I didn’t expect Roy’s past to be shown in this episode. We finally know why he likes singing so much. It’s because his parents are sailors, and they always sing whenever they’re out on a voyage. Roy sings because he picked it up from them, because it helps ease his loneliness from being away from his parents, and because eventually, it brought him to Fuecoco. I was surprised to see Roy’s past brought up so suddenly because I’m sure many had assumed he had dead parents or something, given that he'd been living with his grandfather. That’s not the case, his are just absent from his life. Given that they’re out on a voyage, maybe he could meet them again in the future? I’d love to see a reunion between Roy and his parents! Also, I find it cute how Roy loves singing, and how it's able to attract wild Pokémon to flock towards him like if he’s some kind of Disney Princess.
Though, I did like everything that transpired before the rematch. I liked learning about Roy’s past, learning that Nemona’s stamina is pretty bad, and that Liko will do anything to help Roy even if it means stalling for time. It was hilarious seeing Liko and Dot be introverts and not wanting to volunteer so Quaxwell had to do it. That was cute.
For the battle though, I’m a bit divided over it. I don’t like the fact that, like the previous episode, it mainly takes place in the second half and that it’s only a 1 on 1 match. Second, I don’t like that, while Roy and Fuecoco learned a new song to help overcome the predictability of their usual song, the whole thing was off-screened; this is just the usual Horizons’ habit of off-screening small, important details. I do admit that the new song is quite catchy at least. I also don’t like that there was huge teasing for Fuecoco evolving, but it was just bait. The croc did not evolve, but at least he accomplished one thing. I do feel like he might evolve in the finale of this arc given that Liko's Floragato did the same in the previous arc when she was a Sprigatito.
Execution-wise, I feel like this was the weakest battle in this arc so far. I don’t get why both this episode and last week’s episode had to make it so that Roy battles Ryme in the second half, while he just does this and that in the first half. It makes the battle and the writing feel lazy. Though, I am happy that Roy managed to get wins in both his Basic and Implementation Test. Congrats, Roy! What are your thoughts on this episode?
