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Overall Thoughts on Volume 1
Volume 1 had its good and bad chapters. Chapter 4 was, by far, the best of them all, while the second chapter was the most edited. This volume basically retells the first, seventh, sixth, and the episodes when "Ash" battles "Sabrina" (although with quite a lot of changes) in that order. The sixth episode (chapter 3) was handled a lot better in this version than in the anime, in my opinion, while the first chapter was quite similar. However, I just can't get used to the way Ono-sensei draws Professor Ookido (Professor Oak.)
Front Cover
Although Viz used the same central image for the cover of volume 1, they changed the background and removed the chibi (super-deformed or squashed) images of Kasumi(Misty) and Takeshi(Brock) and of some pokemon. These chibi images were used as a "pin-up" on the graphic novel.
The English Cover The Japanese Cover Back Cover Image
The back of the Viz Graphic Novel featured several paragraphs of text and not a single picture. However, the original graphic novel from Japan did have an image. This image was edited and used as a "pin-up" in the English graphic novel.
Original Color Page
The original color page, an image featuring several Pokemon, was used as a "pin-up" (number 3) in the graphic novel, although Viz changed the white background to a peach-colored background. Because this image is included in the graphic novel, I am noting the edit, but not scanning the picture.
Front and Back Cover Image 2
What? There are two front and Back cover images? Yes and no. The Japanese edition of this graphic novel features a colorful dust jacket, which is the front cover and back cover shown above. Most of the time, under the dust jacket is nothing special. However, this time, the author included an image of the characters, not used in the Viz graphic novel.
Front Cover Under the Dust Jacket Back Cover Under the Dust Jacket Click Here for a larger image and translation! 
A Message from the Author
This is a message from the author that was on the original inside front cover flap of the dust jacket.
Translation:
When I write manga, I'm always in this stance. It is like the most cutest Pikachu transformed to an ugly 30-year old man... No, ugly 30-year old men can transform into cute Pikachu. Don't brag to yourself "This is the 'Pikachu suit.'"
Chapter 1
Before I talk about the edits made to chapter 1, I should note that in Japan, comics are read from right to left, while in English-speaking countries, comics are read left to right. In order to conform to English reading standards, the artwork is "flipped" or mirror-imaged to read the correct way.
Chapter one has three major edits in it, and one which I am not sure if it is an edit or not. These occur on pages 20, 36, and 53 of the English graphic novel.
Page 14 of the Japanese graphic novel Page 20 of the English Graphic Novel This was such an offensive image in the original Japanese version. How dare the artist try to realisticly portray female anatomy. I mean, I'm insulted. I am not sure if the next difference if made on purpose or not, and since there was no editing, I am not going to scan it. However, be aware that the uniforms the police women wear starting on page 29 of the English edition are colored much darker, and most of the details are harder to see.
Japanese graphic novel page 30 English graphic novel page 36 Why even bother editing this image? Especially if you leave the image on the previous page unedited. That's like shouting out "EDITED!" I missed this edit originally. To keep consistant with the above edits (ignoring the page Kasumi was introduced on) Viz edited the 4th and 5th panels slightly. This is on English graphic novel page 43, Japanese graphic novel page 37. Of course, in keeping with the need to have "Misty" change shirts every few panels, Viz leaves chibi-"Misty" unaltered on page 52 of their version. (46 of the Japanese version.)
Japanese graphic novel page 47 English graphic novel page 53 Same as with the picture above. It's not like we can see anything we shouldn't be seeing. Did Viz really need to edit this? Chapter 2
Consistancy Viz! English version page 59 last panel, Japanese version page 53 is unaltered.
Japanese graphic novel page 57 English graphic novel page 63 This is in keeping with other edits in chapter 1. Why they bothered, on the other hand, is beyond me. The last panel on page 63(Eng.) also contains an edit. Page 64(Eng.) (first and last panel) contains an edit. Page 65(Eng.) (first panel) contains an edit. Page 67(Eng.) (third panel) contains an edit.
Japanese graphic novel page 63 English graphic novel page 69 Yes, these outfits are skimpy. Yes, these girls are in bathing suits. When they could get wet at any time in a battle, who could blame them? I wouldn't wera suit or regular clothes in a place like that, so why should they? Page 70(Eng.) (The panels with "Misty's" sisters) contains an edit. Page 71 (Eng.) (first, second, and fifth panels) contain edits.
Japanese graphic novel page 66 English graphic novel page 72 Yeah, this is pushing it, but still. Did you need to go THAT far? From a bathing suit to a wetsuit? Couldn't they have just made it a little less skimpy, but still a bathing suit? Page 73 of the English edition contains an edit in the first two panels. Page 75 of the english edition is edited in the third and fifth panels. Page 76 is edited in the English edition as well. First panel. Page 78 (English) is edited, the image of "Misty's" sisters. Page 79, English, is edited in the first and last panels. Page 80 of the English edition is edited, panels 1-3. Page 81 of the English graphic novel has an edit in panel showing Misty's sister. Page 84 of the English edition is edited, first panel. English page 85, panels 2 and 4 are edited. English page 86, edited panel 4. English page 87, panel 3-4 are edited. English page 88, 2nd and 3rd panels edited.
Japanese page 83 of the graphic novel English page 89 of the graphic novel 
This was the "bumper" picture used between chapters 2 and 3. I'm not sure why Viz changed it. Chapter 3
This chapter had less edits in it than the previous one, but had some interesting differences too, such as the removal of English words... See below.
Japanese graphic novel page 88 English graphic novel page 94 Sorry it's a little hard to see. Notice the sign is in English in the Japanese version, but it's blank in the English version. Interesting, ne? Is English bad too Viz? In the panel with "Gary" in the English version of page 98, it seems like "Ash's" shirt is glowing. Satoshi's shirt in the Japanese version said (in English) Master.
Japanese graphic novel page 103 English graphic novel page 109 
Come on Viz, was this that bad? Covering up most of the artwork? On page 121 of the English graphic novel, a description of "Nickel" not present in the Japanese edition is added.
Japanese graphic novel page 122 English graphic novel page 128 
Another bumper picture between chapters 3 and 4 is changed here. It seems that Viz changed the bumpers to relate the the previous chapter, instead of featuring original artwork. Chapter 4
I am happy to report that chapter 4 contains NO edits. It is unedited! If only the rest of the chapters were like that. Of course, it probably helps that no evil females appeared in this chapter... To Volume 2 | Home
