Preview SM138: The Finals! The Strongest Rival Showdown!!

[L-05308]

In other words, we can't be sure if those Poké Balls signify all of the Trainer's Pokémon, or just the remaining ones after their first ones.

But we we can be sure, what did the VS screens look like for Kiawe vs Gladion and Ash vs Guzma?

 

[FinnishPokéFan92]

But we we can be sure, what did the VS screens look like for Kiawe vs Gladion and Ash vs Guzma?

No Poké Balls. They can't be used to help here.

 

[Kairyu]

Is it just me or does the animation during the battle scenes look a little subpar? I swear that most of the previous Alola league episodes looked snazzier than this one just judging by the animation alone.

Makoto Shinjo who is animation director for this ep I'd say is slightly better than your average animator. The key thing though is that Masaaki Iwane always does key animation in Shinjo's work (dating back to DP), so some segments are bound to look fantastic.

 

[Knightwolf09]

I concerned about next battle. Anime preview shows Silvally fighting Pikachu, but a preview image shows Ash starting off with Melmetal. Heavily implying it gets taken out by Silvally first.

 

[DynamicFusion]

I concerned about next battle. Anime preview shows Silvally fighting Pikachu, but a preview image shows Ash starting off with Melmetal. Heavily implying it gets taken out by Silvally first.

It doesn't seem Ash-like to switch out Pokémon even though he did that in most Kalos Gym Battles.

 

[Knightwolf09]

It doesn't seem Ash-like to switch out Pokémon even though he did that in most Kalos Gym Battles.

Which is what concerns me. Silvally is Ash's biggest obstacle cause it can change typings on the fly. (Totally fair btw). So honestly, it's like it doesn't matter if Ash switches out.

 

[Panky..]

I concerned about next battle. Anime preview shows Silvally fighting Pikachu, but a preview image shows Ash starting off with Melmetal. Heavily implying it gets taken out by Silvally first.

Maybe that's the thing? Melmetal will be used to counter Silvally's disk changes early on. And switching isn't out of the question. It would be downright daft to have a Pokemon evolve to promptly lose without being able to showcase its newfound strength.

 

[FinnishPokéFan92]

Maybe that's the thing? Melmetal will be used to counter Silvally's disk changes early on. And switching isn't out of the question. It would be downright daft to have a Pokemon evolve to promptly lose without being able to showcase its newfound strength.

Let's pray that's the case an not Fujisaku pulling off some cheap stunt.

 

[Knightwolf09]

Maybe that's the thing? Melmetal will be used to counter Silvally's disk changes early on. And switching isn't out of the question. It would be downright daft to have a Pokemon evolve to promptly lose without being able to showcase its newfound strength.

This is the finals of the League. This is usually the time when logical writing gets thrown out to keep the status quo of Ash being a loser.

 

[FinnishPokéFan92]

This is the finals of the League. This is usually the time when logical writing gets thrown out to keep the status quo of Ash being a loser.

Traditions can be broken.

 

[Knightwolf09]

Traditions can be broken.

sheds a tear That's what we all say

 

[FinnishPokéFan92]

sheds a tear That's what we all say

The fact that the Masked Royal battle is waiting the winner basically guarantees that Ash wins.

 

[Panky..]

Let's pray that's the case an not Fujisaku pulling off some cheap stunt.

You damn well know that is exactly the type of stunt he will pull off, he's got an amazing track record.

 

[FinnishPokéFan92]

You damn well know that is exactly the type of stunt he will pull off, he's got an amazing track record.

Hey, I can hope, can't I?

 

[dawn dusk]

zorowak is also a big challenge to ash

 

[PkmnTrainerV]

Melmetal will be used to counter Silvally's disk changes early on.

How does that even work? All of Ash's known participating Pokémon are weak to ground, so Ground Silvally counters them all.

It would be downright daft to have a Pokemon evolve to promptly lose without being able to showcase its newfound strength.

Torterra cries in a corner...

Melmetal might be switched out in Pikachu's favour, I think. If we're going on Fujisaku's whims (which I don’t think will be that large of a part), he tends to favour Rowlet and Meltan, so I don’t see Melmetal treated too shabbily unless Fujisaku liked Meltan but hates Melmetal.

It’s a real pity that Lycanroc doesn’t get to battle Silvally even for a little while. They tried to establish a small rivalry between but abandoned it after one battle. I'd have preferred Melmetal facing Zoroark and Lycanroc getting a short face off with Silvally before switching out.

 

[FinnishPokéFan92]

It’s a real pity that Lycanroc doesn’t get to battle Silvally even for a little while. They tried to establish a small rivalry between but abandoned it after one battle. I'd have preferred Melmetal facing Zoroark and Lycanroc getting a short face off with Silvally before switching out.

I think the Lycanroc vs. Lycanroc rivalry is stronger at this point.

 

[PkmnTrainerV]

I think the Lycanroc vs. Lycanroc rivalry is stronger at this point.

It’s stronger, but it’d be nice to acknowledge that Lycanroc vs Silvally was a thing by having them face briefly.

 

[Panky..]

On topic of the Melmetal evolution, I feel like Thunderbolt will be replaced by Thunder Punch (automatically gained upon evolution) and Heabutt with Double Iron Bash (signature move + fits into Melmetal's ability).

 

[FinnishPokéFan92]

On topic of the Melmetal evolution, I feel like Thunderbolt will be replaced by Thunder Punch (automatically gained upon evolution) and Heabutt with Double Iron Bash (signature move + fits into Melmetal's ability).

I think the latter is pretty much guaranteed.