I had quite a time trying to find out anything about this manga. Didn’t find out anything, most of all why “Pokemon 4koma Gag!! Theater” was never translated for us Unova fans. Which is weird, mind you. In Japan, Unova is Isshu, translated to Unova here. Surge, however, is “The American Soldier”. Pokemon world, man. Takes three years to notice an entire region literally next to yours.
Back to the 4koma. I find it odd that we get obviously inappropriate manga like… well, most of them. Adventures had the Pokemon zombies and Red stealing a Pokemon (not unlike him, considering Origins). Pikachu’s Boogaloo had boobs, boobs, boobs. Plus, let’s not forget James’ bad boys in the anime.
Sure, much was edited and cut out, but they exist. However, this manga is pretty tame. Worst I can think of is Dugtrio looking up a Lass’ skirt and Ash thinking he wet the bed. It was just a Ditto, but still.
My guess is that at the time, Japan thought we were too dumb to understand 4komas. I am, but don’t punish everyone else on my shortcomings. Honestly, it’s a shame that we never got this manga here.
Even so, the jokes are pretty understandable, despite the lack of English. Pretty much all of the jokes are based on the appearance of Pokemon. Kabuto looks like a claw, so the punchline is that Kabuto works for a claw machine game! No one will let Pikachu play in the playground! “I’ll slide on Lickitung’s tongue!” Don’t worry, Pikachu knows exactly where that tongue has been… EVERYWHERE!
I like the jokes that play on mysteries of Pokemon designs, something Unova Pokemon tend to lack. What happens if you take off Slowbro’s Shellder? You get a hundred more Shellder underneath! What happens if Grimer evolves while holding a shelf? It falls on him!
My personal favorite is the Haunter strip. Haunter lays in bed, grabbing food with its dismembered hands. Gengar cries, remembering fondly of its Haunter days. A+ strip! Give that ghost an Oscar! I don’t know, just give him the one that we planned to give to Leo!
But some strips don’t entertain well. Half of the Slowbro strips have the same punchline. “Slowbro is dumb!” Some are funny, but it gets old to see the poor Pokemon get picked on just to make the same joke. Like Meg.
I honestly believe P4kGT is superior to Black and White Pocket Comics. Even jokes I find funny in B&W are only because they’re in English, while this manga makes use of “Show, Don’t Tell”.
Obviously you shouldn’t get this. It’s probably beyond expensive, and if you’re like me, you’ll wish you had any idea why the Tentacruel strip about denting the aquarium glass is funny. Come over to my place to read it. I’ll lend you safety gloves, and all you have to do is pay me ten bucks up front.
Well, that was another uneventful April here on the blog. Take care, and I wish you well come Sunday, when your ears will bleed from hearing that “May the Fourth” joke one time too many.