I know an Aya Matsui episode when I see one, and might I add this is among her very best. Really great pacing, writing, and directing overall; honestly one of if not my favorite non-battle/PM episode.
Ash joining Chloe and finally Go for a show and tell (about your….friends?) at school was fun. I will say that the Ash presentation bit felt like unnecessary punching down, especially from Go. Like haha it’s like a manzai routine so funny….yeah whatever lmao. Like I guess nobody in that classroom knew what the PWC was? But nonetheless it was interesting that Go has become so lively and energetic at school now due to Ash’s influence.
I loved Regina. Her and Glaceon made such a sweet pair and I thought her story was super well-done. Bullying isn’t something I remember ever being really touched on before in Pokémon, and not as the main backbone of an episode. The subject, while not as fleshed out as it could’ve been due to this being just a single episode, was tackled in an understandable way and adds an extra layer to the setting
And on that note, I really enjoyed the school setting of this episode. SM never felt like this; I genuinely think a proper school series handling drama/serious issues and this unique atmosphere would be amazing. A school - a real school- opens up storytelling possibilities that can only be explored there.
The ending of this ep was so wholesome. They needed Dawn there to get Quilava and Buneary as extra help lol. I wish Regina was more than a COTD though; she was a great character and one that really stood out. The fact she’s a battler now and we won’t see her ever again just adds more salt in the wound