#hz055

[ianime0]

Pokemon (Shinsaku Anime) || Poppy Episode 55

[smilingperformer]

Two new illustrations for upcoming Elite Four exhibition matches!

[amelikos]

Sango.

[kafus]

i am really endeared by liko being so sure of dot's abilities when things look rough for her twice now... like of course she is, gurumin is a battling expert and dot as herself is so cool and battles so smartly (<- liko voice) but like it's really sweet to me 😭

[jadeazora]

We got new info on HZ055! There'll be some exhibition battles with Poppy vs. Iono and Dot, and Hassel vs. Roy and Brassius.

(I wonder if Liko gets one the following episode maybe teaming up with Katy? Rika did take an interest in her...)

[hupla222]

Silly Little Summaries HZ051-HZ055

The time has come yet again for more of the sillies. And what a (mostly) good batch of episodes this was, especially since a couple of them have really helped support my main theory. Anyway, onto the "reviews":

HZ051: Leafage is a cat…again + Silly Little Mushrooms

HZ052: Land Seagull becomes Flying Seagull + Rapping old ladies

Alternate Title: Man these kids really suck at taking videos

HZ053: Oh boy fun doppelganger antics, wait where are you going?

Alternate Title: Baby Hat is now a Big Hat…well that came out of nowhere

HZ054: Mr. Doctor Professor is a criminal + Mr. Big Bad reveal, for real this time

HZ055: Little battles with the Big Four

[michaellambert]

Let's Talk About Pokemon HZ055

Let's Talk About Pokemon HZ055

[ianime0]

Pokemon (Shinsaku Anime) || Rika Episode 55 

[ianime0]

Pokemon (Shinsaku Anime) | Ep55 | Heyo! Your pal Rikka here! I'm on a winnin' streak right now, but don't let that psych you out. Come at me!

[ianime0]

Pokemon (Shinsaku Anime) || Geeta Episode 55

[ianime0]

Pokemon (Shinsaku Anime) || Hassel Episode 55 

[ianime0]

Pokemon (Shinsaku Anime) || Tulip Episode 55

[amelikos]

This week's episode was written by Naruki Nagakawa. He was also the writer for last week's episode. This is the first time in Horizons we're getting two episodes in a row by him.

[amelikos]

Some character notes and episode notes for HZ055, writing them down for future reference.

The ep starts with everyone at school (Sango and Onyx are there too, and I can't get over how they really fit in this school setting honestly... they don't seem out of place to me, if anything, I'm wondering why they are in the Explorers in comparison). Clavell tells everyone he prepared something fun for them, as he organized friendly matches with the Elite Four. The students will face one Elite Four member in a tag battle with the Gym Leader they faced during their basics test. The rules of the battles are: the Gym Leader can't use Terastal (the student is the star, so the gym leader can't overshadow them), the student wins if they manage to knock out at least one of the Elite Four's Pokemon, and the battle ends if the student's Pokemon is defeated.

First off, Dot and Nanjamo vs Poppy (Dot's little "osu" before her battle has to be brought up). Dot ended up winning since Nanjamo managed to knock out one of Poppy's Pokemon. Dot wasn't satisfied even though she won because she felt like she was relying too much on Nanjamo and that she didn't win because of her own strength (interesting to bring up, she is aware of her own limitations and this motivates her even further to get better). The battle was initially described as almost being like a Gym Leader vs Elite Four because Dot was too overwhelmed and couldn't exactly do a thing (I like that it was brought up in universe that it felt one-sided at first). Dot is still not completely used to battles and I like that her confidence depends on the situation and the opponent. Her smarts showed in this episode though, as she knew Harabari's ability and made use of it in a clever and unique way, which allowed her and Nanjamo to win.

Sango and Haidai vs Aoki was quick. Sango self-destructed and knocked out everyone on the field, but it led to Aoki's win instead of hers, which she contested. Aoki's comment about personal rules not working once you are in society was interesting in regards to Sango. Sango does what she wants and likes her own freedom, and she doesn't seem to be able to adjust to rules so she doesn't really fit in regular society or with others (which is potentially why she joined the Explorers, since "anything goes in the Explorers")... and every time she is scolded or reminded of this reality, she runs away. (She made me sad, and battle rules should be changed for her specifically)

Afterwards, we got Roy and Colza vs Hassaku. Roy and Dot had a high five before his battle, which was cute. Roy and Colza didn't win but their tag team felt equal and we get a sense that they know each other well in battle. Their mentor and mentee relationship is really good (Colza gave him a nickname and calls him "Roygarde" now, and even pat Roy's head at the end.. Roy is collecting lots of mentor figures). The way their battle turned into art was interesting too, and Roy pointed it out at the end too. How moves kept being added to one another, how you can do things you can't do alone when battling with someone... which works well with how Roy is learning to be more observant and technical as a trainer (like an artist basically, and Colza and Hassaku are both artists). That battle was fun for what it tried to convey, and I liked Roy's conversation with Nemo at the end and the way Hassaku dramatically cried (it was cute how his Pokemon comforted him ww).

Onyx's battle was quick, similarly to Sango. But we got valuable information in the little time he had, since his Pokemon went down trying to protect his teammate's and he said that he cannot sacrifice his backup to ensure his own survival. It made an interesting contrast with Sango, who is willing to do anything to win and her views on victory. Onyx is more honorable (really similar to Amethio honestly, and you have to wonder why he is in the Explorers too since he doesn't seem to be tied there by blood). He is protective of others, even in such a setting, and he just seems like a genuinely good guy in general. (I'm not sure how to interpret Chili and Lip's words to Onyx though... him valuing his teammate is a good thing, so were they approaching it more from a "you shouldn't waste your teammate's choices and sacrifices in a battle" perspective, to encourage him to continue to battle?)

Anyway, there were several battles in one ep but I like that we're not spreading them over multiple episodes tbh (and that battles in Horizons are always trying to convey something specific and that they are straight to the point usually). I also enjoy seeing that characters like the Elite Four are much more approachable in this series, and that they are genuinely invested in the growth of the trainers in their region. They are not untouchable beings. They work together with the school staff and even Gym Leaders, and I think it makes them much more likeable in general? They actually serve a purpose instead of just being empty symbols of strength. They have friendly matches with students to teach them things. I appreciate this way of framing them. Seeing Roy and Dot teaming up with Colza and Nanjamo was great given the history they have, too (I wonder if we'll see them appearing again every now and then in the future).

[amelikos]

I really wonder how long Onyx and Sango have known each other. Is Onyx this protective because he's known Sango for a long time, or are they teamed up because Gibeon or Hamber (or whoever else) recognized that they would complement each other well (Sango tends to be brash and lacks self-preservation, while Onyx tends to think before acting and isn't willing to go as far as Sango to win and he has strong principles).

I couldn't help but think Onyx's line about not wanting to sacrifice his own teammate to win and that he doesn't find any meaning in a disgraceful victory ties into how he feels about Sango. She is the character who is always teaming up with him and they are together most of the time and we saw him looking out for her on multiple occasions (protecting her Pokemon by catching Onigohri back during their battle in HZ025, or checking on Sango when she took too long to come back in HZ043 for example). So, I think he applies this philosophy when he is with her. It makes me think that he would ultimately pick Sango and her safety over his mission if it came down to it someday..

[amelikos]

Why does Sango keep being associated with characters who have something to do with food. First, meeting Kaede who is a baker and her basics test in the Terastal course was with Haidai, who is a cook.