Glory of the Morning

[Charaxes]

Well, as you know, Pokemon had its season finale today and the final 4Kids dubbed episode before Pokemon USA takes over next season with the new cast, so I thought I'd write a eulogy of sorts as I put to rest a ritual I've been doing for 7 years. If you perform the same ritual as I have with this show, then I certainly would like your thoughts/reflections.

I'm feeling mixed as it's the last of my animated traditions--getting up on Saturday mornings to watch cartoons. While through the 90's, I had reasons to get up--90's Spidey, Batman/Superman TAS, and some of the finer Warner projects, but as those died down, I found one constant: the Pokemon dub. I'm not sure why I felt compelled to watch as the dub would take many liberties with the canon but I enjoyed the show later on, once my expectations lowered.

I think as Saturday morning cartoons have become passe, I wanted to cling to the few halcyon times of my childhood but this time being able to remember (my childhood was a hazy blur at times), and Kids WB gave me that, particularly as they were really the only game in town. And seeing Pokemon, I guess that affirmed my faithfulness as a fan, no matter what I thought about the series and I wanted to see how it ends and imagine my surprise when the quality improved over time in the 7 year span of my viewing. Of course I didn't care for Kids WB's bizarre treatment at times with the burnout, abuse, and odd promos, (including one involving bird excrement) but it wasn't the show's doing, so I never held that against them. I endured that because I cared about the show. Now with that gone, I'm liberated as there is nothing left for me on that network and I admit it does feel good.

Digressing to talk about the Pokemon dub, I know many people have taken potshots at it but it wasn't as bad as people thought. Voice cast wise, it was perfect or at least just right most of the time. Content-wise, well, I am generous than most other fans and I understood usually why 4Kids painted this out, or painted this in and learned not to take it so seriously (9/10th of the time). I learned later on, sixth season on, I found out that most of the odd edits were at Kids WB's insistence. Proved to me how odd Kids WB was in every sense of the word. Although, they were able to relax in time like with the polytheistic references and whatnot, so I can't complain.

Beyond the A.D.D. scored music issues and the lack of silence, I really have no complaints for 4Kids' take on things. Besides, if it was that horrible like say, their One Piece dub for example, why would I get up and watch week after week? Something had to draw me besides the subject matter. That will be the pity with the new dubbed episodes to a degree or two. More so as the second episode of the new season will focus on James (whose new voice actor...to put it kindly, makes my ears want to commit suicide) and make me hark back to the good old days when he had quite the smooth voice. That said, I don't want to make this the issue of dubs as I think the new owners will try their best and I shall adjust.

The episode itself was rather pointless as the denounement had things that really should have been said sooner and frankly find a better reason to have Ash and May fight but they didn't. Plus it ended in a tie, too. Fools.

With such a ritual, I knew the weekend would never officially start until I got up Saturday morning, despite the occasional health hazard with my odd hours. Now with everything I want to watch gone/ended/canceled and nothing to enthrall me, (such as 4Kids TV. I'll tape but I don't have the incentive to actually personally witness said shows, like here) I have no more motivation to wake up anymore. The VCRs can cover the rest, and I can spend my Friday nights chatting up late nights with my girlfriend and catching up on my sleep and I admit, it's a nice upgrade. I just hope Kids WB gives Pokemon a good send off as it being the only program to keep their pedestrian network afloat for the past few years but I doubt it.

I feel at the end of an era, that's been happening a lot this year as many traditions are ending. I'll just make new ones.

This is just from a longtime viewer who doesn't demand anything for his viewing, beyond saying he was pleased while he was being entertained. No more, no less.

 

[Forci Stikane]

That's touching, and I must admit, I agree to a degree...

Pokemon, let's face it, has indeed been the lifeline for Kids WB for quite some time. And what do they do for its final episode? Nothing. Yu-Gi-Oh got a better send-off and it hasn't been on as long. I suppose it's because they don't want their viewers to know...yet everyone will figure it out once they see that Pokemon is not on there anymore.

So what's the point? Why bother watching them anymore? I personally hope for the return of certain shows to the CW line-up (come on, Blue Bomber!!), but that's just me. For all we know, there might also be something new coming up...

But I also digress. Thankfully for myself, I actually get CN and, for the time being anyway, have the time to watch Pokemon daily. If they actually start with new episodes daily, then that might be a real plus...I also hope that the rumor I heard of the VAs changing from the special will hold true, and that better VAs will be brought in, but only time will tell...

Well, I join your boat for the time being, Dark Charaxes, but perhaps the situation will take unexpected turns and lead to a tunnel with light at the end............

 

[Charaxes]

I found it funny that I played both Glory Day and Spurt, which rather made me wax of the past given the montages.

You're right about Yu-Gi-Oh getting a better send off as we actually had finality. You wouldn't know it was the final episode given the promo I saw. But Kids WB abusing Pokemon/screwing around with the audience isn't new. I think it's just time to put aside the attachments for the 4Kids era and move on with the new. It's inevitable. The franchise is free of Kids WB and I can sleep better at night for it. I watched Loonatics Unleashed before Pokemon and Dear God, it was awful. The competition seems so meager and yet that's what the kids want. More is the pity.

 

[Forci Stikane]

I found it funny that I played both Glory Day and Spurt, which rather made me wax of the past given the montages.

...What?

You're right about Yu-Gi-Oh getting a better send off as we actually had finality. You wouldn't know it was the final episode given the promo I saw. But Kids WB abusing Pokemon/screwing around with the audience isn't new. I think it's just time to put aside the attachments for the 4Kids era and move on with the new. It's inevitable. The franchise is free of Kids WB and I can sleep better at night for it. I watched Loonatics Unleashed before Pokemon and Dear God, it was awful. The competition seems so meager and yet that's what the kids want. More is the pity.

So you're okay with the fact that CN is in charge now?

 

[Miss Reyna]

Ok. I do this to for my love of Pokemon even though I haven't woken up in the morning to watch them now that I have my DVR to record them. I just wake up around 12ish to watch them.

Still, I remember as a little girl I would wake up and run to the TV just to watch Pokemon and a few other shows but now as I have gotten older it seems as if sleep is just more important then waking up. Still I like the fresh feeling of getting up and just sitting down and watching the new episodes! I remember watching the commercails of bad pokemon promos and stuff. I just hated them but still they gave me a laugh. I so miss those days of just getting up to watch Pokemon, Jackie Chan and the the other shows that came on KidsWB and FoxKids/FoxBox.

Now that Pokemon is gone. There isn't much to watch on KidsWB. I mean there are some good shows like Showdown and The Batman but still not much. I not looking forward to the CW's KidsWB new shows and Spider Riders isn't turning me on. I never been a fan of bugs. The Coconut and Loontics, I have to agree with Dark Weez and say "What are they shoving down kids eye's these days?!?!" So the only thing my DVR is going to record from CW is just new episodes of Showdown and Batman.

It a shame that KidsWB not going to say anything but it seems like 4Kids is with their last dub pun title. Pasta La Vista? Asta La Vista? Just add baby and you have it. Still it a shame. The only thing that was keeping KidsWB running has now left the building. Oh well. To the CN!!!

Let hope that CN will show and treat Pokemon with the respect it deserves. I love the show for what it is and that why I been keeping up with it. I move with it and when I can't watch it then I will record it like I do!!! So pasta la vista KidsWB!!!!!

Pasta la vista KidsWB!!!!

 

[Katsu-Bang]

Yeah, the last day on WB, I remember the first time I ever watched Pokemon, on WB.

"The Great Race" was the episode title, you all know it, close to the first episode. I was really scared to try Pokemon at first. WB was just so different back then. Thanks to watching it at WB, I began my life-long obsession of Pokemon. Back in those days, I was really young, but I had a good understanding of what the show was about. Pokemon was really popular back then, I remember that as well.

But the older I get, and the more mature, the more Pokemon fades. I have watched Pokemon through all the years on WB, enjoying every little second of it. Even when I woke up too early because I was so excited, then had to wait through all the other stupid shows. Pokemon always got me excited, the thought of WB got me excited.

Remember way back when, when WB aired not just Pokemon, but the Batman Adventures, and Pinkey and the Brain? Classics, like you, I enjoyed the thought of Saturday/Sunday morning cartoons. So as Pokemon reached this point, it had become the only show worth waking up for. Now, no waking up early, which, this will sound weird, disappoints me.

And the VA's getting cut off just burns me up! PUSA are such **** money hogs they can't think of the quality of their show. Everyone, including myself, worked so hard to stop them from changing the VA's, but the time was wasted, and the excuse PUSA comes up with is "contract deals" :P

I didn't see why people hated them so much as well. Sure, the Seviper/Arbok thing really sucked, but getting over that tiny part, think of all the good times! The good VA's, Added Shippy Scenes, everything, I loved 4Kids from the beginning! So, maybe they cut out a rice ball or two, but why does it even matter that much?!

Hopefully, Pokemon being on Cartoon Network will help with the popularity, but I'll never forgive the VA part.

And as my final good-bye, all I have to say is:

Pasta La Vista, KidsWB! (Idiots)

 

[Taemin]

I don't have a reason to wake up on Saturdays anymore either...
I'm sad that that was 4Kids final episode, but for now all I can do is trust PUSA, and hope that the new dub will be good just like the old one. (Voice wise)

I'll Veronica's Ash though..... T-T *sobs* ...but at least I'll be able to see 4Kids's Rukario dub when its release. (Thank the gods they got it before PUSA...)

Watching Pokemon every Saturday morning has been my routine for a long time now, but I knew it had to end someday. If CN will air it in the afternoon I'll make a habit of watching it then...and it'll be better because I won't have to wake up for it....^^;

Thats all I can think of right now...since I'm tired, and shall go to sleep after I post this.

I'll probably add on, or post here in the near future, but until then...

Hasta la Vista. XD (( ah...episode puns. This one fit. Pasta... XD The noodle chief. Hmp. ))

 

[MasterWGS]

*Wipes eyes*

We had a long run, WB... I'll never forget when I first watched Pokemon...

Sigh... Here we go...

Well, it was 1999, and I was in the fifth grade... All of my friends had liked Pokemon for a few months, and I always bashed them for it. "It's so kiddie," I'd say, fooled by my own arrogance. "How can you stand it?"

My friends would shrug. "Just try watching the show sometime. You'll understand, we promise."

I laughed, thinking they were wrong. A few days later, I awoke sick in bed, and had to stay home. I turn on the tv around nine o'clock, and Pokemon was on! In an attempt to prove my friends wrong, I sat back and watched the third episode (I think) of the entire Pokemon series: Ash Catches A Pokemon. I was hooked...

So fare-well WB! You'll always have this little peice of my heart...

 

[jakestlm]

I remember the Indigo League. Loved it. After the Orange League, Johto Journies was introduced. Around then my interest in the anime started to fade. Of course, why watch the show when you could make your own deck and play Pokemon instead? Once in a while I saw a few episodes, wishing KidsWB would air older ones. And of course, better shows to accompany it. I actually began to dislike the show when Advance came around. But I did see The Mastermind of Mirage Pokemon and, believe it or not, enjoyed it, liking some of the new voice actors, like Ash. He sounded more like he did in the first season, but older. At the very least, the way he spoke matched his personality, a tad cocky. Now, I'm looking forward to Pokemon airing on Cartoon Network, because their shows are bearable. Pasta la Vista to 4Kids and KidsWB, and full speed ahead for Cartoon Network!

 

[Katsu Koneko]

I still can't believe that's it for 4Kids' Dub, how I'm going to miss Veronica's Ash.

The first episode I saw was the first episode, but that's all I know..I was 7 at the time. I remember getting up early every Saturday; tip toeing to the living room(without my parents noticing) and watching all the classic cartoons they had until Pokemon. I remember the 7 A.M. timeslot for the orange league, then to 9A.M and then 10A.M.

I used to order the books, guides from Scholastic book orders that we get every month during elementary school. I still have my books, but they're in the garage I think. ^^:;; I used to collect the cards, which are lost somewhere, probably in the garage too.

Though as Middle School started, I couldn't get up as early, so I started recording all the shows that I was interesting in watching from Fox Kids to KidsWB.

I remember watching the first movie with my best friend-who has deserted Pokemon-and after the movie ended, we joked on how my mom was snoring during the movie. xD When I watched the second movie, I was with another one of my friends-who has deserted Pokemon too-, my mom, and my mom's friend. I still don't know where that Mew card is. -falls-

My first Pokemon game was: Pokemon Yellow Version Special edition, I remember begging my mom to get me that game along with the guide and the Game Boy Color. I loved looking at my Pikachu during the game, so cute.

As Advance aired, my VCR decided to stop recording the shows and then as I stopped watching Pokemon I got into other anime. Now..well my VCR's fixed and I record every episode now. I'm glad that we'll get to hear the VA's one last time when the new movie comes in September. The 8th movie is one of my favorites and I'm glad PUSA didn't get their hands on it.

So much great memories...

I agree on how Yu-Gi-Oh getting a better send off when it aired its last episodes. The poor kids won't know that it ends right there after that episode; well at least not until next Saturday when it's replaced.

Now I too don't have much to look forward too on KidsWB..x_X

Well KidsWB: Hasta La Vista!

You'll always be in a piece of my heart.

Here's hoping that Cartoon Network will be a great home for Pokemon.

 

[Aether]

Ah the good ol' WB, after I moved to the US, I had to be weaned off of SMTV live in England, It took a while but i was used to it eventually. Pokemon was the only reason I watched WB(I would watch Jackie Chan Adventures if i got the chance though), but its gone now, and i have no reason to watch WB(what are they thinking with Loonatics and Jhonny Test etc.?!?). I trust cartoon network though, they do a good job with all anime and I know they will do good with the new pokemon. replacing the VAs is still unforgivible however!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Forci Stikane]

I think as Saturday morning cartoons have become passe, I wanted to cling to the few halcyon times of my childhood but this time being able to remember (my childhood was a hazy blur at times), and Kids WB gave me that, particularly as they were really the only game in town. And seeing Pokemon, I guess that affirmed my faithfulness as a fan, no matter what I thought about the series and I wanted to see how it ends and imagine my surprise when the quality improved over time in the 7 year span of my viewing. Of course I didn't care for Kids WB's bizarre treatment at times with the burnout, abuse, and odd promos, (including one involving bird excrement) but it wasn't the show's doing, so I never held that against them. I endured that because I cared about the show. Now with that gone, I'm liberated as there is nothing left for me on that network and I admit it does feel good.

With such a ritual, I knew the weekend would never officially start until I got up Saturday morning, despite the occasional health hazard with my odd hours. Now with everything I want to watch gone/ended/canceled and nothing to enthrall me, (such as 4Kids TV. I'll tape but I don't have the incentive to actually personally witness said shows, like here) I have no more motivation to wake up anymore. The VCRs can cover the rest, and I can spend my Friday nights chatting up late nights with my girlfriend and catching up on my sleep and I admit, it's a nice upgrade. I just hope Kids WB gives Pokemon a good send off as it being the only program to keep their pedestrian network afloat for the past few years but I doubt it.

I feel at the end of an era, that's been happening a lot this year as many traditions are ending. I'll just make new ones.

This is just from a longtime viewer who doesn't demand anything for his viewing, beyond saying he was pleased while he was being entertained. No more, no less.

Well, actually, something occurred to me today and I might as well post it here; CN has their own kind of Saturday morning lineup, and since this DP anime is supposedly going to Miguzi in the 5:00 slot, then is it possible that CN may put Pokemon Battle Frontier in its original time slot?

 

[Light_Azumarill]

Aww, all of your farewells are so touching! It's really neat to see how similar we all are in our love for Pokemon. ^-^

That being said, I guess it's time for my farewell.

I can't say how much I agree with you all, but especially with the fact that Saturday mornings just don't hold anything for me. When I was little, about 5-10, Saturday mornings really weren't full of much for me. I instead watched the Disney Afternoon cartoons after school. I also watched shows like Tiny Toons and Animaniacs. I mostly only turned on the TV on Saturday morning for new Darkwing Duck episodes, and he (unfortunately) only lasted for a couple years. There were other cartoons later on, but they were nothing special for me.

As I've stated on this site before, my love of Pokemon was hard won. My brother and I were always really into Nintendo games, so we knew when Pokemon came out. I didn't like the premise though, it sounded as if the whole thing was forcing animals to fight one another for entertainment or money. Trainers always seemed like the lesser evil in the world compared to Team Rocket. I found the argument that trainers respected and befriended their pokemon a bit... shaky? I wanted nothing to do with it. However, it was the anime that won me over. The characters, the pokemon themselves, and the explanations of what training and battling was all about all seemed to work together. I can't explain really what I like so much about it, but I'll try.

I think for me it was always the bond between trainer and pokemon that caused me to like it. I absolutely love animals and have always wanted to have a strong bond with an animal, so to watch Pokemon and dream that I was in their world was so awesome to me.

The show itself was perfect to me. I loved all of the voices (in the beginning), and they just seemed to be so fitting. The BG music hadn't been horribly replaced yet, and I thought it sounded great. When I found out about the unnecessary edits that 4Kids did, I was a bit annoyed, but I figured it could be worse (*coughCardcaptorscough*). I got so into Pokemon, and was a die-hard fan all the way up until now. Even though my friends made fun of me, even though my parents thought it silly; my love for it still endured.

Also, it made me watch more Saturday cartoons! Yugioh, Kirby, SonicX, and others were all shows I watched and looked forward to on Saturdays. Yugioh's gone now, I really couldn't watch SonicX after a time, and Kirby didn't even to finish its series before being shafted. And now this whole PUSA business with Pokemon comes about. There goes my Saturday mornings. I was, and still am, so mad about this whole thing. On one hand, I really don't like 4Kids or KidsWB; and on the other hand, I really don't like PUSA because of their horrible Mirage Pokemon special. The voices were so... ugh... and the dialogue that Ash had through that special was not in character. I am worried that the anime I love so much will end before it has its end. It's just not fair to the fans and to the people in Japan that created and worked on it.

I too, have come to the realization that the era of Saturday morning cartoons is over for me. Sad, yes, but I guess I am growing up and that's just one of the things that disappears along with childhood.

So long, dubbed Pokemon. I don't think I can stomach that scratchy Ash that will be on CN.

Oh, and for the record, Pasta La Vista is a really bad title. Fitting, but bad. -_-

 

[Forci Stikane]

Also, it made me watch more Saturday cartoons! Yugioh, Kirby, SonicX, and others were all shows I watched and looked forward to on Saturdays. Yugioh's gone now, I really couldn't watch SonicX after a time, and Kirby didn't even to finish its series before being shafted. And now this whole PUSA business with Pokemon comes about. There goes my Saturday mornings. I was, and still am, so mad about this whole thing. On one hand, I really don't like 4Kids or KidsWB; and on the other hand, I really don't like PUSA because of their horrible Mirage Pokemon special. The voices were so... ugh... and the dialogue that Ash had through that special was not in character. I am worried that the anime I love so much will end before it has its end. It's just not fair to the fans and to the people in Japan that created and worked on it.

I feel then that I need to inform you that Kirby's been brought back on 4Kids TV.

...Actually (I know this is somewhat off-topic, but it must be said), Kirby isn't the only series coming back on 4Kids TV--apparently, Yu-Gi-Oh is moving to 4Kids TV with ALL NEW EPISODES (I just saw the ad) o.0...and to make it worse Atem is back. It seems it's based on the Capsule Monster Colosseum game that came out a while back...so I guess Saturday mornings won't really be dying......

 

[obelisk-kun]

I feel then that I need to inform you that Kirby's been brought back on 4Kids TV.

...Actually (I know this is somewhat off-topic, but it must be said), Kirby isn't the only series coming back on 4Kids TV--apparently, Yu-Gi-Oh is moving to 4Kids TV with ALL NEW EPISODES (I just saw the ad) o.0...and to make it worse Atem is back. It seems it's based on the Capsule Monster Colosseum game that came out a while back...so I guess Saturday mornings won't really be dying......

capsule monster's was originaly a game from the real first season and the new season seems parallel to the series(i watch it on the internet) btw yugioh's back on kwb.

the change doesn't effect me that much considering I stopped watching shortly after misty left.