The Championships, held in Kona, Hawaii from August 14 to 15, boasted 375 players from 25 countries. Competitors battled it out for two days with hopes of winning either the video game or trading card game title in one of two age groups.

Rizzo, who hails from Marlton, New Jersey, defeated Yasuki Tochigi in the final round to take the Masters video game title. The Junior video game title went to Shota Yamamoto of Japan. For the Pokémon Trading Card Game championship, Canada’s Jacob Lesage won the Masters title and Yuka Furasawa won for Japan in the junior division.

Winners received prize packages that include scholarships and travel expenses to defend their title in the 2011 championship.

Another year, another Pokemon game announced. The good news is it’s not a remake or a revisit to a previous game. This time, we travel to the far away region of Isshu to encounter all new Pokemon! A decent amount of info has been released (nothing too amazingly in-depth), so let’s take a look at some of the new features that have been announced!

First we have the three starters. The obvious grass, water, fire combo returns in all new forms for this gen of games, and with it brings some new players.

“Tsutaaja (ツタージャ)- is the Grass Snake Pokemon, its ability is Overgrow, it is 0.6 m (2 ft) tall, and it weighs 8.1 kg (17.9 lbs).

“Tsuta” means “ivy” and “ja” is one way of saying the word “snake.” Shown here using  Leaf Storm. Inb4 named Orochimaru.

“Mijumaru (ミジュマル) is the Sea Otter Pokemon, its ability is Torrent, it is 0.5 m (1.6 ft) tall, and it weighs 5.9 kg (13 lbs).

“Mijuku” means “immature” and “maru” means “round” or “ball.” Shown using Water Pulse. Ugh, so cute!

“Pokabu (ポカブ) is the Fire Pig Pokemon, its ability is Blaze, it stands 0.6 m (2 ft) tall, and it weighs 9.9 kg (21.9 lbs).

The name derives from “pokapoka,” which means “warm” in Japanese, and “bu,” the sound a pig makes in Japanese culture (here it’s “oink”).” Shown using  Flamethrower. Also, awesomeface pig!

Additional information has also been given about the area and some new features, thanks to Pokemon Sunday and CoroCoro.

☆  The region’s name is Isshu (イッシュ) and is located very far away.

☆  Hiun City is Isshu’s central city, pictured in the scans. “Hiun” means “bad luck” or “misfortune.” It can also mean “clouds being blown by the wind.”

☆ The main characters are older than ever before; they are not children.

☆ Zorua and Zoroark‘s ability is called Illusion (イリュージョン). It allows the two Pokemon to take on the appearance of other Pokemon.

☆  Two new attacks are Trickery (イカサマ), which outputs damage depending on the opposing Pokémon’s stats, and Claw Sharpen (つめとぎ), which raises your Attack and Accuracy. These are attacks that Zoroark can learn.

☆  If you trade over the shiny Entei, Suicune, or Raikou from the Ruler of Illusions: Zoroark movie ticket preorders, you can battle and capture a Level 25 Zoroark. During the battle, the Monster Fox Pokemon will take on the appearance of the Pokemon you traded over, and at several points it will revert to its original form (probably when weak). When it does, you can attempt to capture it.

☆Pokemon battles are much more dynamic – the camera moves around and zooms in and out and the Pokemon are not just standing there with one picture hopping up and down. Rather, the sprites are constantly animated.

☆When you run by people, they can talk to you without you hitting A on them and can also run around you.

☆Zorua and Zoroark’s Illusion ability does not change their Darkness type. When encountering them, they use the sprite of the Pokemon they are imitating and their name as well. We still do not know how it is determined what Pokemon they imitate, what the conditions are for them to revert to their real forms, or how to figure out you are battling a disguised Zorua or Zoroark. In the video below, Raikou fires an Aura Sphere at Zoroark, which is super effective, so perhaps if they take a lot of damage or are hit by an attack they are weak to, they change back.

Honestly, this is some pretty exciting news! A quote from a Pokemon related site also gave this information out.

“Unfortunately, Pokemon do not follow you anymore. The upside to this however is that instead of HM type moves, Pokemon have a talent along with an ability. You still need to beat gyms to use certain talents, so you can’t catch a bird Pokemon and use fly right away. A new talent called “Saddled” allows you to ride certain Pokemon at the speed of a Bike, with the added benefit of making your Pokemon grow friendlier. As for HM moves with good usage in battle, they have become TM moves, so you can still hide using Fly. The Poketch also returns, with added phone functionality. You can also choose the screen’s color theme this time around; I prefer the Team Rocket red and black style.”

One last bit comes off as a bit outlandish, but is backed up by a small event in HG/SS and Jimmy31428’s absurd attention to details. “There is a lone Team Rocket grunt in the Japanese game that is “from a far away land” who makes the promise that he will return to his country and Team Rocket will be re-born!” Added to the fact that Isshu is based off America, the original G/S games also had this grunt, and he was supposed to be “American” (this was obviously changed for localization purposes), the following statement could in fact be truth!

“Speaking of Team Rocket, fans should keep their eyes out as an ex-grunt makes good on his promise.

Until next time!”

The story itself is still unknown at this time, as well as who this vengeful grunt is, but time will tell all!

The city of Hiun. I love the new angles offered.

That bridge looks familar…

Oh wait.

The trainers this time around are much older. It’s odd how their outfits are completely opposite; one’s ready for cold, the other summer.

Zoroark using it’s ability “Illusion.”

Hitting it with a super-effective move seems to cancel it out.

Thanks to Pokebeach, CoroCoro, Pokemon Sunday, the Pokemon Company, and Jimmy31428 for the information!

Another added bit from Jimmy31428 has added a bit more insight to Zoroark!

“On the last picture with Zoroark and Zoroa, it seems as if the Zoroa is using a brand new attack. ‘イカサマ’ literally means cheat. The foe’s Zoroa used Cheat.
In the video showing the starters, they seem to be really mean to Mijumaru.
The Grass type Tsutaaja is very good against Water and Ground
Also, The fire type Pokabu can fight the Grass and ice types very well.
Finally, a water type, Mijumaru. It’s weak to Electric!” -Jimmy31428

Poor Mijumaru! I bet he turns out to be the best final evo.

]]> http://pallettribune.com/2010/05/16/pokemon-black-and-white-news-update/feed/ 23 http://pallettribune.com/2010/02/10/first-two-generation-5-pokemon-revealed/ http://pallettribune.com/2010/02/10/first-two-generation-5-pokemon-revealed/#comments Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:12:51 +0000 Jowy http://pallettribune.com/?p=2429

The latest CoroCoro officially revealed the first generation 5 pokémon. Zoroark (left) and its pre-evolution Zoroa (right) are dark type. The 13th movie title, originally “The Ruler of Illusion: Z” has been updated to include the newly announced pokémon, to “The Ruler of Illusion: Zoroark.” More information is set to be unveiled in the next issue of CoroCoro, if not sooner on the Pokémon Sunday television program.

The Pokémon Company has announced that they will be revealing a new Pokemon RPG in the February 2010 edition of CoroCoro Comics (think Shonen Jump).

For now, we can only speculate as to whether this is the upcoming Fifth Generation or not, though there was some mention of “a rebirth” and “new Pokémon”. The only non-ambiguous details we have about this game is that it’s an RPG and that it will be released (in Japan) this year. Thank you, Google Translate.

Since the Mystery Dungeon series is also technically an RPG, there is the slight possibility that the announcement will be an expansion to that game-line. Then again, the developer on the main site is stated to be GameFreak, and they usually work exclusively on the main-line Pokémon games.

Let’s just hope that this announcement will lead to some interesting results

[Pokemon of Japan]

[Bulbapedia]

View the very first appearance of Gary using the new episode database!

Another cool new feature that was included in this huge upgrade is the introduction of the Pokémon Trainer Club, which is the equivalent to the Daisuki Club in Japan. My Pokémon accounts have now been replaced by Pokémon Trainer Club accounts, which can be used to participate in the Organized Play portion of the site along with a few other interactive aspects.

Speaking of which, Organized Play has now been split into two categories: TCG and Video Game. This club is also responsible for many events in the past years in which players could obtain exclusive Pokémon.  As one of its first events, the Pokémon Trainer Club has announced that they will be hosting the “Special Colored Pichu” event at GameStop from January 30th to February 14th.

The website has also been updated with all of the new Heart Gold/Soul Silver artwork, a complete TCG database of the trading cards, and loads of new mini-games to play. More additions to the site can be expected to arrive soon, but if you haven’t already checked it out, it’s definitely worth a visit!

The new layout.

New Ho-oh and Lugia Designs for Pokémon 151 Line

In commemoration of the release of HeartGold and SoulSilver in Japan, The Pokémon Company added two new designs to its Pokémon 151 clothing line. The designs feature Ho-oh and Lugia, the version mascots. Pokémon 151, which now ironically includes Pokémon outside of the original 151, is an adult-targeted clothing line. The website featuring these shirts closed late last year, but they continue to be sold in Pokémon Center stores in Japan. The price tag of the shirts also seems to reflect their marketing towards the older crowd. They weigh in at about $50 US.

Oak’s Letter to be Mailed to North American Platinum Version

A WiFi Mystery Gift event will be held from September 28th – October 8th to distribute Oak’s Letter. This Key Item makes it possible to meet Professor Oak on Route 224, who will open a path to catching Shaymin. The legendary Pokémon will be available at level 30 with the moves: Growth, Magical Leaf, Leech Seed and Synthesis.

No word yet on distribution events in other regions.

Pokémon World Championships 2010 Details Announced

The official organized play Pokémon website, go-pokemon.com, has release some information about the 2010 World Championships.  They will be held in Hawaii from August 13th-15th. The video game championship was confirmed to be using HeartGold and SoulSilver and will utilize previously banned Pokémon, such as Mewtwo and Deoxys.

Mysterious Severed Ear Appears on Pokémon.com

No, Vincent Van Gogh has not hacked Pokémon.com. A new ad appearing on the site gives a glimpse at a mysterious spiky yellow ear. If you’ve been keeping up with the news, you probably already know this is the “Notched Ear Pichu” that makes an appearance in movie 12 and the future generation 2 remakes. The ad’s url, however, may have revealed the Pichu’s english name: “Spiky Eared Pichu.” Perhaps this will be followed soon by a North American Movie 12 announcement.

As a result of the inclusion of the device, the price tag is supposed to be a bit higher; likely around $39.99.

In addition, our source at The Pokémon Company International stated that it is unclear at this point whether the US will get the Lugia, Ho-oh and Arceus figures as preorder bonuses. On the bright side, our contact also said the US localization team is adamant about making sure we get everything Japan gets.

The generation 2 remakes are set for release in just days, on September 12th in Japan and spring 2010 in the US. Check back with us for new details and videos within the coming days.

Pokemon.com Reveals HeartGold and SoulSilver

The front page of Pokémon.com has officially announced the Generation II remakes to the US. The reveal came with a rough release date of Spring 2010. The teaser page includes a CGI video of the legendary beasts and the version mascots, Lugia and Ho-oh.

Arceus Officially Revealed to USA

Pokémon.com has officially announced the existence of pokémon #493, Arceus. The Alpha Pokémon has been known to exist by many fans since the release of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl in Japan in September 2006. This announcement presumably marks the the coming of an Arceus distribution event and Movie 12 in the USA.

Movie 12 English Title Revealed?

A subtitled version of the twelfth Pokémon movie was played at a film festival in Switzerland. Durning the screening, a possible title for english audiences was revealed: “Arceus and the Jewel of Life.” While this is likely to be the final title, it was not an official announcement.

Our very own joec is reporting from Comic-Con 2009.  Take a peek at our official photo gallery for the event to check out all the Pokémon stuff going on!

[Comic-Con 2009 Photo Gallery]

The highly anticipated 12th Pokémon movie, roughly translated as Arceus: To The Conquering of Space-Time, set a record for being the most pre-sold animated movie ever. The film sold an amazing 2,384,198 pre-ordered tickets before its July 18th opening in Japan.

This is a significant turnaround for the movie series, as ticket sales have been on a steady downward trend ever since the Pokémon: The First Movie.

[The Escapist - Twelfth Pokémon Movie Sets Guinness Records]