Roy—Training - Pokémon Horizons Episode 112 Review - Roy In Lumiose

One thing Pokémon Horizons has done well in past episodes is incorporating flashbacks into their storytelling. I really enjoyed watching how Friede met Cap, how Diana found the pendant, and how the Explorers were formed. In this latest episode, we’re finally getting a flashback on how Roy met his Lucario, and it’s going to be a full three-episode long flashback arc about his time in Kalos. It does make me wonder how the rest of the two episodes will play out, because so far it’s a lot slower paced compared to previous flashbacks.

This episode is mainly about Roy’s first time in Kalos, and how he instantly stumbled upon Ult (that's Uruto for those of you who've been following the reviews up to this point, we finally received his official English name earlier this month), met Master Mayonnaise, and how he first encountered his Lucario who was originally a wild Pokémon that was a strong fighter nicknamed the "Yellow Blast". The episode itself is mainly a slow start, as it’s introducing Roy to Kalos, and also re-introducing the region to anime viewers. Since the story mainly takes place in Lumiose City, it gives a good rundown of what the metropolitan is—a place full of beauty, a lot of alleyways that Roy gets lost in like a lot of X and Y players tend to do when they get full access to the city (I’m one of said people), Mega Evolution, and shady people.

I don’t know what surprised me more in this episode: the fact that how Cap was in Roy's care was never explained, or how Ult is canonically a Kalosian, meaning he’d be French in real life. Regarding Cap, he wasn’t in Liko’s flashback when she remembered how each of the members were dropped off either back home or elsewhere, and Roy clearly did not have Cap with him at the time. So, how did Cap come to be with him? Someone, explain to me! As for Ult, the fact that he was mean to Roy for being a tourist just screams Parisian. But if Ult is a Parisian…why does he feel so out of place? I’m convinced he crashed out when his father died, and then only came back to the city recently to learn about Mega Evolution.

Am I the only one who thinks Mayonnaise is suspicious? Like, he tries to convince people to learn about Mega Evolution from him, but he only got a rock collection and one Mega Stone that’s teased to be one for Mega Raichu. Why does he want Roy and Ult to beat the Yellow Flash? So he can catch him? Like, everything about him reeks of suspicion. The fact that he owns Mega Rings and a Key Stone but has no Pokémon of his own… What is your goal? Also, he’s voiced by Masahiko Tanaka, who voiced Suicine in Pokémon 4Ever, so it’s a nice way to bring back another voice actor who had been in the previous series.

Roy is the newest addition to the Friede’s infamous “Did I forget to tell you” club. I think Mollie, Dot, and Ult are the only ones who have yet to say it. I feel like this could be a sign towards Friede’s eventual return, but maybe I’m just being delirious because I’m sick. Yes, the animation for this episode is pretty meh with how two random NPCs just have flash animation style Mega Evolutions, but they are just saving their budget for the cooler aspects of the show later on, I bet. Also, people are saying that Crocalor found an Everstone, but I don’t think it is. It’s just a stone. If Master Mayonnaise, who seems to be an avid rock collector, didn’t say anything about it, then it’s probably a regular stone—though who knows, maybe it contains a Lucarionite inside…

Anyways, the two week break was a good way to cool down and disengage from Pokémon Horizons stuff for a little while. I’m glad I’m back though! Let me know your thoughts on this episode!

 

Someone, explain to me!

Probably because "Araki forgot"/just kidding.
Maybe they will still explain it.

 

Will we ever find out about Dot's father?