>>26685519>1996-2000Pokemon taking itself for what it was: just a weird anime about elemental monsters in the real world.
Real world problems existed (the mafia) and Pokemon are simply for hobbiest or professionals. Regular people watch it like a sport, but like in real life, probably don't play sports all day, because they have real jobs and lives.
The strongest Pokemon are still basic.
>2001-presentPokemon taking itself too seriously.
Pokemon are suddenly a huge part of the world; there are no more real animals, nor real jobs. Everyone is a trainer.
Trying to shoehorn moral lessons into everything. The villains are suddenly Dragonball Z tier lame and crazy.
The strongest Pokemon are demigods, who created humans
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There's your problem.