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That’s the end of the battle of the birbs and that was a killer fight and little two-episode “Overcome Ju’niper” arc. for Mukuroh. I’m being serious when I saw I absolutely loved both these episodes and am super happy for Satoshi and Mukuroh over their win. Mukuroh himself has been a great character and I know people often rank Satoshi’s Pokemon’s worth based on evolution versus character development and perceived strength. Satoshi supported Mukuroh unconditionally and showcased how much of a caring and good-hearted trainer he is, he could have just used Nyaheat but he chose to accept his Pokemon’s feelings and let them prove themselves, it’s no different from the score Pikachu had to settle with Raichu a couple times in the past. Boy did Mukuroh shine heavily. Even when the classmates who had seen Mukuroh in action had reservations about the match-up Satoshi did not and granted Mukuroh agency in the situation and even trained early in the morning to help prepare.

The battle was great in terms of back and forth and aesthetics, Mukuroh and Ju’niper’s aerial battle did a great job of showing that. The tactical and meta portions of how Sky Attack didn’t get the chance to charge fully, Brave Bird’s recoil, Spirit Shackle’s utility, the use of Feather Dance in Mukuroh’s own way (emulating substitution in a last minute save), them both being hot-blooded and immediately using their Z-moves, Brave Bird/Sky Attack collision and Mukuroh managing to break even with its final form was really cool. It shows that Mukuroh has come far, back during their first fight his Razor Leaf was overpowered by Fukuthrow’s but here and now he can manage to go even with it. Evolution is cool, I enjoy seeing certain Pokemon evolve because I adore many Pokemon, evolved or not but it isn’t everything and that’s a lesson the Pokemon anime has sold us on from day one. I would have loved to see Mukuroh as a sleepy and not-so-fancy Fukuthrow but that doesn’t mean I can’t love him as he is.

These episodes showed off Mukuroh’s earnest yet eccentric and lovable character, I’ve never used a Mukuroh in the games but this makes me want to crack open a copy of USUM and go on a journey with one because these owls put on one hell of a show. Satoshi and Mukuroh’s rapport wasn’t the only good thing about this episode but the relationship between Mukuroh/Meltan and Mukuroh/Dodekabashi. He could inspire Meltan enough to get fired up to improve (foreshadowing Melmetal) as well as learn from his adoptive family and apply their teachings in battle while being supported by them from the sidelines. Seeing not just Satoshi but Kerappa and Dodekabashi (the toucan even smiled) acting out Feather Dance as a way to help him nail it in that clutch, badass dodge was so fucking sweet. Hell, even Lugarugan, Nyaheat and Pikachu were supportive from the sidelines, none of them are Mukuroh-line members but Mukuroh is loved and supported by his found-family and that chokes me up a little on the inside. (seriously)

As for the issues I’ve seeing for why this episode is getting panned, it’s solely over Kuchinasu’s premature judgement on the battle. This scene showcased many things we already know, that Mukuroh is prone to falling asleep, even in combat as he did so after defeating one Hala’s Pokemon or even against Fukuthrow before in Hau’s debut episode. This was always an established part of the owl’s character so it’s totally in-character and nothing new. It showed that Hala’s role as one of the people help pioneering the Alola League is one of honesty and sincerity. Hau may be Hala’s grandson but Hala’s gonna do the right thing, Kuchinasu is known canonically as being kind of a lazy / slacker-type and it’s totally within his character to not properly check to see if the Mukuroh was surely defeated. I will admit, it was a savage scene especially if you’re like me and didn’t see spoilers and had no clue what was going to happen.

Hau said his goal was to overcome Satoshi’s incredible Mukuroh and become way stronger and he seemingly had that but like his game-self, he ends up falling short. Hau is a bro, I like the character and what the anime has given him in such short time but I can see why such a sympathetic and big-hearted boy could be easy to care for. The scene when he was jumping around and happily celebrating with Ju’niper versus the contrast of him trying to save face and breaking down to Hala was pretty significant. Until the very end he remained his sunshine-child self with congratulating Satoshi for his success and Satoshi was going to do the same had that truly been the end of his own owl. But, I’m gonna be blunt and say I just don’t see any reason to call this episode or battle bad aside from feeling sorry for Hau.

The animation was fine, the tactics and usage of moves were on-point, the characterization was good, Satoshi/Dodekabashi’s efforts bared proper fruit, good struggle/suspense and the damage dealt/received was realistic. Satoshi and Mukuroh realized their ambitions and overcame a formidable rival (a victory beyond just being Pokemon v. Pokemon but trainer&Pokemon v. trainer&Pokemon) and came out on top and both got an honest and tenacious portrayal. That’s what I ask for in a battle and couple of episodes like this so I’m going to have to go against the grain (in usual fashion, ofc) and say I strongly enjoyed this arc. and love that the writers went to the trouble of having development still happen even when the league is in full-swing and even if I’m not fond of the 1 v. 1 fest this battle was fleshed out and truly felt like a personal confrontation and did everything right for me. A gag scene doesn’t kill that for me.

Sleep equaling defeat was something left in OS many many many moons ago and hasn’t been relevant in decades. There’s an assortment of examples of Pokemon falling asleep but awakening to continue to fight. If you watched DP you would know the biggest struggle Satoshi dealt with for his gym challenge during that saga was overcoming Melissa’s Ghost-type Pokemon’s Hypnosis which would put them to sleep and allow her to finish them off. Not once did putting them to sleep mean he lost, she always went on to incapacitate the target before the referee officially ruled the battle in her favor. So I’m just trying to understand, what did Satoshi and Mukuroh do wrong? I want to reiterate that the trolling part was a bit rough toward Hau, but Satoshi and Mukuroh did nothing wrong, Hala did nothing wrong by stepping up and being honest, Kuchinasu was the only wrong one here.

Mukuroh came back, turned the tables with a perfected (and unique) Feather Dance and earned the victory he deserved. I feel for Hau but not so much that I think he should have won over his opponent simply sleeping, if the anime worked like that or the games then any scrub with a Singing Pokemon is a shoo-in for the champion spot. Even if Kuchinasu had made the call and all, it still wasn’t right and would have been a huge disservice to Satoshi and Mukuroh. I can list a number of Satoshi’s bullshit victories over the years on both my hands and toes but this definitely wasn’t the case. I was happy to see both Satoshi and Hau praise each other’s Pokemon before they left and end it on good terms. I do hope Hau sticks around and like I said I loved the usage of his Z-Move and Spirit Shackle, that boy can be a savage. Those are my thoughts on these episodes and battle, feel free to disagree but more or less that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.