#mega evolution act 1

LOOK AT KODUCK'S REACTION!! IT'S BEEN SO LONG!!

As a ship / as a dynamic / as characters / as in the special itself?Nothing too fancy to say about everything! I am more curious than excited overall: there seems to already be some “internal rules” about Mega (ring owners recognize each other, all the battles took place in remote areas) and Alan’s motivations are. really. really suspicious so far. Battle-wise, I wasn’t too impressed: at the same time, they were really efficient and reactive, but also a little too… flashy? (I couldn’t tell if they were over-the-top meta-wise or meant to show a ferocious aspect, I’m leaning on a mix of both.) I really liked the contact between trainers and Pokémon - the fact that Mega Evolution require a strong bond and the intimacy was shown, it actually softens Alan’s character a little.Alan in himself convinced me waaaaay more than Red in Origins in his relationship with Hitokage/Lizardon. I don’t have a real opinion on him, though, I am more curious about his backstory (is he working for someone? who? What could Platane have done to make him look so grim when he remembered what was supposed to be sweet memories?) than what he can do onscreen. Buuuut at the same time, indeed, he wasn’t as bland as I feared: Manon was funny and assertive enough on her own, although a little intrusive (but it was about Pokémon, so it felt acceptable?), and their interaction, despite their opposite behaviours, went surprisingly well? I sure didn’t expect him to help her catch that Floette - the fact he mentored her without intruding in her battle, but by giving her advice, was really respectful. (Which makes the idea that he would consciously work for the baddies all the more interesting, though maybe a little too… gray from what we’ve usually had.)If Manon mentioned having a goal, I missed it, but if she doesn’t, it would be pretty neat that Alan, who has a goal in mind (finding the stones, defeating every Mega in regular battle), gives off vibes of having something that will need to be resolved in himself… while Manon, who is more jumpy and less competent, seemed more stable and ready to go forward at the same time. Sssso, I see more “potential” than anything, but I’m expecting her to have an indirect influence on him :3 (That’s the impression I got at the end with the still screen: she had fallen behind when they left together, and in the next shot, she was already ahead).