I despise the Pokemon anime. It's the most horrible convoluted thing on earth. The USA dub, 4Kids actually did a good job with it, (ironic since they mess up just about every other show they've touched) even if they got a third of the Pokemon's names wrong. (I.e. Electrode being called Voltorb in the Pikachu Short of Pokemon the Movie 2000). I can be forgiving though of even the horrible new dub of the voices The Pokemon Company International came up with. I'm tired of Ash though. I mean, for Arceus sake, lay this 1997 year old character to rest! Worse shows have done it already, so can Pokemon. Older generations miss the original Ash from Palette Town and don't want their childhood ruined by this new one. In honesty, I'm tired of Pokemon anime. Despite this, I had the urge to watch a Black and White Japanese episode today, and did. The animation has changed, and omg, Ash has irises O_O''''. When did this happen? Let's take a look shall we?
The original Ash Ketchum (Satoshi, whatever). This was him in the original series, the Orange Islands, and the Johto Saga. This is what I grew up with. The only real change in his character during this time is that at some point at the end of the original series, Ash stopped turning his hat backward while sending out a Pokemon or throwing a Pokeball. Used to have this cool animation that moved across each of his eyes as he pulled his hat backward and then threw out a Pokeball. It was awesome. This Ash incarnation had a goofy and rather childish personality, was stubborn and was shorter then his companions (much to a few antagonist character's amusement).
This is Advanced Ash. This happened during the Hoenn Arc. He had a complete wardrobe change (along with Brock) and now wears some kind of cargo-jeans hybrid and a vest. The character of Misty was dropped. He's grown. He's as tall as May, etc (albeit, she's a few years younger). He's basically the same person, however, his personality has matured, he no longer acts like a kid... In fact, the main characteristic of Ash Ketchum is now stubbornness and determination. In all honesty, this is where I completely lost interest in my childhood favorite. Luckily, they decide (towards the very end) to reintroduce a few of his older Pokemon, (Chikorita and Bulbasaur).
This is DS Ash. It is now tradition to change your clothes every arc. Anyway, he again wears a vest, and again, his female companion changes. Dawn is introduced, Brock survives... For some reason, later this arc, they decide to reintroduce his Johto Pokemon, Cyndaquil. Anyway, at least they are trying to give the impression he doesn't abandon them all. I miss Muk! x_x Anyway, all pretenses of a personality are dropped, now Ash is a character who's only emotions are happy, determined, disappointed or angry. He's stubborn, but almost powerless (what ever happened to taking the blow for your Pokemon? I think he's too used to them saving themselves. Episode 2, he actually took on a fierce flock of Spearow for his Pikachu.) Regardless, he's become a battle-obsessed character who really only acts as a guide for Dawn to measure up to (like May). He's still the main character, but his lack of actually personality really doesn't make him up to snuff. Pikachu seems to have taken a bigger spotlight, if anything. For the record, I did not watch more then 3 episodes of the dub. I watched the Japanese version instead.
Now this is BWDS (Black and White DS) Ash. I... haven't watched anything of this incarnation to be honest. But lookit the design! It's like a combination of the vest and a jacket. Weird >.> And his hat design now has a full Pokeball on it. What I'm really shocked about is how big his pupils seem to have gotten. I must be honest, I thought for a second the animation studio changed, but I checked. It's still OLM, like always. Hm... I'm lost about what to say anymore. Anyway, discuss Ash through the ages. =w=
