The Pokemon anime is making the transition to digital broadcast in the coming months in Japan, and I think it more than anything else marks the beginning of the end for standard television.
The Pokemon anime is older than some of the kids who are fans of the show in the first place. It’s seen some of the most significant changes in animation and entertainment in our time. The anime started in 1998 with cel animation and a somewhat limited budget resulting in somewhat limited animation. As Pokemon reached international success, the show clearly improved, and by the time the 2000s rolled around it was starting to go into digital animation, eventually converting over completely. Along the way there’s been multiple movies done in both cel and digital, and now we have a new era upon us of widescreen, high-definition, digitally animated, digitally broadcasted Pokemon. And that’s not even talking about the basic changes in episode styles and themes that are the result of starting with a primarily Japanese audience and moving into an international one.
It’s amazing, isn’t it? Very few anime can say they’ve seen the world change around them as it has with Pokemon.
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May 11, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Jkid
Most anime in the japan have already switched other to digital widescreen, American animation is probably stuck with 4:3 programing for a long time after June 12, 2009.
May 11, 2009 at 8:36 pm
jenpez
Yes, very interesting isn’t it?
I’ve watched Pokémon since the beginning, I’ve loved it ever since. I really enjoy watching the old episodes.
May 11, 2009 at 8:44 pm
21stcenturydigitalboy
It’s too bad the new seasons can’t compare to the old ones in terms of fun and writing. The series takes itself too seriously now…
May 11, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Alex
I wonder if that switch to digital — both for the producers and consumers — is having an effect on the viewing experience. Perhaps a strange, new otaku subset will form to watch super old shows and pick out the subtle wonders and errors of cel production.
May 12, 2009 at 4:31 am
Kurotsuki
hmmm, of those 3 screenshots , the first one is the one that appeals to me the most.
I really miss cel animation animation =(
May 12, 2009 at 3:33 pm
omo
Pokemon is a watershed moment in anime history IMO. It’s probably the most influential anime world-wide, of all times.
May 12, 2009 at 7:59 pm
BakaTanuki
I am with Kurotsuki; the first one may look messier, but the new ones lack personality.