This one is probably more for those with small children, but a rather momentous happening in the Pokémon world occurred today. The first season of the new, Netflix-only, Pokémon animated show premiered. My kids woke me up this morning so we could watch it first thing. Honestly, it was awesome. Smiles all around.
I won’t spoil it, but it starts with a young Ash and Pichu instead of Pikachu. Other than Pichu it is chock full of the original 151 Pokémon, including a long appearance by Mew. The production value was high, Sarah Natochenny is clearly the voice of Ash, and there are Pokémon cameos left and right. For what it is, a kids show, I give it an A+. We only watched the first episode but I’m hoping it moves into the Galar region of the recent switch game and TCG sets.
Based on what you describe I assume you mean the Sword & Shield season? It indeed starts with Pichu (won’t spoil anything more for anyone who wants to watch it, but it was a pretty wholesome and surprising episode). I watch anime in general pretty often, and Pokémon a few episodes at a time in between other anime. I think there are already 25+ of the Japanese English subbed episodes released (I watched the first 17 thus far). But cool to see the English dub started on Netflix as well. Have fun watching it with the kids.
Ah good to hear that it is indeed going to be the sword and shield season. I don’t think it’s a sideways step at all for the franchise based on episode 1. I was just loving all of the throwback Pokemon in there. The multi-pronged machine is not showing signs of slowing down.
we just finished episode 9 this morning. so far, great appearances by mew, lugia, ho-oh in terms of legendaries. a gigantimax snorlax and so many other pokemon. one episode was a bit lame where ash’s rival/friend just catches a bunch of pokemon and ash doesn’t catch one. otherwise they’ve all been great!
Finished it yesterday. Loved the different species of Pokemon shown and the ones they focused on. Show was really endearing, really showing emotion throughout. Excited to see Part 2.
My girlfriend and I watched it all over the weekend and I had the same exact reception of it as yourself. To be honest, there were elements in it which the old timer pokemon fan might have some issues with (story wise at least, which I wont spoil but a die hard fan old schooler would easily it pick apart) but overall I was quite impressed and loved every minute of the series. There were some great episodes which had my johto heart jumping with joy, so that alone coupled with the new era things of today really were a beautiful thing to watch. Felt kind of a like a jump start of my childhood nostalgia being reinvented through the new means of the anime today, so that made the experience even better for me.
I couldnt recommend this enough and cant wait to see whats in store for the rest of the series!
But cool to see the English dub started on Netflix as well. Have fun watching it with the kids.