Really weird episode, but first I just find it a bit funny how aggressive-ish Ash has been with his Pokemon the past couple episodes, moreso with Rowlett in particular (grabbing it by the leg while it was flying, stuffing it in his backpack, and then here with ending its playtime rather abruptly). I think it obviously would have made more sense if the Gym was based on one from Johto. The close distance between Kanto and Johto doesn't justify a Kanto Gym in a Johto based city. Of course all the characters predictably fill their usual role types: Lilie with environmental related specialty (constantly with that "Powder Snow"); of course Mallow and Mamane get obsessed and distracted by food; Lilie straight up just sucking at activities/sports all alike, but then the often successful Suiren displays her typical marry-sue characteristics; and lastly Kaki and Ash both make it to the battle round, progressing with Kaki losing and Ash winning. Next, the Brave Bird animation sucks and the animation throughout most of the episode sucked, especially the training course segment (slideshow sequences, really, man?) and both the battles themselves. I swear the animation has been grossly exaggerated and over-hyped this generation-season. Not going to give this series more of my time by going into detail why I think Kaki should have lost or not, but getting one-shotted seems terribly unfair. Backing up, however, (pro) it's about time Peck has been upgraded... Like Litten, Rowlett is practically at full maturity Lastly, XY(&Z) music (again)—will leave that vague.
More Meltan development is of course good, naturally preparing it for its inevitable evolution, something that's been obvious since the legitimate beginning and was even foreshadowed last episode. It's strong will and connection with Rowlett, especially a small Rowlett destined not to evolve (during this series), serving as support for Mel's evolution (same material that happened with Noivern, Greninja, etc). My only concern is for Ash's full team, not Meltan's proegressive state. Will the mythical, purple spinning top pull another Goodra, or will Ash get a unique Pokemon. XY seriously pissed me off when they had Ash return to Kanto with three new Pokemon from an entire journey in Kalos. I never would have thought they'd pull a situation worse than Advanced Generations. I figured AG was the worse it could get and that if they never wanted to go the OG or DP route, then they'd keep repeating AG... but nope. Five should objectively be the minimal because 1. He's not vacationing and visiting these other regions in short burst, he's spending an immense amount of time actually journeying through them completely. (You can bet the norm of kids playing the games are not completing their journeys with 4-5 Pokemon.) 2. Pikachu is already suppose to give the writers an easier time by taking up 1/6 slots, something they obviously exploited in AG and even XY. Five Pokemon per region is not hard, at all, and it's not too much to ask nor demanding. Got off topic there, but um... I've actually gotten distracted and don't feel like finishing this comment *shrugs*. (May'be later.)
