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Made In Japan: Kanto Edition Part 4

By Factory White Head

We’re down to the last of the Japanese-based Kanto Pokemon. This time, we’ll finish up with three useful Pokemon that each gained prevolutions in Johto, along with an old (rod) favorite. Today we’re talking about Magikarp, Electabuzz, Magmar, and Jynx.

The lowly Magikarp’s evolution into the mighty Gyarados is derived from the legend of the Dragon Gate. While this is primarily a Chinese legend, there are traces of it in Japan as well. Carp that leapt over the mysterious Dragon Gate would become dragons. What is Magikarp’s trademark “skill”? Splashing and hopping, and its Pokedex entries state that it has the jumping power to leap over mountains when it is old enough. Of course, Magikarp aren’t required to go over the Dragon Gate to become Gyarados, but any trainer who has raised one can agree that the task of raising one is just as difficult. Unless, you know, you train it using an Exp. Share or the classic “bait and switch” method, or catch one that’s ready to evolve. Let’s just agree that Magikarp isn’t the best at battling.
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Made In Japan: Kanto Edition Part 3

By Factory White Head

Today we won’t be looking at your average animal-like Pokemon like last time. No, today we’ll talk about a leek-bearing duck, a ghost, dream-eating tapirs, and a tree that grows heads. Sound strange? You got it. Here’s the third installment of the Japanese Kanto series.

A really strange Pokemon is called Farfetch’d. It comes from the saying “Kamo ga negi wo shotte kuru,” translating to “a duck comes bearing green onions.” It roughly means “something surprising but convenient,” which Farfetch’d certainly is. It’s a duck carrying a green onion, which are both commonly used in stew. Who would have thought you’d find both of them together? It’s your lucky day!.. Or maybe it’s just something Farfetched, hence the name. Farfetch’d’s Japanese name is Kamonegi, which references the saying I mentioned earlier. This makes its name mean “Wild duck green onion”. To be honest, some of our English names are pretty odd—er, simple, so I guess this makes us even. I think I might Sawk the next guy who tries to Throh a punch at me.
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Made In Japan: Kanto Edition Part 2

By Factory White Head

I promised more, and here it is! Today we’ll have a look at four fan-favorite Kanto Pokemon: Golduck, Growlithe, Arcanine, and the ever-so-popular Meowth! I’m sure you’ll learn something new, or at least be reminded of something.  The Maneki Neko, also known as the Beckoning Cat or Lucky Cat, is the origin of Meowth. Legend has it that a cat raised its paw to beckon a wealthy lord towards him, saving him from a bolt of lightning that stuck the tree the lord had been standing under. The lord rewarded the cat’s owner with many riches, and since then, cats with a raised paw are deemed good luck. Maneki neko are found at the entrances of many businesses and restaurants, welcoming guests and bringing good luck. They are often found with an ancient coin called a koban, the same kind Meowth has on its forehead.
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Made In Japan: Kanto Edition Part 1

By Factory Head White

The original 151 Pokemon are often the most well-known of the current 649, due to many of the fans growing up with them. Fans remember fondly raising their team of Pokemon to take down the Gym Leaders and Elite Four. Some of these Pokemon’s designs are easily identifiable; for example, Butterfree is based on a butterfly, while Seel is based on a… well… seal. But what about some of the other Pokemon, like Golduck or Meowth? Real-life ducks don’t look like that, and what kind of cat collects gold coins? These designs are based on Japanese culture, and Western audiences might not know the whole story behind them. That’s what we’ll learn here.
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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.
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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”

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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.
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Kanto Region Pokemon Part 1

By Amanda

Charmander is a fire type starter Pokemon, known as the lizard Pokemon, and known as Hitokage in Japan. It knows strong moves like dragon rage, and flamethrower. It can evolve into Charmeleon at level 16, and then into Charizard at level 36. In the anime, Ash caught a Charmander when it was abandoned by its trainer. When it evolved into Charmeleon, it started to disobey his orders, and continued to do so when it evolved into Charizard. It wasn’t till during his adventures in the Orange Islands when Ash gained Charizards trust, and became one of Ash’s loyal Pokemon he can trust.
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