Pokémon Horizons Is Incredible Now.

The Strongest Pokémon Trainer Ever? https://youtu.be/1Ctc0uxJadg?si=9682TTtZSHqglVrP

There’s an actual proper storyline here. It’s a solid show

1:41 “How can he counter the opponent’s strategy without using the damn sprinkler” Killed me 😂😂

Liko is a breath of fresh air, we get to see her find her ambitions and what she wants to do. She acts like a 10 year old and we see her overcome her anxiety as she becomes friends with dot and roy, she isnt over the moon about battling, but she doesnt hate it either. Shes a good character with a lot of future potential, and i love seeing her build bonds with her pokemon.

I've been watching Horizons since day 01 and I never had any regrets watching it. They are more focused on the story with a hint of battles here and there. This show is well balanced imho and people are now seeing why.

The past few months has brought back the consistent quality of the first 25 episodes.

I personally disagree when he says that the new villains are lacking. Something I disliked about team rocket is that they had no reason to follow ash for several years other than “That twerp has a pretty strong pikachu! Let’s grab it for the boss!” It always bothered me that they were so dumb. A little dumb comedy relief is great now and then, but I love that the new villains (aside from Coral) have more than five brain cells. I love the genius schemes of Spinelle, where he spends time preparing and observing the enemy. I love the headstrong actions of Amethio and the way he and Friede can never quite finish a fight. I love when the tactics the enemy uses isn’t the same pit trap 29 times in a row before finally realizing it doesn’t work. While I’m sad that team rocket has blasted off for the final time, I love the methods and motivations behind every villain. Wouldn’t trade them back if I were given the chance.

if you think about it, the three kids initial failures are narratively similar to ash getting a badge by chea-ehem getting creative in the original season. aside from Roy, they are not really battlers and all of them are only just starting to get what they want out of their journey

"wait... Pokemon Horizons is good?" Always has been.

Horizon really surprised me that they evolved the main characters main Pokémon which honestly made me like the change of protagonist a tiny bit more

The current arc really nailed it with getting gym leaders and E4 members more involved with the main cast. I really enjoyed Horizons from the start, because of how fresh it felt. Mixing that with the new Terastal Course arc made me enjoy the anime more than I ever had. I hope the characters actually learn and remember what they have learned going forward, Ash seemingly forgetting everything he learned is what bugged me a whole bunch.

Ash is a world champ now. Liko has potential as a new protagonist. I like almost everything in the anime thus far. The only thing I dont like is the fact that the gym battles Liko and the rest went through are just "exams". They dont need to win the gym battles. They just need to "pass" their criteria.

We have to appreciate youtubers trying their best to hype the series

I have a feeling this time we will see a character actually grow, like maybe Liko will actually grow into an adult seeing that there are young and adult casts with both themes being dealt with. Battles are there but this time show focuses more on stories with Pokemon

I've noticed the massive shift too, and tbh, I liked the first arcs more than this new one. Having said that, this latest arc feels a lot more like the original pokemon anime, and I'm guessing this shift was completely intentional in response to negative reactions to the first section of Horizons. I also don't dislike this new section at all, the characterization and storytelling is still the best the pokemon series has ever been, but I am sort of hoping this structure is a temporary one. I absolutely loved the more anime-esque style within the pokemon world, and loved the idea that characters could come of age in so many different ways. Horizons really focused on showing that while not everyone is a professional battler, growing stronger, battling, and developing bonds with your pokemon is still important for so many other reasons, and I honestly loved that.

I'm sensing a new approach to the anime. New series/characters every few years (every gen?), just like they do with Pretty Cure for example.

I enjoyed the first part of Horizons. It was refreshing to see a more story driven Pokemon anime than the traditional sports format. I'm still thoroughly enjoying it.

it's always been incredible, just that too many people just can't accept the fact that Ash's journey is done and that this is a whole different character who's journey is completely different now and just contains a few easter eggs and homages to Ash's journey.

I fell in love with it once I heard the theme song. Its a beautiful way to show a story of discovering yourself, a nice balance of vulnerability and courage. But what makes it really special to me is how its about realizing your dreams with a chosen family. Its such an unusual blend of characters all living happily together. It makes me want to buy a big zeppelin with a bunch of my friends, live together, and go on adventures.

You forgot to mention some battles in Horizon got FINALLY some sakuga animation we've been missing since the days of XYZ. Only very few battles in Sun&Moon and Journeys had that (even if I'd personally like even more effects like 3D-camera to the battles). It's maybe not the pinnacle of anime fight eye candy (which I'm not even expecting), but it's still definitely a major upgrade to Ash's last 2 series.