#tebrim

Something about Liko's training session..

Liko stating that she wants to focus on Masquernya and Carbou particularly when it comes to her goals in terms of training. Later on, Tebrim wants to join the battle against Kaenjishi and gets fired up and ready to join Masquernya and Carbou, but Liko tells her it's dangerous and that she should heal her friends' wounds.

Probably the moment that stood out the most to me because of what they could potentially do with this and feeling like it could lead somewhere, given the focus on Tebrim's actions and facial expressions in that scene. Tebrim had her own independent agenda and was clearly eager to fight as well, but Liko seems to be overprotective of Tebrim and wants her to be safe, so she will avoid having her fight if she can.. Two conflicting wishes, in a way. Liko may still see the timid Mibrim in Tebrim and unconsciously wants to shield her from danger if she can do that.

Given how Tebrim is featured prominently in the ending theme (much more than usual), I'm hoping they will focus on her character much more and highlight her wishes and dynamics with Liko? Especially since it feels like she is set up to evolve in this arc, just like Carbou will.

In general, I think it's interesting that there is room for such emotional conflicts with Liko and her Pokemon, even at this point of the story. Liko had that with Nyahoja early on (and Nyahoja had her whole past and fears to overcome as part of her story), and unintentionally hurt her when she gave up the battle against Wakaba in HZ020.. She wanted to give up on the battle out of kindness and to not get in the way of Wakaba's dream, but she ended up hurting both Wakaba (who felt like Liko was going easy on her and made light of her) and Nyahoja (who really wanted to keep battling).

Liko and Tebrim's relationship was less tumultuous than her dynamics with Nyahoja/Nyarote/Masquernya, because they've gotten along from the start and Mibrim found solace in Liko's company and was the first person she opened up to/Liko being supportive of her in general (Tebrim's wishes to help heal Rafflesia in ep 94 instead of hurting it).. So it'd be compelling if Tebrim's wishes conflicted with Liko's a bit now, and they'd have to reaffirm their bond. Liko and Nyahoja were stifling their own potential (for different reasons), and Liko might be doing the same thing to Tebrim out of a desire to protect her?

Liko wants to understand Pokemon better, and I think she still has room to know her own partners better. Carbou joined her recently, but Liko still had opportunities to know him better. Carbou's independent actions in the battle against Diana, which were done out of a desire to protect Masquernya, were used against him and his "noble flaw" was addressed as something that needed to be worked upon.. So, I think something similar could be done with Tebrim. Liko and Tebrim have known each other longer, but it could be that the relationship is taken for granted at this point and that they need to communicate more.

Kind of obsessed with the variations of "I want to protect you" in Liko's team and how it has different meanings for each character involved. "I want to protect you - but I end up hurting you instead (Nyahoja/Nyarote)", " I want to protect you - but I end up taking on all of the burden and my shoulders and come off like I don't trust you (Carbou)", "I want to protect you - but what if my overprotectiveness made me blind to your feelings and held you back from what you wanted to do (Liko -> Tebrim)".. Just really shows why they are my favorites in general. When traits that are considered positive and noble are explored in a nuanced way and deconstructed without being outright punished either <3

Anyway, that's something I will focus on because I love Tebrim and it seemed to me that this moment in the ep was something that would be revisited and a set up for something that would be developed further later.. Tebrim definitely wanted to do something different, and Liko didn't take that into account. I hope we'll get to see Tebrim more because I think she is the coolest in general and I love that Liko has a Psychic Type. While it does feel like Carbou is being set up to become Liko's second ace Pokemon, I hope that Tebrim gets to shine in her own way.

Also curious about who Liko will face, because we got to know Roy, Dot and Uruto's opponents in battles (Roy has Kakitsubata, Dot has Seille, Uruto has Taro).. They did something similar in the second half of Mega Voltage, Roy and Dot had 2 vs 2 battles with Nemo and Botan respectively (HZ101 and HZ102), while they saved Liko's 2 vs 2 battle with Diana for a later episode (HZ108). Which is a gap of six episodes, and more than a month in real time (HZ101/102 aired late June/early July while Liko vs Diana happened in late August). There is a possibility that they are saving Liko's battle in Rising Again for later, since her battles are generally more focused and woven into the overall narrative. They could go a lot of directions with this.

They're sharing banners on Anipoke_PR again.

The japanese text with the post:

I watched the new episode and Liko and Ann's relationship makes me happy because it's really the kind of dynamics between a magical girl heroine and her Normal Friend who is her link to the mundane.

I really like Ann's character because of that, she reminds me of so many friend characters in magical girl anime, who are friends at school and who are usually characters who remind the protagonist what she is fighting for, etc. Someone outside the thrill of adventure/magical stuff, someone who's known the protagonist before she was thrown into the adventure and who knows sides of the protagonist in a way others don't necessarily, someone who represents the protagonist's own circle separate from the main crew (though, those two sides can sometimes merge).

I like that Ann usually notices that Liko keeps her feelings to herself and has pointed it out in the past, too (when she was talking to Roy at the bus stop at the beginning of Mega Voltage)..

Putting these two sets of screenshots side by side (because magical girl comparison, etc).

Second set of screenshots is from hit tv anime Princession Orchestra (episode 22), featuring the protagonist (Minamo) and her childhood best friend (Natsu), someone who has known her before she gained magical powers (the Normal Friend just like Ann is, someone who's known the protagonist before the magical adventure started and who is there for her in a unique way).

Anyway, it's interesting to me because both protagonists (Liko and Minamo) have a tendancy to put others before themselves and it's addressed in the narrative, an aspect that the characters have to grapple with. Natsu supports Minamo and wants her to cherish herself and what she wants to do. A bit similar to Liko and Tebrim. I also like the nuance in both stories when it comes to this "self-sacrificing" aspect of these characters.

Ann told Liko that she could relate to Tebrim as a middle child (she has a big sister and a younger brother). From the outside, it may look like Ann is giving in to her siblings or accomodating them, but Ann doesn't feel that way at all. She is doing what she wants to do, and it makes her happy seeing her siblings happy. Similarly, Tebrim isn't holding back and she is glad to help her friends.

Minamo in Princession Orchestra also finds her purpose through her Princess duties. What she is doing for others is something she is doing for herself and it's her own resolve and determination. It's just that what she chooses to do is something that ultimately benefits others (protecting them).

Anyway, I really like when "selflessness" and "selfishness" are explored with such nuance and when the answer isn't clear-cut. Finding meaning and purpose through others, and the different ways it can be portrayed in a narrative. I really love Liko and Tebrim, and the concepts they explore through their characters. It always feels nuanced and not just taking things at face value? Really good stuff.

Healing Wish is a move that causes the user to faint and in return, the Pokemon taking its place will have its HP restored and cured of any status condition. In this episode, it was used to highlight Liko and Tebrim's desires to reach out to Rafflesia, not hurt the Pokemon anymore as it was clearly in pain due to the Rakurium to the point it hurt its own friends. The situation highlighted Liko and Tebrim's empathy and care for others' feelings, and this move illustrates their tendancy to put others above themselves, and their self-sacrificial nature.

The other side of the coin of Healing Wish is that it has a ruthless aspect to it. Going forward, if Liko and Tebrim are willing to use this move for any reason or situation that would call for it, Liko would know that it is a move that would cause Tebrim to faint so another Pokemon can regain full health. Which would highlight her willingness to make sacrifices to reach her desired ends.