History YMMV / PokemonLive

* VindicatedByHistory: The show wasn't received very well when it was toured (in fact, this reasoning is speculated as to why the home release was cancelled), with critics calling it extremely derivative and eye-rolling. The recording of the show that surfaced online years later even showed all the actors dying on stage, with a very unenthused audience, and recieving no applause at any time. However, when said recording surfaced, fans of the franchise were quite fond of it. While the show is [[DenserAndWackier admittedly very silly]], most fans praised its production values with the Pokémon puppets, and the plot itself being a good sendoff to ''Indigo League'' that some would argue [[SugarWiki/BetterThanCanon is a better ending]] than [[StatusQuoIsGod how the season actually ended]]. That, and the silliness [[TropesAreTools gives the show its charm]].

* VindicatedByHistory: The show wasn't received very well when it was toured (in fact, this reasoning is speculated as to why the home release was cancelled), with critics calling it extremely derivative and eye-rolling. The recording of the show that surfaced online years later even showed all the actors dying on stage, with a very unenthused audience, and recieving no applause at any time. However, when said recording surfaced, fans of the franchise were quite fond of it. While the show is [[DenserAndWackier admittedly very silly]], most fans praised its production values with the Pokémon puppets, and the plot itself being a good sendoff to ''Indigo League'' that some would argue [[SugarWiki/BetterThanCanon is a better ending]] than [[StatusQuoIsGod how the season actually ended]]. That, and the silliness [[TropesAreTools give the show its charm]].

* VindicatedByHistory: The show wasn't received very well when it was toured (in fact, this reasoning is speculated as to why the home release was cancelled), with critics calling it extremely derivative and eye-rolling. The recording of the show that surfaced online years later even showed all the actors dying on stage, with a very unenthused audience, and recieving no applause at any time. However, when said recording surfaced, fans of the franchise were quite fond of it. While the show is [[DenserAndWackier admittedly very silly]], most fans praised its production values with the Pokémon puppets, and the plot itself being a good sendoff to ''Indigo League'' that some would argue [[SugarWiki/BetterThanCanon is a better ending]] than [[StatusQuoIsGod how the season actually ended]].

** Giovanni being played by Darren Dunstan, who dubbed Maximillion Pegasus, ''Anime/YuGiOh'''s first ArcVillain, becomes this when you realize that Giovanni's dub actor in the [[Anime/{{Pokemon}} anime]], Ted Lewis, also did the voice of Yami Bakura, the BigBad of the latter series who at one point puts Pegasus in a coma while stealing his Millennium Eye.

** Most of the songs are well-sang, and many are quite heartfelt, but as soon as the word "Pokémon" pops up, you can't help but laugh a little bit.

* UncannyValley: The Spanish version of the show had live actors wearing masks of their characters and extra-shiny clothes to imitate the anime's look. The results are creepy to say the least.

* MagnificentBastard: [[BigBad Giovanni]], as always, is the charismatic leader of Team Rocket out to conquer the world. Building the [=MechaMew2=] robot after failing to capture Mewtwo, Giovanni lures trainers to his gym with his Diamond Badge, having [=MechaMew2=] copy various Pokémon's attacks and using them against its opponents. Having defeated hundreds of trainers with this tactic in a single day, Giovanni plans to use the attacks copied by his mechanical marvel to [[TakeOverTheWorld gain world domination]]. Also having had a romance with Delia Ketchum when they were teenagers, Govanni lures her and Professor Oak into a trap, kidnapping them to force them both to witness his victory. Luring Ash to him after acquiring his Pikachu, Giovanni easily defeats the Pokémon and orders [=MechaMew2=] to kill Ash once in for all. [[DeusExMachina Despite Mewtwo suddenly stepping in and saving the day]], Giovanni still proved to be a cunning mastermind prideful of his own manipulation skills.

* FunnyAneurysmMoment: "My Best Friends" talks about how Ash, Misty and Brock will adventure together forever, which is awkward since Misty and (much later) Brock were PutOnABus and stopped traveling with Ash. It became HeartwarmingInHindsight with their return appearances in the ''Sun/Moon'' anime, though.

* HamAndCheese: Darren Dunstan's performance as Giovanni is reminiscent of Raul Julia in the [[Film/StreetFighter Street Fighter live-action film]].

** Giovanni being played by Darren Dunstan, who dubbed Maximillion Pegasus, ''Anime/YuGiOh'''s first ArcVillain, becomes this when you realize that Giovanni's dub actor in the anime, Ted Lewis, also did the voice of Yami Bakura, the BigBad of the latter series who at one point puts Pegasus in a coma while stealing his Millennium Eye.

* UncannyValley: The Spanish version of the show had live actors wearing masks of their characters. The results are creepy to say the least.

** Giovanni being played by Darren Dunstan, who dubbed Maximillion Pegasus, ''Anime/YuGiOh'''s first ArcVillain, becomes this when you realize that Giovanni's dub actor in the anime, Ted Lewis, also did the voice of Yami Bakura, the BigBad of the latter series who at one point puts Pegasus in a coma while stealing his Millennium Eye. Darren also voices Giovanni in the exact same way he'd later voice Pegasus.

* WhatDoYouMeanItsForKids: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WE5RAG68UI An interview]] ''Game Informer'' held with the writer of the show lampshaded that a big part of the musical's plot is a ten-year-old dealing with the concept of his mom's previous boyfriend being a renowned criminal.

** Giovanni being played by Darren Dunstan, who dubbed Maximilian Pegasus, ''Anime/YuGiOh'''s first ArcVillain, becomes this when you realize that Giovanni's dub actor in the anime, Ted Lewis, also did the voice of Yami Bakura, the BigBad of the latter series who at one point puts Pegasus in a coma while stealing his Millennium Eye.

* FunnyAneurysmMoment: "My Best Friends" talks about how Ash, Misty and Brock will adventure together forever, which is awkward since Misty and Brock were PutOnABus and stopped traveling with Ash. It became HeartwarmingInHindsight with their return appearances in the ''Sun/Moon'' anime, though.

** During Giovanni's VillainSong, he refers to [=MechaMew2=] as a [[Anime/PokemonVolcanionAndTheMechanicalMarvel Mechanical Marvel]], which later became a movie title, and Magearna's status as an artificial Pokemon made by humans also brings the musical to mind. Spoofed [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZm8xe1mb08 here]].

* LevelBreaker: Most of the songs are well-sang, and many are quite heartfelt, but as soon as the word "Pokemon" pops up, you can't help but laugh a little bit.

* RetroactiveRecognition: Yes, that's Tony-nominated Broadway star Andrew Rannells as James; he'd also play Harley in the ''Pokemon'' anime and Noah and Leon in ''Anime/YuGiOh''. ''Yu-Gi-Oh'' fans may also recognize Giovanni as Darren Dunstan, the English dub actor for Maximillion Pegasus.

* SoBadItsGood: Again, it probably would have been just plain good if ''Pokemon'' ''hadn't'' been involved.

* {{HSQ}}: The last 15 minutes have, in rapid succession, a series of events that make the preceding hour and a half worth it:
** Ash and Giovanni facing off in a Pokemon battle. While short, this was the closest they'd come to a fight until the ''Best Wishes'' series--and in the anime their fight was even shorter.
** Ash trying to fight Giovanni ''physically'' after Pikachu is defeated. Giovanni responds in kind.
** The real Mewtwo showing up and saving Ash from [=MechaMew2=]'s Hyper Beam, then attacking [=MechaMew2=] [[spoiler:with Ash's memories]].
** [=MechaMew2=] gaining sentience and giving a touching speech about what it learned from Ash before putting Giovanni in a headlock and blowing itself up.

* AlternativeChaarcterInterpretation: The show makes it clear that Delia left Giovanni for Ash's father, however fans are more likely to reinterpret Giovanni ''as'' Ash's dad, which was [[WhatCouldHaveBeen originally planned]]. Not helping are comments that imply they had sex at least once, as well as the show writer saying in an interview that the implication was intentional.

* FanonDiscontinuity: The show makes it clear that Delia left Giovanni for Ash's father, however fans are more likely to reinterpret Giovanni ''as'' Ash's dad, which was [[WhatCouldHaveBeen originally planned]]. Not helping are comments that imply they had sex at least once, as well as the show writer saying in an interview that the implication was intentional.

* RetroactiveRecognition: Yes, that's Tony-nominated Broadway star Andrew Rannells as James; he'd also play Harley in the Pokemon anime and Noah and Leon in ''Anime/YuGiOh''. ''Yu-Gi-Oh'' fans may also recognize Giovanni as Darren Dunstan, the English dub actor for Maximillion Pegasus.

* CrowningMusicOfAwesome:
** ''You Just Can't Win'' for all the fans who would've liked to see Ash and Giovanni actually face each other. This was the closest they'd come to a fight until the ''Best Wishes'' series 13 years later. The song is made even cooler in context, as it takes place after [=MechaMew2=] defeats Pikachu, so Ash tries to fight Giovanni himself.
** ''Team Rocket's Rockin' (Double Trouble)'' is pretty damn awesome. As is Giovanni's VillainSong.