This episode was pretty good. It didn’t have the same pacing issues as JN115, and the battle really had a chance to shine without feeling rushed. The strategies were good, and the interactions between Diantha and Lance were amazing.
The cameos and continuity nods were top notch here. I loved the callback to Ritchie and the Kalos gang. Jessie gushing over Gorgeist was amazing too.
I really like how they’re using Ash, Goh, and Hop in the stands. It gives us a different perspective on the match. Yeah, it comes at the expense of Ash interacting with the other champs, but it is also great for continuity nods and showing why Leon finds Ash fascinating.
I can’t wait to see the look on Hop’s face next week when he learns that Ash used to travel with Iris and is friends with Cynthia.
Animation was OK. The battle wasn’t as dynamic as others that we’ve seen, especially compared to the Lumiose Conference battles. But it wasn’t bad…just ok-ish. The only thing I didn’t like about the animation is that Diantha looks like she was drawn with camel toe. (if you don’t know what that is…don’t look it up)
@RafaSceptile
If Ash overpowered and could have beaten Diantha does that mean that Wulfric, a gym leader who beat Ash-Greninja is >Diantha as well? Or that Alain>Diantha just because MCX beat Ash-Greninja twice even though Alain lost to an E4 who is weaker than the regional champion?
What do you think?
No. That episode went out of its way to show that Ash wasn’t in a good place mentally when he had his first battle with Wulfric…