The Elite Four

[pokeaussie37]

Although the episode title was fake, The Great Butler raised a pertinent point in that thread.

This stupid hoax does raise a good point, though. Aside from Alder, where are the Elite Four this generation? By the time Ash had five badges in Sinnoh, we'd already seen Lucian, Cynthia and Aaron.

Even when comparing the number of episodes that have aired (we'll say up to no. 63) Lucian and Cynthia had both already appeared, even though we were only up to about the third badge.

They seemed to have reflected Alder's in-game appearances given he was shown on Route 5 between Nimbasa and Driftveil. Hypothetically that will mean Alder appearances near Twist Mountain, in Icirrus City and in Opelucid City (discounting the fact that you saw him in Nacrene because you went back there). Now one appearance in his in-game location is by no means an indicator to future appearances in upcoming locations.

So, why do you think the Elite Four haven't appeared so far? Or do you think DP was just a one-off in this aspect? Do you think the Elite Four will appear at all, and if so, where will they appear? Will Alder appear in future and if so will it be in his in-game location appearances? Discuss..

 

[CyberCubed]

It might be because back in DP they wanted Ash to challenge them properly after the Sinnoh league, but after their plans got screwed up, they decided to forget about the E4 stuff altogether. What's the point of hyping the BW Elite 4 up if Ash isn't going to challenge them either?

The champion usually appears every gen anyway, as we saw both Lance and Steven, so its not surprising we saw Alder.

The DP saga had the potential to have an epic ending with Ash losing to Cynthia instead of Tobias...oh well.

 

[Moltanic]

It's not all that unusual for Ash not to encounter the Elite Four. We didn't get appearances from all of the Kanto E4 until AG, we still haven't seen Will or Karen from Johto's E4. As a matter of fact the only Johto elite four members to make an appearance are Bruno and Koga and they both appeared before the 2nd gen games were even released. So I don't even think they count. We also haven't seen Sidney, Phoebe, or Glacia from the Hoen E4. Sinnoh was unique because it was the first we'd seen every member and all during the same journey too.

This time around I'm predicting appearances from maybe one ( maybe two tops) Unova Elite Four member(s) as per usual. That's just my gut feeling though. I've been wrong before. I admit it.

 

[R_N]

As Cyber said (even if I don't fully agree with plans falling through, but whatever end result's the same), it's probably since there's no point in hyping up the Champion's league for another no-go.

At best I can maybe see Marshall showing up towards the end (he's the only one that shows up out of the E4 or the Villa & Alder mentions him), and Caitynn in a filler saga for some Sinnoh cameos.

 

[The Great Butler]

Marshal will probably be the first to appear and play some part with Trip, I think.

Even if they don't do a Champion's League arc (no reason why they can't though at the rate Unova is going) the Elite Four members can still appear, though. In regions before Sinnoh that was the case.

 

[pokeaussie37]

My thoughts are that Grimsley won't appear. He's the only one of the five that doesn't appear in regular play. Alder appears several times throughout the main story, Marshal appears in Victory Road the first time you go to rematch Cheren, Shauntal and Caitlyn each appear in Cynthia's Villa in Undella Town.

So, if we assume they hold the League at the same place northeast of Opelucid City, IF they decide to follow the games we could see Marshal just before the League, and he is the one that I imagine would appear, given he is an apprentice of Alder. Whether Shauntal and Caitlyn appear depend on how Eastern Unova is showcased.

This theory completely depends on whether they continue to showcase Alder and the like continue to appear in their in-game locations. They've set a precedence with Alder first appearing in an in-game location, so we will have to wait and see for what happens around Twist Mountain.

 

[Nightlingbolt]

My thoughts are that Grimsley won't appear. He's the only one of the five that doesn't appear in regular play. Alder appears several times throughout the main story, Marshal appears in Victory Road the first time you go to rematch Cheren, Shauntal and Caitlyn each appear in Cynthia's Villa in Undella Town.

...You DO realize that all those appearances are postgame-related, right?

 

[OnceUponATime]

I could see a tag-battle tournament where the winning team of the tournament gets to face Caitlyn and Shauntal or any combination of two of the E4. I really would just like to see the E4 in some way.

 

[jolteonjak]

Shauntal is an author right? She's the easiest one to integrate in the story then.

"The kids arrive at (insert city name) only to find the famous author Shauntal is there for a book signing. Ash is amazed to find out she is also a member of the E4, and begs to fight her. Within the fight Ash uses Pikachu and still insists on having him use Quick Attack. Can Ash win?"

 

[MisterM]

As several of you already stated, I think Marshall is the most likely to appear, maybe in an episode alongside Alder, I mean the writers don't have to follow the game exactly, they have proven it several times.

Grimsley would be cool for some Scraggy/Scrafty interaction and maybe some Dark-type move training (I'm guessing Faint Attack, but it's just my two cents)

Shauntal can appear as a spoiled kid, I don't know why I just see her so fitting to this role of a bratty kid, yet so powerful. Another possibility is what jolteonjak said just before me, about her being in a random city for a book signing and challenging either Ash or Iris.

Caitlin, IMO, has two possibilities :
- either the writers wait until the post-league arc in eastern unova (if there's one) to showcase her and thus make references to Sinnoh
- or she has an episode dedicated to her before the league in the main arc, where she battles Cilan? Again, it's just my speculation and I can see those 2 fighting, Dwebble VS Reuniclus can be interesting IMO.

 

[Kameinu]

With Caitlin they could pull of a fun arc bringing back Palmer in a similar vein to Brandon. It'd be in character for Palmer to fly of to Unova to bring Caitlin back for whatever reason that's being a niusance back at the Sinnoh Battle Frontier. This could make for a hilarious few episodes. XD

But instead of fun episode ideas like that, that would give a sense of continuity, we get lame filler.

I love the "Book Signing Author! Elite Four Shantaul Appears!" idea. But yeah..stupid writers. <_<

 

[Honeyichigo]

Shauntal is an author right? She's the easiest one to integrate in the story then.

"The kids arrive at (insert city name) only to find the famous author Shauntal is there for a book signing. Ash is amazed to find out she is also a member of the E4, and begs to fight her. Within the fight Ash uses Pikachu and still insists on having him use Quick Attack. Can Ash win?"

That would work. And I can see Ash deciding to use Quick Attack strategically - since it gives Pikachu a speed boost, he can use it to catch up with a fast-moving opponent to use an attack that will do damage. Or, uh, something.

Anyway, given that the E4 really aren't part of the anime's plot, they really don't have a reason to show up besides fanservice (which is not a bad reason, but not a very pressing one either). I'm going to guess that Sinnoh's thing was a one-off.

 

[TruthSayer]

They could easily do an episode for each of the elite four

Shauntal - As previously suggested a book signing in a town.

Marshal - Appears in an episode involving trip, who is badmouthing Alder, which Marshall takes offence to and battles Trip.

Grimsley - An episode revolving around him trying to restore his familys name to its former glory now thats hes in the elite 4

Caitlin - Isnt she supposed to have some sort of psychic power? so maybe an episode where she refuses to battle any more due to fear of her powers getting out of control

 

[Shneak]

There's still time left to have them appear, and it's not like it will be rushed. I'll be pissed if Shauntal doesn't appear.

 

[Yeul]

Shauntal - Book signing for her latest crappy chick-lit novel, which Iris is a fan of, and she's revealed to have the same female Frillish that tried to molest Ash in that one episode.

Grimsley - The group find him kicked out onto the street for being poor, and Cilan fanboys over him due to the guy apparently being an S Class Sommelier. Ever notice that every Sommelier/Sommeliere wears a snazzy looking tuxedo?

Caitlin - Appears in an Eastern Unova filler arc, slacking off from her profession as an E4 member due to her lack of battle skill. Obviously Apparently she's spoilt (her parents are afraid of her psychic power) and her father paid Alder a hefty sum to have her as an E4 member, in stark contrast to the games where she travelled to Unova in order to control her power, and ended up becoming an E4 member.

Marshal - Beats up Trip for talking crap about Alder, becomes bros with Ash and they spend the episode shooting hoops and chugging Gatorade like champs, no homo.

 

[TheSirPeras]

I would like to see Marshall battle ash. Because you know when Alder gives you and Cheren HM05 Surf in the games, he talks about marshall and his similarities to cheren (trip probably) so maybe marshall could appear before the twist mountain and battle ash or trip

 

[pokeaussie37]

...You DO realize that all those appearances are postgame-related, right?

Dude, of COURSE I do I'm not stupid! I was merely running through their in-game appearances, not stating that that's when they will appear. I was just relating that to the fact that Alder appeared in an in-game location. It may well depend on how Eastern Unova is integrated, if at all.

I've quite enjoyed the Marshal speculation. Given his apprenticeship with Alder he could be most likely to appear. Although I would thoroughly enjoy having all of them appear at some stage, I quite enjoyed all of them in terms of their personality.

 

[Yeul]

I've quite enjoyed the Marshal speculation. Given his apprenticeship with Alder he could be most likely to appear. Although I would thoroughly enjoy having all of them appear at some stage, I quite enjoyed all of them in terms of their personality.

I think Marshal would be a great character in the anime, taking Shootaro under his wing after Alder's bumbling rejection and subsequent BAWWing, and teaching him the best things that life has to offer - Shooting hoops, chugging Gatorade and lolling at Grimsley's state of nouveau poverty.

 

[Shneak]

Shauntal - Book signing for her latest crappy chick-lit novel, which Iris is a fan of, and she's revealed to have the same female Frillish that tried to molest Ash in that one episode.

Yesyesyesyes. Then Ash catches it.

 

[OnceUponATime]

Yesyesyesyes. Then Ash catches it.

I always liked the idea of Bianca or Iris with it. But then again, I was also the one that wanted Cilan to keep Basculin...