FINALLLYYYY I get to review this episode
Big shock guys, I ABSOLUTELY loved it

Ik I was being a bit annoying here with some of my doomposting about the episode before it aired, lowering my expectations and whatnot but man, they absolutely blowed me away
It is the first time an episode of Pokemon has literally touched on all of the notes I wanted from a specific thing, this being the Aether reunion
We got everything man! A heartwarming reunion, emotions, good writing, good explanations, amazing OST, perfect emphasis and time, literally everything!! I do think it's absolutely one of the best episodes in anipoke as a whole, undisputedly.
- First of all since I haven't seen anyone mention it here, I love how Chloe smiled and immediately said yes to Ash and Goh for joining them to Crown Tundra, such a stark contrast with her earlier self and good growth
- The gag with the mayor was genuinely funny in a cute way, that would strike well with kids and makes the older audience smile as well in wholesome amusement
- Magearna being a snowball and having little quirks like that were really appreciated! Esp since SM didn't have much time with it
- I didn't realise how much I missed Gladion
- Lusamine literally broke my heart with her reactions. Her realising Mohn lost his memory, her absolute heartbreak at the thought that Mohn now has a daughter (Never EVER expected them to touch on that), her explanation of Mohns situation, her crying when Mohn got his memory back as it was literally the source of all her trauma. Heck knowing game Lusamine this scene hits even harder. In EVERY medium, losing Mohn changed Lusamine for the worse, a huge tear to her soul. Just seeing her actually feeling whole again and getting her family back......man that broke me. I love Lillie, Gladion and the aether family so much but seeing Lusamine break down like that is what broke me and got those tears out of my eyes
- The Ultra Beast plotline was so cool wtf?? It had no right being this well written and thought out, this well presented with the wtf moments, mystery, tension and appropriate reveal and conclusion. It referencing those theories during SMs hype season was a cherry on top of the cake. Really really well thought out, completely original and ties up Lillie, Gladion and Lusamine's themes so well, esp with how relevant Nihilego has been to their lives and trajectory
- I'm SICK of people saying Ash and Goh shouldn't have been in the episode. Jesus Christ what a horrible take. Ash of all people DESERVED to witness the aether family reunion, seeing them together again considering how much he's done for them and factors for them. Goh and Chloe are natural tag alongs and proper natural organic progression into the next episode. And thank god he didn't do much, he needed to be there yes and also didn't need to do much so the ENTIRE focus could be on the Aether family as they deserved
- That iron tail shot was cool but kinda overhyped ngl. It was just a stylistic choice of the animator trying something, sure it looks cool but it won't work in a fast paced battle with multiple attacks
An isolated single move in a character based episode though? Perfect usage
Which brings me to the absolute STUPID, brain dead conversation that has been happening in this thread of bias and all
Istg I hate this mentality so much, this isn't Tomiyasu showing bias to an episode coz SM rocks every other series sucks for him. ITS BECAUSE THIS EPISODE DESERVED TO BE PRIORITISED AND IS IMPORTANT
Lillie IS A MAIN CHARACTER for those who've forgotten, who's storyline was literally left open ON PURPOSE for the next series. She was literally the only character who had to return and it making absolutely perfect sense. They likely had this story planned, so of course they would present it well. It's also a humanised and more character story, something the current staff likes much more than plain old battles so they'll be more inclined to work for that. That doesn't mean there's a SM bias you dummies, it means there is a want to make sure an important episode like this gets the accolades it needed and the writing it deserved in a premise that's more appealing than just battles.
Serena's episode and every other returns are much more different than this, and battles are a whole different thing. It was literally ONE attack that was well animated, not a whole battle ffs. We've had episodes like Gulpin balls where the visuals were insane too, so again it's not a SM bias. Stop with that utter nonsense, and from so many people it definitely feels like an agenda they are trying to push. Kindly, shut the hell up
Ok it is no longer weekend and I am still waiting to
@SerGoldenhandtheJust comments about this episode because I am pretty sure he will enjoy this episode a lot.
Spot on! Trust me, I really wanted to be the first one here but the day of this episode I had my flight back home from college, which had turbulence and thunderstorms so it kept getting rerouted and was a total nightmare, leaving me very tired and anxious about dealing with my mom who was having a heart attack coz she was kinda overreacting to my flight problems lol. Than when came home found out my brother is leaving for work, so had an impromptu family trip kinda, and just a lot of headaches. Finally glad to return here, literally watched this episode half an hour before the latest one aired with the battle royale, so watched the SM finale 2.0 back to back, and can't remember being so satisfied by anipoke ever
Two cheers for production quality! I'm jumping on the Tomiyasu bias bandwagon because the difference is extraordinary.
Of course you are
^This
Personally I’m not even seeing what’s the damn big deal to argue about the animation here, you have to have very microscopic eyes in my opinion to purposely try finding stuff like this to not like and use as reason to start arguments and, otherwise, drama on this level.
I’m not saying everyone has to like what this episode did, or even like the episode itself, but it never surprises me to find myself disappointed in seeing stuff in these discussions that adds onto the running theme of every character return having some type of controversy, even to this extent of badgering each other over freaking animation.
It's dumb, absolutely dumbfuckery of a conversation.
Ok so this girl reunited with that man, and they all returned to their rich mansion(s?) with their servants. Maybe she will get another free Mythical in her next return
I freaking hate XY fans like you. I literally hate the divisions in this fandom and with people like you, man i just really hope you stop loving Pokemon, coz for sure as hell you annoy the hell out of others whose whole personality isn't liking only one saga