Do you compare Max/May to the Orange Islands scenario?

[CyberCubed]

I hate making a thread like this because its such an overdone concept, but I've ran into a ton of people who STILL think after all this time that May/Max replacing Misty is exactly the same as Tracey replacing Brock.

Do you believe that the reasons for the character swaps are the same? As I said, I hate making a thread like this, but I'm just curious.

 

[Alfonso]

People need to understand the difference between a replacement and a new cast. While May and Max were not part of a totally new cast, they still represented a 'new generation' that the R/S games represented. (While everything after Kanto and before Houen was more of a continuation of the events of R/B. This is highlighted by the fact that Ash kept Bulbasaur throughout most of Johto and used many of his Kanto Pokemon in the Johto League.)

Tracey 'replacing' Brock and May and Max entering the cast are too totally different things, in my opinion. Misty just left, and May came in. It's not a matter of May 'filling' in Misty's shoes, or anything of the sort. Max was a nice-add on that they simply failed to develop beyond the simple and rather tiring 'Max befriends a Pokemon' plot.

...

Tracey really should have stayed in throughout Johto. ._. I know it's not the thread for it but whatever. XD

 

[intergalactic platypus]

*Sighs*. Cyber, I think Bulbagarden is damaging your blood pressure. Moving on, I don't see Max as much more then an OI situation, an add on character that they sorta stuck in there and then kept cause of his sister. A bundle of wasted potential. May on the other hand was a clear marketing ploy and attempt to get the show back on its feet. She was not the same kind of replacement for Misty as Tracey was for Brock since all they seem to share in common as characters are 2 X chromosomes and large fanbases

 

[S_P]

Well you already know the simple fact that Haruka is a game character. She wasn't anime-only like Kenji was (and heck, Orange Islands was basically anime-only), so conditions do not match.

Also, Kasumi being a gym leader was an old, known fact. Judging by sheer character, going back to Hanada City would seem normal, as well as taking over the gym. However, Takeshi staying at Uchihiko-hakase's place was clearly lead to, but you couldn't anticipate it until the debut of that particular episode. Of course you couldn't really anticipate Kenji's appearance either.

However, the end of Jouto CLEARLY was leading to the Houen region.

Ironically, both regional scenarios were "something new". Jouto's was like a continuation at a new place.

Haruka was also the first and only time you have a main-to-main character, causing the only co-star effect (ironically that shafts every main game character that is not Haruka).

Though I still find it interesting that Masato was an anime-only character (or was he in the game for like less than 5 minutes? I don't remember him at all in the game), so only that aspect makes it slightly believeable. You could speculate that you use two siblings to cover Kasumi's aspect to prevent the "Kasumi replacing" idea.

But no, you already know the roles are way different. I don't consider it a replacement. In terms of similarity with a few things, I just say that's to retain some familiar aspects. Afterall, pokemon does contain continuous familiarity for every episode it airs.

Also, Orange Islands were a relatively small adventure. We all know that AG was a freaking new season (well the US and Japan as we all know are in different season splits, but even for Japan it was literally a new season).

Despite similarities, it's largely different. Only Masato could carry the partially add-on effect, however you can counter that his age and abilities prevent him from several different developments (and that his character of being technically smart is already portrayed to the maximum effect).

The only thing I could see Masato leaving is to get his first pokemon. Otherwise, changes are less probable. (Meaning it's also totally different from Kenji's actual case of staying with Ookido-hakase)

Similiarities, yes. Reasons being the same? No. If that were true, then eventually Haruka and Masato would leave and Kasumi would come back. Doesn't that just cause another Jouto monotonous downfall effect?

Oh right, and the impact of Haruka was astronomically higher than Kenji. I have nothing against Kenji, but the "new" character popularity impact has a huge difference between these two (it's also because of the conditions and the regions).

 

[SOS! Its Not Healthy..]

I don't think May/Max replacing Misty is the case. May and Max has totally different aspects then what Misty did. I see them 3 totally different and not really much alike. Even though is seems that way since May replaces Misty, yeah different girl, or no now Max is doing the pulling ear thing.

With those similarites from that Misty did, their personalities are so different and Max & May both went in the show. May as the coordinator and Max as the Pokemon Knowledgeaol, they pretty got in on their own then simply replaced to me.

 

[STJ]

I agree with Alfonso when he said that people need to understand the difference between a new cast and replacement

Though I liked Brock more, I have nothing against Tracey, however in my opinion the situation between Tracey and Max/May have far to many differences to make a compariison, so in short, no I don't.

 

[Yoshida Amane]

...

I agree with Alfonso when he said that people need to understand the difference between a new cast and replacement

Though I liked Brock more, I have nothing against Tracey, however in my opinion the situation between Tracey and Max/May have far to many differences to make a compariison, so in short, no I don't.

I guess I can see why you are comparing the two situations. Some people who know me would guess I'd say something like "WELL TRACEY IS COOL BUT MAY AND MAX ARE NOT" and that is what I feel like saying. However, I'll act semi-intelligent and answer insightfully.

Tracey replaced Brock for one season. May and Max have poorly replaced Misty for longer. I stopped watching the show for a while because of them. In an attempt to "save the show" I kinda got mad...

 

[Satoshi]

No, not at all. I find it stupid that some people keep on comparing them all together, when Kenji was left behind at Ookido Hakase's lab after about just one saga (which is a very small filler saga), while Haruka and Masato have yet to leave (they've been in the cast in a main region, plus the Kanto Battle Frontier saga). There's an obvious difference between character replacement and a new cast (as Alfonso stated).

And the horrible fact that Kenji replacing Takeshi was just the anime producers giving in to 4Kids, while Haruka and Masato filling the opening slot where Kasumi left was all the writers' idea.

Though I still find it interesting that Masato was an anime-only character (or was he in the game for like less than 5 minutes? I don't remember him at all in the game), so only that aspect makes it slightly believeable.

He was a sprite in the games.

 

[TwilightFacade]

I originally thought May was just Misty's replacement. (Being a girl, having her bike destroyed, having a possible crush on Ash, Skitty popping out of its Pokeball a la Psyduck) However I was proved wrong. They are two different characters that are great in their unique ways. May is the second most important character on the show with her Contest quest. Misty didn't have the same level of importance, but she had a great personality on the show and remains a very popular character. Max wasn't meant to replace Misty at all. (except for the Brock's ear thing)

Tracey was meant to replace Brock, however. The writers thought that we wouldn't like Brock because he looked too oriental. However they were proved wrong. I still liked Tracey better and would have preferred he stayed in Johto instead but what can ya do.

 

[S_P]

No, not at all. I find it stupid that some people keep on comparing them all together, when Kenji was left behind at Ookido Hakase's lab after about just one saga (which is a very small filler saga), while Haruka and Masato have yet to leave (they've been in the cast in a main region, plus the Kanto Battle Frontier saga). There's an obvious difference between character replacement and a new cast (as Alfonso stated).

And the horrible fact that Kenji replacing Takeshi was just the anime producers giving in to 4Kids, while Haruka and Masato filling the opening slot where Kasumi left was all the writers' idea.

He was a sprite in the games.

I figured Masato was in the game somehow, even if just a sprite. Thanks for informing me.

I will say that what is similar between the two cases is "new face", "new place", "new adventures", and something like that. Both cases obviously presented something new, but the reasons appeared obvious.

My personal convincing reason will always be the "newness effect", or rather "the new season in japan" (japan has like 3 seasons and dub is like 9?). Conditions are entirely different, even though "new face, new place, new adventure" concept is all the same.

 

[Ashy Boy]

I don't really think so.

 

[The Great Butler]

I don't understand what would've kept Misty from doing pretty much everything May can do, but I'd better not say any more than that or I'll be flamed to a crisp....

Max, however, has no connection or similarity to Misty or her role whatsoever, so there's not much to say. He's just a sorely underdeveloped character.

 

[Yamato-san]

I don't understand what would've kept Misty from doing pretty much everything May can do

Um... doing contests with Pokemon that AREN'T water-types. Really, Satoshi and Haruka seem to represent aspects of the gameplay, and of course, not all players are going for mono-type challenges. Besides, you just know I'd go insane after a few contests with nothing but Water Gun, Water Gun, Water Gun, Water Gun, Water Gun, Water Gun... [cringe]