Best episode in the entire Pokemon anime thus far. (Not fully serious, of course.)
Riolu/Lucario centered post—
It may not be a Lucario (yet), but having a Riolu virtually guarantees him a Lucario. Common sense indicates that it'll involve into one. So, speaking in future tense, Satoshi finally has (/going to get) a Lucario! This is something that I wanted to happen a decade ago in DP. My boy got two of the best canine Pokemon (even though it still pisses me off that he left the other all the way in Alola).
They did a mostly phenomenal job this episode bridging together Satoshi and Riolu's meeting: Satoshi emitting such an incredibly strong aura—naturally during a battle—that it not only reaches Riolu but also has it worthy enough to make Riolu respond back; both of them feeling each other's presence/wave (rather than just being one-sided), as well as the specific attention to detail of Satoshi feeling like/knowing he's being called rather than "uh, what's going on?" or "what was that?"; and Satoshi being drawn to Riolu's location entirely on his own without being told it was even in the Pokemon Center, let alone being given directions to it, which is a great reminder of Satoshi's established aura ability (something supported twice in this episode).
Other great details include the egg given to Satoshi from Nurse Joy being from Sinnoh, which is virtually a nod to Riley giving the player a Riolu egg in Sinnoh from Diamond and Pearl (game), something that never happened in the anime when Satoshi was travelling throughout Sinnoh. (Too bad it's not a descendant of the special Riolu capable of using aura sphere, though. Well, that kind of continuity is too much to expect from this anime to be honest.) Another is obviously the egg not reacting or hatching under its numerous owners nor for any external trainers, which is also similar to the Keromatsu (and Snivy) situation. (Also just want to mention how loosely reminiscent the whole egg constantly responding to Satoshi's aura sequence was to Satoshi becoming more insync with Satoshi-Gekkouga, specifically the instance with Satoshi vs Diantha.) Also, Riolu getting training/battle experience straight out of the egg within a matter of seconds after hatching, which was handled excellently provided its typing and character concept, is great. Started off weak in the beginning (as an egg Pokemon should), losing most of its battles as well, but was naturally getting progressively stronger throughout its encounters, with the arc ending with an additional but not illogical power increase under Satoshi's (of all people) guidance during its last battle, which especially made sense given the power of Satoshi's brimming aura. Lastly, I obviously have to mention the immediate capture the second it entered the Pokeball, which even Go pointed out.
Honestly, this all feels like a culmination of Satoshi and Gekkouga's fated meeting when it was a Keromatsu, the Lucario drawn to the player's wave/aura from Pokemon X and Pokemon Y, the aforementioned Riolu Egg from PD and PP, and lastly the "Pokemon Ranger! The Wave-guiding Riolu" anime special in DP (especially the comparable introductions).
Now, there's one event I don't like. Nurse Joy didn't need to tell Satoshi that Riolu wanted to be captured. Satoshi should have knew this; he's been through this multiple times (where he has understood when a Pokemon wants to be captured, both by him or a completely different person), and he literally understood when it called for him (in a damn egg, albeit with aura) and that it wanted to fight and get stronger when Onix wouldn't back down.
That last Vacuum wave it used without command is a bit concerning. Hopefully Riolu doesn't turn out like both Satoshi's Charizard and especially Korrina's Lucario did initially, when it inevitably evolves. Satoshi is far too mature for it to act like either of those two use to (battling, training, and egg raising wise), even if it evolve extremely early due to what is likely to be between them a phenomenal bond (heh). Hoping it'll be more akin to Keromatsu/Greninja, when it was simply prepared pre-command to obey the trainer command or something like that. Subsequently, both Satoshi having told it to stop and it listening (two things Charizard and K.Lucario's failed to do) is a good look so far. From the very first battle with it, Satoshi is already utterly avoiding the mistake Korrina made with her Lucario.
Personality wise, Riolu's is absolutely perfect: strong willed, determined, brave, and independent, without arrogance, self-conceit and rebellion.
I have high expectations for this Pokemon, including that Satoshi-Lucario form! Just kidding, again. One of the things I do really want to see, though, is a development related event linked to their bond. Something like what Satoshi and Pikachu did in XY, not even 10 episodes in, when they battled insync while Pikachu was completely blinded, or a number of similar but innovative things they shown with Satoshi and Gekkouga, or how Satoshi and Iris were both able to literally draw out the location of Riolu (Ranger special) and Axew, respectively, when they were lost. Yeah, I like events like those, and Satoshi has yet to do it with any of his Pokemon, including Pikachu.
Satoshi has deserved this so much. Riolu's evolution, Lucario (that he will get) has been consistently popular since its debut—including its #2 spot of most popular Pokemon of 2020—with appearances and major roles across various media outlets. Satoshi has even met and battled a notably surprising amount of them every generation since he met his first one in-fact. He's been neglected this Pokemon that was practically made for him and has had to interact with ones independent or owned by other people for so long, but now it's FINALLY his turn to have the Lucario and be the trainer causing havoc with one, as Lucario usually tends to throw down when it's battling someone/thing. No more loathing over other character having one except Satoshi :').
And I got to say it . . . I wonder how the people that said Satoshi/Ash would never get a (Lucario) Riolu feel now.
I’m actually glad that Riolu isn’t the run of the mill, already attached to Ash Pokémon (as in, whenever Ash wants to physically touch, it refuses and is quite stubborn.) They make a great team. I’m so happy for Ash and Pikachu! Enjoyable episode! I miss Ash referencing aura.;~;