Pokémon The Power of Us (2018) First Viewing Thoughts.

Before I get started, I would like to thank Dogasu for being able to provide the prize tickets that I got to attend a theatrical showing of this movie. My plan was to do this post after the movie aired on Disney XD; and I will still do the recap after that, with my goal to have it done and ready to post by Christmas Eve as my final Pokémon recap. Still, due to the change in plans; I will give you my thoughts on my first viewing of Pokémon The Power of Us.

First off, I will give you the dub names for each new character. Risa keeps her Japanese name, since that was one of the most common Romanizations for it. Her brother Riku is called Rick. Largo is called Margo. Hisui, the old woman is called Harriet. The scientist Torito is called Toren. The braggard Kagachi is called Callahan. His niece Lily is called Kelly (due to another character already having a similar name) and her mother Mia keeps her Japanese name. Mayor Oliver also keeps his Japanese name. This is also the first theatrical Pokémon movie to be rated PG by the MPAA (not counting Mewtwo Returns or the Darkrai movie), so here we go.

After a reel of highlights from the series’ history and some behind-the-scenes stuff from the Detective Pikachu movie (still looks like fun, by the way), the film begins. It’s different, but I actually rather like it. It almost doesn’t seem like a Pokémon movie at first. If it weren’t for the names and music, it could be the opening to Beauty and the Beast (the 1991 original, not the 2017 remake). Ash isn’t the first character we see even. Risa is, and the film a strong sequel to I Choose You overall even if The List and The Guardian didn’t like it.

I was wondering what would happen when Kunihiko Yuyama handed the reins to Tetsuo Yajima, but I am quite pleased with what he’s doing. Visually, his experience with the series overall and Origins/XY in particular was perfect. Everything is dynamic and colorful, and even in scenes where there isn’t much action, each scene is full of lively details. Even though I was curious how the film would handle the ensemble cast, everyone seems to play off each other naturally. It’s simple idea in any kind of world-building. Making the setting of Fula City and its inhabitants fully realized definitely helps this new continuity as a sequel to last year’s movie, which I absolutely loved.

Voice acting is relatively solid across the board, very energetic without being too over the top. I am also surprised to find out the score from the Japanese movie is intact. I don’t know what will happen in the future, but we’ll see. I don’t mind what TCPI does for the music, but I can’t deny it was really cool to hear the anime version of the GSC Rival theme in a theater with digital sound setup.

I won’t be addressing any major spoilers, that can wait for the Disney XD premiere and my full look at the movie. I will briefly say that all politics aside; this movie is essentially The Last Jedi of the Pokémon franchise. Not only does it have plenty of surprises, there will be lots of people that will love this movie and many that will hate it, ironically for many of the same reasons. I openly admit that I fall in the “love it” camp for both. It not only reminds me of the older movies, but also of the 1986 Transformers movie and the first two 1990s TMNT movies in style and tone.

As for how I would rank the movie, I would put it on the same level of quality as the last movie. It’s an excellent new direction for the series; and I’m eager to see what comes next even beyond this blog. Regarding Mewtwo Strikes Back Evolution: I just hope it’s a better Evolution than Dragonball Evolution. With this, I shall begin work on my recap of the movie once it airs on December 8 on Disney XD. I still want to have it, along with my remaining non-Akira posts done by Christmas Eve. That will be all for now. Later.

Blog Update 11/22/18.

Hello everyone. First off, Happy Thanksgiving. Second, I want everyone to know that I am still hard at work on my remaining blog posts; and I still plan to address Pokémon Let’s Go once I get my Switch out of layaway. I will say that I am pleased that it’s proven successful critically and commercially despite fan skepticism. I will get into more detail later, but now, I will definitely get right on finishing what I have started. That’s all for now. Later.

The Other Banned Pokémon Episodes.

Before I get into a "deep dive" with my copy of Pokémon Let's Go Pikachu on Nintendo Switch, I thought I would do this post to address the other banned episodes of Pokémon that I haven't been able to yet. Ultimately, I decided against doing individual posts for them because of how some of them never aired even in Japan; and one had material to recap, but I decided not to for reasons I shall explain below. So let's get this started.

Advanced Generation, "The Shaking Island! Barboach VS Whiscash!" -Never aired due to earthquake and tsunami prior to first airing in Japan

Whiscash and a trainer during feeding time.

This episode of the Advanced Generation, which would have taken place chronologically between "Solid as a Solrock" (the gym battle with Tate and Liza) and "Vanity Affair" (which saw the debut of Elite Four member Drake); ended up getting pulled due to the Chuetsu earthquake of 2004. The only evidence of this episode's existence as of this writing are a handful of still shots and an episode preview in Japanese; and this episode also resulted in the anime retiring the moves Earthquake, Fissure and Magnitude. While this may not be the biggest example of the removal of an episode due to natural disasters, the next examples are ones I have been wanting to address for years.

Best Wishes/Black and White, "Team Rocket VS Team Plasma, Parts 1 and 2"-Initially delayed, later indefinitely postponed due to 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami

Two operatives from Team Plasma in disguise.

Team Plasma grunts awaiting orders at Desert Resort.

When these episodes were first previewed in early 2011, I was among many who were excited to see how this would turn out; especially as someone who was and is still a big fan of Generation V. I had just gotten the games, and I definitely enjoyed how the anime was approaching its concepts. This two-parter was touting quite a bit in its preview, and it was definitely looking to be an event not to be missed. Then, on March 11, 2011, six days before they were scheduled to air; the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami struck. The disaster left thousands dead, injured and missing; and resulted in billions of dollars in damage.

What I remember most about the time right afterwards was how quiet it was. Even if I wasn't coming home from my freshman term of college the following week, I was worried about how people were over there. I had friends online over there, and people both in and out of the series I admired. So, my concern was less about how this would turn out and more about if they were all right. When communications were restored, I was thankful to know they were okay. Among other series, this was one of many that was fundamentally changed by the disaster. While the producers initially intended to merely delay the episodes due to the tragedy (even re-editing others to reflect this), they were ultimately indefinitely postponed; and Team Plasma's story had to be extensively rewritten later on. Still, for what it's worth; I totally understand why they had to, and I definitely enjoyed what I got with Episode N nonetheless.

Sun and Moon, "Ash and Passimian! Touchdown of Friendship!"-Skipped in the English dub because of unfortunate makeup choices

Ash disguised as a Passimian.

Even though I have enjoyed the Sun and Moon series so far for its unique take on the world of Pokémon, that's not to say that it's been without its hiccups even after the initial furor over the changes in story structure and art design have died down. Case in point: this episode, which revolves around Ash trying to resolve a conflict between two factions of Passimian. While I do think the episode was pretty fun overall, the major reason why it has been skipped in the English dub is due to some rather unfortunate makeup Ash dons in the second half in order to help quell the fighting between the Passimian. While this isn't the first time this has happened (many episodes involving Jynx, including some I've looked at here are currently considered apocryphal as far as TPCI is concerned), it definitely doesn't help given the connotations the disguise has; and that Passimian are derivative of monkeys; often an antiquated slur for minorities, so... yeah. My stance can best be summed up by some tweets around the time the news first broke, which had words to the effect of, "this episode is being skipped in the dub, and uh, I can see why."

As for Disney, when someone asks me why they weren't willing to take the risk in airing the episode; my reply usually begins like this: "do the words "Song of the South" mean anything to you?" Obviously, they wouldn't want to turn one of the assets they have in their wheelhouse into a liability. It's the same reason why Tiana had to be reanimated for Ralph Breaks the Internet. For that matter, while some have posited that the episode has merely been delayed, so some of the more troubling scenes can be reanimated and re-edited for foreign markets; I have yet to find anything to confirm or deny this. Furthermore, the placeholder title of "Turning Heads and Training Hard" was instead used for the following episode; which introduced the character of Ilima. So, unless the Passimian show up again (so far, they've only appeared on one of Mina's paintings since this episode), I don't think this one being skipped will affect the narrative overall the way Ash's 30 Tauros have.

Now, I shall get back to work on more of my remaining material; and potentially enjoying Let's Go Pikachu on my new Switch soon. That will be all for now. Later.

Recap: The Breeding Center Secret

Hello everyone, and welcome to my final Kanto Pokémon recap. I thought about what I wanted to do it on for a while, and I ultimately decided to make it easy and recap the first season finale. So, let's open up "The Breeding Center Secret!"

We open with Todd Snap joining Ash, Brock and Misty on their way to Cinnabar Island; with Todd deciding to take some pictures of Togepi! Little side note: I am still working on my ranking of all the gym battles of the series, and I will definitely have it out before my retirement at the end of this year.

An advertisement appears after a weather report, for a "Five Star Breeding Center" that emphasizes "love power,"  but given how much I've seen in the 20-odd years I've been a fan and 6 years or so I've been writing about this series, I know there's an ulterior motive at hand.

Of course, Brock is enamored with the pretty girl running the center; and as I said in the last recap, it always amused me how many details about breeding they had to embellish before the mechanic was formally introduced in Generation II.

Misty decides to leave her Psyduck at the breeding center, with the lady at the desk comparing its eyes to ping-pong balls, to which Misty retorts that she wishes "she had a paddle." Interesting quip, given how Pokémon Ping-Pong is actually a sport in both Sinnoh and Alola. Not making that up at all.

Despite Ash snarking that it "would take a miracle" to fix how clueless Psyduck looks, Misty still decides to leave it behind at the breeding center. To think people are weirded out by the Detective Pikachu trailer.

After that, everyone is walking down the street when they come across a restaurant advertising; and I quote: "All U Can Eat Free." Still better marketing than that terrible "Millennial Monopoly." I prefer to be called a "child of the '90s," and would much rather finish paying off this Nintendo Switch I have on layaway so I can play the copy of Let's Go Pikachu I'm picking up.

The chef in charge of the restaurant says the buffet is indeed free on the condition they show him his favorite Pokémon, and wouldn't you know it, it happens to be the Psyduck they just dropped off!

Paint me like one of your girls from Kalos.

Upon hearing the restaurant will soon receive 50 gallons of ice cream, everyone doubles back to the center to find it closed! However, when they notice the door is unlocked, they realize something rotten is happening!

It turns out the breeding center is a front for a pair of Team Rocket operatives known as Cassidy and Butch, continuing the naming convention of naming them for famous criminals. They are actually much more competent than the usual operatives, but more on that in a moment.

As Todd starts taking pictures of the facility, they're nearly found out by Butch, but luckily, they're able to hide for the moment just as the usual gang of Jessie, James and Meowth comes in through the window! James gets excited, and when Meowth tells him to keep it quiet, he addresses him as "James Bond." Interestingly enough, this episode aired the same year that The World is Not Enough came out in theaters.

And no slappers or Odd Job! Goldeneye! Pierce Brosnan!

Just then, everyone is found out by Butch and Cassidy, and it starts off them being their own rivals to Jessie and James! Though I still disagree with Dogasu on some things, I do thank him for letting me know that Eric Stuart apparently based his performance off Harvey Firestein; though to me it always sounded more like Marge Simpson's sisters, Patty and Selma after years of chain-smoking.

"When we were kids, we were playing with bottle rockets, and one went up my nose: I permanently lost my sense of taste and smell." 

The next step is to escape from the compound, but not before James picks up his Weepinbell; which somehow has evolved into a Victreebel! I don't know if they had any Leaf Stones, but this ends up being the first of many Pokémon that show their affection towards James by trying to eat him (I especially like how his Mareanie does this in the Sun and Moon series).

Only Misty and Pikachu are able to successfully escape, and Butch and Cassidy are somehow able to convince Officer Jenny that they're the victims rather than the instigators, and she buys it! I mean, no guarantee to a trial by jury of peers? No legal counsel or writ of Habeas corpus as to why they're being held? No actually interrogating them to determine what really happened?

Tom Servo: What kind of SHITHOLE planet is this?!

However, Misty realizes that Todd has the evidence on his camera, and devises a plan to retrieve it so she can develop the film and clear her friends' names. She does so by having Pikachu slip in with the most '90s disguise she has on an already '90s outfit. 

She does ask for Psyduck back so it won't seem weird, but it's no weirder than how Detective Pikachu looks. I still submit if I can suspend disbelief for a movie about Paul Rudd as an Ant-Man and an afro-futuristic movie with a wholly African-American main cast, seeing Ryan Reynolds and Justice Smith solve mysteries should be a fun way to kill a couple hours. 

She's able to have the film developed and clear her friends, as well as out Butch and Cassidy as the real criminals! Though, she does hang Jessie and James out to dry. I am definitely going to enjoy fighting them again when I get Let's Go Pikachu, among other games on my prospective Switch.

Jenny, of course, is not happy she's been had; and everyone doubles back to the breeding center to raid the place!

While not quite as dark as other smuggling schemes they've had in the games, I rather like the battle that ensues in the fake breeding center; which leads to Butch and Cassidy's arrest and new recurring adversaries. So, we close on everyone binging on the free buffet and plenty of ice cream before Todd leaves everyone to take photographs, and everyone else heads back to Cinnabar Island! Tomorrow is the launch of #PokémonLetsGo!

As the first season finale and an episode to end my Kanto recaps, "The Breeding Center Secret" is a fun experience that I have enjoyed for many years, and an episode that I can credit with helping breakup my repeated viewings of "Primeape Goes Bananas." The animation is quite nice for the time, and the remaster they've done is a great way to cap off the first of many successful seasons for this show. This anime helped get me started, it's only right that it helps me finish my work on this blog. I have a few episodes left in other seasons that I'm working on, and you will definitely see them before the year is out. Though Disney XD still hasn't announced an air date for The Power of Us, if it follows the pattern of the last movie, it should come on TV not long after its brief theatrical run. I'm having fun with my Zeraora DLC, and my goal is still to ideally have the recap done and posted by Christmas Eve. I also have plenty more between then and now, so keep an eye out for it. I'm going to pick up my copy of Let's Go Pikachu tomorrow morning, and I will let you know what I think of it after I finish paying off my Nintendo Switch and spend some time with it. That's all for now. Bang.

Recap: Who Gets to Keep Togepi?

Hello everyone. With the early press response to #PokemonLet'sGo being uniformly positive and the new trailer for the Detective Pikachu movie going viral; I thought I would address an episode I've been wanting to for ages as one of my last two Kanto episode recaps. So, let's open up "Who Gets to Keep Togepi?"

We open on Ash getting a message from Professor Oak when he, Brock and Misty stop at a local Pokémon Center. I always found it amusing how Oak not only knew they'd be there, but also make a greeting card with his image in it.

The message says for Ash to call him, which he does to give him an update on his progress. The Muk he caught in a previous episode is also quite, shall we say, "affectionate" towards the professor.

Before Oak tells him to collect more badges and Pokémon, he also upgrades his Pokédex to the latest version of its OS, which; on a 1999 setup and some Star Trek: TNG noises, is done in moments; complete with a new voice! Huh. It took me 19 days to setup my new iPhone. 

I also like how the title gives a tease for what's about to happen, but doesn't give it away. To this day, the development for the series and most others is as follows: you want to think about the future, you have to get started right away.

As everyone maps out their journey to Cinnabar Island, I must once again point out how I had a totally different problem trying to navigate the Seafoam Islands on my Game Boy in those days. Anyway, everyone speculates about what could hatch from the egg; since this was before this mechanic was actually used in the games; let alone the numerous eggs I've hatched in Pokémon Go. Also, no comment on Misty's love and desire for Tentacruel other than this to any detractors reading: get your mind out of the gutter!

Team Rocket also schemes to steal the egg, and they're able to get it mixed up by posing as a pair of Swiss egg sellers with a bunch of decoys! I especially like this phony Misty holds, if everyone will allow me to play this music.

Heading to a cabin acting as their hideout, James wants to cook the egg; but Meowth opts to hatch it himself! Would have been an omelet fit for a king, but instead it's Meowth's dinner buddy! When James asks why he's holding it so much, Meowth replies so it will stay warm! 

Your maternal aspects are an affront to our transparent evilness!

Meowth also decides to take a bath with the egg! Take them away, Calgon!

As the two go to bed, Jessie and James remark they never knew how Meowth could be so revolting! Have you met him?

The next day, the trail of eggs has led right to the cabin where Team Rocket is hiding; somehow! I also like that fake Zubat popping-out of the dummy egg. 

Stupid counterfeit Hatchimals!

James also makes the mistake of trying to serve Meowth scrambled eggs for breakfast; and Meowth responds by going all Rachel Leigh Cook on James with the skillet!

This is what your family goes through, and your LIFE, AND YOUR JOB AND YOUR MONEY!
...Any questions?

Before everyone breaks in to reclaim the egg, I am quite pleased with how good a job the remaster of this episode has turned out once again. I have a handful of these episodes on my iTunes account, and I am seriously considering picking up the Blu-ray release in the near future.

Everyone crashes through the window, and I don't know why; but I always liked how savage Ash looked as he smugly says, "That's funny: I thought this was OUR egg!" More on that in a moment, since now the egg must not just be reclaimed, but also protected from breaking!

Hope you like your egg with a little salt, fellas!

The egg ultimately ends up safe thanks to Pikachu, and as it starts hatching, Misty comes in to see what it is! It hatches into the first of many beloved monster egg babies: Togepi!

As everyone marvels at the then-new Pokémon, the only questions remains is who does it belong to? Though it has bonded with Misty, Brock helped incubate it, and Ash was the one that found it! I must once again point out that Dogasu once again had a lot of great information that helped my writing about this episode in his comparison; but I must also disagree with his comments about Veronica Taylor's vocal performance here. Being a man in my position, there's more than one way to tell how someone is feeling, especially when they're mad. The facial cues clearly say he's angry about this disagreement.

Though it's more "aggressive sales pitch" angry than "Diablo Immortal backlash" angry, admittedly.

Meowth chimes in to say how much he did to help, which leads to an informal tournament over who Togepi will join! ... While I did break my moratorium on tournament arcs with my look at "Kuwabara's Spirit Sword," I still have a couple episodes I'm contemplating addressing before my retirement.

The first heat is Meowth VS Brock, and though he has a type disadvantage, he grabs a couple buckets of water as he proclaims "Meowth never says die!"

Dousing Onix in the water, Meowth is able to land a critical blow on him; and it also turns out this tourney is a single-elimination! 

The next heat is Ash vs Misty, and the match between Bulbasaur and Psyduck is just a hoot! Though the use of "Lick" and "Tickle" is not quite the same as it would be in the games, I am looking forward to seeing more of these two in Detective Pikachu.

Misty grudgingly concedes to Ash, setting up the final heat between him and Meowth! Despite Meowth's determination, he walks headfirst into Pikachu's tail! Here we go!

Insert "surprised Pikachu" reaction here.

Ash wins the tournament and Togepi, but rather than be like a competitive DLC prize, Togepi chooses Misty; which the Pokédex upgrade confirms is how it imprinted her as its surrogate mother! While not everyone was a fan of this, I rather liked how it complimented her character and let the tomboyish mermaid keep her spunk. So, we close on this egg baby jumping into Misty's arms as the journey continues! Only three more days till #PokemonLet'sGo!

"Who Gets to Keep Togepi?" is easily a fun episode without question, which remains fun after all these years. Though it took quicker than I usually like when I was quickly getting this together on my Netflix profile (much like how I want to quickly get the dough I need to get the Nintendo Switch I have paid off from layaway), I definitely enjoyed working on it overall. This is an episode that many people have an affection for, and I am no exception. I just have one more Kanto episode in mind before I pick up my copy of  Let's Go Pikachu this Friday, and I want to really make sure it's finished before then so I can move onto my remaining projects. That's all for now. Later.

Pokémon: Detective Pikachu (2019) Trailer Thoughts.

Hello everyone. First off, Happy Veteran's Day to everyone observing today. Second, I have been meaning to address the new developments about this for a while now; and that time is finally upon me.

Pokémon: Detective Pikachu (originally titled Detective Pikachu) will release on May 10, 2019. Originally intended for distribution under Universal, Legendary will now again partner with Warner Brothers Pictures; who worked together on franchises such as Godzilla and The Dark Knight Saga. WB had also distributed the first three movies under their Kids WB banner.

While there is some creative license, overall; the film looks to be relatively faithful to the tone of the video game. I especially like Ryan Reynolds handling the title role, being a sort of PG-rated take on his role in the Deadpool films. I also like how the Pokémon are rendered, since they thankfully translate better to live-action than other franchises I've seen (though I admit Pancham still looks like he has a bad case of Youngblood's disease). I definitely understand why they're not doing the main games/show right away; though I am open to the idea later on. At worst, I can't imagine it being worse than Dragonball Evolution or the 1993 Super Mario Bros. movie.

Between this movie, Avengers 4, John Wick Chapter Three, Godzilla King of the Monsters and the new Aladdin; I think May 2019 will be lots of fun. That will be all for now, I will get back to work on my last couple Kanto recaps before #PokémonLetsGo comes out. Later.

Recap: Holy Matrimony

Hello everyone. This is going to be one of the last Kanto recaps I have in mind, and is one I have been wanting to do for some time. With this year also marking my brother's one-year anniversary; let's continue looking forward to Generation VIII and #PokémonLet'sGo and open up "Holy Matrimony!"

We open on Ash, Misty and Brock on their travels, with the Pokémon egg in tow. They come across a missing child poster; and notice the boy on it is a younger version of James! I have been wanting to talk about this for ages.

A man named Hopkins then comes rolling up in a limousine, and asks everyone if they've seen the boy in the photograph. When they identify James, Hopkins is ecstatic; and drives everyone to the estate.

As the limo pulls out, Jessie and Meowth spot James' photo on the poster; quite pleased that he's rich. while James is less pleased. This episode is easily one of my favorites from Kanto, since it shows why James is the way he is.

Hopkins pulls into the estate, and it turns out that not only did James live in this mansion as a child, they also had a mansion-sized doghouse for his favorite Pokémon: a Growlithe named Growlie. Friggin' rich people in the '90s, man.

They walk in on what's apparently a wake for James' parents, and in hindsight; I'm surprised that 4Kids initially left this scene in, given how much they would change later. If and when Yu-Gi-Oh VRAINS is dubbed, I hope they stop using the "Shadow Realm" as a "Get out of Death Free" card.

Anyway, it turns out that James has 24 hours to marry his fiancee after his parents' death; or their will states all their money and the estate will be donated to charity. Even after Jessie and Meowth find out James is loaded, he's still unwilling to go through with the wedding! While Jessie's rough life in foster care had been hinted at before and since (due to her mother's disappearance and apparent death), James has his own issues at home.

While Ash, Brock and Misty wonder just what will happen; Jessie and Meowth try browbeating James into going through with the marriage, he exclaims he's all mixed up; saying he last remembers being a bike gangster and a Pokémon Tech washout. Yeah, the whole thing with the training camp never happened.

"

The only other thing that James remembers is being lost in the snow with his beloved Growlie; and he apparently froze to death in the cold by the view of stained glass angels on a church window. So, this episode's little taste of Dog of Flanders by way of "The Little Orphan," interesting.

While everyone else is moved by James story, Misty angrily points out the obvious: "JAMES IS STANDING RIGHT THERE!" This redhead's exclamation is also summed up by another Red's words.

The reason bad things happen to you is because you're a dumbass.

Jessie then encourages James to fake his way through the wedding, then elope with all his money! James will have no part of this, but Jessie and Meowth decide to quite literally use him as their puppet; wearing "invisible costumes" that are actually Kuroko costumes; as my associate Dogasu pointed out. Personally, I think "ninjas" would have worked, even if it is obvious.

Yet, Hopkins decides to go along with it anyway. As I have pointed out, I always loved the 

servile snarker archetype for butlers and other manservants.

"You can borrow the Rolls-Royce if you like, just fill it up before you bring it back."

At that moment, James parents' leap out of their caskets; revealing the whole thing to be a ruse! James is further displeased by their trick, but Hopkins grabs him and takes him upstairs to prepare for their wedding. Everything has been the usual Kanto craziness so far, but now, things are really going to get crazy once we see James' betrothed.

Before that, his father's comment about comparing a man that can't settle down to a "bumblebee without a nose" always sounded odd to me. Wouldn't that be a Beedrill, especially since they wouldn't come up with Ribombee for almost 20 years?

I digress: we are then introduced formally to James' crazy fiancee, the reason why he ran away years ago: Jessiebelle!

Miss her, kiss her, love her: that girl is poison!

Everyone still plays along with the charade until they're taken downstairs. However, instead of the vault being full of money, jewels and other valuables; it turns out that, and I never noticed this when I was younger: that James has been led to a "romantic" dungeon with Jessiebelle playing dominatrix to his submissive! ...That's actually the best why I can describe it and still keep things relatively work safe.

Jessiebelle then has her Vileplume incapacitate James with its Spore attack, and Hopkins ejects everyone else from the premises. This is definitely one of the strangest episodes I've seen of the original series, which also means it's one of my favorites.

Upon being thrown out the door, Brock remarks that "every rose has its thorn," and Misty adds that "she's more like a cactus" to describe Jessiebelle. I guess it would be a while before they came up with Cacturne and Maractus.

Then, there's sounds of banging and growling coming from the doghouse; and they all force the door open to release James' beloved Growlie! Leaping into action, Growlie attacks Jessiebelle's Vileplume and rescues James from the dungeon!

Hiding out in Growlie's doghouse, James is very happy to see his favorite Pokémon as Jessiebelle vows to follow him to the ends of the world!

James then finally recounts how much pressure his aristocratic upbringing had; and it was being engaged to the controlling Jessiebelle that led to him running away from home, and the root of his cowardice and goofy persona. Maybe it's just me, but I rather like the idea of making a funny quirk stem from a tragic past.

Even as he ran away, young Jessiebelle wouldn't stop hounding him about how to eat spaghetti; also claiming that "you're not running properly!" Hey, if he's doing this; he's definitely doing it so he can run how he wants.

Jessibelle tries to send Vileplume after James again, but with Growlie and Pikachu's combined attacks; she and her overgrown corpse flower are sent packing. so much so that she knocks Hopkins and James' parents off the veranda and into the Magikarp pond! His mother then quips, "she's much too good for our delinquent son." Maybe he'd have better luck on eHarmony.

As James bid Growlie so long and rejoins Jessie, we close on Jessibelle chasing Ash, Brock and Misty for their help in finding James; also claiming they're "not running properly!" Hey: at least they're wearing sneakers; and you can somehow tail them in heels. Also, reminder: they can run how they want.

Jessiebelle and Growlie will return in Captain Marvel.

"Holy Matrimony" is easily one of my favorite episodes of Kanto; and for good reason: on top of some delightfully crazy storytelling, it definitely shows why James acts the way he is in a way that's surprisingly heartfelt. The animation has also held up quite well over time, and the remastered version on my Netflix profile was very nicely done. With #PokémonLet'sGo out this Friday, I have a couple more Kanto episodes I want to do before then. I will be picking up my copy of Let's Go Pikachu regardless of whether or not I can get my Switch before then, so check back soon for my remaining Kanto recaps. See you, space cowboy.