Why are grass types poorly treated in the anime? Why are some starters more used and others not?

M

Matleo

追放されたバカ
Joined
Jun 26, 2015
Messages
4,542
Reaction score
796
-gen I:
charizard-most battles and times,
-blastoise even a battle with 2xcharizard and a little more
-venusaur was first rarely used then got to shine in orange islands, battle frontier , mega saga and vs greninja battle

-or do I only see that since Sceptile, every grass type starters were used in a bad way through out gyms and league?
Blaziken was in gen II anime in the league, then ditched in gen III league, but made a vs sceptile episode
Swampert was used in the league a little, then in battle frontier and had some not tainer battle appearances

- for example serperior was used before the league and then a little
emboar and sammurot got a little more atention in the league, but to small in comparance to their preevolutions.

- in the IV generation Infernape was best shown, but torterra and empoleon really pure in a good way.

- gen II fully evolved starters were rarely used in gyms or league

- gen VI : chesnaught and delphox were not even used by league oponents or rivals

-gen VII: waiting for fully evolved starters apperance

-if not as Ash or main cast pokemon then maybe as hist oponents and rivals pokemon?
 
The one thing the anime and the games have in common is that not every trainer out there started with a traditional started Pokemon. Also, their status of starter Pokemon don't make them any more special than any other Pokemon, trainers can use. Showcasing the final evolutions at the league is not a requirement since they can be shown in any other instance. I don't get why you think they should be used in leagues.

To start off with your list:
- Serperior was one of the main Pokemon stars during the PWT, they focused a lot on him and Trip, so having more Serperior at the league would've been repetitive.
- Aria, the Kalos Queen and Serena's final opponent, had a Delphox and it was showcased multiple times.
- Empoleon was shown multiple times, having two species belong to two main rivals in the anime. Same goes for Torterra.
- You say Samurrott got less focus than his preevolutions despite having a role at the league. Well, 5eps > 140 eps, so it's totally normal.
- I guess you can make a case for Chesnaught, but other than that, in my opinion, all other starters have had their time to shine and I don't agree with your idea that all starters have to be used in league tournaments. At the end of the day, don't forget that the anime is still one big comercial for the games and game merchandise, so whatever sells is whatever will be hyped up.

*poorly
 
Last edited:
As for grass types generally, Sceptile is treated really well, at least after it evolved, and especially during the battle against Tobias. Rowlet has had his fair shares of kills and is probably one of Ash's most hilarious and enjoyable 'mons.
I kinda stopped watching the SM anime, but from what I have seen Steenee had been pretty helpful for Mallow so far.
Chespin has helped the Kalos gang during the Team Flare arc Also Chespie was also pretty important during that season, being the motivation for Alain's actions

I think there's a good representation for grass types, however it is generally overlooked
 
Because Grass Pokemon aren't usually very popular. Exceptions being the Treecko line and Rowlet.
 
You know what even though you've highlighted a 'trend' I don't think that there is a clear trend. I think that the anime producers just go with the flow or roll a die. I don't think that they are treated badly, they are just under-used. They aren't an inferior type in my opinion as I mainly use Grass starters but I don't actually think there is a reason for it.
 
SamurottMan said:
your idea
Click to expand...

what about formidale oponents and battles for them?
what about amount of wins and lost battles?

like the fantastic battle between Greninja and Sceptile we had?

Charizard and Blastoise?
Charizard and Blaziken?(that could be done better in future)
Swampert and Corpish?
Greninja and Charizard?

do you think we may get better ones in future?

Rath said:
very popular
Click to expand...

popularity can change , the anime has a effect on kids like the games, some when shown in a better , the right way will be more popular then others. Its a question of the likes of the animators, screen writers and game creators... that sometimes forgets the wishes of the rest of the fandom...
I want to cry now , dont bother about me and that
 
Kalos is the only region Ash didn't catch the grass type starter. Snivy was treated as the ace Pokémon of Ash's Unova team. Treecko all the way up until Sceptile was even over powered in Hoenn. Chikorita is the only evolving Johto Pokémon of Ash during the Johto journey. Bulbasaur was the last Kanto starter (or even Kanto Pokémon) of Ash to leave Ash. Rowlet is the first Pokémon Ash caught after arriving in Alola.

How come grass types are poorly treated in the anime exactly?
 
Last edited:
Rockapheller said:
Kalos is the only region Ash didn't catch the grass type starter. Snivy was treated as the ace Pokémon of Ash's Unova team. Treecko all the way up until Sceptile was even over powered in Hoenn. Chikorita is the only evolving Johto Pokémon of Ash during the Johto journey. Bulbasaur was the last Kanto starter (or even Kanto Pokémon) of Ash to leave Ash. Rowlet is the first Pokémon Ash caught after arriving in Alola.

How come grass types are poorly treated in the anime exactly?
Click to expand...
Ash? what about amount of screentime and battles?
especially of higher evolved forms of starters?

count the episode its evolved starter form did appear, then the amount of episodes they battled, then the ones in gyms, the ones in league, the ones in Battle Frontier.
 
Matleo said:
Ash? what about amount of screentime and battles?
especially of higher evolved forms of starters?

count the episode its evolved starter form did appear, then the amount of episodes they battled, then the ones in gyms, the ones in league, the ones in Battle Frontier.
Click to expand...
The biggest privilege to give a Pokémon is to be caught by Ash, as maybe 70% of the Pokémon often and regularly appear in the show belong to Ash. Pokémon is more than how they were used in gym battles or league. After all, we have only 8 gym battles and 7 episodes of Pokémon league overall from 130 to 190 episodes, which makes it either 11% or even worse 7% of a whole region, which can be valid only if Ash catches all these Pokémon in the first episode of the series. Do you remember how poorly Mudkip was missing in the show compared to Treecko or even Torchic? Before Battle Frontier saga began, Treecko (and Grovyle) made apparance in 59 episodes, but when it comes to Mudkip, it is 39. Not to mention most of those "appearances" is nothing more than just running or eating with the other Pokémon. Significantly, Mudkip did barely anything in Hoenn. Even his evolution was out of nowhere. Instead of focusing on which battles they accomplished, it would make more sense to focus on how their characteristic features were handled and how much personality they were given. And once again, belonging to Ash is always a plus. Who remembers much of anything about James's Amoonguss anyway, despite James is one of the main characters?
 
Rockapheller said:
Do you remember how poorly Mudkip was missing in the show compared to Treecko or even Torchic?
Click to expand...

but it was under ownership of more trainers and used in many off-screen battles, but yes it would be intersting to see it more in gym battles.
But what about its evolutions? very significant oponents used Swampert.
 
Last edited:
Imo, Water starters are treated more poorly though, with the exception of Squirtle and Greninja

Totodile, basically the gag mon
Mudkip - did basically nothing - Swampert (Same as Mudkip)
Piplup - Gagmon
Oshawott - Gagmon
Popplio - Does basically nothing compared to Oshawott and Piplup.
 
Mudkip had some interesting battles , more its evos got better ones, especially Swampert.
Blastoise got good oponents, heracross, charizard, lately Lycanroc.Was used in kalos League.
Empoleon got some interesting battles in the league, but only a little, the same Sammuotr
Maybe they are wanting to do with them similar like with Venusaur and Charizard and Sceptile in future?

For me fire pokemon where treated the beast, then water lately with Greninja and then on last place grass.
Would it be a problem to do a Chesnaught vs Tyrantrum battle?
a Chesnaught vs Serperior battle?
Chesnaught vs Emboar ?
Chesnaught vs Incineroar?
Torrterra vs Aegislash?
Decidueye and Incineroar vs our two bug/fighting UBs?
Primarina vs Delphox(Psi strike)?
Delphox vs Incineroar?
Delphox vs Decidueys?
Decidueye vs Golisopod?
and so on?

Ig gen 2 gets megas then we will get plenty new things.

Totodile has a significant amount of batlles in gen 2 and was reused in gen 4.
Where they showed gen 2 starters more.
Maybe thats what they are planning generation 4 remakes with gen 2 and gen 4 megas.
 
Last edited:
PkmnTrainerV said:
I don’t want to come off as rude, but you seem to be disregarding any attention outside battles.
Less battles =/ less development
Click to expand...

constructive criticism is not rude, but politicians would need more of that tretment then we pokemonfans.
what games sale better those with battles or those without? what movies and series are more watched?
you would not watch sport if they would only talk and spend free time without competition.

how I imagine a perfect Torterra battle? make it fight Greninja, show that woodhammer could be used a shield too to block ice beam. Sand Tomb could be used to counter water shuriken like the way it controlled stone edge (weird that that move doesnt reduce speed atleast taking that fire spin can burn or make it a priority move like water shuriken in the games too)...
Only if it could learn "shell trap" and if the move would make it immune to the effects of ice moves even in the games. Weird that we didnt get a priority for such a pokemon and that grass types have pooor speed and prioritry options for themselfs, but on the other hand ther is trick room and team mates. Poor that the anime doesnt show that.
Also interesting would have been a Serperior vs Chesnaught Battle.
Imagine that. Something like that should had happen in gen V to promote that starter and let it win.
Hope that we get too see such a battle where Serperior uses Wring Out and Chesnaught uses that fang move to half it hp and then its signature move and mor.
When it comes to Meganium they really could show its a team player with switch options that casts ligh screens and other fantastic moves. Hope that gen 8 brings in a mega and a moveset buff, with maybe new fantastic fairy and more coverage. Could see it use psychic, ancient power and more in the anime.Hope that this generation shows Decidueye better and others in future too like gen I starters

why not make a episode with Chesnaught and Passimian about a pokemon football game or match or that new pokemon ball game???

battles between Incineroar and Chesnaught, Serperior and Empoleon, Delphox and Deciduey, would not only look coll they would be very interesting if with the right moves, imagine Primarina(aqua jet) and Delphox(Psistrike, Psychic terrain, Imprison(should learn)) but thats only a wish, or Primarina and Incineroar where we could see Throat Chop
 
Last edited:
Agreed. Just because a Pokemon is not battling a lot doesn't mean that they don't have character development, for example, Team Rocket's Meowth. He doesn't battle much and he's sassy and funny. It depends on the Pokemon I think and that is why some starters are poorly treated than others.
 
I do not think Grass has got a bad treatment. I do think Fire is sometimes given more importance than water and grass, but imo grass still does better than water.

Generation 1/OS
Bulbasaur got LOTS of focus. It was established as a strong Pokemon even without evolution. It was given lots of character development alongside Squirtle, and it was the Kanto Pokemon to be in Ash's party for the longest time. Imo among the starters, Charizard had the most focus, and Bulbasaur and Squirtle were sort of equal.

Generation 2/OS Part 2
Chicorita was Ash's Only Starter to evolve. Totodile was restricted to be the gagmon of the Generation. Cyndaquil was depicted as weak, and had very less development compared to the other two. Chicorita/Bayleef
had their crush on Ash as a gimmick, and Bayleef also had the chance to battle Gary, and did well there.

Generation 3/AG
Sceptile. Just Sceptile.

Generation 4/DP
Here I agree grass got the worst treatment. The Piplup line and Infernape were everywhere.

Generation 5/BW
I don’t think I should comment since I have not watched the series, but from reading the summaries, all of the starters seem to have equal treatment,

Generation 6/XY
Greninja was shoved into our faces (thank goodness for some water focus!), and imo Braixen and Chespin had equal spotlight, since Chespin was basically the gagmon.

I think if I ranked the starter types in terms of treatment in the anime, then-
Fire
Grass
...
...
...
...

Water


Water has fared a LOT worse when compared to other starter types.
 
dont look only on Ash teams but also at rivals and other trainer who used them.

Yes Water was badly handelled when it comes to Ash, but how many times did he battled other trainers starter pokemon? or how many times did we see starters on other trainers in cool and good battles?

PkmnTrainerV said:
when compared to other starter types.
Click to expand...

Ash had gagmon but other trainer like Gary, Harrison, Morrison,Paul also got some spotlight...
but yeah Serperior was not used against any of the other starters.
 
Please note: The thread is from 8 years ago.
Please take the age of this thread into consideration in writing your reply. Depending on what exactly you wanted to say, you may want to consider if it would be better to post a new thread instead.
Back
Top Bottom