Pokémon: 5 Ways The Anime Made The Games Better (& 5 Ways It Ruined Them)

The Pokémon games are incredibly popular, but how has the anime impacted them?

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It’s not easy to gain the level of acclaim and freedom that’s been given to Pokémon, but the series hasn’t squandered these opportunities, and it’s constantly looking forward. Pokémon’s origins are as a humble handheld RPG title, but it’s gradually expanded its scope to encompass many diverse forms of media. The versatility that surrounds Pokémon has allowed some creative spin-offs and off-shoots to take place, but the Pokémon anime series has turned into a massive success that’s arguably even more popular than the video games in certain respects.

The Pokémon anime series effectively adapts ideas from the video games, but there are some distinct differences between these two entities. Pokémon’s anime can often enhance the video games, but its decisions can also run contrary to what they’ve established.

10 MADE THEM BETTER: It Fleshes Out Characters & Gives Them Backstories

There’s been considerable development in the Pokémon video games and the amount of customization and detail in the Generation VIII titles makes the original Generation I games seem deeply simplistic in comparison. The Pokémon video games often prioritize gameplay and the act of catching and battling Pokémon. A strong story and characters are important, but they’re more crucial in the anime series where Ash and company are the protagonists. There are plenty of occasions where the Pokémon anime provides backstories or expands on someone’s motivations in important ways that get overlooked or hidden away in the video games.

9 RUINED THEM: It Creates Inconsistencies In The Canon

The Pokémon anime owes a ton to the video games, but two properties that are such different mediums are inevitably going to lead to inconsistencies. The Pokémon video games revolve around strategy, paying attention to different Pokémon types, and other regimented concepts. The anime series caters toward exciting visuals and action-packed storytelling, which can diminish certain elements from the video games. There are numerous occasions where Ash ignores tenets of the games or wins with a strategy that would fail in the video games. It leads to unrealistic expectations of what can be accomplished in the games.

8 MADE THEM BETTER: It Allows Pokémon Abilities & Battles To Come To Life In Full Animation

Admittedly, Pokémon games have made great strides when it comes to the level of detail that’s present in Pokémon battles and the animations that accompany special techniques. There are considerable graphical improvements here, but more often than not, Pokémon battles still reduce the encounter to minor and repetitive movements.

Epic fights sometimes just look like Pokémon wiggling in place. Anime is a visual medium, and this means that some episodes of Pokémon’s anime are entirely focused on battles. There’s no comparison here, and Pokémon’s anime can properly deliver fights that fully represent the power and complexity of these creatures.

7 RUINED THEM: It Undersells The Strength Of Legendary Pokémon

Legendary and Mythical Pokémon are some of the most exciting creatures from the entire series. In the video games, these Pokémon are serious challenges to acquire, and it’s why the advent of a Master Ball exists. The Pokémon anime also features plenty of these revered Pokémon, but it inevitably sells them short as it devises ways for Ash and company to come out as the victors. The constant taming of these Legendary Pokémon definitely has an effect on the audience and makes it seem as if these creatures are less of a challenge than they actually are.

6 MADE THEM BETTER: It’s Led To The Pokémon Movies, Which Debut Many Legendary & Rare Pokémon

The Pokémon anime series has collectively produced over 1000 episodes since its debut. The series is still going strong and continues to showcase new Pokémon and concepts from the video games. The Pokémon anime has also led to dozens of feature films that expand on the anime with a focus on more epic obstacles and special Legendary Pokémon. These movies often feel like big events, which sometimes even mark the debut of rare Pokémon. The excitement that these movies generate around Pokémon’s more dangerous creations always makes them more significant in their video game appearances.

5 RUINED THEM: It Can Make The Series Seem Too Silly

Pokémon is a series that’s meant to be appreciated by all ages, and even though the video games revolve around combat, the simple detail that Pokémon “faint” rather than perish speaks to the euphemistic nature of the games. There are light moments in the Pokémon games, but they’re also serious titles that reward dedication and strategy.

Pokémon’s anime is much more diverse, and there are plenty of gag episodes or installments that could qualify as filler. Hardcore fans of the games may not appreciate this goofy perspective, and it’s not why they play the video games in the first place.

4 MADE THEM BETTER: It Crafts A Deeper Narrative That Enhances The World Of The Games

The Pokémon anime has divided itself into many series that cover different regions and pair Ash up with different companions, both of the human and Pokémon variety. The Pokémon video games tend to begin with a fresh narrative slate in each new entry, but the anime continues to chronicle Ash’s journey and growth. This attention to continuity allows the Pokémon universe to grow in a way that’s not possible in the video games. The anime has the time to focus on certain aspects of the universe, like evil organizations, to build on what the video games establish or reference.

3 RUINED THEM: It’s Impossible To Give Every Pokémon Equal Attention

One problem with the continued growth of the Pokémon series is that there are increasingly more Pokémon to remember. The grand total of the Pokédex is nearly in the thousands. At this point, even the video games struggle to feature every single Pokémon in existence, but this becomes even more difficult in the anime series. Pokémon’s anime does its best to highlight diverse Pokémon, but it definitely plays favorites in terms of the Pokémon that are in Ash’s party. There’s also the constant focus on Pikachu, who is cute but not necessarily a major player in the video games.

2 MADE THEM BETTER: It Properly Highlights The Joy & Life Within Pokémon

The Pokémon video games do their best with their representation of Pokémon, as well as showing why they’re such unique and lovable creatures. That being said, there are inherent limitations in video games, whether it’s a Pokémon’s look, habits, or even their cry. Anime is a more playful medium that’s able to bring Pokémon to life in such adorable ways. There are plenty of episodes from the anime that focus exclusively on Pokémon, without any human interference, which feels like such pure portrayals of what Pokémon are supposed to represent.

1 RUINED THEM: It Neglects The Games’ Protagonists & Makes Them Seem Less Essential

A major difference between the Pokémon games and anime is the selection of characters who get featured. The video games begin a tradition of protagonists named after colors, but the anime goes all-in on Ash, who is the anchor to each subsequent Pokémon anime. Audiences connect with the heroes in the video games, but their lack of importance in the anime series makes it seem like they ultimately don’t matter compared to someone like Ash. Meanwhile, Pokémon’s manga uses the video game protagonists, which puts the anime in an unusual position with its altered perspective.

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