Pokémon (anime)

From Animepedia

Pokémon (ポケットモンスター Pocket Monsters. Or simply ポケモン Pokémon for short) is an anime that is based on Nintendo's famous Pokémon video games, where players can 'catch' monsters using 'pokeballs'(which can be kept in a pocket, hence the name of the series). Some pokemon trainers choose to have Pokémon as companions, or use them in popular Pokémon battles where Pokémon battle eachother.

The Pokémon anime is based on the video game creation called Pocket Monsters, created by Satoshi Tajiri. The video game series was first released in February 27, 1996 as Pocket Monsters Green and Pocket Monsters Red. The English games were released in September 30, 1998 as Pokémon Blue and Pokémon Red (Green became Blue).

The Pokémon anime was created after the two video games gotten a lot of popularity (it wasn't very popular when first released), and on April 1, 1997 the first Pokémon anime episode was broadcasted on Japanese TV, which would eventally make the series what it is today - very popular and famous. The anime series generally has the same aspects you expect in the games. Characters catch Pokémon, use them in battles, battle gym leaders to earn badges, and try to gain to the top.

Eventally 4Kids had gotten the license to dub the Pokémon anime for American veiwers, and the episodes were orignally aired on KidsWB.

The first episode to be shown in USA, was actually not the first episode. It was in fact episode number 15, Battle Aboard the St. Anne (サントアンヌごうのたたかい！ Battle of the St. Anne!). This episode was shown as a 'sneak preveiw' and was first broadcasted on September 28, 1998. When this episode was aired as a sneak break, it was not shown everywhere due to the annual Labor Day Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon airing instead. The first episode of Pokémon was aired in USA on September 8, 1998.

Pokémon USA (a.k.a the main Pokemon company of USA), as of January of 2006, had gotten the license to dub the Pokémon anime instead of 4Kids. Pokémon USA also planned to hire new voice actors instead of the original ones that 4Kids hired. The reaction from the fans was a mix bag. Some say it was a bad idea, others said it would be good, some didn't cared at all and others said that they would wait first. The voice actors from 4Kids who were the original voices for the main cast, were quite angry or upset.. and some of them didn't cared one bit. More about this subject will be found in its respective category.

Overview

The Pokémon anime is generally about a Pokémon trainer, named Ash Ketchum (サトシ Satoshi) whom dreams on becoming the world's greatest Pokémon master ever. To do this he must catch a lot of Pokémon, beat gym leaders and earn their gym badges, compete in Pokémon Leagues and win, and simply be a caring and loving trainer to his own Pokémon.

The story begins with the "Indigo League" story arc, which is featured in the Japanese region of Kanto and is Ash's homeland. Ash lived in Pallet Town (マサラタウン Masara Town) and was probably(and most likely) studying to become a Pokémon trainer, under the supervision of Professor Oak (オーキド・ユキナリ博士 Dr. Yukinari Ōkido), who is a genius in the study of Pokémon. Ash also has a rival named Gary Oak (オーキドシゲル Shigeru Ōkido) who wants to best Ash in everything, including becoming a Pokémon Master.

The day to choose a 'starter Pokémon' soon arrives, but Ash accidently broke his alarm clock during his 'dreaming' and wakes up late. All the starter Pokémon have been taken. But luckily Professor Oak offers him a non-starter Pokemon he has. A wild and untamed Pikachu, an electric rodent Pokémon. The two start their adventure on a very rocky start, as Pikachu hates his trainer. However after an attack from a flock of Spearow, a bird Pokémon, Pikachu learns to trust Ash and will eventally become his best companion.

As the rest of the story unfolds, Ash and Pikachu meet many new faces. Including Misty (カスミ Kasumi) and Brock (タケシ Takeshi), who were past gym leaders. They become friends with Ash and decide to travel with him. There are also many other characters. Most characters only appear once and never make another appearence, others do make their second appearences or more.

As more Pokémon games are created, so are the number of regions, pokemon and gyms. Thus you will always expect the Pokémon anime to keep on going without end. Thus this is why many of the seasons are seperated by story arcs, named after leagues of a region. For example, The Orange League is related to the Orange Islands filler episodes.

Primary Characters

As stated before, the Pokémon anime has many characters. Most only appear once or a few times. This list will only list the primary cast, that you see in nearly every episode or a lot in a certain story arc. Other characters shall be listed under their respective categories.

Ash Ketchum (サトシ Satoshi)

Ash's Pikachu (サトシのピカチュウ Satoshi's Pikachu)

Misty (カスミ Kasumi)

Brock (タケシ Takeshi)

Gary Oak (オーキドシゲル Shigeru Ōkido)

Jessie (ムサシ Musashi)

James (コジロウ Kojirō)

Team Rocket's Meowth (ニャース Nyarth)

May (ハルカ Haruka)

Max (マサト Masato)

Dawn (ヒカリ Hikari)

Paul (シンジ Shinji)

Trivia

• The anime series' animator, Masaaki Iwane, had once stated that this series originally was to only have a 1½-year run, and would conclude at the end of the Kanto story arc, or Indigo League arc. However due to the popularity of the show during its run, the show was extended. This makes the Pokémon anime series to be one of the longest anime series running based on a video game.
• Japan had once hosted a conference of one thousand critics from different countries, showing at least one hundred different animes. The Pokémon anime was placed second, gaining approval from 48 of the 1000 critics.

See also

• List of Pokémon Episodes