Pokémon Adventures, Vol. 1 (2nd Edition) [Paperback]

I cannot express how happy I am that this series is getting published again. I fell in love with this manga series when I was about 12 and I can remember doing chores around the house in order to buy all of these books. I was seriously addicted. In high school when I found out there were more than the 7 published in the U.S, I saved up enough money to buy them off of ebay from Singapore. This ended up being something like 200 dollars.....so you could say I love this series a little too much.

As far as I'm concerned, this series goes where the anime series should have gone. Don't get me wrong, I loved the anime series, but these books actually have a plot other than "Ash and co meet new character. Jessie, James and Meowth then show up, try and steal Pickachu, get butts kicked, blast off at the speed of light, etc. etc. etc." The humor is good, the artwork is adorable and Red is a cocky but lovable hero.

If you have a child who loves pokemon, get them this series please. I know I was enthralled. It breaks my heart that this series doesn't get more attention. It follows the same basic plot as the video games, which is why the main character's name is Red instead of Ash. It also means that the series is pretty well sectioned. The first three have a clear ending, with no cliff hangers. The fourth starts a spinoff with a different main character but the same basic cast. Again, this series is finished off at number 7, and when I was a child, I thought that was the end. No. 8 and its sequels are actually being published for the first time in the U.S. As I want them to continue releasing these books in the U.S. (I really don't want to have to buy them from Singapore again) please try out this series : ) It's kinda the best.

Pokemon Adventures Volume 1 is essentially a release of a similar named manga from a few years ago. I do not know many of the details from that one for I was intrigued by this release and cover and saw that it was "new".

Essentially Pokemon Adventures follows the storyline of the video games, probably Pokemon Yellow version the most and expands upon it. The manga does not follow the exploits of Ash Ketchum nor even mention his name at all. Professor Oaks grandson, Gary, ie, Blue in this one, is still here but once again they dont reference Gary from the show either. Team Rocket is present however it also does not have Jesse, James, or Meowth. So ultimately, this manga takes place in the video game world and takes some elements from the anime, but does not directly reference them.

Volume follows Red, the main character, as he goes to do what Professor Oak told him to do in order to become a pokemon master. Because Professor Oak is too old, he gave Red and Blue a Pokedex and entrusted them with travelling around the world to gain data on every Pokemon imaginable. He also told Red that in order for him to become a pokemon master he must fill up this device. Red starts the journey with a Poliwhirl, but ends up catching more and more pokemon.

The story is quite faced paced and up the ante on the seriousness of Pokemon. Team Rocket seems more evil than they were in any recent showing with their use of wanting to kill anyone who stands in their way and carrying out experiments on pokemon or tricking townspeople. Red and Blue often run into Team Rocket at the same time as they keep having run-ins with them and their search for the mysterious pokemon.

All in all this is a fantastic fast paced story that is based in the Pokemon universe and is sure to please any Pokemon fan adequately.

Art is done very well clear and easy to read words and panels. The modern English sounding translation is crystal clear. And finally, the manga is read in the traditional format. Bonuses in the back of the manga include a summary of Red's adventures, a Pokedex of key Pokemon he used, and a preview for Volume 2.

This series is so much better than the anime and even the games in some ways. The characters actually have...character...Anyways, the story is basically the same as the games almost, some things are different, but for the better. There is some censorship but it's hardly noticeable and the what is left in the comic is something you've never seen in a Pokemon book. The writing and art style is just brilliant! This series is great and needs to be read! Please support the series so we can get the Ruby and Sapphire arc translated in the states!