#hz109

[amelikos]

Something something, Gurumin Bocchi.

[smilingperformer]

Now, for a spoilery comment on today's ep (HZ109):

I fucking knew contacting Crave was gonna be a bad idea lol. Not that Crave himself would double-cross, considering what Spinel did to his position, but like, he's clearly being monitored by Spinel. There was no way for RVT to contact Crave without it turning into a trap set up to destroy the RVT.

Gonna be interesting to see how this ends the arc, As the kids facing five of the six heroes, boosted by SUPER strong sphere is bound to be uh.... nigh impossible feat.

[katarithekat]

Is nobody going to talk about this grown ass man simping over Sango/Coral??

[scraftyisthebest]

Seems like one of the upcoming episodes might have Dot's Tinkatuff evolving into Tinkaton. And it seems...Coral and Sidian during the episode are gonna be on the move in a Corviknight Taxi. Which means...if Tinkatuff does in fact evolve, they're in for trouble because Tinkaton is gonna swat that Corviknight out of the sky.

How funny. I love those two so much but I kinda chuckle at how they are taking the beating of a Tinkaton before their old pal Amethio, who actually owns a Corviknight of his own and uses it as his own means of transportation, gets such a beatdown.

But Dot's future Tinkaton will make no exceptions. All Corviknights are free reign for targets. Amethio even moreso since he uses his own Corviknight.

Which means...Amethio, if you and Dot ever see each other in the future, you ought to keep your guard up now. Because...

[hau-and-lillie-and-gladion]

The fact that Coral seemed to have no idea who their manager is really implies that there’s an alternate reality where this lady shows up with a random flying taxi and kidnaps them instead of picking them up for Spinel, and they just roll with it assuming he hired them a manager without telling them

[amelikos]

Despite being pampered by her fans who gave her the sweets she wanted, Sango thinks that the real draw of limited supply sweets is the fact that you have to line up to get them (that's what she tells Onipurin).. even though we've seen her miss on limited supply sweets on two occasions before (ep 43 and 47), Sango stands by her principles and to her, waiting in line is part of the fun and the experience. She never tried to cut in line and always waited for her turn when it came to sweets. It makes her similar to both Liko and Zir, who were also very serious about wanting to get the Gurumin tickets by standing in line themselves and who refuse the possibility of being given a ticket by Dot, because it just wouldn't be the same otherwise.

This has interesting implications because as impatient as Sango can be, she doesn't want to be handed things on a platter? She wants to wok for the things she wants herself. While the prospect of being given anything she wanted and being pampered seemed interesting to her at first, she isn't actually satisfied by this life. She was initially happy about being given sweets for free, but she doesn't even eat them and puts them away and thinks she's had her fill. Being given things so easily isn't satisfactory and feels empty for her because she didn't earn them. The same goes for Onyx too, who laments not being able to partake in his hobbies in the way he wants. They both grew disillusioned to a certain extent about their current positions and duties because they can't truly be themselves.

This makes an interesting parallel with the Strong Sphere, which is described as being an item that allows to make a Pokemon that you just met stronger, which is ultimately just a shortcut to strength. I think it really sets Sango, and even Onyx, apart from characters like Indy or Rubella, who just rely on such items instead of actually trying to grow stronger with their Pokemon.. Meanwhile, Sango is one of the few characters (along Amethio, Onyx and Agate) who was personally chosen by Hamber and underwent his rigorous training which allowed her to get to where she is now. When she had the opportunity to battle Dot in this episode, she just battled like she usually did and didn't rely on artificial strength. Ultimately, Sango is someone who wants to get the things she desires in her own way, and that goes for sweets or Pokemon battles.

[amelikos]

Sango and Onyx in ep 109.

I haven't talked about it at length yet, but I think there is something to be said about Sango and Onyx playing an act during both chapter 3 and chapter 5, and growing to appreciate and enjoy the "lie" of their school days while resenting the act of being an "idol" trying to entertain others. Two people who seem/are implied to struggle to be themselves, or maybe look for themselves, and keep being put in situations where they have to put on a facade and an act.

I thought it was significant that they grew to the point where they felt comfortable enough to admit that they weren't content with their lives as "idols", which was a step forward from the time they couldn't be honest about the fact that they actually enjoyed being Sandwich and Onigiri at the end of ep 67 (which was, btw, one of the few rare moments in Horizons which made me go "why am I watching this? why am I here, invading this private moment?" because it truly felt like the viewer was intruding in their private time and wasn't meant to witness such fondness). I think part of it could be that it's easier to complain rather than being honest. It's harder to open up and bare your heart, and it's easier to just vent about unpleasant situations. But I'd like to think they are willing to be a bit more honest around each other, because well, they kinda only have each other as company at the moment and it'd be growth from their days at school to be willing to talk about their true feelings to each other openly. Something about them experiencing the highs and lows of life together, etc.

Other things I thought were meaningful were Onyx just letting Sango do her thing and battle Dot... He reminded her of the mission but he was much more insistent about following orders in ep 43, when he literally dragged her away from fighting Liko and Roy as soon as they got a call for the mission. In ep 109, he kinda just let it slide, maybe because he wasn't as invested in the mission as usual. He even entertained her a bit by joining her in the battle, which had another interesting moment because when he sent his Pokemon, it took on a protective stance and was in front of Sango's Onigohri.. Something charming and specific about this continuous desire to help/protect someone who doesn't necessarily need help that way, but he'll still do it anyway. (Also a bit funny to me because Onyx has this noble side to an extent where he wants to protect his allies, and the object of his devotion is this gremlin who'll blow up if she is angered enough. I think it's peak btw.)

Obligatory mention that They Truly Were Sitting Next To Each Other on that Armorga taxi, which is something they did for me, I think. Shout out to the two artists who made art of this scene, and to their manager for pushing them and making them fall on each other. Sango complains a lot, but the fact she didn't complain about the taxi being too narrow or something surprised me in a good way. She really does keep surprising me in good ways because you'd think she'd complain about stuff like that, but she doesn't really do that? She made no mention of feeling too stuck, and didn't even start a fight with Onyx. They both truly feel comfortable around each other, and I keep forgetting that fact, or rather, I keep being surprised by it.

Something about them having similar hobbies (food, but in different ways) is really endearing, because I really wonder how much they influenced each other in this aspect. Something, something, they are independent enough that they can live their own lives and enjoy time by themselves, yet still gravitate around each other and want to spend time together regardless. Onyx was so funny when he tried to pretend he was someone else and spoke in a highpitched voice, btw. So unserious, and for what.

Anyway, I like them a lot and I miss them a lot too, and I'm going to lose it (negative) if they don't appear soon. They provided other facets and sides of the Explorers whenever they appeared and I want to see more of that. At this point, I'm not sure where their characters are headed. Sometimes, I wonder if Hamber feels a bit responsible for the paths they took, because he is the one who chose them and trained them.. I still think he may have recruited Sango so Amethio could have a friend(?), which is funny to imagine. Also something about how Spinel or/and Agate are having them be idols together.. Like, there is just something about literally everyone seeing them as A Set That Cannot Be Separated (Hamber, probably Spinel or Agate, the official side of things).

I hope you all noticed that Sango was flying on Onyx's Ptera together with him when the Explorers left in ep 111 (which is yet again, a change from the time where he used to drag her away with Ptera).

[amelikos]

Promotional stuff for HZ109 (pics, gif, another gif, quiz, other pics).

Writing here for future reference, etc.

I didn't include all the promotional material posted so far in the links above.

First set of pics is cute, I like the emphasis on Nakanuchan becoming someone that even Collecurei can rely on. I really like Dot's team for this kind of dynamics? Kuwassu was initially much more put together than Dot and helped her become the kind of person who could take care of Kanuchan, and now Nakanuchan has grown reliable enough (thanks to Dot and Welcamo and her friends) that even Collecurei can rely on her. It's the way they all grow together and help each other. And how you can feel time is passing because the Pokemon themselves are growing more mature. Also, I like the casual way they keep showing Dot and her Pokemon gathering coins for Collecurei, it's something that is highlighted in small ways and it won't feel jarring when Collecurei eventually evolves.

I feel like Sango is holding something in the gif where she is on the taxi, but I'm not sure what it is.. A piece of paper? It's too small for me to recognize what it is. Either way, I wonder if Armorga will manage to avoid Nakanuchan's attack or if Sango and Onyx will be separated as a result of that, because it doesn't seem like they are together during the episode. They both seem to be in separate places.

I just linked the quiz because the question is really cute, and I am happy seeing Onyx with his Pokemon (and that Kyojiohn is referred to as his partner). I think the answer is B, btw. I think it's cool in general because this scene shows Onyx's casual sides (what they did in Terastal Debut, too) and that he can do stuff independently from Sango (which makes it stand out that they do choose to spend a lot of time together).. But it's also cute because Sango and Onyx have very similar hobbies, since they both like visiting places for food. Except that Sango is more into sweets, while Onyx seems to be more interested in dishes like udon..? Which is kind of insane because even in terms of hobbies, they complement each other. Makes you think.

I wonder when Onyx started developing this hobby because Sango was the first of the Explorers to bring up food and be connected to it in the story. She wanted sweets in ep 43 and ep 47, and she wanted to go eat churros in ep 50 (and it was the one time Onyx was implied to go with her, because he didn't go with her in the previous eps).. Onyx went out for food alone in ep 58 (that one time Dot fixed the restaurant with udon, and he found them delicious), so maybe hanging out around Sango in general made him have a taste for food and he wanted to try out things for himself? Though he did come up with their nicknames related to food in ep 46, so maybe he already enjoyed food in general before they went out for churros. I'm not sure, but I like entertaining both thoughts (that Sango might have influenced him to some extent, or that he already enjoyed it before).

Also, something something about food being used as a motif in Amethio, Sango, and Onyx's current arcs and how all three of them are arguably the most sympathetic of the Explorers. Amethio ate food onscreen for the first time in this arc (curry), and they are highlighting Onyx's preferred dishes in this ep.. The fact it was significant when all three of them were shown eating something, too (Amethio eating curry, and Sango and Onyx eating a sandwich/onigiri). (Agate and Spinel aren't really connected to food, but Agate's nickname in Terastal Debut was Agepan which was an allusion to it and there was that one personality test for Horizons that made you get Spinel as a result if one of your answers was "bread" over "rice" when it came to food you preferred, so that's something. Also interesting that Spinel and Agate were connected to the same thing in this aspect.)

And the last set of pics. They are cute as hell. Onyx smiling just because he is happy and satisfied about getting food is so damn cute, and for what. Also, he does seem to be a bit surprised and not sure how to act around fans, which is what I imagined for him. He is actually really awkward outside mission settings, so I do look forward to what he'll be saying, especially since Sango isn't around him. I wonder if he'll embarass himself ww

I'm happy Sango is hanging out with both her Pokemon. I like her team a lot, and they have so much personality. It's a bit reassuring seeing that both her and Onyx still walk around with their Pokemon after ep 95. I thought it was sad that they used the Strong Sphere on them, and I'm not sure if they'll do that again.. Are they genuinely convinced about what they are doing, do they not care, etc. It does differentiate them from Indy and Rubella though, who don't care about Pokemon and could use anyone, while Sango and Onyx are closer to their partners. Curious about the kind of PR work Sango and Onyx are doing, though.

Last pic is really sweet, Sango's little blush is so cute, it seems like she is embarassed, which isn't a reaction I expected from her..? Her fans are giving her gifts and I wonder what they'll tell her. Sango acted differently on stage in ep 95, so maybe this is more of a genuine reaction from her. I think it's an interesting one, because you could have expected Sango to be more pretentious and a showoff about her popularity, which she could still be doing in the ep itself, but the reaction they decided to promote is one of "embarassment" (shyness? or any other word close to this, I'm not sure). Sango is also someone who has no problems yelling at others when things don't go her way, so this is an interesting contrast to me. Tbh, she always gave me the feeling of being someone who isn't used to being liked for who she is (and who wants to be needed too, because every time Hamber praised her, she was immediately agreeing with whatever he said ww), so maybe she isn't used to people complimenting her or something along those lines. Either way, this is an intriguing reaction from Sango and I think it gives her depth. I like when she does things I find "unexpected". Just like the time when she was immediately willing to listen to Amethio's side of the story in ep 65 when he was accused of betrayal, or when she was the first one to ask about where he was during the Explorers meeting before Rakua. Like, she has lots of facets to her and I think she is neat.

I think that's it for now. I really look forward to tomorrow's ep. It's been forever since Sango and Onyx and I miss them a lot. I'm really curious about their upcoming direction as characters, too. I'm not sure whether they'll show up in the climax of the arc or not?