Pokémon fans have long debated what makes the classic anime formula work, with Ash Ketchum at its heart as the determined trainer chasing badges and leagues alongside Pikachu and a rotating cast of friends. That core setup—simple travels, gym battles, rival clashes, and Team Rocket’s constant goofy interruptions—kept viewers hooked for years. But when Pokémon the Series: Black & White arrived, many said it broke that mold in key ways, especially with Ash’s new Unova starter trio: the fire-type Tepig, water-type Oshawott, and grass-type Snivy. Viewers pointed to these Pokémon, often nicknamed in fan talk as the “fire” and “ash” picks for their types and trainer ties, as symbols of the shift.
In earlier regions like Kanto, Johto, and Sinnoh, Ash’s first partner Pokémon fit neatly into the formula. He would catch one starter early, bond deeply, and watch it grow through evolutions and big wins, mirroring the player’s journey in the games. Pikachu stayed his ace, but regionals like Turtwig or Chimchar became fan favorites with clear arcs. Black & White changed this by giving Ash all three Unova starters right away, each with unique backstories that felt forced to some fans. The fire-type Tepig was abandoned by its original trainer, who later tried and failed to reclaim it after seeing its power. Oshawott followed Ash stubbornly like a lost pup, while Snivy distrusted humans until earning its respect in battle. Only Tepig evolved at all, and none reached final forms, unlike past stars.
This broke the “one shining starter” rule that defined Ash’s growth. Fans complained it diluted focus—Ash juggled three newbies instead of building one deep bond, making battles feel scattered. Posts on forums and Bulbapedia note how Unova ditched old companions like Brock and Dawn for Iris, an aspiring Dragon Master, and Cilan, a Pokémon Connoisseur and early gym leader Ash beats for a badge. Team Rocket’s Jessie, James, and Meowth vanished from most episodes too, ending their every-show pest role that glued the formula together. Ash got a fresh outfit as usual, but the region reset felt too stark—no carryover friends, weirder sidekicks, and starters that split attention.
Fan ROM hacks highlight the gripe. Pokémon AshGray turns FireRed into an anime adaptation where players follow Ash’s exact Kanto path, faithful to the old formula fans miss. Other hacks like Pokémon Fire Ash mimic core series play but let players relive streamlined Ash stories. In Unova, viewers felt robbed of that purity—Tepig’s fire spirit and Snivy’s sass hinted at potential, but the overload made them “break” from what worked. Black & White aimed to refresh with Unova’s bold designs, yet many say it strayed too far, paving the way for later series to tweak the recipe further.
Sources
https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_the_Series:_Black_&_White
https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_fan_games
https://gamerant.com/best-game-rom-hacks-pokemon-fans-should-play/
