Pokémon's a ridiculously large franchise with millions of fans all around the world, but we still don't expect to see it pop up in the middle of a prime time UK dancing competition.
Yes, the famous original theme from the Pokémon anime made an appearance on Strictly Come Dancing over the weekend. Those of you living in the UK will be all too aware of the show, but for anyone unfamiliar, it essentially features a host of celebrities who team up with professional dance partners. Each week, the dancers perform a new routine to impress the judges and make it through to the next round (our American chums will know the show as Dancing with the Stars).
On Saturday, Will Bayley and Janette Manrara opted to perform a Paso Doble to Pokémon's theme song. This Spanish style of dance is fast-paced and often played during bullfights; once you make it past the incredibly cringey "PokéDoble, I choose you!" moment, the dance appears to feature Ash as a matador, strutting his stuff alongside a Pikachu in a dress. It's pretty bonkers.
As it happens, the judges were fairly on board with the concept. The duo received scores of fives and sixes out of ten, with Bruno Toniolo saying the performance needed more "artistry".
[source eurogamer.net]
Comments 31
Just no.
No. No. No.
This is what I live for.
Grumpy, disgusted- and disapproving-looking Ash speaks to me on a spiritual level.
Rarely watch strictly but... ha. It's so classy 90% of the time but when it goes off the rails it REALLY goes off the rails
That was horrific. Who came up with this idea. Serms like a dare gon wrong.
As long as they were the very best, like no one ever danced
This is strange.saw a Pokémon dance last night but on Belgian television.also a dance contest.hmmm
" ...the judges were fairly onboard with the concept. The duo received scores of fives and sixes out of ten"
Like how your teacher tells you they found your essay intriguing and that it raised interesting points, but then they fail you based on it anyway? Unless a 50% score means something better in Britain...
@Illusion It's early on in the competition, so 5s and 6s are pretty good. If they started dishing out 9s and 10s now, they would feel meaningless later on.
shudders Someone take it to a vet and have it put down.
We had a Toy Story and Mario theme dances over here in the states on DWTS. So this isn't that wacky or ridiculous. At least the theme lends itself to a dramatic dance. Costumes are a bit janky looking. But otherwise, I wouldn't necessarily call it cringey
Edit: Since we're talking video game themed dance routines, a Zelda themed one could be amazing. Especially if you had the right team, type of dance and piece of music.
That was hands down the weirdest thing I've seen on TV for a while. However, I will allow because Janette.....
@ImagineerNik ah, okay. Never seen it or Dancing with the Stars.
this is... indeed cringy, never imagined me saying this!
I was going to send this in!
@ImagineerNik and they’re (supposedly) judging to professional standards so for a non-dancer it’s going to be hard to get a really good score. I only half watch it, but it’s nice that they’re encouraging to the middle-scoring contestants and harder on the high-scoring contestants (sometimes).
I cringed harder watching this than James Cracknell’s limp attempt at dancing in week 1. Plus, I swear they’ve applied yellowface on the ping pong guy, he is not that colour normally.
I was on Twitter on Saturday evening, (#SquareOneMJ, check it out), and I saw Pokemon trending high! This was why. It’s a bit of fun, I liked it.
So basically Britain's Dancing with the Stars?
Yeeeeah... No thanks.
Britain has dancing reality shows? Ha! Take that! hm...
sigh.
I saw this at the weekend, it was certainly a surprise, as was the judges reactions.
We have a Danish version of the dance contest in Denmark. Back when Pokémon Go was released in 2016, we had a couple who danced jive to Pokémon season 1 theme (a hard rock version was played). They had better tastes in clothes than these two mentioned in the article though.
@Illusion Well, 40% or above is considered is considered a passing grade. (at least in Ireland anyway)
I saw this and I was severely disappointed they didnt go out 😠
Movie...?
Anyway, Matador Ash is a funny concept, and props to Pika Lady for keeping her ears on through the whole thing.
It was fun! Like Pokemon should be. Grumps in the comments section should lighten up.
Great, now I have sexual yearnings for Pikachu.
Is that a Pokeball in Wills pocket?
@Ichiyama @EVIL-C Strictly Come Dancing is the original version which the BBC have sold the rights to countries across the world for international versions of the show.
@X68000 Ahhh I see. I appreciate knowing that. Thanks.
Can I please end my life..
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