Hyper Training! Everyone's Respective Feelings - Pokémon Horizons Episode 127 Review - Four Battles, They Have To Train

I get that Pokémon Horizons is nearing its end, but why does this mean that they have to squish multiple battles into one episode? This isn’t the first time either, because this last happened just two episodes ago! To be honest, I have mixed feelings about the results.

Since there are four battles in this episode, I’ll talk about my feelings about each separately.

First off, Liko vs. Ann. I do wonder if Indigo Academy is super lenient on where their students go because Ann just goes to Naranja Academy in another region so easily and whenever it’s convenient for the plot. Not that I hate it, because any Ann screen time is appreciated. This battle resulted in a draw. To be honest, Liko was using her newly evolved Armarouge, and Ann was using her ace Samurott, so it does make sense that Armarouge would have a tough time because that’s just how it goes at times. She would’ve won with Meowscarada. Still, I do like that Ann’s Samurott’s Tera Type is Ground. It was slightly spoiled in the trailer for the second half of this arc, but I’m glad that it’s now been fully confirmed. It does make sense that it’s Tera Ground, given how much emphasis Ann has placed on it using Drill Run, a move also shared by her Sandslash.

For Roy vs. Nemona, this is the third time Lucario has been used in a battle with Nemona, but only first time it's been used in a single battle, since the previous times were double battles. The first time Lucario won in a fight with Nemona was with the weird rule where someone loses if one of their Pokémon gets knocked out, so it wasn’t a true reveal of its strength. Though, I do wonder if Roy was given a loss here because they’re planning on doing something with Lucario in the future, given the prolonged stares he gave to Roy. I wonder if this foreshadows a possible disobedience arc? If not, maybe a focus episode where it learns a new move? Lucario definitely needs some plausible focus.

The Dot vs. Penny battle frustrated me. What do you mean Penny decided to target Tinkaton and Gholdengo to trigger Quaxwell’s protective instincts? That seems totally unfair. I get that Penny did it because it would be something the Explorers would do, but in all honesty…they wouldn’t do that. Maybe Indy, Rubina or Coral would try underhanded tactics, but Sidian and Chalce are more noble. Then again, Chalce did try to take Gimmighoul hostage in order to separate Dot from Penny back in episode 120, but that was more strategy than underhandedness… I just didn’t like the outcome of this battle at all. I get it though. Quaxwell hasn’t gotten the best record since the start of this arc, and of course he still hasn’t evolved yet.

For the Ult vs. Hassel battle, was I the only one expecting Hassel to throw in a surprise twist of Mega Baxcalibur? I was seriously waiting for the surprise Mega Evolution twist, but I suppose it’s still too soon to focus on the new Megas for now. Out of the four battles, I did expect Ult to lose this one. Not because of type advantage, but because he isn’t a strong individual battler, so it would make sense he’d fail to deliver. Though, I am more curious about what Hassel was trying to question Ult earlier in the episode. Does he recognize Ult from somewhere? It leaves a lot of future possibilities.

My favorite thing about the episode was how Cap was resting on top of Larry’s head. Other than that, it was a divisive episode for me. What are your thoughts on the battles and the episode as a whole?

 

View attachment 238255I get that Pokémon Horizons is nearing its end, but why does this mean that they have to squish multiple battles into one episode? This isn’t the first time either, because this last happened just two episodes ago! To be honest, I have mixed feelings about the results.

Since there are four battles in this episode, I’ll talk about my feelings about each separately.

First off, Liko vs. Ann. I do wonder if Indigo Academy is super lenient on where their students go because Ann just goes to Naranja Academy in another region so easily and whenever it’s convenient for the plot. Not that I hate it, because any Ann screen time is appreciated. This battle resulted in a draw. To be honest, Liko was using her newly evolved Armarouge, and Ann was using her ace Samurott, so it does make sense that Armarouge would have a tough time because that’s just how it goes at times. She would’ve won with Meowscarada. Still, I do like that Ann’s Samurott’s Tera Type is Ground. It was slightly spoiled in the trailer for the second half of this arc, but I’m glad that it’s now been fully confirmed. It does make sense that it’s Tera Ground, given how much emphasis Ann has placed on it using Drill Run, a move also shared by her Sandslash.

For Roy vs. Nemona, this is the third time Lucario has been used in a battle with Nemona, but only first time it's been used in a single battle, since the previous times were double battles. The first time Lucario won in a fight with Nemona was with the weird rule where someone loses if one of their Pokémon gets knocked out, so it wasn’t a true reveal of its strength. Though, I do wonder if Roy was given a loss here because they’re planning on doing something with Lucario in the future, given the prolonged stares he gave to Roy. I wonder if this foreshadows a possible disobedience arc? If not, maybe a focus episode where it learns a new move? Lucario definitely needs some plausible focus.

View attachment 238257The Dot vs. Penny battle frustrated me. What do you mean Penny decided to target Tinkaton and Gholdengo to trigger Quaxwell’s protective instincts? That seems totally unfair. I get that Penny did it because it would be something the Explorers would do, but in all honesty…they wouldn’t do that. Maybe Indy, Rubina or Coral would try underhanded tactics, but Sidian and Chalce are more noble. Then again, Chalce did try to take Gimmighoul hostage in order to separate Dot from Penny back in episode 120, but that was more strategy than underhandedness… I just didn’t like the outcome of this battle at all. I get it though. Quaxwell hasn’t gotten the best record since the start of this arc, and of course he still hasn’t evolved yet.

For the Ult vs. Hassel battle, was I the only one expecting Hassel to throw in a surprise twist of Mega Baxcalibur? I was seriously waiting for the surprise Mega Evolution twist, but I suppose it’s still too soon to focus on the new Megas for now. Out of the four battles, I did expect Ult to lose this one. Not because of type advantage, but because he isn’t a strong individual battler, so it would make sense he’d fail to deliver. Though, I am more curious about what Hassel was trying to question Ult earlier in the episode. Does he recognize Ult from somewhere? It leaves a lot of future possibilities.

My favorite thing about the episode was how Cap was resting on top of Larry’s head. Other than that, it was a divisive episode for me. What are your thoughts on the battles and the episode as a whole?

I think this episode is to plant seeds; Liko vs Ann feels like an audition for Ann to be included in the Laqua showdown, Roy vs Nemona shows how champions are not stagnant in their level and setting up something for Lucario wanting to grow strong and all, Dot vs Penny set up rekindling Dot's bond with Quaxwell and evolution in the next episode, and Ult vs Hassel seems to be setting up a reunion for Ult and his father (?). As for the battles themselves, it's four battles and its expected the writers will struggle with the battle choreography but I think it's very witty how Nemona turned a stupid tactic (e.g. Focus Punch in a singles battle) into a very effective one by racing Pawmot's evasion in her offscreen training. Although it's a battle heavy episode, the dialogues are what gives this episode value. We get to know what Ann truly feel with seeing Liko travel around the world, Dot's setback before Quaxwell's evolution, Hassel hinting he knows Ult's father, Roy and Lucario's bond will be put to the test in the future probably, etc.