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I do agree with Cobraroll's statement concerning Ash as "a bumbling doofus." However, I hope Nintendo throws us die-hard fans a bone. Of course, Pokémon: The Origin - a masterpiece of titanic artistry - has been given to us and I hope this wonderful fanservice continues for our sakes.
I personally think that the anime overall is decent, especially since it's catered toward children than us older folk. I actually think that the filler is quite fun to watch because it helps expand the Pokémon world in a way that's not possible through the limited medium of the games.
It's a little disappointing that Ash hasn't aged since the beginning (they even retconned the point that a year has passed in the third Pokemon movie O.o), but the anime is mainly there to appeal for the kids...They want to relate to a 10 yr old...not a 16 yr old (according to some sources about...
In my opinion, Pokemon Gyms actually helped progress the game along my making the player feel like they achieved something great within the game. One can also get the same feeling after trouncing the Elite Four and Champion :)
After I finished my Platinum version, I was cleaning my house and managed to find my old copy of Pokemon Red inside its Game Boy. For some reason, it still worked and I loaded my save that was right before the Elite Four. Beating the Elite Four with the team that I had when I was young was...
I don't think the anime ruins the reputation of Pokemon. Though the anime is childish (then again...it's marketed toward children anyways), the older crowd still has Pokemon commentators (such as JWittz), Nuzlocke artists, and (now) the more mature Pokemon: The Origin :).
I personally would take somebody new. We players are already familiar with all the previous avatars...If Nintendo ever wanted to create an edgier, darker Pokemon series (a la Pokemon Colosseum), it's best to go with a new protagonist to put everybody who's watching it - the casual viewer to the...
Though I possess a soft side for Pokemon Red for starting me on the journey, I just have to give my vote to Pokemon Ruby because that game re-introduced me to the wonderful world of Pokemon :).
At least Giovanni (for the most part), Cipher's main boss, and even N (though questionable as a bad guy) didn't brazenly wear their logos on their clothes :3
I guess :). I'm here to learn how to use Pokemon properly in a battle sense. I think that a majority of Pokemon are useful, but they have to be part of the right niche in order to show their magic :).