#hz120

I am really looking forward to Dot-centric focus and the Explorers coming back. The summary doesn't mention Liko or the others, which is interesting, because lately, the focus on Dot seems to highlight her specifically and her Pokemon/own relationships (we had that with ep 97 and 109 recently, which focused on Dot in a context that was a bit separated from her dynamics with Liko and Roy).

We don't know who will be writing the episode, but.. The Dot-Agate-Botan trio was handled by Naruki Nagakawa in past episodes (HZ056 and HZ066), so maybe he'll be the one writing it? He is writing tomorrow's episode (HZ119, in which Achigator will evolve), so I'm not sure if he'll handle two episodes in a row but the possibility is out there.

It also seems like they are leaving Blueberry Academy next ep, which makes me think that this training arc was weird? I liked the structure of Terastal Debut better. Liko's ep with Tebrim and Uruto's ep with Taro were interesting, though. Not sure how I'll react to Achigator's evolution tomorrow, because Roy's battles have been narratively underwhelming in terms of emotional weight lately, yet he is the one who got most of them in this arc? Which is a strange choice. Terastal Debut would never. I hope we get interesting battles later this arc with Liko, Dot and Uruto.

I'm so curious about Agate showing up, and generally so excited about her character that I'll lose my mind, so I hope we'll learn a bit more about her. This setup is especially interesting to me and also makes me happy because Dot is getting focus and highlight together with Botan.. Botan being the first friend she made on her own after taking a step forward in Terastal Debut, and a bond outside of the ones she has in the RVTs. I like seeing Dot's horizons widen and seeing her thrive, and her getting to work closely with Botan and bond with her further is neat. In a way, Botan is to Dot what Ann is to Liko. I like that both girls get to have their own friendships outside of the RVT circle? Makes them feel more fleshed out as characters when they have different dynamics.

Also thinking about how Dot met Botan in HZ056, which is when she got to interact with Agate and get "closer" to her (though she didn't know it was her back then and only knew her as Agepan-sensei). All three of them (Dot, Botan, Agate) have been connected ever since, and it's cool that they are building up further on this connection that they all share. Their meeting will be kind of a role reversal from the one in HZ066 too. Back then, Agate tried to steal data from Orange Academy (and succeeded in doing that, Dot and Botan couldn't stop her), while this time, Dot and Botan are the ones infiltrating Agate's side (the Exceed museum) in order to obtain data on the Rakurium. I like that the way they face off plays on their strengths too (tech savvy, etc). (Also, Pagogo went missing in HZ056 and that's how Dot got to meet Botan and this time, Collecurei is going missing, etc.)

A bit curious about what they intend to do with the Exceed Museum..? I'm not sure. Is it Spinel's idea? What are they showing in this museum? Also, I wonder if we'll get to see Agate interact with Rubella and Indy? She hasn't so far. I don't have strong thoughts on their characters, but I think it's fun that Spinel gets to hire people who are willing to do anything for him. It's kinda hot, and he should do it more.

Overall, I'm excited to see that we're seemingly going back to the focus on mysteries, female characters and the Explorers. These are the series' strengths. I like Agate a lot and if we don't get to dive deep into her interiority and background as a teacher, I'll lose my mind (negative). Her relationship with Dot intrigues me so much too, because I wonder if Agate might see herself in Dot a bit? Both of them held/hold educators roles, which is an interesting connection.. The fact that Dot's "closest" relationship in the Explorers is not with a peer but an adult character also stands out to me. (Since Liko's connections/personal interactions are with Amethio, Onyx and Sango who are closer to her, etc.) Agate's last appearance in HZ111 and her relationship with Hamber are things that I keep wondering about.

Also wondering if we might get a Spinel appearance? I don't even have Friede or Gibeon, so can I at least have the other resident ikemen? Speaking of, I wonder if we'll get Friede's voice message in HZ119 tomorrow? That's the only scene from the early teaser of Rising Again that wasn't shown.