Pokemon Horizons Episode 61 Review - Flow And Ryme
We’re finally at Montenevera Town so Roy can do his Implementation Test, but doesn’t this episode feel a little clunky? I feel like they were trying to squeeze in so many things before Roy did his battle but the battle went by super fast, like a snowstorm, and it just ends. Please tell me I’m not the only one who had this feeling?
The kids have some free time before battling Ryme as she’s not in her Gym, so they meet a bunch of Greavard. I like that creepy Pokedex entries continue to make their appearance in the anime as the kids learn that Greavards suck life essence from those around them. Speaking of creepy Pokemon, Terapagos gets itself into danger again when two Drifloon kidnap it by carrying its bag straps. I could only sigh at this scene because Terapagos wandering off and getting into danger has become tiresome to watch. Though, it was amusing how the Drifloon were carrying it because it is known for taking children or Pokemon to the afterlife. Does this hint that Terapagos is going to die?
Nemona makes a reappearance when she shows up to rescue Terapagos from falling. She’s here to hope to get a battle at Ryme’s concert. Like how Terapagos gets into danger as a recurring thing, Nemona getting denied a battle seems to be a recurring thing as well. I wonder if Nemona is being set up to be Roy’s rival or to battle Roy in the future.
Then we get to the battles. Roy battles MC Sledge before battling Ryme. While Roy does get a win from MC Sledge, he loses to Ryme rather harshly. He loses his momentum when things get too desperate, he terastalizes but doesn’t even get to use it as Fuecoco gets knocked out. I have a lot to say about the battle against Ryme. It’s way too fast-paced. The moment it starts, Kilowattrel gets knocked out and then Fuecoco knocks out Houndstone and then Fuecoco struggles with Toxitricity before getting knocked out. Though, there were some interesting aspects about the battle. Roy’s loss was because of predictability. He used the same strategy as he did in the battle with MC Sledge, which Ryme saw. This is why she was able to wipe the floor with him. He needs to amp up his strategy if he wants to improve and not rely on the same song over and over again. What Ryme said to Roy about being a failure of a partner to Fuecoco was harsh, but it was needed because Roy wasn’t in sync with him.
I guess my only solid gripe is that the battle wasn’t a Double Battle. Ryme was the hardest Gym Leader for me when I was playing Pokemon Violet because I didn’t expect a Double battle, hence why I struggled so hard due to going in blind completely lacking a strategy.
Complaints aside, I really liked Ryme’s rap. People usually find anime characters’ rapping cringe, but not me. I seriously enjoyed the tempo and presentation of Ryme’s rap. I think it flowed well. Maybe she can be a contestant on Paradox Live (which I am a fan of)? Roy’s rapping was handled well too! He can participate in Paradox Live as well!
My predictions for Roy’s rematch is that he’s going to find ways to battle using different songs for different moves. Maybe that way, Fuecoco can finally evolve, which I am expecting next episode because it does feel like it’d be the perfect time for him to evolve. If anything, I sort of want Roy to focus on training Kilowattrel because Electric moves can be very useful when facing Houndstone. What are your predictions for next week’s episode?
