#and they apparently just re-released alolan vulpix!!

[bluefuecoco]

the urge to buy every pokemon plush that build-a-bear releases....

[pkmnjesus]

P J’s PokéAni Rewind 2018

It is time for my 3rd annual year-end Tumblr tradition! If you haven’t seen last year’s post, check out my 2017 PokéAni Rewind which featured the Sun & Moon series‘ first full year run. 2018 was a pretty busy and stressful year for this blog with the schedule I put out for myself (coming back from a hiatus and even had a break at one point), and I appreciate all of my followers who’ve stuck with me through it whether or not you were interested in the posts I published on a specific date. The Pokémon anime has officially wrapped up for this year with the return of Brock & Misty just a couple of days ago, and it’s time to highlight some of the best episodes (this post will be following the original Japanese release dates) I personally found noteworthy. Without further delay, let’s take a look back at what the Sun & Moon series had to offer in 2018. LET’S GO!

JANUARY - Meanie to Mareanie

One year later after catching a Mareanie to add to the team, James has a crossroads deciding to release her in the wild to be with a Toxapex (before it evolved) she first loved because he believed that she’ll be much happier and be better taken care of. He couldn’t get her the Corsola necklace, and even got unintentionally mad at her after failing to catch a Frillish. But no matter how much James tries to get the two together, Mareanie continues to stay loyal to him. Even after going to the Kukui residence to think about what it overheard, Mareanie cares very deeply about her trainer (as seen in the flashbacks) despite how much tougher the Toxapex seem to be. Heck even after having a “fisticuffs” with the Toxapex at the beach, both respected each other and James even saved it from an attacking Tentacruel! He ended falling in love with him too after that LOL...everyone loves James! We rarely get to see episodes focusing on a specific Team Rocket Pokémon (Meowth excluded), so I’m happy to see some development between these two.

FEBRUARY - Evolution by (Nya)Heat

First revealed in the CoroCoro spoiler for that month, everyone was anticipating Ash’s Litten to evolve very soon. In this episode, we witnessed the debut of “The Masked Royal” and his Incineroar taking part in Battle Royals seen on Alolan television. While Ash & friends were inside the Battle Royal Dome watching a Battle Royal take place, Litten saw how strong Incineroar was and unexpectedly stepped into the ring to battle it. With The Masked Royal opening up his next Battle Royal match against Ash, Kiawe and Sophocles (who was also wearing a mask lol), he and Incineroar were able to wipe them all out. Litten was determined from that defeat and “fired-up” itself to get stronger by doing some special training with Ash along with the rest of his team. The next day, The Masked Royal offers a rematch in which they immediately accepted. In that re-match, we finally saw our little Litten evolve into one tough Torracat in a very fiery evolution sequence that you don’t see every day. Evolving wasn’t enough to beat Incineroar unfortunately, but on the bright side it was able to learn a new move in Flame Charge! Also it seems that Lana’s interest with muscles seem to be a running gag in the series xD As for The Masked Royal, I’m sure this wasn’t gonna be the last we see of him, and it’s really interesting to see a mentor-rival relationship he has with Ash. He does look familiar right? Hm.

MARCH - Team Skull vs. Illima’s Eeveelution Illusion

The pretty boy is here! Ilima makes his anime debut as an honorary graduate guest of the Pokémon school (which is a perfect fit since he did graduate from the Trainers’ school in the games). They do some cool activities with Kukui’s class like diving off a tree to a big pond of water and engage in some serious games of Pokémon Ping-Pong later on. When Ash challenges him to a battle, it got cut short due to some interference by a certain Team Skull gang. Tupp, who is apparently a childhood “rival” of Ilima’s, wants to some payback because of the fangirls he could have gotten if it weren’t for his Eevee and charming looks. He challenges him to a battle with Salandit, but what he got was a powerful dose of Ilima’s Eevium Z! The move Extreme Evoboost to be exact, and every Eeveelution was spiritually there to gave Ilima’s Eevee a big power boost and deliver a Z-move. Not only was he able to defeat Tupp with that move, but also stole the hearts of multiple female Team Skull grunts. I honestly feel bad for Tupp...guess he needs to humble down a bit? Speaking of Team Skull, I do love that these grunts are getting some screen-time in this episode. Now if only their leader or a “big sister” showed up (:

APRIL - Starship Sophocles

The spotlight goes to Sophocles this month for orchestrating a plan to bring an Ultra Beast back into space! In one of the Ultra Guardian missions to prevent the UBs from staying in the real world, Celesteela proved to be a real challenge being stuck to the ground for about 200 years! Before even receiving the mission, Sophocles knew about the UB being stuck there and even asked his classmates for help with attempting to shovel it out there. I just love the fact that everyone joins in without question to help a friend in need. He continued doing more research about Celesteela, but struggled to find a solution that wouldn’t hurt it. “The Celestial Starship” legend Sophocles grew up with meant a lot to him, and wanted to protect the Celesteela just like what that couple in that story did to the bamboo-looking celestial...protect it at all costs until it was able to find its way back to the moon. Thanks to further excavation and a Beast Ball method, anything is possible! Eventually after the Ultra Guardians fought off Team Rocket's dastardly plans, UB-04 was able to rocket its engines safety as it disappears into the atmosphere. Sophocles finally has a peace of mind. I’m glad that we got some Sophocles development out of it because we got to know more about his heart towards Pokémon rather than his already knowledgable brain. I honestly thought that Celesteela would get more of a menacing role, but I guess it just likes to smile every time there is full moon. Hopefully it’s there right now :D

MAY - The Ula'ula Trials with Nanu & Acerola

The whole month of May in general was one of my favorites because it mainly featured the appearances Kahuna Nanu and Acerola (along with her Shiny ghost Mimikyu) in the anime! Acerola with her sweet attitude toward the kids she was caring for and even made friends with a wild Gengar. Then we got the Kendama cat-master Nanu who has ties with Team Rocket’s Giovanni. He is the one responsible of how Team Rocket got their Z-ring in the first place to finally use the Darkium Z they’ve been carrying for a while. Ash (traveling by himself) spent a lot of time in Ula'ula Island just to get that Grand Trial with Nanu and my goodness did he earn it! After a painful first lost against the old man, Acerola (with an assistance form Tapu Bulu too) was able to help Ash out in improving himself for the epic rematch. Pikachu learning Electro Web, Rowlet being able to use Razor Leaf and Lycanroc controlling its berserk behavior when it gets wet PLUS even learning Stone Edge and Counter in the process! After all of what’s happened, the training paid off when Ash defeated Nanu in the Grand Trial rematch earning him a Lycanium Z. This pretty much felt like a really big mini-arc, and all I can just say is that I’m happy to see Nanu do that Darkium Z pose...not as good as it was in the game but it was still a treat. Also the Uncle relationship that Acerola has with Nanu is adorable. Back to Melemele we go!

JUNE - Lillieum Z

It’s Lillie’s time to shine once again getting some solid development with her trainer skills. I am talking about the episode where the entire class gets lost inside an ice cave that is apparently connected to Mount Lanakila. It’s one of those episodes where everyone pretty much gets split-up into groups. I just really love these types of episodes in general because we always get to see sub-groups from the main cast that we don’t really get to see since we usually see them in a full group or a 1-on-1 hangout. We got Ash & Kiawe on one end, while we have Lana, Rotom Dex and Kiawe’s Alolan Marowak on the other. However the main focus was on the trio of Mallow, Sophocles & Lille attempting to find their way to the others. They did starve, but luckily Mallow had some spare cookies to share! They also discover a group of wild Alolan Sandshrew  getting threatened by a Tyranitar while the group was self-training. Lillie had the courage to intervene and challenges Tyranitar to a Double Battle with Snowy and the Sandshrew leader of the group! After fending off the bully, that Sandshrew evolved (via an Ice Stone found by Sophocles’s Charjabug in which Snowy declined to evolve) into an Alolan Sandslash and gave Lillie an Icium Z to show their gratitude for protecting the group. You’d think that it would get stronger if Snowy would have evolved instead, but NOPE. Our little frosty Vulpix had the same attitude similar to Ash’s Pikachu and fought off that Tyranitar with its own power along with Lillie’s bravery. An Alolan Ninetales would be cool though, but I guess cuteness prevails over beauty...and that’s how I like it :3

JULY - Talk to the Legs

It’s time for dance lessons! I was actually on a tumblr break when this episode aired, so I never really got a chance to talk about it. In one of the more fun assignments Kukui has given out to the class, everyone is required (or at least attempt) in teaching their Pokémon how to dance for an upcoming Pokémon Dance recital activity. Mallow wanted a more traditional dance so she is teaching Steenee the Alola Hula with the help of our friendly old lady Anela at the Hau'oli market. On the day of the performances, Team Rocket crashes the party in style as Jessie & James were crossdressing once again! All were trapped in pairs of cages except Steenee, who was the only hope in saving the day. Once it leaped to one of the cages and stomping on it, it ended up learning the move Stomp. And if you’ve played the games and know your Pokémon, you know what happens next...enter Tsareena! With stronger and bigger legs, she immediately gets rid of Team Rocket’s capturing equipment. Bewear steals the show out of nowhere making its obligatory snagging of the Rocket fam after their plans have failed. Even after evolving, Rowlet is still attracted to the sweet scent, but ended up getting a hard kick in the air that’s more powerful than ever. Better luck next time b0rb...I also do want to add that I am pleased that we got to see Kiawe’s Wela dance with Marowak (I believe this was the first time we saw him doing that?). It’s just like how he is portrayed in the games!

AUGUST - Mina Connection

In another episode I missed on covering (during my break) was the beginning of the signs leading to the “Blinding One" (Japanese: Radiant One). One of my favorite and underrated characters from the Sun & Moon games, Mina (with her Ribombee) also makes an appearance as she served an important role to what Poipole was going to do. Our sticky Ultra Beast becomes inspired after seeing Mina’s paintings, and wanted to express the love Poipole has for its “Alolan family” using its ink. Mina also noticed how much it “like, like, loved” her paintings that she got inspired herself to draw a beautiful portrait of Ash, Kukui and Burnet (along with Poipole, Rotom Dex, Pikachu & Munchlax). That is pretty much Poipole’s Alolan family ever since getting caught by Ash. Lusamine and the others were thrilled to see how Poipole was expressing its emotions through the ink in hopes to further research the vague illustrations. Meanwhile, a certain Team Skull trio engaged in an art competition (hosted by Mina) that didn’t go so well after Tupp showed an awful (he tried his best!) drawing of his Salandit. Eventually Poipole had a dark dream of what looks to be other Poipoles and a Naganadel that looked to be very weak. Ever since that dream, Poipole started drawing very familiar shapes that seem to resemble the Blinding One.

SEPTEMBER - The United Islands of Alola

The conclusion to the Poipole/Necrozma arc is probably the biggest highlight for the series in 2018. From Gladion joining the Ultra Guardians, to Team Rocket’s Matori Matrix attempting catch a fused Necrozma, to Nebby returning to assist with the mission, to rescuing and healing a weakened Lunala, to visiting Poipole’s homeworld and hear a Naganadel talk in their minds...I’m at the edge of my seat! The whole time this arc felt like it could be one Pokémon movie. This should probably make-up for why there really isn’t an Alola-region based Pokémon movie for this series specifically. But going back on topic, the entire region of Alola was still in crisis as Necrozma absorbs all the Z-power the Ultra Guardians tried to strike back with, even after separating it from Nebby. So what does everyone do? UNITE! Not just the Ultra Guardians, not just the Aether Foundation, not just the Kahunas participating in the Manalo Festival, but Alola as a whole teamed up in various locations where citizens swarmed together and gave their “light” by doing Tapu Koko’s pose to bring Necrozma back to its normal form! In one last Ultra stand, Nebby (with Ash holding Solganium Z) and Lunala (with Gladion holding Lunalium Z) gave one final blow to Necrozma. After unleashing the combination of Z-moves, Ultra Necrozma rises from the light and uses its power to restore all the damage that has been done to Alola, thus ending the chaos ensuing in the region. In other news, Faba is probably the only person to know that Professor Kukui is indeed The Masked Royal after calling in his Incineroar to ward off the Matori Matrix.

Of course the most depressing thing out of all this is saying goodbye to our little sticky Poipole friend who had to go back to its home world. Before leaving, it painted Ash & Pikachu’s face as a goodbye gesture. The flashback scenes, and the music in the end was absolutely magnificent to top it all off! We’ll miss you old friend…the series isn’t over yet, so maybe we’ll see it again one day :’D

OCTOBER - Pika Pika Sunday Funday...~pika!

In the heels of releasing our Poipole friend back to its home world, the anime has officially made its move Sunday nights in Japan (episodes have always aired on Thursdays since 1997, so this was pretty historic). Our heroes obviously need some rest and good ol’ fun after what they’ve been through with the Necrozma crisis. We find Ash, Kiawe, and his little sister Mimo visit a Pikachu Valley where they meet a Pikarla, a huge Pikachu fangirl enthusiast. Pikarla gives everyone (including Rotom Dex) a set of Pikachu ear headbands and tails during their entire stay at the valley to the point where she gives them all Pika-names! She even gave Team Rocket some Pika-attire when they came in after Mimikyu hazes the valley in anger (you probably know why). As Team Rocket uses their Mimikium Z to capture all the Pikachu, Pikarla steps in and pulls down one of her wrist bracelets revealing a Z-Ring. She and her shiny Pikachu, Bancho, perform the Z-move Catastropika to release all the Pikachu that have been caught by Team Rocket as they blasted off in the distance (don’t worry Bewear catches them lol). Ash was interested with the move...now if only his Pikachu learned, or should I say re-learn, Volt Tackle :| In the end, Pikarla assembles all of the Pikachu in the valley that was rescued for a roll call with descriptive and specific names for each one. Unfortunately for Ash and Kiawe, they stuck around for that full roll call which literally took the entire day!

NOVEMBER - Hau long have we waited for him!?

FINALLY, Hau makes his long overdue appearance in the anime! Even though we haven’t seen his malasada loving personality yet, I’m just satisfied that we have a worthy rival and new friend for Ash. During this timeline, he still has yet to defeat his grandfather’s trial (Kahuna Hala) in which Ash already did. Impressed by his accolades, he challenges Ash to a battle with his Dartrix. Due to Rowlet’s lack of training, Ash is defeated but promises to beat Hau in their next rematch the following day. Determined for Rowlet to get stronger, he goes back to the place where our birb got raised. Thanks to Toucannon and our Trumbeak friends in a very unique training session (I mean with how Ash demonstrated Bullet Seed), Rowlet is now able to use Seed Bomb! During that process however, it did swallow an Everstone which does prevent it from evolving. When Ash gets his rematch with Hau, he is victorious and the seed spitting paid off! Hau is heavily upset by the loss (nearly tearing up), but quickly picks himself up vowing to battle Ash again after clearing Hala’s trial. I’m just so happy of Hau’s friendly but competitive rival attitude towards Ash, and actually seeing him as strong opponent not to be taken likely. As for our little round birb, I’m not surprised if it won’t be evolving anytime soon because of the Everstone it loves swallow, but hey you never know! One day it could get sick of it, and spit it out for good :3 Then it will grow into a healthy and powerful Decidueye! But for now, I guess the world still needs a lovable Rowlet at all times.

DECEMBER - The Eevee of the Sea, Nagisa

Eevee, where are you going? That has been the question for the past two months ever since this shaggy little Pokémon showed up in special shorts at every end of the episode. Well the Eevee finally reached its destination in the Alola region making friends with Pikachu and others. Meanwhile, Lana and her sisters are thrilled when they heard that their dad is finally coming home. While shopping for supplies for the warm welcome, Lana’s Popplio recognizes an Eevee that is getting chased by an Alolan Persian (the same one that bullied Litten before!) and decides to chase after it. After a whacky and adventurous run around the city, they were able to lose site of Pershie but ran into Team Skull grunts by the beach. When Rapp and Tupp have an argument (and a tug of war with Eevee’s body) on who gets to keep Eevee, Ash & friends were there to break it up! The grunts struck back with all their Pokémon ready for battle, but Lana decides to personally take it in her own hands and commands Popplio to use Aqua Jet, only to have it develop into a wonderful Surf attack. With Eevee joining by Popplio’s side, it gave the final attack with a big Double-Edge to send them flying. The highlight of all this is when Lana gets encouraged by her classmates to capture this ocean loving Eevee as her own, and I like the fact that she used Dive Ball to do it! Not just that, she also nicknames it “Nagisa” (from what I understand it means beach). This is what I’ve been wanting for the anime to have consistently in the past, to use different types of Poké balls and give more options for nicknames just like how it always offers us in the games. Not only did Popplio gain a best friend in Nagisa, but is now part of the Lana’s family with a brand new and clean haircut. It even gave her father the most welcoming and loving gesture of all...a tackle attack to the gut <3

Some honorable mentions…

2018 for PokéAni was one heck of an ULTRA year! It mainly revolved around the Ultra Guardians’ missions in bringing back the Ultra Beasts to where they came from. Other than that, we also got to see Lana & Mallow’s childhood past, the Wela Volcano Hikers return, Rotom Dex shenanigans with form changing and even joining the set of Detective Laki. We got 1-hour specials seeing Lana make friends with a Dewpider plus seeing Mallow’s big brother visiting home, and the recent 2-parter with Dia and his Zeraora in the mysterious Ultra Ruin. For Team Rocket, they temporarily get an Alolan Meowth in their base until it got promoted to HQ, but gets a permanent family member with a Stufful later on (Bewear’s child). We were introduced to the notorious Viren (you may know him as Bourgain in Japanese) who wanted to take down a family ranch, the Battle Royal Dome, and even build his own resort tower all for selfish profit! We also had fun ones like Ash dressing up as a female nurse the class helping Nurse Joy at the Pokémon Center, a field trip to a hot spring paradise resort, and the class making their own school play. We also had bizarre ones like Faba accidentally shrinking Ash, Lillie & Sophocles, or Acerola’s haunted house turning into a real ghost Pokémon fantasy. I also want to mention one of the more emotional ones such as the Minior episode where we were first introduced to Molayne and his observatory. Such a strong theme of having precious memories with a sad outcome due to the nature of that certain Pokémon :(

Team Skull were featured in quite a couple of episodes this year as well, and I can’t wait to see what they bring in 2019! Could it finally be the year of Guzma? Or maybe it might be the year of The Masked Royal? We saw a lot of him too this past year, and I’m sure Professor Burnet would love to see more of that...she did hold his hand after all :> Overall, I like the fact that the Sun & Moon anime gave us a variety of different stories every week because of how different each theme and storytelling is. Just look at the list of episodes we’ve had this year, and it’s amazing how we still get some character development out of most of them. If you are still thinking on whether or not to continue watching the series (or if you never started yet), please do watch! It can only get better from here, and I’m sure we’ll get news of an Alola League sooner or later.

And there you have it! There are some moments that I didn’t mention here since this post as long as it already is, so I’ll stop here. If you’ve read everything I had to say (I probably got typos don’t I? lol), then thank you for your time! Feel free share your own favorite PokéAni moment 2018 with a reblog or a reply if you choose to do so. Thanks again for an amazing year, and it’s time for us to ENNJOOYYY 2019′s fun moments and maybe even some surprises. We ended the year with Brock & Misty, and we’re starting 2019 with Brock & Misty! Now that is how you end with a bang and kick-off a party. See y’all in 2019 in what possibly could be the last year for this series. Let’s go and make the most of it ;)

Happy New Year to all my followers, and the rest of the Pokémon fandom!