c135: The Short Film – Little Rock Pond · Fishing
"Student Ash has achieved a perfect score of 10 in the first three summer camp events. Whether it was the Opening Challenge, the Cerulean Fishing Contest, or the Nighttime Forest Exploration, he excelled each time and currently ranks first on the Student Score Leaderboard," announced Professor Oak.
"Actually, it's not just the students even I am curious to see whether the Pokémon short film submitted by Ash today can achieve a perfect 10, just like his previous performances.
"That said, I must make something clear. My criteria for judging Pokémon short films are very strict. Scoring a full 10 points from me is no easy feat.
"But let's not waste another moment. Please enjoy the Pokémon short film titled Fishing, directed by Student Ash!"
After Professor Oak's declaration on the podium, a hush swept over the room. Whether it was the whispering students inside the summer camp's auditorium or the citizens watching from Saffron, Pewter, Celadon, and other cities via the Kanto region's live TV broadcast everyone quieted down and leaned in with anticipation.
"Little Rock Pond · Fishing"
The film opened. The lighting gently transitioned from darkness to a soft brightness. The first image: a quiet, remote rock pond tucked deep within the forest. Overhead, a steady drizzle fell from the cloudy sky.
The pond was encircled by lush, moss-covered rocks and rich, green foliage. A soft stream trickled nearby. Every surface stones, vines, even the water's edge was draped in a rich palette of emerald greens and tranquil shadows.
The pool itself was like a mirror, reflecting the surrounding trees and moss in shades of jade and aquamarine. The clear water glistened like a polished ice emerald.
Compared to the previous students' short films which were often marked by jarring colors, chaotic audio, or immature storytelling Ash's film instantly transported viewers. Every frame looked like a photograph or a mobile wallpaper, capturing nature's serenity with remarkable clarity.
If those other films were tiring to endure, this was a sensory retreat. Visually and aurally, Ash's work felt like meditation.
The scene remained still, the soft patter of rain forming a rhythmic backdrop. In that quiet atmosphere, a deeper melancholy lingered evocative but soothing.
Then, without warning, two softly glowing shapes emerged in the dim background near the edge of the pond.
The students leaned forward. The viewers at home widened their eyes.
The figures were revealed to be Ash and his Froakie.
Ash stood on a mossy boulder, holding a full-sized fishing rod. Beside him, Froakie held a tiny rod in its padded fingers. The subtle glow outlining them was likely a light filter added in post-production, making them stand out without disrupting the subdued palette.
This visual choice made sense given the shaded canopy and rainfall, the lighting ensured viewers wouldn't miss the presence of the characters tucked beneath the trees.
As people registered the image of Froakie tiny, serious-faced, and gripping a miniature fishing pole smiles broke out across the audience.
Of course, Ash, with his back slightly hunched and jacket damp from rain, looked natural but in this scene, he clearly served as a quiet backdrop. It was Froakie, with its oversized leaf backpack and earnest expression, that drew the laughter.
The film's pacing slowed deliberately. As the storyline continued, focus gradually shifted from Froakie to Ash.
The camera panned up to the forest canopy. A large raindrop slid along a leaf's edge and fell, landing with a splash on the back of Ash's neck.
He flinched, shoulders tightening as the cold water hit his skin. His face twisted into a surprised, dramatic wince and the entire room burst into laughter again.
Ash's acting here was subtle but full of childlike charm, showing he knew how to bring personality to the screen without overplaying it.
The camera lingered as Ash squinted upward, scanning the surroundings. His eyes flicked toward a cluster of calla lilies growing near the water's edge.
The next scene cut smoothly.
Both Ash and Froakie were now outfitted with leafy makeshift umbrellas large taro leaves placed atop their heads, secured by calla stems tucked behind their necks. The visual was not only practical but whimsical, fitting for two friends determined to continue fishing in the rain.
Looking at this playful and adorable outfit, the audience once again smiled knowingly, unable to hold back the inward squeals of how cute! and absolutely charming!
On screen, the story continued to unfold. The boy Ash cheerfully issued a silent challenge to Froakie to see who could catch a fish first. Although Ash's lips moved, no spoken words were heard. The scene was portrayed entirely through visual storytelling, like a perfectly executed pantomime.
The post-production editors cleverly applied a "visualized imagination bubble" to illustrate Ash's inner thoughts featuring a chibi-styled image of him dramatically declaring, "I caught a Gyarados yesterday!" The exaggerated sparkle-eyed pose conveyed the message in a humorous and endearing way, suggesting he was obviously bluffing.
Despite the absence of dialogue, Ash's animated expressions and gestures were more than enough to convey his message. The younger viewers in the camp auditorium and the regional audience watching via the Saffron TV broadcast instantly understood what Ash was implying.
Froakie, on the other hand, responded with a knowing squint calm, unshaken, and unamused, like a seasoned Zen master unfazed even if the sky were to fall. With a stoic nod, it wordlessly accepted Ash's challenge.
...…
With the competition established, trainer and Pokémon officially began fishing.
After carefully baiting their hooks, both Ash and Froakie tossed their lines into the water. Then, with their oversized taro leaves shading them like makeshift umbrellas, the boy and the Pokémon squatted in near-identical poses on the moss-covered rock intently watching the gentle bob of their fishing floats.
For Froakie, this squatting posture looked natural its body design and amphibious nature made the position seem composed and balanced. But for Ash, who mimicked the same frog-like stance, the scene struck the audience as humorously offbeat.
Of course, that "strangeness" depends on age. If an adult were squatting like that, it might come off awkwardly. But with Ash, whose youthful charm and earnest expression made him naturally endearing, it only heightened the audience's affection. His crouched pose didn't look silly it looked adorable.
...
Additionally, Ash had gone to great lengths to prepare for the short film "Little Rock Pond · Fishing." He wore a refreshing, casual outfit perfect for the tone of the short: a white short-sleeved T-shirt featuring a minimalist "traveling frog" motif on the front, paired with dark gray shorts that ended just above the knee. His childlike features, wide eyes, and slightly tousled hair made the outfit pop even more.
With this combination the tranquil scenery of Little Rock Pond and Ash's natural, childlike innocence the audience wasn't just visually soothed by the landscape; they were emotionally healed by Ash's sheer cuteness.
Although this short film Little Rock Pond · Fishing had virtually no dialogue, the atmosphere remained deeply engaging. Not a single viewer found it dull. The subtlety of gestures, the rain, the humor it all held their attention.
Still, the time limit was strict. All short films were capped at three minutes, and the intro plus the interaction between Ash and Froakie had already taken over a minute.
As the film progressed, just after the fishing started, the drone-operated Rotom camera smoothly alternated between wide and close-up shots. The pacing cleverly jumped forward, condensing the middle segment of their fishing efforts.
In the next sequence, Ash was shown intensely focused, eyes fixed on the water with childlike confidence that he would land the first catch.
Then swoosh!! in a flash, Froakie, who had remained relaxed until now, suddenly narrowed its eyes. Its entire demeanor shifted as if entering battle mode. With perfect timing, it yanked its rod upward.
On the other end of Froakie's line, a wriggling Magikarp burst from the water, hooked neatly through its lip. The bait had worked.
"Quack" Froakie croaked in triumph.
"Uhhh" Ash's exaggerated dismay followed right after.
---
60+ advanced chapter on patreon....Visit patreon now to read my exclusive content... posting 5 chapters per day, Our collection is now available on PATREON
visit patreon.com/Mgoldtranslation to view 60+ advanced chapters
Please subscribe guys