Exciting news! I'm going to be the first to buy them! :D

Pokemon Adventures (called Pokemon Special in Japan) is going to be re-released in America by Viz this upcoming summer. For those of you who do not know, it is a manga (comic book) that follows the Pokemon RPG games much more closely than the anime does. For example, characters sometimes capture legendary Pokemon, actually train the dozens of Pokemon they have caught throughout their journey, fight real evil-doers (above Jessie and James-evil), etc. Satoshi Tajiri, the creator of Pokemon, is even on record saying, "This is the comic that most resembles the world I was trying to convey." Most fans prefer Pokemon Special to all other Pokemon manga, as it is the most serious in terms of its story.

Volume one and volume two will be released in America on June 2nd and August 4th, respectively. Each volume will cost $7.99, which is rather cheap. Both volumes follow the characters Red, Blue, and Green as they travel through the Kanto region fighting Team Rocket (the organization, not Jessie and James). Later on, they also encounter Mewtwo and three evil Kanto Gym Leaders. It's quite an interesting story! Both volumes were originally written in 1997, so it's definitely classic Pokemon. If you like the anime and the video games, you're going to love the manga ten times more! If you hate the anime, you'll still love the stories, as they are much more serious and creative!

While the manga stopped being released in America after volume seven (in 2003), perhaps if sales for the first two volumes are high enough this time around, Viz will translate and release the later volumes as well! After volume seven, the manga focuses on the Johto region and its characters, followed by the Hoenn region, and later Sinnoh of course.

Not sure how long ago I posted about these, but might as well remind everyone! Also, remember that you pronounce Dusknoir, "Dusk-no-are." With a British accent is a plus!

DP32 and DP33 promos Magnezone and Dusknoir are now beginning to trickle into stores like Target and Wal-Mart. Both were released in foreign countries before America, but now you can probably find them at the aforementioned stores if you check every once in a while. Each individually come in a blister pack with two Stormfront booster packs, one Secret Wonders pack, and either a Dialga or Palkia coin. After tax, the blister pack costs around $11.00. Click the thumbnails below for larger scans of the promos! Thanks go to Omahanime for the images!

Update: Circuit City has removed the listing from their website. Looks like someone somewhere is in twuuuuuuble for leaking the information early!

...and speak of the devil! Right after I post the TCG news story! I was going to post the TCG story yesterday, but I had to wait for confirmation on the set name. :(

Circuit City has revealed through an online ad that Pokemon Platinum will be released in North America on March 22nd.

According to the game's description, Team Galactic scientist "Pluto" will be re-named "Charon" for the English game. Charon is the name of Pluto's largest moon. The character was probably renamed to avoid copyright trademarks or confusion with the Disney character Pluto (Mickey Mouse's dog). The same was done when "Team Galaxy" was changed to "Team Galactic" in America, since there is a cartoon named Team Galaxy.

Detective Handsome, as he is named in the Japanese game, is called "Looker" for the English release.

The Ruined World is also now called the "Distortion World," referencing the odd spacial phenomena that occur within it.

Seeing as Platinum will be released this March, we can expect to see Giratina and the Sky Warrior released earlier and Shaymin downloads soon. The upcoming Video Game Showdowns may finally be officially announced as well, especially if only Pokemon Platinum can be used in the tournaments (as is the case in Japan).

Credit goes to Bulbanews for spotting the Circuit City ad!

We have received word that the next TCG set will be named Diamond and Pearl: Platinum. Past sets that correspond with Pokemon video game releases share the exact name as the video games they are based on (EX Ruby and Sapphire, EX Emerald, EX FireRed and LeafGreen, Diamond and Pearl), so it would makes sense the set would be named after Pokemon Platinum.

The set will be released on February 11th, meaning prereleases will take place the last weekend of January and the first weekend of February.

Since TCG sets are usually released around the same time as the video games they are based on (except in the case of Ruby and Sapphire, though that was when the TCG was switching companies), Pokemon Platinum may be released in America around March. This is only the case IF the pattern of the last few game and TCG set releases stays the same.

• EX FireRed & LeafGreen set: August 30th, 2004 / FireRed & LeafGreen game: September 9th, 2004
• Emerald game: May 1st, 2005 / EX Emerald set: May 9th, 2005
• Diamond & Pearl game: April 22nd, 2007 / Diamond & Pearl set: May 23rd, 2007

This January, three new "Classic Trio" tins will be released in stores like Target and Wal-Mart. Each will come with a holo Turtwig, Chimchar, or Piplup Diamond and Pearl promo, two EX-series booster packs, and one Diamond and Pearl series booster pack. A prototype image of the tins can be seen below, though like with all prototype images, the cards shown may not be what the actual products will contain.

The tins are probably branded "Classic" because they feature EX-series packs. Let's just hope we get new artwork on those starter cards, and that it's not also called "Classic" because it is re-releasing the same old holo Diamond and Pearl set cards.

Credit goes to forum member Xous for drawing the Pokemon in the Christmas banner! He does a great job, doesn't he? :D Also, there is now less than a week until the new Pokemon and the 12th movie title are revealed!

Heerosferret has translated summaries and titles for upcoming episodes in Japan. The title of the last episode below comes from Rica Matsumoto's blog (the voice actress of Ash), and is subject to change.

DP106: The Way to Befriend a Pokemon - 12/11
While the kids wait for Byron to return, Dawn begins to train her Piloswine for contests, but... it won't listen to a word she says! But then, they discover a school for befriending your Pokemon, and Dawn heads there immediately!

DP107: Rampardos vs. Bastiodon - 12/18
Byron, the leader of Canalave Gym, and his son, Roark, use revived fossil Pokemon. They both start to say they like fossils the best, and eventually argue until it becomes a battle. Ash finds out Byron has returned, and goes to ask for a Gym Battle...

DP108: Canalave Gym Match! Steel Battle! - 12/25
Ash challenges Byron to a Gym Battle! Byron sends out his Bronzor, and Ash's Chimchar defeats it immediately with Fire-type attacks! But Ash soon learns Byron is prepared to protect his reputation and Ash will no longer be able to cause any damage to the Gym Leader's Pokemon...

DP109: The Lost Wailmer! - 1/8
A Luxio appears and begins to steal food from Ash and co.! They chase it into the sewer to find it is giving the food to a Wailmer who is trapped and can't get back to the ocean.

DP110: Riley and Lucario - 1/15

DP111: The Historic Ruins of Iron Island! - 1/22

DP???: Froslass in a Blizzard! - ?/??

Heerosferret is making me post this, so I am. :)

Even though it is blatantly obvious Arceus will be in the 12th movie, it's fun to "analyze" the evidence. The only evidence we have so far is from the 12th movie teaser trailer that we posted yesterday. The shot below is of the light that materializes next to the spacial phenomenon, which Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina subsequently fire attacks at. To any seasoned Pokemon fan, it's probably obvious Arceus would be within this light if it were in the movie. So, let's examine the light to find clues of Arceus' existence!

In the light are golden protrusions. Heerosferret has outlined them in a close-up of the light below. The protrusions seemingly resembles the mandala around Arceus, as identified in the third image below. You can see the top two "crosses" of Arceus' mandala in the screenshot, as well as the four "jewels" that are wrapped in the "crosses." Are the filmmakers showing us Arceus? What do you think? Post your opinion or analysis!

We also have a better screenshot of the hidden Pokemon from the trailer. Looking at the footage from the trailer frame-by-frame, the shot below shows the most distinct feature of the Pokemon. You can see a dark "spiky" protrusion, which may be an ear, a wing, a body part, etc. As stated in the previous news story, this is most likely a 5th generation Pokemon since the filmmakers are going out of their way to hide it. A known Pokemon would not be hidden. Plus, we are way overdue for a future Pokemon based on the pattern in which new Pokemon have been released in the past. So, it's probably a 5th generation Pokemon (or possibly a new Pokemon forme).

Following the two episodes that aired this week, Pokemon movie director Kunihiko Yuyama stated that the 12th movie title will be revealed on December 13th (next Saturday), along with a "small, yellow" Pokemon. Previously, this Pokemon was identified by the director as an Electric-type that would save the world. In the trailer, it was hidden by a question mark. The Pokemon is probably from the 5th generation, since otherwise, they would not be hiding it. You can see small parts of its head behind the question mark in the video below; it does not appear to resemble any known Pokemon. Could this be the token baby Pokemon of the next generation?

The director also showed a background painting from the movie that appeared to depict Spear Pillar. The subtitles under the painting speculated, "Looks like a god's palace?!" Other scenes in the trailer showed Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina hovering over a body of water with a spacial phenomenon occurring, which is depicted in front of the three Pokemon in an ancient carving at the very beginning of the trailer. As Ash and crew look on, a light begins to materialize in the sky next to the spacial phenomenon. All three Pokemon fire elemental attacks at it, causing a huge explosion. Could this light be Arceus? We'll find out soon!

Heerosferret recorded the trailer described above. Click either screenshot below to open the trailer in a new window. Then click the "Play" button to watch it, or click "Stop" when you load the page and wait for it to load.

Now Heerosferret has written the episode summary for DP105, "Youkan and Rotom!" Some select screenshots of the episode are below the summary.

The gang calls Professor Oak, who compliments their Pokemon and suggests they go get some Forest Jelly while in Canalave. They decide its a good idea, and head out, Team Rocket following. Team Rocket arrives first, picks the lock and heads in, hungry as can be.

Outside Ash and gang are stopped by a worker (who is a repeat character who works in the Oreburgh Mines under the Foreman, Roark - alluding to Roark's second debut in two episodes?). He warns them that the hotel is haunted by a crazy ghost, but they go anyway.

James finds a biscuit and sticks it in the oven, which turns into Rotom and eats it. Jessie finds chocolate and sticks it in the fridge which turns into Rotom and eats it. Meowth finds a rice cracker and stores it in the oven, which turns into Rotom and eats it. They each think the other didn't know they had found food, and are all shocked and accusing when they return and its missing. Then, Frost Rotom attacks! They run, only to be attacked by Heat Rotom! They try to escape in a ventilation shaft and go flying down the chute. They end up locked in the basement.

Ash and company arrive and the door opens for them! Is it really haunted? Pikachu catches a glimpse of something and follows after, but all they find is the toaster oven. When nobody is looking, it turns into Rotom and tries to eat Pikachu, who shocks the heck out of it, also shocking the generator in the kitchen. The electricity turns on in the hotel! And an automatic announcement directs them to a room where they can try out the Forest Jelly.

When they get there, there is a station set up to make your own, and Brock gets very excited and starts to make it! Meanwhile, Team Rocket found some Forest Jelly in a glass cass, but even Meowth's claws can't cut it open.

Ash begins training for his Gym Battle, saying Chimchar will be the focus of his training. Chimchar roasts a mower, which turns into Rotom and starts chomping away and chasing Ash and his Pokemon. He runs into the hotel, where Hikari is training for contests. But the fan attacks as Rotom and chases them as well! She runs into Ash and they rush to warn Brock, but Cut Rotom attacks again and chases them up the stairs. But up there is Wash Rotom, who blasts them with water! They escape into an elevator (which luckily can't turn into a Rotom). BUT SPIN ROTOM ATTACKS AND CHASES AGAIN! They run into the kitchen where Brock is, and yell at him that ghosts are attacking. Brock laughs at him, and pulls his finished Jelly from the fridge. Which turns into Rotom behind his back, then back to normal when he looks. Again. and Again. and Again. Then finally, he spots it, just before they get freeze-blasted out the door!

Then run, but then Heat Rotom attacks! Pilip bubble beats it and it turns into regular Rotom, who giggles and flies away, returning as Cut Rotom and attacking again! Then it flies away, returning and attacking as Wash Rotom, blasting them out the front door. (But Brock is glad the Jelly is still safe). They use their Pokemon to attack back. Finally they manage to defeat it! It comes out in normal form and looks ashamed. They realize it only wanted to play, and it cutely smiles at them, they suddenly shocks them all to have afros, flies into a lamppost and short circuits it, then flies away, leaving them all, well, shocked.

Team Rocket gets into the case to discover its plastic, but Ash and the gang get to enjoy Brock's handmade Forest jelly, which is so stupendous everyone dances!

Heerosferret has written a summary for DP104, Cresselia vs. Darkrai. The intro of the episode was revised to change one of Dawn's Pokemon... her Swinub is to become a Mamoswine soon, as pictured below with other select screenshots from the episode.

Time for a Gym Battle!! Ash rushes to Canalave Gym, a towering building with steel beams, and literally screams for a battle. Nobody answers, but after a moment there is a loud scream. A blue haired muscular man emerges, rubbing his eyes and saying he overslept. Ash angrily demands a battle, but the man says Byron is on Iron Island. Ash looks completely depressed and asks why this always happens to him lately. Then the man falls asleep and wakes up a second later from a nightmare. What's going on?

They go into town, which is completely silent, and head for the police station to see what's up. Jenny is asleep too! When she finally wakes up, she explains this is Darkrai's fault. Darkrai comes every year and causes nightmares for the folks on the island, so they run away to different islands. Usually Cresselia comes to stop him, but this year he's come too early, and Cresselia isn't showing up yet. Jenny bought a lunar wing to keep the nightmares away, but it's not working. Dawn has her lunar wing she got in Alamos Town, and shows it to Jenny, while Brock realizes the feather Jenny has is just a Pidgey wing that's been painted.

Natural it's Team Rocket fooling everyone - and they to go to arrest them right away. They also have giant shadows under their eyes and sleepily do their motto. They claim its a machine they've created that's been giving everyone nightmares, not Darkrai. Pikachu blows them up, and they assume things will be normal from now on.

But! That night, Ash falls into a nightmare, and everyone wakes up at the same time at the same time from nightmares. They decide to go to Half Moon Island, followed by Team Rocket, who wants to catch Cresselia. They find a brand new shining Lunar Wing, and Brock guesses Cresselia recently dropped it. Piplup tries to sniff out Cresselia, but only finds a Psyduck. Swinub picks up the scent instead, and they chase after it as it leaps up cliffs until they reach Cresselia's nest.

Cresselia descends and Team Rocket immediately attempts to catch her, shooting a net up from their sub, catching her and climbing up the cliff to her with spider legs on their sub. They catch everyone in nets and try to make off with Pikachu, who manages to shock Ash somehow. Swinub begins the attack! Ramming into their sub over and over again and badly hurting itself. Dawn screams at it to stop, but right when it seems hopeless, it evolves into Piloswine and sends them flying.

They free Cresselia and beg her to vanquish Darkrai, and off she flies to Canalave City. The gang follows close behind, and Darkrai appears. They realize that Team Rocket's machine is what disturbed Darkrai out of sleep. The battle begins! And ends after one minute with Darkrai sinking back into the ground with a groan. Cresselia flies off and all is well.