Has the anime changed the concept behind the legendaries since the original seasons?

[CyberCubed]

I'm mostly talking about AG, but the Battle Frontier saga in general:

1) In the early days we were convinced time and time again that owning legendaries were a bad thing. They were seen as "godly" Pokemon that no human has the right to control. And when someone did try to capture a legendary in the past, chaos usually ensued. Yet, the Battle Frontier has done away with this apparently.

Our first taste was Noland and Articuno, but there was no big issue there. After all, he just befriended it and didn't capture it, plus the backstory was pretty believable and nothing out of the ordinary. Not to mention the fact that Articuno is a poor-man's legendary nowadays, so it's not a big deal. Back in the RBY days we'd all "Ooh" and "Aah" over Articuno, but nowadays it seems like such a sad pathetic legendary compared to the others. So yeah...a poor-man's legend like Articuno isn't that big a deal, and it flew off in the sunset after the battle. No harm is done, and all is right in the universe.

2) Then recently we get Regirock and Brandon. Only this time, Regirock is captured. Brandon commands it like any ordinary Pokemon, and simply recalls it to its ball. As far as I know despite not knowing a lick of Japanese, there was no backstory given behind this. Regirock is treated like a "strong" but ordinary Pokemon. None of the characters are shocked, and the writers don't make a big deal about this. Granted, Brandon is the most powerful Brain and is thus somebody important...but it still feels kind of odd. I wouldn't even expect Elite 4 members to own legendaries, let alone a Frontier Brain.

3) And last, we see Ho-oh. Only this time Ash isn't alone when he sees it, but he's with his friends and Scott. And, for the record, May is the first person to notice Ho-oh, and NOT Ash. So either Ho-oh has just gotten lazy and showed itself to Ash while others are around...or...Ho-oh ain't that big a deal anymore either. Or...maybe May has some super-duper connection with Ho-oh as well...but that's pushing it.

4) It's also worth noting that legendaries are becoming a common occurence. In the BF, the gang saw both Celebi and Deoxys again, both in a short time frame from each other too.

Hell, if the Battle Pyramid really did fly toward the Sevii Islands, we may even see Moltres again.

So...are the writers starting to abandon their old concepts and ideals and changing the way that legendaries are viewed in the anime? I can't be the only one who thinks that legends are no longer considered "godly" or "invincible" as they once were, but they're starting to show up more frequently and they're...not so strong anymore. Ash took down Articuno with Charizard, and even though ol' Char head is very strong, it's still an amazing feat going by past standards.

What do you think about the way that the writers have changed the legendary Pokemon concept lately?

 

[Rex Kamex]

I don't completely mind them doing this, as long as the writers don't do it too much. Don't forget about that kid from the Whirl Islands befriending that baby Lugia for a while. It's not the exact same thing as owning it, but that's still important since it was still a Lugia.

 

[V Faction]

2) Then recently we get Regirock and Brandon. Only this time, Regirock is captured. Brandon commands it like any ordinary Pokemon, and simply recalls it to its ball. As far as I know despite not knowing a lick of Japanese, there was no backstory given behind this. Regirock is treated like a "strong" but ordinary Pokemon. None of the characters are shocked, and the writers don't make a big deal about this. Granted, Brandon is the most powerful Brain and is thus somebody important...but it still feels kind of odd. I wouldn't even expect Elite 4 members to own legendaries, let alone a Frontier Brain.

I think we need to just wait a little more for the story. Right now, all Regirock did was beat up a boulder and fight Sceptile. Whether it was a mistake on the writers' part or purposely done isn't clear; waiting to see if an explanation will be given in the future is my solution.

3) And last, we see Ho-oh. Only this time Ash isn't alone when he sees it, but he's with his friends and Scott. And, for the record, May is the first person to notice Ho-oh, and NOT Ash. So either Ho-oh has just gotten lazy and showed itself to Ash while others are around...or...Ho-oh ain't that big a deal anymore either. Or...maybe May has some super-duper connection with Ho-oh as well...but that's pushing it.

Really pushing. You're most likely not serious and poking fun at your May addiction, so I'll leave well enough alone. But using Ho-Oh... how stupid can they be? Not only does it raise more questions but it kills the magic of Ho-Oh. Unless, of course, they are planning something HUGE in respect to the Battle Frontier, then I don't quite see the point in using it.

So...are the writers starting to abandon their old concepts and ideals and changing the way that legendaries are viewed in the anime? I can't be the only one who thinks that legends are no longer considered "godly" or "invincible" as they once were, but they're starting to show up more frequently and they're...not so strong anymore. Ash took down Articuno with Charizard, and even though ol' Char head is very strong, it's still an amazing feat going by past standards.

For the Battle Frontier maybe... But we've seen legendaries o' plenty in the past before, too. In fillers, yes, but they were there. I guess the real 'shock', if you want to call it that, is now legends are being used in a more formal way: through battling. And as messy as the concept of Legendary ownership and official fights is, they seem to have mucho gusto for the idea.

The Articuno fight was fine. In its own cheesy way it was believable. The Regirock battle is teetering on the cliff edge.

With the past 10 years of history backing the legendary cause, I honestly don't think it's a good idea to up and hand legends out like candy. The likes of the Lugia saga, many fillers, and practically every movie has been against the very concept. So why start now? To get a little publicity going? Please. I've never felt legendary stunt shows were that great of a way to garner attention. That gets done with a good plot.
EDIT: Case in point - What was everyone stoked about by the Regi battle? It wasn't because Regirock was being used by Brandon, it was because Ash became possessed and was potentially going to do evil things. Yeah, maybe we came at first for the Regirock fight, and and explanation as to why Brandon even had it (which wasn't explained), but core interest was 'Evil Ash'.

 

[-=Darkness of Umbreon=-]

well maybe the writers have finally seen how people don't use legendaries. now adays kid one has legendaries, kid two doesn't. kid two can easily win. With the more pokemon they get and attacks they get, it seems like they are weak. (I am talking about the legendaries.)

 

[Brinstar]

Depends on the Pokemon for me. It has never been made clear how "legendary" the Regi trio are in the anime series - in the movie, they were just kind of there. Some form of explanation would of have been nice, of course, but as it stands Regirock may find itself being treated as it is in the games - Brandon just has it.

 

[£añkaÑ]

Wati so was this told that the battle pyramid is at the sevii islands?

yea if so that mean there is a chance of seeing Moltres which isn't wat i wanna see...as i like the bird...but stilll

i agree totally with CyberCubed....on this

 

[Lil Brother]

Regirock I can't give a stone about, I'm more concerned with Ho-Oh becoming a "sign for how awesome the Grand Festival will be" instead of this mysterious creature that has some kind of connection with Ash and Pikachu. Really, this better be leading up to something BIG and not just some "hey, let's have Ho-Oh return, lol!" thing. >>

 

[Blaziken Trainer]

I think it's kind of cool. I mean, we've never really seen any legendaries in the anime. It's a good oppurtunity.

 

[BrokenDreams]

3) And last, we see Ho-oh. Only this time Ash isn't alone when he sees it, but he's with his friends and Scott. And, for the record, May is the first person to notice Ho-oh, and NOT Ash. So either Ho-oh has just gotten lazy and showed itself to Ash while others are around...or...Ho-oh ain't that big a deal anymore either. Or...maybe May has some super-duper connection with Ho-oh as well...but that's pushing it.

Well That's Completely stupid, how great the connection between Ash and Ho-oh is broken. By looking at the pictures it does not seem that May notice Ho-oh first rather it was just Ash that notice.

 

[cryztalwing]

I whold not be surprise if May and Ash both have connection's to Ho-oh and some how fit's in with them growing closer to each other. I whould not be surprise if Lugia is also shown agian befor the Battle Fronter is over..and maby Rayquaza.

 

[CyberCubed]

I think we need to just wait a little more for the story. Right now, all Regirock did was beat up a boulder and fight Sceptile. Whether it was a mistake on the writers' part or purposely done isn't clear; waiting to see if an explanation will be given in the future is my solution.

Fair enough, we'll see if we get any backstory the next time we see Brandon.

Really pushing. You're most likely not serious and poking fun at your May addiction, so I'll leave well enough alone.

Yeah, I was kidding about that. It is amusing that the writers had May point out Ho-oh out of all people, instead of you know, Ash or Pikachu. May is a very observant girl.

EDIT: Case in point - What was everyone stoked about by the Regi battle? It wasn't because Regirock was being used by Brandon, it was because Ash became possessed and was potentially going to do evil things. Yeah, maybe we came at first for the Regirock fight, and and explanation as to why Brandon even had it (which wasn't explained), but core interest was 'Evil Ash'.

Before we knew about the whole evil Ash thing, I was just hyped to see Sceptile go wild on a Regirock. Leaf Blade is an awesome looking attack, and to see it constantly slashing away at a rock golem is cool, (I'm glad the writers actually showed it attacking like that too).

During the rematch, I can't wait to see Sceptile thrash that thing.

 

[V Faction]

Before we knew about the whole evil Ash thing, I was just hyped to see Sceptile go wild on a Regirock. Leaf Blade is an awesome looking attack, and to see it constantly slashing away at a rock golem is cool, (I'm glad the writers actually showed it attacking like that too).

[img300]http://img56.imageshack.us/img56/5560/2275pl.jpg[/img300]

During the rematch, I can't wait to see Sceptile thrash that thing.

IF there's a rematch and not just a continuation of fighting Regis.

 

[TwilightFacade]

I think it's kind of cool. I mean, we've never really seen any legendaries in the anime. It's a good oppurtunity.

Umm no we've seen plenty of Legendaries in the anime.

Entei at your own risk
As clear as Crystal
The 3 part Articuno saga with Todd
The 3 part Lugia saga in the Whirl Islands
The Celebi filler
The Deoxys filler(s)
The 2-part Noland battle
For Ho-Oh the bell tolls
The Brandon episode
The 2 part Groudon/Kyogre battle
The Moltres's flame episode prior to the Indigo league
That Richie Chronicle with Moltres
Battle for the Badge

That's 20 episodes right there

 

[sdp]

20 episodes out of how many hundred though?

I don't think the concept has changed too much i mean its good we don't just see them on the Movies, yes legendaries are supposed to be legendary but they are known by a lot of people, so while not as abundant as other pokemon they aren't impossible to spot. of course catching or befriending one is very rare, the fact ash has seen so many of them is an extremely unique case (as pointed out in for ho-oh the bells toll).

the brains use legendaries in the game don't they? if the first brain had a legendary i don't see why the last one couldn't, i do think they are in almost elite 4 level, besides the Regis is probably below articuno in rarity as well, i thinks nice to see the first 'trained' legendary.
The way they are going right now is fine, as long as they don't go a lot more overboard later i'll be fine.

Another thing about legendaries i think the third generation is to blame, i mean out of the 21 legendaries that exist 10 of them are from ru/sa/em....that is basically 50% of them, I really hope they don't do that mistake again in the fourth generation having 5 is more than enough, of course with manaphy and lucario already revealed with basically 0 information on diamond and pearl could proove they are still hiding another 8 legendaries to make a splash..

 

[MechaBulba]

I don't mind it. I gess in the Ainime world is more ok 4 some powerful tarinners 2 capture a legandary because unlike in the game they r not 1 of a kind (apart from Mew and Mewtwo - maybe groudon). If legandaries where 1 of a kind or super super super rare then it would b alot more shocking 4 people like bradon 2 capture them as it would become 2 much of a big deal about how they came 2 own them. However Legandaries like Articuno who are not that strong and theres more than 1 of i can see beginning captured as it still means that there are more Articumo out there in the world carring on the legands behind it.

 

[skarmachild]

I whold not be surprise if May and Ash both have connection's to Ho-oh and some how fit's in with them growing closer to each other. I whould not be surprise if Lugia is also shown agian befor the Battle Fronter is over..and maby Rayquaza.

Okay now your really ripping the piss.

On that note, I enjoy seeing legendaries in the anime.. for some reason.

 

[Flame Haze SnS]

I don't mind it. I gess in the Ainime world is more ok 4 some powerful tarinners 2 capture a legandary because unlike in the game they r not 1 of a kind (apart from Mew and Mewtwo - maybe groudon). If legandaries where 1 of a kind or super super super rare then it would b alot more shocking 4 people like bradon 2 capture them as it would become 2 much of a big deal about how they came 2 own them. However Legandaries like Articuno who are not that strong and theres more than 1 of i can see beginning captured as it still means that there are more Articumo out there in the world carring on the legands behind it.

*Throws grammar book at you* Don't use the shortcut for grammars, please.

I honestly don't think that the Pokemon World is exactly okay with trainers having legendary pokemon in their hands. Imagine irresponsible trainer using Zapdos wreaking havoc on someone. Only responsible people like Brandon and Nalon can do that since they care for Pokemon and Legendary Pokemon can only accept to be inside trainer's pokeball if they sense that they aren't bad guys.

 

[FlameTrainer]

Well, it would be kinda fun if Ash returns to the Battle Pyramid, having trained himself on fighting a powerful Rock Pokemon, and then, in the rematch, Brandon uses Regice instead of Regirock, and defeats Sceptile again, then Ash goes training on powerful Rock & Ice pokemon, and then the next time, Brandon uses Registeel to kick Ash's butt once more.

 

[sCiZoR_2006]

To simply answer the question in one word: YES.

Why do I feel this way, you ask?

When the Pokemon anime first began, the writers went out of their way to make Lendary Pokemon mysterious and very vauge. Remember Episode 002, when Ash was at the Pokemon Center talking to Prof. Oak and pointed out the picture of Ho-oh, saying he saw one? Oak told him that it was impossible, "Only the most powerful trainers see it." That started the foundation for me that Legendaries were extremely rare and almost-never seen.

The storylines behind Mewtwo and Ho-oh set the standard for how complex the origins and/or folklore behind Legendaries can be. They weren't your average, run of the mill Pokemon - they were amazing creatures with Earth-changing powers that shouldn't be taken lightly. This establishes a little bit of fear, which is good when you're talking about a Pokemon that can possibly level a city or country with no trouble.


Now with that said...



I'm looking at the anime nowadays and I'm just thinking that the writers have run out of creativity. They're out of good storylines and character development so they've resorted to the lowest common denominator - throwing Legendaries at us left and right to make the anime seem more "thrilling" or "powerful". From watching the Celebii filler and Deoxys episode special, that tactic didn't work at all.....AT ALL.

Me personally, I'm not a big fan of anyone, expeienced or not, owning a Legendary Pokemon. The idea cheapens the aspect of Legendaries within the anime and takes out the "mysterious" allure that they once had. Truthfully, I know the Regi's aren't the most mysterious Legendaries of all time, but given a good origin and storyline, they could very well have been. The writers could sap some ideas from their Pokedex entries for God's sake.



If there's no explaination as to why this Brandon guy has a Regirock in a Pokeball (a NORMAL POKEBALL nonetheless), I've given up hope on the writers completely.

 

[hyliansage]

*nods* I'm especially annoyed by the Ho-oh thing... It was a really big deal when Ash told Morty that he saw it, but now? Eh...

I liked how they dealt with the legendaries in Johto, but that could have been because G/S/C presented the "legend" quite well, and had actual cities and characters centered around the legends (Eusine! XD). Kanto had Mewtwo, and there was quite some potential there in itself, IMO, especially with how they characterized Mewtwo, plus Ho-oh in the first episode was really nice. The Regis COULD have been made quite interesting, but they're not doing much with it, and the Groudon/Kyogre story never got much development anyway, especially since Aqua and Magma never got much background info either and just kinda... disappeared. All in all, I can't say I really expect them to go on and on with long sagas about the whole backgrounds of the legends since this is Pokemon we're talking about, but... the writers should at least try to make the legendaries more... special... right?