The aim of this mini-series was obviously to present the lore of the Pokemon games as an animated story, and unlike the anime, be more loyal to the games in every aspect.
I hear a lot of people say that this is better than the anime, and I disagree. Now, the series strives to be loyal to the games as much as possible, which is a problem if you want to present a believable, "alive" world, if you will. This is because the games don't give you that much to work with.
The game gives you the necessary tools (Pokemon), and a way to get from point A to point B, point-blank. While it's fun in a game setting, where you collect your own Pokemon and level them up. You interact with it, and have fun.
In a storytelling setting, the games simply don't give you a lot, and the writers had to add in their own things.
For example, what do we know about the character Red from the games? Well... it's you, the player, who is actually Red. Red is supposed to be a blank slate, who is supposed to take the form and emotions of whichever player plays. Which is why it doesn't really make sense to give Red a specific character.
Nevertheless, the writers did. And in trying to keep it loyal to the games, they created a character who is very lackluster, yet succeeds for the purpose of succeeding. Red fundamentally doesn't have traits that make him an interesting character. He wants to be the best Pokemon trainer, in his rivalry with Blue he wants to prove himself the better trainer, but it's unclear to us how he does it. There is no development that's showcased.
After his loss to Blue, he improved in order to beat him, but we never really saw the struggles of getting there, the scene automatically jumps to it and we're told to believe he is better because he shows us the badges he won. It's almost a Mary Sue situation.
We're shown that he learns that he's supposed to care for his Pokemon, but this never happens. While he shows emotions and sympathy towards Cubone's situation, there's not a clear scene where he interacts with his own Pokemon and shows their relationship.
That's a huge thing lacking from this mini-show that makes it enjoyable - the interaction of Trainers with their Pokemon, specifically Red and his Pokemon.
Now I see many people saying that this series is "what the anime should've been" or that "it's better", and I have a bone to pick with those people.
Ash Ketchum from the anime is a much more complete character. He has a lot of flaws, which is a good thing for a character. He learns how to overcome the flaws and be better, he travels and meets a lot of people and Pokemon, befriends them, and forms strong connection with them.
We see many interactions between people and Pokemon in the anime, we see their personalities, how different they are, etc.
Ash faces so many different obstacles that would seem trivial to Red. Ash struggles in his journey, while solving problems and coming through adversity, while Red seemingly sweeps through everything. I don't understand how the latter could be preferred. There is a reason why the writers of the anime went away from the games, and forged a different story with a different character.
The series is 4 episodes of 21 minutes, total 84 minutes. Do I think it could've been better if it went for longer? Yes. They could've showcased a lot more of the missed character development we were meant to take for granted.
I'll end on a positive note, a couple things that I loved about it:
1. Pokemon make realistic animal sounds instead of saying their names. That is a much better way to go about it.
2. Animation is fantastic. Especially the visual effects for Pokemon attacks and the Pokemon battles themselves. Loved it.
3. They're not afraid to go into more adult themes like death, unlike the anime which strives to be very kid friendly.
I hear a lot of people say that this is better than the anime, and I disagree. Now, the series strives to be loyal to the games as much as possible, which is a problem if you want to present a believable, "alive" world, if you will. This is because the games don't give you that much to work with.
The game gives you the necessary tools (Pokemon), and a way to get from point A to point B, point-blank. While it's fun in a game setting, where you collect your own Pokemon and level them up. You interact with it, and have fun.
In a storytelling setting, the games simply don't give you a lot, and the writers had to add in their own things.
For example, what do we know about the character Red from the games? Well... it's you, the player, who is actually Red. Red is supposed to be a blank slate, who is supposed to take the form and emotions of whichever player plays. Which is why it doesn't really make sense to give Red a specific character.
Nevertheless, the writers did. And in trying to keep it loyal to the games, they created a character who is very lackluster, yet succeeds for the purpose of succeeding. Red fundamentally doesn't have traits that make him an interesting character. He wants to be the best Pokemon trainer, in his rivalry with Blue he wants to prove himself the better trainer, but it's unclear to us how he does it. There is no development that's showcased.
After his loss to Blue, he improved in order to beat him, but we never really saw the struggles of getting there, the scene automatically jumps to it and we're told to believe he is better because he shows us the badges he won. It's almost a Mary Sue situation.
We're shown that he learns that he's supposed to care for his Pokemon, but this never happens. While he shows emotions and sympathy towards Cubone's situation, there's not a clear scene where he interacts with his own Pokemon and shows their relationship.
That's a huge thing lacking from this mini-show that makes it enjoyable - the interaction of Trainers with their Pokemon, specifically Red and his Pokemon.
Now I see many people saying that this series is "what the anime should've been" or that "it's better", and I have a bone to pick with those people.
Ash Ketchum from the anime is a much more complete character. He has a lot of flaws, which is a good thing for a character. He learns how to overcome the flaws and be better, he travels and meets a lot of people and Pokemon, befriends them, and forms strong connection with them.
We see many interactions between people and Pokemon in the anime, we see their personalities, how different they are, etc.
Ash faces so many different obstacles that would seem trivial to Red. Ash struggles in his journey, while solving problems and coming through adversity, while Red seemingly sweeps through everything. I don't understand how the latter could be preferred. There is a reason why the writers of the anime went away from the games, and forged a different story with a different character.
The series is 4 episodes of 21 minutes, total 84 minutes. Do I think it could've been better if it went for longer? Yes. They could've showcased a lot more of the missed character development we were meant to take for granted.
I'll end on a positive note, a couple things that I loved about it:
1. Pokemon make realistic animal sounds instead of saying their names. That is a much better way to go about it.
2. Animation is fantastic. Especially the visual effects for Pokemon attacks and the Pokemon battles themselves. Loved it.
3. They're not afraid to go into more adult themes like death, unlike the anime which strives to be very kid friendly.