Customer Reviews

Best Collection:Pokémon

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This IS the CD with the 11 Pokemon cards. What a greatpackage! There are 5 holofoils: Charizard, Blastoise, Venasaur,Snorlax & Porygon, plus promotional cards of the very rare Mew, Mewtwo, and Arcanine. Also included are 2 promotional Japanese trainer cards and an American Pikachu. The CHARIZARD, VENUSAUR & BLASTOISE cards each have a promo "LIGHTNING BOLT" stamp in the right corner, below the picture. MEW & MEWTWO each have a "POKEBALL" stamp in the same corner. WHAT A GREAT SET!

There are two entries for this album from two different manufacturers. One is a bootleg (I believe). This one is the real thing (I also believe). So I'm going to use the same review I used over on the other one. The review follows...

I'm going to admit to you one thing right off: I am a fan of Pokemon. But not ALL Pokemon. For example, the American anime is bad. The marketing to small children is bad (I'm not under 10, just so you know). The pure sickening merchandising and bundled music (on the American CDs) is bad. But I did not mention two things: The game (It's still great and unique, even if it is a little childish, but it's still great for trips) and the Japanese music. It is the Japanese music that I am concerned with here.

In my opinion, SOME (not all) of the Japanese Pokemon music is great. And ALL of it is better than the American music, in every single way. So for me to rate this album, I gave it 4 stars. Now to discuss each track:

1. Mezase Pokemon Master - A very nice rock piece sung by Rika Matsumoto (the voice of Satoshi/Ash in Japan) that was the music to the first opening in Japan. It's quite catchy, and I've managed to memorize most of the lyrics (and for good reason too. It's not bad.) If you've ever played Pokemon Pinball, you know that weird music that doesn't seem to fit in with the rest that's the capture music on the blue board? That's this track, except GameBoy-style.
2. Natsu Yasumi Fanclub - A kitchy kiddy piece that was used for the opening to Pikachu's Vacation (the sketch before Mewtwo Strikes Back) in Japan. Not bad, but it is a bit kiddy.
3. Hyaku Gojuu Ichi - The name means 151, just so you know. This is a strange song (But not the strangest. I'll get to that in a bit.) that was used for the first ending in Japan. It's interesting, and better than Natsu Yasumi Fanclub, but not TOO great.
4. Pokemon Kakerukana? - Another strange song much like Hyaku Gojuu Ichi. This song was used in a CD that was essentially used to give instructions on how to draw Pokemon. Yeah. Weird. But not as strange as the next song.
5. Utau Pokemon Zukan * Normal Pokemon Part 1 - I have yet to find anything from the CD that this came from, other than this track. It's an interesting ditty that is essentially the Japanese Pokedex, sung (That's what Utau Pokemon Zukan means, Singing Pokedex).
6. Rocket Dan Yo Eien Ni - For all you Team Rocket fans, this is the track you want. You remember the episode where Jigglypuff was first introduced? You remember the Rockets singing during that ep? Well this is that. But longer. And with the Japanese Rocket Motto thrown into the middle. Interesting, and another fairly good high point on the album. (Did you know that Musashi/Jessie is voiced (in Japan) by Megumi Hayashibara? If you know who that is, then you now know that she sings in this song.)
7. Pokemon Ierukana? - THIS is the weird song (well, and one more further down the line). Sung by Imakuni? (Yes, the question mark is part of his name). You know the Pokerap? Well, this is the Japanese Pokerap. Except not in rap. And not with the American names. You really don't want to know what types of music are in this. Due to its weirdness, this ranks up there as one of the more INTERESTING tracks of the CD. There's a version for Gold and Silver too (but not on this disc) named Pokemon Ierukana? neo.
8. Torikaekko Please - This song was used for a commercial in Japan (a lot of commercial songs are released as singles in Japan for some reason) and is essentially a song used to advertise Pokemon Trading Cards. The song has to do with Trading Pokemon Cards.
9. Pika Pika Massaichu - This one was the counterpart to Natsu Yasumi Fanclub. So it's the ending theme. It's also very kiddy.
10. Nyaasu no Uta - A very nice song (second ending in Japan) sung by Meowth. It's soft, slow, and almost sad. This might ALSO be because it's about Meowth singing about how lonely he is, as the only pokemon able to speak English/Japanese.
11. Kaze to Issho ni - The ending to Mewtwo Strikes Back. Very orchestral and grand. And very nice. Nearing the end, we're at the final high point of the album (that lasts through the next two tracks)
12. Mezase Pokemon Master '98 - Same song, new style. This song was used for the opening of Mewtwo Strikes Back. Just as good as the first version. (There are two other versions, used for the second Neo season, and the fourth movie)
13. Pokemon Ierukana Baby? - OK. You want weirdness again? One last time before this albums over! You get Ierukana again! But even stranger! This song is a bonus track only available on this album. The others were on singles.

So to sum it up, this CD is a very good one to start your forays into Japanese Pokemon music. It has its high points, and it has its low points. But it's MUCH better than anything released over here. There are other Singles you may want to find too (As this only covers releases through the first movie) including: OK! (The first Neo Opening song), Nyaasu no Party (Another ending song during the second half of the Orange Islands), toi et moi (Ending to Revelation Lugia, done by Namie Amuro. Good way to start getting into JPop, though not the best), and Ready Go! (The latest opening theme. As the latest movie and its singles have come out in Japan, this song (redone) is probably one the opening. I'm eager to hear it).

If I have the right CD... this CD contains some great songs, like the first Japanese Pokemon opening and ending themes, an image song where Satoshi (Ash) sings Pikachu to sleep, the Japanese Pokerap (kind of scary, but cool), the ending song from Mewtwo Strikes Back, the opening and closing songs from Pikachu's Summer Vacation, and the song from the Pokemon Badge commercial (a cool mock-Indian-sounding song). The TV opening is punchy and fun, the closing is a hand-clapper, the lullaby is sweet, the rap is weird, but fun if you want to learn all of the Japanese Poke-names, the MSB closing is good, with a strong and classical feel, the PSV songs are _very_ happy, but infectious, and the Pokemon Badge song is clever and addictive. Another plus is the included karaoke versions of most of these songs. The whole collection is dragged down by a few really awful songs sung solo by tone-deaf children. Do yourself a favor and stop the CD after the PSV ending, "Pika pika massaichu." Your ears will thank you. On the whole, though, a worthwhile CD, but only if you don't already have these songs on other collections, like the Mezase Pokemon Master mini-CD.

I have to admit, when I first ordered this item all I cared about was the promos. But, when I slaped the CD in my CD player I was amazed and surprised! It actually sounded pretty cool? I'm the webmaster of the Cyber gym and I think that if your into Pokémon as much as I am, this CD is a MUST! The mew promo alone can run up to $60-$100! Plus you get 10 other Japanese promos and some are even Holofoil! So, slap down the 50 bucks and pick this up while there still around!

This is a great CD! The music is great, and the Promo cards are even better! I would give it a 5 stars, but it's pretty expensive.

This is an awesome CD. Not only do I like to play the Game Boy games of Pokemon, but I also like the music. But I recently found out that I like the Japanese Pokemon albums better than I do the American albums. Sure, I love songs like "Viridian City" and "Double Trouble (Team Rocket)", but this one tops those songs alone. Rika Matsumado (Did I spell that right?) is a wonderful singer, even though I can't understand what she sings, but her voice is so strong. I have another Japanese CD that she sings on which I will review in a little bit, and her voice sounds a lot better on that one. I recommend this CD especially if you are a fan of Pokemon.

First and foremost, don't think it's "lame" just because it's "Pokemon." This is the Japanese version, and I treat it much differently than I do the dub. DON'T LET OTHERS FOOL YOU. There WERE changes to the English version. As for myself, I feel that the music [of the Japanese version] is very good. I just never get tired of listening to the songs on this cd! If you are Pocket Monsters fan, or even an open-minded Pokemon fan, get this cd.

Wow! My Cd came with some great cover art, eleven trading cards and all the lyrics printed inside a little book attached to the Cd case. Such a great little package! The Cd has the TV opening theme from Japan, as well as the Pikachu's Summer Vacation theme. All the tracks are great to listen to, even the scary Japanese Pokérap. The best track has got to be the Team Rocket Song in Japanese, similar to the song in the American TV series (shown in the Jigglypuff episode in Neon Town). The Cd is produced by Pikachu Records, who send you a small catalogue with their related Cd's in, so if you want one that Amazon don't have, contact them.

My cd came with eleven promo cards - all wonderful - and beautifully packaged....I wonder if this one does? 6 stars if it does....