Shock and Horrors! Mochi Mayhem on the Ship (123)

[Trey pokes]

Besides the hypnosis jokes, Diana having Pecharunt was not who I expected to get, Quaxwell may be lucky it didn't evolve given everything that happened and we got the Loyal Three showcased if just for a small scene, but I'll take it, we're late enough into this series as is.

 

[345ash-greninja]

Well.....for a lighthearted episode this was pretty enjoyable. Penchurant's antics were quite hilarious.

 

[Zhydra]

Besides the hypnosis jokes, Diana having Pecharunt was not who I expected to get, Quaxwell may be lucky it didn't evolve given everything that happened and we got the Loyal Three showcased if just for a small scene, but I'll take it, we're late enough into this series as is.

INB4 Hamber does a little... tracking and has some chaps to fill the void for a certain three that lost their way.

 

[Pokemonfanforlife7]

and we got the Loyal Three showcased if just for a small scene, but I'll take it, we're late enough into this series as is.

That's........not the best justification. y'know.

 

[UnovaMaster]

Absolutely a garbage episode, Jesus Christ. Starting off the new year with this ****.
Its a shame too coz HZ had a strong streak of episodes going for a while and this arc in general was fine, but this episode is just so bad

The actual fun and memes of Mochi Mayhem DLC absolutely fall flat in the anime and it’s so irritating to see the DLC legends treated like this. Would have rather had an episode showing how Diana and Hamber actually caught it then whatever this was

What a waste of the games

You seem stressed. Here, have a donut.

 

[SerGoldenhandtheJust]

I'm used to the anime doing no justice to the games.

*recalls Black & White especially*
*recalls Ash taking the majority of Lillie's stuff in Sun & Moon*
*can't recall Sword & Shield because it wasn't focused on much*

Though tip-toeing around the SV plot is pretty annoying. Imma blow my casket if Nemona ever says, "man, you all should've BEEN here then!"

I don’t mind them changing up the plot and using game elements to tell another story. Sure they didn’t do a good job with that in BW but I liked what they did in SM and I don’t want the game plot repeated verbatim. But atleast use the game elements in some way!

Yeah exactly the “SV plot already happened” is so lame and shuts down any expectations of development of game characters. SwSh didn’t have the best showcase either but it’s more annoying in this case coz SV is miles better with it’s plot and characters

In fairness, this isn’t exactly a Horizons issue. Journeys had the same issue with both Sword & Shield and Legends Arceus’s stories, and this has been a sentiment that’s gradually been building up since BW.

It sucks that the Horizons isn’t really following the games’ stories anymore, but I think it’s smarter production wise since OLM doesn’t have to include every element of the games. I think it might be better to view the anime as doing its own thing and using aspects of the games for their own plots

SwSh didn’t have as rich of a plot and characters as SV nor did they “already have the game story completed” shtick. Even if rushed, we atleast got to see Sonia, Rose develop. Got to see great characterisation from Leon, Raihan, Bea and Allister. Got something from Team Yell. Got the darkest day adapted and the main legends used atleast.

I was hoping since that series was also Ash’s last hurrah, this series would fix that and be a better showcase of the games and it seemed it would be in the starting as well, with Nemona, Brassius, Iono, Galarian Moltres all appearing in succession. Instead it’s worse

You seem stressed. Here, have a donut.

Don’t remind me of Legends ZA DLC, I’m going crazy over trying to get Rotom to complete my dex lmao

 

[Moni_22]

I really liked the episode. The comedy was great and I liked the little flashback. It's good to have an episode like this sometimes, just having fun.

Next episode is gonna be exciting!

 

[Bronzy]

Interesting how despite the events of S&V Story & Teal Mask/Indigo Disc seemingly having happened off-screen with no anime characters or changes added, they made their own version of the Mochi Mayhem Post Game DLC with their own characters…
Just like they use to do with the game plots in the Ashnime

 

[1rkhachatryan]

I can kind of understand why Arven was ignored, his whole plot from the games ends and he really doesn't have anything else except cooking which unless he was going to be Murdock's prodigy, doesn't lend himself to the rest of the cast.

Nemona and Roy fit perfectly as battle buddies, Dot and Penny got the whole loner tech girl connection, while Arven and Liko have nothing in common except maybe making curry and sandwiches.

 

[Pokemonfanforlife7]

Just like they use to do with the game plots in the Ashnime

Not even close.

 

[Kazuniya]

I can kind of understand why Arven was ignored, his whole plot from the games ends and he really doesn't have anything else except cooking

There is a multitude of ways they could've made Arven relevant aside from cooking.

Titan Pokemon and Herba Mystica, which tie into Area Zero, could have been fun red herrings while the main characters were looking for Six Heroes. For example: the characters hearing about a rare special Pokemon, thinking it's one of the Heroes, but in actuality it's just a Titan Pokemon. It would be a convenient excuse to inject more battles into the story and make Arven appear more.

And if you don't like that idea, his knowledge of Area Zero could have also made him a suitable companion/guide for the main characters since he had been there before, and he would be familiar enough with the location to assist Liko and others. It would be a convenient way to have him talk to others while alluding to the events of the game.

And lastly, Arven's Mabosstiff is explicitly stated to have a huge passion for battling, so they could have easily just had him battle Liko or something, the same way they let Penny battle Dot, or Nemona battle Roy. There's nothing wrong with that idea either.

So, I completely disagree with the notion that Arven had nothing to contribute beyond cooking.

 

[UnovaMaster]

How dare the Pokemon anime incorporate elements of the games NOT EXACTLY THE WAY I WANTED THEM TO

It's like they expect viewers to have already finished the games THREE YEARS AGO

I demand Liko, Roy, and Dot to be retconned into Scarlet and Violet's story THIS INSTANT

So help me if Horizons continues down this path of not regurgitating a story I've already seen to me I will write a stern letter

 

[1rkhachatryan]

There is a multitude of ways they could've made Arven relevant aside from cooking.

Titan Pokemon and Herba Mystica, which tie into Area Zero, could have been fun red herrings while the main characters were looking for Six Heroes. For example: the characters hearing about a rare special Pokemon, thinking it's one of the Heroes, but in actuality it's just a Titan Pokemon. It would be a convenient excuse to inject more battles into the story and make Arven appear more.

And if you don't like that idea, his knowledge of Area Zero could have also made him a suitable companion/guide for the main characters since he had been there before, and he would be familiar enough with the location to assist Liko and others. It would be a convenient way to have him talk to others while alluding to the events of the game.

And lastly, Arven's Mabosstiff is explicitly stated to have a huge passion for battling, so they could have easily just had him battle Liko or something, the same way they let Penny battle Dot, or Nemona battle Roy. There's nothing wrong with that idea either.

So, I completely disagree with the notion that Arven had nothing to contribute beyond cooking.

I said once the plot ends, the plot in the games was with healing your legend and the titans and herba mystica only existed for those reason lore wise lol.

Penny was the person who assisted them there, so Arven wouldn't have added anything. While a battle against Liko could be fun, it wouldn't mean much due to the lack of bond.

 

[Pokemonfanforlife7]

It's like they expect viewers to have already finished the games THREE YEARS AGO

Hell, I never even finished Scarlet or Violet, I'm still near the beginning of the game in both of them.

 

[Kazuniya]

I said once the plot ends, the plot in the games was with healing your legend and the titans and herba mystica only existed for those reason lore wise lol.

There's nothing preventing them from adding more herbs or more Titan Pokemon. There's clearly more than 5 of them anyway. They literally added a second Terapagos without breaking a sweat, lol.

Penny was the person who assisted them there, so Arven wouldn't have added anything.

Penny didn't go with them inside Area Zero.

While a battle against Liko could be fun, it wouldn't mean much due to the lack of bond.

Ridiculous argument. Nemona and Roy had no bond and they battled anyway. The writers can come up with any arbitrary reason to have Arven connect to Liko (e.g. their bonds with their partner Pokemon). You're just finding excuses for the writers.

 

[SerGoldenhandtheJust]

How dare the Pokemon anime incorporate elements of the games NOT EXACTLY THE WAY I WANTED THEM TO

It's like they expect viewers to have already finished the games THREE YEARS AGO

I demand Liko, Roy, and Dot to be retconned into Scarlet and Violet's story THIS INSTANT

So help me if Horizons continues down this path of not regurgitating a story I've already seen to me I will write a stern letter

Yeah how dare you want an anime adaptation to include some elements of the thing they are adapting

 

[Queen Cynthia]

Well, this clearly was a filler episode. Not the best one but not the worst one, either.

Let me begin with what I didn't like:
First of all, the episode title couldn't live up to my expectations unfortunately. Where were those "Shock and Horrors" moments?
Sure, those red eyes scenes and the kibi kibi dance were kind of creepy, but at the same time it was too absurd to be taken seriously. Way too many (silly) gag scenes and not really any "shock and horrors" moments that would make the episode frightening or exciting.
Also, the level of absurdity in general was a bit over the top if you ask me. Pecharunt's backstory in particular felt more like a weird gag story that wasn't funny however and lacked that necessary degree of seriousness.

What I liked was the fact that we got to see Diana again. She certainly is one of the most competent characters in the show and it was great to see she was obviously travelling and working together with Hamber. That was a nice story element for sure.
My favorite moment was Hamber realizing that Diana was talking about him when she mentioned "an old man". His embarrassed expression, even if he lost his composure for just a few seconds was priceless!

She even let them deal with Explorers and Rakua all by themselves and went off to keep traveling the world without a care in the world, lol. She'll help the main characters progress the plot, but she won't stick around for the main conflict.

I guess we shouldn't blame Diana for that. Let's not forget at that time she was travelling on her own and doing her investigations. How could she have known when exactly the RVTs would reach Rakua? In my eyes it's kind of plausible she was absent during the Rakua events.

For example: the characters hearing about a rare special Pokemon, thinking it's one of the Heroes, but in actuality it's just a Titan Pokemon.

Well, the RVTs are aware of the fact five of the Six Heroes are in the Explorers' possession right now. It wouldn't make sense if they mistook a Titan Pokemon for one of the Six Heroes.
Or are you talking about the early stage of Horizons when they were still looking for Lucius' Pokemon?

10/10 episode for sure. Both the horror vibes, the dancing and the Momotaro parody were great fun.

Personally, I wouldn't be that enthusiatic and give a 10/10. It wasn't a bad filler, but it was just too weird, neither funny nor creepy. Well, I guess there just have to be standard episodes like this one every once in a while.


Too bad the anime is going to be on a break next week! The next episode promises to be very exciting! Can't wait for Liko and Amethio to cooperate! Wonder if Armarouge will be her next powerhouse.

 

[Kazuniya]

Well, the RVTs are aware of the fact five of the Six Heroes are in the Explorers' possession right now. It wouldn't make sense if they mistook a Titan Pokemon for one of the Six Heroes.
Or are you talking about the early stage of Horizons when they were still looking for Lucius' Pokemon?

Early stage, yeah. Back before they didn't know much about Six Heroes, it could have been the perfect excuse to incorporate Titan Pokemon into the story. Oh well, too late now.

 

[Queen Cynthia]

Early stage, yeah. Back before they didn't know much about Six Heroes, it could have been the perfect excuse to incorporate Titan Pokemon into the story. Oh well, too late now.

Just like they mistook that "regular" Entei with what turned out to be Gouging Fire. That was an unpredictable stroke of genius back then. Horizons at its best if you ask me. (But maybe that was exactly why they didn't want to or couldn't give us another episode where Pokemon were mistaken.)

 

[vondecayle]

it could have been the perfect excuse to incorporate Titan Pokemon into the story.

Wouldn’t it be cool if they caught some titan pokemon to complete the 18 types of strong pokemon they need? That could be a nice tie-in and a way to bring Arven into the story. Nemona or Penny could be like “Hey, we know someone who might be able to help you gather some strong pokemon” and then they can call Arven for help. He could explain to them where to find them and even help battle them since many battles in horizons are a group effort anyway.