Pokemon "Pokeshipping" Sims 2 Photoshoot

Starring Ash and Misty!











I hope to have more eventually!

Pokemon Thanksgiving fanfiction

There are stories for Pokemon featuring the American holiday, Thanksgiving!? They are indeed in existance, and here are a few:

Good Enough (really a Thanksgiving "gift" according to the author, but I'll let it count)

Honey I Burnt The Turkey

Pokemon Thanksgiving '04

Thanks For The Roses you give me

Thanksgiving

Pokebeach interviews Masamitsu Hidaka

From Pokebeach:

According to the site, "Masamitsu Hidaka was the original director of Pokemon up until around the Battle Frontier season, and also worked as the storyboard artist for many episodes" - recently he was interviewed during a convention by one of the site's staff. I've taken clips from the whole thing, and discussing what popped out at me.

So, will Misty ever return to the show? His answer was a flat out no - not as a main character, anyway. If she is to ever return to the show, it will only be in a minor role as something like as a rival for a tournament, similar to May returning for a few Diamond and Pearl episodes. But no, "Kasumi-san" would never return as a main character again, unfortunately. I heard him mention "Pokemon Contests" in his response to my question, but the translator did not tell me what he meant.

This saddens me greatly. Perhaps it was foolish, but I always hoped the writers would bring her back for an "original trio" deal, if only close to the end. She's one of my favorite characters besides Team Rocket, so that "flat-out no" was like a strong jab in the chest. I was actually waiting for her to come back before I started watching new episodes again. Guess that won't happen!

Who is Ash's father? This one made him laugh, since I asked it rather bluntly and simply. He explained Ash's grandfather was a great Trainer who traveled the lands a long time ago, and Ash's father followed in his footsteps and left. Then I asked if he would ever appear, and he responded that only if the writers felt a need to "grow" Ash as a character (personal note: we need some character development, please). He explained he was not a writer on the show and merely worked as the storyboard artist, so he had no control over what they put on the show. But, he said there is a possibility his father could appear one day. At least we know Ash has a father now, unlike other anime characters.

You know, I've seen a lot of theories over the years, from Team Rocket's leader Giovanni, to Professor Oak. I didn't believe they ever found it important nor would they reveal it, but if they suddenly did someday, it would be great character development for Ash. So, Ash is a 3rd generation Pokemon trainer, huh?

This next paragraph is rather interesting. I asked him why they dropped Brock like a rock in the Orange Islands, and if they ever intended on his absence being temporary. He started to explain that they like to “switch up” the cast once in a while, and that was their first time doing it. Then I made sort of a “that’s obvious” face, and he started to talk for quite some time to the translator. The translator began to explain that the Japanese crew felt that Brock might be viewed as racist by the American people because of his eyes, and that they were even fearful of it when Pokemon first came to America. I asked if anyone ever complained, and he said no, but it was just that they were worried someone might eventually. So, they brought in a tall, white, Anglo-looking character to replace him, just to be on the safe side. Going back to the first interview with Mr. Hidaka, he had said they had to consider other countries when Pokemon started to go global, so this mentality fits even here, especially with the whole Jynx incident. So then I asked, “Why did you bring him back?” and he responded that “we realized no one really cared about it and liked Brock, so we brought him back.”

So that's why Tracy came in. Very interesting! I guess if Brock had stayed, Professor Ivy really would've been his dream girl? I wish he'd asked what exactly happened between them.

What about the main cast on the show? Since he had talked about how they like to “switch them up,” I explained to him that many fans want Ash, Misty, and Brock reunited again together. But, he reaffirmed what he said in the previous interview and said it wasn’t going to happen. I asked him what he meant in the previous interview about Pokemon Contests, and he said he just meant that characters like May have come back for a few episodes in Pokemon Contests, so Misty could come back too. He said, however, that Contests don’t appear to be her thing, so if she were to come back, it would probably be to join Ash in a battle or to just meet them somewhere. So then I said, “Why can’t you just ditch Brock, have Ash, have Misty, and then bring in a new boy? That would be switching up things instead of having a new girl.” His following answers made me laugh my head off – I had to pick it up off the floor and reattach it. He stated that they like to switch up the girls because it gives the boys some new eye candy every once in a while. He also said girls are more customizable and you can change their outfits, like when they are in their bathing suits (yes, he specifically said that).

Tsk. Well, that's sexism for you. Misty, May, etc. nothing more than fresh "eye candy."

Pokemon Chronicles: Training Daze

Pokemon Chronicles (also known as Shūkan Pokémon Hōsōkyoku or Weekly Pokemon Broadcast) is a previously Japan exclusive series of specials centering around characters other than Ash. It was dubbed into English, but has not been released in the US. Here I shall review special #13, Training Daze (or "The Origins of Love and Youth" in Japan).

While flying through the air after another defeat, James comes across a very special part of his bottle cap collection, and this brings about the memory of Jessie and James' early days in Team Rocket. As it turns out, they weren't teamed together right away. In the course of the few months Jessie had been there as a trainee, she'd been through a good 10 partners, all of whom she rejected, believing none were good enough and were huge letdowns. By then she'd developed quite a reputation, and the poor girl had almost given up on any success in the organization, when her training instructor introduces her to the boy-haired wonder we all know. At the same time, a strange Meowth has found his way into Giovanni's office and is eager to please.



Throughout the course of the episode, Jessie is impressed by James' determination to prove his worthiness and dedication to their little team. During their first real test mission together he sacrifices his safety so that Meowth and Jessie can pull themselves away from a broken bridge, and ends up in the hospital for quite some time. In fact, he isn't able to show up for a trainee's most important task, leaving Jessie to believe that she's once again been shafted when it matters most. But not even broken bones can keep James from fulfilling a promise, and a hopeful future might still be in reach.

I personally found this episode to be very cute, it was enjoyable from start to finish and features the only time anyone says Butch's name correctly. My only problem is that it doesn't match up to what we've previously been told about Team Rocket's past. In the show it's demonstrated that Jessie and James have known each other since childhood, even going to the same school and joining a bicycle gang together. Yet in this special they act as if they've only just met! Either they ran into problems years ago and pretended to be strangers, or the writers didn't care about keeping it straight. However you look at it, if you're a Team Rocket fan this is a definite must see!

Team Rocket Sims 2 photoshoot

After recently discovering some really cool Pokemon downloads, meet my self-created Team Rocket members.



Enjoy Pikachu Pieces as part of a balanced breakfast. Why do I think "Pika-Chews" would be a cool cereal name?





Tommy, Tony, and Toby Rocket.





Crazy faces.



Tina Rocket



And the youngest, Terry Rocket.

I will probably add these to Pix-Sim later.

Pokemon fanfiction, old school

9 years ago, I discovered Pokemon. This was during a time I was freshly graduated from high school, and was both juggling my first job and first year in college. It was very stressful, the job moreso. Then I found Pokemon, supposedly something "only kids can understand" and was blacklisted by the elitist anime community for "giving anime a bad name." Yeah, OK.

This same year, I discovered the world of fanfiction. I'd print out stories I thought were particulary interesting and bring them to read between classes. Looking at them today, I see some were rather blah, or bordering on bad/disturbing, but I still fondly smile everytime I reread them. Here are a few (written before [maybe] or in 1999):

Planes of Existence Team Rocket comes across a young "dimension hopper" named Meiya, who takes them back to her "underground palace of ice and stone" to hang out. [Must be downloaded, in Word format]
Rocket Revenge James is (deliberately) hit by a car on his way back from shopping, and Jessie has to go to his family for medical help. Part 2
Team Rocket Two Jessie and James meet their twin offspring from the future. You also hear reference to Ash, Misty, and Brock's kids. [Must be downloaded, in Word format]
Valentine Valentine's Day. Misty struggles with her romantic feelings for Ash, along with her all-too-often tendency to beat on and argue with him. She wonders if, by doing that, she is only ruining her chances.

New Team Rocket cel

Coming soon to CELS OF SUGAR, one of my favorite scenes in all of Pokemon. After having caught Togepi, Team Rocket is taking it easy. James makes breakfast, Jessie eats happily, and Meowth shines the egg that Togepi has not yet hatched from. Jessie isn't wearing her gloves or boots :D :D :D It's so adorably cute, I could cry. I can't really afford to have this, but I knew I'd regret it if I didn't get it. Sigh... buyer's remorse.

Pokemon shipping, what I know and support

Pokemon is pretty much the only fandom I partake in that creates names for pairings. Everything else will just do something like DannyxSam or simply DS when talking about it. At least, that I know of. While many are confusing unless you are "in the know" (would you ever know what somebody meant if they said they supported greenshipping or daddyshipping?) there are some I am familiar with. I may be missing a few terms (some pairings have several names... I know, confusing, right?).

Contestshipping (also known as シュウハル/shuuharu) - May/Drew - I have not watched the show on a regular basis since Orange Islands, so I know very little about them, frankly. A semi-popular pairing that many believe is practically canon, May and Drew are rivals in Pokemon Coordinating. I admit that I have read a few contestshipping fanfics out of curiousity, and find it cute. I could support this pairing if only to ward off May from EVER getting together with Ash XD For More Information: Drew & May rock!!!, Wikipedia

Danceshipping - Rudy/Misty - Ash and the gang meet Rudy after saving the life of his sister. Misty finds herself being wooed and flirted with by Rudy, and he asks her to stay with his family, but she declines. I don't support this pairing, and the only time I've seen this used is for fanfiction when Rudy is the abusive husband/boyfriend and Misty runs off to Ash for support. I don't know how popular it is, but it's likely obscure. I couldn't even find furthur information under this name, so maybe it's not the "official," recognized shipping name?

Eldershipping - Professor Oak/Delia - This one is pretty obscure, I think. I've only found one or two instances of fanfiction or support. I guess the idea of two "old people" being in love creeps people out? Hmm. Anyway, I'm just not feeling this one. It's OK if it happens (if it hasn't already behind the scenes) but I'm not about to make a banner singing praise, or code a website about it. For More Information: Wikipedia

Palletshipping (also known as ShiShi) - Ash/Gary - Ash and Gary grew up in the same town, and are training rivals. Not into this pairing, since I'm not into yaoi and I'm a strong Pokeshipping supporter. For More Information: Wikipedia

Pokeshipping (also known as サトカス/satokasu, twerpshipping, AAML) - Ash/Misty - The oldest and most popular pairing in Pokemon's history. Ash and Misty met each other very early in Ash's journey (I want to say the first day), and traveled together for a few seasons. Many believe that Misty developed a crush (or at least affection) for the boy during this time. 4KIDS, the North American dubbers of the show, even produced two or three songs exploring these feelings. This is my very favorite shipping, and I'll keep supporting it no matter what! For More Information: Wikipedia

Rocketshipping (also known as ムサコジ/musakoji, JAJL) - Jessie/James - Probably the second most popular pairing in Pokemon fandom. Jessie and James have known each other since they were kids, and have been through a lot together, both inside and outside of Team Rocket. They tend to hug a lot. Though made official in the manga series, it's yet to happen in the anime. For More Information: Wikipedia

JAPANESE FANSITES:

Get Happy - Poke-Contest-Rocketshipping
Miyabic Room - Pokeshipping
Pokemon-Search - Search engine for sites about certain pairings, characters, etc.

Pokemon Christmas Bash

1. Pokemon Christmas Bash - Festive opening song, and features little Christmas wishes and messages from the cast. Pokeshippers will delight at Misty's wish to dance with Ash. Just a tad corny, though

2. I'm Giving Santa A Pikachu This Christmas

3. Winter Is The Coolest Time Of Year - Misty sings about winter, with some cute dialog between her, Ash, and Brock

4. Nobody Don't Like Christmas

5. I Keep My Home In My Heart

6. The Christmas Song - It's odd for Team Rocket to do this song, considering they simply speak their lines, and don't sing them. Meowth isn't half bad, and if you like Team Rocket this is a must-hear, regardless

7. Under The Mistletoe - Pokeshippers will probably either like or hate this song. Misty tries to catch Ash under the mistletoe, but he keeps getting away! If nothing else, it's catchy and tends to get stuck in my head

8. Must Be Santa

9. The Night Before Christmas

10. Christmas Medley - Features the wit and clever lines you expect from the dub. Pretty fun!

11. I'm giving Santa A Pikachu This Christmas (karaoke)

12. Christmas Medley (karaoke)

The very last English release of Pokemon in the states, and features all of the original cast. If you consider yourself a Pokemon fan, you should find at least one track on this CD to enjoy. Granted, while it tends to err on the side of corny, it doesn't make you want to throw your headphones away in pain. It's the first time I've seen remakes of remakes (meaning, they don't stick to a formula - they mix and change whatever they like) of often-sung Christmas songs.