Vote for why you think it jumped
Exit Stage Left...(Misty)
No more Brock
Day One
The Movie
Never Jumped
Shark Bytes
This fad jumped day one, though I blame one of my favorite videos games, Super Smash Bros., on why I started to watch this crap b/c Pikachu was a good fighter in that game. I regret being addictive to Pokemon when I was younger. Ash's voice was too girly. Also, this show was the beginning of the end for Kids WB in the 1990s as they dumped the great Animaniacs in favor of this trash.
The show jumped after the end of season 5. No doubt about it. Not just because of Misty, but everything else, monotonous and redundant episode writing, generic creatures, and lack of heart, wit, and charm the original series had. May and Max didn't have a deep character both Ash and Misty had, and were too annoying and stuck-up. By Battle Frontier the voices now stink as they show no emotion or are downright clumsy. To make things worse some recalled pokemon for some battles end up getting nothing accomlished. And by Shinnoh, everything has hit the bottom. For those tough guys who bash this show just to be big and strong, rethink your actions and get a life!
I would say the show jumped around the first movie, or the episode in which Giovanni soundly trounces Gary with Mewtwo, then Mewtwo escapes, providing the background for the first movie. That was an amazing episode and actually gave Team Rocket some respect (as temporary gym leaders). The gym was rigged to deliver electric shock to the trainer whenever his/her Pokemon got hurt, so the trainer felt the Pokemon's pain. Amazing concept! The movie was not bad; Mewtwo was a pretty good character, and there was enough fan service (even Mew!) to satisfy me as an 8-year-old fan. Other amazing episodes were the battle vs. Lt. Surge, the Pokemon Tower episode, the Sabrina battle, and all the Pokemon League episodes. That I can still remember them years later tells you something about them. There's nothing like seeing your favorite Pokemon on TV raising hell and kicking butt.
After that, the series just got progressively worse. The Orange Island episodes were dumb and strayed too far from the games (although the Drake battle was cool). Some of the Johto Pokemon, like Steelix and Heracross, are cool, but you just can't beat the original 151. Plus, Tracey was extremely annoying.
After that, the series just got progressively worse. The Orange Island episodes were dumb and strayed too far from the games (although the Drake battle was cool). Some of the Johto Pokemon, like Steelix and Heracross, are cool, but you just can't beat the original 151. Plus, Tracey was extremely annoying.
The first season or two was good, but then it all went down the drain. The characters and plots have no creativity now, the new Pokemon are mostly just a strangely-colored version of an animal... the list goes on and on.
I do think that Misty leaving could've been the end of the show. She brought something different to the main characters, more than just 'you're-my-friend-and-now-we're-going-on-an-adventure'. She kind of hated Ash, and it made things interesting. Plus she was a STRONG female character, who wasn't just happy all the time.
Plus, Ash used to be stupid, but he would try again and get stronger. Now he NEVER loses! It's ridiculous! I used to love that show, and while I probably wouldn't be really interested in it now that I'm older, I do wish it would've stayed good. I still say "Woobuffet" when I'm angry by the way. XD
I do think that Misty leaving could've been the end of the show. She brought something different to the main characters, more than just 'you're-my-friend-and-now-we're-going-on-an-adventure'. She kind of hated Ash, and it made things interesting. Plus she was a STRONG female character, who wasn't just happy all the time.
Plus, Ash used to be stupid, but he would try again and get stronger. Now he NEVER loses! It's ridiculous! I used to love that show, and while I probably wouldn't be really interested in it now that I'm older, I do wish it would've stayed good. I still say "Woobuffet" when I'm angry by the way. XD
See here's what I dislike about Ash.
His Pikachu always. Beats. Ground-types. "Aim for the horn"? REALLY?
In the first season he actually lost a lot of battles before making it to the Elite 4. I grew up with Misty, so I kinda wrinkled my nose when she was replaced with May, who has no backbone and drives me up the wall.
I would have liked to see Silver (the rival from GSC) have his own little story arc, though. His story was so much more interesting than the other rivals, which was one of the reasons I like GSC.
I just can't stand Ash's Deus Ex Pikachu.
I mean I caught a pikachu in RBY and it fucking sucked.
There are so many better electrics out there.
His Pikachu always. Beats. Ground-types. "Aim for the horn"? REALLY?
In the first season he actually lost a lot of battles before making it to the Elite 4. I grew up with Misty, so I kinda wrinkled my nose when she was replaced with May, who has no backbone and drives me up the wall.
I would have liked to see Silver (the rival from GSC) have his own little story arc, though. His story was so much more interesting than the other rivals, which was one of the reasons I like GSC.
I just can't stand Ash's Deus Ex Pikachu.
I mean I caught a pikachu in RBY and it fucking sucked.
There are so many better electrics out there.
Egad, so many votes for Misty leaving. Misty is massively overrated. Her "goal" was very narrow in scope (training only one type of creature?) and severely limited the roles she could take, thus shafting her to a cheerleader role. She was not important in any way. Misty's departure being regarded as the main Jumping the Shark moment is not a testament to her quality of character, but is best attributed to the fact she has a freaking cult!
The anime overall has been getting better. The first season was filled with Ash breaking so many rules, deus ex wins, and getting a ridiculous amount of pity badges. At least nowadays he earns his victories more fairly, with a few lapses occasionally, but nowhere near as bad as within the Indigo League. Where's the inverted Shark Jumping option?
The anime overall has been getting better. The first season was filled with Ash breaking so many rules, deus ex wins, and getting a ridiculous amount of pity badges. At least nowadays he earns his victories more fairly, with a few lapses occasionally, but nowhere near as bad as within the Indigo League. Where's the inverted Shark Jumping option?
@previous poster:
You´ve got some points there, but what about the people who watched the show from the beginning? Pokemon may be aimed at a young audience, but older people are watching, too. And to them it´s really boring if almost every episode has the same story line. Don´t know about now, but during the Johto jouneys it was some kind of phenomenon.
I think that Pokemon didn´t really jump the shark but became worse when it turned into a complete kids´ show. Maybe it´s just me, but I find the first couple of episodes pretty much darker than the rest. I read an interesting article about how in the beginning ash´s fate was uncertain and there was some kind of evil in that happy Pokemon world. Team Rocket were real enemies and even death threads were made (in the japanese version, anyway).
If we watch Pokemon now we know that Ash´s gonna win and Team Rocket will lose. Personally I stopped caring if Ash wins his 150th badge. The gym fights used to be more exciting, as well. When Ash still was a very unexperienced trainer he had problems beating the gym leaders and often needed a second try or had to come up with a completely new strategy. Those were the days.
Regarding the Pokegirls: I choose Misty over May and Dawn because I liked the idea of Ash having friends who are probably as good trainers as him better than him being the older, more mature and more experienced one. I even liked Ash and Misty´s arguments better than him fighting with one of the other Pokegirls. It´s a matter of taste, but Misty was there from the beginning. The others were just replacements.
But you´re right in saying that the japanese version is still very good.
You´ve got some points there, but what about the people who watched the show from the beginning? Pokemon may be aimed at a young audience, but older people are watching, too. And to them it´s really boring if almost every episode has the same story line. Don´t know about now, but during the Johto jouneys it was some kind of phenomenon.
I think that Pokemon didn´t really jump the shark but became worse when it turned into a complete kids´ show. Maybe it´s just me, but I find the first couple of episodes pretty much darker than the rest. I read an interesting article about how in the beginning ash´s fate was uncertain and there was some kind of evil in that happy Pokemon world. Team Rocket were real enemies and even death threads were made (in the japanese version, anyway).
If we watch Pokemon now we know that Ash´s gonna win and Team Rocket will lose. Personally I stopped caring if Ash wins his 150th badge. The gym fights used to be more exciting, as well. When Ash still was a very unexperienced trainer he had problems beating the gym leaders and often needed a second try or had to come up with a completely new strategy. Those were the days.
Regarding the Pokegirls: I choose Misty over May and Dawn because I liked the idea of Ash having friends who are probably as good trainers as him better than him being the older, more mature and more experienced one. I even liked Ash and Misty´s arguments better than him fighting with one of the other Pokegirls. It´s a matter of taste, but Misty was there from the beginning. The others were just replacements.
But you´re right in saying that the japanese version is still very good.
Pokemon never jumped the shark. The Japanese version has always been great! Here are some of the things noted when I read through the many past entries.
1. Misty being replaced by May/Dawn.
First and foremost, several anime are just there to promote the games/manga. For the Kanto to Jhoto arc, there was no girl character playble (in the games, with the exception of Crystal but that was the last game before Pokemon shifted to GBA), so the writers could choose Ash's (he's based after the player in Pokemon Red)travelling companions. But, from Ruby and Sapphire onwards, there was playable girl character, and so that character was written into the show as well. And storyboard artist of Pokemon, Masamitsu Hidaka, states that it "gives the boys some new eye-candy once in a while." Brock was kept because...well everybody loves Brock! XD
2. Replacing Block with Tracey in Season 2
Following up on "Everybody loves Brock!", Tracey replaced Brock in Season Two because by then Pokemon had gone international and the Japanese crew felt that Brock might be viewed as racist by the American people because of his eyes, and that they were even fearful of it when Pokemon first came to America. So Tracey replaced him. However, since everyone loves Brock and he isn't viewed in a negative light anyway, they brought him back. That same reason was why Jynx got changed from black to purple.
3. Always the same storyline.
I admit, they use a lot of this trick in the show, but in Diamond and Pearl, there were slightly more twists and as an added bonus, May, Misty and Gary return for an episode or two. (May and Gary already appeared, not sure about Misty). Mr. Hidaka has stated that the show was cyclical – the audience is constantly replaced (since children get older and leave, and new children come in), so they are allowed to get away with having the same repetitive goal. So, the show would probably continue the same way – collect badges, travel through different regions, never age.
4. Change in voice actors.
That's really just a regional problem. People in Japan respect their voice actors and would never even CONSIDER switching them, unless it is really needed. (Like one of the VAs go on maternity leave or passes away =X)
5. The movies.
Well, like most animes, they will always come out with MORE than one movie. For Pokemon, it's a movie every year. And the first movie sucked only because the dub dumbed it down TERRIBLY.
6. Team Rocket
Erm...I'll give it to you guys there. But Jessie wins a contest! XD
[Some information were obtained from pokebeach.com]
1. Misty being replaced by May/Dawn.
First and foremost, several anime are just there to promote the games/manga. For the Kanto to Jhoto arc, there was no girl character playble (in the games, with the exception of Crystal but that was the last game before Pokemon shifted to GBA), so the writers could choose Ash's (he's based after the player in Pokemon Red)travelling companions. But, from Ruby and Sapphire onwards, there was playable girl character, and so that character was written into the show as well. And storyboard artist of Pokemon, Masamitsu Hidaka, states that it "gives the boys some new eye-candy once in a while." Brock was kept because...well everybody loves Brock! XD
2. Replacing Block with Tracey in Season 2
Following up on "Everybody loves Brock!", Tracey replaced Brock in Season Two because by then Pokemon had gone international and the Japanese crew felt that Brock might be viewed as racist by the American people because of his eyes, and that they were even fearful of it when Pokemon first came to America. So Tracey replaced him. However, since everyone loves Brock and he isn't viewed in a negative light anyway, they brought him back. That same reason was why Jynx got changed from black to purple.
3. Always the same storyline.
I admit, they use a lot of this trick in the show, but in Diamond and Pearl, there were slightly more twists and as an added bonus, May, Misty and Gary return for an episode or two. (May and Gary already appeared, not sure about Misty). Mr. Hidaka has stated that the show was cyclical – the audience is constantly replaced (since children get older and leave, and new children come in), so they are allowed to get away with having the same repetitive goal. So, the show would probably continue the same way – collect badges, travel through different regions, never age.
4. Change in voice actors.
That's really just a regional problem. People in Japan respect their voice actors and would never even CONSIDER switching them, unless it is really needed. (Like one of the VAs go on maternity leave or passes away =X)
5. The movies.
Well, like most animes, they will always come out with MORE than one movie. For Pokemon, it's a movie every year. And the first movie sucked only because the dub dumbed it down TERRIBLY.
6. Team Rocket
Erm...I'll give it to you guys there. But Jessie wins a contest! XD
[Some information were obtained from pokebeach.com]
First of all I´ve got to say that I kind of stopped watching the show after the 3rd season, because I live in Germany and there Ash´s voice actress was replaced by the most talentless woman in the world. I couldn´t bear watching the show that way and always hoped for Ash to shut up. Unfortunately he wouldn´t. Anyway, I started watching english episodes of the 4th and 5th season and was kind of disappointed.
I´m gonna make a list of all the things and changes that really annoy me about this show:
1. In the first 3 seasons Ash was a bit of a loser. Gary made fun of him, Ash lost many battles and whenever he was overconfident the next moment something would happen that would make him look like a twat. He also had fears and when things got too dangerous he either decided to run or had to get up the nerve to face the challenge.
Nowadays Ash seems kind of robotic. Maybe I just happened to watch the worst episodes in existence and the rest is ok, but in the ones I saw almost every sentence Ash said was either "I´ve got to do something" or
"I can´t let them get away"
While in the first season there is an episode where Ash and his friends try to sneak away from Butch and Cassidy, in the 5th season none of the real bad guys (let alone like 20 Team Rocket members who attack Ash & Co) seem to be a match for him. He´s also able to break metal bars by now.
If I want to see stuff like this I watch Superman. This kind of character development is definitely a reason why the show jumped the shark in my opinion.
2. Team Rocket. Do they really have to be in EVERY episode when we all know that they will never ever win a battle?
3. Misty leaving. I don´t really know the new characters, but from what I saw I don´t think I´ll ever get a fan of May or Dawn. Plus many things seem just like a lame copy. The writers obviously thought it was a hilarious idea to make Ash destroy the bikes of his future travelling companions a running gag.
Even Ash´s mother changed in a negative way. She used to be a caring mother, who wouldn´t show her affection too much and make Ash believe that she doesn´t even miss him too much when he´s gone. Call me coldhearted, but I liked that a lot better than the audience being able to hear her cheesy inner monolouges throughout the whole episode.
The storylines are pretty repetitive, too. They always were a bit, but when the characters, especially Ash, were still likeable I didn´t mind that too much. Now the whole show just seems like a bore.
I´m gonna make a list of all the things and changes that really annoy me about this show:
1. In the first 3 seasons Ash was a bit of a loser. Gary made fun of him, Ash lost many battles and whenever he was overconfident the next moment something would happen that would make him look like a twat. He also had fears and when things got too dangerous he either decided to run or had to get up the nerve to face the challenge.
Nowadays Ash seems kind of robotic. Maybe I just happened to watch the worst episodes in existence and the rest is ok, but in the ones I saw almost every sentence Ash said was either "I´ve got to do something" or
"I can´t let them get away"
While in the first season there is an episode where Ash and his friends try to sneak away from Butch and Cassidy, in the 5th season none of the real bad guys (let alone like 20 Team Rocket members who attack Ash & Co) seem to be a match for him. He´s also able to break metal bars by now.
If I want to see stuff like this I watch Superman. This kind of character development is definitely a reason why the show jumped the shark in my opinion.
2. Team Rocket. Do they really have to be in EVERY episode when we all know that they will never ever win a battle?
3. Misty leaving. I don´t really know the new characters, but from what I saw I don´t think I´ll ever get a fan of May or Dawn. Plus many things seem just like a lame copy. The writers obviously thought it was a hilarious idea to make Ash destroy the bikes of his future travelling companions a running gag.
Even Ash´s mother changed in a negative way. She used to be a caring mother, who wouldn´t show her affection too much and make Ash believe that she doesn´t even miss him too much when he´s gone. Call me coldhearted, but I liked that a lot better than the audience being able to hear her cheesy inner monolouges throughout the whole episode.
The storylines are pretty repetitive, too. They always were a bit, but when the characters, especially Ash, were still likeable I didn´t mind that too much. Now the whole show just seems like a bore.
Jumped day one. Go into the woods, take a random animal out of it's habitat and everything, put the poor creature in a 1/2' ball, force it to get beaten up in a cartoon cockfight everyday.... How do the things live through getting buried in rocks, drown then being electrocuted anyway? Are Pokemon immortal or something? If I was a Pokemon, I would have used my "Hyper Beam" on my trainer and gotten the hell out of there a long time ago... What does it teach... Let your Rabbit get mauled by a Dog and expect it to automatically love you? At least bug catching, fishing and hunting put the things out of their misery, and animal trapping is usually only temporary... I know it makes me sound like a hippy, but seriously, stupid crap, making kids think they can solve problems with violence. Then they wonder why this generation is so 'effed up.
Hello world. One of them forwarded the link to your site and having read it I had to write to tell you how much I admire your bravery, not only in how you've got through the tragic event in your life but also in how you have told the world your story ****** What can I say? I've just be
Leave a Comment
