Pokemon Origins Review

Pokemon Origins Review

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Studio: OLM, Production I.G., Xebec

Year: 2013

 

 

Episode 1: 4/5

Episode 2: 3/5

Episode 3: 4/5

Episode 4: 5/5

Pokemon Origins was a new turn in the Pokemon anime department. They did a four episode special where they relived the experience of the original games Red and Blue. (Green for those in Japan) It followed the journey of Red from his first Pokemon to capturing the hundred and fiftieth Pokemon. And yeah, in four episodes, so it’s pretty short and sweet. And that’s one of its best compliments, although I wouldn’t have minded seeing at least a twelve episode series. That being said, they did a good job. The animation is nice to look at, and the character designs are refreshing when used to the original anime’s character designs and art style. And just looking at buildings and environments that actually resemble the games drills in that nostalgia. And the characters are more entertaining than the games, I will say that. Looking at a character and hearing their voice is better than reading text and looking at a Gameboy game. And battles are gorgeous too. And some of them get really intense, especially the last one that ends the series, and the one on episode three. Ultimately it was just refreshing. Pokemon cut away the bullshit that was clinging onto it, and although it’s still there in the big picture, just the fact that this exists is awesome. It’s a spin. From Charizard’s wails taking you away that this is initially a kids show concept, to seeing what you knew Pokemon to be actually forming from fighting champions to getting fossils and fishing poles from various strangers. Seeing something so familiar brought to a different platform in identical concept is extraordinary, even if not in the same pacing. However, I still very much enjoyed this series. It felt like playing an old Pokemon game, capturing the childlike wonder as if simply as a Pokemon entering a pokeball. It wasn’t this amazing product, it’s not like I was in depth the whole time. It’s an easy watch for anyone though. It was just really good, but not much beyond that. It brings something to the table, but doesn’t add anything new or push any boundary. And that’s fine, because they still pulled it off quite well. Classic and nostalgia, there’s a reason I used those two words so many times in my review. It brought a world we thought we knew so well into a current up to date time of the present, letting us all lean back and enjoy a warm simple four episode reimagining of the games, and it was definitely refreshing. Well, that’s the end of the review. Smell ya later!

Pokemon Origins gets a 3/5