Thread: Charizard's return to the Anime. For or Against?

On the one hand, I agree with what Moe said about Satoshi needing a strong-looking pokemon to go up against the likes of Reshiram.

On the other hand...this really does feel like shameless pandering to me. I would much rather see them bring back a pokemon that would actually benefit from being in the new arc, the way Gomazou did in Battle Frontier, than to see a camera hog like Lizardon again. Fukamaru (who can evolve twice!) or one of his Jouto starters (who desperately need the screentime) may not be as much as a nostalgia trip as Lizardon it, but at least their inclusion wouldn't feel like just straight-up fanservice to me.

Im all for it because not only just Charizard get some good battles when hes around but it sets a precedent for more of Ash's pokemon to help out in new regions so we can see them again.

I don't like Charizard's design at all, so to me makes no difference if its brought back or not. If they do, hope the animators make Ash battle against another tough Pokemon, at least make the episode enjoyable.

Right now, I'm okay with it. Charizard, while overused compared to Ash's other older Pokemon, it's still pretty cool and does give Ash a Pokemon that looks tough enough to go up against a legendary Pokemon. Plus, I'm kind of curious as to where they'll go with Charizard in this arc.

The last time we saw Charizard, he got his butt kicked by Brandon's Dusclops because Ash made a bonehead move. He needs to come back and win something. His final appearance shouldn't be a low note.

I surely like Charizard to return

I mean, Charizard is considered Ash's badass Pokemon. It makes sense to return every now and then.
I'm sure that we will get some development together with Dragonite, and i REALLY REALLY hope that he does really battle Reshiram.
Though that lowers the possibillities of ash teaming up with Zekrom...

Originally Posted by dino97

Though that lowers the possibillities of ash teaming up with Zekrom...

I don't see why he would, anyway. That's what Movie 14 was for.

i personally i would love to see Ash's Charizard make a comeback mainly because Ash had that Charizard during my childhood watching the anime and i would love to relive those memories... even if only for an episode

Originally Posted by Dogasu

On the other hand...this really does feel like shameless pandering to me. I would much rather see them bring back a pokemon that would actually benefit from being in the new arc, the way Gomazou did in Battle Frontier, than to see a camera hog like Lizardon again. Fukamaru (who can evolve twice!) or one of his Jouto starters (who desperately need the screentime) may not be as much as a nostalgia trip as Lizardon it, but at least their inclusion wouldn't feel like just straight-up fanservice to me.

You mean fanservice to older fans? Because I doubt any of the kids have seen him before, except maybe on reruns.

Originally Posted by DracoMan

His final appearance shouldn't be a low note.

Final appearance? For all we know, 50 years from now, during generation XXV, our grandkids might ask "Who's that orange lizard?" It just keeps reappearing.

I don't mind Charizard's reinclusion that much, but their were better candidates. Considering how Ash becomes indignant on the topic of abandoning Pokemon, his own treatment of Pokemon such as Primeape and Pidgeot suggests hypocrisy. Even Pokemon that are with him such as Muk, Kingler etc. get no attention.

Originally Posted by The One and Only RA

Originally Posted by DracoMan

His final appearance shouldn't be a low note.

Final appearance? For all we know, 50 years from now, during generation XXV, our grandkids might ask "Who's that orange lizard?" It just keeps reappearing.

I don't mind Charizard's reinclusion that much, but their were better candidates. Considering how Ash becomes indignant on the topic of abandoning Pokemon, his own treatment of Pokemon such as Primeape and Pidgeot suggests hypocrisy. Even Pokemon that are with him such as Muk, Kingler etc. get no attention.

Especially when he promised Pidgeot to come back and get it after the orange league.

I love Charizard's, Favorite pokemon, always has been always will. Im all for Charizard coming back and making an appearance, no matter how short, but like one or two have stated earlier on, he will help give Ash an appearance showing he is more then just a rookie trainer even though ever Gen anime series when he starts over they make him seem like he lost all the knowledge of battling what not. Charizard will help show what kind of a trainer Ash is and what he has done in the past. Of course i would love to see some of the classics come back like Snorlax, Kingler (especially Kingler) and others but if i remember correctly, Charizard was the only Pokemon that didnt make an appearance when Ash combined his olded Pokemon with those from Sinnoh so i think its time for him to come back.

But i would love for Ash to complete his Promise and go get Pidgeot back, i miss that big bird sooo much!!!

I'm also happy about Charizard's return to the show. Maybe the writers will finally decide to showcase Blast Burn since it's the only "Elemental Hyper Beam" that hasn't made an appearance and has it really been six and a bit years since we last saw Charizard? I'm getting old. Charizard looked awesome in the current opening and ending sequence. I felt that Charizard looked "off model" during Season 9 when they shifted to the art and animation style used in Diamond and Pearl.

I'm looking forward to how the writers will deal with Charizard such as how and why its returning, the "why" factor probably won't be much of a feature since the show isn't heavily based on continuity and also how long it will stay. Magazine scans and merchandise seem to suggest that it will also get a role in Movie 16 which will possibly make Charizard the only one of Ash's "recurring" Pokémon (not counting the Unova reserves) to have two major movie roles, the first being Pokémon Movie 3.

I would take a guess and say that Charizard might stay until the season finale where it might take Ash back to Pallet Town either before staying at Oak's for all eternity or head back to the Charicific Valley. This obviously will depend on when it will return and what the writers are doing with it though after this long, I take it that Charizard is 15th Anniversary related fan service.

Originally Posted by SatoshiKun

You mean fanservice to older fans?

That's obviously what I meant, yes.

Eh, I'm fine with it. BW has been such a disappointment that at this point I don't care for the plot or character development of Satoshi's current Pokémon. I'd rather get fanservice, as overused as Satoshi's Lizardon is, I still love him.