Movin on up, to the age of 64 bits

Pocket'Monster's art style was well represented by the constrained mono colored game boy, and as satisfied we were with its splendor there was still the whiney child in the back of your mind screaming out for for something more. GameFreak saw this, and responded with what we know today as Poke'mon stadium for Nintendo's 3rd generation console. and boy did it blow the minds of millions. With meticulous animations for all 151 Poke'mon, free-for-all style mini games and the ability to bring the game itself to the big screen through the infamous GameBoy Tower, this title delivered on all fronts.

But Poke'mon hasn't always been the success in the 3D realm that it is today, Poke'mon snap developed by Hal Laboratory wasn't exactly a block-buster in the video game world. But it did bring a very unique perspective that many youngsters were more than excited to experience, and with the added feature to print your pictures at a local blockbuster, Poke'mon Snap was a fine Title that brought the world to life.

One Title, on the other hand, started what many consider the decline of this spectacular franchise. Hey you Pikachu Developed by Ambrella was a horrific misstep in an other wise unblemished record of Expertly crafted line of games. The claim was you, the trainer, would be able to communicate to your personal Pikachu through a bulbous microphone peripheral plugged into you N64 controller.

What promise the idea held was destroyed by a lazy and incompetent development team that despite proven horribleness, is still GameFreaks right hand developer in spin off poke'mon games such as, Poke'mon Channel, My Poke'mon Ranch and the recently shat out Poke'mon Rumble.

Music in the Kanto region

Pokémon is an anime of impeccable quality, through and through - something that has been lost in this decade of decadence. Indeed, what have the younger generation, our successors, to base their childhood memories upon but cheap imitations of the splendours of a fallen age (the late 90's and early 2000's). Perhaps it's the nostalgia speaking? Of course his childhood was the best. I believe, however, that beyond the blissful delusion of a euphoric youthhood lies ultimately some definite factor of veritude: as tangible as a Tangela. Let's analyze one factor that made Poketto Monsuta a pinnacle of imported anime.















Any fan of 8-bit video game music is captivated by an orchestral rendition of his or her music; we, as Pokémon fans, are no exception. Fortunately for our musical palettes, Shinji Miyazaki delivers an exceptional compilation of Pokétunes, implementing full orchestral sections and ample amounts of electrical riffs where called for (think the Battle Theme).


Pokemon Episode 36, the Bridge Bike Gang is an exemplary of Miyazaki's phenomenal score, featuring tracks such as: 'Setting Off' (the endearing Route 1 Theme) 'Go with the Bicycle' (a rendition of the GB Bicycle Theme); 'Silly Psyduck' (from the GB theme Following a Trainer to the Gym); and 'Total War' (from the GB OST Hall of Fame theme); as well as the standard Pokemon tracks you might expect to hear in any given episode (i.e. 'Pokemon Battle!' and 'Burning Battle Field' - both fantastic renditions of the GB Battle theme.

Episode 36 also divulges some of the vague history of our antagonists. As it turns out, 'Big Jesse' and 'Little Jim,' were members of the infamous Bridge Bike Gang, before they became Rocket grunts, and the reunion is one of long separated friends, reminiscing fondly on their youthful delinquency. Things have change, of course - for one thing, Team Rocket has done away with handle bars.














'Real gangs ride unicycles' - James

As the plot climaxes, our heroes agree to take a bag of Pokémon medicine across the bridge. Through goodwill and an abiding love and dedication to Pokémon, they succeed in winning over the support of the rough bikers. The triumphal tune: 'Absolute War' plays, as the Bridge Bike Gang escorts Ash and company to the Pokémon Center to deliver the medicine to the sick Shellder.And so we close upon a heartwarming scene, having glanced into the past of Team Rocket. As Little Jim puts it: 'Well I guess our secret past isn't secret anymore.' To which Ash remarks, 'I kinda wish it still was a secret.'
Having visited yet another of the memorable Game Boy locals (Cycling Road), we eagerly anticipate the next twist of the indispensible Pokémon anime. Stay tuned, as we at Pocket Monster Pals! strive to bring you the most lighthearted and affectionate reviews of this Pokémon adventure.

Wake Up, Snorlax!

Episode 41 in the series aired on October 28th, 1998, six months after it originally aired in Japan.
As we return to the Kanto region, we find our heroes traveling through a forest where they happen upon an old man sitting upon a rock. The queer looking fellow plays his Pokeflute for the group, and a sleeping Pikachu is woken up! But to the old man's dismay, our heroes have no food with which to repay him for the Pokeflute concert.

As they continue on their way, Ash, Misty and Brock come upon a village with absolutely no food! The baker is out of bread; the grocer is out of vegetables; even the resident frenchman has no ingredients wherewith to procure pasta! Later, the mayor informs our heroes that there has been a shortage of food since the town's river dried up. In order to progress the plot, they travel upstream to discover the cause of the water shortage.

'Snorlax is the heaviest species of all known pokemon with some weighing more than 1,000 pounds'. That's right, Dex. It appears as though a Sleeping Pokemon has blocked the stream which formerly supplied the town's water, and this Snorlax is in no mood to remove himself. For their own reasons, Team Rocket also wants to remove the Snorlax, and so in a unforseen attempt, they team up with Ash, Misty and Brock in order to move the Pokemon. 'Well I never thought I'd live to see this day, even with nine lives; Team Rocket and team twerp working together,' an incredulous Meowth remarks. After what seems like a thousand valiant attempts, and a trademark Psyduck mishap, Brocks recalls the fabled awakening power of the Pokeflute- that very same flute which the old man had been playing at the beginning of the episode. And so, with the old man's help, Snorlax is awakened, and helps to eat up the excessive foliage blocking the spring. The town's water supply is restored, and to celebrate, the Mayor throws a fantastic feast, while the Sleeping Pokemon, Snorlax, falls back into a deep slumber.

Quotable Quotes:

'How would you look if you got kissed by Meowth?' - Pokemon Breeder Brock
'Nothing makes me angrier than being told the truth' -James
'Pikachu' -Pikachu
'Give it a smack attack right on the lips!' -James
'Just a bit further' -Meowth
'Hey, you don't look half bad, Meowth.' -James


Trainer Tips:
Snorlax
カビゴン (Kabigon) makes his debut as the 11th card of the Jungle series, illustrated by the famed Pokemon artist, Ken Sugimori; in fact the very same Ken Sugimori who developed the original artwork for the Pokemon gameboy games.
According to the Pokedex, Snorlax is 'Very lazy. Just eats and sleeps. As its rotund bulk builds, it becomes steadily more slothful.'
This massive Sleeping Pokemon weighs 1,014 pounds and measures up to 6 feet 11 inches.
Snorlax can be found on Route 12 and 16, but must be awakened by a Pokeflute before they can be caught. Some notable moves Snorlax will learn under vigilant training include: Harden - lv 41; Double Edge - 48; Hyper Beam - 56

The Song of Jigglypuff

Episode 45: The Song of Jigglypuff aired in North American on February 20, 1999.
In this episode, our heroes find themselves in Neon Town, a happening city where no one ever sleeps! There are many attractions and distractions for these ardent Pokemon trainers, however, Ash discovers that the citizens in Neon Town are all very grumpy. Officer Jenny explains that due to a lack of sleep, the Neon Towners are always quite ill tempered.


















After Jigglypuff sings to the restless citizens of Neon Town, they become very drowsy, and in fact, fall asleep! (Much to Jigglypuffs resentment) however, these grumpy people benefit very much from the sedating melody of this Balloon Pokemon. When they awake the next morning, they find themselves in a pleasant mood, after the much needed refreshment of a night's sleep.
As James so aptly observes: 'With enemies like this, who needs friends?'

Jigglypuff
プリン (Purin) appears here as the 39th card in the Jungle set,
illustrated by Kagemaru Himeno, a TCG mainstay, as well as the illustrator of many Pokemon themed manga.

'When its huge eyes light up, it sings a mysteriously soothing melody that lulls its enemies to sleep.'

You can say that again! Jigglypuff's trademark song makes it one of the first pokemon to utilize the 'sleep' status ailment.

This normal type Balloon Pokemon weighs 12 pounds, and measures an average of one foot eight inches.

Trainer Tips:

Wild Jigglypuff can originally be found on route 3, however in Yellow version, as Jigglypuff have multiplied quite a bit, trainers may look for them around the following routes: 5, 6, 7, 8. With proper training, a Jigglypuff will learn the following later level moves: Rest - Lv 29; Body Slam - Lv 34; Double-Edge - Lv 39

Pokemon Scent-sation

Misty learns an important lesson in Episode 26. As our heroes find their way through Celadon City, they discover Erika's grass-type Pokemon gym. Erika explains:

Gloom doesn't have a bad smell all the time. Whenever Gloom is in danger, it lets out the bad smell its a natural defense mechanism but as long as gloom doesn't feel threatened, it smells fine! Just make sure gloom feels safe and show you want to be its friend.

Erika shares a touching account of how a Gloom saved her as a child from a rouge Grimer. In fact, according to the episode this event is what inspired Erika to become a grass Pokemon trainer.

In order to get in to the Celadon City gym, Ash Ketchum is dressed up by team Rocket to resemble a girl. Pikachu quickly recognizes Ash, however, Erika consents to Ash's challenge anyway, due to her Pokemon League obligation.
Erika first using a Tangela and a Weepingbell, Erika finally sends out her Gloom.

Some memorable quotes from this episode:

'I should never have listened to team Rocket!'
-Ash Ketchum
'You can't judge a Pokemon by its smell.'
-Narrator
'Gym rules: no theives allowed'
-Erika

Episode Tidbits:

Episode 26 features one of team Rocket's first fourth wall jokes - one of many to come! Basically, Meowth comments on how the animators never gave him a nose.

When team Rocket is dressing Ash up as a girl in order to get into the Pokemon Gym, the music plays from the game soundtrack, when you are being led to the Pewter City Gym.
Trainer Tips:
Gloom
クサイハナ (Kusaihana)
Pokedex:

The fluid that oozes from its mouth isn't drool; it is a nectar that is used to attract prey.

Before you evolve your Gloom into a Vileplume by means of a grass stone, consider waiting until it has learned some of these powerful grass type moves. Remember, your Gloom will not learn any new moves once it has been exposed to a grass stone.

Acid - Lv 28
Petal Dance - Lv 38
Solar Beam - Lv 52



Pokemon TCG:

Gloom debuted as the 37th card in the Jungle set,
Its card depicts a placid Gloom amongst its natural environs, a characteristic bit of nectar dripping from its mouth. The
Level 22 Gloom is 2' 7" tall, and a mere 19 lbs. - your typical grass type, weighing not 20 lbs.

The artist behind this lovely card is Keiji Kinebuchi, the original 3D artist for the franchise.

Here Comes The Squirtle Squad!

This post gets its name from Episode 12 of the anime, wherein Ash Ketchum has a run in with a nasty squad of squirtles, who've been terrorizing the locals with their reckless behavior. It turns out that these Squirtles have been abandoned by their trainers, and thus become embittered and troublesome. Hungry for human affection, or at least attention, this squad of miscreant Squirtles have resorted to disturbing the peaceful human populus.

Ash gains the trust of the squad by risking his safety to protect the Squirtle leader from team rocket's explosive antics. Later on, the penitent Squirtle Squad has the opportunity to redeem itself in the eyes of the town by putting out a fire caused by team rocket, earning the title 'Town Firefighters'. It seems the misguided pokemon have gained what they always desired: human affection and admiration. We see this recuring theme throughout the anime; allow me to paraphrase... (italics added for emphasis)

I wanna be the very best
Like no one ever was
To catch them is my real test
To train them is my cause

I will travel across the land
Searching far and wide
Each Pokemon to understand
The power that's inside

Pokemon! Gotta catch 'em all!
It's you and me
I know it's my destiny
Pokemon!
Oh, you're my best friend
In a world we must defend

Pokemon! Gotta catch 'em all!
Our hearts so true
Our courage will pull us through
You teach me and I'll teach you
Pokemon! Gotta catch 'em all! Gotta catch 'em all!
Pokemon!

Alright I got carried away there and just italicized the entire last stanza; it's such a moving piece. The point is that it's better than the Japanese intro song, though I can't say I've looked up the translation for that one... But here 'Each pokemon to understand/ The power that's inside' Meaning we look beyond the cover of the book; we look deeper than the skin. This is what we're meant to take away from each episode. What better example of this 'hidden value' theme than the fish pokemon, Magikarp? A meager wight of a pokemon, anyone could be guilty of labeling it such, as did James in episode 16: Pokemon Shipwreck. Much to his dismay, however, we discover Magikarp to be the progenitor of the atrocious pokemon, Gyrados! But that must be the topic of another post.

This is the last we hear of the Squirtle Squad, until episode 149: 'the Fire-ring Squad'. In this episode, our friends come across the squirtle squad led by Officer Jenny entering a pokemon competition known as the Firefighting Grand Prix. The old squad seems to be disheartened, until they meet up with their old companion and leader, who has been traveling with Ash all the while. While practicing for the Grand Prix, the squirtle squad becomes intimidated by the skill and focus of the reigning champions, the Wartortle Team. However, sensing their distress, Ash's Squirtle steps in and unites the squad, at which point, Brock stoically observes, "I guess it doesn't matter how long the old gang has been apart; the leader is still the leader."
Finally it's time for the Firefighting Grand Prix, but in the midst of the announcer's cliche similies, team Rocket makes their token entrance, wreaking havoc with a devious flamethrowing mecha (god only knows where they get the money for these things). In the end, it's up to the reunited Squirtle Squad to put a stop to the trouble. After blasting team rocket off again, the competition continues, and the Squirtle Squad come out victorious. Ash's Squirtle decides to stay with his old gang, and continue firefighting under Officer Jenny's guidance. After a moving montage of memories, Ash remarks, "Don't forget, we'll always be friends no matter what, Squirtle!"

On a related note, Gary Oak chooses a Squirtle as his starting Pokemon from Professor Oak, only later manifest as his Blastoise in episode 271: the Ties That Bind.










Trainer Tips:

Squirtle (ゼニガメ Zenigame) is the #07 Pokemon in the Kanto Pokedex

Squirtle's name is probably a combination of the words 'Squirt' and 'Turtle'.
Let's see what the Pokedex has to say about this water pokemon:
'After birth, its back swells and hardens into a shell. Powerfully sprays foam from its mouth'

As everyone knows, Squirtle is one of the three starter pokemon to be offered to the player by Professor Oak at his lab in Pallet town.
Now, Squirtle will evolve to a mean looking Wartortle at level 16 if he is allowed. However, a wise pokemon trainer knows that sometimes Pokemon need a little more time before they are ready to grow up. Here are some moves that Squirtle will learn after level 16:
Bite - Lv 22
Withdraw - Lv 28
Skull Bash - Lv 35
Hydro Pump -Lv 42



Pokemon TCG:

Here Squirtle makes his appearance as the #63 Pokemon card.
This 'tiny turtle pokemon' measures 1' 8", and weighs in at 20 lbs. Squirtle knows the moves Bubble and Withdraw.
This card was illustrated by the famous pokemon artist Mitsuhiro Arita.

The Bastardization of a franchise

Poke'mon, I owe a lot to the game. mostly because its so much more than just a game. It was something that represented the imaginative era we all so fondly "or not so fondly" refer to as the 90's. Now personally, I'm not quite as eloquent as my very good friend and co-writer of this blog, but my passion for pocket monsters is un-equalled. that being said this angry rant is out of love, not hate.

Mudkip is the single reason that poke'mon has come to the state its in now. He's a striped down ideal. Take something cute, and marketable and shove it into the masses. It's in every sense the easy way out. Third generation as a whole is best described in this fashion, easy. If you take a good look at 3rd gen you'll notice what a huge step back it is in every way. The story, music, characters even the monsters themselves are without soul. They have no purpose other than to obtain cash from unfortunate children and boy did they. Poke'mon diamond and pearl upon the first week of release raked in an astounding 2,000,000$$ worth of sales. Granted I was one of the mind less idiots fully aware of the shallow purchase but I can safely say I never once have gotten past the first gym of emerald solely because of the ideals it represents. if you still think I'm an idiot for posting such a self righteous post, take a look into mudkip's eyes and ask yourself," does he love me, really?"