Pokemon: Adventures Collector's Edition 5by Sheena McNeilReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Publisher
Credits Grade: 9 The Masked Man makes his move to capture Ho-oh while the Gym Leaders do an exhibition match. Gold and Crys discover part of his plan and try to warn everyone. The trainers selected by Suicune, Entei, and Raikou take on The Masked Man, Ho-oh, and Lugia! Green and some unexpected pokemon take on two trainers from her past. Gold's special talent, supported by the special talents of the other six trainers (Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, Silver, and Crys), is able to stop the Masked Man. Then, a new arc begins, where Ruby and Sapphire meet and challenge each other.The Gym Leader battles are interesting, especially as they show off some new things, like what Blue's plan is, and a new type of pokemon specialty: Steel! The magnet train is used well as a danger and as a unique battle location that keeps the action moving, literally as well as figuratively. I like seeing Suicune, Entei, and Raikou with their chosen trainers, but I'm disappointed at the role Misty has, a weird mix of strong and weak. I'm not surprised by what happens, as that was set up by the plot volumes ago, but it's annoying that they split the two female trainers, and then mostly write Misty off ... again. Ho-oh and Lugia are definitely double trouble when working together. The Masked Man's skills seem almost magical, but it's certainly entertaining. And, most readers should have been able to guess his identity, but the how of certain things is surprising. There is related important backstory for Green and Silver, that is quite insightful and explains much of their more negative traits while also shining a light on how they're skilled in different ways from the other trainers. Green surprises with having faced her fears (though when she did that is a mystery, and her ability to fake sheer terror seems implausible), and shows up with unexpected pokemon that make for a great aerial battle. I really enjoyed seeing all seven trainers together for the first time (and all six starter pokemon, plus two Pikachus and the new pokemon, Pichu!). Of course Red, Blue, and Yellow have a much smaller role, but they still play very important parts. Surprisingly, it's Gold that stands out as the main hero ... but his attitude does seem to have improved some, so he's more tolerable and even someone I can cheer for. His willingness to sacrifice himself to save pokemon won me over in the end. I reviewed Volume 14 back in 2011, and my thoughts on that remain about the same. It is interesting that this arc is longer than others, so the volume that makes up the conclusion takes up part of the first volume of the next arc (and it is the final volume in this "big book"). That is how it was originally released, as well as in this "big book". I appreciate all the "extra" pages to conclude the fight against Masked Man, and the pacing of the intro for the next arc still has enough to entice and give us a good feel for both trainers. I love that Ruby and Sapphire's personalities are the opposite stereotype, even if it's taken to an unhealthy extreme. Ruby is the boy and into Contests, sewing, and looking beautiful; he's the son of a battle-crazy Gym Leader, so he hates being home, where he's essentially pressured to "be a man". Sapphire is the girl and into Gym Battles, living like a wild pokemon (jungle girl), and being a hero; she's the daughter of Professor Birch, so she's very knowledgeable on pokemon, but surprisingly mostly illiterate. They two of them may be extreme, but they complement each other well, and drive each other / rub off on each other (and I know, from having read their arc before, that they both become more well-rounded, which is good). There's already a dastardly plan in the works, too, as we get introduced to Team Aqua! Once again, I'm loving the affordable, larger combined volume, and re-reading exciting arcs! Written: January 9, 2021
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