The Creature Quorum

Six and Allen may be poking at Sword and Shield for months to come, but they've both played enough to have a lot of thoughts about how the games turned out. I doubt anyone would call this a perfect gen of Pokemon, but overall, how does it stack up? Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

Finally, we're starting to get somewhere in the Unova dex. Goths and lime jello, good birds and bad. It's hardly a new observation, but this dex would really be a lot better if they didn't feel the need to create analogues for every gen 1 pokemon. Did we really need a Not-Voltorb? We also tackle the ice cream cone pokemon, and it's a fairly interesting conversation. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

So, this episode's late. I'll be up front with you: this edit was a nightmare. We love having guests, but one of the things about having guests is sometimes you get people who haven't been on a podcast before. And sometimes that's no big deal! But sometimes... their audio sounds terrible. That was the case here. It was awesome to have Lee on the show, but cleaning up their track took hours, and still probably doesn't sound fantastic. I hope y'all can enjoy it anyway. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

What should have been a normal Quorum episode quickly takes a turn as Six and Allen consider the swirling conversation about the upcoming eighth generation of Pokemon, and what it means for a game to be pokemon. Don't worry, zero spoilers or mention of the leaks. In the wake of that conversation, we rank the seven existing generations, from best to worst. The results... might surprise you. Or they might not, I guess you've listened to us talk quite a bit by now =P Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

Hey, 535 is an anagram for 553! I just noticed that. Neat! Six and Allen continue to fight their way through the Unova dex, slowly coming to the realization of just how massive this gen of pokemon is. Did we really need a Poliwag 2.0? And yet we absolutely DID need Whimsicott. Ups and downs, highs and lows. Same as it ever was. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

Unova, I love you, but you're bringing me down. This generation of Pokemon has a rhythm like no other, and so it makes sense that our pace of judgment has been thrown. Such great designs next to such lousy designs, such powerful highs and lows... I can't say I understand what they were thinking. Maybe you don't need to create an analogue for EVERY pokemon from the original gen, y'all. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

We're a legislative body. It's nice to talk about Treecko and Tropius, or ponder Pikachu and Pachirisu, but sometimes the job of running the Pokemon world is less fun and games. Crime is real. And we have a responsibility to address it. Join Allen and Six on this episode while we tackle organized crime. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

We're here. Unova. Allen's favorite gen of pokemon. Well, more the games than the dex, but let's not sweat the details. ...Actually. Actually! Sweating the details is LITERALLY our job! Let's sweat the design details of all these new pokemon, and decide whether or not they belong in the Quorum! Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

The Quorum is back to finally conclude the Sinnoh Dex! After that, it's time for a music extravaganza as we listen to all the town/city music in Gen 4, and rank the cities by the quality of their music! Hey, the DS had a pretty cool sound chip if you ask me. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

This episode calls it quits shortly into the Great Sinnoh Legendary Wasteland. Can you blame us, dear listener? Would you want to sift through dozens of uninspired, lifeless legendaries back to back? Nay. Even with the mighty guest Magellan at our side, a break is required, lest we lose all hope in the process. I don't think I've ever heard as much contempt for a pokemon as I heard for Arceus today, and we didn't even reach that critter. Tis better we finish the Sinnoh Dex another day, with lighter hearts and open minds. Can you believe this editing software is STILL trying to tell me I'm spelling Johto wrong? Get with it, man. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

Gen 4 is a bit smaller than the others maybe, but our conversations are bigger than ever! Six and Allen blaze through another 28 pokemon in their quest to a more perfect Pokedex... and joining them is first time guest and Pokemon Go expert Emily! (Pssst, you might know Emily from a few other appearances on Scanline shows!) Between the three of them, they're sure to get a lot of work done. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

The question is simple. It's one of respect. Now, you may think you respect me. You may tell yourself that. You may tell me that. But I don't care what you tell me. I care what your actions tell me. And, my friend? A pokeball? You don't put Don Honchkrow in a pokeball. That is not respect. It breaks my heart to see you treat me like this. And what else can I do? When I am disrespected, do I not need to respond? Take Jimmy here, for example. Not the brightest Murkrow. But he has respect. In truth, trainer, it is the pokemon that are easy to trust. It is the trainers like you who forget your place. And there will be another trainer. There is always another would-be "master," who thinks they've gotta "catch em all." You do not catch the Don. And if you are very, very lucky, the Don decides not to catch you. You, my friend, were not lucky. Now I have to ask the boys to get rid of you. Oh, and boys? Make sure Officer Jenny has to really work to identify the body of our trainer friend. We have to give the cops something to do, after all. And it always pays to keep public servants busy. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

Sinnoh! Oh, sorry. That's how we say "hello" in the Sinnoh region! Yes, I am still grumpy about the Alola thing. It doesn't make any SENSE. Ah, whatever. It is not a time for grumpiness. It is a time for celebration! Ryan joins Six and Allen to inaugurate the Sinnoh Pokedex into the Quorum, with a rousing start and a whole heap of judgments. Dig in! Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

It's time to bring the Hoenn Dex to its finale. But we can't do it alone. "Quorum," as I've said many times, means the minimum number of members present to make a decision. To close out the third generation, just Six and Allen aren't nearly enough. This episode, Scanline Media's Jennifer Unkle joins us, along with Ryan and Kaity from Fireside Friends for a full-on five person pod. Between these five minds, how could any of our decisions POSSIBLY be questioned? Obviously every call we made was right. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

So that title isn't, like, incorrect. But it's probably a little misleading. We have a plan for the Hoenn finale, but it's not ready yet, so Six and Allen join together to find the best Pokemon to surf with! Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

For this week's Quorum, Six and Allen bring in a Trainer who started their journey with the Hoenn region. You might know Harri from guesting on other Scanline shows, but you probably weren't aware that he's head over heels in love with the Game Boy Advance, and its (admittedly fantastic) array of titles. Between the three of them, can they survive another stretch of very questionable Pokemon design? Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

I've been trying to think of some sort of pun for this generation. Hoenn = hone? Hoe-in'? Hoe in (as in the farming implement)? I have absolutely nothing. It's a sad showing from me in the pun game here, but in this podcast it's a different story. I have to give the Hoenn Dex more credit: as we head through what are normally the doldrums of a dex, Allen and I are actually hitting a lot of gems. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

The Great Educator returns to the Quorum! Six and Allen are joined by Chatz cohost Magellan for further Hoenn dex adventures. Cat fights, a whale of a tale, Doug Trio... it's time for more judgment. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

One day, I will start saying "Hoenn" instead of "Johto" every time. The problem is, I fear by then we'll be on to Sinnoh. But maybe I'll get it right in Sinnoh? That's a good name, after all. Not like Hoenn. ...Hm. It works better spoken: written out, "Hoenn" looks kinda cool. But it doesn't feel good to say. Well, whatever. I'm filling space because this is the doldrums of the Dex, though we do get the Ralts line and they're all very precious. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

We have fun on this show. Pokemon are wonderful, and even when we cut them, we usually have a fondness for them anyway. This show is a celebration of pokemon. But. Ludicolo is not okay. And whoever designed it needs to apologize. To the world. To us. We're in the Hoenn dex now, and at times we wish we weren't. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

A scattered dream that's like a far-off memory. A far-off memory that's like a scattered dream. Despite our distance, you are mama. Six and Allen tackle the strange but charming third Pokemon movie, and learn what it truly means to have family. ...Ok, that is super not true. But we had a good time, and we hope you will too. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

With this final stretch, the Johto pokedex is at last complete. Babies! Legendaries! Allen's favorite pokemon! A fight over dogs! The Quorum's really got their hands full this week. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

Let's set the pokedex aside again, and imagine a world where Ryan Reynolds is popular. Why is he popular? I mean, he's kinda cute. He's got an okay voice. But he honestly hasn't been in that many movies, and definitely not many good movies. I don't get it. I don't have a beef or anything I guess. I just don't understand. Allen and Six are joined by guest Jen to talk about the Detective Pikachu movie, and not about why Ryan Reynolds is so popular. Apparently that isn't weird to them, so I didn't bring it up. Go figure. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected]. At a certain point in this podcast we reference a picture (near the end): here's a link to it.

It's easy to forget about the late-middle of any pokedex, and this week the Quorum runs into a lot of monsters they haven't thought about in a long time. Qwilfish and Octillery, the constant letdown of shinies, and the bug pokemon that moves three times faster than an ordinary bug... don't miss this week's assembly. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

Boy, the second Pokemon movie... not a winner, y'all. From the writing to the acting, there isn't much nice to say about this one. After our ordeal with Loog-yah, we go on to some more pokemon rating. Like true professionals, even bad cinema cannot deter us from our mission! Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

After many complaints along official channels from the cities of Kanto, claiming that it was "demeaning" for us to rank them by quality, we decided to spare Johto's cities the shame of a ranking. But, they still need the Quorum's assistance: that much is inarguable. And so, Six, Allen, and guest Kat are here to assign mascot pokemon to each city, so that they may better promote themselves and attract tourism. We're so thoughtful! Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

It has never been more apparent that the idea of a "quorum" is flexible: the minimum number of members for an assembly varies. This episode starts out with just Six and Allen, but when the debate breaks down, they need to call in help, in the form of returning guest Ryan. What on EARTH do we do with Sunkern and Sunflora? Help us, Ryan. You're our only hope. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

It's into the region we're named for that we now head. Gold, Silver, and Crystal's menagerie awaits judgment, and they may be certain that it's on its way. Will we kill Cyndaquil? Is it see you later, Feraligatr? And what of the babies? We're really in the weeds now, y'all. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

This week on the Johto Quorum, Six and Allen are back, but... they're not quite ready to close the book on Kanto. There's still some unfinished business to attend to. What could it be...? Perhaps they want to just have a good time? Remember, folks, we don't need a holiday to start to celebrate. Repeat after me: I need a vacation. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected].

The Quorum reassembles. It's time to finish the Kanto pokedex, as Six and Allen's first task comes to an end. With all these legendaries, how do Red Blue and Yellow handle the most powerful of pokemon? Only one way to find out. Join us.

This week, it's another guest episode! Our good friend Ryan (@BluestRose430 on Twitter) drops in as we push towards the end of Kanto's pokedex. Boy, there sure are some stinkers in this part of the dex, huh? But next episode, we'll finish out Kanto with a bang. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected]. See you next time!

The Quorum assembles once again, as Allen and Six are joined by Allen's cohost from Chatz: hey, it's Magellan! With our council gathered, we begin to delve into the doldrums of Kanto, where mediocre monsters seek potential pockets. We'll see who makes their way into ours... this week on TJQ. Our podcast art is done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), and you can contact the show with any questions, comments, or arguments for future (or past!) monsters at [email protected]. Thank you to Magellan (@justapfluke on Twitter) for guesting on this episode. Next episode, we'll have another guest for y'all! Enjoy!

Our list of pocketable monsters can wait for another day. Today, we've got another pokemon-based score to settle. What if we ranked every city and town in the Kanto region of Pokemon? Note: towns from the main series games only, no towns only in the anime or weird side games. Jump in with us! Our new art, done by Robin (@CourageousRobin on Twitter), is now done! Check out our new Alolan Scanline-chan! She's switched out her glasses for contacts as she heads for a tropical pokemon adventure. Big thanks to Robin for their hard work, and an excellent result!

Our journey to whittle down the roster of pocket monsters continues, and Six and Allen find their resolve tested. Six's favorite pokemon is in this batch, as well as several divisive creatures! Can "disgusting" be a good thing? Are there necessary bummers? Why does Machoke exist? All questions worth asking, and keeping on your mind as the Johto Quorum assembles once again. The Johto Quorum will have its own podcast feed as soon as its podcast art is done! For now, it’s up on Scanline Talks.

It's time to put the world of Pokemon in its place. Six and Allen are here with a new podcast, as they go through the pokedex, one by one, and trim it down. Which pocket monsters will be cut, and which will survive to our final list? Find out on the Johto Quorum. The Johto Quorum will have its own podcast feed as soon as its podcast art is done! For now, it's up on Scanline Talks.