#sohdayo

Let’s start with the Rising Volt Tacklers’ portion. They had the most wholesome and funniest segments. I especially loved the gag where Liko, Roy and Dot were wanting to welcome Friede home, but are greeted with unexpected guests from Wy-Yes and Perrin to Master Mayonnaise. Her reaction to seeing him was absolutely hilarious and understandably so because he’s definitely is a strange old man dressed rather extravagantly. I’d react the same if I were her. It’s actually been so long since Wy-yes (why yes, I can’t believe that’s his dub name) and Perrin showed up. Even they’ll have an important role in vouching for the truth of their allies as they promise to write the truth about them. Hey, if the Explorers are using media to ruin their reputation, it’s only write to use media for the opposite effect.

Nemona, Ann and Penny show up too! It’s been a long time since we last saw Ann in her casual clothes, so it’s nice to see them again! Since they already had their big spotlight a few episodes ago, they’re most there in the background. Though, I’m surprised that Nemona is always in school uniform—then again, that is her default outfit…

Then there’s the stuff with Friede. He visits his junior Yanga whom we haven’t seen since Episode 54. Since he is still working at Exceed, Yanga’s role in this episode is to update viewers with how the workplace is like since Spinel took over. Apparently, the company has become sort of the equivalent of a Japanese black company (basically a toxic workplace) and Spinel has become something sort of a black company boss with how he made his researchers stop their current research to focus on creating the Strong Spheres. The craziest part is that the researchers don’t even know about the safety hazards about the stuff they’re working with; they’re only working on it due to Spinel’s orders which definitely shows the dark side of capitalism. Friede gives his phone to Yanga as it contains all the details about the true nature of the Laquium. This means that Yanga is also an ally of their cause now.

I didn’t expect Master Mayonnaise to return with both a Lucarionite Z and the reveal that he has a Pokemon of his own. It makes me wonder why he didn’t dish out his Hawlucha when they were training back in Kalos… I’ve been seeing a lot of complaints online about how Roy gets another Mega Stone for his Lucario and Liko gets nothing. While I am someone who tries to keep an open mind on these things, I might have to side with the critics this time around. It is a little unfortunate that Liko has been getting shafted recently. Roy and Friede can both Terastalize and use Mega Evolution—both have two Megas (as well as Ult) while Liko and Dot only get a fully evolved team and Terastalize. There is a major imbalance here…

Anyways, the battle between Roy and Master Mayonnaise was entertaining because of the Hawlucha! I honestly love that his Hawlucha comes with an abundance of personality like its love for posturing and flexing. The way it retained that part of its personality as it Mega Evolved was great too! Though, don’t let the poses fool you—it’s a very powerful battler as it knocked out Lucario.

The last thing I like about this episode is the reveal that Instructor Starmie is always in its Mega Evolved state because it wants to. It likes to flex and posture like Hawlucha! Maybe that’s the reason why Mayonnaise took an interest in it. Since the Lucarionite Z didn’t activate in this episode due to wave imbalance between Roy and Lucario, I bet it’s going to get resolved in the next episode when they get to Galar and reunite with Diana… Also, the Brave Olivine is noticeable larger now and I’m amazed. Then again, they are boarding a lot more people and Pokemon this time around, the size needs to increase. That’s all I have to say about the episode, so let me know your thoughts!