June 7th: PM2023 053 - Mibrim and the Unworldly (w/Hikaru Takahashi) (2024)

DuskAstral said:

If Hattena evolves, it'll be kind of funny that both she and Wattler changed when they didn't do much.

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Hattena kinda needs to, like I've always said, hattena's personality and body shape are not fit for battling, kinda needs to evolve before it can do anything.

Articfoxgamez said:

Hattena kinda needs to, like I've always said, hattena's personality and body shape are not fit for battling, kinda needs to evolve before it can do anything.

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In the games, you also need to train Pokémon (including Hatten) so that they can evolve. It doesn't matter whether a given Pokémon is suitable for battle or not.

DuskAstral said:

In the games, you also need to train Pokémon (including Hatten) so that they can evolve. It doesn't matter whether a given Pokémon is suitable for battle or not.

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I mean, technically, hypothetically, after hours upon hours of grinding, you COULD level up a pokemon to evolution level through just the Picnic feature. I think camp also gave exp?

Either way, this has never been a problem the anime has had pokemon evolve outside the context of battling before, it doesnt have to follow game rules.

On another note, I appreciate the possible conceptualization of this episode as a "multiverse/alternate reality" story for not giving us *direct* clones of the kids. The Ashanime often made alternate versions of the kids look identical but with opposite personalities or professions. For example, AU!Hikari looked like regular Hikari but participated in battles instead of contests, and AU!Satoshi was more cowardly and innocent. This approach feels limiting. It's more interesting to introduce variations with some similarities, like how the MCU brought back all three Spider-Men from the live-action films to play different versions of Peter Parker. Each had different experiences and paths, even if their stories followed the same basic template.

I'm glad Liko's potential alternate version, Luca, is similar to her but with unique traits, like having a Grass-type partner Pokémon instead of a Nyarote. It would be silly if this version also carried a Terapagos just because the regular PM2023 Liko has one. This approach allows for more interesting story cues. Did this Liko start her journey in Sinnoh instead of Paldea with a different goal than understanding Pokemon in-mind? Is this version of Dot more outgoing and vibrant, given her open hair? Is this Roy a well-behaved school kid instead of a carefree battling island boy? This is an episode I know I'll love based on its concept. It seems ideal for exploring between the bigger plots, contributing to lore while being highly entertaining.

Articfoxgamez said:

Hattena kinda needs to, like I've always said, hattena's personality and body shape are not fit for battling, kinda needs to evolve before it can do anything.

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See Also

Upcoming events Spring 2024 + Trailers/interviews etc (May 26 update)May 31st: PM2023 052 - Storm Warning for Kaiden!Sleep/doc - Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopediaUpcoming events Spring 2024 + Trailers/interviews etc (May 26 update)

Eh, I get where you're coming from, but this Pokémon mainly uses special moves. It's telekinetic. No one expects this Kirby-monster knockoff to throw a punch or kick. It's not like Casey/Abra, which only learns Teleport and runs away, or useless like Koiking. Even one episode post-capture focusing on its empathy or powers being a hindrance to battling would be better than doing nothing. It would give more depth to its role and establish that, making it more like Terapagos—a creature hanging out with Liko rather than a battler.

Alternatively, Liko could explain that she caught it for its vibes, not for battling. Captures aren't always about battling; sometimes they're about the bond between the trainer and the Pokémon. For example, Haruka caught her Munchlax/Gonbe, but had him sleep in the stands during the Grand Festival with her mom because he wasn't meant to be a Contest Pokémon. A scene where it's sent out to battle in a practice match and runs away would also work.

However, modern series handle new captures Pokémon weirdly in general. Gone are the days when Satoshi would catch a Pokémon and automatically use it in the next episode for no reason just cause. Now it seems the norm for Pokémon like in PM2019, where he would catch a Pokémon, and it would disappear for a while until a specific designated focus episode or battle. They seem more focused on the "shouldermon" quality, where everyone is carrying a Pokémon in some capacity.

DuskAstral said:

If Hattena evolves, it'll be kind of funny that both she and Wattler changed when they didn't do much.

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At least Hattena has the excuse to using its powers enough, but Wattrel...not much.

Trey pokes said:

A parallel world could be similar to that of SM with that 2-parter with Ash and Dia and his Zeraora. This won't likely have a Mythical Pokémon though.

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Season really screwed the potential of visiting more than just their dimension.

Blue Saturday said:

Eh, I get where you're coming from, but this Pokémon mainly uses special moves. It's telekinetic. No one expects this Kirby-monster knockoff to throw a punch or kick. It's not like Casey/Abra, which only learns Teleport and runs away, or useless like Koiking.

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I more meant from an animation perspective. Theres not much you can do to make a battle with Hattena look visually interesting. It's stubby legs (Or... lack there of i suppose, its just feet) means it can move very fast, it wouldnt be throwing any punches like you said, so it would mostly just be standing there throwing ranged moves I feel.

AuraChannelerChris said:

It could've been worse like an Amaura, whom this universe believes will die if it's outside a cold environment.

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Even though ironically move 19 contradicts this by showing an Amaura doing just fine outside of a cold environment.

In all honesty the whole Amaura can’t survive outside of a cold environment felt more like a excuse so they could avoid the X&Yain cast from catching it.

DuskAstral said:

If Hattena evolves, it'll be kind of funny that both she and Wattler changed when they didn't do much.

It'll be kind of silly if all of MC's Pokémon evolve in quick succession. There should be a greater distance.

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Yo be fair Hattena’s evolution makes more sense. She has learned Confusion and Healing Pulse and she goes to a middle stage which feels earned. Wattler evolving into its last form with nothing to show up for it is Goh’s level of asspull.

1rkhachatryan said:

This reminds me of when in XY Ash and co went to that mirror world for that random episode lol.

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That was just Ash that went :/

Pokegirl Fan~ said:

That was just Ash that went :/

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Oh, welp, been so long I forgot the details lol.

wellwellwells said:

Yo be fair Hattena’s evolution makes more sense. She has learned Confusion and Healing Pulse and she goes to a middle stage which feels earned. Wattler evolving into its last form with nothing to show up for it is Goh’s level of asspull.

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This would be a convincing argument were it not for the fact that Hatenna don’t start evolving until way later than Wattrel does.

A whopping seven levels higher, actually.

Also, Jesus H. Christ, I get it. Wattrel deserves more screentime, yes. Wattrel should do more, yes. But pretending it’s done absolutely nothing is pure hyperbole.

Certainly participated in more battles.

Ironically, if we were to objectively rate the screentime and focus on the Pokémon belonging to the Horizons Trio in terms of their growth and development (character development, screentime, progression, training episodes, etc.), it would be:

1. Hogator / Nyarote: Nyarote's development mainly involves her relationship with Liko and her evolution, while Hogator grows more as a battler and trains the most by far - reminiscent of their trainers as people. I'll call it a tie.

2. Kuwassu: Became active for a few episodes once Dot came out of her shell but was shelved again until around Kanuchan's catch. Dot fully decided she didn't want to be on the sidelines anymore, leading to the best-animated battle.

3. Kaiden: Used here and there (Explorers, Fire, Tepen, etc.), had actual training episodes, earned Spark and flight immediately, and fought against Cap.

4. Mibrim: Intervenes in situations using a surprise move (x2) or is used as a sensor typically. No battles yet.

5. Kanuchan: Still relatively new, and Kuwassu is Dot's main Pokémon. She did fight the wild worm in her debut and help with distracting the Explorers a little.

Bird Pokémon are known for evolving with little experience. Their lore is: easy, weak, early Pokémon for beginning trainers with fast development and evolution cycles. They aren't meant to evolve super late like Dragon Pokémon. Pretty much all birds evolved early despite not battling much.

Satoshi's first two birds were mostly used for popping Team Rocket's balloon, scouting, or blowing away smokescreen and were MEME'd heavily for it and caught already evolved in their second stages already. One of Satoshi's best birds, Mukkuru/Starly, did nothing but lose to Shinji's in a blink-and-you-miss-it battle. His BW bird evolved by using Gust to get rid of an infestation of bugs and didn't do anything notable besides weakening and helping catch Tsutarja/Snivy.

I don't understand the mindset that this is a rare occurrence or that other secondary Pokémon have been so much more active compared to Roy's. Roy's secondary has the most active onscreen training, combat activity, and growth among all the kids' secondary Pokémon, by numbers. I understand wanting more screentime for the kids' Pokémon so their victories and evolutions feel warranted, but Kaiden isn't an outlier.

Tinkaton said:

The 3 Trainers look like Chinese Knockoffs of the Trio

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Fast-forward to when the Explorers make their move again, and they seemingly capture Liko, Roy, and Dot:

Spinel (to Coral and Sidian): "You idiots! These are not them! YOU'VE CAPTURED THEIR STUNT DOUBLES!"

lolipiece said:

I think it’s hard to top Kingler.

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Evolved in the middle of its debut battle, during the League at that. Freaking BS unless Oak's actually been training it for Ash or something.

Articfoxgamez said:

I more meant from an animation perspective. Theres not much you can do to make a battle with Hattena look visually interesting. It's stubby legs (Or... lack there of i suppose, its just feet) means it can move very fast, it wouldnt be throwing any punches like you said, so it would mostly just be standing there throwing ranged moves I feel.

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Meanwhile Hattrem looks like it's more able to move around and fight, if the Hattrem that Ash and co. encounter in Aim to be a Pokemon Master is indication.