“Pokemon” is a franchise with a massive following behind it. For the last 20 years, we’ve received TV adaptations and games that come out at least once every year or so. And with the massive following that “Pokemon” has comes the desire for more. It has been said by many -- myself included -- that we want a "Pokemon" that caters not only to those who are experiencing it for the first time, but for those who’ve been with it since day one. Enter “Pokemon Generations.”
“Pokemon Generations” is a mini-series that was announced on September 13th. This series will be released online only and have short episodes showing different adventures through the generations of “Pokemon.” By this point, two different shorts have already aired on YouTube and have given fans a rough idea of what it will be about. These shorts have shown that the they will revolve around the several plotlines in the games, which is what the “generations” in the series name is likely based off of.
For fans of the series, this is everything they could’ve asked for. Talking to those who’ve followed the series from day one, people are getting tired of the same old story being told again and again. Ash Ketchum, the regular protagonist of the series, goes on a quest to be the best, and ultimately never succeeds in that goal. We’re all tired of seeing it happen. We want something fresh. And “Pokemon Generations” is that something fresh.
“Pokemon Origins” might be the best example of what fans have wanted out of a “Pokemon” series and it actually being pulled off well. What “Pokemon Origins” is is the origin story of the main character in the first “Pokemon” games. The show was absolutely fantastic, due to the change of pace in plot and writing that didn’t cater to small children. Instead of seeing Ash attempt to be the best, we saw Red, the protagonist, be the best. He caught every “Pokemon” in the region, conquered the gyms of his region, and became the Champion, or the best Pokemon Trainer in the area.
I’ve always wondered what a “Pokemon” series based off of the games would look like. We’ve gotten special episodes every so often, but nothing that is an entire series dedicated to the games. After “Pokemon Origins” came out in 2013, I was left hungry for more. I needed more “Pokemon” that wasn’t the same old series that I’ve watched as I grew up. Having finally being sated, I can watch these shorts and realize just what a series based off of the beloved “Pokemon” games would be like.
With “Pokemon Generations” having started, it will leave fans interested to see where the series goes from here. Will we continue with Ash and his antics, or will we finally get an actual adaptation of the games and have full-length episodes with an actual plot? I really hope it’s the latter, but only time will tell. Until then, we have “Pokemon Generations” to enjoy.
