iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Golbat's the focus of this episode's "Dr. Ookido's Pokémon Lecture" segment. It seems the games' Pokémon Bestiary entries about it drinking blood was deemed too much for a kids' show, and so they changed it so that it "absorbs energy" instead.

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

The Satoshi puppet's doing the Japanese version of the beckoning sign, where the palm is facing down so that it sorta-kinda looks like he's waving goodbye, instead of facing up like in the U.S. and other countries.

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Ingredient list for the "Kasumi-chan Special": Salt Sugar Ketchup Mayonnaise Soy Sauce Some other type of sauce A massive glob of Miso paste An entire block of curry roux "Shichimi" spices Wasabi "Karashi" mustard Chili oil

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

The writer of this episode, Shinzo Fujita, also wrote the Orange Islands episode where Kasumi says "But isn't cooking the man's job?" So you could see her being terrible at cooking in this Johto episode as a neat little throwback to a throwaway joke from nearly 100 episodes prior.

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

This whole segment with Kasumi being a lousy cook, and then being too proud to admit how terrible her creation is, and then abandoning it on the picnic table, and then it being found by Musashi, who thinks it's the most delicious thing ever...this whole sequence is pure gold.

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Aaaaaaaaaand we're back to referring to apples as simply "fruit" again. What is happening!? bsky.app/profile/doga...

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

The three women Takeshi sees in his dreams appear to be Tennyo (天女), or "heavenly maidens." They're servants and courtesans for the emperor of heaven, and they appear a lot in legends across Asia similar to how you see angels pop up in Western stories.

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

The first time Satoshi met Iwark, he used the sprinkler system in its owner's Gym to douse his opponent with water, making it vulnerable to his Pikachu's attacks. In this episode, Satoshi orders his Waninoko to use Water Gun on it to help make it look shiny.

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

While not *exactly* the same, Takeshi's notebook appears to be modeled after a typical "Campus" series notebook put out by the company Kokuyo.

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

This scene acknowledging how it always looks like Takeshihas his eyes closed is a fan favorite in Japan. Satoshi & Kasumi assume Takeshi's fast asleep, and so when he reveals he's actually wide awake he follows up by asking "does it *look* like I'm sleeping?" The two reply by laughing nervously.

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

So my biggest problem with the episode is that it centers around Satoshi and Kasumi realizing how hard life is without Takeshi, *completely* ignoring the fact that their adventures in the Orange Islands would have taught them that lesson week after week after week!

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

This episode holds the distinction of being the very first in the series' history to feature Takeshi's name in it.

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Episode 193 "Takeshi Collapses! The Dangerous Camp!!" Satoshi and Kasumi find out just how much Takeshi does for them. The weird continuity issue in this episode kind of bugged me, but there's some great comedy here that helps make this an entertaining watch. #DogasuWatchesJohto

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

It has its moments in the later series as well, but I do really like its portrayal in this early part of the series.

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

This song went triple platinum in my house back in the day 😅

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

I imagine it was probably a combination of it just being easy, and also as a sort of five year anniversary thing.

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

And finally, we have a new ending theme! Maemuki Rocket-Dan, or "Look Ahead, Rocket-Dan" is an iconic song performed by -- you guessed it -- the Rocket trio. I'm so happy I get to hear this for the next 40-some episodes or so.

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

People rant and rave about animation director Masaaki Iwane (for good reason!) but Yuji Asada and his storyboards also deserve their flowers. His work in this episode, in particular, is simply next level, showing off a knack for storytelling and efficiency that very few of his peers have.

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

I love how Musashi can't wear her headlamp properly because of the shape of her hair.

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

We have a new eyecatch! The show adapts the "Who's That Pokémon?" verbiage from the English dub (though it chooses to pronounce the word "Pokémon" more like "Pockemon") and also includes onscreen English text that was very obviously not written by a native speaker.

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Musashi was ready to END that little boy's life!

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

I love how, every now and then, this show allows these characters to do cartoony things like this.

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

The Phantom Thief Golonya (怪盗ゴローニャ) is voiced by Masaru Ikeda, who's probably most famous for voicing General Revil in the Mobile Suit Gundam series. Mr. Ikeda passed away earlier this year.

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

This little bit where Sonansu starts clapping because it sees a cloud that vaguely resembles its Trainer is adorable. Sonansu really loves her!

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

The episode's title is a play on how Sonansu's name sounds a lot like the phrase "sou nansu," or "That's right." Fans in Japan (as well as this episode's animation director Masaaki Iwane) like to point out that this is the second pun title in a row, a rarity for the original version of this show.

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

This is also the only time (I think?) where we get two title screens for the same episode. The first screenshot's from the Next Episode Preview that played at the end of the previous episode, and the second one's from the actual episode itself.

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

It's not just the opening theme that gets renewed; the entire show itself gets an overall for the first time since it started back in 1997. Part of this is getting a brand new title screen, with spaces for Satoshi's Gym Badges that'll get updated as time goes on.

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

The opening theme *fully* spoils the fact that Satoshi's Chicorita will evolve into Bayleaf and, depending on how you look at it, Golbat's evolution into Crobat.

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Whiteberry will go on to provide a few songs for the upcoming fourth movie so I'm guessing their being here is a sneaky bit of cross-promotion.

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

After nearly 80 episodes we finally get a new opening! The song's "Mezase Pokémon Master - Whiteberry Verison," a cover of the show's first opening theme performed by -- as the title suggests -- the band Whiteberry.

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Episode 192 "Sonansu! That's Right?" This is a frenzied, high energy episode that's on par with the best of Kanto. The show's staff must *reaaaally* love Sonansu because this is its third (?) focus episode since it's been caught. #DogasuWatchesJohto

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

I got to see this on the big screen 😍😍😍

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

I don’t remember that. I feel like I would have noticed if it had.

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

【DB Update】 Yesterday I went to the "Celebrating 30 Years of Pokémon, The Pokémon Short Movie Festival ~ Pocket Monsters The Movie Short Movie Masterpiece Selection 2 ~" and have done a write-up of my experience: dogasu.bulbagarden.net/watch/theatr...

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

And that's about all for now! I'll do an overall Johto review once I finish the whole thing, which hopefully won't be too long from now.

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Other misc thoughts: - Dr. Utsugi is probably the least present Pokémon professor ever...? He really should be appearing more. - The fact we don't have any Pocket Monsters Crystal tie-ins by now is a bit odd. - Where are the Johto Four Heavenly Kings? (though to be fair, Hoenn messes this up too)

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Gym Leaders I've gone over their teams before, but I feel like generally the show's done a good job of improving on the Pokémon teams used by each of the Gym Leaders. Their game teams are mostly terrible, and in pretty much every instance the TV versions just blow them out of the water.

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Rocket-Dan Sonansu's one of the best things to happen to the trio. But at the same time, not giving Kojirou *any* new Johto Pokémon is absolutely ridiculous. I'd get rid of his Utsubot (which he'll do *anyway*) and give him a Kunugidama instead, just for the running gag of it all.

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Takeshi I'd get rid of his Kunigudama and replace it with Usokkie (who he'll get anyway) and also a Tsubotsubo, since its medicinal connections tie in with his goal of being a Pokémon Breeder. Iwark should also have evolved by now.

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Kasumi If we're being honest she really should've gotten a Maril, but since Kenji already had one I think an Upah makes a fine alternate. I'd have also like to have seen Togepy evolve during the second half of Johto, but for now I'd keep it as-is.

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Satoshi The only real adjustment I'd make to his team is dumping Fushigidane for Heracros. I'd also evolve at least two of his starters, since it's kind of wild we're literally halfway through Johto and haven't seen *any* of the region's second stage starters yet.

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

I'd also like to take a moment to talk about the Pokémon our heroes have with them because I think, with a few adjustments, their Johto teams could be really fantastic.

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

It also helps that Johto genuinely does have a lot of really, really great episodes throughout its run. Here are my Top Ten of this first half of the saga, in production order. Narrowing my favorites down to *just* 10 episodes was actually really tough!

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

The pacing in Johto is famously not the best. But let's be honest, the pacing in Kanto wasn't really good either. To me, the slower burn we get in Johto feels deliberate, like they know they're going to be at this for a while and therefore don't have to rush. I'm perfectly OK with this.

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dogasusbackpack.bsky.social @dogasusbackpack.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

So, first thing's first. Johto is not *neeeeeeearly* as bad as fans have been complaining about for the last 25 years. Johto's great! It's just as good as the Kanto and Orange Islands sagas before it, with just as many highs and lows as the first few years of the series.

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