#sm139

Never before has the Pokéani made me rejoice so much.

So let’s get the first match out of the way. I knew from the superb animation we were going to get something great. The match between Pikachu and Zoroark was very satisfying for what it is. Never-ending Nightmare was so visually captivating as a Z-move. I was initially surprised to see both of them use up their Z-moves for this match but it makes sense thematically. Ash using Breakneck Blitz was unexpected, but welcome given it fits in with Ash’s “underdog” motif. Pikachu went down like a champ.

It’s a good thing we ended up with a tie, too. We want both Lycanrocs fresh for the final match.

But first, the laughs. It was so random, so dumb, and so lovely. Gladion’s fangirls went wild, I’m sure. But honestly, it was just a beautiful bit of levity when you’d expected them to be all serious. It perfectly encapsulates what this match means to both them. Not as a major obstacle to overcome, but as the greatest fun they’ve ever had. It’s only through moments like this, that you know Ash and Gladion are fully putting their hearts in it.

And so Lycanroc VS Lycanroc. We all knew it was happening. But the execution just sold it so well. Seeing the flashbacks of how each side has grown to come to this point made the stakes feel so much higher as a result.

As for the battle itself, its greatest strength was in its straightforwardness. No gimmicks, no tricks, no Z-moves. Just each side playing to their own innate strengths. The damage-hit, damage-sustained ratio was mostly good, though all those Counters from Lycanroc-Midnight felt a bit one-sided. The animation also felt like it took a small dip, and the music score wasn’t exactly as intense as I thought was appropriate. 

That ending, however, was GLORIOUS. You could feel right up to the very last blast that both sides had nothing to lose. All-in or nothing. Then, of course, the most unexpectedly beautiful thing happened.

Ash countered the Counter.

Not gonna lie, I first thought it was a new move, and almost called it an asspull. But lo and behold, Lycanroc did, in fact, have Counter in its movepool long ago from Nanu’s trial. It was so underused that I had completely forgotten, but the fact that the Pokéani paid that much attention to detail to use it as the coup de gras just blew my mind. It’s underwhelming as a tactic in itself, but it’s so much in-line with Ash’s character to pull something so inspired at the very last second. Kudos, to my mai boi. 

And when Lycanroc-Midnight went down and Kukui made the call, my heart stopped with Ash.

He won.

Ash won.

After so, so long, Ash Ketchum finally became a Pokémon League Champion (Orange Islands aside). I never knew what it felt like to be so impassioned by a sports tournament until now. I wanted to weep tears of joy, punch the air, and scream to the heavens, ’cause damn it, ASH KETCHUM WON!!

And for the love of all that’s good, my poor son was so confused. That “Did I...win?” spoke volumes. Ash really could not believe that after so many times of coming up short, he became the POKÉMON LEAGUE CHAMPION. I just wanted to jump into the screen, give him a hug, and say “Yes, you won. And I am so proud of you.”

And thus, the League draws to a close. Gladion shakes Ash out of his shock, Team Rocket are plotting, and the closing ceremony commences and we all live happily ever after.

Ok, so we got a Guzzlord invasion to deal with, which kind of killed the mood, honestly. And while it certainly looks fantastic with all the parties involved, my mind and heart are still focused one thing: