Let Your Soul Resonate! A Challenge To Ryme - Pokémon Horizons Episode 61 Review - Flow And Ryme

We’re finally at Montenevera so Roy can do his Implementation Test, but doesn’t this week's episode of Pokémon Horizons feel a little clunky? I felt like they were trying to squeeze in so many things before Roy did his battle, and then the battle went by super fast, like a snowstorm, and it just ends. Please tell me I’m not the only one who had this feeling?

The kids have some free time before battling Ryme as she’s not in her Gym, so they meet a bunch of Greavard. I like that creepy Pokédex entries continue to make their appearance in the anime, as the kids learn that Greavards suck life essence from those around them. Speaking of creepy Pokémon, Terapagos gets itself into danger again when two Drifloon kidnap it by carrying its bag straps. I could only sigh at this scene because Terapagos wandering off and getting into danger has become tiresome to watch. Though, it was amusing how the Drifloon were carrying it because it is known for taking children or Pokémon to the afterlife. Does this hint that Terapagos is going to die? Nemona makes a reappearance when she shows up to rescue Terapagos from falling. She’s here to hope to get a battle at Ryme’s concert. Like how Terapagos gets into danger as a recurring thing, Nemona getting denied a battle seems to be a recurring thing as well. I wonder if Nemona is being set up to be Roy’s rival, or to battle Roy in the future.

Then we get to the battles. Roy battles MC Sledge before battling Ryme. While Roy does get a win from MC Sledge, he loses to Ryme rather harshly. He loses his momentum when things get too desperate, he terastalizes but then doesn’t even get to use it as Fuecoco gets knocked out. I have a lot to say about the battle against Ryme, it was just way too fast-paced. The moment it starts, Kilowattrel gets knocked out, and then Fuecoco knocks out Houndstone, and then Fuecoco struggles with Toxitricity before getting knocked out. Despite the insanely fast pace, there were some interesting aspects about the battle. Roy’s loss was because of his predictability. He used the same strategy as he did in the battle with MC Sledge, which Ryme saw, allowing her to easily wipe the floor with him. Roy needs to amp up his strategy if he wants to improve, and not rely on the same song over and over again. What Ryme said to Roy about being a failure of a partner to Fuecoco was harsh, but it was needed because Roy wasn’t in sync with him.

I guess my only solid gripe is that the battle wasn’t a Double Battle. Ryme was the hardest Gym Leader for me when I was playing Pokémon Violet because I didn’t expect a Double battle. I struggled so hard due to going in blind completely, lacking an appropriate strategy. Complaints aside, I really liked Ryme’s rap. People usually find anime characters’ rapping cringe, but not me. I seriously enjoyed the tempo and presentation of this one, and I think it flowed well. Maybe she can be a contestant on Paradox Live (which I am a fan of)? Roy’s rapping was handled well too! He can participate in Paradox Live as well!

My predictions for Roy’s rematch is that he’s going to find ways to battle, using different songs for different moves. Maybe that way, Fuecoco can finally evolve. It does feel like it’d be the perfect time. If anything though, I sort of want Roy to focus on training Kilowattrel, because Electric moves can be very useful when facing Houndstone. What are your predictions for next week’s episode?