Ok so I finally had time to watch this Sanyou City Gym battle episode. To be truthfully honest, I feel like I've had enough of Best Wishes for the time being so this might be my final episode review. I said I'd watch the first few episodes just to test out this new Pokemon series and I do like what I've seen so far, but there's just something about the anime that has gotten too repetitive for me to enjoy. At least I get to leave everything off in this episode, which had some awesome moments that I'll get to later. Anyway, I'd like to start by saying that the pacing in Isshu is pretty cool; seems like Kanto all over again, but with better animation. We find Ash running towards the edge of the forest, viewing Sanyou City beyond which means that it only took him 5 episodes to get to the first Gym. Nice pacing there, seems like things will get faster as we go along.
Ash seemed pretty excited to have arrived, and I couldn't help but smile at his excitement; same old Ash I know and love haha. After the Opening theme passed and was down with, Ash and Pikachu were seen in central Sanyou City at last. I have to admit though, it didn't look all that different from the other cities. I was expecting something more, but at least we got some new music playing in the background (Karakusa Town music I think). Just when Ash is about to wet his pants from excitement, Iris arrived behind him with her Kibago. Ash says something to her but she counters with something about him acting like a child (which is was doing). She fed her little Kibago and then BAM, Dento appears behind her as well. He takes an interest in Kibago, and Iris thanks him. Then Dento spots Pikachu and gets excited to see such a "rare" Pokemon like that in Isshu. This is getting old, fast.
I have beef with Dento; I dislike his eyes right off the bat and his voice, while different, got on my nerves, but I won't fight it, I'll just go with it for now. Moving along, Ash introduced himself and Dento did too; as a Pokemon Sommelier. Ash wonders what that is and Iris teases him about being a kid again. Dento quickly describes with a Pokemon Sommelier is and then Ash asks him if he knows where the Sanyou City Gym is, which Dento says he does. Lol. He takes them to the Gym, though oddly enough, it looks like the Viridian City Gym for some reason, odd. Ash bursts through the door to find a cafe of sorts and both he and Iris wonder if that's really the Sanyou Gym. Pod appears and speaks English? Awesome, and I like his voice! Corn appears too and welcomes Ash, but in Japanese I believe. Pod and Corn both try to take Ash's order but he gets mad and shouts about wanting to battle and not just eat. Typical Ash, making a scene. Such a Drama Queen.
The fangirls sitting at the tables nearby hear about his challenge and get all excited since apparently, they like to witness Dento, Pod, and Corn battle? Maybe. Right when Ash was about to leave though, Dento, Pod, and Corn reveal that they're the Gym Leaders and the fangirls go wild! I found that to be funny, yet sort of expected too. Dento and his brothers reveal the Gym behind the cafe, and everyone proceeds to the battle arena. Yes, even the fangirls, dressed as cheerleaders now. Pod then released his Baoppu, Corn released his Hiyappu, and Dento released his Yanappu. Ash quickly scanned all three elemental monkeys in his Dex and then Dento, Pod, and Corn asked Ash whom he would like to battle in the Gym, though Ash wanted to battle all three of them? What? Why make things complicated for himself? I'm wondering if Ash is sadistic at this point, but whatever. The Gym Leaders seemed shocked by Ash's statement, but they accepted his challenge, regardless of their usual rules.
Pod decides to take on Ash first with his trusty Baoppu. We get some more fangirl cheering and Iris seemed to be enjoying it for some reason; don't know what the heck that was about. Dento explains the rules, and Ash sent out his Pokabu, the one he caught in the previous episode, the one without any formal training. That Pokabu. Ash has it use Tackle on Baoppu, but Baoppu manages to land on it's feet, surprising Ash. Pod then has Baoppu use Fire Punch on Pokabu, and it seemed much more effective than I would have thought, personally haha. Ash has Pokabu get up, but Baoppu used Flamethrower quickly after that. Ash told Pokabu to use it's Ember, but those small flames didn't even stand a chance against Baoppu's Fire-type attack and it the attack hit Pokabu. Baoppu then used Dig to hide underground soon after. We got some nice Isshu Region Gym Battle music right about then, which I freaking love! Baoppu's Dig hit Pokabu around then though, but it still didn't faint? Dumb anime logic, it's too convenient.
The fangirls kept cheering for Pod, which got annoying. Baoppu hid underground again with Dig, but Ash managed to spot it coming back up, and had Pokabu dodge it. Nice. Pokabu then used it's agility but Baoppu appeared again and sent Pokabu flying with Dig. Just as things looked pretty darn hopeless however, Pokabu dove right into Baoppu's hole and bit it's tail! Interesting move. Baoppu tried to get rid of Pokabu, but Pokabu throw Baoppu to the ground, then used Ember and then Tackle to end the battle. I have to admit, the fire pig has some talent hidden underneath, afterall. Dento declared Ash the winner of that battle and we got Iris looking impressed with Ash or Pokabu, or maybe both? Anyway, the fangirls were upset, but Corn was up next so maybe they'll cheer up. After the commercial break, we see Team Rocket walking down the street, most likely on their way to fulfill Giovanni's request from the previous episode. Sigh, I hate serious Team Rocket so much now; they just aren't the same and their sense of fashion has crashed too ;_;
We then return to the Sanyou Gym, where Ash and Corn are preparing for their Gym battle. The fangirls are indeed happy again, so that's a plus...maybe? Anyway, Corn sends out Hiyappu and Ash sends out Pikachu. Iris wonders if Ash will use strategy this time, and it looks like he really will since he's using a Pokemon that's strong against Water-types. I'd also like to mention that we get new music again; the Isshu Pokemon League theme this time! The battle finally starts and Pikachu uses Quick Attack, though I just noticed that the animation changed and it glows now haha. Corn has Hiyappu use Double Team and Pikachu's Quick Attack was rendered useless. Hiyappu then used Scratch or something similar to attack Pikachu. Corn explained something about Pokemon types, then proceeded to have Hiyappu use Water Gun on Pikachu. Pikachu managed to dodge it, but Water Gun aimed at Pikachu's feet, right before Pikachu used Thunderbolt on Hiyappu. What was that all about?! I'll never understand anime logic.
Corn's Hiyappu attacked Pikachu again with some attack I'm not sure I can identify correctly, but I think it was Scratch. Anyway, Iris seemed bummed that Ash's Pikachu seemed to weak against a Hiyappu. Ash had Pikachu use Volt Tackle, and just when I thought it would work, Corn reveals his strategy; Mud Sport! I was like, what the truck was that?! Why now, of all times, to introduce the move? Well it worked either way as Pikachu's Volt Tackle was rendered unusable and Hiyappu countered with Water Gun again. Pikachu was sent flying. Sadly, it wasn't able to get up and passed out, making Corn the winner of the second match. I swear to God; Pikachu has turned into a joke. The fangirls went wild again. Anyway, back at some dirty sewer, we find Team Rocket talking to Giovanni via their laptop. He talks about some "site" where you can obtain the power to materialize dreams. I think he meant the Lot/Site of Dreams outside of Sanyou City. Giovanni leaves the investigation of that place to Jessie, James, and Meowth. Hope they don't mess up. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
It's then time for Dento versus Ash and Dento uses his Yanappu. Ash then sends out his Mijumaru and we get some Isshu Gym music which sounds pleasant to be honest. Iris worries about the fact that Mijumaru is weak against Yanappu though, so that's interesting. Mijumaru is afraid of Yanappu for some reason, and hides behind Ash. Haha, how cute. Then Ash and Pikachu have to push it back on the field. They talk it into battling, and Mijumaru attacks Yanappu, though Yanappu dodges easily and sends out it's Bullet Seed. I laughed when they hit Mijumaru and hurt it's bottom haha. Yanappu uses Bite on Mijumaru's head, ensuing more laughs lol. Mijumaru uses Water Gun, but Yanappu easily dodged it. The last Water Gun hits it's mark, but Yanappu charges up Solarbeam! Mijumaru's face when it gets stunned by the use of the attack is freaking priceless! The episode ends in a cliffhanger, which sucks. All in all, another great Best Wishes episode, it gets a
10/10 again, which I've never given to 3 episodes in a row before. Anyway, Best Wishes is doing great, keep up the good work!
P.S. On a related note, I was bored after watching the episode, so I made this; a poster for
Pokemon: The Musical! An epic tale of romance, action, and comedy that's going to hit Broadway this Spring! Join Ash, Pikachu, Mijumaru, Iris, Kibago, Dento, and Yanappu as they perform on stage for the first time ever! It's sure to be an instant classic! Get your tickets fast; they're selling like hotcakes!
