Protolman
@protolman.bsky.social
Man, the random Corphish in this ep acting like Ash's bothers me. I always hate it when the writers include an old Ash mon around, instead of actually bringing that pokemon back. Feels like a slap to old fans. Also this is the one with the random Deoxys thrown in for no reason, I think.
February 20, 2026 at 2:26 AM
Man, the random Corphish in this ep acting like Ash's bothers me. I always hate it when the writers include an old Ash mon around, instead of actually bringing that pokemon back. Feels like a slap to old fans. Also this is the one with the random Deoxys thrown in for no reason, I think.
Haunter only followed Ash for 1 episode, it was basically like Jigglypuff, I don't know why it would count. Larvitar had a whole arc, so did Solgaleo, that's why the writers count those despite Ash not actually capturing them.
February 19, 2026 at 1:49 AM
Haunter only followed Ash for 1 episode, it was basically like Jigglypuff, I don't know why it would count. Larvitar had a whole arc, so did Solgaleo, that's why the writers count those despite Ash not actually capturing them.
Tbh I like most of Hoenn's Gyms besides Wattson. Besides Brawly's, Flannery, Norman, Winona and Juan are all great. Of course you have to view them as a "product of their time," as the battle writing and animation wasn't as good as DP or XY. Pikachu also beats Vigoroth to avenge its loss in AG3
February 8, 2026 at 9:29 PM
Tbh I like most of Hoenn's Gyms besides Wattson. Besides Brawly's, Flannery, Norman, Winona and Juan are all great. Of course you have to view them as a "product of their time," as the battle writing and animation wasn't as good as DP or XY. Pikachu also beats Vigoroth to avenge its loss in AG3
On the bright side at least Heracross wasn't released. They could of pulled a Primeape with it and just ditched it for no reason, I'll take being Oak'd early over how Season 1 handled Ash's extra captures. Back then I remember people being worried Heracross would just be Primeape 2.0...
February 6, 2026 at 4:42 AM
On the bright side at least Heracross wasn't released. They could of pulled a Primeape with it and just ditched it for no reason, I'll take being Oak'd early over how Season 1 handled Ash's extra captures. Back then I remember people being worried Heracross would just be Primeape 2.0...
Also this continues to Squirtle's final episode in MPM, we see he has a statue built for him honoring him in the town, and its a nice character arc seeing the Squirtle Squad start off as delinquents terorrizing a town in Season 1 to becoming famous firefighters with Jenny over the series.
February 6, 2026 at 4:41 AM
Also this continues to Squirtle's final episode in MPM, we see he has a statue built for him honoring him in the town, and its a nice character arc seeing the Squirtle Squad start off as delinquents terorrizing a town in Season 1 to becoming famous firefighters with Jenny over the series.
Seeing the rest of them all out of shape without their leader, I think its enough tbh. I actually like they brought back the Wartortle group from Orange Islands, it gives Squirtle a nice character arc if you watch all its eps together showing him get stronger and turn his squad around.
February 6, 2026 at 4:39 AM
Seeing the rest of them all out of shape without their leader, I think its enough tbh. I actually like they brought back the Wartortle group from Orange Islands, it gives Squirtle a nice character arc if you watch all its eps together showing him get stronger and turn his squad around.
I think here it's moreso Bulbasaur doesn't know how to handle goodbyes, but I love they get a scene together. Squirtle and Bulbasaur are bros, Squirtle doesn't care about Chikorita/Cyndaquil. 😆 But only Pikachu said goodbye to Charizard, Bulbasaur/Squirtle didn't get to see him off so I like this.
February 6, 2026 at 4:37 AM
I think here it's moreso Bulbasaur doesn't know how to handle goodbyes, but I love they get a scene together. Squirtle and Bulbasaur are bros, Squirtle doesn't care about Chikorita/Cyndaquil. 😆 But only Pikachu said goodbye to Charizard, Bulbasaur/Squirtle didn't get to see him off so I like this.
Yeah, isn't it weird Cresselia also never appeared in any of the DP movies? This ep was it's only appearance in the DP era. The Darkrai/Cresselia lore with them being parallels of dreams was done better in JN for me, but it's weird how Cresselia is always portrayed as weak for a legend both times
February 5, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Yeah, isn't it weird Cresselia also never appeared in any of the DP movies? This ep was it's only appearance in the DP era. The Darkrai/Cresselia lore with them being parallels of dreams was done better in JN for me, but it's weird how Cresselia is always portrayed as weak for a legend both times
I remember this ep being awful, the title is Darkrai vs Cresselia yet all they do is have a 5 second battle at the end bumping into each other in glowing orbs. And TR throwing a net over Cresselia when it's a legendary and it can't escape? Oof, I much prefer the JN version where they do the lore
February 5, 2026 at 6:23 PM
I remember this ep being awful, the title is Darkrai vs Cresselia yet all they do is have a 5 second battle at the end bumping into each other in glowing orbs. And TR throwing a net over Cresselia when it's a legendary and it can't escape? Oof, I much prefer the JN version where they do the lore
And thus begins Jessie's longest lasting Pokemon. I always found it amusing Lickitung went with a generic filler boy, like could his design be any more bland? Also Ash randomly bringing Tauros back for a battle that wasn't even the main plot of the episode? Pretty cool, I wish it happened more often
February 5, 2026 at 6:18 PM
And thus begins Jessie's longest lasting Pokemon. I always found it amusing Lickitung went with a generic filler boy, like could his design be any more bland? Also Ash randomly bringing Tauros back for a battle that wasn't even the main plot of the episode? Pretty cool, I wish it happened more often
This episode really made me like Serena. Prior to this, due to her lack of screentime, I was more or less 50/50 with her. I liked her during the Grace/Rhyorn racing stuff but she was too quiet in most other eps. This was a real turning point for her character and I really love this and the next one
February 4, 2026 at 3:44 AM
This episode really made me like Serena. Prior to this, due to her lack of screentime, I was more or less 50/50 with her. I liked her during the Grace/Rhyorn racing stuff but she was too quiet in most other eps. This was a real turning point for her character and I really love this and the next one
Lickitung appears so little in the series out of its ball it always seemed like the writers never really liked it. They probably wanted to get rid of it even earlier and now they had the chance. Out of all the TR pokemon from prior to BW, Lickitung felt the most random.
February 3, 2026 at 12:24 PM
Lickitung appears so little in the series out of its ball it always seemed like the writers never really liked it. They probably wanted to get rid of it even earlier and now they had the chance. Out of all the TR pokemon from prior to BW, Lickitung felt the most random.
No, they do nothing with the charcoal. Just like Brock never uses the Gligarman whistle, Brock never uses the Heavy Ball from Kurt, Ash/Misty never use the Speed Balls, the GS ball is never mentioned again after this point, etc. Johto was literally, "forget everything from the previous ep" show
February 3, 2026 at 12:18 PM
No, they do nothing with the charcoal. Just like Brock never uses the Gligarman whistle, Brock never uses the Heavy Ball from Kurt, Ash/Misty never use the Speed Balls, the GS ball is never mentioned again after this point, etc. Johto was literally, "forget everything from the previous ep" show
I think the thing is Ash had far less older pokemon to work with back then, so it was easier for the writers to cycle more pokemon in. By the time we got to BW onward Ash's old pokemon at Oak's just doubled in size. But yeah they should of been used by in the PWC, at least a few of them anyway
February 3, 2026 at 4:04 AM
I think the thing is Ash had far less older pokemon to work with back then, so it was easier for the writers to cycle more pokemon in. By the time we got to BW onward Ash's old pokemon at Oak's just doubled in size. But yeah they should of been used by in the PWC, at least a few of them anyway
I do like that Cyndaquil gets a big Gym victory right away. Also isn't it strange we had Heracross beat Scizor a few eps ago, and we go to an actual bug Gym and Cyndaquil beats Scyther its pre-evolution? It's almost as if Ash fought a strong opponent with Heracross over the actual Gym leader
February 3, 2026 at 3:32 AM
I do like that Cyndaquil gets a big Gym victory right away. Also isn't it strange we had Heracross beat Scizor a few eps ago, and we go to an actual bug Gym and Cyndaquil beats Scyther its pre-evolution? It's almost as if Ash fought a strong opponent with Heracross over the actual Gym leader
I don't think they'll use anything from the Super manga, it'll just be better animated fights. But the TOP will be condensed in episodes so all those jobbers in the tournament will probably be knocked out off-screen. We'll probably only see the most important fights for each character.
February 2, 2026 at 10:48 PM
I don't think they'll use anything from the Super manga, it'll just be better animated fights. But the TOP will be condensed in episodes so all those jobbers in the tournament will probably be knocked out off-screen. We'll probably only see the most important fights for each character.
I said before Brock should of captured that baby Stantler instead of Pineco, it would be more marketable too. Also weirdly enough Brock never uses the Heavy Ball he gets in this episode and the writers just forget about it. Ash/Misty use the Lure balls but not the other ones.
January 31, 2026 at 5:20 PM
I said before Brock should of captured that baby Stantler instead of Pineco, it would be more marketable too. Also weirdly enough Brock never uses the Heavy Ball he gets in this episode and the writers just forget about it. Ash/Misty use the Lure balls but not the other ones.
I just don't see why the writers couldn't have Ash return back to Azalea town sometime in late Johto where the GS ball would just have Celebi come out. They put Suicune in a Johto ep with Morty despite being in the 4th movie, they could have done the same with Celebi. It was set up as a mystery tbh
January 31, 2026 at 5:19 PM
I just don't see why the writers couldn't have Ash return back to Azalea town sometime in late Johto where the GS ball would just have Celebi come out. They put Suicune in a Johto ep with Morty despite being in the 4th movie, they could have done the same with Celebi. It was set up as a mystery tbh
I believe the writers had some unwritten rule the main cast couldn't own dragon pokemon back then. Didn't change till Ash's Gible and then Iris later. It's the only explanation.
January 30, 2026 at 6:40 PM
I believe the writers had some unwritten rule the main cast couldn't own dragon pokemon back then. Didn't change till Ash's Gible and then Iris later. It's the only explanation.
In addition to at least 3 Deoxys he met before, UFO Clefairy also returned in a Johto filler, and those alien Pokemon in BW that took over Cilan's mind in one episode too were said to be from space. Continuity over the whole show was bad, I can't even just blame XY or JN for this lol
January 30, 2026 at 6:37 PM
In addition to at least 3 Deoxys he met before, UFO Clefairy also returned in a Johto filler, and those alien Pokemon in BW that took over Cilan's mind in one episode too were said to be from space. Continuity over the whole show was bad, I can't even just blame XY or JN for this lol
Considering Gen 10 isn't coming till November you have to wonder what they'll fill roughly 5 months with after this arc ends around late April.
January 30, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Considering Gen 10 isn't coming till November you have to wonder what they'll fill roughly 5 months with after this arc ends around late April.
Sandslash had a big role in this which is good because in Kanto it never got a filler about it. Also this is the start of the running gag that Ash is always rescuing fire starters from abusive trainers, Charmander, Cyndaquil, Chimchar and Tepig. Stops when we get to Litten in SM.
January 26, 2026 at 12:42 PM
Sandslash had a big role in this which is good because in Kanto it never got a filler about it. Also this is the start of the running gag that Ash is always rescuing fire starters from abusive trainers, Charmander, Cyndaquil, Chimchar and Tepig. Stops when we get to Litten in SM.
Also Ash's Heracross best battle of the show. Spoiler alert: Heracross never gets a Johto Gym battle so we got this great 1 on 1 as a consolation for it
January 26, 2026 at 12:39 PM
Also Ash's Heracross best battle of the show. Spoiler alert: Heracross never gets a Johto Gym battle so we got this great 1 on 1 as a consolation for it
It's basically just a Kai version of Super, with some better animation. I don't think they're changing anything story-wise, meaning if you already had problems with Super's writing/arcs it's probably going to be the same.
January 25, 2026 at 5:10 PM
It's basically just a Kai version of Super, with some better animation. I don't think they're changing anything story-wise, meaning if you already had problems with Super's writing/arcs it's probably going to be the same.
Sadly Brock never uses the whistle after this ep. Would have loved to see Gligarman again but this is his only appearance. This is another great Johto filler and a fun episode. When DP was airing and Ash caught his Gligar I remember hoping Brock would use the whistle in DP over 400 eps later lol
January 24, 2026 at 2:15 AM
Sadly Brock never uses the whistle after this ep. Would have loved to see Gligarman again but this is his only appearance. This is another great Johto filler and a fun episode. When DP was airing and Ash caught his Gligar I remember hoping Brock would use the whistle in DP over 400 eps later lol
