We ended up buying the laptop I linked to in the previous update. It should arrive tomorrow. Expect English D/P TCG news on Monday.

Next Japanese Set - The next Japanese TCG set, which does not have a known name yet, will feature Darkrai, Dialga, and Palkia, promoting the 10th Pokemon movie. The theme decks of the set will each feature Dialga and Palkia as well. The set will be released on July 5th (four months after Mystery of the Lakes), meaning that either (a) sets are going to be released in 4-month intervals from now on instead of 3-month intervals, which accounts for the larger D/P set sizes (more cards in a set, more time between set releases), or (b) they pushed only this set back a little to be around the 10th Pokemon movie's theatrical release, since if they followed the 3-month pattern, the set would have been released in June, which is too early to promote the movie. Thanks goes to nimonosandesu for the exclusive news!

First English Pokemon Video Ever - If you frequent any Pokemon forums, you may have already seen the below two videos posted during this past week, but if not, now is your chance! The videos below (split into two parts, but accounting for one video) is a VHS that 4Kids sent out before Pokemon aired in America to promote Pokemon (my younger brother, who discovered Pokemon before me, claims to have seen it before, but I guess I was too caught up in electricity stuff when I was little to ever watch it or care). The video presents a cast of humans who claim to be aunts, friends, cousins, and teachers of the Anime characters we all know, promoting Pokemon, mispronouncing both the names of the brand and some of the Pokemon (it also has [beta names] for several Pokemon, with the complete list of all R/B names here), and providing an embarrassing video that any fan is bound to cringe at! The second the video changes to "Aunt Hillary" is bound to make your stomach drop, especially with the way she pronounces "Pokemon" and puts down her glasses. Giovanni promoting Pokemon products also almost made me break THIS computer from my wild laughter. :p

EDIT #1: The rest of the D/P English names have been revealed. You can view the names here.

Extremely long story extremely short and abridged - I have to buy a new laptop because they will not fix my old one (And I am buying it TODAY so that I do not have to wait any longer, since I need it so bad for school that I am now reduced to bringing my first, in-five-pieces-laptop, to class on a regular basis. However, I re-broke it permanently last night by flinging it off the bed in my sleep and crushing its LCD and damaging the hard drive so that it will not load, so I have no laptop period). I was thinking about this one, but am willing to see if anyone else has any other ideas or finds some great laptop that is even better. The feature I like about this laptop is that, "Protect your data: LifeSmart Technologyâ„¢ provides advanced protective features like an ultra-strong chassis, shock-absorbing (flinging it off the bed in your sleep) hard drive, air-pocket cushioning and a spill-resistant keyboard (spilling two cups of water on it) that protects your data when mishaps happen." Please post in this thread for your opinions. :)

Four New Names - Gracias a Pokexperto, nosotros ahora tienamos (?) cuatro nueve llamos de D/P Pokemon.

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Magnezone / Togekiss / Bastiodon / Gastrodon

RUMORED NAMES - Someone names Secret Squirrel came into our chat room the other night and posted a list of English Pokemon names. At the time, we thought the names were made-up, but several of them have turned out to be true, which is why this list could be real (or at least some of the names). The list he posted can be seen below. Remember, this is UNCONFIRMED.

Aipom's evolution is Ambipom
Rhydon's evolution is Rhyperior
Magneton's evo is Magnezone
Togekiss is Togekiss
Dusclops's evo is Dusknoir
Nosepass's evo is Probopass
Mikaruge is Spiritomb
Rukushio is Luxio
Rentoraa is Luxray
Fuwante is Drifloon
Zugaidosu is Cranidos
Rampard is Rampardos
Tatetops is Shieldon
Trideps is Bastiodon
Misdreavus's evo is Mismagius
Riolu is Riolu
Gligar's evo is Gliscor
Piloswine's evo is Mamoswine
Yanma's evo is Yanmega
Tangela's evo is Tangrowth
Heatran is Heatran
Regigigas is Regigigas
Giratina is Giratina
Fione is Phione
Darkrai is Darkrai
Yuxie is Uxie
Emurit is Mespirit

EDIT: Again, the same site has revealed two more names. Neorant is now Lumineon, and Rotom keeps its same Japanese name.

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May update again later.

Two New Names - Pokexperto has revealed two new English names - Magmortar and Azelf. Azelf comes from azure, a type of blue, and elf. Magmortar comes from magma and mortar, with mortar having a double meaning of a cannon and shooting.

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And yet another quick and mysterious update! My fixed laptop should come back to me sometime this week! I am sleepy, so I'll put up older news I need to show here later this week.

Disney Using Pokemon Music? - The only reason I am even making an update tonight is because of a Peter Pan DVD commercial I just saw. The commercial was actually using background music from the official Japanese Pokemon movie website - from when the Manaphy movie was being promoted during the summer. I am a big Pokemon background music junky, so I recognized the music instantly - I was actually thinking about the specific music in question today, which was ironically featured in the commercial. The music was on the Japanese Pokemon movie website when Pachirisu, Drapion, and Cherrim were revealed last summer (I think I went on the website the very day they were released in CoroCoro). The music played when you first loaded the website and featured vocals and trumpets, followed by a preview of the Manaphy movie's ending song. Then, you dove down into the ocean with Lanturn, and were taken to a water Pokemon background with a moving Manaphy that you controlled with your mouse for navigation on the website. A slightly random news story, but kind of interesting (even if you have never been to the website or have no clue as to what I am talking about). Why is Disney using Pokemon music - music that was only featured on the official Japanese Pokemon movie website, and in a Peter Pan DVD commercial of all places? Very strange. I'll try to record the commercial next time I see it, and then put it up when I get my laptop back. Could Disney have some sort of future with Pokemon in America, and if not, why on Earth is Disney using Pokemon background music on national television for a 1953 American film?

EDIT #2: [SPOILER] Okay, now the movie website removed Buizel from Hikari's profile. Could they have released the info too early and taken it down, or was it a mistake and Ash really does have Buizel? I guess we will have to wait for the episode to air in which SOMEONE captures Buizel...

EDIT #1: [SPOILER] The movie website also revealed that Hikari is going to get Buizel, not Ash, as previously posted. She will have it before the 10th movie premieres in theatres this July in Japan.

States continue tomorrow! If I can tell that I am not doing well at my Speech and Debate tournament tomorrow morning, I am going to say "Forget this!" and head down to the California States in Irvine, where I will then proceed to lose again since I have no deck. However, I will build a junky one tonight (TMI?). :p

New D/P English Names - The Spanish Pokemon site, Pokexperto, single-handedly and exclusively revealed several new Pokemon names earlier this morning. You can see all of the names they revealed below:

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Turtwig -> Grotle -> Torterra

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Chimchar -> Monferno -> Infernape

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Piplup -> Prinplup -> Empoleon

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Starly -> Staravia -> Staraptor

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Bidoof -> Bibarel

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Kricketot -> Kricketune

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Glameow -> Purugly

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Stunky -> Skuntank

10th Movie Teaser Trailer - Dialga vs. Palka vs. Darkrai now has a decent trailer for us to watch! You can view it by clicking here. The music is pretty awesome, and the storyline the trailer is "teasing us" with seems to be interesting as well. The official movie website has also been completely revamped. Could this finally be a good movie for Pokemon fans? Details this summer! Funny how the blonde girl has a hair style similar to Drifblim, just like how Bianca had a hair-style similar to Latias. Foreshadowing?

EDIT #1:This IGN article has confirmed that Pachirisu's English name will be Pachrisu, deleting an "i." However, many fans have spelled the Pokemon's name the same way before (just do a Google search for the name and you will see), so it may just be a spelling error on IGN's part and it could be keeping its Japanese name in full (and it may not be). For now, though, we are classifying Pachrisu as its real name.

Quick update... again!

Piplup + Rare Candy = Empoleon - Gamespot has revealed the name of Pochama / Piplup's final evolution - Empoleon. To quote the article, which was about Pokemon Battle Revolution, "We saw a flaming unicorn shoot fire from its mouth; Empoleon, a penguin, rode a large wave that did damage to two characters at once; and there were all sorts of colorful casting attacks [link]." You should know where the name of Empoleon derives from if you went to fourth grade and took "Social Studies." :p

Sarah Natochenny (Ash's VA) Interview - A month or so ago, I e-mailed Sarah Natochenny with some questions, and she replied to me today! The interview has been reproduced below.

1. When did you first hear about Ash needing a new voice actor?

My manager sent me on the audition around April of 2006.

2. How many people showed up to audition for the voice?

Actors get appointments so there was no American Idol line for it, but when I asked out of curiosity, they said a LOT. They probably called all the NY agencies for submissions and went through their own files of actors they personally know. So yeah. A lot.

3. Once you got the part, how did you react? How did others in your family or your friends act?

I was shocked. Completely. I remember walking out of the 1st audition, calling my mom, and telling her how awful my audition was. I was shocked to even get a callback. My family was proud, my friends lovingly laughed at me. Or maybe not so lovingly.

4. Have you ever met Veronica Taylor or any of the other original VAs?

Nope.

5. What is a typical day for you go like? Do you drive to work? Talk to other VAs? Get Starbucks? Leave and go to McDonalds? :p

I don't eat McDonalds. Sorry! I live in Manhattan, and actually got behind a wheel for the first time only a few days ago...which is probably illegal...I only drove like 3 feet in an empty parking lot. I walk to the studio, or if it's freezing I'll take a cab. I live too close to it to make any sense out of taking the subway there, but that's generally how I get around. I'm usually the only actor in the studio, sometimes we overlap, but I rarely see other actors, because we all record separately. We order food at the studio, I usually have a salad or fruit with yogurt. Sometimes there's a chocolate cake hanging out somewhere in the studio and I eat that too :). On a day that I'm not recording, I'm a regular actor. Auditions, some work, German and French classes, improv practice, and just hanging out with friends, with my cat...regular stuff!

6. How long do you usually spend working as Ash everyday? Does it ever get tiring or over-exciting?

Well I don't work every day. I usually schedule it as one long day. It sometimes gets tiring, because I'm naturally a pretty low-energy person, but they take good care of me!

7. How do you prepare for an episode? Do they show you the script in advance? Do you practice it? Or do they just give you the script when you walk in?

The script never leaves the studio. There's a synopsis that I read, and then go right into it. I read the script as we go so my reads are correct.

8. How hard is it to match the lip flap?

At first it was quite difficult, but now I usually get it on the 1st take.

9. Has Ash's voice changed your own voice in any way?

Not at all.

10. Did you enjoy dubbing the Manaphy movie? How long did it take to do?

I loved it. The movie is sooo beautiful. It took me about 6 hours to do. It comes out April 3rd!!

11. Have you started dubbing the Diamond and Pearl season in Sinnoh? Do you know any Diamond and Pearl English names, besides Mantyke, Manaphy, Buizel, or Chatot?

I just dubbed the 1st two episodes...and you ain't gettin any names outta me! (WPM Note: the first two episodes of the Sinnoh region are the last two episodes of the current season. The actual D/P season does not start until summer.)

12. How close are you to the other VAs on the show?

We're all friends, but we don't see each other as much as we should! Parties are always a blast with these people.

13. Have you read any criticism about the new VAs? How does it affect you?

Sometimes I read the boards but I don't post on them. I get a lot of fan/not so much a fan mail. Some I agree with, some I don't, some makes me work at the voice harder, some the read harder etc. Overall it's helped.

14. Has working with Pokemon opened any doors as far as future voice acting work goes?

People think it's cool. Even people who are in straight acting take notice. Mainly it's just random and unexpected for a young actress to say "yep and I also do Ash on Pokemon."

15. Is there anything else you would like to tell us about what you have seen behind the scenes of making Pokemon episodes?

I honestly can't think of anything because the work isn't very integrated...we have a lot of laughs!

Thank you!
Sarah

Quick update! Laptop still being fixed, too.

Pokemon Ranger Dub Voices - Toonami Jetstream has a preview clip up of the dub version of Pokemon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea, showcasing the English voices for the Pokemon Ranger, Jackie, the pirate, Phantom, and the Pokemon parrot, Chatot. To view the clip, click "Search," type in "Ranger," and play it! The movie premieres on Cartoon Network on March 23rd at 7:00 PM, so be sure to catch it!

Battle Revolution Release Date - Pokemon Battle Revolution for the Nintendo Wii will be released on June 25, 2007, in America. The date was officially revealed by a Nintendo press release today. Diamond and Pearl for the Nintendo DS will be released two months earlier on April 22nd.

Need a Car? Like Pokemon Cards? - A user on eBay has submitted his PokeMobile for purchase. It is not one of those Pikachu beatle cars everyone has seen a million times - it's actually a unique creation, using Pokemon cards protected by a layer of... something... to prevent the cards from damage. It also has a Base Set Mewtwo in the front, psychically protecting the car from car crashes and forming a deflector shield around the car. Click here to view the unique car!

I haven't been updating because the repair store lost my laptop and I have been trying to track it down for the past week! After yelling at the top of my lungs on the phone to seven people (literally!) over the course of the past four days, I finally found out that my laptop is in Mexico, when it should be in Texas being fixed. -_- I finally made it through to the corporate office and talked to a representative who was extremely rude to me, even though I was courteous (funny how kids act better than adults at times). I tried to explain my laptop was central to my work, including school (!!!) and my Pokemon website, and that they should have fixed it a long time ago, and the man said "Who the [bleep] even likes Pokemon anymore? (he was annoyed with me because he thought I was acting like a know-it-all in explaining what was wrong with my laptop and in knowing how their company works with repairs - they don't like it when you know more than them, even when you are being nice about it)" I was totally blown away by what he said and demanded to talk to his boss, and he transferred me. Twenty minutes later, I talked to a very nice woman and she told me what I needed to know after calling a couple of other people/places, and she even apologized to me about the man. So, I will not get my laptop back until probably a week or so from tomorrow. This isn't the first time something like this has happened - three years ago, my old laptop was sent to England via a plane when it should have remained in the store near my house (which is in CA). Joy. :D

Quick News Tidbits - I don't have any major news stories right now because of a lack of time, so I'll just give the cold, hard news without any fluff (some of the news is old since I have not had time to post it recently). The Diamond and Pearl English booster packs will have 10 cards in them instead of the usual 9 (and old 11), and the set will feature three theme decks instead of the normal two. Meowth346 (the webmaster of the old Pokemon website, PokeFor) and I are working on the next version of the Modified Card-Dex (details later), which will feature new improvements and interactivity. Pokemon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea airs on Cartoon Network at 7:00 PM on March 23rd, Friday, and the movie trailer can be seen on the front page of PokemonCenter.com. (spoilers) Brock is going to obtain a Happiny and Ash a Buizel before the 10th Pokemon movie comes out in Japan, as revealed by an official Dialga vs. Palkia movie poster recently uploaded to the internet. Hmmm, what else? .... I think that's it! Don't forget that TCG States will continue next weekend! PokeBeach's podcast has been delayed because of my laptop, so we will probably not have the first episode until two Saturdays from now (that is the... 24th, the day after Manaphy airs on CN). If you want to be a call-in guest or a regular on the podcast, please post in this story's news thread! To be a regular, you will need to know everything about Pokemon (the games, TCG, and Anime). Post your experience in the thread (your personality, knowledge, etc.)! We will probably only select one person.

EDIT #1: All translations, except Croconaw, are now available for viewing by [clicking here]. Thanks go to Bangiras and nimonosandes for making them!

So sleepy.... Since this was a big update tonight and I did not have enough time to write other news stories, I will try to do so tomorrow, or by Friday.

DP2: The Mystery of the Lakes Scans (115) and Translations - Thanks to nimonosandes, we now have 115 Mystery of the Lake scans before the set has even been released! You can view the scans by [clicking here]. Translations for most of the cards can also be found by [clicking here], and were created by Bangiras. With several poison-type Pokemon in this set being classified as psychic, as was the case with the first Diamond and Pearl TCG set, we can now officially say that poison-type Pokemon (such as Crobat, Drapion, Croagunk, etc.) in the TCG are psychic-types now (justification: purple is the color of poison in Pokemon - purple is the color of the psychic symbol - I don't know :p). Thanks also goes to Porygon for creating the list for me, since editing the 115 scans took forever and I could not do everything at once. The list is organized by type and is alphabetized, is not complete, and is not in the correct order of the card numbers - there was no time to work on it, so the links are just there for the scans we have and are not in any official order. Tomorrow, if I have time, more scans will be put up, as well as more translations and information.

Abra, ???????, Alakazam? - While there are Abra and Alakazam in this set, from looking at the OFFICIAL set list, unless there was a huge oversight, there is NO Kadabra card. The scans also suggest that there is no Kadabra, since we have most of the uncommon and common cards, and Kadabra is missing. When I talked to one of the Pokemon Card Game Japanese creators at Worlds 2006 and asked her about Abra and Kadabra, I wrote up a story:

Abra and Kadabra - Not on Cards for an Unknown, Real Reason - I must have walked all over the entire room asking PCL members about why Abra and Kadabra do not have cards yet (in the EX blocks), showing them the Japanese text for their names so they knew who I was talking about. None of them really knew until I talked to the last girl. When I asked her, she said she knew what I was talking about, and that they knew they had not made them into cards yet. When I asked her WHY they were not made into cards, she laughed and said she could not tell. I asked if it was because of a magician (the Yuri Gueller guy or whatever his name was who got mad over Kadabra), but she did not know what I was talking about (probably because I messed up the guy's name), so I asked again, and she made a "my lips are zipped motion" and laughed (so giggly these Japanese fellows are). I had talked to her before about different Pokemon-related topics, and she had never tried to hide anything from me, but when it came to this particular topic, she zipped her mouth (literally). So, I suppose there is a reason why they never made them into cards, since she did acknowledge that they knew they had not made them (which means they did not just forget about them), but that reason is still unclear, and most likely will never be revealed to us - unless I get it out of one of them tomorrow. :p

It seems as if Kadabra will never be made into a card again. At this point, it only appears that you can get from Abra to Alakazam with Rare Candy or by using one of Abra's attacks that allow it to evolve directly into Alakazam (see translations above).

If (IF!) I have time tonight when I get home, I will have a largeeeeeeeee update (covering everything I have missed since Friday and new stuff). Also, there will be a side-dish of laptop and school drama. Stay tuned (but remember - IF I have time, which legally does not punish me if I do not have an update at said time :p)!