I've loved the first pokemon series when there was just Ash, Misty and Brock. In my opinion, Pokemon should've ended on Diamond and Pearl.
Pokemon is one of the worldwide BEST kid cartoon shows, yes for kids. But many teens still watch it, I'm not saying you shouldn't or anything- but Best Wishes is simply another replay of the other Pokemon seasons.
Story- 5
The story is the usual simple storyline, Ash goes to venture somewhere new and catch the pokemon- get the gym badges, there's going to be a movie where he meets the legendary pokemon of Black & White. So? Sounds pretty repetitive to me.
Art- 7
The art of pokemon has always scored pretty high points, there are times the animation quality drops (depending where you're watching it). But overall, the art is quite simple and nice to watch. They also have some 3d aspects in it now- not scoring too much points with me.
Sound-7
The ED & OP are done better than in Diamond & Pearl, good parts to the animators there. The sound is pretty good with some usual themes that get you wrapped around, the battle music is great- it does get a bit repetitive but you don't notice it as much. They could use a lot more sound but the usual, pokemon moves have sound effects, the pokemon repeat their names a lot of times...
Now onto the voice actors, I find Iris's voice a bit annoying but Ash sounds the same. The voice actors do great jobs of portraying their roles.
Character-6
Remember the catchphrase? : "Gotta catch em all!"
Well, this 'catchphrase' seems pretty contradictory to me, firstly, I want to point out Ash's problems.
* He releases a legendary at the end of each movie
* He releases all his previously caught pokemon and only keeps Pikachu
* No character development at all.
Alright, Ash DOES get a bit mature throughout the series but he still has his beginning personality. He is the stereo-typical main character- and after watching MANY anime on my part, this doesn't stand out.
Is it just me or does Ash seem pretty "Playboy" to you? Think about it, Lyra from Diamond & Pearl hinted love to Ash, Dawn does hint it, so does Misty and May. Will Iris?
Dent & Iris replace Brock and Misty- Or Brock and Dawn. I'm getting used to their personality but I must say it's not the best trio.
Team Rocket! The only group that stayed together throughout the series of pokemon. They are slowly changing but in the previous series they've always given people laughs. They ARE changing- but a bit too slow over the span of almost 12 seasons of Pokemon.
Enjoyment 6
Why did I rate it a 6? I think the pat on the back goes to the creators on this. Able to come up with almost 100 new pokemon and a new storyline with new characters. As I mentioned before, this plot is becoming very boring. The only thing that stands out is the sound and pokemon there are.
As long as they are kids buying games and watching, Pokemon is a never-ending series with the same main character and Pikachu who sticks with him through his whole journey of "Catching Pokemon!" "Collecting Gym Badges!" "Releasing all the pokemon!" "New journey!"
I've forced myself to watch almost 20 episodes, and my thoughts didn't change.
Overall 6/7
Pokemon Best Wishes, I recommend to Hardcore Pokemon Fans. But if you don't like the first few episodes, I warn you to stop right there. To all you Pokemon fans out there, I'm wondering how you manage to stick through this boring loop of same events but different Pokemon and characters.
Pokemon Best Wishes is not likely to be the last season, if it sells, they make more. And for about 10 years now, Ash has remained 10. He won't ever grow up and the series probably will never end. Until the creators run out of ideas that is- but that may be a long way away.
I suggest these series to Pokemon fans, if you've watched Pokemon for a long time and stayed with it through stupid Dawn, watch this. I must say if you've rated this a 9, 8 or 10- you must be a Pokemon fan and hating us 'haters'. I want to point out to Pokemon fans that you should really try another anime- there are many other anime after watching you'll come back and understand why I rated this low. Pokemon is being compared to many other great series that may not have as good art- or sound.
