Probably the best draw in the anime tbh! A draw being more thematic than a win would have been is just some juicy storytelling, DP amplified their game characters to a 100x times moreWow easily the best Gym Battle in Sinnoh so far. Staravia putting in work was really nice and gave it some needed shine, and Lucario vs Buizel was amazing. A bit of a contrivance with the rain powering Buizel up, but I can ignore it because the battle was that good. It felt like both were going all out and this is one of the few draws that I genuinely quite like in Pokémon. Gives the battle a unique feel, and also feels very earned on both sides. A good conclusion to Maylene’s little arc and a great win for Ash
Yes to all this, a draw for the sake of being a draw is whatever but when it means something pretty significant to the story that’s when it gets good. I like how pretty much all the Gym Leaders were handled in DP; they get a lot more background and personality to them than the game and there’s great character progression for a lot of ‘em (Volkner, Maylene, etc.)Probably the best draw in the anime tbh! A draw being more thematic than a win would have been is just some juicy storytelling, DP amplified their game characters to a 100x times more
I honestly think only Crasher Wake was the one who didnt get some story arc for himself, and even than its balanced by him being likeableYes to all this, a draw for the sake of being a draw is whatever but when it means something pretty significant to the story that’s when it gets good. I like how pretty much all the Gym Leaders were handled in DP; they get a lot more background and personality to them than the game and there’s great character progression for a lot of ‘em (Volkner, Maylene, etc.)
I remember SM making the Kahunas pretty likable (particularly Nanu, I really enjoyed what they did with him) but not to the extent that DP did with its Gym Leaders. Like you said, most everyone had a character relevant subplot that really involved them into the story and fleshed them out much more. The way they handled Volkner was very good; to this day I still think it’s the some of the anime team’s best work on an NPC game character.I honestly think only Crasher Wake was the one who didnt get some story arc for himself, and even than its balanced by him being likeable
Roark had the whole Paul-Ash losing and using new strats-winning subplot
Gardenia had the whole James-Cacnea subplot
Maylene here
Fantina had a long subplot lol and birthed counter shield
Byron had the whole fossil subplot with Roark
Candice had a backstory with Zoey
Volkner with Flint and his depression
I dont think ANY other region came close to expanding their characters as much as DP did. Closest I can think is SM with the time they gave game characters, but they didnt really give complexity much to them or in some cases took it away like Hau compared to what DP did
Volkner and Maylene both for me!!I remember SM making the Kahunas pretty likable (particularly Nanu, I really enjoyed what they did with him) but not to the extent that DP did with its Gym Leaders. Like you said, most everyone had a character relevant subplot that really involved them into the story and fleshed them out much more. The way they handled Volkner was very good; to this day I still think it’s the some of the anime team’s best work on an NPC game character.
Wow I actually feel the same! Like being honest, I used to be meh on Sinnoh as a region and in the games; DPPt still aren’t what I’d consider my favorites, but thanks to how wonderful the anime and Legends Arceus are I’ve warmed up a lot to the whole gen. The anime really can give you a sense of attachment to whatever game it’s representing I feel, which is why at least for me, gens that I think are weaker game-wise like IV and VI being so popular & well-done in the anime in turn make me want to give the games another chance (Volkner and Maylene both for me!!
It's astonishing because the games did NOTHING for the gym leaders, yet while playing BDSP i was smiling to battle them knowing their anime portrayals
I honestly think the DP anime really made my love for the games increase more
Nanu’s battle with Ash had me hyperanalyzing every line of dialogue. He’s the best no matter the mediumI love Nanu so much. We need more characters like him.