Pocket Monsters Special

I rated this manga a 9 for enjoyment, but that holds true only if you've played the Pokémon games. The manga closely follows the game's plot while offering a fresh perspective. Unlike in other adaptations, trainers here don't use their Pokémon recklessly; instead, they employ strategic traps. This approach elevates the manga above the Pokémon anime significantly.

Beyond that, the manga is fairly standard. It doesn’t boast exceptional graphics or an outstanding story. Everything about it is simple and satisfactory. No more, no less.

I missed waking up at 7 am every morning to watch Pokemon on CheeseTV, something I did a decade ago. Just a few days back, I discovered that there are some manga offering alternative stories within the Pokemon universe. In just three days of starting to read, I've already gone through 90 chapters. It's safe to say, I couldn't stop reading. The last time I was this engrossed was with the first Harry Potter book - haha.

This manga is based on the Pokemon game series [if you check the character list above]. That’s why there's a "Red" ready for you to name your character, and an absent-minded Prof. Oak who might let you name his grandson 'Blue'. It even explains the origins of Surfing Pikachu, which if you ever pondered over it... doesn’t quite make sense otherwise.

The animation differs from the manga but not drastically. You'll recognize some familiar faces, albeit in the context of the games.

If you recall the charming childish appeal of Pokemon that sparked a global craze in the late 90s, the emotional struggles of values often forgotten in adulthood, and the epic battles showcased in Pokemon movies, this manga will have you reliving all of it.

Like any good story with an alternate universe and battle sequences, this Manga impressively ties everything together with surprising complexity - though it could also be criticized as "improvisation," much like Code Geass was. The art style is cute and fitting to the nature of the manga, and while the characters are rather simple, they're not annoyingly so.

Although this may seem overly positive, really... I can't help but think this manga is incredibly underrated. It's not a witty romantic supernatural action ecchi comedy, I admit - but that's what I appreciate about it.

I can't find much fault with it. It is a kid fantasy story, perhaps not as engaging for someone my age [ecchi, comedy, action, psychological, drama, slice of life]. So the only issue I have is... I'm getting too old to enjoy this stuff anymore. Haha

Pokemon Adventures is an essential read for anyone who spent their childhood immersed in the Pokemon games and anime. Just like these beloved mediums, it captures the exhilaration of discovery and the magic of wonder that we often lose touch with as adults. From the very first page, you're greeted by familiar faces such as Red and Professor Oak, alongside fresh characters like Green and Silver, who bring unexpected depth to the story. The narrative is neatly divided into arcs, giving readers the flexibility to skip over parts like the Red/Blue or Gold/Silver sections if they prefer. The artwork is undeniably impressive, and the layout of the panels consistently meets high standards. However, one minor drawback is that characters frequently find themselves in overly convenient scenarios, which can make some events feel somewhat unbelievable. But then again, this is a shounen manga, so such plot devices are par for the course.

Many of us grew up watching and playing Pokémon. As we matured, some of us moved away from our childhood interests and embraced the real world, but others couldn't quite let go of certain things... and one of those is Pokémon.

This manga doesn't follow the events of the anime; instead, it adheres closely to the games. Unfortunately, this manga often gets overshadowed by the popularity of the anime, so not many people are aware of its existence. However, in my opinion, it's much better. While the anime caters to children, the manga, although also aimed at a younger audience, tells a more engaging story.

The manga follows the storyline presented in the games but adds its own twists, making it even more thrilling. You'll find yourself saying, "Wow, I wish that was in the game." The characters are fantastic too. Although their appearances are based on the game characters, their personalities are well-developed and captivating.

If you're a fan of Pokémon, I STRONGLY recommend this manga. Each arc takes you on a new adventure with fresh characters in different worlds. Happy reading!

I still vividly recall spending my weekends at the library, just to immerse myself further into this captivating story. It fascinated me as a child, and I can't deny that it played a significant role in shaping who I was back then. During my Pokémon phase, these books were my constant source of entertainment.

This manga is an absolute joy, particularly the parts featuring Red and Yellow. My review is undoubtedly colored by nostalgia, but even today, I continue to find immense pleasure in these books. The adventure and witnessing the characters' growth make the experience all the more thrilling.

The Pokémon franchise has recently stirred up controversy as the dreams of childhood collide with harsh reality. However, this manga stays true to my original fantasies about what Pokémon could be like.

The initial chapters take familiar characters and elevate them into ICONS. The story is dark but in a digestible and believable manner. It's my cherished guilty pleasure that I refuse to let go of, even as I mature.

Gender roles are non-existent here (quite impressively so for the 1990s), and it's evident that the authors share our love for Pokémon. Although I'm currently finishing the DP/P arc, the characters continue to bring joy, even if some of the early charm has faded. I adore this manga! Please give it a read.

Pokémon Special, where have you been all my life?

We all know that the Pokémon franchise is one of the greatest things to happen to Earth. Everything about it is so amazing and lovable. The games are some of the greatest, the Pokémon themselves are adorable, and the fan-base and merchandise are among the best there is. There is only one thing that cripples the franchise: the anime.

Many, but not all, people have problems with the anime. For one, it is not serious enough and is too childish. They could've made a super intense anime where the characters are totally serious and the battles are incredible. But they didn't. They made something on par with Dora the Explorer in terms of childishness.

However, Pokémon Special solves all of these problems. The whole thing is based off of the games and it explains so much that was left unanswered. The Pokémon battles are more intense, and the main character, Red, is not a childish twerp like Ash Ketchum. Anyone who loves Pokémon will have the greatest time of their life reading this.

STORY:

The story is broken up into sagas, just like the anime. All of the sagas are based off of the games almost exactly. It bends your perception of Pokémon and sometimes does some things unrealistic, but that only makes it better. It also explains the history of the Pokémon world and describes everything behind the games and what happened before them.

One of my personal favorite things about this manga is how all Pokémon are practically equal. For example, an enemy Gengar would appear and the main characters would be cautious, seeing how Gengar is a strong Pokémon, but then they would run into a Gastly and be just as cautious. The way the manga treats Pokémon is incredible, and the battles are so much better too.

ART:

The art isn't anything special. All characters are chibi, but that is probably because the whole manga is based off of the games. Nothing good, but nothing bad.

CHARACTER:

The characters really make this manga amazing. Every time there is a new saga, new characters appear appropriate to the corresponding game. For example: During the Red/Blue saga, the main character is Red. He is also the avatar in the Pokémon Red/Blue video games. But once that saga ends, the main character becomes Gold, who is also the male avatar in the Gold/Silver video games. It also has 649+ Pokémon for characters, which is always amazing.

ENJOYMENT:

If you are not a Pokémon fan prior to reading the manga, you probably won't like it. That being said, if you are a fan, this will be the greatest read ever, as nostalgia and happiness will pour out of the pages. If you played the games and dislike the anime, this will be the perfect thing for you. Afterwards, I guarantee you will be wondering why the anime isn't based off the manga.

This is my first review on MAL, even though I don't use it often. I truly enjoy this manga not just because it's excellent but also as the best adaptation of the Pokémon universe. Let’s dive into the review!

Story: Hidenori Kusaka has done a fantastic job with the narrative. The story captures the essence of the Pokémon universe perfectly, making it feel darker and somewhat more "realistic." It's packed with action and intense moments, adding intriguing elements beyond just catching Pokémon and battling gyms. However, the story isn't my favorite part.

Characters: The characters are undoubtedly the highlight! Especially in the 180 chapters covering the Red, Blue, Green, Yellow, Silver, and Gold arcs, they are well-developed and far from being one-dimensional. The antagonists genuinely pose threats, and the character designs are stunning.

Art: Speaking of stunning, the art is beautiful! The style is captivating, with Pokémon and characters looking great. The action sequences are drawn meticulously and detailed, ensuring clarity in every scene.

The story is very good, the art is great, and the characters are superb. The enjoyment I derived from this manga was exceptional.

Story: 8/10
Art: 9/10
Characters: 9/10
Enjoyment: 10/10

This ranks among my all-time favorite manga, right alongside One Piece and Fullmetal Alchemist. I can't recommend it enough. It’s the best representation of the Pokémon universe and its characters, likely the only adaptation that strives to be great rather than a quick cash grab. But, of course, that's just my opinion.

Overall: 9/10 with the recommendation to "Buy the sh*t out of it."