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[amelikos]

Guys I’m slooowly catching up with Horizons but I’m not quite up to date yet. Until then, please accept my humble and super late contribution to that Sango episode 🙏🏻

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[amelikos]

I love her new outfit, it suits her so well

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Pokefied!

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back on that grind

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Sango calling Onyx serious.

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is this anything

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Some character notes and episode notes for HZ047, writing them down for future reference.

The ep starts with Liko, Roy and Dot going to Cercle Town. Dot is tired (she isn't used to walking after all and easily gets exhausted) and complains, Roy tells her that she needs to build stamina but she retorts that her battles are about cleverness and using her head, not stamina. (It's fun seeing her complain and be open like that with her friends, and I think she'll be a bit more used to walking by the end of the arc)

As they reach the town, Dot films the bug Pokemon she gets to see (and she seems excited about seeing them and knows about Kaede being specialized in bug types so she assumes they feel at home there). Nyarote notices Liko seems lost in her thoughts, and Dot does too. She asks Liko if she is nervous (small moment I really liked since it shows that their dynamics is a two-way street and it's not just Liko paying attention to Dot and her feelings, Dot does too. It made me think of how Dot noticed Liko was pushing herself back in HZ027 and asked her about it when they were alone together, really like these kinds of moments). Liko admits she is, and Roy tries to reassure her by saying that she battled Rayquaza so she'll be fine (Roy is the type to approach things more positively). Liko is still worrying though, because that'll be the first time she'll use Terastal in a battle and she's never done it before, so she doesn't know how it's going to go... (it's like being nervous before an exam, and I like how this was portrayed and how Liko is still shown overthinking and being nervous and that this trait of hers doesn't magically disappear, she just learns to work around it better)

They head to town and decided to have some snacks first before heading to the gym (Hogator followed a food trail, and Nyarote looked out for him and alerted Liko by using her yoyo). Dot seems excited about the food. She is taking pictures of it and pays attention to how it tastes like, acknowledges that she's never had anything like it before.. (her food options are widening day by day, and it's good and important that she is looking forward to food now, after having trouble with it for so long, and that she is enjoying it with her friends) There were fun moments with the Pokemon too. Terapagos asking for more cake (and Liko giving everything she had to him, she barely ate it), Kaiden and Hogator beefing and Hogator quickly finishing his food before Kaiden could steal it (we really need to see more of Kaiden), and Kuwassu sharing his cake with Kanuchan who was about to cry because she finished hers cake and still wanted more (it's cute how he looks out for her ever since she joined the team).

Murdock eventually joins the kids since he is working part time at the shop to earn money for the ship repairs. The Pokemon are happy to see Iwanko again too. Murdock compliments Dot on her new outfit and she gets embarassed about it (she still can't take compliments well), and reveals Mollie is the one who picked it (it's nice how Mollie really looks out for Liko and Dot and takes care of things like that, especially because she picked an outfit that fits Dot's preferences in terms of clothes). Lots of casual Dot and Murdock interactions in this ep, which were good. During the first year, I felt like Murdock was a bit hesitant to approach her sometimes, like he was afraid of pushing her away if he was too overbearing, but now they talk casually and there is no awkwardness anymore. Anyway, Murdock explains to the kids that he is working part time with Kaede, and that the shop is busy every day. He seems happy about doing what he likes, and the kids notice he seems to be having fun too.

Afterwards, Liko and the others hear a commotion and decide to check what's happening. Sango is at the shop and complains to the owner about the limited sweets being sold out and demands that she makes another one for her. Dot points out that she is a textbook whiny customer ww Liko and Roy look at each other and decide to step in to tell her that she is bothering the employees. Sango wonders who is interrupting her and recognizes Liko and Roy. They recognize her too and seem on guard, but Liko decides to pretend she doesn't know who she is, so she addresses her as Sandwich (she is being polite about it too). They ask her why she is here, so she says she came for the limited sweets. Roy was about to tell her that they were delicious but Liko stops him from doing so. This interaction was kind of nice, because I feel like they could easily be friends if they weren't enemies... Sango was surprised to see them (she didn't expect to see them there so she wasn't following them or anything) and easily tells them that she came for the sweets.

Murdock can tell Sango is from the Explorers and wonders if she is there to watch Liko.. he decides to step in and tells her they don't have the sweets she wants. Meanwhile, Kaede introduces herself (and Murdock says she is the owner of the shop and the Gym Leader), and knew Liko would be coming (so the Gym Leaders seem to know about the students taking the Terastal course). She suggests getting started but Sango interrupts them. She is still pissed and wants to battle too and let loose. Kaede tells her she can't battle both of them, so Sango says that she'll battle Liko and Kaede can battle whoever wins. Murdock tells her to calm down, but Sango tells him to shut up (and even calls him an old man ww girl has no respect). Really liked Sango's VA in this scene (Ootani Ikue usually voice characters more on the cute side, like magical girl mascots or even Pikachu, so it's interesting seeing her take on an antagonist character like Sango, it's a different range than the one I'm used to). Liko actually accepts Sango's challenge (which I liked because in a way, she is accepting Sango's angry feelings and is willing to confront her and "hear" her). Liko asks Kaede if she can use Terastal during the battle because she's never used it before so she wanted to try it at least once. Sango is offended that Liko considered her as a training dummy (I liked that she pointed it out because it was a bit insensitive of Liko to say that in front of Sango), but she is willing to take her on anyway. Kaede tells Liko that practice is important, but practice is different from a real battle. She eventually decides that Sango and Liko will be having a baking contest and she'll have them make cakes.

At Kaede's shop, both Liko and Sango are ready to start the contest. Dot wonders if Liko knows how to make a cake, and Murdock tells her that he taught her before so she should be fine (which is cute, because that means Liko probably asked Murdock to show her before, or maybe he suggested they bake together when they were still on the Brave Asagi). Liko is nervous because it's her first time making a cake by herself, but she wants to do her best with Nyarote. Meanwhile, Sango seems confused by the kitchen tools and isn't sure what to do with them... Liko and Nyarote make a matcha cake (Nyarote's favorite flavor), while Roy and the others watch over them and support them. On the other hand, Sango completely failed her cake and she is frustrated about it and blames Onigohri for not helping her. She freezes everything, and Kaede ends up scolding her (but she doesn't raise her voice, she is intimidating even without doing that). Kaede explains to Sango that sweets are like bug Pokemon and hold lots of power despite being small and that it takes great care to make them delicious. She tells her to come again another day. Sango seemed a bit overwhelmed by her and decides to leave.

I thought this scene was rather sad for Sango, and I really hope they'll explain later on what's the deal with her. Kaede had a right to scold her, but Sango being alone with no one supporting her and not knowing about kitchen tools raises some questions for me. I feel like she has a difficult time with authority figures in general and doesn't know how to ask for help? This was a situation where Sango needed help and guidance since she didn't know how to bake at all (and still tried anyway). I wonder what kind of environment Sango grew up in, because I feel like maybe people around her gave up on her because of her personality? She doesn't like sharing things, and we're taught from a young age to share things with others because that's a nice thing to do (like, kids sharing toys to play with each other etc). I really hope we get to see more of Liko and Sango interacting later on.

Anyway, Kaede tells Liko she will administer her basics test. She also encourages Liko and Nyarote to try her cake and Liko is pleased that it turned out delicious. Kaede praises Liko and explains to Liko that she should put her heart in anything she does, and makes her realize that she put her all in the contest without worrying about practicing first. Liko realizes she was overthinking things and is eager to start the battle, so they all go to the battlefield.

The battle itself was alright. I liked Murdock commenting on what happens (it shows his knowledge, and he has interesting insight to share). Basically, Liko had to be careful about getting too close or too far from her opponent because Kaede had strategies in both cases. Liko eventually focuses on the battle (by taking a deep breath.. I always like when she does that to compose herself) and uses Magical Leaf as a distraction and smokescreen to find the perfect timing to use Terastal (her Terastal phrase is "shine in full bloom"). Kaede gets into the battle and eventually uses Terastal as well (which turns her Normal Type Himeguma into Bug Type, which is super effective against Grass) and wins the battle. Liko apologizes to Nyarote for losing even though she tried her best. Liko passes her Basics Test despite losing the battle. Winning or losing doesn't matter in Terastal Course battles (this isn't a Gym battle, this is a Terastal course battle). Kaede wanted to see if Liko could put her heart in the battle and if she could be in sync with her partner. She was supposed to stop the battle after Liko used Terastal but couldn't help but want to enjoy the battle a bit more and go all out. She sends Liko a stamp confirming that she passed her basics test and encourages Liko to enjoy the here and now going forward.

The use of Gym Leaders so far is interesting and so is the fact that they have duties outside the Gym battles. I think it adds to the region and makes the Gym Leaders more invested as characters and give them more depth? The school offering courses like the Terastal one and working together with Gym Leaders and guiding trainers even if they aren't strictly into competition is good. It bothered me when they were just around to hand out badges and the competitive aspect, so I like that they get invested in all kinds of trainers (like Colza spontaneously deciding to test Roy back in HZ010 because he wanted to see if he had what it took to chase Rayquaza and wanted to encourage him was great, just like how Kabu trained both Liko and Roy because he wanted to push them further). I also like that winning battles isn't everything for this course (just like Kabu said) and that what matters is the experience and what the kids learn from it. It shows they still have room for growth, which is good.

Anyway, the last scene is with the kids camping at night. Roy goes on about Nyarote's battle and Terastal, even Dot admits that it was exciting. Liko thanks Nyarote (and Nyarote was staying by Terapagos' side while the latter was sleeping, which is cute, especially since she avoided Terapagos a lot before when she was jealous). Liko also hopes she'll be able to use Terastal better (I'm not sure how Terastal works exactly, or if it's possible to fail at using it for some reason, like not being in sync with your Pokemon?), while Roy gets fired up for his basics test (which will be against Colza, and I think he'll probably win the battle this time).

[amelikos]

Liko 💙

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Liko, who gives and gives until there is nothing left VS Sango, who takes and takes until there is nothing left.

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I think sango likes chemistry

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Sango felt kind of sad to me in the new ep. In a way, it reminded me of Amethio who had no one to protect him against Rayquaza in HZ033 (compared to Liko and Roy who had adults looking out for them).

Similarly here, Sango wasn't taught anything about cooking or baking at all, in comparison to Liko who was taught how to make sweets by Murdock (and knowing him, he was probably really patient when teaching her). Sango had no one to cheer on her and she seemed confused about kitchen tools so she probably was never taught by anyone about things like this. Still, I felt like she actually had an idea in mind when she tried to make her cake because the ice sculpture she made out of it resembled the Pokemon she has on her school bag? (Namakobushi, I think) So she was trying to do something specific but she failed and she was just frustrated about not knowing how to do it. I really wonder if that's the first time something like this happened for her..

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I feel like Liko really takes Sango's feelings into account in a way. Back in HZ043, she was willing to share sweets with her, even though she didn't know who she was at that point. But still, she was willing to and the gesture was there. And now, she stopped Roy from mentioning that they had the sweets that Sango was looking forward to trying. Part of it had a comical aspect, but Liko was being considerate of her feelings in a way, and she didn't want to upset Sango even further, even inadvertently.

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Sango being associated with food really intrigues me.. wonder if there is something deeper to it.

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