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Impact of the Diamond & Pearl series (view source)
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===From Paul’s Chimchar to Ash’s Infernape: the Pokémon spotlight for DP=== | ===From Paul’s Chimchar to Ash’s Infernape: the Pokémon spotlight for DP=== | ||
Diamond and Pearl already expanded on a Trainer’s Pokémon by giving certain ones more personality. But none can match the Fire-type Sinnoh starter that centered on the rivalry between Ash and Paul. This Pokémon is a truly dynamic character based on its progression throughout the series. | Diamond and Pearl already expanded on a Trainer’s Pokémon by giving certain ones more personality. But none can match the Fire-type Sinnoh starter that centered on the rivalry between Ash and Paul. This Pokémon is a truly dynamic character based on its progression throughout the series. | ||
[[File:Chimchar | [[File:Paul Chimchar release.png|160px|thumb|From the lowest point...]] | ||
Viewers that scrutinized Paul’s training skills should have noticed how much higher Chimchar’s standards were compared to the rest of Paul’s Pokémon. Throughout the first DP season, whenever Paul battled, he sent Chimchar against Pokémon where it would be easily deemed a mismatch. | Viewers that scrutinized Paul’s training skills should have noticed how much higher Chimchar’s standards were compared to the rest of Paul’s Pokémon. Throughout the first DP season, whenever Paul battled, he sent Chimchar against Pokémon where it would be easily deemed a mismatch. | ||
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When Ash got Chimchar, there was a strong impression that Chimchar would play a key role in Ash defeating his rival and Chimchar proving Paul wrong. Immediately afterward, viewers got to experience more of Chimchar’s emotions and the aftermath of Paul’s brutal treatment. Surely enough, in the next battle between Ash and Paul, Chimchar’s Blaze made its official debut, demonstrating a strong hint that Paul’s actions were a mistake. | When Ash got Chimchar, there was a strong impression that Chimchar would play a key role in Ash defeating his rival and Chimchar proving Paul wrong. Immediately afterward, viewers got to experience more of Chimchar’s emotions and the aftermath of Paul’s brutal treatment. Surely enough, in the next battle between Ash and Paul, Chimchar’s Blaze made its official debut, demonstrating a strong hint that Paul’s actions were a mistake. | ||
Chimchar’s performances in {{bp|Snowpoint City}} were the highest points during its base stage. Chimchar took out two of Candice’s Pokémon in the gym battle, using creative ice skating to defeat Abomasnow. During the battle against Paul, Chimchar was the one to stop Ursaring’s rampage, having | Chimchar’s performances in {{bp|Snowpoint City}} were the highest points during its base stage. Chimchar took out two of Candice’s Pokémon in the gym battle, using creative ice skating to defeat Abomasnow. During the battle against Paul, Chimchar was the one to stop Ursaring’s rampage, having taken out three of Ash’s Pokémon. The evolution to {{p|Monferno}} unlocked even more abilities, and it appeared that Monferno would get a few more wins, but Electabuzz shut it down. Aside from that, Monferno got the least screen time of the evolutions. | ||
[[File:DP188.png|160px|thumb|To its highest!]] | [[File:DP188.png|160px|thumb|To its highest!]] | ||
Once it evolved to final form, it was mostly high points for Infernape, losing only to Flint’s Infernape. When Infernape managed to control its overpowering Blaze ability, I felt a really strong impression that it could win any match it got into and the likelihood that Paul would lose to {{bp|Ash's Infernape|Infermape}} even more so. As expected, the second full battle against Paul was high-intensity. Infernape took out two of Paul’s Pokémon and still managed to engage in a climactic battle against Electivire, tapping into Blaze and winning the match. | Once it evolved to final form, it was mostly high points for Infernape, losing only to Flint’s Infernape. When Infernape managed to control its overpowering Blaze ability, I felt a really strong impression that it could win any match it got into and the likelihood that Paul would lose to {{bp|Ash's Infernape|Infermape}} even more so. As expected, the second full battle against Paul was high-intensity. Infernape took out two of Paul’s Pokémon and still managed to engage in a climactic battle against Electivire, tapping into Blaze and winning the match. | ||
Ash’s Infernape will always be remembered as a Pokémon that overcame hardship and grew into a prominent figure, much like a real-life store of rags to riches. I personally don’t see any other Pokémon ever coming close to surpassing Infernape’s historical impact on the series. | Ash’s Infernape will always be remembered as a Pokémon that overcame hardship and grew into a prominent figure, much like a real-life store of rags to riches. I personally don’t see any other Pokémon ever coming close to surpassing Infernape’s historical impact on the series. | ||
==1. Plot-driven focus== | ==1. Plot-driven focus== | ||
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While every viewer of the DP series will have an opinion about Dawn, I felt that her character and participation were revolutionary for the series. Ash would still be the primary focus of the series, but Dawn got just as much spotlight, much more than {{bp|May (anime)|May}} or Misty did. While May does get credit for undergoing character development, choosing to participate in Contests a few episodes into the {{series|Advanced Generation}}, Dawn had a clear goal in mind to be a Coordinator. Dawn got almost all the spotlight for the first DP episode, which strongly hinted that Dawn would be key focus character of the series. | While every viewer of the DP series will have an opinion about Dawn, I felt that her character and participation were revolutionary for the series. Ash would still be the primary focus of the series, but Dawn got just as much spotlight, much more than {{bp|May (anime)|May}} or Misty did. While May does get credit for undergoing character development, choosing to participate in Contests a few episodes into the {{series|Advanced Generation}}, Dawn had a clear goal in mind to be a Coordinator. Dawn got almost all the spotlight for the first DP episode, which strongly hinted that Dawn would be key focus character of the series. | ||
[[File:Dawn Party | [[File:Dawn Party.png|160px|thumb|The second primary character, Dawn!]] | ||
Dawn was not only a second primary character, not just being a supporting character, but was also a strong complement to Ash, the one person she learned the most from, as well as drawing parallels in some way. Dawn’s Piplup became the compliment to {{bp|Ash’s Pikachu}}, much like she is to Ash. Dawn contributed a few key tactics to Ash, such as the spin-dodge and {{bp|Ash's Buizel|Buizel}}’s Ice Aqua Jet. They also made a critical trade, where Ash and Dawn swapped {{bp|Dawn's Ambipom|Aipom}} and Buizel, marking a worthwhile trade in the series. | Dawn was not only a second primary character, not just being a supporting character, but was also a strong complement to Ash, the one person she learned the most from, as well as drawing parallels in some way. Dawn’s Piplup became the compliment to {{bp|Ash’s Pikachu}}, much like she is to Ash. Dawn contributed a few key tactics to Ash, such as the spin-dodge and {{bp|Ash's Buizel|Buizel}}’s Ice Aqua Jet. They also made a critical trade, where Ash and Dawn swapped {{bp|Dawn's Ambipom|Aipom}} and Buizel, marking a worthwhile trade in the series. | ||
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As Dawn’s major rival, {{bp|Zoey}} was a dynamic rival, growing as a Coordinator just like Dawn, but also contributing knowledge to both Ash and Dawn. Topping the list was Zoey’s action to facilitate an important trade: Ash’s Aipom and Dawn’s Buizel switching Trainers. Unlike Ash’s rivalry with Paul, Zoey was not hostile towards Dawn, and though she was initially against Ash and Nando participating in both types of competitions, she understood the benefits of experience and lightened up. When Dawn was on her losing streak with Ambipom, Zoey helped correct her mistakes. | As Dawn’s major rival, {{bp|Zoey}} was a dynamic rival, growing as a Coordinator just like Dawn, but also contributing knowledge to both Ash and Dawn. Topping the list was Zoey’s action to facilitate an important trade: Ash’s Aipom and Dawn’s Buizel switching Trainers. Unlike Ash’s rivalry with Paul, Zoey was not hostile towards Dawn, and though she was initially against Ash and Nando participating in both types of competitions, she understood the benefits of experience and lightened up. When Dawn was on her losing streak with Ambipom, Zoey helped correct her mistakes. | ||
[[File:Zoey in Grand Festival.png|160px|thumb|The plot-contributing rival Zoey.]] | [[File:Zoey in Grand Festival.png|160px|thumb|The plot-contributing rival Zoey.]] | ||
As a childhood friend of Dawn, it would be expected that {{bp|Kenny}} would put some pressure on Dawn’s goals, though far less than the original Ash and Gary rivalry. In the beginning, Kenny brought up many of Dawn’s less memorable childhood past, with the nickname topping it off, fueling speculation of its origin up until {{bp|DP161}}. It didn’t seem like Kenny would be able to keep up with Dawn and Zoey, but his wins against Dawn in {{bp|DP123}} and Ash in the practice battle in DP180 prove he isn’t a pushover. He seemed to be a ghost in the series, making sudden advancements in ability throughout the series, and though he should have had a slightly larger role, his few appearances were memorable enough to make him a worthy {{bp|Rival|rival}}. | As a childhood friend of Dawn, it would be expected that {{bp|Kenny (Sinnoh)|Kenny}} would put some pressure on Dawn’s goals, though far less than the original Ash and Gary rivalry. In the beginning, Kenny brought up many of Dawn’s less memorable childhood past, with the nickname topping it off, fueling speculation of its origin up until {{bp|DP161}}. It didn’t seem like Kenny would be able to keep up with Dawn and Zoey, but his wins against Dawn in {{bp|DP123}} and Ash in the practice battle in DP180 prove he isn’t a pushover. He seemed to be a ghost in the series, making sudden advancements in ability throughout the series, and though he should have had a slightly larger role, his few appearances were memorable enough to make him a worthy {{bp|Rival|rival}}. | ||
Finally, {{bp|Barry (anime)|Barry}}’s appearance midway into the series put additional pressure on Ash’s goals, especially early on with Barry’s perception of Paul and his desire for strong Pokémon. Ash showed a strong desire to change Barry’s perception, but over time it appeared that Barry learned on his own, supporting Ash as he advanced ahead in the league. I personally was disappointed that Ash never got to face off against Barry in the league, but it was interesting watching Barry make Paul sweat a little, despite getting the 3-0 sweep from Paul. | Finally, {{bp|Barry (anime)|Barry}}’s appearance midway into the series put additional pressure on Ash’s goals, especially early on with Barry’s perception of Paul and his desire for strong Pokémon. Ash showed a strong desire to change Barry’s perception, but over time it appeared that Barry learned on his own, supporting Ash as he advanced ahead in the league. I personally was disappointed that Ash never got to face off against Barry in the league, but it was interesting watching Barry make Paul sweat a little, despite getting the 3-0 sweep from Paul. | ||
In closing, as the Best Wishes series continues forward and viewers follow Ash’s journey through {{bp|Unova}}, it is important to not forget Ash’s past adventures and what transpired throughout a series. When, or if, the day comes that the {{bp|Pokémon anime}} airs its series conclusion and all the episodes are documented, Pokémon enthusiasts can reflect on every series and take note that the Diamond and Pearl series made some divergence from the older series, creating a more dynamic and advanced storyline. | In closing, as the Best Wishes series continues forward and viewers follow Ash’s journey through {{bp|Unova}}, it is important to not forget Ash’s past adventures and what transpired throughout a series. When, or if, the day comes that the {{bp|Pokémon anime}} airs its series conclusion and all the episodes are documented, Pokémon enthusiasts can reflect on every series and take note that the Diamond and Pearl series made some divergence from the older series, creating a more dynamic and advanced storyline. | ||