Recap: Pokémon I Choose You!

Welcome to the first installment of From Humble Beginnings.

I've been wanting to do this all year, and now that time is upon me. Let's open up "Pokémon, I Choose You" in honor of the 15th anniversary of its first airing in the US.

Of course, I've talked about the Pokémon Theme before, but it bears mentioning again. It's such a powerful ear worm and a well-known song that even people who have never seen an episode in their life have trouble getting it out of their heads. I've even had it as the ringtone on my cell phone before. To this day, while there have been other notable theme songs in Pokémon, none have ever truly matched this one. What the heck, I'm posting a link of it. I really need to forget about the Endless 8; and this next string of recaps is the perfect way to do it.

We open on a recreation of the opening to Pokémon Red, with a Gengar squaring off against a Nidorino. It's in black and white, indicative of playing the game on an original Game Boy. Even though the Game Boy was an aging system when these games first came out in Japan in 1996; they helped restart sales of the system.

Then, the fight transitions to full color as the fight continues. It's some pretty good animation for the time; and I'm eager to see how each subsequent season interprets the games released when they air. I can only imagine what Pokémon Origins will be like. One of the reasons I started this blog was to see how different time periods reflect what's seen in the anime released then; as well as how different adaptations of existing series take the material given to them and make something of their own of it. When I was visiting my father, we talked about this when we watched episodes of the original Star Trek (including the pilot, The Cage) after watching Star Trek Into Darkness and a TV airing of the 2009 film.

Nidorino is taken down, and the trainer sends out Onix. Then, the camera pulls out to reveal it was a TV broadcast of a Pokémon match. This is the bedroom of Ash Ketchum; our hero. I'm just coming right out: I like him. I'm going to type this again, just so you get the message: I like him. This is in response to all the flak he has taken as a character. I personally find him to be a nice boy, but a considerable amount of people talk about him like he's a horrible waste of human life! Folks, I refer you to my recaps of Mega Man NT Warrior; and pay close attention to how I found genuine flaws in Lan. For good measure, here's my first impressions of Future Diary; in which I was so turned off by every single character being a despicable cad that I vowed to never watch the series again willingly.



Glad I got that off my chest. Anyway, his room is filled with assorted Pokémon merchandise; much like the room of most fans, young or old. I don't know about this Poliwag pencil sharpener in this screencap, but I'm after copies of Pokémon X and Y on launch day (maybe the red Xerneas and Yveltal 3DS XL if Gamestop has any in stock), some more DVDs of the show, and the Pokémon D-Arts (Mewtwo and the Kanto Stage 2 Starters).

He is eager to get a Pokémon license and start training. I know the shonen idiot hero is a common archetype, but then again; so is Luke Skywalker.

This image is ingrained in my mind, and has adorned my desktop many times.

Anyway, Ash's mother Delia tells him to go to bed. Also, both Ash and Delia are voiced by Veronica Taylor. I also just got this image in my head of her in a recording booth having to switch between those voices at will.

She changes the channel to a report of Professor Oak telling of the starter Pokémon a beginning trainer can choose from: Bulbasaur, Charmander and Squirtle. By the way, I'm glad you can pick one of the Kanto starters in X and Y to compliment the new ones and get Mega Evolutions of them. I'm planning to pick the opposite type of my Kalos starter (Squirtle in X, and Charmander in Y).

We then get our title card, which is a bit different in design than the other title cards of the original series.

That night, Ash is dreaming of his potential starter Pokémon. First is Bulbasaur. I like him very much, but for one reason or another, I don't end up using him as much as I do the other two starters.

I look at you all, see the love there that's sleeping...

Next is Squirtle, who is my favorite Kanto starter. I tend to play with him a lot, and I'm looking forward to doing so again in X.

Morning has come, and Ash is still asleep. Lastly, he dreams of Charmander; my second favorite Kanto starter. About his uselessness in the metagame: save it. I have no use for the metagame. My interest in the franchise is one for recreation, for fun. The anime writers have taken notice of this; and people that hold similar ideals for the metagame are at best, snooty elitists like Burgundy and at worst, abusive sociopaths like Paul. I'm considering recapping episodes with them as the focal point next year; but I also have other ideas for that time as well. 

 Then, it turns out he's broken his clock! With this, he rushes out in his pajamas. I think this would also be a reaction if his home was about to be demolished to make way for a freeway. Also, I think this image would be great for one of those "I don't do mornings" shirts.

Now, we get our entrance of Gary Oak. Starting out, he's a standard condescending shonen rival. To put it bluntly, he's an asshole. Unlike Haruhi Suzumiya, he's an asshole that's portrayed as so transparently dickish that he provides some of the biggest entertainment value in the series.

Of course, Gary takes every opportunity to belittle Ash that he got a Pokémon first. This is quite similar to his counterpart in the games, Blue (Green in Japan and Fire Red/Leaf Green). In the game, he behaves this way initially, but later softens after burying his Raticate in Lavender Town. In the anime, this doesn't happen until he loses in the Pokémon League; much sooner than Ash I might add. That's another thing: I also don't have a problem with his losing in the league time after time. There are scads of adults, myself included, that have had to face the Elite Four over and over again before we can beat them.

Ash asks Gary what kind of Pokémon he got. Gary won't tell him, only saying he has the best one and that it's good to have a grandfather in the Pokémon business.

Then, Gary speeds off in an old roadster with his fans behind him. Now you know why I chose that song to introduce him. He's a suave playboy in the vein of Ferris Bueller.

Professor Oak then greets Ash, who asks for his Pokémon. Professor Oak points out the obvious oddity of Ash being there in his PJs; saying he doesn't look ready for Pokémon training. I've seen people cross galaxies in a robe and slippers, and I'm writing this recap in a worn-out pair of exercise pants and a hoodie. This is a template for a fan character of mine, Cobalt. I have another named Crimson.

Ash asserts that he is ready. We then enter Oak Labs, with machinery humming and lights flashing.

It's poetry in motion, she turned her tender eyes to me...

Sadly, all the Pokémon are gone.









Yet, there is one more that Professor Oak isn't sure about, but Ash insists that he wants it.

Behold, Pikachu! The mascot of the franchise, an icon if there ever was one. He is effectively the Japanese Mickey Mouse, second only to Mario as one of the most recognized and beloved Nintendo characters.

Ash holds Pikachu, and Pikachu responds by zapping him. Pikachu roughly translates to "Electric Mouse". So, my anime fandom and my later fascination with Japanese culture began with this scene.

Professor Oak then hands Ash his Pokédex and Poké Balls. One is another one of the most commonly-recognized things about the franchise (the Poké Ball is every bit as common a sigil in-universe as a mushroom in Mario); and the other was essentially the iPhone of its generation.

Ash reaches out to grab them, and Pikachu shocks them both!

The whole town has come to meet Ash as he sets off on his journey. Delia in particular has come with his belongings; trying to hold back tears as her only son is setting off.

 She then starts handing him everything he will need for his journey. So begins the long-standing running gag; and an even longer-standing anime and video game trope of the magic satchel. This is when a bunch of belongings that are increasingly numerous, large, and implausible fit easily into a bag. This can range anywhere from bicycles and fishing poles in the games to Brock (later Cilan) fitting entire portable kitchens in there.

Ash then takes the bag and proclaims that with Pikachu by his side, nothing will stand in their way. I was saving this for one of the Transformers recaps I have planned for later this year, but I think it fits here too.


 Ash then tries to get Pikachu in the Poké Ball, to no avail. This has been one of the most-referenced moments in the franchise; and the most-parodied.



Delia remarks they have become fast friends. Ash then holds Pikachu in his arms in another one of the biggest images of the series.

Delia then describes the situation as weird, and Pikachu then shocks the entire crowd!

Delia's last words of advice to Ash are these: "Don't forget to change your underwear every single day." Oh, 4Kids and your sitcom-caliber lines.

So, Ash and Pikachu set off, and their journey starts on uneasy footing. The two are not friends right now. Not yet. Ash is dismayed it can only say its name, and looks up the Pokédex, which says Pokémon generally stay in their Poké Balls. However, some species dislike confinement.

And so, a hero's journey begins.

Just then, a Pidgey comes up as Ash scans it with his Pokédex.


Pidgey is an easy catch, but Pikachu is unwilling to help Ash. This is replicated quite well in Pokémon Yellow; in which Pikachu takes a little bit to warm up to you as a trainer. That's the aspect I work for in the games: the happiness factor.

Ash then readies a Poké Ball and gets ready.

He tosses the Poké Ball, and it pops right back out.

Then, he tries to catch it with his nightshirt. Pidgey then throws him on his behind with Gust and uses a Sand-Attack on him. 

 After that, a Rattata goes through his bag, and the Pokédex says it often steals food from stupid travelers. Suddenly, I'm reminded of JARVIS from Iron Man. I don't know if that new JARVIS app has the snarky personality and the voice of Paul Bettany, but that's beside the point.

Still no luck with, Pidgey, but then, Ash hurls a rock at a Spearow, which is far more aggressive than Pidgey.

Spearow then attacks Pikachu! Pikachu then shocks the Spearow, and takes it out! Then, Spearow summons its friends!

Ash and Pikachu then run for their lives from the flock!

They continue their attack on Pikachu, and Ash grabs him and is cornered on the side of the cliff! Ash then dives into the water and is carried off by the current!

We cut to Misty fishing on the riverbank, and she has caught something!

She turns out to have fished Ash and Pikachu.


Misty runs over to them, and asks if Pikachu is all right. Misty tells Ash to get Pikachu to the Pokémon Center as soon as he can.

The Spearow have found them, and Ash takes Misty's bike to get Pikachu to the center in time.

Misty is none too pleased at this development. She's going to be fuming after what happens next. Trust me when I say we'll get to that. I generally do recaps like this when I'm feeling bad, detoxing from a really bad anime like the Endless 8, or both.

Ash races through the fields as the rain starts. He ramps the fields, and falls. One thing I've noticed is that throughout this franchise, and in most anime I've seen: there have been plenty of bikes around, but little to no safety gear. I guess when you're contending with superpowered creatures, a few scrapes are small potatoes.

Ash sees Pikachu injured before him, and doesn't want this to happen.

The storm continues to rage as the Spearow close in!

It's here we get one of the most memorable scenes in this episode, and practically the entire series. Ash begs that Pikachu get in the Poké Ball and to trust him.

Then, Ash makes a stand against the Spearow, saying he won't lose to them, or let them hurt his friend. He then dares the Spearow to come get him! Now this is a character I can stand behind. So young, and willing to let a bunch of angry Spearow tear him apart to protect his friend. This act, along with many other selfless acts in the series; are ones that make it so I simply cannot make fun of Ash, nor can I tolerate others treating him like a criminal. In fact, the backlash against Ash is now starting to get its own backlash from people who point out there are far worse characters; even within the franchise.

Pikachu knows it as well, as he rushes to Ash's side and lets out a massive Thunder Shock! It blows all the Spearow away and knocks Ash back!

The sun has come out. Ash and Pikachu, very scuffed up, but okay, remark that they've beaten them.

Then, Ho-Oh flies over the rainbow; with Ash wondering what it is. That is good planning. They've set up an element that's going to be key to the series almost 2 years in advance. That is also an example of good foreshadowing in storytelling. Making clear that what you're seeing and hearing is going to be important later.

So, as Ash carries Pikachu to the Pokémon center, the tale of Pokémon has begun!

That's "Pokémon I Choose You." How does it hold up? Well, I admit it has aged. I have openly admitted the story structure of this anime is very formulaic, and it's every bit about marketing as it is about storytelling; but I can say it understands its audience very well. The characters are easy to latch onto, and the story is clearly-defined. The animation is very good, and there was quite a bit of effort put into it. I can say it holds up by modern standards. Don't go away, because my From Humble Beginnings Marathon will be back!

From Humble Beginnings Marathon.

Hello again. I have finished the Endless 8, and I can now get started on a project I had planned for this whole month, but will now have to be taken care of soon because I'm starting school again.

Anyway, my plan is to look over the first episodes of a few anime from when I was younger as part of a new feature called From Humble Beginnings.

The list is as follows:

Pokémon I Choose You!
And So it Begins (Digimon episode 1)
The Heart of the Cards (Yu-Gi-Oh episode 1)
Dragon Ball episode 1

I shall get started right away. See you later!

Recap: Endless 8 Part 8

This is it. This is the last one. I have reached the last part of the Endless 8, and have seen it through to the end!


It has been 8 circles of hell watching these episodes; but I'm finally done! Let's get this over with!

The usual deal of Kyon watching the game with no interest in it. Haruhi calls him and tells him to come to the station with lots of money and a swimsuit. For the last time, I shall skip the opening and get right to his arrival at the station.

At the pool, Kyon breaks into Ye Olde Butchered English for his final call out of Haruhi for diving into the pool when there are clearly-marked "no diving" sings.
Here's the screencap to prove it.

This time, I'm not even going to show you Kyon's statement about whether it's a communal pool or a public pool. Instead, I will show you this photo of his face when he's about to taste Mikuru's coffee.

 They're at the restaurant again, and they go over the list for the last time. I notice there are a lot of reaction shots from Kyon this time.

"Do a second season," he says. "Everyone will love it," he says.

 They're at the Bon festival again, and Yuki buys her last superhero mask. 9 minutes of anime in just 7 paragraphs. I've been at this for 21 months, and I have officially become a seasoned killer of bad anime. 

 Once again, when queried about the homework; Haruhi says she did hers. Given what I've found out about the ending; I've got quite the rant in mind. I apologize in advance to my few followers and any fans of Haruhi; but I didn't laugh at the ending so much as go blind with rage.

Ten minutes; and we've arrived at the final cicada-catching contest. It's clear Kyoto Animation stopped giving a damn at this point, much like the viewers did. Much of the events of this last part are now done in still frames. These screencaps I'm posting are an accurate summation of watching this episode.

Haruhi wins again, and Kyon gives the Pandora's box analogy for the last time. I can say that was one of the few relevant things said about this arc. I've been waiting for an instance to use my favorite song, and I think now is the time.



We have arrived at the last instance of the part time job in frog costumes. I am just so sick of seeing this image, and Haruhi; that I can't even put in a song that has any connection to frogs at all. Instead, this will have to do.

That night, Kyon picks up the phone with Mikuru on the other end. This time, Kyon lets out a scream, as many of the viewers did.

Kyon rushes to the station to find Mikuru at her biggest state of distress. Congratulations, Haruhi. You have broken a young woman in every sense of the word. Your attempts to bring joy that result in sorrow and anger know no bounds!

I'm skipping her breakdown of "classified information", as the only real highlight of this version is that Kyon snarks that it may consist of things that can't be said on television. That would be pretty funny, if one of the first chronological episodes didn't show Haruhi faking sexual harassment to con the computer club out of a computer. That was not a charming joke; that was a massive dick move. If the teachers found out (humoring the fact that teachers might actually be shown at their school); that would be grounds for possible expulsion (though I'm not sure; given how different the Japanese high school system is from the US, especially regarding how infractions like that are handled).


Anyway, we are on the final repetition of the loop. This would be the point where I'd skip Koizumi's explanation, but the show itself skips it this time. It goes to the point where Koizumi insinuates that Haruhi is doing this because she doesn't want summer vacation to end.

Also, much of the scene is again animated with the camera focused on other parts of the face and body; as well as inanimate objects to save trouble of dubbing over mouth flaps.

We get to Yuki, and this is the 15,532nd repetition of the loop. This time, I will share the outcomes of a few events that I did when working on these recaps. On Part 4 and 5, I did not have Code Red. On Part 5 and 6, I did not mention Azumanga Daioh. On Part 6 and 7,  I did express sympathy for those who watched the arc as it was first airing.

Kyon goes home, and wonders what it must be like for Nagato to experience that loop of time. I don't know about that, but I know that it was not very good for anyone who watched this.

It's all downhill from here. We have reached the stargazing, and Haruhi and Mikuru are already out. Koizumi suggests embracing Haruhi again, and Kyon outright refuses.

As for the final torrent of summer events; it just focuses on the SOS Bridgade standing together in the rain. We were hit by a massive rainstorm in the area not too long ago; and it made the front page of both local newspapers. This image is indicative of the emotions people felt as they finished this arc; and the massive disappointment they felt.

We are at the restaurant again, with Haruhi remarking the list is done. Get ready, guys. My biggest rant against this arc is coming.

This time, when Kyon tries to figure out the clue in what Haruhi said for their last activity, he actually starts tripping balls when he tries to stop her from heading out the door. Given the fact that I've been primarily living off Code Red, Cheez-It, and allergy medication to work on this arc; that's how I would feel too.

The lunatic is on the grass...

And if the dam breaks open many years too soon...

Kyon has figured out everything, and the proof that they've gone through the arc tens of thousands of times. Well, that puts him one step ahead of the audience.
Then, as he holds sparks in his hands, the whole thing dawns on him.

Kyon then runs to Haruhi, saying there's still something he wants to do. I can think of many things I want to do now that I'm done with this.

Kyon says that homework is what he wants to do. ... That is all? That is what the key was? I was able to determine this from the start; and that was justification for putting everyone through all this! This is a Monster a Go-Go level copout!

Suddenly there was no loop. No activities to do, no endless summer to be had.

He even starts asking other members of the SOS Brigade to join him. You know, I didn't like it when the original series pulled this stunt with Remote Island Syndrome, but at least that tried to give the fans a legitimate twist! This just makes this arc worse for stretching 2 or 3 episodes' worth of story into an ingratiating 8 episodes!

Kyon suggests they all work on it together; but believe me, this is just scratching the surface on how asinine the ending is. Take a look at what happens next.

Haruhi then berates Kyon for making this decision. You know what Haruhi? Go to Hell! You don't have a right to call Kyon out for this after putting them through all your escapades for your amusement! Everyone is going to need serious therapy as you may very well have psychologically damaged them! It's even made clear you succeeded in doing so to Mikuru! If you claim these are your friends, don't take advantage of their goodwill and respect for you! Fuck you! Kyoto Animation, I'm addressing you as well! You created a series people loved; built their hopes up for a second season, then utterly destroyed them by producing what is by far, one of the worst anime arcs I have ever seen! Yes folks, it's worse than Johto! It's worse than Namek! It's worse than Apis! It's even worse than Bount! Fuck you, Kyoto Animation!

Then, as the credits start to roll, the homework is done and Kyon and Koizumi are back in the club room; playing cards, effectively brushing the events of the arc under the rug in a massive reset button. That's seriously it. The last thing we see is Kyon winning the poker game with a royal flush. I was never a fan of Haruhi Suzumiya before watching this arc; but after, I can say any chance of me liking this franchise has gone right down the drain at 0.5 past light speed.



"Endless 8 Part 8" is fittingly, one of the worst finales to one of the worst anime arcs I've ever seen. Not only do I share the obvious reasons that fans consider it bad; but I'm addressing something I have had a problem with throughout this arc and throughout the main series. I feel it misses the most basic aspects about what makes storytelling work. I should want to get invested in the story and latch onto the characters. Virtually every other anime I have watched has had the characters go on a journey and shown how they grew as people. Why I love Azumanga Daioh so much as a slice-of-life series is that it manages to use more absurd elements of the genre to make a sort of mundane fantastic look at high school life. I loved seeing the principal cast grow over the course of the show; to the point where I loved seeing them graduate and entering the brave new world of adulthood. Here, I feel like I still barely know anything about the SOS Brigade beyond a single trait or two. It really fries me that they actually set up something that could have been used for character development in the very first episode; and they did fuck-all with it in favor of just going through the motions. Even the animators and voice actors were losing interest as it went on. If you don't have any reason to be invested, why should I be? I will consider recapping the Disappearance movie next year, but now, I will get to work on detoxing from this. I have some recaps that I planned to take up all of this month, but now; they will be my new theme. You will have to wait and see later. Bang.

Recap: Endless 8 Part 7

We're on the homestretch now. Just this episode and the next one and I'll be done with the Endless 8!

It's the usual business with Kyon watching the game and getting a call from Haruhi.

Haruhi tells him to meet at the station with a swimsuit and lots of money.

Kyon could telegraph the whole thing, just like the audience can. To anyone who watched these episodes when they were originally coming out: you have my sympathy.

There is a bit of a silence with the TV going after Kyon hangs up.

As per usual, I'm skipping the theme song; and putting on something else.




Once again, they're headed to the pool. Haruhi makes her spiel about how they need to do more summer-related things. I know the feeling. My brother is going back to school, and I'm going back near the end of September. 

They're at the pool again, and I'm omitting the Haruhi ass shot the scene opens on for the same reason I'm going to have to dial back the profanity and dirty jokes: if I'm going back to school and potentially getting a job on their paper; I'm going to have to be more careful about this sort of thing.

This time, I'm skipping Kyon's redundant statement and instead focusing on this great laugh he makes.

Great job, Haruhi. You have broken him, as you have a great many people with this arc.

Now, everything goes black and white.

They're at the restaurant again. It's the same plan as before.

Kyon gets woken up on the next day, and this time, he has his hand down his pants. Charming. He's gotten so despondent; he's resorted to playing pocket pool in his sleep.

It's the Yukata shopping again. This time, the store they went to is called Endless. I think I've found a store with worse service than Safeway.

Located in the Shinjuku district, next to the Hello Kitty love hotel!

Of course, they're dazzling, and Kyon loves Mikuru's best. Ooh! I am just slaughtering the first 9 minutes. This next song proves that this arc cannot conquer me.


They're at the Bon festival. Yuki is looking at the masks.

She buys another superhero mask; and wears it in an odd fashion. 10 minutes, only 1 1/2 more episodes to go. 

 They're doing fireworks again. I imagine that it would go this way.




 Kyon posits the homework question again, and Haruhi says it can be done in three days. This time, he replies with "three days?!" in Engrish. I will admit that's actually pretty funny.

Even so, we've entered the next level of Hell, despite Kyon's claims that Haruhi was given her skills from heaven. This next song will further my belief that Haruhi is very much the Antichrist in human form.


The next day is bug-catching, and Haruhi wins again.



After the Pandora's box analogy, it's them working as frogs again! You know what? I haven't tried to tie a frog-related song to this scene, why do so now? I'm just going to go through more of my classic rock tracks. 

After once again finding out the pay is the suits; Kyon makes a wonderful pout. I am finding his increasing indifference parallel with mine delicious. That is why I find Kyon a more appealing character than Haruhi.

Then, it's the phone call again, and it's both hands in the pants this time. This time, he sounds really pissed off when he answers; as most of the fanbase was when they watched this arc. I think this was the point in Groundhog Day where Bill Murray's character threw the clock out the window after waking up to "I Got You Babe" for the umpteenth time.



He heads to the station, and Mikuru is a sobbing wreck again. Patience, Steven, you're almost done. 


 As it's time for Koizumi's explanation; this is usually the time where both the non-Haruhi SOS Brigade members and the audience have grown depressed from the antics they've been put through.

No, this explanation does not make any more sense on the sixth explanation. Nor does Mikuru's grief chance the fact that they are being treated like the playthings of a sociopathic, demonic teenage girl. If this were a different kind of anime; she would make a fantastic villain.

Now we are on the 15,527th repetition of the loop. It gets to Yuki's listing of each outcome of events. I mean it: when I get to the final part, I will list the outcomes of each thing I did to write about this arc.



It's stargazing time again, and Haruhi still wants to see martians. I think this next MST3K clip should be an apt description of this arc.

Now they're at the batting center again. I will finish this. Right away.


This time, it just focuses on the sky as Kyon describes the events. Even the animators are losing interest by this point.

Back at the restaurant, Kyon STILL doesn't do anything to stop Haruhi! He just sits there having a trip!

Kyon once again looks at his homework; but has become too sad to do it. I just have the feeling that's going to be the key; and I hope I'm good and pissed off when I find out if it is.

"Endless 8 Part 7" is one of the deepest levels of Hell I've likened this arc to. This is one of the most massive screw-overs for an anime second season since Code Geass R2; but at least R2 had other things to criticize! As soon as this is posted, I'm compiling the events of these recaps for the final Endless 8 recap! Don't miss it!