Reviews

I always welcome an episode that gives us more insight into the character's backstory. It’s super wonderful to learn more about the Rising Volt Tacklers. This time, it’s Orla’s turn in the spotlight. She’s the mechanic of the team, and also the most needed person on the ship, a very talented engineer who knows how to fix practically everything. So, what happens when she meets a fellow female engineer who needs her help? That’s what this week's episode of Pokémon Horizons. is all about.

If I am allowed to be honest, I didn’t like this week's episode of Pokémon Horizons. The kids were acting a lot dumber than they actually are, and most of the episode was just chasing an old guy around. It felt rather silly to me. Am I the only one feeling this way? All I can remember from this episode was that the kids were running around. That’s it. That’s the episode.

As one chapter closes, another one begins. Episode 26 starts the second chapter of Pokémon Horizons as more of a buildup for future events. Before I start the episode review, can I mention how AMAZING the new opening looks? My eyes feel so cleansed watching it. Alright, now onto the review!

Why does Pokémon keep releasing these shorts on a short notice? I was only informed Detective Pikachu & the Mystery of the Missing Flan had gone out after I saw it come up in my subscription box on Youtube. So, I sat down and decided to watch it and… it was adorable. Maybe it’s because I’ve been watching Ron Kamonohashi’s Forbidden Deductions lately, but I’ve really fallen for the mystery genre recently. Maybe it’s the reason why I enjoyed this short so much.

Wow, they went all out for the grand finale of the first chapter of Pokémon Horizons. Everything’s so action-packed, fast-paced and there are some satisfactory conclusions mixed in as well. Nothing feels too rushed, and the build up for future events is present as well. I cannot decide which episode of the Liko and Roy’s Departure chapter was the best, but I cannot deny that this episode was amazing.

It’s been a while since the first episode of Paldean Winds aired, and waiting for the second episode has felt like forever. I’m glad that it’s finally here. While the previous episode focused on Ohara, this episode’s star is Aliquis, and it focuses on the bond he has with his Meowscarada.

After two weeks, Pokémon Horizons is back! Although this week's episode is the penultimate episode of the first arc, Liko and Roy’s Departure, it feels more of a buildup rather than a closure. We meet Liko’s grandmother Diana, we learn of Terapagos, and the Explorers are going out of their way to become scarier threats with the way they’re gathering their admins.

Pokémon Horizons has been great so far, but if I were name one glaring flaw for this series, it would be that scenes that should be considered important are shoved onto off-screen land. Frustrations aside, the rest of this episode was rather straightforward, but I liked it. Liko deduces that Galarian Moltres’s emotions are out of control as Hatenna was crying when it roared, and they manage to come up with a plan to calm it down.

Wow, Rayquaza sure looks different! Jokes aside, this week's episode was rather intense. Honestly, I quite enjoyed it a lot. I loved the twist of the Pokémon in the mine not being Rayquaza but Galarian Moltres; that it was also apparently one of Lucius’s companions was surprising too, given just how sinister its presence is compared to Arboliva, who despite being menacing at first was shown to be really quite kind.

This week's episode of Pokémon Horizons was cute and sweet. Liko finally catches her second Pokémon in Hatenna, after forming a bond with her by understanding her emotional distress. It wasn’t exactly the perfect episode, but I still enjoyed it overall.

I'd almost forgotten Paldean Winds was starting today. Holy Mother of Arceus, it was AMAZING! The animation, courtesy of WIT Studio, Ufotable, Liden Films, and Studio Hibari, was crisp and beautiful. Gen 8's Twilight Wings was simply stunning, and it looks like Paldean Winds is going to follow in its footsteps. It’s only the first episode and I love it already!

It’s finally nice to actually see a Galarian Gym in full! Since Ash didn’t focus much on Gyms in favor of the World Coronation Series in Pokémon Journeys, Galarian Gym Leaders have been largely brushed off to the side up to this point. Kabu hadn't made any appearance in the previous series, so for him to have this entire episode of Pokémon Horizons as a spotlight dedicated to him, his Gym Test, and his Gym Trainer was very nice to see! It’s finally time Galar got the respect it deserved.

This is it, the finale of Pokémon: Path to the Peak is here! These past four weeks have been an amazing ride! Let’s hop into this review for the last time, shall we?

Not all backstories can and will be as majestic and well-animated like Friede’s. Sometimes, they can just be brought up to resolve long conflicts and to put a character in the spotlight. That was what this episode of Pokémon Horizons was about. It brought Murdock into the spotlight, introduced his backstory, and then resolved it towards the end of the episode. I did like how the episode revolves around Murdock’s Alcremie, a Pokémon that rarely gets focus in past episodes.

From what I’ve seen from this episode and remembering the past two episodes, it’s safe to say that Pokémon: Path to the Peak isn’t an exact interpretation of the Trading Card Game, but is more just a fun series for casual fans like me. I’m saying this because I'd like to learn more about the TCG from this show, but it’s just not that informative about how the game is really played. It’s a good first attempt on a TCG anime though. I think the best part about this show is that it’s just fun. The characters have fun playing, which in turn lets the viewers have fun watching them.

I’m sorry Episode 16, you just got dethroned after two weeks of reign. Episode 18 is now the best episode of this anime by far. It’s just an origin story, but the animation and storytelling are so immaculate, it’s almost perfection in a way. It feels like a good closure to the first arc, and the beginning to the next possible arc in the Rising Volt Tacklers’ journey.

I found this week's episode of Pokémon: Path to the Peak more enjoyable than the previous one. This episode focuses on the competitive side of the Trading Card Game, with Ava going to regionals with her trusty Oddish deck. I also think it’s an improvement because of the animation! I’m in love with the animation!

I really liked this episode! There was a whole ton of things happening, with a lot of foreshadowing to come for future episodes. There was plenty of character development for Roy and Fuecoco, and especially for Wattrel as well! I love seeing Pokémon get their time to shine, so having this episode centered around Fuecoco and Wattrel was great!

An animated series about the Pokémon Trading Card Game? I’m intrigued! How was it? I quite liked it!

I can see why this anime is called Pokémon Horizons; it goes on horizons far beyond its own capabilities. Episode 16 is now the best episode of the series by far. The animation, the execution and the buildup to what’s to come were all handled beautifully!