This battle was so amazing!!!
First of all, I know Im VERY Annoying with this but Alola league champion whenever its mentioned just brings such a smile to my face mannnn, absolutely love hearing it
But the HIGHLIGHT was Ash actually referencing Counter Shield by name and Cynthia referencing the Sinnoh league, as well as the Offense Defense line being mentioned!!
Honestly, even though I dont like Dragonite jobbing, I dont think at the end of the day Ill change anything. It doesnt feel like "Fake tension" drama to me, Ash doesnt switch out because he wants Dragonite to wake up instead and hope it endures it, which is as valid as switching out, esp since Spiritomb can put anyone to sleep. Just because it doesnt work out doesnt mean it is 'low iq' when every player tries that during their playthrough and it worked with Sceptile
Gengar fakeout fainting I think is what annoyed me. I would have liked to see it stand up and battle once more and then lose
Pikachu though was MVP
Remember
@Sham when you were disappointed it seemed Pikachu was jobbing here when it was part of the original DP squad and deserved credit againt Cynthia? Well this episode absolutely delivers that!!
First of all Diantha calling Pikachu's ace as deserved!! Pikachu IS Ash's ace and so therefore should BE the one to defeat Charizard, ty
Secondly, I like how pikachu is such a pain in the ass and also well charged and still raring to go after beating Spiritomb and Gastrodon's ass that Cynthia had to resort to a cheap Destiny Bond to get rid of Ash's ace
They are really doing a well job with respecting Pikachu as PEAKachu througout and not cheapingly weakening it for others, allowing its victory against Charizard to hold credence
I love this episode honestly!! Its in my opinion a perfect back and through and no Ash is NOT dominated throughout like people feared. Bring on next episode!!
Lots of great strategies in this battle, unfortunate that from a visual standpoint it was very standard but the Iwane episode is the hope here.
As someone who was very concerned about the animation standpoint, I think this episode really delivered!! Battle choreography was better than JN's standards but still not upto the mark as it should be to give the good writing more proper execution, that I agree on, but the animation of freaking Destiny Bond and Spiritomb throughout, Pikachu and countershield, Roserade vs Gengar and Pikachu against Stone Edge were great imo
Would love to hear your visual standpoint critique if you rewatch