Plot: What’s it about?
Pokemon hit the American shores like a tidal wave, crushing other properties and raking in a massive amount of cash. We’ve seen plush toys, lunchboxes, feature films, and of course, the television series, which Pioneer has been releasing on DVD. The franchise has lost most of its steam with the kids, but some fans still remain and I have to admit, I like to watch the series. It’s predictable and often cheese laden, but also fun and I can’t resist the antics of Team Rocket. While the feature films have been less impressive, the series continues to be solid and often very good, so I am pleased to find more episodes issued all the time. This series is beloved by some and despised by others, but in any case, Pokemon on DVD is here to stay, it seems. Below is a list of the three episodes included on this disc, as well as a brief synopsis for each.
1. Gettin’ the Bugs Out – After some delays, Ash finally has the chance to go head to head with Bugsy, the Azalea Town gym leader. Of course, Ash is confident that he can overcome Bugsy’s bug Pokemon forces, but it won’t be as simple as he thinks. As bug Pokemon are vulnerable to fire more than anything, Ash needs to choose a fire powered Pokemon from his roster, one he can count in when the heat is on. The logical choice would be Ash’s new Cyndaquil, but it hasn’t had much time to be trained, which is a downside. Can Ash and his Cyndaquil manage to defeat Bugsy and take a Hive Badge, or will the fires fail to burn?
2. A Farfetch’d Tale – The dense woods of the Ilex forest are beautiful, but also dangerous as Ash and friends soon discover as they pass through. All the trees, wild grasses, and other greenery provide cover for Team Rocket’s ambush attacks. Although Ash can usually thwart Team Rocket’s plans with ease, the environment in the forest poses some problems and as such, he and the others will need to be on full alert. The group manages to find a helping hand in a young Pokemon trainer, but he won’t be much of a help, as he needs as much training as his Farfetch’d does. Will Ash and the others be able to bring him up to speed on handling Pokemon and if so, will it be in time to eliminate Team Rocket’s threats?
3. Tricks of the Trade – The next stop on Ash’s trek is Palmpona, a seaside town with beautiful surroundings and lots of tourist attractions. But Ash is most interested in the local swap meet, where trainers can share tips, show off their Pokemon, and perhaps even make some trades to enhance their roster. Soon enough, he and the others are making the rounds like nobody’s business, looking to pick up some tricks and maybe trade a couple of Pokemon. It looks to be a fun afternoon of talking, swapping, and just relaxing, but of course, Ash and his friends won’t be lucky enough to have that be the case…
Video: How does it look?
The episodes are presented in full frame transfers, as intended. As with most of the previous Pokemon discs, the visuals here are well presented and leave little room for complaints, given the material involved. I have seen these episodes on television and they don’t look as refined & sharp as they do on this disc, not even close. The image just seems clearer and more impressive, without a doubt. I found colors to be vivid and rich throughout, while black levels remain dead on also, no real problems to report here.
Audio: How does it sound?
Like the other discs in the series, this installment has solid audio and should please fans, I think. The dialogue is crisp and always easy to understand, thanks to excellent volume balance that keeps the elements in order. Although music and sound effects aren’t that expansive, they sound better than on television, so no real foul there. This might not be an explosive, reference level audio experience, but the material is well presented and that’s what matters. This disc also includes optional English subtitles, should you need those.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc contains no bonus materials.
