Pokémon Origins (2013)

Honestly this is now my favourite Pokemon series I might have grew up with Pokemon Diamond and pearl but I actually think it is good for a change that Ash is not the protagonist.This show even got me back into Pokemon although I am still a Yo Kai Watch fan but still. Its nice to actually see a pokemon dub which is not by new york/4kids and instead LA voice actors. Although I wouldn't mind seeing someone like Dee Bradley Baker or Frank Welker voice in Pokemon one day.Even though the story is familiar with the other Pokemon cartoons instead we have Red as the protagonist competing against Blue and instead of Pikatu as the main pokemon we have Charazon (I think). But we do see characters like Brock and Misty make cameos in the series.If you enjoy Pokemon and you want something different then I would recommend this.

I am a fan of Pokemon, and I can literally say that this is the absolute worst TV adaptation of Pokemon I have seen! It is the very definition of style over substance, as the animation is very good, yet the story is absolutely horrifically told! The plot is basically I did this I did that I did this I did that Oh no it's a problem I did this I did that I did this I did that. Charmander evolved I caught this Pokemon I caught that Pokemon I beat this gaudy I beat that guy I did a bunch of other stuff that I will now awkwardly sum up in 30 seconds, of which could have actually been fleshed out properly and featured in the series. I know it's a mini-series, but why is it even a mini series? Why not just make it an actual show that consists of more that 4 episodes, as the game it's based on is so over plotted, that there is literally no way you can tell a good story in 4 twenty minute long episodes. I was dry hyped for this series, as I do not care for the currently running show and are daily praying for it to end, so I was hoping this could replace it with something fresh, but I guess that would have required actual EFFORT. It's shocking how little they cared. At least the actual series tries to make good characters (and fails, but that's irrelevant). Origins is just a bunch of one-dimensional characters that stay the same from point a to b. I was majorly let down, but if you like it then that's fine, watch it. I don't care.

I grew up with the original Pokémon (Seasons 1-5) and I still love it to this day. It was nice to go back to where it all started since right now I couldn't stand Best Wishes and the more recent XY. However, I feel that just 4-5 episodes is just WAY too short to fully tell a Pokémon story. In the regular show every episode was worth the watch as it was more than just formula, it felt like reading a novel. They made Red to be too perfect unlike Ash who really felt more alive. Sorry fans of this one, but Ash's faults were there for a purpose not to drive you crazy. And the whole "win only one tournament" was there for a reason as well. Here the ultra condensed version is just mostly action, very little adventure, comedy, and drama and that's it. I liked how they played it out in the fashion of the Gameboy Games, but the reason I preferred the anime more, is that it had more life. Characters thought, had deep psychology, and made tough if difficult decisions. Here we don't get that as much. Finally, I felt that the mega stone thing was out of place. The creators should stick where it was back then and what it should be.

I've always been a fan of pokemon and I feel this is a good show. There are some strong points but on the other hand, I do feel it misses some points the original series had. I've read some of the other reviews and some say they dislike pokemon saying their names. Honestly, I miss that. I don't know how it was for everyone but I did like pokemon saying their own names. It was what set pokemon apart from the other pocket monsters. I also felt like in a way, it gave the pokemon personally. I watched a bit of pokemon when the main character Dawn and it was fun watching Piplup and his struggles. Here, there is no development of pokemon or the characaters. They just seem to be the typical pokemon formula: having a rival who thinks he's better than you are. Then again, if we come from the perspective of just any person playing the game, it makes sense to have the bland character. And it is better in some aspects: there is no team rocket and meowth. I always hated those parts. Ash was not great in the original series. He is quite annoying, and never seems to learn. Additionally, after the first season, pikachu becomes more and more boring. I didn't keep up with the original series but compared to that, this is pretty awesome.