:'( A silent day.

Well most of us Pokémon fans here in the USA have seen and commented on the special, Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon! that aired April 29^th. Most of us hated it and have voiced our concerns to Pokemon USA, Inc.. Well now, they have responded to, and acknowledged some of the many fan submitted email and letters (keep them coming, please) on the main Pokémon website, www.pokémon.com. We quote the response here:

Dear Pokemon fans,

Whew! The last couple of days have been exhausting for us, we’ve been going through all of the e-mails concerning the television special we aired recently, The Mastermind of Mirage Pokemon. The show was fantastic, with a mostly positive response. Many said the action was “awesome” that the plot and storyline were “outstanding” and that the overall look of the animation was very, very cool”. Once again, you’ve proven yourself to be the best fans in the world. And we appreciate your comments!

We also heard you were concerned with the voice actors, and many of you have voiced your concern (pun intended) through your e-mails and letters. Believe us – we are fans of the TV show too and we care just as much about something like voice changes as you do. We changed the voice actors for the main characters because we were told that the actors who used to provide voices to our characters had conflicting contractual commitments. So, we hope you will help us welcome the new voice actors into the Pokemon family – we think they’re great, and they did a great job on Mastermind of Mirage Pokemon during the shortened transition period between production studios…

Nothing else changed, and it is still the same awesome show you’re used to seeing every week, with great storylines straight from Japan, original music, and well thought out plot (which is the most important thing when producing a TV show)! Pokemon has always been fair play and teamwork and we expect the same from our fans. In other words, if you have comments, complaints or praise, let us know directly at Feedback@pokemon.com.

We always welcome your constructive criticism! We are, and always have been, dedicated to our fans and how passionately and strongly they believe in Pokemon. We promise to always take your concerns top heart as we continue to make the show your favorite every week. Watch this space in the upcoming days for even more exciting news about Pokemon, and don’t forget to check out our Pokemon coverage from E3 next week!

Yours truly,

Lawrence Neves
Editorial Director
Pokemon.com
Mail: Feedback@pokémon.com

For those of you who missed it, and have AOL service, Pokémon USA will make the availabele for your viewing pleasure on KOL (the Kids On Line service from AOL) starting May 9th, 2006. You need to be an AOL member top view this. Look here for more info and responses from Pokémon USA, Inc. as they become available.

'Tis not working!

Taken from PPN:

I had a chance to talk to Veronica Taylor (Ash Ketchem's voice, and my favorite character) about the situation that has every Pokemon fan worried...Saving the voice actors! Here is what Ms. Veronica Taylor had to say:

Lucario: Why will there be new voice actors in the first place?

Veronica Taylor: Well, Pokemon USA decided to do the show by themselves. They simply replaced every element of the show without discussion or attempt at negotiation with anyone who works on the show, including 4Kids.
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Lucario: What happens to you and the rest of the cast if the other horrible voice actors take over?

Veronica Taylor: We will all be extremely sad as we have put our hearts as well as time into creating this show.
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Lucario: What can we do to help?

Veronica Taylor: At the moment, I don't know. Many people have emailed, called, or written to the WB, Cartoon Network, their local TV stations, and Nintendo to complain about the cast change on this Saturday's special. It's possible that the networks were unaware of the cast change before it aired as Pokemon USA has been selling it as 'exactly the same'. It's possible some did not even see it on Saturday. Simply educating those who make the decisions is the best effort right now. Tell them that you won't accept an imitation of a show to be slipped in, perhaps permanently, without reason. Tell them this will affect your viewing. Tell them what you thought of the show.
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Lucario: What will the most probable out come of this situation be, that the voice actors are in now?

Veronica Taylor: I can only hope that the people are heard. It would make me very sad to think that the people who watch the show, buy the products, and play the games are expected to simply roll over and accept whatever is put in front of them, especially when it is so below the standards of that which have been set before.
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Well, Pokemon fans, you have heard it! Do your best to save our long-loved Pokemon voice actors, weather it be by e-mail or telephone, and make a difference in the Pokemon World!

U Suck Pokémon USA! We like Japan better anyways!

Just recieved an email message from the one and only Veronica Taylor (Ash's and May's voice actor on the Pokémon series) who just came across some interesting info regarding the next season of the Pokémon anime. Appearently, Cartoon Network is talking with Pokémon USA to accquire the series next season. She, and others who saw and hated the special aired last saturday, have grave concerns regarding the production and airing of this unacceptable remake of our favorite show.

To show how you feel about the sub-standard performance of the cast last Saturday, Veronica suggests you email the CN execs your concerns:

I have just received information that needs to get out to as many people as possible right away. If it's not too much trouble, could you forward this? Thanks!!!!

Veronica Taylor
Veronicanime@aol.com
9:57 am (20 minutes ago)

Here is the email and some addresses you can forward. please sign your own name to it as well.

At this moment Cartoon Network is talking with Pokémon USA and Nintendo about negotiating a deal for next season. Whether they know that the show they potentially acquire is a very badly done 'fake' is unknown. We need as many people as possible to flood them with emails letting them know that the 'special' we all saw on Saturday was beyond unacceptable. The actors, other than being lackluster and unable to fit the flap, lacked any emotion or character. The script was amateurish and flat. There was no direction. The Pokemon themselves all sounded incredibly different from the original show and video games. It was more violent than any other Pokemon episode has ever been. It was in no way up to the standards which have been set over the past eight years by 4kids, Nintendo and the WB. Are we all expected to simply sit by as Pokémon USA lies to everyone, saying the show will be "exactly the same", even though they have replaced every single element? We have now seen, through the fiasco which was the 10th anniversary special, that this is far from the truth. Please send emails immediately to the two executives at Turner Network (below) and warn them before they make a mistake they will certainly regret for a very long time. Bring Pokemon back to 4kids before it's too late.
Thank you in advance!
Sincerely,

Forward your Email to:

Mark.Norman@turner.com

Bob.Higgins@turner.com