Every generation has a story to tell, adventures to explore, enemies to challenge, and heroes to emerge…
Much in a similar style to the overwhelmingly popular Pokemon Origins, a new series which aims to debut weekly on YouTube in 3-5 minute shorts, promises to revisit all of the classic moments from the very beginning of our first Pokemon Adventure. From Pokemon Red and Blue, to well beyond Pokemon X and Y, Pokemon Generations ignores the existing anime comprised of Ash’s venture to become the very best, and instead focuses on the first hero of the franchise, Red and his rise to beat his rival, Blue (Green in the Japanese version). Beyond that, as each new Pokemon game was released, a new hero emerged, with similar aspirations with Ethan (Gold and Silver), Brendan (Ruby and Sapphire), and Lucas (Diamond and Pearl) to follow in later generations (hence the title of this new series).
The new animated series Pokémon Generations revisits each generation of the Pokémon video game series to shed new light on some timeless moments. From the earliest days in the Kanto region to the splendor of the Kalos region, go behind the scenes and witness Pokémon history with new eyes! These bite-sized adventures, about 3 to 5 minutes long, will be released every week through December 23, 2016.
While many Pokemon and anime fans alike are clammoring to see a more serious take on the Pokemon series, much in the same form as delivered by the 4-part series of Pokemon Origins (which is stupendous, by the way), Generations will likely visit key moments throughout the franchise while taking a much more serious approach, unlike the stories and adventures of Ash Ketchum. Truth be told, we have been hoping something like this would happen eventually, although the 3-5 minutes per episode is a little disappointing, it is absolutely plausible that the Pokemon Company and Game Freak alongside Nintendo are testing the waters and feeling out what fans are wanting to see next in Pokemon animation. With Sun & Moon right around the corner for release, it is not too far off to assume a series centered on a more serious tone could be in the works.
“Appearing first on the Pokémon Generations playlist on YouTube starting September 16, these bite-sized adventures, about 3 to 5 minutes long, will be released every week through December 23.” – pokemon.com
The series will span across Pokemon Red, all the way into Pokemon X and Y, and possibly beyond that into the events of Sun and Moon. However, if you were hoping for a change in cast along the way, you might be disappointed. While it has not been confirmed, the screenshot above clearly shows Red taking on Zygarde, one of the legendary Pokemon from X & Y, where Calem was the main hero. While other series protagonists have a strong chance of making a cameo here or there, it does seem like Generations plans on spending its time focused on Red, and his journey from Kanto, all the way to at least Kalos.
A lot of fans were hoping with an Origins sequel, some hoping it would be focusing on Ethan’s story as he takes on the Johto region from the Gold and Silver series of games, but for now, this looks like it will have to do, and we could not be happier for it. 3-5 minutes may be a bit short per week, but it’s a heck of a lot better than nothing at all, and maybe, just maybe, if fans are loud enough, the right ears could hear our pleas to create a series that is closer to the original gaming source material.
