Pokémon (Diamond and Pearl) Season 10 (2006)
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Pokémon (Diamond and Pearl) Season 10 Review
The tenth season of Pokémon is Diamond and Pearl and it’s actually a strong return to form for the entire show and a very good beginning of the new arc.
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“Tying with you is just as bad as losing“
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Yes, this is easily the best season of the show since the third season. That is not to say that it’s great as it has a variety of problems such as too much needless exposition (the Pokemon we knew before from previous generations are explained and shown again), too many filler episodes and not nearly enough fights.
But those are regular problems of the entire show and most appear in the second half of this season with the first half being quite strong. I liked some of the battles quite a bit and I loved the last three episodes which focused on team fights which was an interesting change in pace for the show.
The Fourth Generation is not the greatest as it has too many evolutions from previous generations and nowhere near enough of the new Pokemon. Some of the Sinnoh highlights include Chimchar and Piplup. Burmy is also pretty cool and Pachirisu is a lot of fun. However, the others are pretty boring with Starly and Turtwig both being very dull. Buizel is probably the highlight with his cool action scenes and move sets.
As for the characters, Ash and Brock are reliably strong here as is Pikachu. But of the new characters, Dawn is too similar to May though definitely very likable and I just loved how the two met in the first couple of episodes. As for Ash’s new rival Paul, he is similar to Gary, but definitely cool and interesting.
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Overall, this season stumbles in its second half, but it was pretty good in the first one. Sinnoh region has some pretty cool Pokemon and those stole the show, but some are also quite dull and overused. Dawn and Paul are interesting new additions to the team and the tournament once again was the highlight of the entire season. It is not as good as the first three seasons, but it is definitely the fourth best so far.
Worst Episodes: Ya See We Want an Evolution, Borrowing on Bad Faith, Faced with Steelix Determination, Cooking Up a Sweet Story and Oh Do You Know a Poffin Plan.
Best Episodes: Following a Maiden’s Voyage, Two Degrees of Separation, When Pokémon Worlds Collide, Tag! We’re It…, Glory Blaze and Smells Like Team Spirit.
