Review TW02: Training

[RK9]

Really nice episode. Would have wished to see more than just the Machop line but oh well.

Also that Wild Area tho. Dang. Truly a thing of beauty.

Rather have 12 episodes of this than do I know how many of the regular anime.

 

[PkmnTrainerV]

As for my actual review: the episode was good. I missed Tommy at first, but Bea proved capable to carry to story on her own. I didn’t think of her as very notable at first, but this episode and her personality made her escalate a lot in my mind.

The Kanto-favouritism was really jarring this time. Although Machop was cute (which I never imagined it could be), and Machoke has a good characterisation but all of them being a single Kanto evolution line felt a bit convoluted. Maybe something like Grappoloct or Sirfetch’d? Maybe even Falinks. It wasn’t a huge issue though since the Pokemon were very vibrant personality-wise, which I missed seeing since PM has very little of recurring Pokémon with good characterisation. I wish they’d have added a scene with Corviknight though, since it’s my favourite character so far. ~~I think I'll join the popular Corviknight-is-the-main-character theory~~

One thing I didn’t understand was why didn’t the Pokémon use fighting moves to make an opening? I guess it was not to disturb the rocks any further. Bea's character was very relatable to me.

I can’t wait for the next episode! I really wish it could air on a weekly basis.

 

[Nicolas721]

~~I think I'll join the popular Corviknight-is-the-main-character theory~~

That's actually canon, every story is confirmed to be connected by the Corviknight Taxi.

 

[Emmy]

Re-watching the episode, man I just can't get used to seeing normal cell phones in Pokémon. I can't even put my finger on "why" other than my mind drifting back to the old Pokégear that people called you on back in Gen II.

Anyways, I feel like the lone person who doesn't mind seeing Bea with just the Machop line as it feels strangely like a group of brothers. The little Machop in particular was very cute~

Also, I liked the small details such as the bunch of stickers plastered on the inside of the taxi.

 

[KrspaceT]

Re-watching the episode, man I just can't get used to seeing normal cell phones in Pokémon. I can't even put my finger on "why" other than my mind drifting back to the old Pokégear that people called you on back in Gen II.

Anyways, I feel like the lone person who doesn't mind seeing Bea with just the Machop line as it feels strangely like a group of brothers. The little Machop in particular was very cute~

Also, I liked the small details such as the bunch of stickers plastered on the inside of the taxi.

It didn't bother me until I was reminded of the annoyance of Genwunning. It's a minor quibble of minor quibbles.

 

[MegaGreninga]

Another fantastic output. The music, the art, the animation and the way that minimal dialogue works to tell a cohesive story in just 6 minutes is pure artistry, simply a delight to watch. I can't put my finger on what or why, but this one delivered a little emotional gut punch as well, didn't it? I definitely got a little choked up towards the end!

One thing I particularly liked was how Goriky/Machoke was portrayed as being distinctly "wimpier" (physically/emotionally less resilient) than its evolutionary line mates. It's a small detail demonstrated in subtle bits of acting that shows how much thought is being put into each short story.

where did u get this from link

 

[Islander Princess]

It honestly amazes me just how much they're able to fit into these six minute shorts. I know it's only the second episode, but this little series is now two-for-two on making me feel like I just watched a full length episode rather than just a short. It's quite impressive.

This episode, just like the first, was beautifully animated and excellently voice acted. Bea really came to life for me here, especially as someone who got Shield and didn't get to experience her in the game at all. I think the problem she was facing was quite simple but very compelling: beating herself up after failing and pushing herself beyond her limits to try and improve, to the point of physical injury and serious fatigue. I actually quite enjoyed the simplicity of the plot, and how they involved her Pokemon in getting her to realize that she wasn't doing the right thing by them or her. It was straightforward but still had a nice impact.

I do agree with most everyone in that I wish Bea had been given some Galarian Pokemon instead of the Machop evolutionary line. Don't get me wrong, they were great (especially the weary Machoke, very relatable!) but it just seems odd to me that a series set in Galar, focused on a Galar gym leader, gives her Kanto Pokemon instead. And this is coming from someone who has no problem with Kanto! I'd just like to see more Galar Pokemon out of a Galar focused series.

If the remaining episodes are like this (focusing exclusively on the gym leaders and Hop), I wonder how/if John will be brought back into the series. I'm still very interested in his character (the first episode just edges this one out as my favorite thus far) so I'm curious to see if they continue his story and how so.

 

[Almonds]

This was a good episode. I think this also falls under the lesson of "you don't have to do everything yourself" and believe that you can achieve much more when you put faith in your friends. The emotional depictions were really well done. The moment when Bea realized she left her phone on the taxi, I could see the momentary self-blame in her face before she tried to look for another exit. This also connects back to her training where she tries to be the respectable, responsible trainer she is by taking upon herself all the extra work. Machop giving her the candy/protein bar was so precious, and I like how the candy/protein bar wrapper reflected the exit since it led to the moment of her accepting help from her friends.

 

[Emmy]

Saw this on the 'net, an awesome bit of promo art from Yojiro Arai.

Spoiler

Anyways, something I kinda wished the episode would've touched upon was this from Bea's League Card:

"It's possible that the strict (one might even say too strict) training from her stern parents has left a burden on young Bea, taking away her smile."

It doesn't detract from the episode, but I feel like for people who didn't play Sword it would've made it easier to understand why Bea pushes herself so much.

 

[VetProf]

Saw this on the 'net, an awesome bit of promo art from Yojiro Arai.

Spoiler

View attachment 131135

...Why is there a Pokeball lodged in Machamp's abs?

Jokes aside, cool art. I like how Machoke looks a bit bashful/grumpy from being headpatted by Machamp.

 

[Knightwolf09]

...Why is there a Pokeball lodged in Machamp's abs?

Jokes aside, cool art. I like how Machoke looks a bit bashful/grumpy from being headpatted by his evolved bro.

Wouldn't it be sis? Cause in the games Bea's Machamp is female.

 

[VetProf]

Wouldn't it be sis? Cause in the games Bea's Machamp is female.

...Yeah, I'll just change it to be neutral.

 

[Queen Cynthia]

Very nice and intense episode! This is how Pokemon should always be!
The episode actually got me motivated to start going to a gym again (Let's see when I'll finally do it )

Anyways, Bea has certainly become me favorite Galarian character so far.
But girl, here's some advice: In the Pokemon world being good at martial arts is just one aspect, considering there are so many different Pokemon types that can also win battles without knowing anything abut martials arts. So, as much as I admire her fighting spirit, I'm afraid you'll never win a major tournament if you just focus on one type (except maybe for Wallace)

 

[PkmnTrainerV]

But girl, here's some advice: In the Pokemon world being good at martial arts is just one aspect, considering there are so many different Pokemon types that can also win battles without knowing anything abut martials arts. So, as much as I admire her fighting spirit, I'm afraid you'll never win a major tournament if you just focus on one type (except maybe for Wallace)

She isn’t unique in this aspect, literally almost every gym leader and elite 4 specialise in one type.

 

[Queen Cynthia]

She isn’t unique in this aspect, literally almost every gym leader and elite 4 specialise in one type.

Sure, I know. I didn't mean to criticize it.
I just think that, in the long run, most trainers focusing only on one type won't stand a chance against champions or trainers with several, well-balanced types. And that's why I somehow feel sorry for her because she pushes herself so hard and that's admirable.

 

[Pulsaro23]

As everyone else pointed out already, for a supposed 6-minute short, this episode was simply outstanding and managed to accomplish so much in such a small timeframe. The animation was smooth. The music was pleasing. The art style and designs of the characters, the Pokémon and the locations were just gorgeous. The Wild Area looked vibrant and marvellous and it actually featured a variety of environments from rocky cliffsides and a crystal cave (which looked absolutely breathtaking, I might add) to grasslands and lakesides, unlike the main anime, where, while looking vibrant in color, it also felt bland and monotonous, as all it was there was just the same old grassland with some trees and an occasional lake here and there.

As for the plot, it was pretty solid. It perfectly encapsulated Bea's character: how stern and determined she is and how she wants to be strong and not show weakness and the way a defeat affects her (to the point that she starts seeing Wild Pokémon as the opponents that defeated her). The way she felt about herself after losing to Leon, to the point of pushing herself and her Pokémon long past the breaking really made me sympathize with her and her falling into that crystal cave (which, have I already mentioned how gorgeous it looked?) and comparing herself to it, which made her realize that being driven to train solely by her frustration to the point of exhaustion isn't gonna help her or her Pokémon get stronger. Simple plot and a proper development/evolution for a character, which also a pretty good message: that, no matter how great of an obstacle you face, pushing yourself to the point of fatigue, exhaustion won't actually help you overcome it and, in fact, it might even hurt you and those you care about. It was also sweet to see her Pokémon trying to help her and caring for her, with Machop giving her the protein bar and her enjoying it (which is probably a reference to how her game self loves sweets), which made her smile for the first time this entire episode, and Machamp catching her as she's about to fall and pushing the boulders to make an exit out of the cave.

Some other small details I really liked where how all of her Pokémon are housed in Ultra Balls, just like in the games (always like it when they show people using balls other than the same old standard one, which doesn't happen often in the main series). Also liked the continuity between this short and the previous one, with Rose still having John's letter and how Bea's defeat at the hands of Leon is what's driving the plot of this episode (to the point of Bea confusing a Rhydon for Leon and his Charizard (which could also be a reference to those two having shared the same cry once)). Bea actively training alongside her Pokémon and all of them taking their training seriously is a nice change from how the anime has been doing it lately, where Pokémon training rarely happens and, when it does happen, more often than not it's treated as a joke (looking at you, Rockruff, Litten and Rowlet; though I'll admit that Dragonair's more recent training was handled better than those). Speaking of jokes (and lack of them), it was refreshing to see character react like normal people, instead of them having overly exaggerated expressions that make them look like poor parodies of themselves. Who knows, it might even make up for the wave of """"funny"""" faces that we're no doubt gonna be bombarded with this Sunday. Also, did I already mention how astonishingly outstanding that crystal cave was? 'cause it was.

As for Bea only having members of the Machop line on hand... well, I understand the criticism and complains regarding it (as it is very tiresome to see Kanto and everything related to it get a ton of attention and I do find it incredibly annoying how it gets shoved into everything Pokémon-related), but I don't think that it was an issue in this episode (or, at least, not a big one). It's been a very, very long time since the Machop line got some proper focus in the main anime, so seeing them in action (and them having some personality as well), really made me happy. Besides, I'm a big Machoke fan, so seeing the buff reptile get some much needed attention is a plus in my book.

So, in short, just like the previous one, this episode was Good! Great! Awesome! Outstanding! AMAZING! Far better than the current series (even with the recent streak of good episodes (that's most likely gonna end with the upcoming Unova episode anyways)). I can't wait for the next episode, 'cause I really can't get enough of this series.... Sigh. Why did this have to be a monthly series? Why did they have to be short? And why couldn't the new series be like this? Seriously, Twilight Wings just keeps on showing how great a Galar series would've been and this episode in particular shows that Bea would've made for an interesting traveling companion.

 

[Neo Blaze]

I'm probably into the vast minority on this one, but these two shorts have been pretty underwhelming for me so far. I wasn't that big on Origins and Generations either (at least Origins had a focused story to tell and I liked that). Not that I disliked this particular episode, I just don't really care about some Gym Leader (who's essentially likely to be a one-off character in the context of this series) training and a plot that seemed a little too familiar. It's nice as a cool little short, but not much more than that in my opinion. At least the animation is gorgeous. At this point I'm more interested in the weekly story of Ash and Go (for all of its faults) than another day in the life of another Galarian citizen.

 

[Daren]

I was a little underwhelmed, to be honest.
I didn't dislike it but I didn't find it an interesting as the first one giving us some characterization for Chairman Rose and showing a part of the Pokémon world the mainline anime doesn't touch on much. This one felt like if one of the episodes where Ash became downcast after losing was combined with Snow Way Out.
Plus the Galar Gym leader using all Kanto Pokémon, as other people mentioned.

 

[Dogasu]

So, um, how about those whitewashing accusations?

 

[DarkraiKnight]

So, um, how about those whitewashing accusations?

Wow. It’s like people don’t know that the sun can make things look lighter. You know, like lightning sources tend to do.

People really do just love to hate Pokémon these days, don’t they? (Not saying it doesn’t deserve it somewhat, but come on; this is just dumb.)