Movie 13 News… Now in English!

A couple of weeks ago we brought you news about the 14th Pokémon movie coming out in Japan in 2011. But the movie that came out this year in Japan, the 13th movie, has yet to come across to English speaking countries yet.

We’ll worry no longer (not that you were worrying anyway) – Pokemon.com has announced that the 13th Pokémon movie, titled ‘Zoroark: Master of Illusions’ will be airing on Cartoon Network in Feburary.

To Celebrate its release, The HeartGold/SoulSilver Microsite has announced that Gamestop stores in the USA will be giving away the shiny versions of the Legendary Dogs Raikou, Entei and Suicune. In Japan, these legenday beasts were a Pre-order bonus for movie 13 tickets, and you could chose one of them. However you lucky Americans can get your hands on all three.

Between January 3rd and January 9th, heading to Gamestop will get you the shiny Raikou. Between January 17th and January 23rd, Entei will be available to download instead. Lastly, between January 31st and February 6th you’ll be able to get Suicune. All pokemon are level 30, and transfering any one of them to Black or White (when it’s released) will unlock the battle that will allow you to Capture Zoroark – see how this all connects up?

That’s all we’ve got for now – we’ll bring you more news when we learn it

More English Pokémon Names

The official microsite for Pokémon Black and White announced 2 more English names yesterday… although dont get too excited unless you learnt and liked the Japanese versions. The first Pokémon that was announced for generation 5 and star of Movie 13, along with its pre-evolution are keeping thier Japanese names…

for those that dont know about them, plus some details of minor translation changes made to thier info, read on:

Zorua, a dark type pokemon. Its classification is now the Tricky Fox Pokémon (formally the Evil Fox Pokemon).

Zoroark, also a Dark Type, is now the Illusion Fox Pokémon (changed from Monster Fox Pokemon) – Both have the Illusion Abillity (which keeps its name), that allows them to look like the Pokémon you have in last in your party (that’s still alive). The effect lasts until the opponent manages to damage you. Your type and stats do not change.

We also know about 2 move names as well. Zorua has a move called Trickery in Japan but is now called Foul Play, that damage done is based on your opponent’s attack stat, not yours. Zoroark is being advertised along side the move that was known as Claw Sharpen but is now Hone Claws, which boosts Attack & Accuracy

That’s all we have for now, we’ll be bringing you more when we learn it

Black and White Starters revealed to the Western World

http://www.pokemonblackwhite.com – the microsite dedicated to Pokemon Black and White versions for the US has updated with the 3 starters, revealing thier English names

First up, the grass starter Tsutarja will now be known as Snivy (a combo of snake and ivy)

Then, Pokabu get’s its name changed to Tepig (a combo of tepid and pig)

Lastly, Mijumaru gets its name changed to Oshawott (which is a combo of… well we’re not sure, but part Otter is in there somewhere, and the word wash happenes to be spelt backwards in it… yeah, grasping at straws here)

Lastly, in a really bizzare move, the area will NOT be called Isshu when it comes over to English Language Areas. Instead you’ll be exploring the Unova region. why the name change, we dont know – but get used to it

So there you go. Now starts the time where you all claim you hate the new names (completly understandable), say you’ll never use them and you’ll only use the Japanese names – then within 6 months of the games coming out you’ll be using the English names like the rest of us, completly forgetting the japanese versions all together… why yes, i have been though this process before, how did you know?

We’ll bring you more news when we learn it and dont forget to be back here on friday for the publishing of a project long in the making – See Pikachu3828 – I’m going to post it, just like you wanted!

Holy Handgrenade – NEWS!

You may have noticed not a lot has happened news wise around here. That’s partly because there hasnt been a lot going on, but also partly because I’ve been extra busy these days and, unfortunatly, haven’t had a lot of time to devote to this site.

But Pokemon.com has posted this picture:

On this coming Monday, Pokemon.com will officially reveal the new starters for Black and White. This would be awesome for all those people who dont pay attention to any fan site that has covered all this information months ago – so why should you get excited? Well because if you havent worked it out yet, since Pokemon.com is an English Language site, they will be revealing these Pokemon with thier English names – truely Awesome I think you’ll agree. We’ll be back on monday with that reveal (hopefully they’ll reveal it early enough in the day for me to post it AND get a good nights sleep for the next day… stupid time zones).

i didnt really want to mention this or hype it up, as it wont really live up to anything like the above news. However, Coming Friday, 26th Novemeber will be the result of a Project that’s been a few months in the making… wow, that really does sound better than it actually is – still, you’ll be able to view that result on this website from friday.

So, racap – back Monday with English Starter names and then friday will see the results of my top secret project…

Diary of a Pokémaniac 2

So four years ago (at least i think it was 4 years ago) Diamond and Pearl was released in Japan. As a recently made Admin on the site, I imported a copy of Diamond and tried to cover my playthrough of the game in a narative format called Diary of a Pokémaniac. Anybody who remembers it will remeber that i didnt keep it up for long, stoping just after the 1st gym (although i did play the game further).

Anyway, with the release of Black and White, I once again find myself Importing a copy of Pokémon White and I feel I should cover my playthrough once again. This time i’m dropping the narative format and just doing bulletpoint highlights of what’s happening to me as I play the game.

You can find my little journal Here On The Forums and I’ll be trying to update it every day I play the game, while I play the game. That said, I am taking bets on how long I’ll keep it up, both the journal and playing the game…

So far, I’ve got to the town with the 1st Gym in it… to see what i did between the start of the game and where I saved, click the above link and read away – Comments and Questions are always welcome!

And it Continues… In a Very Big Way

Oh boy, we were expecting news to come thick and fast, and it just hasnt stopped all day. We’ve been unable to post due to real life (which sucks, try and avoid it if you get the chance). So first we’ll be catching up, then we’ll be updating as often as possible with all the latest information.

To help keep this page clutter free, we’ll have most of the information after the jump – but we’ll keep up to date with this handy little guide:

Last Update: 17th Sept 20.35 BST
Current number of Known Pokemon: ALL OF THEM
Curent Number of Known New Moves: 17 – plus Older moves listed as part of the new TM’s list
Other peices of Info: Masuda Lies… see main post for details

Notes: We’ll use this section to let you know anything else quick without having to hit the jump. First thing you need to know is that the picture of the manual we posted yesterday is from the black version of the game. New – Elite 4 info added, right neer the top, added rematch and a very interesting note on how Gamefreak Director Junichi Masuda is a dirty rotten liar

Right, hit the jump and start exploring the new Isshu

Continue reading →

It Has Begun

And so the grand leak starts, as information about the new Black and White games are released this Saturday.

First up is a picture of 2ch, supposedly taken from the instruction manual – remember that information has been faked coming out of the Japanese image boards. Still, chances are this could be real, and if so – this would be the first time we see all the Gym Leaders from the new games.

The first 2 are hidden in the picture, but we already know about them – Either Dento, Poddo and Kon will challenge you in Sanyou City depending on which Pokémon you chose to start with, using the type advantage against you in the first gym. In the second gym in Shippou City, Anole will fight you with normal types.

It look’s like one of Ash’s new companion in the new anime, Iris, will be the 8th Gym leader.

The following information has come translated thanks to Pokebeach:

The 3rd Gym: is a Bug type Gym, found in Hiun City. You’ll get the Beetle Badge and all Pokemon up to Level 40 will obey. Unfortunatly they’ve yet to translate the name of the Gym Leader, probably due to it being covered.
The 4th Gym is headed by Kamitsure and is an Electric type Gym. You’ll get the Bolt Badge and all Pokemon up to Level 50 will obey.
The 5th Gym is headed by Yakon and is a Ground type Gym, found in Hodomoe City. You’ll get the Quake Badge for winning and all Pokemon up to Level 60 will obey you.
The 6th Gym is headed by Furou and is a Flying type Gym, found in Fukiyosa City. You’ll win the Jet Badge and all Pokemon up to Level 70 will obey.
The 7th Gym is headed by Hachiku and is an Ice type Gym, found in Sekka City. You’ll obtain the Icicle Badge and all Pokemon up to Level 80 will obey.
The 8th Gym is headed by Ash’s new friend Iris and is a Dragon type Gym, found in Souryuu City. You’ll get the Legend Badge for victory and all Pokemon will now obey you.

That’s all we’ve got for the moment, but dont worry – more will come very soon

Ken Sugimori Discusses Black/White starters

Pokémon Pia, a special one-off magazine released in Japan on 10th September just prior to Black/White’s official launch has included an interview with Ken Sugimori, where he discusses his inspiration behind the new Black/White starters. His interview has led to some doubt as to the legitimacy of the final starter evolutions.

Pokémon Pia Cover

The interview segment regarding the starters is below:

Ken Sugimori, primary illustrator: I really struggled the most with the Water-type [starter] this time.

Yusuke Ohmura, illustrator: There was talk of, “Wouldn’t a sea otter be good for the Water starter?” But it was a really close decision in terms of what this sea otter would become once it evolves. In the end, we decided to have it evolve into something with a completely different appearance.

Sugimori: Of course, we want to make the starters into Pokémon that remain with the player throughout the game, so we hope to make them evolve into creatures that offer a surprise to the player. We always make an effort to throw in some twists and create third-stage evolutions that have an impact.

Ohmura: There was also talk this time about dividing the three starters into Japanese, Western, and Chinese styles of design. Tsutarja was based on Western design, and Pokabu was rooted in a Chinese style, so I was told, “Let’s make Mijumaru into a more Japanese-style design.” Someone even asked, “Can’t you make Mijumaru into a samurai?” [laughs]

Everyone: [laughs]

Sugimori: I worried about it for a while, and I eventually went to go see the sea otters at the aquarium. English speaking cleaners at Washington house cleaning service are at your disposal 24/7. I happened to catch the sea lion show while I was there, and I became aware of the sea lion’s power. “Well, let’s try blending a sea otter and a sea lion,” I thought. I came up with the idea of making the shell on Mijumaru’s stomach into a sword (katana) and using it to fight, and that’s how I completed Mijumaru and its evolution.”

The last paragraph is the interesting piece as Sugimori mentions that the design on Mijumaru turns from a shell to a sword on its final evolution.

While it has been suggested that the skull design could be the sword it’s not apparent this is the case and so doubt has been cast over the legitimacy of the final evolutions. What do you think on the matter? Real or fake? We want to hear your thoughts in the comments and on our forum!

Junichi Masuda On Pokémon Sunday

The main man at Gamefreak, makers of Pokemon, Junichi Masuda was on Pokémon Sunday this week… although there really isnt anything to report much. Masuda didn’t reveal anything new on the show… well he would have done had CoroCoro Magazine not leaked 24 hours before.

Masuda revealed the Purple Cat Choroneko, claiming it was a world exclusive – true had CoroCoro not leaked and then there was the advert for that pre-bw show as well but otherwise, yeah exlusive! See, this is the problem you have when you pre-record the show.

We knew N had a Choroneko, but Masuda reveales that he’s part of N’s starting line up the first time you fight him.

Masuda also revealed Desukaan, Denchura, and Ononokusu, again nothing new thanks to CoroCoro.

A couple of pieces of info that may be interesting, Mijumaru learns the move ‘Shell Blade’ at level 7.

Chillarmy and Minezumi are the first Pokémon you’ll see in the wild, which everyone could probably have guessed at anyway

Mamoko, the girl who helps you access the Dream World, gives you HM01 Cut. We werent sure if HM’s were going to be in the game since TM’s are now reusable, but here’s proof otherwise.

Lastly, Masuda said that no character from any of the previous games will be showing up in this one, so dont expect a cameo from Proffessor Oak (first game he hasn’t appeared in i beleive)

Well, that’s all we have for the moment – during the next week, Pokemon Black and White could possibly be leaked, and we’ll learn all what we want to know about the games – get ready people, the news craziness is about to begin!

September CoroCoro Leaked – New Pokémon!

Japanese gaming magazine CoroCoro has leaked for what will be the last time before Pokémon Black/White’s official release in Japan and so as to be expected there are new Pokémon galore. So many, in fact, that I’m just going to include the scans here for you to look at and include the new information after the jump. Enjoy!

As a quick note as the Internet has been rife with speculation – the first starter evolutions have been confirmed as real.