Pokémon - The Johto League (03,04,05)

[CliveKoopa]

I don't care either. The word filler means nothing to me and every episode is watchable in all the sagas.

[Vern]

The worst saga in the entirety of the anime. All three of the protagonists overstayed their welcome here including Brock who should've never came back. The Gold & Silver protagonist should've been the main character (Jimmy I suppose) with a new cast with the rial actually appearing and being a rival. Hopefully, Marina would've been included as well or made a cameo. There weren't enough evolutions though I'm not too bothered by that since most of the new Pokémon had some personality. The Gym Leaders were cool. The writers now how not to mess them up most of the time.

The one shining light was the BGM. The Japanese version had some amazing music and the dub openings weren't terrible. They were okay and catchy.

[Caseydia]

I liked Johto because of the cute Pokemon. I loved Johto and BW Pokemon. I didn't like that alot of the fillers were based off Kanto Pokemon. I didn't like that only Ash caught his whole team with Jotho pokemon and the others didn't. I didn't like that Misty and Brock did nothing for gaps at a time. Except for the Whirl Islands. I personally thought that she should have did another competiton after Jhto instead of going back home waiting for her life to rot away. Plus, I didn't like how Ash's starters were handled. But other than that it was fun to watch certain episodes.

[Aquarelle]

I actually liked most of this saga when it originally aired here many years ago. My first Pokemon game was Gold, so I always looked forward to seeing how/if various parts of the game would be implemented in the anime, which is something I couldn't do with Kanto because I didn't play Gen I until after Kanto had ended. There were times during the Johto saga where I felt that there were too many episodes between Gyms, but it didn't bother me so much as the fillers introduced me to new Pokemon and I didn't find them that boring at the time.

But now when I look at a list of Johto episodes, I realize that there were way more fillers and boring episodes than I thought. Plus, I don't think Misty and Brock did that much during this saga...If I had been older at the time this saga was airing, I probably wouldn't have liked it as much as I did. I guess I was just more easily entertained as a child. :/

[pokemon fan 132]

But now when I look at a list of Johto episodes, I realize that there were way more fillers and boring episodes than I thought. Plus, I don't think Misty and Brock did that much during this saga...If I had been older at the time this saga was airing, I probably wouldn't have liked it as much as I did. I guess I was just more easily entertained as a child. :/

From what i noticed Misty and Brock actually got more focus in Johto compared to Kanto, but due to length of saga with there being good chunk of episodes where they sadly didnt do anything you could get impression how that wasnt the case. For example Misty battled more compared to Kanto and OI, started to do more with goal of becoming water master by entering Whirl Cup, Seaking catching contest, battled gym leader Dorian, revealed why she likes water pokemon so much in episodes like "Some like it Hot", formed rivalry bonding with several characters like Sakura or Egan,helped save group couple of times like she get them out of forest in Hoot,Hoot episode or helped to save Pikachu and Togepi from giant TR tank got over her complex of inferiority which was caused by sisters starting to mature as character etc,etc.Not to mention she also added humor and fun chemistry within group having several notable interactions with many characters in that saga .

Brock also had several funny and good moments there. He started to do steps forward in his breeder career receiving some development through various episodes,like when he took care of lost Stantler, entered contest for pokemon breeders along with Suzy in "Beauty and the Breeder" along with his obsessiveness over girls being explored more beside just staying on running gag in some episodes like it was case with girl Temaku from "Heartbreak of Brock"or with that doctor which had Zubat in "Hassle in the Castle". He also got two evolutions(Pineco and Zubat), having memorable achievements there.

[Caseydia]

Now that I look back, the fillers were really my big issues with this saga. I mean the Kanto Pokemon fillers, not the Johto ones. They didn't have Brock do anything and had Misty do her little thing which was good. But why they decided to give her something so later when they were going to kick her off was my issue. The Pokemon was fine. I loved the gym leaders. There were some memorable battles like the "Wire battle" episode, the events like the Bug catching contest and the trading convention and some memorable characters like Lance, Casey and Sakura. So all in all, it wasn't that bad.

[Kutie Pie]

I didn't mind this saga, I enjoyed seeing Johto, all the new Pokémon, and even the gym leaders. I remember 4KIDS advertising this as something freakin' awesome and a must-see (the commercial preview on Pokémon 2000 still gets me excited after all these years). It didn't really disappoint me, especially since Brock returned to his rightful place, but I do remember getting frustrated with the number of episodes between gym battles. Clair's battle didn't happen until Mast Quest, and I think she was the only gym battle in that season. That was pretty bad, almost got me to stop watching the show. And I remember the whole "trilogy" that dealt with Articuno and the return of Todd--I mean Snap. It was hyped up to be great, but it wasn't very pleasing. The baby Lugia trilogy was handled better.

Other than that and the filler episodes (the Whirl Island Cup wasn't needed, honestly), this was a neat saga. I'm especially pleased that in the middle of the first Johto season (I believe), they started coloring digitally, so the art looked a lot cleaner. I do wish they went ahead to go with the GS Ball plot-point, that had to be the biggest disappointment in the saga.

[Pokemaniac24]

I didn't mind this saga, I enjoyed seeing Johto, all the new Pokémon, and even the gym leaders. I remember 4KIDS advertising this as something freakin' awesome and a must-see (the commercial preview on Pokémon 2000 still gets me excited after all these years). It didn't really disappoint me, especially since Brock returned to his rightful place, but I do remember getting frustrated with the number of episodes between gym battles. Clair's battle didn't happen until Mast Quest, and I think she was the only gym battle in that season. That was pretty bad, almost got me to stop watching the show. And I remember the whole "trilogy" that dealt with Articuno and the return of Todd--I mean Snap. It was hyped up to be great, but it wasn't very pleasing. The baby Lugia trilogy was handled better.

Other than that and the filler episodes (the Whirl Island Cup wasn't needed, honestly), this was a neat saga. I'm especially pleased that in the middle of the first Johto season (I believe), they started coloring digitally, so the art looked a lot cleaner. I do wish they went ahead to go with the GS Ball plot-point, that had to be the biggest disappointment in the saga.

Ash fought the 7th gym leader Pryce and the 6th gym leader Jasmine in Master Quest.

[sereb devil]

I didn't mind this saga, I enjoyed seeing Johto, all the new Pokémon, and even the gym leaders. I remember 4KIDS advertising this as something freakin' awesome and a must-see (the commercial preview on Pokémon 2000 still gets me excited after all these years). It didn't really disappoint me, especially since Brock returned to his rightful place, but I do remember getting frustrated with the number of episodes between gym battles. Clair's battle didn't happen until Mast Quest, and I think she was the only gym battle in that season. That was pretty bad, almost got me to stop watching the show. And I remember the whole "trilogy" that dealt with Articuno and the return of Todd--I mean Snap. It was hyped up to be great, but it wasn't very pleasing. The baby Lugia trilogy was handled better.

Other than that and the filler episodes (the Whirl Island Cup wasn't needed, honestly), this was a neat saga. I'm especially pleased that in the middle of the first Johto season (I believe), they started coloring digitally, so the art looked a lot cleaner. I do wish they went ahead to go with the GS Ball plot-point, that had to be the biggest disappointment in the saga.

Johto was a really great saga with great fillers aswell as great events, i do feel the Whirl Cup battles were perfectly great, other then that i do wish they had have done a little bit more with the GS Ball plot, which was the only thing i did hated about in this saga.

[pokemon fan 132]

Other than that and the filler episodes (the Whirl Island Cup wasn't needed, honestly), this was a neat saga. I'm especially pleased that in the middle of the first Johto season (I believe), they started coloring digitally, so the art looked a lot cleaner. I do wish they went ahead to go with the GS Ball plot-point, that had to be the biggest disappointment in the saga.

Whirl Cup Island arc wasn't filler. It was focused on Misty goal of becoming water pokemon master getting some great development there and finally starting to take more notable steps forward in her carer. This was time when she also caught Corsola adding diversity to her team and starting to improve her skills, and we got plot with Lugia and TR organization there as well.

Whirl Islands arc was one of Johto highlights if you ask me serving like nice change of pace from usual fillers and Ash gym quest acting like some sot of mini saga included in something larger. It was also nice to see other protagonists(not named Ash)getting some chance to shine for a change too.

But to each their own i guess.

[CyberCubed]

Master Quest was the only really decent part of Johto. You can tell the writers at least acknowledged how dull the first two Johto seasons were and decided to focused more on mini arcs again. Also bringing back Ash's Kanto starters helped.

I can't help but look back at Johto now 10 year later and think about how different it could have been. But as they say, "what is done, is done." It's been 10 years since the end of this arc, everyones thoughts on it have already been cemented.

[pokemon fan 132]

Master Quest was the only really decent part of Johto. You can tell the writers at least acknowledged how dull the first two Johto seasons were and decided to focused more on mini arcs again. Also bringing back Ash's Kanto starters helped.

Master Quest was actually great as season. Misty received some great screen time and development there, we got several great arcs(such as Whirl Cup, Red Gyarados, Lugia, Larvitar etc). THere were interesting mini arcs with gym leadrs such as Clair and DRagon temple revolving around Dragon tooth and sacred fire.

Johto Silver Coneference was fntastic too concluding AShxGary rivalry and departure between original cast was one of most emotional and beautifly done momnts we had in pokemon.

AS for rest of Johto while i wont deny how there were quite a few dull episodes, there were also several really enjoyable ones recommending to everyone to watch them. Such as "Fortune Hunters", "Hook, Line and Stinker", "Beauty and the Breeder", "Sick Daze", "Ring Masters"etc(list continues).

Johto had some reall good things about it.

I can't help but look back at Johto now 10 year later and think about how different it could have been. But as they say, "what is done, is done." It's been 10 years since the end of this arc, everyones thoughts on it have already been cemented.

Im not sure why you speak in everyone name, because there are many fans which liked Johto.

If Johto was really that detrimental original series wouldnt be so popular with majority being able to overlook negative things liking this era of pokemon because of its good things. And there were many of them with Ash,Misty and BRock being to this day most popular and iconic group.Demand for reunion speaks for itself.

Not to mention it was with original trio when pokemon was at its peak of popularity.
Yes you can argue how ratings started to decline in mid Johto but that was on large part because fad started to die out. Nothing can last forever so it was to expect that people will eventually grew up and move to other things.Poor writing and too many fillers didnt helped things either.

Decline in ratings would have happened in Hoenn or DP too if that was period when initial hype and fad started to diminish.

[Pokemaniac24]

Master Quest was actually great as season. Misty received some great screen time and development there, we got several great arcs(such as Whirl Cup, Red Gyarados, Lugia, Larvitar etc). THere were interesting mini arcs with gym leadrs such as Clair and DRagon temple revolving around Dragon tooth and sacred fire.

Johto Silver Coneference was fntastic too concluding AShxGary rivalry and departure between original cast was one of most emotional and beautifly done momnts we had in pokemon.

AS for rest of Johto while i wont deny how there were quite a few dull episodes, there were also several really enjoyable ones recommending to everyone to watch them. Such as "Fortune Hunters", "Hook, Line and Stinker", "Beauty and the Breeder", "Sick Daze", "Ring Masters"etc(list continues).

Johto had some reall good things about it.



Im not sure why you speak in everyone name, because there are many fans which liked Johto.

If Johto was really that detrimental original series wouldnt be so popular with majority being able to overlook negative things liking this era of pokemon because of its good things. And there were many of them with Ash,Misty and BRock being to this day most popular and iconic group.Demand for reunion speaks for itself.

Not to mention it was with original trio when pokemon was at its peak of popularity.
Yes you can argue how ratings started to decline in mid Johto but that was on large part because fad started to die out. Nothing can last forever so it was to expect that people will eventually grew up and move to other things.Poor writing and too many fillers didnt helped things either.

Decline in ratings would have happened in Hoenn or DP too if that was period when initial hype and fad started to diminish.

I don't know why you look at ratings to judge the quality of a series. That's not smart.

[pokemon fan 132]

I don't know why you look at ratings to judge the quality of a series. That's not smart.

You misunderstood. I used ratings to point out how reason why interest among viewers dropped in mid Johto wasn't because of original trio being used as some like to think but because of several factors with initial hype and fad pokemon used to have not being expected to last forever.

When it comes to me i could care less how big ratings are for specific region because i evaluate how enjoyable certain saga is by quality of episodes themselves, how good interaction between characters is and how much development it contains.

I never pay attention to other opinions forming my own view about series or characters and personally i can say i liked more about Johto than disliked. It had many fun episodes, original trio still felt like friends sharing close bond with Misty getting some important growth and all those mini arcs, battles etc were in most cases of high quality.
Johto has many hidden gems about it not recommending anyone to skip it.

[Pokemaniac24]

You misunderstood. I used ratings to point out how reason why interest among viewers dropped in mid Johto wasn't because of original trio being used as some like to think but because of several factors with initial hype and fad pokemon used to have not being expected to last forever.

When it comes to me i could care less how big ratings are for specific region because i evaluate how enjoyable certain saga is by quality of episodes themselves, how good interaction between characters is and how much development it contains.

I never pay attention to other opinions forming my own view about series or characters and personally i can say i liked more about Johto than disliked. It had many fun episodes, original trio still felt like friends sharing close bond with Misty getting some important growth and all those mini arcs, battles etc were in most cases of high quality.
Johto has many hidden gems about it not recommending anyone to skip it.

I certainly agree with you on that. And yeah like you said, the ratings going down in Johto and onward had to do with the Pokemon fad dying out a little bit. Pokemon was clearly at its peak in Kanto but I feel that the anime did make a lot of improvements as it moved forward.

[BurningSociety12345543210]

Definitely the worst series of pokemon yet. Too many fillers.

[RickHoenn]

Master Quest was the only really decent part of Johto. You can tell the writers at least acknowledged how dull the first two Johto seasons were and decided to focused more on mini arcs again. Also bringing back Ash's Kanto starters helped.

I can't help but look back at Johto now 10 year later and think about how different it could have been. But as they say, "what is done, is done." It's been 10 years since the end of this arc, everyones thoughts on it have already been cemented.

Speak for yourself Cybercubed. I LOVED the Johto saga, it's only behind Kanto and Hoenn as my favorite arc. A lot of my friends stopped watching when Misty left and they regard the OS as the "true" pokemon. (flawed vision of things but that's what it is)

Why you put your word as the ultimate truth lol.

If I'd rank the Johto seasons it would be:

Johto Journeys >>> Master Quest >>> Johto League Champions.

[Street Comedy]

Too many filler episodes, terrible Johto team development, and Ash's Kanto team hogged all the spotlight.

I really didn't like this region until the league, that's how bad it is to me. :/

[TheSirPeras]

Apart from the countless fillers I liked Johto. I think Master Quest was the best one, though I did love the overall beginning of Johto.

[pokedigijedi]

johto part of the og series and my childhood.....good times good times.
the only downside was at the end of the series ash began neglecting his pokemon(more than usual) i mean come on the main reason muk didnt get a win in the league was because it wasnt trained and of course gary was and always will be the superior trainer. oh and poor kingler became a living prop.