This filler season had a lot of firsts for the franchise: first double battle, first league structure shakeup, first tropical island setting, first 6v6 battle, first REAL refereed match (did not know that, would make an awesome trivia fact post!) and Ash's first league championship. And I may be wrong, but the battle with Drake may be the first time we see one of those panned-out, arena-consuming attack/explosion shots,. Wish the anime staff treated it with more respect, along with his Battle Frontier Championship. I would love a video talking about the league structure and the confusion around Drake and the championship. It's always confused me but Bulbapedia is a valuable resource for that. The anime still wasn't a refined formula at that time, so there was still a lot of experimentation. I have a theory that the staff was not sure if they would introduce Lance later on, so Drake was supposed to be Lance before the staff decided against it. Or maybe that this was supposed to be Lance before the next gen plans came out and they decided to save Lance for later.
I agree about ash vs drake. I really loved that battle as a kid. I also consider ash winning the orange league as one of ash greatest wins. I cant give a ranking about all the orange challenge, because most of them are forgettable for me😅.
@@EliteTrainerMark i can kinda remember that, but when did watch the orange island arc on tv i was around 8 years old. Im now 23 years old😅. I should really rewatch all those challenges one day
Now all that's left for ETM to rank are the Battle Frontier Battles and the Alola Island Challenge Battles. To be fair, all of the challenges in the Orange Islands had many firsts: First Double Battle, First 6 VS 6 Battle, Best 2 out of 3 Battle, etc...
Ash Vs Drake is clearly number one as that battle was so epic!!! Loved every moment of it!! Ash Vs Rudy deserves to be #2 simply for giving us Electabuzz’s ridiculous voice!🤣🤣
For the Orange League, its important to remember they had not realized that Pokémon had become as big an international success as it did. Gen 2 was originally suppose to be the last generation. That uncertainty plays a large part this season. So originally this was also suppose to be the last season. This was a redemption for the Indigo league where Ash largely lucked into badges. Here, he earned each one and each were their own unique challenge. Double battles which required teamwork. Same Type. Speed precision and quick-thinking. As well as, endurance resolve and coordination. Originally, it was going to be a tournament with Drake as the stand in for Lance/Gary as the champion, but by that point; they had realized what a huge hit Pokémon was. Both the game and the anime. So they wrapped it up quick, brought back Brock since people liked him and didn't find him offensive, which he then stayed on till Gen 5, and headed to Johto.
I actually love this Orange Islands saga. I genuinely wish that it is also featured in the games despite just being a filler. Somehow I felt this to be like challenging the elite four and the rival in the games. 4 gym leaders and an ultimate champion to beat. The concept of special contests is also interesting IMO, instead of just the usual pokemon battles that Ash mostly loses the first time in his Kanto adventures.
You should still do the Kahunas, IMO, even if it's shorter. As far as Journeys, uh...well I am not sure what to say about that one. I guess all official ranking battles we get to see start to finish. If it's fluff it goes straight to the bottom.
It was really interesting to see an official Double Battle in Generation I, two generations before the concept was even introduced in the games, so even Game Freak hadn't gotten a chance to even start implementing it into the games at this point. Cissy's Gym challenge, in retrospect, brings to mind the trials of Alola, in a way. I'm pretty sure these people were only called Gym Leaders because the creative team couldn't imagine giving a boss character another title at the time. One reviewer I follow heavily criticized the qualifying round on Danny's challenge, and I can definitely see their points. How's there any sense having a *Pokémon Gym* challenge involve a test that *forbids* you from using Pokémon? And what about Trainers who physically can't climb mountains for one reason or another? This Gym would be literally impossible to even access for them. Rudy's challenge was interesting, even if my adult self is finding it hard to find believability in Pokémon who resist each other's types having a serious battle. Also, Squirtle's win was a Deus ex Machina, but Ash really didn't have any other realistic way of winning at that point. Drake himself is a flat character, but the battle itself is enjoyable. Dragonite's defeat was also built up in a believable way, with Ash wearing it down with multiple opponents, so that Pikachu could finish it off. Also, the hyping that Dragonite gets seems a bit overdramatic from the modern perspective, especially when Ash eventually ended up getting one of his own.
One day when I actually do a review of this season I definitely want to go through each of these in depth. For a ranking video I just tried to keep things moving and not stop down to really analyze the logistics lol, but yeah the Navel Island Gym makes no sense like you said, and I'd say the same goes for Cissy's Gym because if you don't have a Pokémon that knows Water Gun, then you can't even challenge the Gym haha. I agree that Drake himself was one dimensional, which is kind of forgivable since he's just meant to be a final boss who appears in two episodes and never again. The Dragonite using 10 moves bit is funny, but I do think the show did a good job of building it up as a threat. It wasn't like this unbeatable god, but back in this era it was still treated like an almost Legendary, so I think the hype back then was justified. You are correct though that now it doesn't really stand out as much. What's especially funny to me is how Pikachu was able to defeat this unbeatable Dragonite only to lose to Gary's Eevee 4 episodes later
I always loved how the Orange Islands characters are such a weird vibe. Like they all look so generic and that they don’t belong in Pokémon (except maybe Drake) haha
I feel the exact same way about them not feeling like Pokémon characters lol. I think it was the anime trying to make characters look "American" in 1999 or whenever it was, like there's no way the character design for Danny was anything other than "just make a good looking American boy."
Which is your favorite Orange League Gym Battle?
The entire orange league felt like an apology for how the Kanto league went
Ash vs Drake was the big battle his Kanto team needed
so much nostalgia for this season, even if the "battles" weren't that good
This filler season had a lot of firsts for the franchise: first double battle, first league structure shakeup, first tropical island setting, first 6v6 battle, first REAL refereed match (did not know that, would make an awesome trivia fact post!) and Ash's first league championship. And I may be wrong, but the battle with Drake may be the first time we see one of those panned-out, arena-consuming attack/explosion shots,. Wish the anime staff treated it with more respect, along with his Battle Frontier Championship.
I would love a video talking about the league structure and the confusion around Drake and the championship. It's always confused me but Bulbapedia is a valuable resource for that. The anime still wasn't a refined formula at that time, so there was still a lot of experimentation. I have a theory that the staff was not sure if they would introduce Lance later on, so Drake was supposed to be Lance before the staff decided against it. Or maybe that this was supposed to be Lance before the next gen plans came out and they decided to save Lance for later.
I'm actually surprised I've never done the referee fact before... add it to the list!!🤣
I agree about ash vs drake. I really loved that battle as a kid. I also consider ash winning the orange league as one of ash greatest wins. I cant give a ranking about all the orange challenge, because most of them are forgettable for me😅.
How could you forget the epic sledding race between Ash and (checks notes) Danny?
@@EliteTrainerMark i can kinda remember that, but when did watch the orange island arc on tv i was around 8 years old. Im now 23 years old😅. I should really rewatch all those challenges one day
Now all that's left for ETM to rank are the Battle Frontier Battles and the Alola Island Challenge Battles. To be fair, all of the challenges in the Orange Islands had many firsts: First Double Battle, First 6 VS 6 Battle, Best 2 out of 3 Battle, etc...
Time to get to work on those other ranking videos!!!
@@EliteTrainerMark alola first
Ash Vs Drake is clearly number one as that battle was so epic!!! Loved every moment of it!! Ash Vs Rudy deserves to be #2 simply for giving us Electabuzz’s ridiculous voice!🤣🤣
I rewatched the episodes to help with this video and I have no recollection of Electabuzz's voice being weird😅 but I will take your word for it!!🤣
For the Orange League, its important to remember they had not realized that Pokémon had become as big an international success as it did. Gen 2 was originally suppose to be the last generation. That uncertainty plays a large part this season.
So originally this was also suppose to be the last season. This was a redemption for the Indigo league where Ash largely lucked into badges. Here, he earned each one and each were their own unique challenge. Double battles which required teamwork. Same Type. Speed precision and quick-thinking. As well as, endurance resolve and coordination. Originally, it was going to be a tournament with Drake as the stand in for Lance/Gary as the champion, but by that point; they had realized what a huge hit Pokémon was. Both the game and the anime. So they wrapped it up quick, brought back Brock since people liked him and didn't find him offensive, which he then stayed on till Gen 5, and headed to Johto.
I actually love this Orange Islands saga. I genuinely wish that it is also featured in the games despite just being a filler.
Somehow I felt this to be like challenging the elite four and the rival in the games. 4 gym leaders and an ultimate champion to beat. The concept of special contests is also interesting IMO, instead of just the usual pokemon battles that Ash mostly loses the first time in his Kanto adventures.
It feels weirdly fitting that the anime aired on april fools day
You should still do the Kahunas, IMO, even if it's shorter. As far as Journeys, uh...well I am not sure what to say about that one. I guess all official ranking battles we get to see start to finish. If it's fluff it goes straight to the bottom.
It was really interesting to see an official Double Battle in Generation I, two generations before the concept was even introduced in the games, so even Game Freak hadn't gotten a chance to even start implementing it into the games at this point.
Cissy's Gym challenge, in retrospect, brings to mind the trials of Alola, in a way. I'm pretty sure these people were only called Gym Leaders because the creative team couldn't imagine giving a boss character another title at the time.
One reviewer I follow heavily criticized the qualifying round on Danny's challenge, and I can definitely see their points. How's there any sense having a *Pokémon Gym* challenge involve a test that *forbids* you from using Pokémon? And what about Trainers who physically can't climb mountains for one reason or another? This Gym would be literally impossible to even access for them.
Rudy's challenge was interesting, even if my adult self is finding it hard to find believability in Pokémon who resist each other's types having a serious battle. Also, Squirtle's win was a Deus ex Machina, but Ash really didn't have any other realistic way of winning at that point.
Drake himself is a flat character, but the battle itself is enjoyable. Dragonite's defeat was also built up in a believable way, with Ash wearing it down with multiple opponents, so that Pikachu could finish it off. Also, the hyping that Dragonite gets seems a bit overdramatic from the modern perspective, especially when Ash eventually ended up getting one of his own.
One day when I actually do a review of this season I definitely want to go through each of these in depth. For a ranking video I just tried to keep things moving and not stop down to really analyze the logistics lol, but yeah the Navel Island Gym makes no sense like you said, and I'd say the same goes for Cissy's Gym because if you don't have a Pokémon that knows Water Gun, then you can't even challenge the Gym haha.
I agree that Drake himself was one dimensional, which is kind of forgivable since he's just meant to be a final boss who appears in two episodes and never again. The Dragonite using 10 moves bit is funny, but I do think the show did a good job of building it up as a threat. It wasn't like this unbeatable god, but back in this era it was still treated like an almost Legendary, so I think the hype back then was justified. You are correct though that now it doesn't really stand out as much. What's especially funny to me is how Pikachu was able to defeat this unbeatable Dragonite only to lose to Gary's Eevee 4 episodes later
Im sure after a year the battle frontier video is just on the horizon 😢
I still have it on a list! It'll happen one day
@EliteTrainerMark my 2 kids going to graduate college at this rate. They aren't even 4 yet lol 😆 either way, I will be waiting
Rudy and 1/4 of the Cererian Gym leader? Pewter City Gym represented nearby?
Orange island was basically the elite four in my opinion.
Who runs hyper beam on alakazam ? 😆
What if you dont have a large water type for 1? I guess you have to come back later 😅
my ranking:
5. Luana
4. Drake
3. Danny
2. Cissy
1. Rudy
Drake number 4?!?!?!? Controversial
Good video
And a great comment!
I always loved how the Orange Islands characters are such a weird vibe. Like they all look so generic and that they don’t belong in Pokémon (except maybe Drake) haha
I feel the exact same way about them not feeling like Pokémon characters lol. I think it was the anime trying to make characters look "American" in 1999 or whenever it was, like there's no way the character design for Danny was anything other than "just make a good looking American boy."
You should rank Alola grand trials next bro
That won't be my next video, but soon I will do that ranking
I always saw the end of the orange league to be more like the games where Ash got to battle the champion
Good video
and as per usual, a fantastic comment
Ah the orange islands. This brings back memories.
So much nostalgia for me while working on this video!!