Pokémon (2019) - Episode 45 discussion

[u/AutoLovepon]

Pokémon (2019), episode 45

Alternative names: * Pokemon (Shin Series), Pocket Monsters 2019, Pokemon (Shin Series), Pokemon 2019, Pokemon Journeys: The Series*

Rate this episode here.

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None

Show information

• MyAnimeList
• AniList
• AniDB
• Kitsu
• Anime-Planet
• Official Website
• /r/pokemon

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All discussions

Episode	Link	Score	Episode	Link	Score	Episode	Link	Score	Episode	Link	Score
64	Link	----	77	Link	4.5	90	Link	3.88	103	Link	4.33
65	Link	----	78	Link	4.0	91	Link	4.25	104	Link	4.25
66	Link	3.0	79	Link	4.5	92	Link	4.71	105	Link	4.44
67	Link	----	80	Link	5.0	93	Link	4.2	106	Link	4.75
68	Link	5.0	81	Link	2.67	94	Link	4.25	107	Link	4.67
69	Link	----	82	Link	4.67	95	Link	4.33	108	Link	4.57
70	Link	----	83	Link	4.9	96	Link	4.75	109	Link	4.57
71	Link	5.0	84	Link	4.43	97	Link	4.0	110	Link	4.5
72	Link	----	85	Link	4.17	98	Link	4.33	111	Link	4.88
73	Link	----	86	Link	4.67	99	Link	4.67	112	Link	4.82
74	Link	----	87	Link	4.67	100	Link	4.75	113	Link	4.67
75	Link	5.0	88	Link	4.75	101	Link	4.17	114	Link	4.88
76	Link	4.0	89	Link	4.67	102	Link	4.67	115	Link	----

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[u/JCraiden]

The final part to the Sw/Sh arc, and while yeah, it certainly was rushed, I did like much of the episode, and it did help me finish what I now consider to be "the episode the arc needed in theory" which I appreciate. I think I will go over this idea, see what you guys think on it, then I'll go over the episode (mostly what I liked, as most of the issues should be mentioned in the theory episode) and then I'll give my thoughts on the arc in general.

I'd like to give a shoutout to Raihan, as while the scene he had I had already thought of, I wasn't sure how I'd like that to go down, but now I do. The worst part of this episode was how little Raihan got in dealing with the thugs (which I did anticipate, so I wasn't very bothered by it). So, how do we add to Raihan's time, show a bit more Galar off, and more Gou/Sonia (as I think Ash actually got fine time here, which I appreciate)? I think the 3rd episode (of a 5 part "arc") should've dealt more with other cities dealing with Gigantimax Pokemon, while also showing more of Gou/Sonia traversing their way back to the Slumbering Weald, or the Weald itself, but also having Ash ruminate on his talks with Gou/Rose, and getting to where Mugendaina (which is just a better name) was. So, you'd keep the Gou/Admin battle, and that sequence, you'd keep the talk with Ash (though probably take some time off of that), you'd keep Leon's stuff, and you'd slowly show 1, maybe 2 Rocket scenes building up to the Gigantimax Meowth (who I did like seeing, and appreciated that his loyalty to Sakaki/Giovanni broke the mind control) as I think many of us thought...that didn't really go anywhere either, outside of now presumably TRio being able to better use that form (which I anticipate). But you also add in around half of the episode showing cities being overrun by Dynamax Pokemon, and there showing off Raihan, and probably 2 other Galar Gym Leaders (I wouldn't include Bea, as I do like her globetrotting to Fighting Dojos) dealing with their respective threats, and then later in the series, having Ash/Gou (and Koharu, maybe) meeting them, talking about the event, and going off from there, whether it be PWC battle or otherwise. That adds some fanservice for the Galar fans, establishes their strength, and gives people something to anticipate later. And then 45 (4th episode of my "theory" DD arc) would be Mugendaina escaping, Ash/Leon confronting Rose, Raihan saving Sonia, Gigantimax Meowth, etc. However, for the time allowed, I did like much of this conclusion.

To start with, Eternatus got a ton of respect (even if he will be memed with various Space-type stuff). Leon (who got good respect as well) was slowly working towards potentially dealing with it, even using an Ultra Ball (which adds to what I mentioned in 40, with Gou potentially using "higher quality" Pokeballs when trying to capture legendaries) to try to close it out. I would have liked if it had a "Zapdos" escape, but him normally escaping was fine too. Ash and Gou (after Leon/Charizard saving them/their Pokemon) try fighting it with their new firepower...and it goes about how it should (though Eternatus has upgraded to Space Mode at that point). Zacian/Zamezenta got more time than I thought they would (I thought they'd oneshot Eternatus) which was good (especially due to the how this episode ends) and got to show off a bit before closing the battle out. And the ending itself, from Rose not being captured, to Eternatus being "sealed" to Professor Sonia (who did deserve it, and had a couple of interesting moments with both Raihan/Leon)...I did think something like this could happen before the arc (not like this though), but I'm fairly confident in saying Eternatus is coming back down the road, so props to this arc for introducing that idea. But also, the boys' moment returning the Rusted Sword/Shield to their resting place, and the idea of Ash battling Zacian/Gou trying to catch Zamazenta down the road was also introduced, and done well.

Now, to the other "highlight" of the episode, the evolutions (Riolu's in particular, though Raboot's was solid too). In addition to Eternatus, this got the most focus (as one would've thought) and it showed. Ash's battle with Rose was almost easily the best battle of the 3 (Ash, Leon, Gou) with Ash using good tactics to overcome the size disadvantage, and show off the speed advantage, really appreciated that. Rose did as well, but his Pokemon (Ferrothorn? in particular) got to show off a bit too, showing good power/defense, but once corner Riolu/Pikachu, Ash let his scheme play out, and got Rose's Pokemon to falter, which was great. Originally, I wasn't a huge "fan" of Mugendaina interrupting everything, but it makes sense, and doesn't make Rose look "too" bad. Pikachu got to experience the Dragonite (and sort of Charizard effect) of being knocked out by the "force (maybe power) of the Dynamax Cannon graze, so Riolu had to try to fend off Rose's two Pokemon (which was pretty epic, honestly, him holding off 2 "giants" compared to him)...and then...maybe not "after 15 years" but it's been a long time, Ash finally has a Lucario. The whole sequence was cool, I especially liked Ash telling him to use Vacuum Wave, Lucario doing Aura communication, and Ash realizing that Vacuum Wave was upgraded to Aura Sphere, though (granted, the move is "super effective") Rose's Pokemon going down almost immediately was disappointing, but at least the battle before that was solid. As an aside, I did really like Rose being a "cheerleader" for Mugendaina, that was pretty funny.

Raboot's evolution was also solid, but the battle with Olive (though honestly, I did find it funny she was basically trolling him) wasn't near as good. The big reason I didn't like the Ash/Hau battle, is that battle was basically a lot of Rowlet using Seed Bomb, and Decidueye reflecting it. Unlike that battle though, this was mostly Gou using Ember (though he tries to change it up) and Olive giving Raboot Water Pulse for it's troubles. I do like though, that the Water move didn't "show" great effect (though clearly bothered Raboot) as he doesn't really have a spot that's "vital" to hit with water. Gou trying to change it up was good, and the Ember callback from the Flygon episode was also solid, but a bit rushed on Raboot's side. Gou's different Ember tactic was good (though I wish that had also incoporated Quick Attack to move faster) and the evolution after success was also good. This clearly was where this episode could've added stuff too with the addition of another episode in the middle of this arc, and Milotic going down after one Pyro Ball (I do like that Ember is also upgraded, though still dislike that "only" Cinderace got to use Pyro Ball, when Scorbunny/Raboot's Ember is basically Pyro Ball) sucked, but Gou/Olive were solid, and Raboot's drive/Gou seeing it were great.

Much like the aforementioned Flygon episode, this tried to balance a lot of stuff, and while it wasn't as good as that (though admittedly, the Flygon episode didn't have as much to balance, and even sort of threw off some of that in the Bea rematch), it imo did a solid job with much of it, so I give it credit for that, and I can safely say that the anime adapted a game arc a good bit better than the games showed (which was expected, but in doubt). The first 2 episodes were clearly the better 2 (though this was better than last episode) but with the "peaks" of the arc, and the fact that Rose escaped...this was a good arc (I personally give it a 7). Next week...is Mewtwo, and I would guess Lucario/Cinderace will get a little more exercise here. Hopefully it's a good one.