Anime DVD Review: Pokemon All-Stars

Pokemon All-Stars is a 10-disc DVD set that was released in 2007 to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Pokemon. Each DVD features one of the Pokemon characters, and each disc is supposed to feature the Pokemon that is pictured on the disc. The 10 Pokemon that were featured in this set were determined by votes submitted by the fans. The 10 Pokemon featured in this set are: Pikachu, Jigglypuff, Charizard, Squirtle, Blastoise, Eevee, Bulbasaur, Lugia, Charmander, and Mudkip.

The DVDs included in this set are rather “bare bones.” There are no special features included, and the discs go straight into the episodes after displaying a couple of splash screens. The only way to get to a menu is to either hit the “menu” button on your remote as the first episode on the disc begins, or play through all three of the episodes and wait for the menu to come onto the screen after the final episode finishes. I suspect that the lack of bonus features helped Viz Media to justify to economical price tag they put on this DVD set.

The idea for this release is that each disc includes three episodes that feature the Pokemon on the disc. As I watched this set, I found myself wondering why particular episodes were included on their respective discs. For example, I was a little puzzled as to why “Snow Way Out” was included on the Charmander disc. While Charmander does shoot out some fire to create an opening for Ash to make a cave in the snow, that was Charmander’s only major appearance in the episode. I’m wondering if Viz had a hard time coming up with a third episode that featured Charmander, and so decided to use this one in order to have a third episode.

Another example of this is the inclusion of “Fit to be Tide” on the Squirtle disc. While Ash did use Squirtle in one part of his gym battle in this episode, the episode actually had more of a focus on Lapras. Again, Viz must not have actually found a third episode that featured Squirtle and decided to use this one as a third since there isn’t a Lapras disc in this set.

After this box set was released, a second Pokemon All-Stars box was released in 2009. In addition the ten discs that were included in the second Pokemon All-Stars box set were also released individually in 2009. Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like releasing that second set kind of diminished the point of the first set, which was to commemorate an anniversary. In my mind, releasing the second set makes this first set feel less important than it did when it was originally released.

The first Pokemon All-Stars set is a decent release for what it is. However, many of the episodes included in this box set are also easily attainable in the three Indigo League DVD box sets that were also released. If you’re a Pokemon fan who wants to own every DVD released for the franchise, then this may be worth purchasing and adding to your DVD collection. However, if all you really want to is to be able to own the entire series on DVD, then I would skip Pokemon All-Stars and focus on collecting the various DVD box sets that have been released for the various seasons of the Pokemon franchise.

I wrote this review after watching a copy of the first Pokemon All-Stars DVD box set that my husband and I purchased.

Manga Review: “Pokemon Adventures Diamond and Pearl Platinum” Volume Seven

Article first published as Manga Review: Pokemon Adventures Diamond and Pearl Platinum Volume Seven by Hidenori Kusaka on Blogcritics.

Pokemon Adventures Diamond and Pearl Platinum Volume Seven is a manga based on the Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl video games. The manga was written by Hidenori Kusaka, and the art was done by Satoshi Yamamoto. Viz Media released this manga in North America through its VizKids imprint in 2013. Pokemon Adventures Diamond and Pearl Platinum is rated “A,” which means it is suitable for readers of all ages.

In Volume Seven, Team Galactic finally launches its plan to bomb the three lakes in the Sinnoh region where three Legendary Pokemon reside. Dia goes to Lake Verity, Platinum (aka Lady) goes to Lake Acuity with Candice and Maylene, and Pearl goes to Lake Valor with Rad Rickshaw.

As one would expect, all three of our main protagonists have run-ins with members of Team Galactic when they reach the lakes. Unfortunately, Team Galactic end up succeeding in what they were trying to accomplish. This causes Dia to end up aboard a Team Galactic ship without being detected, Pearl training with the gym leader Crusher Wake, and the introduction of the Sunyshore gym leader.

The gym leader at Sunyshore Gym bears a bit of a physical resemblance to Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage in Naruto. For this character’s appearance during the last chapter of this volume, I had to remind myself that I was reading a Pokemon manga so I wouldn’t think of him as Minato.

When I finished Volume Six, I knew that Team Galactic’s plan would have to be launched during Volume Seven, but I also thought there was a chance that this manga series could have also potentially ended. However, there is still at least one more volume to go. With the way the story was developed, it ended up needing at least one more volume to get through the story. After doing some quick research, I discovered there’s actually still two more volumes left in Pokemon Adventures Diamond and Pearl Platinum. Hopefully, the story will actually need both volumes and not be stretched out unnecessarily, because by the end of Volume Seven, it’s obvious that the story is starting to wind down.

When it comes to the art, one thing that really stands out are the three Team Galactic members that Dia, Pearl, and Platinum encounter at the three lakes. These Team Galactic members really seem to have a bit of a distinctive feel to them when compared to the other characters in the series. I’m not entirely sure how to describe it, but they seem to have a bit more definition in their faces.

When it comes to Volume Seven, I think one of its strongest points is the character development that Pearl receives near the end of the volume. He’s really come a long way from the kid in the early volumes who spent time spouting lame jokes, and is starting to become a strong Pokemon trainer in his own right.

Overall, I thought that Volume Seven was a good read. I’m hoping that Volume Eight will be just as enjoyable as Volume Seven was.

If you enjoy the Pokemon franchise, then you might find enjoyment in Pokemon Adventures Diamond and Pearl Platinum.

I wrote this review after reading a copy of Pokemon Adventures Diamond and Pearl Platinum Volume Seven that I checked out through the King County Library System.

Pokemon TV App Now Available

The Pokemon Company International has announced that the official Pokemon TV application is now available for free for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. The app will be coming soon to Android devices. Standard data charges will apply when using the app, which is available in countries outside of Asia.

The app features more than 50 fan-favorite episodes for the Pokemon anime series that will be updated weekly from a library than spans 15 seasons. The app also allows users to catch special features, trailers, and Pokemon movie events.

Pokemon the Movie: Kyurem VS. The Sword of Justice will be available for viewing between February 15 and February 18, 2013. In addition, the animated short, Meloetta’s Moonlight Serenade will debut on the Pokemon TV app.

Viz Media Releasing Pokemon Adventures: HeartGold SoulSilver Manga

Anime News Network is reporting that Viz Media will be releasing the Pokemon Adventures: HeartGold SoulSilver manga.

The report states that the first volume of Pokemon Adventures: HeartGold SoulSilver will be released on August 6, 2013, and will retail for US$9.99.

Manga Review: “Pokemon Adventures Diamond and Pearl Platinum” Volume Six

Article first published as Manga Review: Pokemon Adventures Diamond and Pearl Platinum Volume Six by Hidenori Kusaka on Blogcritics.

Pokemon Adventures Diamond and Pearl Platinum Volume Six is a manga based on the Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl video games. The manga was written by Hidenori Kusaka, and the art was done by Satoshi Yamamoto. Viz Media released this manga in North America through its VizKids imprint in 2012. Pokemon Adventures Diamond and Pearl Platinum is rated “A,” which means it is suitable for readers of all ages.

In Volume Six, Dia, Pearl, and Platinum continue on their separate journeys to reach the three lakes which serve as the home for the Sinnoh region’s three Legendary Pokemon. They hope to be able to reach the lakes and figure out what’s going to happen before Team Galactic can launch their evil plan.

All three of the protagonists have their own adventures on their journey. Pearl has to outwit a Houndoom at the Fuego Ironworks while trying to save the owner. Pearl is also able to gather some information that could potentially help him figure out what Team Galactic’s plan is.

Platinum has a chance encounter with Candice, the Snowpoint City Gym Leader, when Candice rescues Platinum after she’s collapsed in the snow. After Platinum learns that she was saved by Candice, she has runs into Maylene; Maylene is headed to Snowpoint City to train with Candice. Platinum decides to go along, so she can thank Candice for saving her. When Platinum arrives at the Snowpoint Gym, she ends up in a Pokemon battle against Candice.

Dia arrives in Jubilife City, where he runs into the creator of the Poketch. Dia ends being recruited to help promote the Poketches. During the promotion, a Lickitung disrupts the event. Later in the volume, Dia finds himself at the estate that belongs to someone he knows.

The ending of Volume Six makes it clear that Team Galactic’s evil plan should be launched during Volume Seven. It will be interesting to see how this part of the storyline is paced, because the series could either end in Volume Seven, or it could stretched out to push the story into an eighth volume. Personally, I hope the story will be resolved in Volume Seven. It’s not the story in Pokemon Adventures Diamond and Pearl is bad, but it just feels like it should be wrapping up rather quickly.

When it comes to the art, Yamamoto’s strength seems to be in extreme closeups of facial reactions. It’s in these panels where he takes the time to try to include a little more detail in the characters’ looks. Another thing that really stood out to me was the character design for Rad Rickshaw, because I kept thinking his face might have been inspired by Might Guy from Naruto; I think the look of his eyes and eyebrows that make me think that. Unfortunately, I can’t tell if he shares Guy’s bowl cut, because Rad Rickshaw is always seen wearing a bicycle helmet.

I’m glad to see that Pokemon Adventures Diamond and Pearl Platinum has continued the better storytelling that has emerged in the more recent volumes. After having a slow start, it seems Kusaka found his stride a little later in the series. I’m interested in seeing how the story continues in Volume Seven.

If you enjoy the Pokemon franchise, then you might find enjoyment in Pokemon Adventures Diamond and Pearl Platinum.

I wrote this review after reading a copy of Pokemon Adventures Diamond and Pearl Platinum Volume Six that I checked out through the King County Library System.

Manga Review: “Pokemon Black and White” Volume Seven

Article first published as Manga Review: Pokemon Black and White Volume Seven by Hidenori Kusaka on Blogcritics.

Pokemon Black and White Volume Seven is a manga based on the Pokemon Black and Pokemon White video games. The manga was written by Hidenori Kusaka, and the art was done by Satoshi Yamamoto. Viz Media released this manga in North America through its VizKids imprint in 2012. Pokemon Black and White is rated “A,” which means it is suitable for readers of all ages.

Volume Seven begins with Black and White trying to travel on Route 4, but they’re having trouble due to a sandstorm. Black encounters a man who is a casino dealer that also has a talent for Pokemon battles; after spending some time with him, Black realizes who he is. When the man asks to battle with him and make a wager, Black ends up becoming so stressed that he passes out. Unfortunately, the mystery man gets away before Black awakens.

After this, Black and White are in Nimbasa City, where White is finally working on the upcoming Pokemon musical. During rehearsals, Black meets Elesa, the Nimbasa City Gym Leader; she’s helping out with the show. The major story elements at this point in the story focus on White as she’s getting everything ready for the musical, and Black having a Gym Battle with Elesa.

After Team Plasma got a lot of focus on Volume Six, the group almost entirely vanishes in Volume Seven. Their main appearance is during the first story in this volume, when Black and White are traveling on Route 4. Compared to Team Rocket in the first Pokemon Adventures manga series, Team Plasma doesn’t seem to be quite as important since they show up in Pokemon Black and White so inconsistently.

When I read this volume, I was glad to finally see an emphasis put on the Pokemon musical, since it had been referenced for at least two volumes prior to this one. While I was glad to reach that point, I noticed that there were a couple of significant time skips in this volume in order to reach that point. While there may have been time skips in some of the previous volumes, there were at least two in this one; in some respects, this made Volume Seven feel a little rushed.

The first story in this volume felt a little forced. It seemed to me that it was there more to introduce a particular character than it was to truly progress the plot. This is the story where Team Plasma makes an appearance, but it was never made clear what Team Plasma was truly trying to accomplish during their appearance in this volume.

After the quality of this series had gone back up with Volume Six, I was a little disappointed with how Volume Seven turned out. However, with the ending of Volume Seven being what it is, there’s potential for Volume Eight to be better. Here’s hoping that Volume Eight lives up to that potential.

I wrote this review after reading a copy of Pokemon Black and White Volume Seven that I checked out through the King County Library System.

Manga Review: “Pokemon Black and White” Volume Six

Article first published as Manga Review: Pokemon Black and White Volume Six by Hidenori Kusaka on Blogcritics.

Pokemon Black and White Volume Six is a manga based on the Pokemon Black and Pokemon White video games. The manga was written by Hidenori Kusaka, and the art was done by Satoshi Yamamoto. Viz Media released this manga in North America through its VizKids imprint in 2012. Pokemon Black and White is rated “A,” which means it is suitable for readers of all ages.

Volume Six sees Black and White in Castelia City; Black is there for a gym battle against Burgh, while White is trying to get some business for her Pokemon talent agency. Before Burgh’s battle with Black, Iris is visiting Castelia City. Meanwhile, Black’s friend Bianca is in Castelia City, looking for him; she is ambushed by Team Plasma and her Pokemon is stolen. After the gym battle, Iris arrives with an unconscious Bianca. Everyone works together to locate Team Plasma and rescue Bianca’s Pokemon.

There is one other story in this volume, which sees Professor Juniper giving Black the job of visiting Liberty Garden Island to research a Pokemon named Victini. White accompanies Black, and they have a run-in with both Victini and Team Plasma.

One thing I was pleased to see in this volume is the concept of Team Plasma trying to liberate Pokemon. This concept was used rather heavily in the first volume of the series, and it showed a little bit in the second and third volumes of the series, and then that whole concept disappeared in the fourth and fifth volumes. I had honestly started to think that Kusaka had either forgotten about this concept or had quietly abandoned it. It’s one of the more interesting motivations for the bad guys that I have seen in the Pokemon franchise, so I’m glad to see it showing up again.

Another thing I appreciated was the fact that while Munna’s dream eating ability was still being used as a kind of “deus ex machina” in this volume, this wasn’t happening nearly as much as it did in Volume Four. My biggest disappointment was the fact that White’s upcoming musical in Nimbasa City wasn’t referenced anywhere in this volume; according to the “Coming Soon” section at the end of this volume, it appears the Pokemon musical will be a major focus in Volume Seven.

This particular volume of the Pokemon Black and White manga series is probably one of the better volumes that I’ve read in a while. Unfortunately, the series as a whole is the weakest of the Pokemon manga series that I have had the ability to read.

I wrote this review after reading a copy of Pokemon Black and White Volume Six that I checked out through the King County Library System.

Manga Review: “Pokemon Adventures Diamond and Pearl Platinum” Volume Five

Article first published as Manga Review: Pokemon Adventures Diamond and Pearl Platinum Volume Five by Hidenori Kusaka on Blogcritics.

Pokemon Adventures Diamond and Pearl Platinum Volume Five is a manga based on the Pokemon Diamond and Pokemon Pearl video games. The manga was written by Hidenori Kusaka, and the art was done by Satoshi Yamamoto. Viz Media released this manga in North America through its VizKids imprint in 2012. Pokemon Adventures Diamond and Pearl Platinum is rated “A,” which means it is suitable for readers of all ages.

At the beginning of Volume Five, the truth about Dia and Pearl is revealed. Lady is shocked, and then becomes angry with Dia and Pearl with not telling her the truth. After some thought and contemplation, Platinum realizes that she hadn’t been entirely honest with Dia and Pearl during their travels together, and is willing to forgive them. During her apology, Lady’s real name is finally revealed: Platinum. I nearly groaned when I saw that, and the thought running through my heads was, “I really should have seen that coming.”

After the three main characters patch things up, they learn of Team Galactic’s plan to use the Galactic Bomb to capture the three Legendary Pokemon of the Sinnoh region: Mesprit, Uxie and Azelf. Since there are three Pokemon, they decide to go their separate ways to help the Pokemon, since they know that they don’t have a lot of time until the bomb is detonated.

However, before Dia goes to help his designated Pokemon, he is sent to get some training in order to improve his team of Pokemon. Near the end of the volume, Pearl has his own adventure while he’s on his way to his designated Pokemon. By the end of this volume, none of the three have reached their assigned locations; this guarantees that there’s at least one more volume of this series, if not more, to go.

Unlike the previous four volumes of this series, Volume Five doesn’t utilize Dia and Pearl’s lame comedy routines at all. Considering the tone the series is much more serious in this volume, and the fact that the three main characters go their own separate ways, this really isn’t terribly surprising. But it was a nice change of pace not having to read those attempts at stand up comedy. Hopefully this trend will continue in future volumes of the series.

When it comes to the art, there were three panels in this volume that really stood out to me. After Dia, Pearl, and Platinum have gone their separate ways, they each have an emotional panel when they realize that they’ve become so accustomed to being together and that they miss being with the others. For all of these panels, there is a close-up of each character’s face, and it shows their emotional response to this realization.

Overall, I’ve been impressed with how Pokemon Adventures Diamond and Pearl Platinum has evolved, especially in Volumes Four and Five. I’m glad that I didn’t write this series off after reading Volume One and that I gave subsequent volumes a chance.

If you enjoy the Pokemon franchise, then you might find enjoyment in Pokemon Adventures Diamond and Pearl Platinum.

I wrote this review after reading a copy of Pokemon Adventures Diamond and Pearl Platinum Volume Five that I checked out through the King County Library System.

Manga Review: “Pokemon Black and White” Volume Four

Article first published as Manga Review: Pokemon Black and White Volume Four by Hidenori Kusaka on Blogcritics.

Pokemon Black and White Volume Four is a manga based on the Pokemon Black and Pokemon White video games. The manga was written by Hidenori Kusaka, and the art was done by Satoshi Yamamoto. Viz Media released this manga in North America through its VizKids imprint in 2011. Pokemon Black and White is rated “A,” which means it is suitable for readers of all ages.

At the beginning of this volume, Black’s Munna suddenly runs off. Shortly after, a strange face appears in the sky and Black is attacked. Black and White are rescued by Professor Fennel and her assistant, Amanita. Professor Fennel studies Pokemon trainers and dreams. Professor Fennel helps Black find his Munna, and they have an unexpected run-in with Team Plasma.

I seem to remember that there was a similar story in the Pokemon Black and White anime dealing with Munna and a professor studying dreams. However, the execution of the story between the two medium was drastically different, in large part due to the different lead characters between them. Overall, I have to say that I believe that the anime version of this story was a little stronger.

The next story takes place in Nacrene City, and White is trying to attract new clients for the BW Agency; unfortunately, Black is hampering her efforts. After recruiting a new client, the client’s accordion is stolen while everyone is away from the set. Black is accused of stealing the accordion, and he must prove his innocence.

Unfortunately, just like with the previous story, the resolution is dependent on Munna’s ability to “eat” Black’s dreams and empty his head of all thoughts. Each time this happens, he is mysteriously able to see the truth behind what’s causing incidents to happen. To me, not only is this rather bizarre, but it’s overused and comes across as a “deus ex machina.”

In the final story of Volume Four, Black challenges Lenora, the leader of the Nacrene City Gym. This story has an anime counterpart, but some of the details have been changed between the two mediums. I haven’t played the video games, but I would suspect the manga telling of these events is a lot closer to the games than the anime telling is. In this case, I would have to say that I liked the manga’s depiction of this story better than the anime version. Unfortunately, the battle isn’t resolved in Volume Four, so you have to read Volume Five in order to find out how it turns out.

When it comes to the art in this volume, I really have to give Yamamoto credit for his depiction of Lenora. Whenever she appears in a panel, she really stands out to the reader in a good way. While Professor Fennel has the occasional panel that makes her stand out, Yamamoto was much more consistent with how Lenora was presented.

Since the Pokemon Black and White volumes are shorter than typical manga, they are a quick read. In this volume, the action is moving. This is an improvement over Volume Three, where the reader felt like they were basically stuck in one story that didn’t seem to progress very much.

If you’ve enjoyed reading the three previous volumes of the Pokemon Black and White manga, you should also enjoy reading Volume Four.

I wrote this review after reading a copy of Pokemon Black and White Volume Four that I checked out through the King County Library System.

Pokemon the Movie: Kyurem VS. The Sword of Justice to air on Cartoon Network

The official Pokemon YouTube channel is now streaming an English-dubbed trailer for Pokemon the Movie: Kyurem VS. The Sword of Justice.

According to the trailer, the film will be airing on Cartoon Network on Saturday, December 8, 2012.