Has the Pokemon Anime changed over the years?

[curiousnathan]

• Do you think the anime has improved over the years? In what aspects, the aesthetics, voice acting, plot, character design?
• Perhaps you think the anime has done the exact opposite and decline in quality as time has elapsed. In what aspects, the aesthetics, voice acting, plot, character design?
• Or do you think the Anime has stayed the same? In what aspects, the aesthetics, voice acting, plot, character design?

Discuss!

 

[Elaitenstile]

I'm not mentioning aesthetics because it is the trend of technology to improve graphics over the years.

I think character design is becoming more open yet still lurking in limited themes. The anime is also increasingly getting inspired by the main games of the franchise. I feel that the overall themes have 'died down' between generations, as we see in the first generation, there were ghosts, Pokémon changing shape, giant Pokémon etc. which would be totally not-expected to a mainstream Pokémon fan.

I also think that the anime has been making a sloppy attempt with its recurring characters, sometimes they're unnecessary yet sometimes they're left behind unforgotten.

Voice acting in general never forms an opinion on me, I generally understand the words rather than concentrate on the voice. I feel the anime jumps too often (giving the feeling of rushed episodes) and changes the main 'concern' of the characters too often.

What I like about the anime is that they're prone to accept long-held suggestions by fans. Like they brought Brock back after Orange Islands, they actually made Team Rocket more serious in BW, etc.

There hasn't been disappointments in my eyes as far as I'm concerned. The only thing was that losing Misty in Adv Gen, but May was one who I liked more and easily got used to.

 

[DBZ fan]

Like most things in life answer isnt black and white. Pokemon anime both improved and declined in some aspects in my honest opinion.

I think biggest improvement which can be noticed in anime is in battles, becoming more detailed with more effort being out into it. Rivals and pokemon are by far better being treated nowdays as well.Back in day only few of them had their personalities fleshed out gaining some growth,but today show is more focused on treating group pokemon like individuals gaining some notable growth.

Characters are also being developed more with anime not being anymore centralized around Ash and his journey. Granted in BW formula was back to Ash as only main star again but Iris and Cilan have more defined goals, amd writers learned how giving rivals to all companions helps to move their story a lot.

However i have to admit,that in older days pokemon series had that fresh aspect to them with journey being more about exploring world of pokemon,exploration of friendship between traveling companions with anime having more emotion to it.
For instance "Bye,Bye Butterfree", "Pikachu Goodbye!","Gotta Catch YA Later" or when Ash died in first movie etc are hard to ignore and stay indifferent.

Plots used to be more creative imo and anime sticking less to games, brought that air of unpredictability to it with viewers never knowing what to expect out of it. If something is taken from games its naturally much easier to predict i what way things are going to play out,unlike its case with something which is only product of writers imagination.
Chemistry between main group was zealous,endearing and lively being highly intriguing. Ash,Misty and Brock brought conflict, humor, tension and promoted friendship being clearly attached to each other which scored huge popularity.
Imo they had best dynamics out of all main cast combinations in pokemon.

So in technical sense pokemon improved without doubt,but in emotional and comedy aspect quality dropped a bit with previous sagas being more creative in that aspect.

I also feel how constant cast replacing kinda damaged anime integrity and stable story in longer run as far as changed made in anime over the years are concerned. Now dont get me wrong in moderation everything is good, but just like you can add too much condiment in dish your preparing you can also exaggerate with constant cast replacing. Taking away from consistent story, continuity and more substantial development of characters reaching in end nothing but bunch of unfunished, underdeveloped and never to be seen again companions which could offer much more if returned refreshed, updated and improved through new exciting storylines and ways to see build up of their lifes and plots. Which is what is happening now until pokemon reach 50th + or so random new companion overcrowding place so much that it would be impossible to show them together even for finale. Making their existence and any started storyline made about them, influence and role they played in Ash life and series storyline pointless in first place if they will be abandoned, ditched aside like they never mattered becoming forgotten.

Spoiler:

Thats why imo character rotation doing healthy mix of one older and one to two new companions would mitigate this problem and bring something new to current formula, though that wont happen.

Which would bring more continuity into show, provide insight to Ash past and history increasing storyline credibility and amount of growth or impact previous characters or events left on it.

While allow us to see characters we grew to like in action, updated, learn new things and upgrade pokemon teams growing stronger as persons and trainers(be it Misty, May, Cilan etc). Which sounds more interesting than letting them abandoned in past forgotten.

What I like about the anime is that they're prone to accept long-held suggestions by fans. Like they brought Brock back after Orange Islands, they actually made Team Rocket more serious in BW, etc.

Not always though. Some of most consistently talked and complained about things in show over the years like Ash never winning league with writers expanding on hmaster career. Misty coming back to main cast with many being peeved about her unfinished and untold story (like her water goal, ambitions, unbexplored past)missing fluid dynamic she brought, May getting specials about her contest adventures in Johto etc. were never took in consideration from writers.

Making me suspect how writers in general donpt pay much attention to what fans want. Though there seemingly exist exceptions to this rule like you brought up.

 

[Elaitenstile]

Not always though. Some of most consistently talked and complained about things in show over the years like Ash never winning league with writers expanding on hmaster career. Misty coming back to main cast with many being peeved about her unfinished and untold story (like her water goal, ambitions, unbexplored past)missing fluid dynamic she brought, May getting specials about her contest adventures in Johto etc. were never took in consideration from writers.

Making me suspect how writers in general donpt pay much attention to what fans want. Though there seemingly exist exceptions to this rule like you brought up.

Hmm I see your point. Oh well, looks like you're right. I personally agree about the other things you've said, Pokémon Battles sure have changed from minor skirmishes to detailed fights. They've even started considering accuracy checks, special abilities and side-effects more often.

 

[Wobbu]

I think the anime has improved over the years. Like ★Hoenn★ said, improved aesthetics are to be expected, but there have also been many other improvements. I feel like the anime is becoming more serious and focused on the relations between people and Pokemon, a theme that has been stressed throughout much of the Pokémedia. We're also seeing a larger pool of networking with many cross-character interactions that creates a large social dynamic. Many of the recurring characters from BW have gotten to know each other one way or another (although it's sad that they haven't appeared since the Unova League) and have formed some sort of relationship. The voice acting (for the dub, anyways) appears to be getting slightly awkward now. There are some characters whose voices don't seem natural or don't really fit in. I'm not saying all voices are bad, just a lot of CotDs (for example, that guy with the dancing Maractus).

 

[Boilurn]

I'm not sure if there is much of a change/difference in the anime to be honest. Most of the main plots (For example, Ash's objective of battling all the gyms in each area) are too similar. I guess the more exciting episodes would be the ones that are not gym-related, of those that have a better picture quality. I dunno about this.

 

[RoreyG]

As others have said before me, technology has improved certain aesthetic aspects of the show. There have been more serious attempts at story and character development and Pokemon battles have become more fluid.

However, I think that there is decline in certain other aspects (especially in the English dub). For instance, I was watching a couple episodes from the Indigo League and it had a more vibrant tone to it. The Dialogue was witty (for an English dub by 4Kids), the group dynamic between Ash, Misty and Brock was perfect and every character had genuine personality. It was more fun and enjoyable back then. It felt like it had more heart to it.

I'm not against trying to take a more serious approach to the show, but all I'm saying is that you have to find a good balance. The newer anime does the serious stuff well, but I find that every attempt they make to shift to a lighter tone amidst the seriousness either comes off as forced or some of the characters come off as annoying.

The balance I think would work is similar to what was done in Pokemon: The Origin. It was serious when it had to be, but it still came off as a fun adventure overall with a lot of heart. It felt genuine.

Then again, this is just my opinion. You guys feel free to disagree. :)