The Pokemon animated series is taking a new direction. This is welcome, as it has been recycling the same formula for over a decade. The new series, which will come in 2023, will not start on good footing because Pokemon Scarlet and Violet were not well received by critics. The latest Pokemon games left many fans disappointed, and the series will have to do a lot to ensure that the show does not do the same.
If it fails to impress fans, it could amplify the negative criticism Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are receiving. However, if it succeeds, it could be of great benefit to the games. This was the case with Cyberpunk 2077 and its accompanying anime series. Although not much is known about the new series, it has been revealed that long-time characters will be saying their goodbyes and that the Paldea starters will be present.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet's Lukewarm Reception
Scarlet and Violet do a lot to innovate the series and push it forward. Tall grass is eliminated, and players can now see all the wild creatures in the overworld. Players can also set up picnics, and they can use their legendary Pokemon to explore Paldea's varied landscape. Additionally, new Pokemon were added as well as regional variants and Paradox Pokemon that represent past and future forms of the creatures that fans are used to.
Despite the innovation and embrace of the open-world format, many gamers have been complaining about the new games. Most of the complaints can be pinned down on the technical performance of Scarlet and Violet. Massive framerate dips are not uncommon, which can be frustrating. Furthermore, visual glitches are also frequent, resulting in players seeing their character glitch out in weird ways or having a Pokemon float in the air.
Some gamers have blamed these flaws on Game Freak losing their passion for the series, or simply being overworked by releasing two major Pokemon titles in the same year. Either way, the negative first impression the games have left has resulted in them being the lowest-rated mainstream entries on Metacritic ever. Hopefully, with a few patches and updates, Game Freak can mend the most pressing issues. Nevertheless, the damage has been done in terms of the franchise's reputation, and this could have severe effects on the upcoming anime series.
Pokemon Anime Goes a New Direction
Throughout the Pokemon anime series, there have been plenty of changes. One thing has always remained constant - Ash and Pikachu. In the Pokemon Journeys saga, the inseparable duo travels to various regions with Goh, who wishes to catch every Pokemon. It pushes the series forward quite a bit, as fans get to witness Pikachu's backstory, and they also get to see Ash finally become a Pokemon World Champion. It quite cleverly captures the current era of Pokemon. Goh rarely has to battle to catch a Pokemon, as is the case in Pokemon GO.
The Pokemon Company has announced that following Ash's historic victory, he and Pikachu will be departing from the series in 2023. The next series will feature the three starters from Scarlet and Violet, suggesting that it be focused on Paldea. For some fans, the drastic change is disappointing because Ash and Pikachu have been integral to Pokemon's identity for so long. For others, the change is welcome, as the pattern of Ash always losing had grown stale. Before Ash and his yellow rodent depart for good, there will be a series of special episodes celebrating Ash's win and the long journey that brought him to that point.
The New Pokemon Series Has a Huge Mountain to Climb
The two new protagonists - a boy and a girl - have been revealed, though they haven't been given any names. They will have to be exceptional characters if they hope to step out of Ash and Pikachu's massive shadow. They will also have to work against nostalgia which will make the past pair appear perfect in hindsight. The task at hand isn't impossible, but it is certainly a tough one. They will also need a compelling story and a new mascot that can draw fans in as proficiently as Pikachu has. The new series will also have to deal with the sour taste that Scarlet and Violet have left in the mouths of fans. The games were the world's introduction to Paldea and its Pokemon. Unfortunately, the first impressions weren't too good. This forces the animated series to start on rocky ground.
Although the new Pokemon series has many hurdles to overcome, it doesn't mean that it is doomed to fail. Cyberpunk: Edgerunners illustrates how a good series can revitalize a game that had a rocky launch, perhaps one of the rockiest in video game history. Thanks to the success of the animated series, the popularity of Cyberpunk 2077 shot up. Ash's win already illustrates that the series is willing to make daring moves, and this could be good news for the upcoming series. With the right choices made, it could also be a positive for Scarlet and Violet. It is also worth noting that although Scarlet and Violet had negative criticisms pouring in, the games are the bestselling in the series thus far. Hence, the effects of the poor performance at launch may not have had as bad of an effect on the face as one might expect.
While a bit controversial, the change in protagonists may prove to be refreshing. Furthermore, despite the technical issues of Scarlet and Violet, they are great games that illustrate the potential of the series when it fully embraces the open-world format. Furthermore, Pokemon Journeys illustrates that the series can still pump out good storylines and captivating characters. The new anime series will have to do a lot to stand out from its predecessors and overcome the negative reception Scarlet and Violet received. However, it is not an impossible feat.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet are available on Nintendo Switch.