Is Pokemon really aimed just for Children?

[Krick88]

It's safe to say that yes, Cartoons such as Pokemon are indeed directed primarily towards children. For one thing, take a look at the networks they air on in all respective countries.

However, this is not to say that only children can be, or should be interested in Pokemon. It is a relatively simple show compared more adult like dramas on television such as the Sopranos.

Yes, Pokemon has become much more complex than it was in the past, and much more complex than TMNT and other older cartoons, but for a reason.

Studies have shown that television as a whole has obtained more complex storylines than they have in years past. Pokemon and TMNT are prime examples. They followed concrete and relatively simple outlines when compared to what we have to deal with today. As kids get smarter, it allows for producers to give more opportunities to expand the plot and read between the lines. In turn, all this extra work that our brains make us do will indeed make us better at doing the work. Arguably, we become smarter (how much smarter exactly, is a different question).

All things considered, even though we've become more complex, it is indeed still directed at primarily children.

 

[Caseydia]

Unless they change Pokemon from 4kids to Funimation, then I think it's still appropriate for the little ones.

 

[WisherWisherWish]

Pokémon will always be aimed at kids, whether anyone likes it or not.

Which is why stuff like the "Pokémon Conspiracy Theory" is complete and utter bull.

 

[Calamity™]

I would say that it is quite obvious that the animé is aimed at kids. Then there's the Manga. I haven't read any of it, but I've heard that it involves quite a few evil plots, so perhaps that could be aimed at older kids / teen fans. And then there are the games. I'd say these are aimed at all ages depending on what interests you. The storyline itself is suited for kids to play, but the competitive aspect of the game is quite detailed, so it would be aimed towards all ages. That would be my view on it anyway.

 

[Vernikova]

Then there's the Manga. I haven't read any of it, but I've heard that it involves quite a few evil plots, so perhaps that could be aimed at older kids / teen fans. And then there are the games. I'd say these are aimed at all ages depending on what interests you. The storyline itself is suited for kids to play, but the competitive aspect of the game is quite detailed, so it would be aimed towards all ages. That would be my view on it anyway.

Both Pokémon Special and the video games are aimed at kids just like the anime. Don't let the older kids on Pokémon forums tell you otherwise.

 

[~Nicole~]

I'd say...yes. If it wasn't, don't you think Ash would have kissed Dawn long ago?

 

[AquaMilotic]

I'd say...yes. If it wasn't, don't you think Ash would have kissed Dawn long ago?

No, Ash and Misty would've.

I think Pokemon is mainly directed at younger children, but that it can be enjoyed at any age. Nobody is ever too old for Pokemon!

 

[Caseydia]

I'd say...yes. If it wasn't, don't you think Ash would have kissed Dawn long ago?

This show unlike other animes doesn't evolve any real romance like some other typical animes. However, since Ash travels with different people, it would be weird for him to go around spreading his germs. And don't even get me started with Brock.
But I think Pokemon is aimed for everyone.

 

[DiamondClass]

Pokemon anime is a children's show. But the writers introduce things that adults can enjoy too. But this is a very small part of the anime. I think Ash would have already kissed Misty, May, Dawn, Iris and whoever girl if this was a typical Japanese anime. But its also made for an international audience in mind not only for one from Japan. That's how Nintendo wanted Pokemon to be like.

 

[Nyutwo]

I honestly don't think Pokemon is really for children under the age of at least seven. Anime that is originally considered appropriate for children in Japan is usually considered more mature in the West. This unique trait of anime makes all kinds appealing to both young and old audiences.

Mewtwo's story and it's themes in particular is quite dark, sad and complex, so naturally, and unfortunately, it's probably been the most dumbed-down by the American censors. What with the cutting of The Origin of Mewtwo from the first movie and all.

I wrote a blog post about if the same themes were portrayed in a totally mature, realistic, uncensored manner - http://gulagpsychosis.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/lucy-and-mewtwo-continued.html

 

[Caseydia]

Pokemon anime is a children's show. But the writers introduce things that adults can enjoy too. But this is a very small part of the anime. I think Ash would have already kissed Misty, May, Dawn, Iris and whoever girl if this was a typical Japanese anime. But its also made for an international audience in mind not only for one from Japan. That's how Nintendo wanted Pokemon to be like.

True. I'm glad they did it that way. If they were changing the main boy all the time, then there was to be without doubt more romance due to the fact of what happened with the Raikou special. I wouldn't have want that to happen with the original cast. It would have been too mushy. Especially since I was young and only liked the show for the Pokemon at the time.

 

[ricedonut]

I think that Pokemon may be designed with kids in mind, but they also design it for the older crowd who know about the more technological aspects of the game. They gave the older crowd a lot of things, like the Battle Frontier and move tutors that increase the movepool of certain pokemon.

but I hate how in the UK, pretty much everyone views Pokemon as a little kid's toy.

 

[(P.O.K.E.M.O.N)]

I think that Pokemon may be designed with kids in mind, but they also design it for the older crowd who know about the more technological aspects of the game. They gave the older crowd a lot of things, like the Battle Frontier and move tutors that increase the movepool of certain pokemon.

but I hate how in the UK, pretty much everyone views Pokemon as a little kid's toy.

It is though, The games are rated E for everyone and the show is rated TV Y7, everything about pokemon is kiddie, and as fans we have to deal with that

 

[FinalSynFrey]

It is though, The games are rated E for everyone and the show is rated TV Y7, everything about pokemon is kiddie, and as fans we have to deal with that

Even If Pokemon is still a kids show, I still enjoy It as Its one of my Childhood shows. Although, I could wish that the writers could mature the show a bit more, I'd say. Nothing drastic to lose fans, but things to keep It more interesting as 15 years is a pretty long way for a anime to last that long. Glad to see some visual upgrades on Best Wishes though.

 

[Zoru Kuraido]

The "unedited" anime is 99.995% the exact same as it is in English. In (mostly) early Kanto, yes, there are some more "mature" one line jokes and puns. But that's simply due to the cultural differences between Japan and elsewhere, and they were making the anime under the assumption that it'd likely never air elsewhere. Once they knew the audience was worldwide, they adjusted the content.

It's not some completely different show. The plots and the characters are the same. But some one-line jokes are different. That's about it.

Considering there are multiple episodes (not a lot, but still, I'm talking about at least 30 or so) which had enough dialogues/scenes edited to change the PLOT altogether, I wouldn't say it's 99.5% the same thing.

 

[CliveKoopa]

I think that Pokemon may be designed with kids in mind, but they also design it for the older crowd who know about the more technological aspects of the game. They gave the older crowd a lot of things, like the Battle Frontier and move tutors that increase the movepool of certain pokemon.

but I hate how in the UK, pretty much everyone views Pokemon as a little kid's toy.

It's not just here in the UK but everywhere. It is quie annoying but what can we do? All those people are just ignorant so we should just ignore them and let them keep their biased opinions.

 

[Caseydia]

Most kiddish animes do have some stuff that would be not appropriate for younger kids, but Pokemon so far has been good at keeping it clean. This is why I think there are some banned episodes locked in the writers domains somewhere. They probably have more stashed.

 

[NitroLightningFlash]

It's mainly aimed at kids, but at the same time it's for anyone who's a fan of the games and as such. They have to keep the anime viewer/child friendly, but anybody can enjoy it. Though i have found that there are a lot of older fans out there who like it who now come clean about it with no shame as it's so popular with older ages and these days, people don't tease people as much as they used to for liking it. I noticed since the DS games started coming out that more people (of many age groups) seem to like it (at least where i live, not sure about everywhere else though).
The games stay simple and things so kids enjoy it-but when it comes to the likes of EV training, Wi-Fi battles/tournaments and things it attracts older fans too (increased challenge and difficulty).

 

[diamondpearl876]

The show is mostly meant for kids due to the simplicity of the show and the fact that it's shown on channels where children's shows are present... but like anything, anyone can enjoy it.

 

[TheEliteEmpoleon]

Yes. Then the kids become addicted to it and BINGO! They have a person who will buy their products for ten years!