Dogasu's Backpack
| Dogasu's Backpack | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Language | English |
| Status | Active |
| Run | 2000 - Present |
| Date opened | January 31, 2000 |
| Creator | Dogasu |
| Mascot | Koffing |
| Website | Main page |
Dogasu's Backpack is an English-language fan site owned by Dogasu, self-described as "your guide for the Japanese version of Pokémon". It is most well known for its comparisons of the Japanese and English versions of the Pokémon anime. The site also contains summary guides for several popular Pokémon manga titles as well as CD and DVD guides and listings. It is one of the oldest English-language fan sites around, dating back to around January 2000.
The website's name and mascot originate from James's Koffing, which is favoured by Dogasu because it is "obscure and unloved". Contrasting the majority of modern Pokémon fan sites, Dogasu's Backpack employs no staff. All site updates are made by Dogasu, although some members of the fandom have contributed in the past. Dogasu's Backpack is hosted by Bulbagarden and is a close affiliate, with Dogasu also being the head of anime on its forums.
History
Dogasu's backpack was first opened 31st of January 2000, under the name Dogasu’s English-Japanese Pokémon Page. The website started off as a small Geocities page, eventually moving to other free web space providers such as envy.nu and Terrashare before finally moving to Bulbagarden's domain in late 2000. The site's main features remain unchanged to this day, although the quality of Dogasu's episode comparisons have improved. Dogasu is currently rewriting some of his oldest episode comparisons.
Site
Main Page
Site updates and general Pokémon news are contained here in a blog-style format. The main page content is usually archived at the beginning of each month. Relevant contact details and external links to the website’s Facebook page and Dailymotion account, as well as its discussion thread on Bulbagarden Forums, are also included here for convenience.
Lists
Dogasu’s Backpack features lists including:
- List of Pokemon
- Pokemon World Atlas
- List of Techniques
- List of Items
- List of Anime Episodes
Whilst most of these lists are up-to-date, the list of items and techniques have not been updated since Generation II and III, respectively. The List of Anime Episodes is the most up-to-date list, with Japanese and Dub episode names added soon after their revelation.
Guides
Arguably the most informative section of the site, it features several guides made by Dogasu which cover a wide range of various Poké-media. This section includes the popular episode comparisons of the Dubbed and Japanese editions of the Pokémon anime, with each review covering all the major differences between the two versions. This section also includes Movies and Specials guides which feature a synopsis and various cast and box office performance information of each Pokémon movie to date. Most of the TV Specials are also included within this section of the site, some of which only aired in Japan such as the Pikachu Shorts.
Both a CD and DVD guide are which give a detailed breakdown of all the different Pokémon CDs and DVDs produced in both Japan and Internationally. Neither of these guides are complete. Similarly, a Voice Actors guide is included which lists all the Japanese and English Voice Actors and also includes interviews with Veronica Taylor and Leah Applebaum. This section hasn’t been updated since the voice actor’s switchover however, and Dogasu plans to update it along with a “major revamp in the future”. An up-to-date lyrics archive is also kept in this section, with lyrics of each Japanese opening included along with Dogasu’s own translation of these lyrics.
Perhaps more outdated than other sections of the site is the Manga guide, which includes information on each Pokémon Manga series released in Japan and America. Whilst Dogasu “some pages are admittedly weak and not all that useful”, he intends to update this area of the website in the future. The Manga guides haven’t been updated since the Diamond and Pearl Chapters, however. A Video Game guide is also included in this section, which keeps an up-to-date list of all Pokémon games released. Each game listed is accompanied by its release date as well as a basic overview, any international changes and trivia.
Miscellaneous
Possibly the most casual section of the site, it features several sections including:
- Humor
- Pokémon Bashing
- Features
- Rants
Features
Episode comparisons
The website's episode comparisons are its most distinctive feature. Intended for people who are unfamiliar with the Japanese version of the Pokémon anime, Dogasu's write-ups usually cover all the differences made by 4Kids and more recently TPCi in the dubbed version. These usually emphasize the amount of music, dialog and paint edits made by the dubbing companies. Dogasu's opinion is usually in favor of the Japanese version.
Episode comparisons have been completed for almost every series of the anime, with the exception of Pokémon: The Adventures in the Orange Islands and the Diamond and Pearl series. In addition, Dogasu will regularly revamp comparisons of the original series. The website also features comparisons for the movies and TV specials (such as The Legend of Thunder!), the former of which are usually updated shortly after the movie's North American premiere. Any variations on Team Rocket's motto are also included in the episode comparison they where featured in.
Recycled characters
As part of a joint effort with several members of the Bulbagarden community, the website features a list of background characters who have recurring appearances in the Pokémon anime. It is interesting to note some of these characters appearing as early as Battle Aboard the St. Anne make later appearances in episodes as recent Time Warp Heals All Wounds. Whilst a popular feature, this section of the website has not been updated recently.
External links
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This article is a part of Project Fandom, a Bulbapedia Project that aims to write comprehensive articles on every aspect of the Pokémon Fandom. |
