Anime

Wow, Rayquaza sure looks different! Jokes aside, this week's episode was rather intense. Honestly, I quite enjoyed it a lot. I loved the twist of the Pokémon in the mine not being Rayquaza but Galarian Moltres; that it was also apparently one of Lucius’s companions was surprising too, given just how sinister its presence is compared to Arboliva, who despite being menacing at first was shown to be really quite kind.

This week's episode of Pokémon Horizons was cute and sweet. Liko finally catches her second Pokémon in Hatenna, after forming a bond with her by understanding her emotional distress. It wasn’t exactly the perfect episode, but I still enjoyed it overall.

A limited-time distribution of a Cetitan with the Ferocious Mark was announced for Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet at the end of the Japanese version of the 1st episode of Paldean Winds, which aired today on the Japanese Official Pokémon YouTube channel. This Pokémon is based off of the Cetitan from Glaseado Mountain which played a significant role in this episode. This distribution will remain available until August 31st next year.

I'd almost forgotten Paldean Winds was starting today. Holy Mother of Arceus, it was AMAZING! The animation, courtesy of WIT Studio, Ufotable, Liden Films, and Studio Hibari, was crisp and beautiful. Gen 8's Twilight Wings was simply stunning, and it looks like Paldean Winds is going to follow in its footsteps. It’s only the first episode and I love it already!

It’s finally nice to actually see a Galarian Gym in full! Since Ash didn’t focus much on Gyms in favor of the World Coronation Series in Pokémon Journeys, Galarian Gym Leaders have been largely brushed off to the side up to this point. Kabu hadn't made any appearance in the previous series, so for him to have this entire episode of Pokémon Horizons as a spotlight dedicated to him, his Gym Test, and his Gym Trainer was very nice to see! It’s finally time Galar got the respect it deserved.

This is it, the finale of Pokémon: Path to the Peak is here! These past four weeks have been an amazing ride! Let’s hop into this review for the last time, shall we?

Not all backstories can and will be as majestic and well-animated like Friede’s. Sometimes, they can just be brought up to resolve long conflicts and to put a character in the spotlight. That was what this episode of Pokémon Horizons was about. It brought Murdock into the spotlight, introduced his backstory, and then resolved it towards the end of the episode. I did like how the episode revolves around Murdock’s Alcremie, a Pokémon that rarely gets focus in past episodes.

From what I’ve seen from this episode and remembering the past two episodes, it’s safe to say that Pokémon: Path to the Peak isn’t an exact interpretation of the Trading Card Game, but is more just a fun series for casual fans like me. I’m saying this because I'd like to learn more about the TCG from this show, but it’s just not that informative about how the game is really played. It’s a good first attempt on a TCG anime though. I think the best part about this show is that it’s just fun. The characters have fun playing, which in turn lets the viewers have fun watching them.

I’m sorry Episode 16, you just got dethroned after two weeks of reign. Episode 18 is now the best episode of this anime by far. It’s just an origin story, but the animation and storytelling are so immaculate, it’s almost perfection in a way. It feels like a good closure to the first arc, and the beginning to the next possible arc in the Rising Volt Tacklers’ journey.

I found this week's episode of Pokémon: Path to the Peak more enjoyable than the previous one. This episode focuses on the competitive side of the Trading Card Game, with Ava going to regionals with her trusty Oddish deck. I also think it’s an improvement because of the animation! I’m in love with the animation!

I really liked this episode! There was a whole ton of things happening, with a lot of foreshadowing to come for future episodes. There was plenty of character development for Roy and Fuecoco, and especially for Wattrel as well! I love seeing Pokémon get their time to shine, so having this episode centered around Fuecoco and Wattrel was great!

An animated series about the Pokémon Trading Card Game? I’m intrigued! How was it? I quite liked it!

Two new Pokémon animated series were announced with short trailers in the Pokémon Presents video presentation. Pokémon: Path to the Peak will premiere later this week on August 11th, while Pokémon: Paldean Winds will premiere on September 6th.

I can see why this anime is called Pokémon Horizons; it goes on horizons far beyond its own capabilities. Episode 16 is now the best episode of the series by far. The animation, the execution and the buildup to what’s to come were all handled beautifully!

In Episode 15 of Pokémon Horizons, Dot leaves her room and Iono makes her debut! Nidothing and Iono team up for their biggest collaboration!

In Episode 14 of Pokémon Horizons, Roy flies for a happy ending with Wattrel while Liko runs into a dead end.

Late last week, The Pokémon Company gave a preview of the English dub for Pokémon Horizons: The Series during its first-ever panel at Comic-Con International in San Diego, including a sneak-peak screening of the first 11 minutes of the first episode. While there's still some time until that episode will air in full internationally, over in Japan the series has already completed its first cour, with many more episodes on the way!

A limited-time distribution of a Dark Tera Type Charizard was announced for Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet during the July 21st broadcast of the Pokémon Horizons (Pocket Monsters) anime in Japan. This distribution will remain available until August 31st, at 11:59pm (UTC) / September 1st, at 8:59am (JST).

A press release from The Pokémon Company International earlier today has announced a collection of Pokémon panels and activities that will be taking place at the upcoming Comic-Con International 2023, which is being held later this month from July 20th-23rd. These include a panel on the past and future of the Pokémon franchise, as well as a variety of attractions on the show floor from various manufacturers of licensed Pokémon merchandise.

The Pokémon Company International has announced that new episodes of Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series, the 25th season of the long-running Pokémon animated series, will premiere exclusively on Netflix in the United States on June 23rd. This batch of episodes will finally bring the close of Ash and Pikachu's journey to English-speaking audiences, with the final battles of the World Coronation Series against the strongest trainers from around all of the regions Ash has travelled through.