Reviews

Pokemon Adventures: Volume 2: Legendary Pokemon by Hidenori Kusaka, Mato

sbright421's review against another edition

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5.0

An absolute treat to read, and a total throwback to my childhood! This is a manga, so it reads right to left and is easy to breeze through because there really aren't that many words on each page. The art is absolutely incredible, and the storyline was easy enough to pick up on even if I skipped the first volume because the library didn't have it.

I loved the slight differences between what happens in the video game or what I remember from the TV show when I watched it forever ago to what happens in the manga. Instead of Ash Ketchum and Gary being the centers of attention, Red is the main protagonist of the series and Blue is Professor Oak's grandson. I knew that Bill was just a scientist you had to see when you got to Cerulean City, but in this book he's a college professor (I think?) with a Texas/Southern accent. Brock, Misty, Erica and Blane (who in the books I guess is the fourth gym leader instead of the seventh one?) are the "good" gym leaders, while Lt. Surge, Koga and Sabrina are apart of Team Rocket. The Elite Four is the second evil organization in the Kanto region, and this collection of stories details their (Bruno, Agatha, Lorelei and Lance) struggle to try and capture Red's Pikachu (who is nicknamed Pika) after Bruno and Lorelei froze Red during a battle at Mt. Moon.

Again, this was such a fun reading experience that is kind of out of my usual reading habits. I'm so excited to get the third volume and continue the adventure because this was so good. The art is absolutely incredible, and the battles in particular are written almost like a battle would be in one of the video games with the Pokemon being used having moves that I recognized.

mehsi's review against another edition

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5.0

"To train them is my cause, I will travel across the land, Searching far and wide."

The second volume this time with more excitement and Team Rocket! After loving the first volume (which wasn't that big of a surprise) I just had to continue reading this series.

Red's journey is continuing, this time with new encounters, more Team Rocket, new (well not new to me, but new to Red) places to visit, and much more. I do have to say that I was getting a bit tired of Team Rocket, I would rather see some more of Red's adventures and him capturing more pokemon and befriending them.

As soon as we heard that Squirtle was stolen/got taken, I knew instantly who we would meet. And indeed, it is the girl that Red already encountered before (and who swindled him of 6000 pocket money). Her name is, how could it not be, Green. Yep. I have to say that I didn't like the girl AT ALL. She was rude, she didn't get the hint, she kept getting into trouble, she stole everything left and right, and several other things. Sure, it seems she has her good side as well, but still I didn't like that she was around so much.

The Safari Zone? I did think it was terrible rude of Red what he did there. Sorry, but you clearly are told NO, and yet you do all that crap? Should I feel sorry for you now? Because I am not. I was mostly just cheering on the pokemon. Yes, eat him! Yes, get to him! But of course, you can guess how it all ends. I do have to say I had a laugh at the ending, especially the looks of those guys from the Safari Zone, they probably hadn't expected THAT to happen. And poor Pikachu, all worried about his owner. Pikachu, you don't need to worry. This is Red we are talking about, he has the magical protagonist magic protecting him.

We also meet Mew and MewTwo (or well that one is still under construction). And there are also other big pokemon we are meeting. Like Moltres, Articuno. I was definitely happy to see those guys again, they are just so pretty and nice. Just a shame that Team Rocket is hunting them. Poor things.

Red also makes new friends along the way, new pokemon, and of course has gym battles, because he still wants to be the very best there is. And he also needs to find a new machine, Surf because he needs to be able to go an island that is only reached by surf (or one can just swim, but good luck then).

We also meet with Giovanni. *shivers*The dude is just as creepy as he always is. I hope Red will be ready when he has to battle Giovanni, it sure will be a tough battle.

I had a big laugh when Blue and Red bumped into each other and their pokeballs got mixed up. I loved how Red tried to find his pokemon and also tried to befriend Blue's pokemon. On the other hand we have Blue who doesn't give a dip about friendship or finding his pokemon and just trains Red's pokemon while waiting for Red.

And as I said, we have tons and tons and tons of Team Rocket being Team Rocket. They have some very evil plans, and it is no wonder that people (and pokemon) are afraid of them.

The cliffhanger at the end? Oh boy, even more reason for me to just continue reading. I want to know how Red and Blue will team up to get things fixed.

The translation was pretty decent, but it felt very Americanised at points. Which is a bit of a shame.

The art was still pretty great, only the perspectives and how the characters looked (tall/short/etc.) was a bit wobbly. The pokemon are still very cute and pretty, I love how the artist drew the legendaries.

All in all, I would recommend this volume as well. It was definitely fun to read.

Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/

smallish_bear's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

killedshini's review against another edition

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4.0

It can be too hardcore, e. g. with Pokémon dying, while also being a bit too childish in its storytelling. But otherwise, it is a nice story, well paced, bringing the world of Pokémon to live without fillers and other flaws of the anime.

revraimi's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

angeldawn's review against another edition

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adventurous fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

annaseegers's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

bologne's review against another edition

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adventurous lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

willuku's review against another edition

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adventurous fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

the_gob's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

For Pokémon fans this continues Red's adventure to become a Pokémon master. This excellent second volume is full of action and great Pokémon, with villains and obstacles to overcome the story is really building up.