>>57880843>only ever mention shit from the first 30 or so episodesThe first 25 episodes*. There's a couple standouts after that, and the league sans Richie was one of the better ones, but the plot was a continuous flow of excellent story arcs until Ash beat Sabrina. It fell off after that.
>>57880969>Johto suddenly has a HUGE increase in quality the moment Bulbasaur leavesInteresting. It's common knowledge that Johto is hard carried by Master Quest, but it's the first time anybody I've seem anybody put an exact number on it. I've noticed some of the best episodes (even filler) are after it: Delibird debt, Ash vs 3 fully evolved Kanto starters, Oak impersonation, etc.
I've rewatched Johto's first two seasons and enjoyed it when I was 16 and had no standards, and even then I never touched Orange Islands. And AG contests peaked with Harley, who was introduced way too late.
