Controversial opinions

[ripplefieldz]

Only exceptions I would say is some of the girls who were clearly beginners and weren't into battling right away like May, Serena, Lillie, etc. And even then as the series went on they treated May the same too.

god, it really does suck how lillie was never really able to Achieve much.. i feel like part of it is definitely having to focus on 5 other characters (i love the SM gang dearly but uh. i do not think they were a very good idea) but it really feels like lillie and mallow kinda got it the worst, it didn't really feel like either of them ever got a decisive victory at anything, even sophocles (aka the other person who took forever to get a z move) got the vikavolt race. i'd say they never even gave lillie a second pokemon but mallow never technically caught shaymin either i think so. yeah that's another issue shared between the two. you'd THINK being majorly involved in a whole ass plotline would get lillie some cool moments but apparently not!

 

[Hidden Mew]

Maybe the change of contests not having a battling phase made it harder for Dawn to get wins. Bulky Pokémon Togekiss and Mamoswine aren't very graceful so they were pretty much only useful for the battle phase.

I don't know if it's confirmed that Contests in the anime have removed the battle phase completely. That would be a huge shame, even if it would probably fit more with how video game Contests work, but I don't think it has been confirmed. Even if that is the case, that would be a really weak reason for Dawn to not win a Grand Festival, especially when Togekiss is nothing but graceful. The idea that Togekiss would only be useful for the battle phase is kind of ridiculous given its moveset and how it moves in general.

I understand what you're saying. The reason DP annoyed me so much is a bit complicated to explain but a short summary is that it felt like to me like AG was setting up the idea that Ash had become a great trainer who could beat Legendaries and trainers just below the Elite Four, than DP threw that out entirely by having him constantly lose by massive margins to every prominent opponent he meets, even in his last league battle (instead of the narrow loss from previous times).
Then when BW opened with his rival being a literal beginner who kept beating him it just seemed to confirm the writers completely abandoned the story set up before in favor of redoing Kanto with different league rankings.
Even today the fact his old Pokémon never do anything makes me feel that the original OS--AG plotline is dead.

Admittedly, I don't remember thinking that the Battle Frontier was setting up Ash for anything like that. I still think it is his biggest accomplishment, but despite beating a Legendary Pokemon and trainers who were supposed to be stronger than Gym Leaders, I don't remember going into DP expecting anything really huge for Ash. That being said, I can understand how going from defeating Brandon to being defeated by a good portion of prominent characters in DP right off the bat could be frustrating. I still think that Ash was in his peak during DP, but he lost a lot more often than he normally does, in large part due to how frequently he'd battle against Paul. The fact that they started giving Ash some pretty infamous League defeats starting with the Sinnoh League probably didn't help matters either.

 

[Daren]

I still think that Ash was in his peak during DP, but he lost a lot more often than he normally does, in large part due to how frequently he'd battle against Paul

I've seen this idea before, but wasn't just Paul. He lost really, really badly to both Roark and Fantina, lost to Gardenia outside the Gym, tied with Mayelene, lost to Palmer despite the big type advantage, he was helpless against Hunter J, he couldn't beat a Magikarp. He even lost to Kenny right before the league started.
DP Ash was pretty consistently performing poorly, he was just allowed to get a bit farther in the league than the previous two. OS and AG actually let him have some major victories, but DP started the trend of Ash not really moving his trainer career forward in any concrete way.

 

[Rainbow-Rain]

THIS POST SPITTIN FOR REAL

https://twitter.com/OrestiTheSimp/status/1510204725790130177?t=M6f_NO7IuPsQJh58WPlsxg&s=19

 

[HiroHunter]

THIS POST SPITTIN FOR REAL

https://twitter.com/OrestiTheSimp/status/1510204725790130177?t=M6f_NO7IuPsQJh58WPlsxg&s=19

I'm more shocked that the writers remembered Ash has a Dracovish.

 

[LuxrayOfTheWild]

Yeah, Sirfetch'd and Dracovish will be a thing of the past soon. That's just how Journeys is. It rarely ever takes the time to develop a consistent bond between any Pokemon and stick with it. I mean after one episode, the relationship Lucario and Cinderace had was suddenly gone. Cinderace even began appearing significantly less after that episode and was essentially replaced by Grookey. I'm sure the same will go for Dracovish and Sirfetch'd.

 

[Enzo]

Am I the only one who feels like Ash (as it's mainly him who does that) sometimes forgetting a Pokémon's typing and the type chart just... isn't that big of a deal as some people make it out to be?

Yeah, I absolutely get the frustation of such events happening. Also, yes, I do think it's way less excusable now considering where Ash is and his feats, but it just seems so reasonable to me when you look into it throught the in-universe perspective.

Like,,, sometimes Ash spends ages without battling against a specific mon. You just can't possibly expect for him to remember all the typings of every single Pokémon on the fly. And while forgetting the type chart is a bit more egregious of a mistake for a battler, again, sometimes things slip on the mind, specially in highly stressfull situations such as a battle.

I mean, idk about you guys, but I sometimes forget stuff too. I regularly forget Azurill is part Normal, cuz my mind for some reason thought it was mono Fairy when the line became fairies. I tried to Thunderbolt Nidoqueen more than once in different playthroughs cuz I used to forget it's part Ground, as I automatically thought it was mono Poison because neither Nidoran nor Nidorina aren't part Ground. I'm not even ashamed to say this: I only found out Rock doesn't resists Bug completely by accident a few weeks ago because I just happened to have used U-Turn on a Cradily when I played Platinum, and to embarrass myself further, I audibly let out a gasp of confusion when the "It's super effective!" thingie showed up.

Again to reiterate: I get people's feelings about this, but I frankly don't thing it's that serious as some try to say it is. Honestly? Considering the way some talk about this, it gives off the vibe it's just yet another excuse to shit on Ash's head and paint him as this "ditzy dumbass" people swear up and down he is. Here's the obligatory "not everyone" cuz I obviously know not everyone says/thinks like that, but I've met my fair share of people who do, unfortunately.

 

[Ghost Diplocaulus]

Am I the only one who feels like Ash (as it's mainly him who does that) sometimes forgetting a Pokémon's typing and the type chart just... isn't that big of a deal as some people make it out to be?

Yeah, I absolutely get the frustation of such events happening. Also, yes, I do think it's way less excusable now considering where Ash is and his feats, but it just seems so reasonable to me when you look into it throught the in-universe perspective.

Like,,, sometimes Ash spends ages without battling against a specific mon. You just can't possibly expect for him to remember all the typings of every single Pokémon on the fly. And while forgetting the type chart is a bit more egregious of a mistake for a battler, again, sometimes things slip on the mind, specially in highly stressfull situations such as a battle.

I mean, idk about you guys, but I sometimes forget stuff too. I regularly forget Azurill is part Normal, cuz my mind for some reason thought it was mono Fairy when the line became fairies. I tried to Thunderbolt Nidoqueen more than once in different playthroughs cuz I used to forget it's part Ground, as I automatically thought it was mono Poison because neither Nidoran nor Nidorina aren't part Ground. I'm not even ashamed to say this: I only found out Rock doesn't resists Bug completely by accident a few weeks ago because I just happened to have used U-Turn on a Cradily when I played Platinum, and to embarrass myself further, I audibly let out a gasp of confusion when the "It's super effective!" thingie showed up.

Again to reiterate: I get people's feelings about this, but I frankly don't thing it's that serious as some try to say it is. Honestly? Considering the way some talk about this, it gives off the vibe it's just yet another excuse to shit on Ash's head and paint him as this "ditzy dumbass" people swear up and down he is. Here's the obligatory "not everyone" cuz I obviously know not everyone says/thinks like that, but I've met my fair share of people who do, unfortunately.

Adding to this, Ash doesn't actually forget type matchups anywhere near as frequently as his detractors make him out to be: almost all instances of Ash forgetting a type matchup occur in the Original Series, and afterwards almost every instance of Ash using an unfavorable matchup are either him deliberately making that choice as either a challenge (about 80% of the PWC matches) or because he has a plan (for example when he sent out Grovyle against Drake's Altaria because they were on a ship, meaning Grovyle could use the masts for better mobility).

Also, there are some matchups that just aren't as easy to guess as others; I mean, sure, Water being strong against Fire is obvious, but would anyone who has never seen Pokemon's type chart interactions be able to guess that Bug beats Dark right away?

 

[Handy Man]

Am I the only one who feels like Ash (as it's mainly him who does that) sometimes forgetting a Pokémon's typing and the type chart just... isn't that big of a deal as some people make it out to be?

Yeah, I absolutely get the frustation of such events happening. Also, yes, I do think it's way less excusable now considering where Ash is and his feats, but it just seems so reasonable to me when you look into it throught the in-universe perspective.

Like,,, sometimes Ash spends ages without battling against a specific mon. You just can't possibly expect for him to remember all the typings of every single Pokémon on the fly. And while forgetting the type chart is a bit more egregious of a mistake for a battler, again, sometimes things slip on the mind, specially in highly stressfull situations such as a battle.

I mean, idk about you guys, but I sometimes forget stuff too. I regularly forget Azurill is part Normal, cuz my mind for some reason thought it was mono Fairy when the line became fairies. I tried to Thunderbolt Nidoqueen more than once in different playthroughs cuz I used to forget it's part Ground, as I automatically thought it was mono Poison because neither Nidoran nor Nidorina aren't part Ground. I'm not even ashamed to say this: I only found out Rock doesn't resists Bug completely by accident a few weeks ago because I just happened to have used U-Turn on a Cradily when I played Platinum, and to embarrass myself further, I audibly let out a gasp of confusion when the "It's super effective!" thingie showed up.

Again to reiterate: I get people's feelings about this, but I frankly don't thing it's that serious as some try to say it is. Honestly? Considering the way some talk about this, it gives off the vibe it's just yet another excuse to shit on Ash's head and paint him as this "ditzy dumbass" people swear up and down he is. Here's the obligatory "not everyone" cuz I obviously know not everyone says/thinks like that, but I've met my fair share of people who do, unfortunately.

My problem is that he’s now 9th in the PWC, and he made a mistake like that so high up in the rankings. Quite simply, I would have a hard time believing that trainers in the Master class, like Leon and Cynthia, would make a sinilar mistake. They earned their spot in the Master class because they are among the best trainers in the world, and the fact that Ash is the closest Ultra class trainer to Master class and still made a mistake like that just makes the best trainers look bad. Just my take though. It’s fine if Ash made a mistake like this earlier in Journeys, but the 9th best trainer, no matter who it is, should never really be making these kinds of mistakes.

 

[marshiyanmisuta]

There is nothing unusual about not showing much of Aria's performance. Serena is the main character, of course they show her more, she's the character we suppose to root for. Compare Zoey and Dawn's performance times in the Grand Festival: 30 seconds to Zoey, 1.5 minutes for Dawn. Even at their final battle, most impressive parts were created by Dawn and hijacked by Zoey.

Showcases are popularity contests because it's basically their version of being an idol. In fact we even introduced something similar in Sinnoh. They're not good as pokémon contests for obvious reasons, that's true, but that doesn't mean it's wrong to use popular vote. I too would prefer Serena to do contests instead, but I don't see anything wrong with using popular vote to decide.

 

[Die-Hard Dragon Devotee]

Yeah, Sirfetch'd and Dracovish will be a thing of the past soon. That's just how Journeys is. It rarely ever takes the time to develop a consistent bond between any Pokemon and stick with it. I mean after one episode, the relationship Lucario and Cinderace had was suddenly gone. Cinderace even began appearing significantly less after that episode and was essentially replaced by Grookey. I'm sure the same will go for Dracovish and Sirfetch'd.

I hope you're wrong about that, though I have to say you're not wrong about Journey's track record. Hopefully that particular strain of inconsistency is dead, and the friendship between Dracovish and Sirfetch'd sticks, because it's a genuine friendship, unlike that weird Lucario and Cinderace wannabe friendship thing.

 

[ripplefieldz]

I'm not even ashamed to say this: I only found out Rock doesn't resists Bug completely by accident a few weeks ago because I just happened to have used U-Turn on a Cradily when I played Platinum, and to embarrass myself further, I audibly let out a gasp of confusion when the "It's super effective!" thingie showed up.

it's fucking what now.

 

[BNSF1995]

Ash said he traveled with Clemont and Bonnie, but not Serena, because he’s been thinking about her a lot since they parted, and he’s in deep denial about his feelings for her. Seeing Kukui and Burnet get hitched was his Love Epiphany moment.

 

[Rainbow-Rain]

Ash said he traveled with Clemont and Bonnie, but not Serena, because he’s been thinking about her a lot since they parted, and he’s in deep denial about his feelings for her. Seeing Kukui and Burnet get hitched was his Love Epiphany moment.

Nice. Now What fanfiction did you get this from?

 

[Blob]

I don't know if it's confirmed that Contests in the anime have removed the battle phase completely. That would be a huge shame, even if it would probably fit more with how video game Contests work, but I don't think it has been confirmed. Even if that is the case, that would be a really weak reason for Dawn to not win a Grand Festival, especially when Togekiss is nothing but graceful. The idea that Togekiss would only be useful for the battle phase is kind of ridiculous given its moveset and how it moves in general.

I just mean that it has tiny feet and can't use the wings much since they're stuck out. That would make for a terrible dancer, even if their attacks are graceful.

 

[Hidden Mew]

I just mean that it has tiny feet and can't use the wings much since they're stuck out. That would make for a terrible dancer, even if their attacks are graceful.

I don't think it would be forced to dance on its feet anyway. Having an air dance would be more fitting for Togekiss. Besides all that, I still have my doubts that they made Contests just a dance show in the anime anyway.

 

[ripplefieldz]

Ash said he traveled with Clemont and Bonnie, but not Serena, because he’s been thinking about her a lot since they parted, and he’s in deep denial about his feelings for her. Seeing Kukui and Burnet get hitched was his Love Epiphany moment.

personally i think it'd be really funny if there was just some super secret and frankly absurd reason that the rest of the kalos gang just Isn't Allowed to talk about her. like someone offhandedly mentions her and it's just. dead fucking silence also i personally see ash as aroace anyway so

 

[cricketlaxwolvesbandy]

personally i think it'd be really funny if there was just some super secret and frankly absurd reason that the rest of the kalos gang just Isn't Allowed to talk about her. like someone offhandedly mentions her and it's just. dead fucking silence also i personally see ash as aroace anyway so

We don’t talk about Serena na na na. WE DONT TALK ABOUT SERENA!

 

[Lightning Flame Blast]

We don’t talk about Serena na na na. WE DONT TALK ABOUT SERENA!

Goddamnit, you beat me to it

 

[Enzo]

almost every instance of Ash using an unfavorable matchup are either him deliberately making that choice as either a challenge (about 80% of the PWC matches) or because he has a plan (for example when he sent out Grovyle against Drake's Altaria because they were on a ship, meaning Grovyle could use the masts for better mobility).

I feel like this plays on that thing I talk about here before: they seem to avoid, as much as possible, to give Ash the favorable matchup, even if it looks ridiculous at certain instances.

Like, I've also analyzed this before the Drasna match, but it's so funny how Sirfetch'd was the absolute worst choice possible to fight a Noivern and a Mega Altaria. Or, as you talked about Grovyle, they chose him to battle an Altaria in the Winona battle and he knocked that bird out with a Leaf Blade of all things even if Altaria quad resisted it (btw was that an OHKO, or am I remembering things wrong?) and then, on his next Gym battle, against a Water specialist, they had him going down as the fall guy by a Sweet Kiss and a Water Pulse off a fucking Luvdisc.

I have a feeling this is another controversial opinion, but I do like how type matchups aren't this "ultimate decider" in battles in the anime. But still, it's funny how, at the same time they really don't want to treat the matchup chart as an ultimatum, they also do the possible and the impossible to ensure that Ash isn't getting the inherent type advantage, while, at the exact same time, you can bet your behind they will give the advantage to his opponent.