The Lone Warrior Kleavor - Pokémon Horizons Episode 73 Review - The Fifth of the Six Heroes

You know what I’ve noticed? Pokémon Horizons likes to make recurring tropes be a staple in their episodes. In the beginning, it was Friede and Captain Pikachu swooping in to save the kids or shoving things into off-screen land. Now, it’s having the group be separated for some important occasion. In the previous arc, Liko was forcibly separated from Roy and Dot back around Episodes 64 and 65, and in this latest arc, this week's episode is the second time in a row it's happened. I get it’s to have the kids battle Kleavor on their own, but they could have done it in a less contrived way.

Anyways, gripes aside, this was a good episode! It was nice showcasing the second Hisuian region Pokémon in this anime, and the fifth of the Six Heroes that eventually became the fourth to join the group. I like that Kleavor had some sort of history with Lapras, with it being the reason why it had the scars on its neck. I also liked the twist that they actually get along and don't have bad blood. The way the other Hero Pokémon tend to pop out whenever another Hero Pokémon shows up is interesting in itself and it makes me want to see more interactions. I also like its personality a lot.

Kleavor is actually a very formidable fighter. I think this is the first time a Hero Pokémon deliberately knocked all out the Pokémon before joining them. I actually liked how this battle was played out. Kleavor moved around a lot, which pushed the kids into desperation to follow and continue their battle. I liked how they strategized by using the bamboo, Roy clearly was the biggest help in the group because of that. I also liked how Liko took the initiative and terastalized Floragato, which then caused Roy and Dot to do the same with their Pokémon. Man, if Kleavor was this strong, I can’t wait to see what Entei and Rayquaza are capable of when they go all out.

I think this is also the first instance where a memory of Lucius and the past is so clear, and not be shrouded with pink fog like before. Lucius looks like he could be an older male version of Liko, but with blue hair and a braid on the back. The memory makes it seem like Lucius has visited Hisui, which was how he got Kleavor to become his Pokémon. The most important aspect is that the memory is actually from Terapagos’s perspective, but Lucius says a name we haven’t heard before: Rystal. By process of elimination, it’s easy to deduce that she is the person dressed in green in the opening with Lucius and Gibeon. Now, I wonder about who she is. Is she Lucius’s wife? I mean, if Liko is a direct descendant of Lucius, they, at least, could’ve had a child before he left for Laqua. If not, then Lucius could be related to Liko by another relative of his. Remember that Lucius is never stated to be a direct ancestor of Liko’s. If he was, Diana would’ve said something in an earlier episode. If not, then she could be Roy’s ancestor which could be why the Ancient Pokeball was in his possession, as it’s never explained how it was there, only that he’s had it for a long time. If those two aren’t the case, then maybe Rystal was Lucius’s sister, who could be Liko’s direct ancestor. I’m as invested in this story as the Rising Volt Tacklers are.

It’s sad to see Perrin leave the group, but her words at least make it sound like she’ll show up again—perhaps when they encounter Entei? However, in place of Perrin, Diana confirms that she'll be returning in the ending of the this episode. This gets me stoked because Diana is a great character, and I can’t wait to see her again! What are your thoughts about Kleavor, the battle, and the episode as a whole?