Already went over the writer for HZ068 (here). I am expecting the usual thing, which is opening episode of chapter establishes current goals and direction for both factions of the show (Rising Volt Tacklers and Explorers). I think it's pretty neat that we'll see the Six Heroes again (Oliva, Galar Fire, Lapras) and that they are taking it upon themselves to test Liko and the others. It feels like they want to see for themselves if they have what it takes to aim for Rakua, etc. Gives more agency to the Pokemon, too.

The summary for HZ069 can be found here. It's written by Deko Akao, which surprises me a bit since the summary and title indicate that it may be more of a Roy focused episode. Deko Akao mostly wrote Liko and Dot focused episodes in this series, so that could be the first episode which focuses more on Roy's character? Also interested in the mention of Friede meeting Zeiyu (that should be me he takes great interest in, etc :/). Given that Zeiyu's VA said her character had intense emotions and that she is a sore loser, I wonder if she'll make some snide comments to Friede? I think that would be funny. A bit reminiscent of Sango who told Murdock to shut up, too. Misato Fukuen also said Zeiyu comes off as a beautiful and aloof girl, so I wonder if someone will comment on that (like, Liko thinking "wow, she is pretty"). Also wondering if the characters will change their clothes for the festival, or not... Either way, I'm curious about Zeiyu and what they'll do with her.

The summary for HZ070 can be found here. It's written by Kimiko Ueno. Again, a bit surprising to me since Kimiko Ueno mostly handled Roy focused episodes in the series (such as HZ037, HZ052, HZ060..). And now, she is writing an episode which seems more focused on Dot and Kanuchan. It's nice. I'm looking forward to it. I wonder who "Liko and the others" refers to? I hope Friede is tagging along with the trio, and I wonder if maybe Zeiyu will act as a guide? Idk. Also Kanuchan facing a kind of bird Pokemon (the one mentioned in the summary) is kind of training for if she'll eventually face Amethio's Armorga since Kanuchan's evolution line and Armorga have beef with each other.

Kimiko Ueno also wrote the episode with Kaiden evolving, so I expect Kanuchan to evolve here too. Also, that episode will be airing on my birthday so I'm gonna be happy about it! That will be the only Horizons episode that ever airs on that day, and we'll probably get Kanuchan evolving so it's neat.

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The episode starts with the RVT heading to Suiryoku town (in Kitakami) by bus, only to find out that no one is there. An old woman tells them that they are holding a festival (since the town is famous for its apples), so the RVT decide to participate and ask about Briar there. As they go around the festival, Friede spots Zeiyu with her Yabasocha and takes an interest in her Pokemon. She doesn't want to tell him about it since he is an outsider, but challenges him to a booth game and says she might tell him if he beats her. Friede accepts her challenge and quickly leaves (and seemed fired up about the idea of playing). Murdock suggests everyone enjoys the festival, so they all split up to have fun.

Roy and Achigator end up coming across a booth away from the main festival area after following a sweet scent, and they find a strange device on it. The man in charge of the stand admits to Roy that he doesn't know what that device does, and lets him try it out. Roy and Achigator both press the device button at the same time and find out that they have switched bodies. They try to reverse the process but can't, and Achigator in Roy's body ends up leaving after smelling something nice. Roy in Achigator's body runs after him and gains a new perspective on how Achigator sees the world around him.

Liko and Dot eventually find out that Roy and Achigator have switched bodies. They agree to keep a low profile until they find a way to fix the situation. Murdock soon joins them and almost finds out that Roy spoke in Achigator's body. Liko and Dot distract him, and Murdock eventually buys everyone some candy apples. Roy accidentally uses fire on his, but it turned out to taste better that way (Murdock calling it baked candy apple). The trio thanks Murdock and leave with their Pokemon before they are found out. Meanwhile, Friede keeps winning against Zeiyu at games and she grows more frustrated each time. She challenges him to a battle, and Friede accepts.

The group ends up running into Mollie, who was treating a girl's injuries and had a whole line of kids asking for help because of similar issues. Liko and the others decide to help and somehow avoid raising suspicion about Roy and Achigator's situation. Back to Friede and Zeiyu, Friede ends up winning the battle with Cap (who had gotten serious since he tossed his hat aside).

Meanwhile, Liko and the others try to find their way back to the old man Roy had met. They run into Orio who was trying to fix a broken stove at a stand. Once again, the kids want to help. They suggest Achigator's flames to cook the yakisoba. Roy has some trouble using the flames in Achigator's body. Achigator ends up encouraging him by singing and Roy manages to use the flames properly, which allowed the yakisoba seller to finish his work properly. Dot points out that even swapped around, Roy and Achigator make a great team. Orio and all the customers got their yakisoba and leave happily. A boy who was waiting with his mother thanked Achigator and said that he wants his first partner to be an Achigator once he becomes a trainer, which makes both Roy and Achigator happy.

Afterwards, the man Roy had met finds him and tells him that he managed to fix the device. They use it again, and Roy and Achigator are back to their respective bodies. Liko and Dot show up and admit that they want to try out the device as well. The man accepts, with some hesitation. Liko and Nyarote try to use it, but the device breaks down after their unsuccessful attempt. Dot manages to read the text "Synchro Machine" after looking at the device more closely.

At the end, the RVT meet back up after they all enjoyed the festival. Zeiyu comes up to Friede and challenges him to another game, but he says he has to look for Briar (even though he'd love to accept her challenge). Zeiyu says that Briar is her homeroom teacher and that she is at the Crystal Pool/Shining Pond at the moment, which outsiders cannot visit without permission. An old man (who is the caretaker of the community center) gives them permission to go as thanks for helping his daughter Shizune (one of the girls Mollie treated), which makes Zeiyu frustrated. The RVT decide to head to the Crystal Pool as their next destination.

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Fun ep overall. I do wonder why Friede and the others have to look for Briar and ask around, though. Maybe she can't be contacted for some reason.. maybe she doesn't have a phone or something like that.

I like festival settings, too. It's always fun seeing everyone in a different setting than usual. Seeing Liko and the others enjoy themselves was cute. Liko and Dot were attached at the hip, and Dot was having fun playing games and wanted to try more, etc! (I do wonder where Landau was during the ep, maybe chilling somewhere.. we didn't get to see his side of the festival) Roy and Achigator being swapped around is an amusing scenario and works for both of them. Also helped them be more in sync and learn more about each other. And Achigator growing to be more like his idol (Lizardon) since the kid they helped said he wanted to have an Achigator once he becomes a trainer was cute.. The kids are growing to become heroes of their own (especially since they saved the school and were recognized as such by others students at the end of the previous chapter).

The RVT are also just casually genuinely cool and kind people. They couldn't help but step in and help others when they could do so.. and Liko and the others helped too, even though they were trying not to blow their cover. Which also says a lot about them, that they were trying to find solutions to everyone's problems. Liko and Roy were already the type to step in and help when they could, but it's also nice seeing Dot be more involved in these kinds of scenes now. Shizune (the girl Mollie helped) having a little crush on Roy was also cute tbh.

Also appreciated the Friede fanservice (made for me), which made up for the fact that we didn't see him shirtless back in the beach episode in HZ042 :/ (one of the most tragic moments of the show etc) (but maybe it was for the best after all, because the jinbei is also a bit too yabai on its own) Friede having fun and playing is just the cutest thing, and so was him getting excited about seeing Yabasocha and wanting to learn more about Pokemon as a professor... he is usually serious and responsible, so getting to see these carefree and excitable sides of his character is always a plus in my book, it's adorable tbh. He is a professor after all, and I love when he gets curious and excited about mysteries and Pokemon. And it's funny when teenagers beef with him and he just casually beats them in battles or games. No mercy. As he should.

Not sure what to make of Zeiyu's character so far. Her interactions with Friede were funny. She gave the information about Briar's location at the end, but surely that won't be the end of her role in the current chapter? She hasn't introduced herself yet either, so. I am a bit curious about her role. I am biased against game characters in general until I know what they bring to the Horizons narrative, so I'll need to wait and see her role before my thoughts are formed. So far, they're used to further the Horizons plot and characters' arcs, and it should keep being like that.