Ok everybody, the first two episodes of the Best Wishes series aired in Japan today. Since most sites aren't reporting anything yet:

-Ash is already getting ready to go to Isshu when the episode begins and he, Delia, and Oak are on their way in less then a minute and a half. Not like it really matters, but they finally show that Pallet Town is located by the sea in episode 1.

-Team Rocket HQ has been revamped, and the TR trio has been promoted.

-They take a flight to Isshu

-The title card shows the ocean with the sun on the horizon with six pokeballs surrounding the screen.

-Pikachu gets his by Zekrom, but no one can find anything wrong with Pikachu.

-Shooti appears and picks Tsutarja as his starter.

-Ash and Shooti battle.

-Pokemon have new animations when coming out of their Pokeballs.

-Ash loses since Pikachu can't use Electric attacks and the episode 1 ends with everyone freaking out about Zekrom's electricity raining down on the city.

-In episode 2 Ash leaves on his journey and the episode is mainly about Ash and Iris getting to know each other.

-Also in episode 2, Ash captures Mamepato and Jessie captures Koromori.

-Araragi's Mijumaru follows Ash throughout these two episodes and should be capture in episode 3.

Tracey who? just kidding..

Anyone else love the opening?

also we were right

no bike = she get's shocked herself...

Does anyone else think that this new season is an attempt to reboot Jesse and James as villains and make them more serious again? I mean, first of all, they have darker clothes. And Jesse even gave up on Contests after she lost in the Grand Festival (not that it matters since there aren't any Contests in Isshu but that's besides the point). It just seems, especially since their new animations look a little...I dunno...colder, perhaps?...that the writers in Japan are trying to make them true villains instead of comedic relief as they have been for some time now.

Other than that one question, it looks like this season is going to be awesome, although I am still a little sad that they seem to be essentially starting all over again what with Brock and Dawn leaving. Ash already has his obligatory bird Pokemon and it looks as though he's going to catch Mijumaru in the next episode, which would give him his Water type, too. I am kinda intrigued by Iris, though, especially since I'm not sure exactly what her role on the show will be.

(1) The writers really rushed to promote Isshu. He's already getting ready, geez. No goodbye of his pokes, no meeting Tracey, Misty.

(2) Anyone had a WTF moment when the newly fresh received starter defeated good ol' Pikachu? I get that he lost his electric attacks but he still has his other moves, which should be enough considering it was a freakin starter.

Watching right now and... damn Team Rocket's kicking up the badass, even Jesse and James seem to be affected by the badassness that Team Rocket is leaking right now O.o;;

lol, Pikachu gets Poetic Justice after all it's haxx'd use of electric attacks

And, whoa. Not like uber dark and edgy or anything, but TR Trio now delivers. Their silly is dropping at an alarming rate here!

The music's pretty cool, that new TR Trio intro was pretty sick, and now this music when introducing hte starters is kinda awesome as well. Awesomesauce.

I'll watch as soon as I can find some subs. I've seen the opening though, not really sure how to feel about it

So Yanmega isn't there anymore? I would think that would be a bigger threat than a bat with a heart symbol

Meh. I knew it was too good to be true when I saw Serebii listing Jessie with four Pokémon. Wait, WHY would Team Rocket do that though? Deliberately making them weaker...and knowing the trio as well as I'm sure Giovanni does, they need all the help they can get...how'd they manage to get promoted anyway? Or is that just some line Giovanni's fed them to make them feel important?

I think we are finally going to get some closure on Team Rocket. Giovanni is plotting something big, and in the end I think Team Rocket will be destroyed because of it, and surviving members will be put in jail. Except for our trio, I think they will get a happy ending, with no organisation they are free to pressure their own dreams.

So no more Team Rocket, keep your fingers crossed. About time the writers wrap this storyline up like they finally did with Brock.

I think one possibiity could that Giovanni's assistant is a double agent for Team Plasma, Jessie and James promotion is part of a Team Plasma plot to get Team Rocket.

What I want to know is that Giovanni after he talked with Jessie, James, and Meowth. I doubt it was anything endearing like "I know those three can do it". More likely he is using them as a decoy or sacrificial lamb.