Immortal on 06 March 2011
It's impossible to really explain the appeal of Pokemon. And yes, Black is very similar to the original Red save for a few upgrades, but I'd really ask you to try the games, at the very least.
Thing is, though, I know exactly where you're coming from. I used to just like the anime and the TCG and crappy souvenirs that come inside packets of chips, too, almost unaware of the games 'cause they weren't available in my country. I must've played a proper Pokemon game for the first time in 2005 or so when I'd already enjoyed the show for several years and I've never looked back, ;).
“These are my principles; if you don’t like them, I have others.” – Groucho Marx
