#rayquaza rising

[smilingperformer]

I love this week's recap photo so much ;_;

[mr-poire]

Who wants a high quality version of the Exceed logo from the latest iteration of the Pokémon Anime ? Its newest episodes inspired me to try my hand at recreating it. Added my versions of the Rising Volteccers and Explorers logos as well to complete the set, even though I already posted those before.

[amelikos]

The full version of the fourth opening of Horizons, Only One Story by ZEROBASEONE, was released!

[chaotic-tinkaton]

Just a reminder since apparently some fans need to hear this; CHAMPIONS ARE NOT INVINCIBLE!!! Yes they're very strong but they win and lose some battles just like any other trainer.

The Horizons trio's win against Geeta fair and square not plot armor. Both sides put up a good fight with some awesome strategies ( like Sucker punching Crocalor to make Stomping Tantrum stronger ) and it was a great watch from start to finish!

[hubbleablubble]

I've been thinking a bit about some of the old pokemon movies I like

[jadeazora]

Ngl, Horizons is pretty much everything I wanted from a Pokemon anime.

Those not watching cuz no Ash are missing out. He's a nostalgic character for all of us and I get missing him/wanting him to return, but it doesn't hurt to give something new a try!

(By bound to its own story, I mean while it may use some SV characters, the kids aren't doing Gyms or really touching on any of SV's story beats like the school or the Raidons. It feels more like it's doing more of its own thing.)

[pokemon-cards-hourly]

[trelinha9]

The whole “Rayquaza already has a pokeball” thing feels like a way too grotesque plot hole for a show as well-written as Horizons.

I feel like this is going to come up sooner or later. We will come across a situation where the Explorers finally get to throw a pokeball at Rayquaza but nothing will happen. And everyone will realize how fucking stupid they were to forget that the stupid thing ALREADY HAS A POKEBALL

The pokeball was not destroyed at any point, It's still with Roy!

So, it's better (from my perspective) for the show to completely insult the intelligence of characters like Friede, Liko, Amethio and Spinel than to actually leave this plot hole around. There’s no way for the Explorers to capture Rayquaza, and it will be a shame if this fact is not brought up at any point.

[kurayamineko]

[quikyureblogs]

This aged so poorly 🥲

[zukaichu]

Hello!!! My lugia and rayquaza t-shirts are available again for a limited time!! Only until feb 2nd!!

I've also added a Rathalos and Rathian version with a Palico on the front!!

They're available on my etsy and ko-fi pages! Link in bio!!

[smilingperformer]

Anipoke_PR uploaded a bigger, clearer version of the photo that is seen at the end of the new opening visuals.

[ecargmura]

Pokemon Horizons Episode 6 Review: Shiny Black Rayquaza

Raise your hand if you remember the GS Ball plot back in the previous anime! Raise your other hand if you remember that the writers were going to do something with it but then it got scrapped because the content inside the ball was starring in the 4th movie! Guess what? The ancient Pokeball stuff is actually legit in this episode! IT OPENS!

This episode is a continuation of where Episode 5 left off. Liko’s pendant protects her from Amethio’s Corviknight, but the glowing persists to the point that Roy’s Pokeball reacts and it gets unlocked. A Pokemon pops out. What is it? A SHINY RAYQUAZA! IT’S BIG! IT’S BLACK! IT’S SHINY! And it flies away. Welp, there’s now Roy’s goal.

What this episode did right was actually having Liko and Roy struggle with Amethio’s Ceruledge just to make up for the fact that Liko got an offscreen win against a GOLDUCK. She’s inexperienced and her Sprigatito only knows one move, so even if there’s a type-advantage, the differences in strength would have been the best outcome. She’s still a newbie as a Trainer, same goes for Roy. I do like how Sprigatito and Fuecoco’s abilities are activated. I think this is the fastest a starter Pokemon activated their ability since their debut? Correct me if I’m wrong.

The moment Roy and Fuecoco become partners was so sweet. From the way Liko encourages Roy to become a Trainer by reciting her grandmother’s words to him to Fuecoco getting a Pokeball from Charizard moved me so much. They’re doing such a good job immersing viewers into the Trainer and Pokemon bonds. I’m already immersed and convinced that this is a good, believable bond. I can’t wait to see what Roy will bring to the story and what his bond with Fuecoco and Liko will become as his goal is to go on adventures and catch the shiny Rayquaza.

The last portion of this episode focuses on the Explorers. Their leader’s name is Gibeon and he’s voiced by Sho Hayami! I recognize that voice since I played Tales of Arise in Japanese dub; he voiced Vholran! It seems that Amethio’s a bit of a problem child as he does things without permission and his constant failures caused him to be taken out of the pendant hunting mission, which frustrates him. That’s not going to stop him from defying his boss’s orders. There’s a faint silhouette of a new Explorers member. From what I’ve gathered, his name is Spinel and he’s voiced by Makoto Furukawa! So far, unlike Team Rocket, the Explorers seem more ominous and foreboding. Their goal isn’t to seek a Pokemon, but an item. The way they’re presented is done well. I’m curious to see why they’re doing this and how it’ll affect the story in the future. I also like that there are more members off the bat and not focus on the same three people for an entire season. I remember it took a long while for them to introduce other Team Rocket members in the previous anime.

I’m excited to see what the Rising Volt Tacklers after they departed from Roy’s home island. What will they do on their way to Paldea? What will they do in Paldea? I can’t wait to find out! 

[amelikos]

Listening to Only One Story while reading the lyrics (here), they are beautiful (especially the "no matter how many times you cry, you'll be fine" part).

I think everything written before verse 2 is going to be the TV version of the opening which we'll get to see accompanied with visuals. I am personally curious which lyrics will be associated with Amethio in the opening itself. One of the lyrics mentions "rainy days" so I wonder if they will take this opportunity for the wordplay ("ame" meaning rain, and Amethio's name has "ame" in it..). Also curious about the lyrics mentioning the "promised place", I'm thinking it refers to Rakua and meeting Lucius there.

The second verse is probably the part that won't be used for the TV version. Though, I'm looking at the lyrics mentioning "eternal feelings" because the reading for the kanji "永遠" is specifically "towa" (same reading used for the "eternal blessing/towa no megumi" in the series itself). "Eternal feelings" makes me think of the Six Heroes' feelings towards Lucius. Even Gibeon's, maybe, if he held on to his feelings towards Lucius (whatever they were) for the past decades (and maybe at the cost of everything else... since it feels like he wants to settle something that is in relation to Lucius and that he won't get to rest until he does). Eternal feelings overcoming the passage of time, etc.

Anyway, pretty nice lyrics! It feels like a melancholic song, but also encouraging (the initial promo for the opening mentioned that it was a cheerful song, here). Reminds me a bit of Halo in some ways. Now, just to wait for the visuals.

[chaotic-tinkaton]

So i'm not personally a fan of Geeta but I have to admit she was pretty bad ass this ep.

Her strategy of having Glimmora act as a shield/blinder while the rock polished boosted Glimment duo attacked from above, and letting a hit land so toxic debris would activate following up with venom shock ( something I really like is how she doesn't poison stall to get an easy win. that's honestly pretty cool and admiral of her) and having the duo us memento to weaken Achigator and Welkamo for Glimmora's rock type terra blast was a great and really made her feel like a threat!

This ep was a blast to watch and I am hyped for next weeks!

[jadeazora]

The new OP is so good! Seems Gibeon might be taking a more active role soon? Also, a woman used to travel with him and Lucius, and is shown holding Terapagos! (I wonder if it'll be the same woman Liko will see at the Crystal Pool!)