Posted on

Tracking Pokemon’s Success

By Matt

For almost sixteen years, Pokemon continues to be one of the best-selling games, popular TV shows, and have many other related products, like cards or bathroom products. It was an ingenious idea to create unique creatures called Pocket Monsters, which was shortened to Pokemon. After a few years from its release date in late 1995 (around when I was born), it gained popularity among many, including me. Soon, fan bases popped out, and people who shared a common interest in Pokemon joined together. I myself learned to respect this idea and become a part of it. After a few years, there are now five different regions, and almost 700 species of Pokemon, and there are still more waiting to be discovered. The TV shows are still continuing, regardless of some troubles in the beginning. I guess it is just an idea that kids love, and cherish.

Even in adulthood, there are children at heart playing the games and even entering the Pokemon World Championships. There are those (including me) that wish Pokemon were real, and there is even some working towards that goal virtually. One attributing reason to Pokemon’s success is the unique Pokemon that exist so far. Many are attracted by their looks, two popular examples being Eevee (and its evolutions) and Pikachu, the global icon. Another reason why it has been dominating the market in games is that their games are interactive and give you a chance to feel like an actual Pokemon Trainer, as compared to games where you play as a certain character.
Continue reading “Tracking Pokemon’s Success”

Posted on

Banned Pokemon Episodes

By Matt

The Pokemon TV series is definitely one worth watching again. But there’s a whole other side to the story. Currently, a total of five episodes have been banned. The process is that the creators of the show in Japan send the completed animation to the U.S. for a redub in English. 4Kids, which (used to) broadcast Pokemon, found some of the episodes a little too extreme for children (because in Japan, there were less restrictions on what children could watch). Instead of airing the episode, they would skip it.

The first banned episode is from Season 1, Episode 18. Its name was “Beauty and the Beach”, and its setting was centered at Porta Vista, a beach town. Basically, Ash and his friends decide to help fix a friend’s boat by entering a Pokemon Beauty Contest and winning prize money. Team Rocket, who is there at the time, also decides to give it a shot. In Japan, the animators included a scene where James dressed up to look like a woman, which was supposed to be pure comic humor. Apparently, 4Kids decided it was not appropriate for children in the U.S. to watch and banned the episode. Even though this episode was the scorn of 4Kids, it eventually became a “lost episode” and aired in 2000, even though the original in Japan aired in 1997, making this the longest delay for an episode to be broadcasted.
Continue reading “Banned Pokemon Episodes”

Posted on

In-Depth Pokemon Sites

By Matt

Since the beginning of Pokemon, there have been sites designed to help players with their games. Some famous ones, such as Serebii (which I use a lot) and Bulbapedia (Pokemon Wikipedia) help by explaining central concepts, such as EVs (and EV training), a list of complete Pokemon and their abilities (if more than one), etc. Serebii focuses more on archiving everything Pokemon-related, such as chronicling the Pokemon TV seasons, the comics/manga, Pikachu-related short films, and much more.

Gamers use both Serebii and Bulbapedia to help with finding strategies to catch Pokemon. Serebii lists, the Capture Rate, but does not explain this. If you go on Bulbapedia, however, it will give you the definition of Capture Rate, which is the chance of using a regular Poke ball on that Pokemon in the wild (and catching it). The lower the number, the less chance there is.
Continue reading “In-Depth Pokemon Sites”

Posted on

Best Wishes Episode 006 Review

By Trainer_Auro

Last episode, we left off in the middle of Ash’s first gym battle against the triplet gym leaders. He won the first round against Chili, but lost the second to Cress, meaning that his victory lies on Oshawott, the water type beating Pansage, the Grass type. Although with the last episode ending when Pansage fires off a Solarbeam, it doesn’t look too good for the poor otter. Introductions aside, it’s time for a play-by-play review.

Warning, the following WILL contain spoilers.

I recommend you watch this series on your own, but if you’re in a hurry, want another opinion, or just don’t feel like watching, this will be quick, and to the point without losing the details.
Continue reading “Best Wishes Episode 006 Review”

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Posted on

Best Wishes Episode 005 Review

By Trainer_Auro

Two starters in a row. I think we can all tell what comes next! First the water typed Oshawott, and then the fire typed Tepig, all that’s left is the grass typed Snivy. But that’s something for another episode. Last time, Ash entered a town, thinking it was Striaton, only to find that it was actually the Gymless Accumula. This episode, we waste no time, and see that it is in fact Striaton he’s seeing. Looks like we’re in for a gym battle! Introductions aside, it’s time for a play-by-play review.

Warning, the following WILL contain spoilers.

I recommend you watch this series on your own, but if you’re in a hurry, want another opinion, or just don’t feel like watching, this will be quick, and to the point without losing the details.
Continue reading “Best Wishes Episode 005 Review”

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Posted on

Where In The World Is Hoenn?

By Joe

Is it just me or is Hoenn the lost region of the Poke-world? I’m sitting here looking at the list of towns, gym leaders, elite four members and Pokemon and to be honest with you despite being a borderline obsessive fan I have literally no idea who half of them are. Who are “Tate and Liza”? “Pheobe” anyone? No didn’t think so. When was the last time you saw an “Exploud”? That one episode 6 years ago? I don’t even remember it myself. I had to google it.

On a side note, with all the fuss over generation fives crappy designs people seemed to forget that Exploud and its pre-evolution Loudred are actually based on boom box’s! Yes, those music players from the 70’s. Atleast everybody knows what ice cream is. I doubt anyone actually playing Pokemon is aware that boom box’s existed. To be fair that is stil a step above a trash bag. But still!
Continue reading “Where In The World Is Hoenn?”

Tags:

Posted on

Pokemon Trainer Zone

By Matt

When I got Pokemon White Version, I wanted to sign up for the Global Link. The site told me I had to create an account at the Pokemon Trainer’s Club. After I did, I searched around the site, looking for something to do. Although this site is kid-friendly, I didn’t mind it (being a kid at heart too) and decided to play a couple of games in the Fun Zone. The site tutorial told me that playing games earns Trainer Tokens, which can be used to spend on a number of items for your trainer sprite.

Watching episodes online (in the Animation section) can also earn Trainer Tokens. To curb the enthusiasm, however, the site only lets you earn fifteen every week, and it resets on Saturday. I don’t seem to mind, as the accessories in the store are very cheap, ranging from two to six tokens on average. For those that have been lifelong fans of the game, wallpapers are available for The site features a Pokemon TCG (Trading Card Game) part of the site filled with strategies for winning at the game, a list of all boosters released from EX Ruby and Sapphire, which was about six or seven years ago.
Continue reading “Pokemon Trainer Zone”

Tags: ,

Posted on

Ash’s Traveling Companions

By Jo

The Pokemon anime has been centered around Ash Ketchum from the very beginning. In his quest to become a Pokemon Master, he and his beloved Pikachu have traveled to many different regions and befriended trainers of all sorts. Though some of those trainers have been affected by Ash more than others, even to the point of where they’d decided to go off on their own adventures with him. They’ve stood by his side, aiding him in times of distress and have added to the plot of the show. Without them, the anime probably wouldn’t be where it is today – on its 14th season. Continue reading “Ash’s Traveling Companions”

Tags: , , , , , ,

Posted on

Kanto Region Pokemon Part 2

Bulbasaur is a grass type starter Pokemon, known as the seed Pokemon, and known as Fushigidane in Japan.  It can learn strong attacks like vine whip, razor leaf, and seed bomb.  It can evolve into Ivysaur at level 16, and then into Venusaur at level 32.  In the anime, Ash caught a Bulbasaur during his adventures in the Kanto region, which is now at Professor Oak’s lab, where it helps to stop fights between Pokemon that live there.

Squirtle is a water type starter Pokemon, known as the tiny turtle Pokemon, and known as Zenigame in Japan.  It knows strong moves like water gun, water pulse, and skull bash.  It can evolve into Wartortle at level 16, and then into Blastoise at level 36.  In the anime, Ash caught one during his adventure in the Kanto region, where it was the leader of the Squirtle squad, making all kinds of trouble.  When Ash protected it from Team Rocket, it decided to join Ash on his journey.  Now Squirtle is back with the Squirtle squad when they started to fall apart, though Ash can always call for Squirtle whenever he wants to use it in battles.
Continue reading “Kanto Region Pokemon Part 2”

Tags: , , , ,

Posted on

Pokemon Black & White Episode 1: In the shadows of Zekrom

By Joey DiGiacomo

Ash, a Pokemon trainer from Pallet Town sets off for another adventure with his partner Pokemon, Pikachu, but what Ash doesn’t know is that Team Rocket is on the plane Ash is riding.

As soon as Ash lands into the new region, things get fishy. A huge thunderstorm comes towards Ash and Pikachu at a fast pace. While this thunderstorm is hurdling towards them Pikachu gets captured out of nowhere by Team Rocket. They realize Team Rocket is a problem, but Ash and Pikachu panic once lightning strikes. Ash sees a shadow of a Pokemon who is causing these lightning strikes.The mysterious Pokemon in the thunder cloud electrocutes everyone, foiling Team Rocket’s plans once again. Ash tells Pikachu to use thunderbolt into the vortex like cloud, it makes the Pokemon even more mad, the mysterious Pokemon electrocutes Pikachu, making him use all of his electricity. After that something is wrong with Pikachu. He is now unable to use his electric attacks.
Continue reading “Pokemon Black & White Episode 1: In the shadows of Zekrom”

Tags: , , , , , ,