Pokémon is the highest grossest media franchise of all time, but has it declined in quality? On this week’s episode Joseph and Nathan use Pokemon as a case study to talk about gamer culture, nostalgia, and fandoms more broadly. After breaking down the history of Pokémon into three booms and one bust, the boys detail what they like about the franchise (Ken Sugimori’s artwork, HM moves, and their favorite Pokémon) and the things they dislike about it (competitive Pokémon play, shiny hunting, and legendary Pokémon). Amongst other things they discuss how Poliwhirl almost became the main mascot for the Pokémon franchise, how Pokémon became uncool in the mid-2000s, how the designs of Pokémon became rounder and cuter over time, and how a terabyte of information stolen from Game Freak’s servers (dubbed “the teraleak”) recently leaked to the public.

Links: 

Pokémon – from bugs to blockbuster by Simon Parkin

Poliwhirl: The Mascot You Never Knew

Pokémon Trainer Norm MacDonald

“Pokémon” on Google Trends

Pokémon Go - Vaporeon stampede Central Park, NYC

Target Pokémon card scalper stampede video

Ken Sugimori’s artwork for the original 151 Pokémon

Oh Wow, The Best Pokémon Card Art All Comes From The Same Person by John Walker

How Pokémon's Art Style & Design Has 'Evolved'

Generic Pokémon Design by Generation 

What Would Gen 8 Pokémon Look Like in Gen 1? (Part 2)

The Evolution of Pokémon Design

Pokemon Gold & Silver beta Pokémon

Gorochu’s back sprite

Project Bauer/ Pokemon Movie 24

Palworld vs. Pokémon Comparison: Just How Similar Are the Designs? by Joshua Yehl

Pokemon Sword and Shield Controversy and 'Dexit', Explained by Casey DeFreitas & Matt Kim

Taechichu’s Youtube

Regi Noises

Victreebel Scream 

Artwork:

Charizard Pokémon Carddass artwork by Ken Sugimori 

Recorded on 11/3/2024