Old Faces, New Twists: ‘Pokémon Adventures Vol. 3’ Turns Up the Heat

Pokémon Adventures Vol. 3 picks up right where we left off, with Red heading to Saffron City, pushed forward by Sabrina’s taunts, to rescue the people of Pallet Town. It’s a dramatic turn, and somehow still feels rooted in the strange charm of the original games, while also becoming something completely new.

I have to admit, it threw me a little to see four Gym Leaders revealed as high-ranking members of Team Rocket. It’s one of those plot points that made me pause and wonder if I’d forgotten something important from the original storyline. But honestly, I love that about this series. It constantly balances nostalgic comfort with full-on chaos, and that’s what keeps it so engaging.

The character development really stood out in this volume. Watching the protagonists, and even the side characters, grow has been satisfying in a way the games never quite offered. Green, in particular, had a few moments that gave more insight into her background, and I’m even more intrigued by her now. She brings a kind of calculated mischief that keeps everything just a little off-balance, and I mean that in the best way.

Overall, this volume continues to breathe fresh life into a world I thought I knew. It’s playful, dramatic, and at times unexpectedly emotional. I find myself falling back in love with Pokémon, reminded all over again of what made it special in the first place.

Who surprised you the most in this volume? Is there someone you’re secretly rooting for?