Beyond the Ball

Coming July 8th from Partyfish Media! Oops, All Franchises is a new movie podcast ranking film franchises and sequels to find the best IP there ever was! What makes a good sequel? Does it have to be a good movie? Does it improve on the original? Does a good follow-up have to reward the fans for waiting on the edge of their seat, decade after decade? We'll match each movie against each other based...

Pignite has arrived and is ready to rumble! Maybe! Join us as we explore the fire in this Pokemon's belly! Before we get to entries though, Braden takes us on an extended journey through the Anime Corner this week to reveal perhaps the most foul villain of the Pokemon franchise! If you want to check out the episodes mentioned, they are The Battle Club & Tepig's Choice! and Evolution by Fire! F...

It's time to talk Tepig! Join us as we're inevitably charmed by a cute pig and get randomly sidetracked by Disney World and Waluigi. Follow along with the entries below: Black: It can deftly dodge its foe’s attacks while shooting fireballs from its nose. It roasts berries before it eats them. White: It blows fire through its nose. When it catches a cold, the fire becomes pitch-black smoke instead....

Now that we've covered Mewtwo it only seems natural that we discuss its cute, less-abused predecessor, Mew! What secrets do this ancient Pokemon hold and what new insight can they give is into the world of Pokemon? Find out as we go, once more, Beyond the Ball! Follow along with the entries below: Red and Blue: So rare that it is still said to be a mirage by many experts. Only a few people have se...

Season 3 of Save The D8 drops this June 16th! All new characters with all new adventurers and... a brand new player, Shane Regan! People are getting abducted from their homelands and trapped in a prison with no name. Prisoners are kept under substandard conditions and either executed or forced to work for the prison when their time comes. Four of these prisoners plan to escape this terrible place...

We're celebrating 150 episodes of Beyond the Ball by starting an exciting new endeavor! We've generated fresh new Pokedex entries for every Pokemon we've covered in the show so far using AI Dungeon, the hilarious and powerful AI tool/game/infinite content generator, and today we read as many as we can in about 80 minutes! We got through 23 entries in this episode but we'll definitely be coming bac...

Episode 150 is finally here and, as decided by listener poll, we're talking about the one and only Mewtwo, the McRib of Pokémon! There's a lot to dig into so buckle up for an extra special, oversized episode of Beyond the Ball! Follow along with the entries below: Red and Blue: It was created by a scientist after years of horrific gene splicing and DNA engineering experiments. Yellow: Its DNA is a...

As we approach episode 150 we round out the Togepi family this episode with it's final evolution, Togekiss! Join us as we explore exactly what blessings this big, beautiful egg bird bestows upon others and get caught off guard with some super loaded entries right off the bat. Strife ahoy! Follow along with the Pokedex entries below: Diamond and Pearl: It will never appear where there is strife. It...

The spike ball baby Togepi has evolved into joyous Togetic! Kindhearted folks are in for a treat when this happy little egg bird comes around. Join us as we uncover the mysteries Togetic of revealed in the Pokedex and stay tuned through the end for some big show announcements! Follow along with Togetic's entries below: Gold: They say that it will appear before kindhearted, caring people and shower...

The Baby has arrived! That's right, it's time to talk Togepi. Join us as we explore the secrets of Togepi's mysterious shell, the difference between joy and happiness, and the connection between fortune and kindheartedness. Follow along with the entries below: Gold: The shell seems to be filled with joy. It is said that it will share good luck when treated kindly. Silver: A proverb claims that hap...

It's time to take our voyage through the Pokemon world into the deep sea as we explore Finneon's evolved form, Lumineon! In this episode we learn a surprising amount about Lumineon's behaviors and place in the food chain so buckle up for some actual facts I guess? Don't worry, the Pokedex will of course still find ways to baffle us. Follow along with the entries below! Diamond: It lives on the dee...

The future of BTB is looking bright this week as we discuss our first piscine Pokemon, Finneon! Follow along with the entries below! Diamond: After long exposure to sunlight, the patterns on its tail fins shine vividly when darkness arrives. Pearl: The way its two tail fins flutter while it swims has earned it the nickname “BEAUTIFLY of the Sea.” Platinum: The line running down its side can store...

The mystery deepens this episode as we delve into Baltoy's evolved form, Claydol! Join us as we navigate superstition and hearsay while trying to straighten out the facts on this ancient Pokémon! Follow along with the entries below: Ruby: CLAYDOL are said to be dolls of mud made by primitive humans and brought to life by exposure to a mysterious ray. This POKéMON moves about while levitating. Sapp...

It's time to delve into the mysteries of Baltoy! The psychic clay top that loves to party a little too loudly! Follow along with the entries below: Ruby: BALTOY moves while spinning around on its one foot. Primitive wall paintings depicting this POKéMON living among people were discovered in some ancient ruins. Sapphire: As soon as it spots others of its kind, BALTOY congregates with them and then...

This episode we're talking about the Key Ring Pokemon Klefki! Is it really just keys or are there more secrets to unlocked within its Pokedex entries? Why does it collect keys? What came first, keys or Klefki? Join us as we explore exciting questions like these and more on Beyond the Ball! Follow along with the entries below: X: These key collectors threaten any attackers by fiercely jingling thei...

Callie joins us one last time (for now) as we wrap up the Bulbasaur family with Venusaur! It's time see what this frog can really do as we ask the important questions like: What does it smell like? How can it help recovering ecosystems? How can we avoid exploiting its utilities within the constraints of capitalism? Y'know, typical Pokemon stuff! Follow along with the entries below: Red and Blue: T...

The Bulbasaur bonanza continues as we move onto it's angsty older sibling, Ivysaur! Callie is of course back once again to lend us her expertise in this exciting field as we explore just what makes everyone's favorite floral frog tick (hint: it's sunlight). Follow along with the entries below: Red and Blue: When the bulb on its back grows large, it appears to lose the ability to stand on its hind...

It's time to talk about number one, Bulbasaur! And so of course we had to have Bulbasaur's number one fan, Callie, join our discussion! Come join us as we explore the difference between plant, animal and seed and get to the root of what Bulbasaur really is! Follow along with the entries below: Red and Blue: A strange seed was planted on its back at birth. The plant sprouts and grows with this POKé...

It's time to talk about Swablu's evolution Altaria! How does it hit those high, high notes? Why is it a dragon now? What is it like to be hugged by one? Answers to at least one of these questions and more await you Beyond the Ball! Follow along with the entries below: Ruby: ALTARIA dances and wheels through the sky among billowing, cotton-like clouds. By singing melodies in its crystal-clear voice...

They did what? Gen IX is here already?? Come watch the new trailer for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet with us to find out more! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAmueMsFR1o

We got a round birb to on our hands this episode. Or should I say heads? That's right folks, we're talking about Swablu. The true-blue, cotton-winged, bird Pokemon that just loves bein' a hat. This one's a little long as we put a lot of work in trying to make sense of some of these entries. You're welcome! Follow along with the entries below:  Ruby: SWABLU has light and fluffy wings that are...

We arrive at last at the kingmaker known as Aegislash. A Pokemon that wields far more terrible spectral power than we ever thought possible. Buckle up! Follow along with the entries below: X: Generations of kings were attended by these Pokémon, which used their spectral power to manipulate and control people and Pokémon. Y: Apparently, it can detect the innate qualities of leadership. According to...

Prepare for trouble and make it double! That's right, one sword has become two as Honedge evolves into our focus this episode, Doublade! Twice as many swords means twice as much fun, but we're still stuck with only four Pokedex entries so forgive us chasing down Legends Arceus and yet more Dune rabbit holes. Follow along with the entries below: X When Honedge evolves, it divides into two swords, w...

Pokemon Legends: Arceus has been out for barely a week and we just couldn't resist talking about it instead of our normal episode. This is the most fun we've had with a Pokemon game in years AND it frequently raises many of the discussion points that we regularly get into here on the show. We talked for an hour here and still had more to say! SPOILERS: We avoid talking about anything major, but we...

What happens when a sword becomes a Pokemon? You get Honedge of course! Join us as we once again explore the heady and ambiguous metaphysical laws of the Pokemon world with this uniquely spooky specimen! Follow along with the Pokedex entries below: X: Apparently this Pokémon is born when a departed spirit inhabits a sword. It attaches itself to people and drinks their life force. Y: If anyone dare...