem with Ambipom is simply that it enjoys contests and gyms, Dawn don't let it enjoy contests, simply have it doing appeal. Have it combine its battle and contest skills together in the battle rounds would be way more fun to Ambipom and way more good to Dawn. Seriously, Ambipom wouldn't be as exhausted as Piplup if she's to do the same thing with Ambipom. Ambipom already get used to battle and training.
For Buizel, there's no doubt about it. Good trade! Though the trade could be even better if Dawn eventually learn how to use Ambipom power better. I expect it to be Dawn's powerhouse, but it turn out to be an appealer, with Piplup still being the powerhouse. How annoying!

 

[PDL]

^ It did manage to win Dawn's third Ribbon. Winning a contest was the very reason why Aipom wanted to be captured in the first place.

It also inspired Ash to do that spinny move that blocks hypnosis and other debilitating moves for that gym battle with Fantina. So even if Ambipom isn't on Ash's team anymore, it doesn't mean that it's completely out of Ash's life.

Two words: Who cares?

I think some people blew it completely out of proportion.

Presicely. It happened, what can be done now?

I think it had been planned by the writers for a while actually. Probably since Aipom's capture.

They really needed to show a trade in a good light since trading is an integral part of gameplay in the games, yet strangely, they were portrayed in a negative sense (Ash went back on his first trade, and Jessie was less then pleased with her accidental trade for Wobbuffet). It can also strengthen the bonds between the two trainers since they each have something that originally belonged to each other. Not to mention that both Pokémon are doing what they love to do.

Although it would have also been interesting to see Ash and Dawn get another Pokémon that wanted to do something that the trainers weren't setting goals towards. But I think that boat's been set sailed, as Ash and Dawn have reached their limits on how big their teams can get.

 

[Rosakai]

Rhyperior, Ambipom IS Dawn's strongest Pokemon-Piplup just get used more. Ambipom has more experience than Piplup, but, like you said, Dawn very rarely uses Ambipom for battling. Now, if Dawn would use Ambipom as a battler more often, the trade probably wouldn't sting as much.

 

[anonymous920314]

For any of you who are saying that there will be a tradeback, or that these pokémon don't belong where they currently are, this about the fact that if this were the case, the writers would be actually focusing on it.

Bouysel is perfectly happy doing gyms, while Eteboth is loving competing in contests. Eteboth would never return to Satoshi because it doesn't/never like(d) gym battles because you can't give them that real pizazz and also Hikari is the coordinator.

While Hikari might only showcase the thing in appeals, that's WAY closer to a contest battle than Satoshi would ever let it go.

People are dumb. Why did this discussion have to be resurrected? AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH