~Entei, Lord of the "Unknown" Tower: In my restless dreams, I see that Pokemon
I went and played Fallout for a bit but then I got jumped by some random dudes in the Hub and locked into a battle and they killed me and I hadn't saved and I got really frustrated and quit. >:(
SO INSTEAD LET'S SCREENCAP SOMETHING THAT TAKES FAR LESS WORK
As I mentioned in the Revelation Lugia entry, the only Pokemon movie I ever saw in theaters was the Mewtwo one. All the rest I've only seen subbed, so I really couldn't tell you the sub/dub differences here. I picked up a subbed VHS of the Entei movie off Ebay at the same time as the Lugia one, so the hype for both was mostly over at that point. The Entei movie was near the end of Pokémania in America really, and I think the next movie was only released on video. POKEMON'S TIME IN THE SUN HAD PASSED IN AMERICA
But I like the Entei movie, I dunno. There's no real villain, and you go inside someone's thoughts and dreams which is always interesting to me. It's odd because generally I don't care for Entei, much like I don't care for any of the legendary dogs. BUT I DO LIKE THIS MOVIE, WHAT CAN I SAY
Even if it, like many Pokemon movies, doesn't quite make sense most of the time.
As a side note, I once knew someone who was way overinvested in this movie. Like... really overinvested. But maybe I'll talk about that more as we go along.
JUST LETTING YOU GUYS KNOW
YES I WENT AND SUBBED THIS ALL MYSELF
it was pretty boring
Actually it was sort of nice in a way, since I was only used to the terrible VHS quality graphics (I think it might have been a second/third generation copy) so seeing it all in DVD clarity really made me appreciate the art in this movie more. :B
I also learned how to rip a DVD, good times.
QUALITY TRANSLATION YES
I kept awkward phrasing here and there to keep that bootleg sub feel you can only get from old VHS subs.
Surprisingly, none of them look like dongs.
OR DO THEY
wow that's a pretty accurate guess there, mystery artist
BETTER THAN RAIKOU OR SUICUNE I GUESS
really?
Then he's all GRAAAOO GRAAAAOO and it's really adorable okay quiet
AAA WAIT
plop
Anyway, Mi and her dad run around and be cute for a while. THEY LOVE EACH OTHER GUYS
PIDGEY MAIL
THIS MUST BE SERIOUS
I love that Ponyta rocking horse, that's so cute. I LOVE ALL THE POKEMON INSPIRED DOODADS IN THE POKEMON WORLD OKAY
Yes that's his name in Japanese as well.
That one, you know, the one you've been ignoring and blowing off their calls. That one.
WILL SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAPPEN TO MIDAD
CAST YOUR VOTES
PICTURES
do those people in the one on the left look familiar
MEANWHILE, IN SHAPEIR
I think that language IS Unown, you doofs.
(Side note: the sub always calls them Unknown. As a result, I can never spell Unown the way it's supposed to be. It IS Unown, right? RIGHT? Whatever, Unknown works.)
HEY WHATCHA LOOKING AT
tee hee hee
hey cool unknown tiles in this box this looks very normal and not at all threatening
OW MY HAND
HEY MULLET MAN WANT TO COME WITH US AND HAVE AN UNKNOWN PARTY
THAT'S NOT REALLY A REQUEST
The Unknown, for reasons unknown (hurr hurr) suck up Midad into their strange Unknown dimension. I love how the Pokémon world is randomly lethal without warning. BOOKS, TILES, LOOKING AT A POKEMON FUNNY, A LEGENDARY HAVING A BAD DAY
IT ALL COULD KILL YOU
THERE'S A REASON THERE AREN'T MANY PEOPLE THERE I GUESS
John comes back to Midad's huge palatial estate with the bad news. SOMETHING TOTALLY RANDOM AND INEXPLICABLE JUST KILLED HIM WITH NO WARNING
THAT'S LIFE IN THE POKEMON WORLD FOR YOU
Butlerguy offers this sad statement. As mentioned, he uses oujou-sama for Mi.
IS IT TIME TO HAVE MY YOUTHFUL INNOCENCE CRUSHED BY AN UNCARING WORLD
yes
Mi fiddles around on her dad's computer, presumably after she's bawled her eyes out a few times.
I see a scroll bar, maybe a progress bar, what looks like a version of Quicktime, and icons bizarrely situated at the top of the screen. HMM.
YOU ATE MY DAD DIDN'T YOU
Anyway Mi pushes over the box of Unknown tiles and begins to play with them. WHY TAKE THEM OUT OF THE BOX
I'M SIX AND AN ORPHAN, I DON'T NEED TO BE CAREFUL
Mama, Papa, and Me (or is it Mi?). Mi cries tears of sadness. I forget what her name in English is, I really couldn't tell you.
THE UNKNOWN HEAR YOUR DISTRESS
AND THIRST FOR MORE BLOOD
Mi sounds delighted that the Unknowns have magically appeared out of nowhere, which amuses me. I guess if you live in the Pokemon world you have to get used to insane things happening without warning all the time.
Also she's like six so I don't blame her for being enthralled by new things. YAY POKEMON :DDD
also it's not like Unknown are particularly threatening looking
If by play you mean turn the world into crystal THEN SURE
oh what is this it's like four am Mi
HOW'S MY DOOR BREAKING GOING AUDIENCE
WHAT DO YOU THINK
GET OUT
Mi picks up her book and flips to this page yet again.
ALL THE WEIRD CHIRPING LETTER POKEMON AND CRYSTAL IN THE WORLD CAN'T FILL THE HOLE IN MY HEART HE LEFT
Because I am going to kill you
I like the "oh god please say you are please please" look on her face here. THINGS ARE OKAY NOW RIGHT
YOU'RE OKAY RIGHT
I'M NOT AN ORPHAN RIGHT
PLEASE SAY I'M RIGHT
Why not, got nothing better to do
John and Butler dude share a loving embrace in the meantime outside of Mi's new crystal flowercastle.
Because of this, I've referred to this as Lord of the Unknown Crystal Tower for years. Looking at it now, I think it just says Unknown Tower, and the (Crystal) bit is just... uh
EH WHATEVER
BACK TO OUR MAIN CHARACTERS, SUPPOSEDLY
As opposed to giving up and going home
YOU'RE OUR INCIDENTAL RANDOM TRAINER WHO WILL BE TOTALLY FORGOTTEN AFTER THIS MOVIE ENDS, AREN'T YOU
I love Brock so much you guys.
CROTCHFIRST
NO WAY THIS'LL FAIL
Misty come on what do you THINK Ash will do
Ash throws out all these super dramatic handgestures while saying this, it's kind of hilarious.
THE SUB SPLIT THESE TWO LINES THIS WAY
I JUST TRANSCRIBED IT MAN
Hey a Great Ball, neat! I like seeing different kinds of Pokeballs. :B
TOTODILE, PELVIC THRUST!
Climb right inside Totodile, it'll be fun
The opening theme for this movie is OK! 2000, which I love. OK! has a very aggressive garage band sound to it, with wailing guitars and a reprise of OKAY!! that's hard to resist singing along to. :D It's one of my favorite openings, haha. IT'S SO CATCHY AND HAPPY
YAY GIRAFARIG
I LOVE GIRAFARIG
raaaa
OH YOU DID NOT JUST TRIP ME
pzow
I like trying to name the attacks in these sequences. :D PSYBEAM, PYEW PYEW
and earlier it used Stomp and it's like yessss
EVEN GIRAFARIG'S TAIL IS PLEASED
ASH DOES AN INTERPRETIVE DANCE FOR YOU
I did not notice this, what with my VHS copy and how they really look pretty much the same, but Ash's Noctowl is a Shiny Pokemon. :O THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SHINY AND NON-SHINY NOCTOWL IS FAIRLY NEGLIGIBLE BUT YOU CAN SEE THE SPARKLES COME OFF IT WHEN HE THROWS IT OUT
I had no idea he had a Shiny Pokemon for the longest time.
Ash's Noctowl and Rin's Aipom have a fairly neat battle on this jungle gym here. I LIKE IT WHEN THEY ACTUALLY USE THE ENVIRONMENT AROUND THEM TO CHANGE HOW THINGS WORK OKAY
IT INTERESTS ME
YOU'RE SCREWED
Sidenote, but man I do not care for Aipom. Something about it just doesn't sit right with me. See also: Ambipom.
Rin does this super goofy dance when her Butterfree wins, hahaha.
BAD PLACE TO BE
GOOD THING THAT DIDN'T HIT YOU RIN OR YOU'D BE DEAD PROBABLY
HA HA HA
YAAAAAAAAAY QUAGSIRE WOOOOOOOOOOO
HA HA HA, QUAGSIRE IS PART GROUND
YOUR PUNY ELECTRICAL ATTACKS MEAN NOTHING
DAREDEVIL!!
bonk
I took these caps because I love Quagsire, shut up.
See above
ALSO GIRAFARIG
What a creative name.
It's actually Green Field said in english, which I guess helps it sound more interesting for Japanese viewers.
DO BOYS NOT WANT TO BE PEACEFUL AND CALM
Oh Brock!
I just liked this shot, don't mind me.
OR IS IT
And you two dorks that keep following me, you too I guess
Apparently Meowth says this particular phrase a lot, which is appropiate I suppose.
FIRST APPEARANCE OF JESSIE'S WOBBUFFET IN A MOVIE
who would become a mainstay of Team Rocket ever after
As a side note, Wobbuffet's japanese name is Sonansu, which translates roughly to "That's the way it is" or "that's right" or something along those lines. Common theory has it that Wobbuffet may have been based off a Japanese comedian that would often touch his forehead and respond to things with sounansu. SOUNDS PLAUSIBLE
What this means is that Wobbuffet's random interjections have something of a different feel in Japanese than in English, since Wobbuffet is actually kind of contributing to the conversation in Japanese. BUT ANYWAY
THIS POKEBALL IS FAULTY
I kept this because of Ash's eyes. just look at them.
HEY OFFICER JENNY
ARE YOU GOING TO BE DOING ANYTHING USEFUL OR OF WORTH IN THIS MOVIE
(answer: no)
Meanwhile, reporter lady and her cameraman show up to chronicle this strange tale.
THIS IS WEIRD EVEN FOR THE POKEMON WORLD
AND THAT'S PRETTY WEIRD
Hey, it's Ashmom!
GASP
Ashmom's a hit with aaaall the guuuuys
Prof. Oak and his wife Tracey are also watching the news
DANG YOU CAN'T QUITE READ IT HERE ANYMORE but the letter is amusingly engrish-y, let me see if i can transcribe it for you. typos included for full effect.
What is UNKNOWN?
-As Unknown had very timid and carefull character, UNKNOWN (possibly something hidden behind Tracey's head) not want to go out to the external world.
-UNKNOWN is still Pokemon (creature).
-To have power perceiving sense of other creature (including human being), however it's not power like telepahty but just to feel with keen sense.
-Sharpening keen senses of wild animal.
-UNKNOWN speaks each other over the electric wave.
FASCINATING
how he got a research grant, it's unknown
Tracey: HEY GUYS CAN I COME
GUYS
GUYS?
let's have everyone out for a bow
I include these shots because it really looks like Pikachu is humping Ash's mom's boobs. SERIOUSLY.
IT'S A BIT WEIRD
you can't really see it in the caps but i assure you it's there
UH OH
is that what they call it these days
Oh Ash, even as a kid you were just so enthusiastic.
HEY DO YOU GUYS HEAR SOMETHING
Hi Entei. As a sidenote, wherever Entei steps, a little crystal flower blooms. DETAILS
AAAA
well that was exhausting i need a nap
Courtesy Entei Pickup, plz tip
BYE
Frolicking through the grass and flowers, tra la la
I'M A LEGENDARY, DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH
Brock holds Ash back without much problem, when you come down to it. BROCK IS STRONG OR ASH IS A WUSS, YOUR CALL
WHY POKEMON WORLD
WHY ARE YOU SO CALLOUS AND RANDOM
This will definitely work out.
I just like the crystal spirals on the trees, don't mind me.
I wonder what it is in Mi's mind that makes everything crystal. When I was little, I had a real fascination for crystal shiny things myself. Maybe it's just something as simple as that, just thinking it looks pretty. IT COULD BE A METAPHOR FOR HER FEELINGS OR SOMETHING BUT MAYBE IT'S JUST A LITTLE GIRL THAT LIKES SPARKLY THINGS
WHO'S TO SAY
What a lovely family.
I like the different stylized interpretations of Entei, they're neat. :B
THE UNKNOWN ARE COMING FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE!!!
Meanwhile, somewhere I've never seen before but is apparently fascinated with Charizards.
WONDERING IF THAT TV CREW WOULD BE RELEVANT WEREN'T YOU
ASH NEEDS ME!!
I had stopped watching the show mostly by this point (I kept up with it fairly faithfully up until around Tracey showed up, then never got back into it) but I picked up plotlines and such here and there. Ash eventually left his Charizard at a Charizard sanctuary or something to hang out with other Charizards and presumably have babies or something. BUT CHARIZARD'S BEEN SUCH A KEY FIGURE IN THE LAST TWO MOVIES
WE HAVE TO PUT HIM BACK IN THIS ONE GUYS
Bulldozer and Moon, by da Vinci. 50000$.
YES A BULLDOZER
THIS MOVIE IS REALLY PICKING UP GUYS
THOSE ARE MY CRYSTALS >:O
LOOK OUT TV CREW
DON'T WORRY KIDS THIS GUY IS FINE
This is one of the few outright aggressive things Mi does in the movie, really. And I don't think she wanted to really hurt anyone, just stop the bulldozer. THE UNKNOWN HEAR HER CALL AND JUST REACT, THEY CAN'T CONTROL IT
LET'S BLAME THE POKEMON
IT'S NOT LIKE IT CAN DEFEND ITSELF IN COURT
GASP
I like how no one is angry or even remotely threatened or upset about her message either. Just OH THANK GOD SHE'S OKAY
ASH'S MOM GOT KIDNAPPED BY ENTEI
MI SUDDENLY HAS A MOM
I JUST DON'T SEE A CONNECTION!!
Ash is, for once, apparently a bit quicker on the uptake.
Meanwhile, Entei runs around the castle and wiggles around with Mi on his back and it's all adorable.
I like things. :)
I JUST GOTTA DANCE
And he said Takeshi here but I missed it. OBLIGATORY MOMENT WHERE ASH CRIES/NEARLY CRIES ABOUT HIS FRIENDS, CHECK
REMEMBER WHEN POKEGEARS WERE THE BIG COOL THING
AH, THAT WAS A LONG TIME AGO
What is Prof. Oak going to beat Ash with a belt if he finds out or something
IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING
OH TEAM ROCKET
WOULD YOU LIKE THIS BEACH BALL
wump
WE'VE BARELY BEEN IN THE MOVIE
Team Rocket you live in your own little wonderful world
Ash's Noctowl's had enough of this, it's outta here
PLEASE
SOME EXCUSE
ASHMOM IS BROUGHT BACK TO HERSELF BY HER SON DOING STUPID DANGEROUS THINGS
it's surprising this didn't happen sooner, considering
Haha nothing nothing don't eat me Entei please
I was chatting with Funkmeister when doing this, and I was like MAN SHOULD I REPHRASE THIS LINE
NO KEEP IT IT'S BETTER THAT WAY
so here it is in its unaltered form JUST FOR YOU
Ashmom is weirded oooout
I'M GOING TO KILL YOU ASH
hahahaha
YOU'RE NOT MY DAD PROF OAK
I DON'T HAVE TO LISTEN TO YOU
Although I like that approach. WELL WHATEVER TOO LATE NOW, JUST GO FOR IT
Mi likes flowers and sparkly things OR IS THERE SOME DEEPER MOTIVATION HERE
Anyway there's some sequence when they have to get into the castle, yadda yadda but just think it's neat that everytime someone blows a hole in the walls or something, it grows back in a flower shape.
SPLOOSH
I didn't catch Brock falling out, unfortunately.
These shots are because I think Brock looks adorable all wet with his hair down. DON'T MIND ME
MI LIKES PINK FLOATING BALLS
THEY ARE HER FAVORITE THING
WOW THAT'S WEIRD well whatever let's go
It's kind of pretty, really. MI LIKES NATURE
AND PINK SKIES
JAMES FALLS FACEFIRST ON THE FLOOR FOR YOUR AMUSEMENT
Oh Team Rocket.
You're so supportive, Entei.
Entei walks through the floor WHEEEEEEEE
Meanwhile an Illusion Mi forms on Entei's back. MULTITASKING!
WITH THE SUPPORT OF MY LOVED ONES I CAN DO ANYTHING!
It's sort of a nice message, really.
MI HAS EVOLVED INTO
TRAINER MI
This is a kind of a weird detail, but that strange billowing cloud thing on Entei's back is constantly in motion. I thought maybe it was supposed to be wind or something, but no, apparently it just moves like that on its own power. You can see it moving here while Mi is sitting on it, and it shifts her skirt around. IT JUST DRAWS MORE ATTENTION TO HOW BIZARRE ENTEI'S DESIGN IS
LOTS OF THEM
ALL THE TIME
Brock's got this, guys.
SHE'S RIGHT BEHIND YOU AS WE SPEAK
BROCK STEPS UP TO DO SOMETHING USEFUL IN A MOVIE FOR ONCE
Ash protests but Brock will hear none of it.
Ash and Misty book it.
I just like Brock, shut up.
FLAAFY AAAA I LOVE FLAAFY
OH NO SUPERSONIC
I really wish you could just go DODGE in the game and have it work as often as it does in the anime. Which is all the time.
ZUBAT SUCKS
badumching
FLAAFY HUGS YAY
I think I may have mentioned this before, but I chose Pokemon Blue way back when because of Vulpix, since I like foxes. :B I STILL HAVE FONDNESS FOR VULPIX AND NINETALES TO THIS DAY
Himeguma, in straight Japanese, guma being the word for bear. This was how it was translated in my VHS, which struck me as odd because it's only halfway - either make it Princessbear or Himeguma, but Himebear is like a weird mix of english and japanese. :O
WELL WHATEVER, IT'S A TEDDIURSA LET'S GO
JUST GOT SERVED, VULPIX
I originally had many more caps of Vulpix, but I cut most of them for space.
I WONDER WHY THAT IS, BROCK
These screenshots are included to catalogue James looking effeminate.
TEAM ROCKET NEVER GIVES UP
Everyone's so polite in the Pokemon world, as opposed to the U SUK FAG sort of discourse common among competitive games online.
OH BROCK
he actually says nice smile in english, haha
I don't like Phanpy or Donphan. THERE I SAID IT
OMG HAX
I keep wanting to bust out game mechanics here but must resist
(it would have to hit it like three times at least to build up the damage and NO STOP IT)
MEANWHILE, UPSTAIRS WITH MI'S REAL BODY
Which is impressive, since it doesn't seem to have words.
I can relate to this, since when I was very little I often tried to give things to people to show them I cared about them. I'm not being sarcastic, I did that a lot. I even tried to give away things that weren't even technically mine to give away. EVENTUALLY MOM BROKE ME OF THE HABIT
i think
Ashmom isn't upset about being kidnapped or nothing, it's cool
OH MI, THIS ISN'T GOING TO WORK OUT FOR YOU
That sun is going to murder me.
It seems to be perpetually sunset in Mi's world.
WILD MI APPEARS
Dead! DEAD!
Ash gets all indignant on Brock's behalf here, aww.
Woah, I didn't know Misty had a last name. WHAT DO YOU KNOW
IT'S NOT A RULE THAT I THINK IS VERY STRICTLY ENFORCED IN THE POKEMON WORLD
TRAINER MI
EVOLVES INTO
GYM LEADER MI
You know it bugs me that it's presented as Brock=breeder Misty=gym leader since Brock was also a gym leader
and actually was a gym leader for a good amount of time no less, as opposed to Misty who was almost a gym leader
but eh details
Everytime this tsunami comes up I get all nervous.
Ash and Pikachu desperately try to outrun it AND FAIL
blubblub
BUT IT'S OKAY YOU CAN BREATHE UNDERWATER IN DREAM WORLD
Misty does say "my steady" pretty clearly in English here, which is a bit confusing. I don't know if she's always referred to her Goldeen that way or what, but it was still a bit jarring. I GUESS MISTY REALLY LIKES HER GOLDEEN??
what
Some of the attacks on my VHS weren't translated completely, so I tried to fill in the gaps. In retrospect, this is probably Fury Attack. OH WELL.
GOLDEEN FALLS
Pokemon battles are so supportive.
DON'T LET ANYTHING KEEP YOU DOWN, TEAM ROCKET
Mantine has the goofiest voice in Japanese. MAYBE IN ENGLISH TOO I DUNNO BUT MAN
in japanese it's this kind of deep yodeling LAAAAAAA sound and it's hilarious
Although thankfully this is not as annoying as it was in Red/Blue. TOXIC/WRAP ::shakes fist::
I can't remember if this was an actual GS move or not and I couldn't think of a move offhand that this corresponded to, SO WHATEVER
Rapid Spin maybe?
WHATCHA THINK OF THAT EH
WUSS
Staryu and Mantine have a dance
Entei's such a nice guy. Although I guess if he's the manifestation of what Mi wants her father to be that'd follow.
(Unless her desire for a father just birthed him initially, and now he's a sentient creature capable of his own decisions/opinions/feelings? BLAH BLAH BLAH)
Meanwhile Ash finally makes it to the top of the tower.
Ashmom laughs. IT'S TRUE YOU ARE PRETTY DUMB ASH :D
wait what honey that doesn't
alright whatever
ASHMOM AIN'T SUGARCOATING THE TRUTH FOR YOU, MI
I like that even though this is all ostensibly Mi's fault, no one blames her for it and Ash here is even trying to be friendly. HE KNEW MI FROM BEFORE, SHE'S A GOOD KID
SHE'S JUST IN OVER HER HEAD
Unknowns: AAA AAAAAAAA AAA WHAT'S HAPPENING AAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
I can understand Mi being upset, considering she's what, six? AND lost both her parents in probably a fairly short time period to forces largely out of her control, only to get them back again for a few blissful hours, then abruptly get faced with the possibility of losing them again. I FOR ONE WOULD BE A BIT EMOTIONAL
And the flower outside Mi's crystal castle starts to close in. :o
CONTINUED!
SO INSTEAD LET'S SCREENCAP SOMETHING THAT TAKES FAR LESS WORK
As I mentioned in the Revelation Lugia entry, the only Pokemon movie I ever saw in theaters was the Mewtwo one. All the rest I've only seen subbed, so I really couldn't tell you the sub/dub differences here. I picked up a subbed VHS of the Entei movie off Ebay at the same time as the Lugia one, so the hype for both was mostly over at that point. The Entei movie was near the end of Pokémania in America really, and I think the next movie was only released on video. POKEMON'S TIME IN THE SUN HAD PASSED IN AMERICA
But I like the Entei movie, I dunno. There's no real villain, and you go inside someone's thoughts and dreams which is always interesting to me. It's odd because generally I don't care for Entei, much like I don't care for any of the legendary dogs. BUT I DO LIKE THIS MOVIE, WHAT CAN I SAY
Even if it, like many Pokemon movies, doesn't quite make sense most of the time.
As a side note, I once knew someone who was way overinvested in this movie. Like... really overinvested. But maybe I'll talk about that more as we go along.
JUST LETTING YOU GUYS KNOW
YES I WENT AND SUBBED THIS ALL MYSELF
it was pretty boring
Actually it was sort of nice in a way, since I was only used to the terrible VHS quality graphics (I think it might have been a second/third generation copy) so seeing it all in DVD clarity really made me appreciate the art in this movie more. :B
I also learned how to rip a DVD, good times.
QUALITY TRANSLATION YES
I kept awkward phrasing here and there to keep that bootleg sub feel you can only get from old VHS subs.
Surprisingly, none of them look like dongs.
OR DO THEY
wow that's a pretty accurate guess there, mystery artist
BETTER THAN RAIKOU OR SUICUNE I GUESS
really?
Then he's all GRAAAOO GRAAAAOO and it's really adorable okay quiet
AAA WAIT
plop
Anyway, Mi and her dad run around and be cute for a while. THEY LOVE EACH OTHER GUYS
PIDGEY MAIL
THIS MUST BE SERIOUS
I love that Ponyta rocking horse, that's so cute. I LOVE ALL THE POKEMON INSPIRED DOODADS IN THE POKEMON WORLD OKAY
Yes that's his name in Japanese as well.
That one, you know, the one you've been ignoring and blowing off their calls. That one.
WILL SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAPPEN TO MIDAD
CAST YOUR VOTES
PICTURES
do those people in the one on the left look familiar
MEANWHILE, IN SHAPEIR
I think that language IS Unown, you doofs.
(Side note: the sub always calls them Unknown. As a result, I can never spell Unown the way it's supposed to be. It IS Unown, right? RIGHT? Whatever, Unknown works.)
HEY WHATCHA LOOKING AT
tee hee hee
hey cool unknown tiles in this box this looks very normal and not at all threatening
OW MY HAND
HEY MULLET MAN WANT TO COME WITH US AND HAVE AN UNKNOWN PARTY
THAT'S NOT REALLY A REQUEST
The Unknown, for reasons unknown (hurr hurr) suck up Midad into their strange Unknown dimension. I love how the Pokémon world is randomly lethal without warning. BOOKS, TILES, LOOKING AT A POKEMON FUNNY, A LEGENDARY HAVING A BAD DAY
IT ALL COULD KILL YOU
THERE'S A REASON THERE AREN'T MANY PEOPLE THERE I GUESS
John comes back to Midad's huge palatial estate with the bad news. SOMETHING TOTALLY RANDOM AND INEXPLICABLE JUST KILLED HIM WITH NO WARNING
THAT'S LIFE IN THE POKEMON WORLD FOR YOU
Butlerguy offers this sad statement. As mentioned, he uses oujou-sama for Mi.
IS IT TIME TO HAVE MY YOUTHFUL INNOCENCE CRUSHED BY AN UNCARING WORLD
yes
Mi fiddles around on her dad's computer, presumably after she's bawled her eyes out a few times.
I see a scroll bar, maybe a progress bar, what looks like a version of Quicktime, and icons bizarrely situated at the top of the screen. HMM.
YOU ATE MY DAD DIDN'T YOU
Anyway Mi pushes over the box of Unknown tiles and begins to play with them. WHY TAKE THEM OUT OF THE BOX
I'M SIX AND AN ORPHAN, I DON'T NEED TO BE CAREFUL
Mama, Papa, and Me (or is it Mi?). Mi cries tears of sadness. I forget what her name in English is, I really couldn't tell you.
THE UNKNOWN HEAR YOUR DISTRESS
AND THIRST FOR MORE BLOOD
Mi sounds delighted that the Unknowns have magically appeared out of nowhere, which amuses me. I guess if you live in the Pokemon world you have to get used to insane things happening without warning all the time.
Also she's like six so I don't blame her for being enthralled by new things. YAY POKEMON :DDD
also it's not like Unknown are particularly threatening looking
If by play you mean turn the world into crystal THEN SURE
oh what is this it's like four am Mi
HOW'S MY DOOR BREAKING GOING AUDIENCE
WHAT DO YOU THINK
GET OUT
Mi picks up her book and flips to this page yet again.
ALL THE WEIRD CHIRPING LETTER POKEMON AND CRYSTAL IN THE WORLD CAN'T FILL THE HOLE IN MY HEART HE LEFT
Because I am going to kill you
I like the "oh god please say you are please please" look on her face here. THINGS ARE OKAY NOW RIGHT
YOU'RE OKAY RIGHT
I'M NOT AN ORPHAN RIGHT
PLEASE SAY I'M RIGHT
Why not, got nothing better to do
John and Butler dude share a loving embrace in the meantime outside of Mi's new crystal flowercastle.
Because of this, I've referred to this as Lord of the Unknown Crystal Tower for years. Looking at it now, I think it just says Unknown Tower, and the (Crystal) bit is just... uh
EH WHATEVER
BACK TO OUR MAIN CHARACTERS, SUPPOSEDLY
As opposed to giving up and going home
YOU'RE OUR INCIDENTAL RANDOM TRAINER WHO WILL BE TOTALLY FORGOTTEN AFTER THIS MOVIE ENDS, AREN'T YOU
I love Brock so much you guys.
CROTCHFIRST
NO WAY THIS'LL FAIL
Misty come on what do you THINK Ash will do
Ash throws out all these super dramatic handgestures while saying this, it's kind of hilarious.
THE SUB SPLIT THESE TWO LINES THIS WAY
I JUST TRANSCRIBED IT MAN
Hey a Great Ball, neat! I like seeing different kinds of Pokeballs. :B
TOTODILE, PELVIC THRUST!
Climb right inside Totodile, it'll be fun
The opening theme for this movie is OK! 2000, which I love. OK! has a very aggressive garage band sound to it, with wailing guitars and a reprise of OKAY!! that's hard to resist singing along to. :D It's one of my favorite openings, haha. IT'S SO CATCHY AND HAPPY
YAY GIRAFARIG
I LOVE GIRAFARIG
raaaa
OH YOU DID NOT JUST TRIP ME
pzow
I like trying to name the attacks in these sequences. :D PSYBEAM, PYEW PYEW
and earlier it used Stomp and it's like yessss
EVEN GIRAFARIG'S TAIL IS PLEASED
ASH DOES AN INTERPRETIVE DANCE FOR YOU
I did not notice this, what with my VHS copy and how they really look pretty much the same, but Ash's Noctowl is a Shiny Pokemon. :O THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SHINY AND NON-SHINY NOCTOWL IS FAIRLY NEGLIGIBLE BUT YOU CAN SEE THE SPARKLES COME OFF IT WHEN HE THROWS IT OUT
I had no idea he had a Shiny Pokemon for the longest time.
Ash's Noctowl and Rin's Aipom have a fairly neat battle on this jungle gym here. I LIKE IT WHEN THEY ACTUALLY USE THE ENVIRONMENT AROUND THEM TO CHANGE HOW THINGS WORK OKAY
IT INTERESTS ME
YOU'RE SCREWED
Sidenote, but man I do not care for Aipom. Something about it just doesn't sit right with me. See also: Ambipom.
Rin does this super goofy dance when her Butterfree wins, hahaha.
BAD PLACE TO BE
GOOD THING THAT DIDN'T HIT YOU RIN OR YOU'D BE DEAD PROBABLY
HA HA HA
YAAAAAAAAAY QUAGSIRE WOOOOOOOOOOO
HA HA HA, QUAGSIRE IS PART GROUND
YOUR PUNY ELECTRICAL ATTACKS MEAN NOTHING
DAREDEVIL!!
bonk
I took these caps because I love Quagsire, shut up.
See above
ALSO GIRAFARIG
What a creative name.
It's actually Green Field said in english, which I guess helps it sound more interesting for Japanese viewers.
DO BOYS NOT WANT TO BE PEACEFUL AND CALM
Oh Brock!
I just liked this shot, don't mind me.
OR IS IT
And you two dorks that keep following me, you too I guess
Apparently Meowth says this particular phrase a lot, which is appropiate I suppose.
FIRST APPEARANCE OF JESSIE'S WOBBUFFET IN A MOVIE
who would become a mainstay of Team Rocket ever after
As a side note, Wobbuffet's japanese name is Sonansu, which translates roughly to "That's the way it is" or "that's right" or something along those lines. Common theory has it that Wobbuffet may have been based off a Japanese comedian that would often touch his forehead and respond to things with sounansu. SOUNDS PLAUSIBLE
What this means is that Wobbuffet's random interjections have something of a different feel in Japanese than in English, since Wobbuffet is actually kind of contributing to the conversation in Japanese. BUT ANYWAY
THIS POKEBALL IS FAULTY
I kept this because of Ash's eyes. just look at them.
HEY OFFICER JENNY
ARE YOU GOING TO BE DOING ANYTHING USEFUL OR OF WORTH IN THIS MOVIE
(answer: no)
Meanwhile, reporter lady and her cameraman show up to chronicle this strange tale.
THIS IS WEIRD EVEN FOR THE POKEMON WORLD
AND THAT'S PRETTY WEIRD
Hey, it's Ashmom!
GASP
Ashmom's a hit with aaaall the guuuuys
Prof. Oak and his wife Tracey are also watching the news
DANG YOU CAN'T QUITE READ IT HERE ANYMORE but the letter is amusingly engrish-y, let me see if i can transcribe it for you. typos included for full effect.
What is UNKNOWN?
-As Unknown had very timid and carefull character, UNKNOWN (possibly something hidden behind Tracey's head) not want to go out to the external world.
-UNKNOWN is still Pokemon (creature).
-To have power perceiving sense of other creature (including human being), however it's not power like telepahty but just to feel with keen sense.
-Sharpening keen senses of wild animal.
-UNKNOWN speaks each other over the electric wave.
FASCINATING
how he got a research grant, it's unknown
Tracey: HEY GUYS CAN I COME
GUYS
GUYS?
let's have everyone out for a bow
I include these shots because it really looks like Pikachu is humping Ash's mom's boobs. SERIOUSLY.
IT'S A BIT WEIRD
you can't really see it in the caps but i assure you it's there
UH OH
is that what they call it these days
Oh Ash, even as a kid you were just so enthusiastic.
HEY DO YOU GUYS HEAR SOMETHING
Hi Entei. As a sidenote, wherever Entei steps, a little crystal flower blooms. DETAILS
AAAA
well that was exhausting i need a nap
Courtesy Entei Pickup, plz tip
BYE
Frolicking through the grass and flowers, tra la la
I'M A LEGENDARY, DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH
Brock holds Ash back without much problem, when you come down to it. BROCK IS STRONG OR ASH IS A WUSS, YOUR CALL
WHY POKEMON WORLD
WHY ARE YOU SO CALLOUS AND RANDOM
This will definitely work out.
I just like the crystal spirals on the trees, don't mind me.
I wonder what it is in Mi's mind that makes everything crystal. When I was little, I had a real fascination for crystal shiny things myself. Maybe it's just something as simple as that, just thinking it looks pretty. IT COULD BE A METAPHOR FOR HER FEELINGS OR SOMETHING BUT MAYBE IT'S JUST A LITTLE GIRL THAT LIKES SPARKLY THINGS
WHO'S TO SAY
What a lovely family.
I like the different stylized interpretations of Entei, they're neat. :B
THE UNKNOWN ARE COMING FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE!!!
Meanwhile, somewhere I've never seen before but is apparently fascinated with Charizards.
WONDERING IF THAT TV CREW WOULD BE RELEVANT WEREN'T YOU
ASH NEEDS ME!!
I had stopped watching the show mostly by this point (I kept up with it fairly faithfully up until around Tracey showed up, then never got back into it) but I picked up plotlines and such here and there. Ash eventually left his Charizard at a Charizard sanctuary or something to hang out with other Charizards and presumably have babies or something. BUT CHARIZARD'S BEEN SUCH A KEY FIGURE IN THE LAST TWO MOVIES
WE HAVE TO PUT HIM BACK IN THIS ONE GUYS
Bulldozer and Moon, by da Vinci. 50000$.
YES A BULLDOZER
THIS MOVIE IS REALLY PICKING UP GUYS
THOSE ARE MY CRYSTALS >:O
LOOK OUT TV CREW
DON'T WORRY KIDS THIS GUY IS FINE
This is one of the few outright aggressive things Mi does in the movie, really. And I don't think she wanted to really hurt anyone, just stop the bulldozer. THE UNKNOWN HEAR HER CALL AND JUST REACT, THEY CAN'T CONTROL IT
LET'S BLAME THE POKEMON
IT'S NOT LIKE IT CAN DEFEND ITSELF IN COURT
GASP
I like how no one is angry or even remotely threatened or upset about her message either. Just OH THANK GOD SHE'S OKAY
ASH'S MOM GOT KIDNAPPED BY ENTEI
MI SUDDENLY HAS A MOM
I JUST DON'T SEE A CONNECTION!!
Ash is, for once, apparently a bit quicker on the uptake.
Meanwhile, Entei runs around the castle and wiggles around with Mi on his back and it's all adorable.
I like things. :)
I JUST GOTTA DANCE
And he said Takeshi here but I missed it. OBLIGATORY MOMENT WHERE ASH CRIES/NEARLY CRIES ABOUT HIS FRIENDS, CHECK
REMEMBER WHEN POKEGEARS WERE THE BIG COOL THING
AH, THAT WAS A LONG TIME AGO
What is Prof. Oak going to beat Ash with a belt if he finds out or something
IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING
OH TEAM ROCKET
WOULD YOU LIKE THIS BEACH BALL
wump
WE'VE BARELY BEEN IN THE MOVIE
Team Rocket you live in your own little wonderful world
Ash's Noctowl's had enough of this, it's outta here
PLEASE
SOME EXCUSE
ASHMOM IS BROUGHT BACK TO HERSELF BY HER SON DOING STUPID DANGEROUS THINGS
it's surprising this didn't happen sooner, considering
Haha nothing nothing don't eat me Entei please
I was chatting with Funkmeister when doing this, and I was like MAN SHOULD I REPHRASE THIS LINE
NO KEEP IT IT'S BETTER THAT WAY
so here it is in its unaltered form JUST FOR YOU
Ashmom is weirded oooout
I'M GOING TO KILL YOU ASH
hahahaha
YOU'RE NOT MY DAD PROF OAK
I DON'T HAVE TO LISTEN TO YOU
Although I like that approach. WELL WHATEVER TOO LATE NOW, JUST GO FOR IT
Mi likes flowers and sparkly things OR IS THERE SOME DEEPER MOTIVATION HERE
Anyway there's some sequence when they have to get into the castle, yadda yadda but just think it's neat that everytime someone blows a hole in the walls or something, it grows back in a flower shape.
SPLOOSH
I didn't catch Brock falling out, unfortunately.
These shots are because I think Brock looks adorable all wet with his hair down. DON'T MIND ME
MI LIKES PINK FLOATING BALLS
THEY ARE HER FAVORITE THING
WOW THAT'S WEIRD well whatever let's go
It's kind of pretty, really. MI LIKES NATURE
AND PINK SKIES
JAMES FALLS FACEFIRST ON THE FLOOR FOR YOUR AMUSEMENT
Oh Team Rocket.
You're so supportive, Entei.
Entei walks through the floor WHEEEEEEEE
Meanwhile an Illusion Mi forms on Entei's back. MULTITASKING!
WITH THE SUPPORT OF MY LOVED ONES I CAN DO ANYTHING!
It's sort of a nice message, really.
MI HAS EVOLVED INTO
TRAINER MI
This is a kind of a weird detail, but that strange billowing cloud thing on Entei's back is constantly in motion. I thought maybe it was supposed to be wind or something, but no, apparently it just moves like that on its own power. You can see it moving here while Mi is sitting on it, and it shifts her skirt around. IT JUST DRAWS MORE ATTENTION TO HOW BIZARRE ENTEI'S DESIGN IS
LOTS OF THEM
ALL THE TIME
Brock's got this, guys.
SHE'S RIGHT BEHIND YOU AS WE SPEAK
BROCK STEPS UP TO DO SOMETHING USEFUL IN A MOVIE FOR ONCE
Ash protests but Brock will hear none of it.
Ash and Misty book it.
I just like Brock, shut up.
FLAAFY AAAA I LOVE FLAAFY
OH NO SUPERSONIC
I really wish you could just go DODGE in the game and have it work as often as it does in the anime. Which is all the time.
ZUBAT SUCKS
badumching
FLAAFY HUGS YAY
I think I may have mentioned this before, but I chose Pokemon Blue way back when because of Vulpix, since I like foxes. :B I STILL HAVE FONDNESS FOR VULPIX AND NINETALES TO THIS DAY
Himeguma, in straight Japanese, guma being the word for bear. This was how it was translated in my VHS, which struck me as odd because it's only halfway - either make it Princessbear or Himeguma, but Himebear is like a weird mix of english and japanese. :O
WELL WHATEVER, IT'S A TEDDIURSA LET'S GO
JUST GOT SERVED, VULPIX
I originally had many more caps of Vulpix, but I cut most of them for space.
I WONDER WHY THAT IS, BROCK
These screenshots are included to catalogue James looking effeminate.
TEAM ROCKET NEVER GIVES UP
Everyone's so polite in the Pokemon world, as opposed to the U SUK FAG sort of discourse common among competitive games online.
OH BROCK
he actually says nice smile in english, haha
I don't like Phanpy or Donphan. THERE I SAID IT
OMG HAX
I keep wanting to bust out game mechanics here but must resist
(it would have to hit it like three times at least to build up the damage and NO STOP IT)
MEANWHILE, UPSTAIRS WITH MI'S REAL BODY
Which is impressive, since it doesn't seem to have words.
I can relate to this, since when I was very little I often tried to give things to people to show them I cared about them. I'm not being sarcastic, I did that a lot. I even tried to give away things that weren't even technically mine to give away. EVENTUALLY MOM BROKE ME OF THE HABIT
i think
Ashmom isn't upset about being kidnapped or nothing, it's cool
OH MI, THIS ISN'T GOING TO WORK OUT FOR YOU
That sun is going to murder me.
It seems to be perpetually sunset in Mi's world.
WILD MI APPEARS
Dead! DEAD!
Ash gets all indignant on Brock's behalf here, aww.
Woah, I didn't know Misty had a last name. WHAT DO YOU KNOW
IT'S NOT A RULE THAT I THINK IS VERY STRICTLY ENFORCED IN THE POKEMON WORLD
TRAINER MI
EVOLVES INTO
GYM LEADER MI
You know it bugs me that it's presented as Brock=breeder Misty=gym leader since Brock was also a gym leader
and actually was a gym leader for a good amount of time no less, as opposed to Misty who was almost a gym leader
but eh details
Everytime this tsunami comes up I get all nervous.
Ash and Pikachu desperately try to outrun it AND FAIL
blubblub
BUT IT'S OKAY YOU CAN BREATHE UNDERWATER IN DREAM WORLD
Misty does say "my steady" pretty clearly in English here, which is a bit confusing. I don't know if she's always referred to her Goldeen that way or what, but it was still a bit jarring. I GUESS MISTY REALLY LIKES HER GOLDEEN??
what
Some of the attacks on my VHS weren't translated completely, so I tried to fill in the gaps. In retrospect, this is probably Fury Attack. OH WELL.
GOLDEEN FALLS
Pokemon battles are so supportive.
DON'T LET ANYTHING KEEP YOU DOWN, TEAM ROCKET
Mantine has the goofiest voice in Japanese. MAYBE IN ENGLISH TOO I DUNNO BUT MAN
in japanese it's this kind of deep yodeling LAAAAAAA sound and it's hilarious
Although thankfully this is not as annoying as it was in Red/Blue. TOXIC/WRAP ::shakes fist::
I can't remember if this was an actual GS move or not and I couldn't think of a move offhand that this corresponded to, SO WHATEVER
Rapid Spin maybe?
WHATCHA THINK OF THAT EH
WUSS
Staryu and Mantine have a dance
Entei's such a nice guy. Although I guess if he's the manifestation of what Mi wants her father to be that'd follow.
(Unless her desire for a father just birthed him initially, and now he's a sentient creature capable of his own decisions/opinions/feelings? BLAH BLAH BLAH)
Meanwhile Ash finally makes it to the top of the tower.
Ashmom laughs. IT'S TRUE YOU ARE PRETTY DUMB ASH :D
wait what honey that doesn't
alright whatever
ASHMOM AIN'T SUGARCOATING THE TRUTH FOR YOU, MI
I like that even though this is all ostensibly Mi's fault, no one blames her for it and Ash here is even trying to be friendly. HE KNEW MI FROM BEFORE, SHE'S A GOOD KID
SHE'S JUST IN OVER HER HEAD
Unknowns: AAA AAAAAAAA AAA WHAT'S HAPPENING AAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
I can understand Mi being upset, considering she's what, six? AND lost both her parents in probably a fairly short time period to forces largely out of her control, only to get them back again for a few blissful hours, then abruptly get faced with the possibility of losing them again. I FOR ONE WOULD BE A BIT EMOTIONAL
And the flower outside Mi's crystal castle starts to close in. :o
CONTINUED!