"Pokémon Scent-sation!" Episode Discussion

[Charaxes]

"Pok?mon Scent-sation!" Episode Discussion

Here is where you can discuss Erika and her assortment of perfumes in "Pok?mon Scent-sation!"

My review to come forthwith.

 

[Vernikova]

I like this episode a lot. Erika was really cool and the concept of having Ash cross dress into Ashley was great. But as usual in Kanto, the gym battle sucked, bad.

 

[Charaxes]

Erika was really cool and the concept of having Ash cross dress into Ashley was great. But as usual in Kanto, the gym battle sucked, bad.

For some reason, Ashley reminded me of Startropics, where the hero had to crossdress in order to enter a castle of Amazons (to get to the next level). Ah, Nintendo, you do love the crossdressing, don'tcha?

Anyway, usually, I hate the pity badge, but since Erika is the magnanimous of all the GLs, I'll give this one a pass. She would dole out a Gym badge out of generosity, right?

I also hated this episode for one big omission, since we were in Celadon: the Rocket Game Corner. Major rant whenever I have the time and mental clarity.

 

[Vernikova]

For some reason, Ashley reminded me of Startropics, where the hero had to crossdress in order to enter a castle of Amazons (to get to the next level). Ah, Nintendo, you do love the crossdressing, don'tcha?

Anyway, usually, I hate the pity badge, but since Erika is the magnanimous of all the GLs, I'll give this one a pass. She would dole out a Gym badge out of generosity, right?

I also hated this episode for one big omission, since we were in Celadon: the Rocket Game Corner. Major rant whenever I have the time and mental clarity.

I'd rather have a great gym battle than a Rocket Corner episode any day in Kanto.

 

[Charaxes]

I'd rather have a great gym battle than a Rocket Corner episode any day in Kanto.

Granted, but you have to remember that my motivation was different 10 years ago. Back then, I didn't care about the Gym Battles, or him getting a new Pokemon, or anything else -- it was just the Rockets. I've stated that on previous discussions, so this shouldn't be news to you.

So, yeah, while the Saffron episodes created my forever sense of disappointment in this series, this episode would eventually sealed it. So, "I guess we'll pick and choose game canon, won't we?" In time, an early Johto episode would make certain that I would never have any expectations on this show, again.

So, for the Pokemaniac in me 10 years ago, this mattered. Now, the cynical fan in 2008? Not at all.

 

[Vernikova]

Granted, but you have to remember that my motivation was different 10 years ago. Back then, I didn't care about the Gym Battles, or him getting a new Pokemon, or anything else -- it was just the Rockets. I've stated that on previous discussions, so this shouldn't be news to you.

So, yeah, while the Saffron episodes created my forever sense of disappointment in this series, this episode would eventually sealed it. So, "I guess we'll pick and choose game canon, won't we?" In time, an early Johto episode would make certain that I would never have any expectations on this show, again.

So, for the Pokemaniac in me 10 years ago, this mattered. Now, the cynical fan in 2008? Not at all.

I only cared about the battles than the Rockets. I thought they were just used to fight Ash again, and again... and again.

Out of interest, what was the episode?

 

[Charaxes]

I only cared about the battles than the Rockets. I thought they were just used to fight Ash again, and again... and again.

Out of interest, what was the episode?

Yes, the Rockets in-or-out game were meant to be used that way. Thankfully, I would later read Pokemon Special, and have it done right, for a change.

I believe it was after "Haunter VS. Kadabra," and hoping that they'll do the big Silph battle. Then, I watched "Primeape Goes Bananas," and I went ballistic. I had a lot of anger about that, admittedly. Then by this episode and the next, I figured "it's not going to happen, so I won't delude myself anymore."

I had nothing on J/J/M (at the time), but, after viewing the St. Anne episode and witnessing Giovanni and the Grunts in action, I wanted more. I would whenever Mewtwo first appeared, but that was a long way off for me.

 

[wobbadude1]

Apparently this was Veronica Taylor (voice of Ash)'s favourite episode and one of mine too! I enjoyed the bit where Team Rocket disguised Ash- one of the funniest parts in the anime!

Does anyone know what the picture of Erika with Glooms around her is based on? I think it is another anime???

 

[Vernikova]

Yes, the Rockets in-or-out game were meant to be used that way. Thankfully, I would later read Pokemon Special, and have it done right, for a change.

I believe it was after "Haunter VS. Kadabra," and hoping that they'll do the big Silph battle. Then, I watched "Primeape Goes Bananas," and I went ballistic. I had a lot of anger about that, admittedly. Then by this episode and the next, I figured "it's not going to happen, so I won't delude myself anymore."

I had nothing on J/J/M (at the time), but, after viewing the St. Anne episode and witnessing Giovanni and the Grunts in action, I wanted more. I would whenever Mewtwo first appeared, but that was a long way off for me.

I thought it would be the episode with the Goldenrod Radio Tower.

Does anyone know what the picture of Erika with Glooms around her is based on? I think it is another anime???

I don't know. :P

 

[Jorah]

I LOVED this episode! The X get stamped on Ash's and Team Rocket's face was so funny. Although, I agree with Ash that perfumes smell horrid, they either give me a headache or all I can smell is the alcohol and it hurts my nose...but this episode comes right after the 4th gym!? Wow, odd pacing, not to mention you go in a different order in the games.

You can hear May in Ashley haha. I love this episode for Ash going along with TR. The dub calls the bombs "blaster bombs"? Odd.

Worst line ever: *fire, saving Pokemon* Random person: We gotta catch 'em all!
Urgh...but Pikachu putting out the fire with a little watering can was cute.

WHY didn't Ash use Pidgeotto against Gloom and BLOW the smell away with Whirlwind? There's a type advantage and he would've won. But there was some ban on using non-starters in gyms after the 2nd gym...

I also hated this episode for one big omission, since we were in Celadon: the Rocket Game Corner. Major rant whenever I have the time and mental clarity.

Probably because they would've had to have everyone in there losing because "gambling isn't right" and Ash just doesn't have money XD I think they could probably justify it in the games, though

 

[PorygonSquared]

Anyway, usually, I hate the pity badge, but since Erika is the magnanimous of all the GLs, I'll give this one a pass. She would dole out a Gym badge out of generosity, right?

Yes, it was a pity badge, but how else would you reward someone for going into a burning building to save the Pokemon there? That is why this one was less annoying than the others.

I find it fairly amusing that Saffron came before Celadon, but then again, the video games also mixed up the Soul/Marsh badges and their corresponding Gym Leaders.

And this leads to the first Gym-related "continuity" issue I have about Kanto. If only girls were allowed in the Gym, how the heck did any other guy manage to get the badge necessary to enter the Pokemon League?

 

[weedle_mchairybug]

And this leads to the first Gym-related "continuity" issue I have about Kanto. If only girls were allowed in the Gym, how the heck did any other guy manage to get the badge necessary to enter the Pokemon League?

Actually, it wasn't a "girl's only" gym. Ash wasn't allowed in there because he made a VERY nasty comment in regards to the Perfume Shop, which was also run by the Gym Leader. Besides, if it was a "Girls only" gym, Brock wouldn't even be present in it (which he obviously was.)

 

[Charaxes]

Probably because they would've had to have everyone in there losing because "gambling isn't right" and Ash just doesn't have money XD I think they could probably justify it in the games, though

If the anime was made around 5 years ago, I'd agree. However, the early Kanto episodes didn't have much restriction, by comparison. Look at the Squirtle episode: guns, death threats, a beer ad. So, gambling wouldn't be much of a leap back then. Nah, it's either too expansive to animate, they didn't want to go there with the Rockets, I don't know.

Like I said in the beginning: wasted potential.

Anyway, someone made a comparison to another anime. Dogasu answers that for you. Also, Erika's dub voice actress was also on the Utena dub, I believe. So, double your pleasure.

https://dogasu.bulbagarden.net/comparisons/kanto/ep026.html

 

[Yu_&_Rei]

I actually expected Ash in that episode to insult the perfume, I only like the scent of Perfume if its one of those big brand names like my sister has, the cheap ones make me want to barf, I wonder what kind Erika had?

 

[sirboulevard]

Excellent episode. Ash crossdressing in this episode was very original and served a purpose as opposed to the next two times he does it for no reason... Also, Bulbapedia mentioned something that struck as a possible what if moment. ashley's dress was not destroyed and hasnt been seen since and its possible Ash still has it... hahaha Ash has a girls dress in his backpack (or closet possibly!).

I wish the Erika we meet here was more like the Erika in Pokemon Special, the head Gym Leader of Kanto. Sweet, innocent and girly on the outside and crazy awesome battler on the inside...

 

[DonRoyale]

Sexist gym, hurrah!

Ash crossdressing, FAAANSERVICE!

Stupid gym battle, BOO!

Stupid distraction, DOUBLE BOO!

Ash getting a badge because he "did the right thing"! BOOYEAH!

Old bad episode is old and bad. :S
Kanto's Gym battles all fail, period.

 

[weedle_mchairybug]

Sexist gym, hurrah!

I thought I got through saying that it wasn't a "girls only" gym, and the only reason why Ash wasn't allowed in is because he insulted Erika's Perfume Shop, and it had absolutely nothing to do with gender at all [otherwise, Brock wouldn't have been in the gym at all.].

Ash crossdressing, FAAANSERVICE!

Errr... please tell me, exactly HOW is Ash crossdressing "Fanservice" in any form?

Stupid gym battle, BOO!

umm... exactly how was it a "Stupid battle"? Bulbasaur lost because Tangela used it's vine whip against it. Weepinbell lost because of it's weakness to fire, and we wouldn't have known the exact result of his battle against Tangela (for all we know, he could have recalled Charmander for Pidgeotto.)

Stupid distraction, DOUBLE BOO!

So you're saying that Ash and Erika should have continued battling, in oh... I don't know... A BURNING GYM?! that seems more stupid in my opinion.

Ash getting a badge because he "did the right thing"! BOOYEAH!

Err... were you meaning "booyeah" in the positive sense or the negative? If positive, yeah, I agree with you. Negative, well, different story.

Old bad episode is old and bad. :S
Kanto's Gym battles all fail, period.

So... you're ranking it as bad just because it's a Kanto Gym Battle? I actually think the way they had him earn badges was actually all right, because, if I had to choose between giving a badge to a trainer who, while not a very good battler, was able to actually care for his pokemon, and also care for other forms of life, and to a trainer who, while quite skilled in battling, abuses his pokemon and gives no insight to anything other than just demolishing people, I'd rather give it to the person who cares.

However, While I DO want Ash to keep that good behavior up, that doesn't mean that I want him to lose potential (which is, unfortunately, what's currently happening in D/P, as he's currently losing against Gym Leaders that he should be plowing through, considering the fact that he is the Battle Frontier Champ. I can understand his loss against Gary, since Electivire was a new pokemon to him, but his tie against Paul [specifically, the Pikachu vs. Elekid battle] doesn't make ANY sort of sense. I mean, even WITH Paul being equal to Ash in almost every way, his Elekid was probably less experienced than Pikachu (I'm not getting into game stuff, he was actually less experienced, which even the Anime makes clear that experience, though not always the determining case, does matter.]. I'm not even getting into gym leaders in the anime.).

Anyways, that's all for now.

 

[PorygonSquared]

I thought I got through saying that it wasn't a "girls only" gym, and the only reason why Ash wasn't allowed in is because he insulted Erika's Perfume Shop, and it had absolutely nothing to do with gender at all [otherwise, Brock wouldn't have been in the gym at all.].

Wow, my memory is terribly lax.

Errr... please tell me, exactly HOW is Ash crossdressing "Fanservice" in any form?

It appeals to a target audience (girls) without doing much for the actual plot. That's pretty much the essence of fanservice. In a similar vein, Super Smash Bros. is a fanservice game for all the pandering to fans of Nintendo franchises that could have been replaced by something else.