#hz102

[scraftyisthebest]

LikoDot

[amelikos]

Liko's Carbou's ability being Flash Fire, an ability absorbing the flames after being hit by a Fire-type move and using them to power up its own Fire-type moves, is so interesting because it ties her even closer to Spinel thematically, whose Blacky knows the move Foul Play, which turns the opponent's strength against it. Both of them having the potential to turn the opponent's power against them in different ways.

Liko's Pokemon's abilities showcase different sides of her character in this way. Masquernya's Overgrow ability (Grass-type moves being powered up when HP is low) reflecting Liko's potential to get stronger when driven into a corner and the fact she grows stronger to protect those she cares about, Tebrim's Healer ability (sometimes curing the status conditions of the Pokemon's allies) reflecting Liko's desire to connect with Pokemon and help them, and now Carbou's Flash Fire ability showing Liko's potential to be tricky during battles and using her opponent's strength to turn the situation to her advantage.

[smilingperformer]

Finally found time to watch HZ102.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN CARBOU/CHARCADET WAS CAPTURED WHAT-

It's adorable with how it acted in this ep so I'm cool with it sgshsjsjjdkdkdksks.

ALSO COLLECUREI STOWAWAY WHAT-

[katarithekat]

some pkmn horizons ep. 102 thoughts

first: the battle between Dot and Penny was...fine. It had it good moments like the terastallization part but it was also kinda goofy and short.

NOW THAT THAT'S OUTTA THE WAY-

YYYAAAAAAAAAYAYYAYYAYY!!!!!!

This gif so me rn:

okay okay but seriously now. The capture was really cool but I can't help but feel it's just missing something.

Like I personally think that Liko catching Charcadet would've felt more earned if during the battle with Scovillain charcadet got hurt and Liko and her team would heal them/save their life. Then Liko's line "You want to protect me?" would make just a tiny bit more sense since charcadet would want to protect her since it would owe her their life (pls tell me that makes sense).

edit: Oooohh I almost forgot!

PAGOGO JOCKEY!

you really thought you can escape Minecraft movie, did you?

[scraftyisthebest]

Welcome to Liko's team, Charcadet!

Hell yeah, this is a win.

[amelikos]

Some character notes and episode notes for HZ102, writing them down for future reference.

Liko and the others leave Orange Academy after getting further information. They travel to the ruins in Paldea, where they split up to investigate the Rakurium Signs. While Roy, Uruto and Dot fall under Collecurei's control and become obsessed with searching for coins, Liko runs into Karatou, a student from Orange Academy whose Scovillain has gone missing. Meanwhile, Pagogo reunites with the Carbou he had previously met in the ruins. Liko comes across Karatou's partner, who is under the influence of the Strong Sphere, and helps save it with her Pokemon. 

– 

A few things to note. 

Dot reminiscing the first picnic from HZ013 was a neat moment which highlighted the themes of the passage of time. I was surprised (very pleasantly) that Dot told Liko that she was happy that Liko had prepared the ingredients for her back then and that she had fun making sandwiches with Landau. Dot usually struggled to be honest with her feelings and had a tsun streak at times, so seeing her bring up a memory from the past and admit so openly that what Liko did for her was appreciated was sweet.. Dot was open and honest and she wasn't embarrassed about her emotions. I wonder if maybe what happened to Friede is part of why Dot allows herself to talk so casually about her feelings? She knows that people around her could disappear at any time, so she doesn't want to regret not telling her friends about her thoughts.. Maybe this is a factor, though I also think that Dot simply grew and changed and became more open as a person as a result. It felt like she was looking back on herself with fondness, and I liked that she wasn't harsh on herself for not going out of her room at the time. Dot had a tendency to downplay her own abilities and felt like she was lacking compared to Liko and Roy and that she needed to catch up to them. 

On Liko's side, I think it's important for her to know that her actions mattered and that her kindness does reach people. She became friends with Dot after she reached out to her and after the whole Spinel incident in chapter 1, but they probably never really talked about the picnic again after the fact? Dot had sent a picture of her as Gurumin to Liko's phone as a way to thank her after the picnic (though Liko didn't know that Dot was Gurumin at the time), but it seems like they never really brought it up again, even though it was important for both of them. Liko seemed really happy to know that Dot had appreciated the fact that she tried to include her in the picnic in her own way, so it felt like Liko was reframing her past experiences at that moment.. Liko knew that Dot was thankful after HZ013, but I feel like knowing that Dot still holds that memory close to her heart and that she cherishes it that much makes a difference for Liko.

Other small things I liked about the picnic scene was Cap making a meat-only sandwich just like Friede did in the first picnic.. Cap misses Friede a lot (just like me fr)

Dot using an Eevee stick in her sandwich was cute, it made me think that this is Botan's influence on her.. It reminded me of when Dot saw the Eevee evolutions in Rakua, because she immediately wanted to send a picture of the Pokemon to Botan. It's cute that Dot associates anything Eevee with Botan.

I thought Dot and Botan's battle was alright. I really liked Botan's Terastallization scene, she was very cool (and the fact that the girls get to be so cool in this show is something I appreciate a lot). I think the outcome of the battle was interesting because Dot growing through the "frustration of loss" (especially in a battle against a friend) is something that could take her many places as a character and shows her that she still has a lot to learn.. I like that she gets to win sometimes and lose sometimes, it makes her journey feel real. I wonder if she'll get to battle Botan again (or even Nanjamo) one of these days and win against them. Dot and Botan’s VAs were particularly impressive this ep btw, their performances felt really impactful. 

I think this was the first time Dot had a battle against a friend too? She hasn’t faced Liko or Roy in a battle so far, which is interesting. Most of the time, she teams up with them. I am curious if this confrontation with Botan will make her want to try battling Liko or Roy, for example.

Also, the fact that Roy and Dot got their 2 vs 2 battles one after the other makes me wonder if Liko will be set up to face someone in this kind of battle too? My mind goes to Grusha because Liko faced Kaede recently, who was someone she had a personal history with during the Terastal Debut chapter.. Grusha and Chili are two characters who have a personal history with Liko, so maybe they are planning something on this aspect. (Grusha is appearing in ep 103 too, which could sow the seeds for an eventual rematch?)

Liko getting excited about Gurumin again felt meaningful because the events of Rakua left her so shaken at the beginning of this chapter that she wasn't keeping up with Gurumin's videos anymore.. So it feels like Liko is finding joy and excitement and getting immersed in her hobbies again now. I think Liko's feelings towards Gurumin are interesting to pick apart too, because Liko casually gets excited about Gurumin stuff around Dot. Early on in the series, it took her time to come to terms with the fact that Dot was Gurumin and she slowly learned to associate the two of them. It seems like Liko doesn't mind getting excited about Gurumin anymore and doesn’t hold back her enthusiasm. She feels no embarrassment about it. Neither does Dot? Dot (as Gurumin) told Nyabiko that even though Liko was her IRL friend, she had no intention of treating her differently or giving her special treatment as Gurumin. I feel like it's the same thing for Liko. She treats Dot as Dot and considers her a friend, but Gurumin is her oshi so she will get excited about her. I think Liko found her balance when it comes to Dot and Gurumin.

Other things I liked.. I appreciated the kids' maturity when it came to the topic of money. The fact that money was brought up at all in the show was something I liked because it made things feel more grounded and realistic. They are aware that they need money to keep traveling and try to think of options (it highlights the passage of time since they are growing more responsible and aware). 

The discussion about the effects of the Strong Spheres at the end of the episode. The scene when the kids were speculating about the reason why Scovillain left its trainer (potentially hate?), etc. Liko being the one who specifically brought up the possibility of the Strong Sphere rupturing the bond between trainer and Pokemon was interesting and it felt significant coming from her since she cares so much about Pokemon and their wellbeing and wants to be a trainer who understands them better. There is something ironic about the fact that Spinel is manufacturing an item rupturing the bond between trainers and Pokemon when his main partner is a Pokemon evolving through friendship. Blacky and Spinel are deeply attached to each other and loyal to one another, so I wonder if something like that could be their undoing..? I am not sure, because both of them are constantly shown to be on the same page. They highlighted Spinel’s affection towards Blacky in their last scene together in HZ100 as well. 

I was surprised (in a good way) that Liko didn't warn Karatou about the dangers of the Strong Spheres. Though, I thought it was a nice moment because she didn't exactly take a moral standing in this situation? Liko just wanted to make sure that her suspicions were right and gathered the data that was necessary before leaving after she made sure Karatou and Scovillain were reunited. Liko and the others are still in the process of gathering more proof and data about the Strong Spheres and the teachers at Orange Academy did tell them that they needed more information before proceeding. So I thought it was mature of Liko that she didn't rush into this situation carelessly and was cautious about the whole thing. Karatou was already worried enough about her Pokemon's sudden disappearance, so Liko didn't add to this by putting pressure on her or telling her that she was misguided. Maybe Liko will meet Karatou again after gathering enough data? Unlike Magyoro, Karatou didn’t seem to think anything was strange about the Strong Spheres and sent her product back to Exceed so it could be filled again, so I’m not sure if they’ll revisit that later. (Liko’s reaction to Karatou when the latter started rambling about Scovillain was good, too (leaving before she got held back). Liko’s tsukkomi-like moments are always fun, and I like when that side of her shows through in some situations.)

Liko’s entire focus in regards to the Rakurium-infected Pokemon was really good, too. I liked seeing her perspective being centered, and the whole situation just felt like a magical girl dealing with the monster of the week moment to me? I got strong Precure vibes from this part of the episode. Liko investigating the Rakurium by herself and finding traces of it, helping Scovillain and knowing it was hurt (and even pointing it out and bringing attention to it, she wanted to help as quickly as possible so the Pokemon could feel better), Liko’s whole team having a role and helping in their own way to deal with the situation at hand.. really liked the emphasis on all of Liko’s strong traits and her Pokemon’s and how they all got to shine. Liko’s determination and devotion to helping saving/protecting others and that part of her resonating with Carbou who saw the look in her eyes, and who is as strongly devoted as her to helping others, and that being the reason why Carbou wants to follow her/protect her was nice. 

I was wondering how they’d make Carbou fit thematically with Liko’s team, so seeing that they emphasized the knightly aspect of their characters felt convincing. Carbou felt responsible for the other Pokemon in the ruins and was looking for them to protect them (he also needed their approval before asking Liko to join her). It ties in really well with the rest of Liko’s team and Liko herself, who all share similar motivations. Liko’s strength shines when she is fighting for someone else. Masquernya is strongly motivated by a desire to protect her loved ones (among other things, and her backstory even revolved around her guilt and shame after she hurt her friends trying to protect them), Tebrim wants to help other Pokemon, Pagogo always reacts to Liko’s strong desire to protect and helps her when she needs it, and now Carbou pledged to protect Liko. Carbou kneeling in front of Liko was very cute (and it emphasized even more the princess-like elements of Liko’s story? Like, she has a knight who devoted himself to her now), and endearing too since Carbou is so small currently, yet has grand aspirations and wants to protect others.. I always felt like Masquernya came off as Liko’s bodyguard because she is always looking out for her and helping her, so I wonder how they’ll deal with Carbou, who also wants to protect Liko now. Liko tends to be reckless when it comes to helping Pokemon, so it’s reassuring that she has partners by her side who will protect her when she needs it. It stood out to me that the moment which made Carbou step in during the battle was when he intervened to protect Liko, who was trying to protect a Pokemon.. It reminded me of when Amethio’s Soublades protected Liko who was trying to protect Pagogo in HZ045. Something about those knight Pokemon who help others.

I think Pagogo’s individuality and personality really shone through in this ep, too? Pagogo’s eagerness to connect with others (which Liko has too!) and ability to make friends with anyone is a consistent part of his character and was set up so early on. Pagogo’s bond with Carbou felt important to me too, because Pagogo’s life was riddled with so much loss across time (losing Rystal and other human friends, going into deep slumber in two separate instances, being separated from the Six Heroes), yet Pagogo still remains open and friendly. I’m glad Pagogo got to reunite with a friend and that this friendliness culminated in having a Pokemon join Liko. Pagogo was the one who acted as a bridge between Liko and Carbou, and gave a push to Carbou. It mirrored the time Nyahoja gave a push to both Liko and Mibrim and convinced Mibrim to stay because she could see how good she was for Liko (in HZ021). I like that Liko’s Pokemon get to have such moments and take part in such decisions, it gives them much more agency. I think it makes it easier for Carbou to be integrated into the team too, since he already gets along really well with Pagogo.. Hopefully, we’ll see interactions with the other Pokemon, too. Pagogo carrying Carbou and them both playing was also really sweet. It reminded me of Rayquaza who also used to carry Pagogo.. In a way, it highlights Pagogo’s growth (and the themes of the passage of time), because it’s Pagogo’s turn to carry someone else and to be like an “older sibling” to someone else in Liko’s team (Pagogo felt like the baby sibling for a while). 

Other things regarding Carbou.. I really liked that the capture happened during a sunset. It was beautiful. Liko caught her Pokemon at different times of the day (Mibrim was caught during daytime, Pagogo was caught at night, Carbou was caught at dusk). Something kind of significant about the fact that the first Pokemon that Pagogo bonded deeply with to the point of convincing said Pokemon to join Liko is a Carbou. Carbou was Amethio’s first Pokemon, so. Carbou and Amethio grew up and “evolved” together, while Liko is going to raise the same Pokemon post-timeskip. It’s a bit different for her. I think Carbou will probably evolve in Gurenarma eventually, so I wonder if Amethio will be involved to some extent in Carbou-related episodes. 

Carbou is also the first time Liko catches a Pokemon without Friede being the one giving her the Pokeball. For both her captures, Friede was always by her side and the one who gave her the Pokeball. Which is something that didn’t happen with Roy or Dot btw. In Roy’s case, Lizardon gave Hogator the Pokeball and Hogator gave Roy the Pokeball so he could be caught. Murdock gave Roy the Pokeball so he could catch Kaiden. In Dot’s case, Friede gave her a Pokeball for Kuwassu but not for Kanuchan. Kuwassu was the one who brought Dot a Pokeball so she could catch Kanuchan. In Liko’s case, Friede was the one who gave her a Pokeball for both Mibrim and Pagogo. So, Carbou was the first time Liko caught a new partner on her own (again, more emphasis on the passage of time since Liko’s mentor figure wasn’t there when it happened). The fact that the first Pokemon she catches during Friede’s absence is a Fire-type Pokemon, just like Friede’s first Pokemon, also feels meaningful.. Liko getting a Fire-type isn’t something I thought would happen, but this thematically ties her closer to Friede, Amethio, Diana, and even Roy, all at once.

This episode was written by Dai Sato, who is the lead writer for Horizons. It’s the first time he wrote an episode with a character catching a Pokemon. Also, this ep aired one year after HZ057, which was the first episode in which Carbou showed up. Overall, I thought the episode had nice moments and strong thematic elements (the whole part with Liko’s knightly aspects fitting Carbou, etc), but I think it felt crowded and a lot happened before Carbou actually showed up. A bit of a bummer, because I wish they had emphasized Liko and Carbou a bit more before Carbou actually joined her. I really hope we’ll get to see more interactions between Liko and Carbou in future episodes. (Lucario has me stressing out over this kind of stuff.)

[ofathousandscenes]

Can I just say I called it