Pokemon: Diamond and Pearl - The Complete Seasonby Sheena McNeilReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Studio
Credits Grade: 8 Ash, Brock, and Dawn travel the Sinnoh region, Ash working towards the Sinnoh League, and Dawn learning the ropes of being a Pokemon Coordinator. New pokemon, new rivals, and new adventures await. This box set contains the 51 episodes previously released over three separate box sets. I reviewed the first of the three box sets separately.If you already have the three box sets that make up this set, it's a balance of budget versus space. For budget, you'd be buying it a second time and would end up with a duplicate set to rehome, but for space, this one box takes up the same amount of shelf space as one of the other three! So, if space is limited, this seven-disc set is the way to go. Dawn is a nice change from May, but keeps the Coordinator angle. She's not new to things like May was (though she hasn't won her first ribbon when we first meet her), but she has her own challenges, like her mom having been a successful Coordinator. Dawn catches a Pachirisu, who doesn't want to listen, and later she catches Buizel, who also won't listen. This always makes for a great character growth arc for people and pokemon, and it's a nice difference from things like Paul's pokemon sacrificing themselves to be liked (Chimchar) or catching their owner's bad attitude. Dawn gets introduced to double battles, too, which is a new challenge to train for, and helps her become better friends with her rival, Zoey. I like Nando. It's nice to see an adult character getting into battles and contests, and it's even more fun and different since he's a travelling Bard! He has a totally unique outlook and way of expressing himself, which makes his scenes interesting. And he's quite formidable, thanks to being in such great tune (ha!) with his pokemon. I love Brock's new Happiny. It's always different and kind of special when Brock gets a pokemon. This time it was an egg he won, raised, and hatched. Happiny is a great match for him -- cute, sweet, and amazingly strong. Pokemon Hunter J is introduced, and what she does is similar to Team Rocket. The difference is she's a mercenary. Ash and Team Rocket even have to work together against her at one point! She's a formidable opponent, which I like. Though I have to wonder why (or if) she is important to the overall plot. Ash's own path is shadowed by Paul, as they both are battling Gym Leaders to get to the Sinnoh League. I don't like Paul; his bad attitude and treatment of his pokemon sets him apart from other not-so-nice rivals in the world of pokemon. It makes Ash shine as the good guy, but it also flares Ash's temper. Things come to a head during the tag-team battle at the end of this season, but it's only taking a turn and not ending. I especially like the tag-team battle that wraps this season. It's a fun concept, and we get to see really good ways to use it through Brock and Dawn, with their respective partners. Partners are assigned randomly, so, of course, Ash ends up with Paul, which, as expected, goes poorly. We do finally get some insight into Paul's reasons for his training methods, but it certainly doesn't redeem him from having a bad attitude, or from being mean and even cruel to people and his own pokemon. Chimchar suffers the brunt of this, but is ultimately disowned by Paul, which comes like a betrayal to Chimchar. Thankfully, Ash is there for this hurt and confused pokemon. It's not my favorite arc, but it does have things I like and enjoy when watching it. I am glad it was re-released in a more compact form. Written: August 18, 2019
|
|
|
Home |
Features |
Columns |
Culture Vultures |
Report Card
Indicia | Contact | Archives © Sequential Tart, 1998 – 2021 |
