Impact of the Diamond & Pearl series: Difference between revisions

no edit summary
No edit summary
No edit summary
 
(2 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown)
Line 63: Line 63:
===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 Released.png|160px|thumb|From the lowest point...]]
[[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.


Line 80: Line 80:


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 SS024.png|160px|thumb|The second primary character, Dawn!]]
[[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.


Line 93: Line 93:
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.
3,716

edits