#hz117

Not a lot to write about them, but still a few things I want to keep because I've been enjoying their characters so far. The anime is my first proper exposure to their characters.

Something to note.. Taro addresses everyone with honorifics (she uses "-san" with Liko and the others), yet Kakitsubata is the only one she calls just by name. Taro is serious and polite, so it definitely stands out to me that she has distinct interactions with Kakitsubata and that he is the only one so far she feels comfortable enough to address by name only. I'm curious about the way she refers to other characters in the Elite Four in the game. Maybe Kakitsubata is the only one she has this kind of closeness with?

Either way, Taro calling Kakitsubata without honorifics implies a history between the two of them and a closeness that Taro doesn't necessarily have with others. Perhaps they were acquainted before going to Blueberry Academy. They both have legacies regarding Gym Leaders (Taro's father is a Gym Leader, Kakitsubata's grandfather is a Gym Leader), so there are similarities drawn between the two of them.. This point of connection between them could be one of the reasons they seem to be close? I am not sure. But I find it interesting that the simple fact that Taro calls Kakitsubata, well, just "Kakitsubata" is something that makes me imagine different possibilities and wonder about their past? Somehow, Taro doesn't strike me as someone who would drop honorifics for someone she just met at school..? So, it makes me think that Kakitsubata is someone she knew before school and that he was part of her life before going to Blueberry Academy? It's just speculation. It could explain the fact that they both seem used to each other's personalities and quirks.

Other than that, I liked their interactions in general. Taro seems to be comfortable enough around him to call him out on his behavior and antics. She knows how he works (the way she immediately understood that he made Roy get points for him on his Rotom Phone by making him do his activities, etc). Kakitsubata using her catchphrase (the opposite of it) right back at her was also another fun moment that made me think "there is a history between the two of them" because a character being associated with words another character uses feels like something that highlights a bond and everything it entails? I liked Kakitsubata's playful voice when he said "ii to omoima~su", the banter between the two of them was cute (the PR account made a gif of it too).

Something else I thought was cute is that Taro's Plusle and Minun helped Kakitsubata loosen up by using their electricity in HZ117. In general, I love when characters' Pokemon interact with another Trainer, and what that might say about the relationship between the human characters (for example, Gibeon's Zygarde reaching out to Lucius independently and Lucius understanding Zygarde in turn, Friede's Lizardon listening to Orio's commands, etc..). I thought it was surprising (in a good way) because I think it's another element that fleshes out Taro and Kakitsubata's relationship? It's very casual but says a lot about the two of them. Taro's Pokemon helped both Kakitsubata and his Kairyu. They seem eager to help, but either way, Plusle and Minun feel close enough to Kakitsubata that they are willing to do this for him out of their own volition. Taro didn't intervene in this. Kakitsubata thanked them for their help (so he doesn't take them for granted and properly thanks them), and he is also the one who provided the answer to Taro's quiz and explained to Uruto what Plusle and Minun were doing. It shows an understanding and knowledge of her Pokemon. I liked this bit in general, it falls in line with my thoughts about Taro and Kakitsubata having a distinct relationship and a particular history. It's showcased through their Pokemon too.

Anyway, I am pretty interested in their dynamics. I like the concept of interactions between a serious girl/honor student kind of character and a laidback guy.. Reminds me of a particular shoujo I read. It's interesting that both of them are on the same level too, since they are both part of the Elite Four so it's not like Kakitsubata is "less" than Taro in terms of "smarts". They navigate academics differently and have their own strengths. Also thinking about how Taro specializes in Fairy Types, while Kakitsubata specializes in Dragon Types, so Taro has the "upper hand" against him in such a context.