I’m happy they’re taking their time and making this battle right, it’s weird how people complain of characters not having full teams and there’s being no full battle and the writers take the time to flesh out the biggest battle of the series and end things with a bang and that’s an issue? I like good battles, S&M not only wants to end this battle thematically but in an honest and entertaining manner and that’s good for me. In the end everyone gets to beat their rival, Lugarugan v. Lugarugan, Mukuroh v. Junaiper, Nyaheat v. Gaogaen and Pikachu v. Tapu Koko. Plus for once we get a full battle where no Pokemon feels like a “jobber.”
Whether Lugarugan gets a win or not he got to put a hurting on Gaogaen and soften him up enough for his best buddy, Nyaheat to finish the fight later and that was a cool moment for the Pokemon that just won Satoshi the Alola League. There’s no shame in that because the writers are taking their time and treating the Pokemon and battle with a proper amount of grandeur. A fair amount of on the fly thinking and consideration with switching that portrays Kukui as being a powerful trainer easily on the E4 spectrum. But it’s even more incredible that Pikachu may get to end S&M with his first legendary win since...Latios like 10 years ago?
S&M was good to Pikachu and if he beats Tapu Koko it feels validating for those who felt he should be the one to win Satoshi his “first league.” Plus the Battle last episode didn’t start until half way through the episode anyway. I don’t like full battles being full of double KOs and rushed two-shots which pretty much most or nearly all are. Thinking back to how rushed Hoenn, Jouto, Isshu, and Kalos where in that regard which Sinnoh somewhat parries thanks to it being three episodes but then it screws up that with Darkrai next episode.