Hey fellas: with the series debuting in the UK Netflix feed and Master Journeys streaming (as well as the next movie); I thought I would review a key quartet of episodes from Pokémon Journeys that have made an impact on the series already. Let's open up the "Sword and Shield" arc for "Pokémon Journeys!"
We open on the Macro Cosmos Energy Plant in Galar, where Chairman Rose and his assistant Oleana; have found a power spike in the facility in Hammerlocke. As I'm about to tell you; this show did a great job establishing them as villains.
Elsewhere, at Cerise Labs in Vermilion City; Ash notices the Dynamax band he received on a previous visit to Galar is glowing with energy! Upon informing Professor Cerise the next morning, he and his "research fellow" Goh are alerted to incidents of Dynamax Pokémon running rampant; and are dispatched to investigate. While some purists initially balked at this change in dynamic; I am among those that is liking this shakeup in story structure- not just adapting Generation VIII; but honoring the lineage of the entire series so far.
Of course, a new season means a new theme song. This one is entitled "The Journey Starts Today" by Walk off the Earth; and it actually really slaps, especially in the full single I'm linking here.
The title card comes up for the first part of this four-part story; "Slumbering Weald!"
Ash and Goh are sent to Wedgehurst in the Galar to see Cerise's colleague, who has information on the recent Dynamax phenomenon. However, first Ash and Goh partake in some tea and scones: there's an easy British reference. Said colleague is Professor Magnolia, Sonia's grandmother and another one of my favorite characters from this generation. Typically, the professors have been among my favorite characters in the franchise, and I'll get into more detail over the course of this review.
Suddenly, the train stops due to heavy fog seeping into the area; and watching this during a time where there's inconsistent air quality where I live, definitely not a stretch. The train opens the doors and windows for air, and an errant Bunnelby comes in to take a scone. Ash and Goh follow the Bunnelby into the Slumbering Weald; where they encounter Zacian and Zamazenta! I also rather like how even the non-physical attacks don't impact them on their first encounter, and just results in the area getting foggier around them. This also tells me the creators did adhere to the source material; and this anime is just as valid as doing a "straightforward" adaptation of the Generation VIII games would be.
Goh catches Bunnelby in the forest, but he and Ash become separated in the process, marking a key catalyst for this story arc. Goh attempts to get a hold of Ash via their Rotom Phones; but thankfully runs into Sonia; who they had met on a previous visit. Some people have Marnie as their favorite female NPC in this generation, but for me; I've always been backing Sonia. Also, remember her car: it's not the fanciest, but it's got it where it counts.
As Ash and Pikachu make their way out of the forest, more Galar particles fall from the sky; one of which hits a Centiskorch, causing it to Gigantimax! Definitely makes me wonder how much longer it will be till we see Kabu in this anime.
Elsewhere, Oleana informs Rose about what's happening, and Rose responds that some of this is "unavoidable, all for the sake of Galar's future." He knew full well this would happen. I know what pushing the wrong button is, and this isn't it: I will get into this more over the course of this review; but this story is what I wanted the Mega Evolution Specials to be.
Despite concerns from Centiskorch's trainer, Ash confronts the monster with Pikachu and Riolu! When their attacks don't even faze Centiskorch, Ash takes to the skies with Dragonite to fight!
Their combined attacks are able to counter Centiskorch's G-Max Flutterby (I love talking about a series where I get to say things like that), and Dragonite is able to get them out of the way as Leon offers an assist with his Charizard using Rock Tomb! I also note how much the anime's arrangement of the Galar gym theme is a bop, though I do admit I still half expect to see Endeavor and Hawks in the area of a scene like this.
Centiskorch is quelled and returned to its normal form with one last Air Slash attack; and Goh is able to make contact with Ash. That's the assignment, now shifting towards Ash helping Leon contain the rampaging Dynamax Pokémon and Goh investigating why this is happening with Sonia. Of course, Sonia's car is being followed by a standard issue black sedan that's connected to Macro Cosmos. Insert Cinema Sins or Detective Pikachu callback here.
Back in the Hammerlocke facility, Team Rocket has been sent undercover as laborers; much to their chagrined winging. Elsewhere, in Turffield, a clue to the Dynamax phenomenon has been found by Goh and Sonia.
The Turffield Geoglyph (which also references a real-world landmark in England) depicts the cataclysm known as "the Darkest Day," and how a young hero with a sword and shield quelled the chaos. Again, this does adhere to the games' canon; and I will explain more in later sections of this review.
As the sequence is intercut with Ash and Leon engaging a Dynamax Pangoro, Sonia herself has been assigned to investigate the link by Professor Magnolia. Goh also shares his encounter with Lugia; which may yet prove connected to these incidents.
Back in Hammerlocke, Jessie, James and Meowth have infiltrated the power station because Giovanni wants them to find a rare Pokémon that's rumored to be in the facility. Neglecting any jokes I could make about the Game Boy coming to Nintendo Switch Online; this is at least consistent with the boss sending them off to get them out of his hair.
Then, another energy spike occurs; causing a Coalossal to Gigantimax and revealing the true source of this power: Eternatus! Apparently I've been mispronouncing that one too: it's apparently "e-TURN-a-TUSS", I was saying it "E-turn-ATE-us".
Goh also discovers that it may have been two heroes that quelled the chaos; not just one, which also ties into the games and also makes a solid case for him as deuteragonist. In fact, watching these episodes at the same time to review them makes it clear just how effective not only this anime is at not only adapting newer stories; but revisiting ideas from previous ones, often refining them in the process.
Sonia also exposits that she and Leon knew each other when they were younger, childhood friends that took very different paths in their life: Leon became the Champion of Galar, and Sonia became a Pokémon researcher.
Back with Ash and Leon, they've sent out their Gengar and Dragapult respectively to help contain the G-Max Coalossal! I also note that I have been pronouncing Dragapult correctly; and I still like the idea that it's a dragon-ghost that launches its offspring as projectiles. Might not be my favorite Galar monster; but it's on the list.
Coalossal is defeated, and even as the miners start throwing things at the beast; Ash rightfully points out that it's not its fault it went mad! The miners then leave the scene, and he's congratulated by both Leon and Rose! As Leon wonders what's causing all this, Rose decides to take Ash to a gourmet dinner!
Back with Sonia, she and Goh have arrived back at Magnolia Labs; and Sonia sees Goh's potential as a Pokémon researcher. Goh is very much open to the idea as a Wishing Star crashes near them! Professor Magnolia then enters, and is pleased to see Goh is all right. She asks if Goh has encountered the Dynamax phenomenon in the wild, and he says yes.
Magnolia further explains about the Galar particles and Power Spots; and the Wishing Stars are connected to them both. She also helped develop the Dynamax bands; though she doesn't sanction Macro Cosmos beyond that. Sonia has also fashioned the Wishing Star into another Dynamax band; which she gives to Goh.
Sonia also hands in her research to Magnolia; who subsequently asks her to find the Rusted Sword and Shield and continue her work. At Rose Tower, Rose gives Ash the dinner as promised, remarking how the lights are like everyone's lives and dreams. I also quickly checked the subs to make sure, and the liquid in Rose's glass is green in both versions.
Though the scene isn't exactly the same as it is in the games, it does have notable parallels. The first is the backstory of how he built himself up from nothing; and we'll come back to this in the next section. Another is how he offers his resources to help Ash progress further in the World Coronation Series. Though Ash is flattered, he declines; citing that he wants to earn the right to battle Leon himself. I will also explain this later; but this arc takes a different route than the Mega Evolution Specials and improves upon them. Though Rose understands Ash declining, Oleana doesn't exactly take it well.
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| "Coronation, Netflix? This is bad comedy." |
Later that night, Ash makes contact with Goh in the hotel; and the two agree to meet in Stow-On-Side the next day. Side note: if and when he fights Bea again in the Ultra Cup, I think it will likely be at the gym there.
Well, her or Allister; we'll see.
Case in point: Raboot steps back to avoid a Max Ooze attack; and ends up wrecking the mural that was a hasty coverup of the real legend: there are indeed two heroes, Pokémon and partner alike! I guess we can also add this to the list of pop culture hiding the true pasts in a fantasy work. I mean, Thor Ragnarok, Black Panther, Frozen II, even Trolls World Tour did it of all works!
With this reveal, the theme song and a reel of "previously-on" highlights, we enter Part 3 of this story;
"From Here to Eternatus!"
The battle against Oleana's spy continues, as the G-Max Garbodor follows up with a Max Steelspike! Raboot counters with Max Knuckle, and Goh is handling himself in battle quite well; all things considered. The two each have one turn in this form left: the spy uses G-Max Malodor, and Raboot counters with one last Max Flare! One last note before I continue: on top of this form reminding me of Hedorah the Smog Monster from the Godzilla series, the ship in this form is by many accounts, the long-lost St. Anne/SS Anne. ... That's dark, fellas, really dark.
With the last piece of the puzzle in place; now the time has come to find the Rusted Sword and Shield to get help from Zacian and Zamazenta before it's too late. I've also been pronouncing the former wrong: it's pronounced "ZAH-she-AN," I was saying it "Zay-SHUN" or "Zay-SHE-in" before I watched this.
Goh just charges through the other spies with Sonia as if he's young Midoriya; and even though it takes a moment to get Sonia's car started back up; it's nowhere near as bad as Rowsdower's memetic jalopy. (Note: Seriously- go watch MST3K's take on "The Final Sacrifice" if you haven't seen it yet.) Once it does get started,
they're off like a Galarian tofuman.
As Leon goes to meet with Rose, Ash makes contact with Goh about their encounter in the Slumbering Weald. After going over their findings, another energy spike occurs in Hammerlocke! As Ash goes to investigate; Goh and Sonia need to find a Zacian and Zamazenta before the Darkest Day can occur once again! The other Macro Cosmos employees also worry that Eternatus could escape if there's any more power spikes! So, about the same level of danger as keeping the tesseract or one of the Mother Boxes inside there!
Sure enough, the containment unit starts breaching; and Eternatus is free! While fully-CGI Pokémon in the anime often have a mixed track record, it's at least consistent with the games. Also, all the criticisms were never going to work on someone like me; who still plays and enjoys retro games (I'm holding onto my copy of Mario 3D All-Stars and I won't remove the original Fire Emblem from my Switch no matter how much space I need).
As Sonia heads into the Slumbering Weald with Goh; Leon sends out Charizard to help contain Eternatus! Team Rocket tries to abscond with Eternatus, but not only does it tear through their net-launcher like tissue paper; Meowth can Gigantimax because of getting hit with a blast of Galar particles! With him also using G-Max Gold Rush; I guess this also means this recurring joke of him being unable to learn Pay Day because of
learning to speak like a person instead has been effectively deep 6'd.
Fog blankets the Slumbering Weald, and as Goh and Sonia call for the aid of Zacian and Zamazenta; the two beasts emerge and lead them to where the Rusted Sword and Shield are. Back in Hammerlocke, Ash reunites with Leon and, having learned the sickening truth; decide to confront Rose!
Here, we also get a notable change from the games, but one that works for this story's favor: while Rose was stated to have been orphaned since childhood in the games (whether or not that meant his parents died or had to give him up); the exact circumstances were not revealed. In this anime, Rose's father is outright shown to have died in a collapsed mine when Rose was still a child. Essentially, while I don't have a problem with his counterpart in the source being like if Elon Musk wanted to cause a Class 3A apocalypse instead of making Teslas and rocket ships; his plan of harnessing the Dynamax energy here makes him more of a well-intentioned extremist. The one constant is that his plan of solving an energy shortage is noble; but he's clearly doing it for the wrong reasons. I also expected the dub to cut this element, but they left it in- helps that Netflix doesn't have S&P like previous platforms for the show did.
Eternatus breaches the facility; and Leon realizes that Eternatus must be caught before it can cause more trouble! However, first they need to deal with Rose; who sends out his Copperajah to do battle!
Rose follows up with Ferrothorn, and Ash sends out Riolu to take part in a double battle alongside Pikachu!
Here we go!
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| Regulators! Mount up! |
Goh engages Oleana as he enters the Hammerlocke facility, and now the conclusion: Part 4, "The Legend Awakens!"
As the Dynamax Pokémon continue their rampage; Jessie and James try to get through to Meowth, then climb onto his tail as he scales the builiding! Leon then makes his Charizard engage Eternatus in its Gigantimax form! Meowth reaches the top of the builidng, and cue G-Max Gold Rush!
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| Basically what the games on Switch did to the sales charts. |
Still, Eternatus overpowers this Kantonian Long Meowth and sends them blasting off; right before it uses the energy to awaken its final form (the show's words, not mine): Eternamax! Ash continues his battle with Rose; adapting his battle plan on the fly, something that impresses Rose. Goh continues his battle with Oleana, and since I love her theme in the games;
I'm going to cue it up again,
I actually really like how this episode and this anime so far depict Goh as a battler, subtly showing how the anime interprets different playstyles. Likewise, both translations of this I watched do a great job at capturing Oleana's personality and her devotion to Rose. Less of a secretary, and more of a second-in-command.
Goh continues his fight with Oleana; and another blast of energy shoots through the tower! Pikachu is flung back into Ash's arms, and Riolu continues pushing back against his opponents! Goh also comes up with a new strategy against Oleana, and manages to get through to his aloof Raboot! The remaining spies are driven away by Raihan's Duraludon, and Raboot and Riolu evolve into Cinderace and Lucario! I just love their reactions when it happens, and regarding the latter; how it keeps Ash's ability to sense aura from
the eighth movie and the Diamond and Pearl series.
Now, as everyone unites on top of the tower; the time has come to stop Eternatus! Leon tries to catch the beast, but it's too powerful to contain with just a regular Ultra Ball!
The beast finally shapes into Eternamax; much to the shock of our heroes and the delight of Rose! Even Oleana, who has been onboard throughout this endeavor, is visibly disturbed by her boss's reactions.
With the combined might of Zacian's Behemoth Blade and Zamazenta's Behemoth Bash attacks, Eternatus is finally taken down!
Ash and Goh are able to jointly capture Eternatus with an Ultra Catch; and though the helicopter Rose and Oleana were in crashed after being hit with a stray energy blast; they've yet to find their bodies. If this hints at their involvement in project Mew, I'm intrigued. As Sonia is promoted to a full-on professor, we close on Eternatus being stored in a vault (bit more serious than in the PC box) and Ash and Goh returning the Rusted Sword and Shield to the Slumbering Weald.
Much like how I'm someone who considers the Alola League better than the Kalos League, I consider the four-part "Sword and Shield" arc of "Pokémon Journeys" to be a major improvement over the Strongest Mega Evolution. Each element that we're told to accept at face value in the Mega Evolution Specials is fully fleshed out here. Whether it's establishing a new element from the games, introducing a new antagonist; involving a Champion in the story or containing a powerful beast; it takes plenty of ideas that were proposed in those specials and refines them while expanding on them, like any good new installment of a long-running franchise should. In many ways, it's the difference between watching the 2017 theatrical cut of Justice League and the director's cut that just came out earlier this year.
Though I admit a straight adaptation of the Generation VIII games' plot is not something I would object to, if I were to reimagine the series using the old and the new; this is closest to what I had in mind. Sometimes I want to play one of the earlier games on Game Boy, other times I want to defend my title in the Galarian Star Tournament on my Switch. That's also why I definitely think that it's the right time to revisit Sinnoh with both the remakes and Legends Arceus prequel coming (given how many monsters and characters from that region have already appeared in this anime with more to come). By adapting the current generation alongside the previous ones, the new series has become in my view; the freshest since the original. It's not just "member berries" or "Basil Oregano" talking- I genuinely enjoy this take on the material; and how sometimes to refresh after 25 years, the future is in the past. (Not every day my reference pool includes South Park, Half in the Bag and Gokaiger in the same sentence.)
I hope you enjoyed this, and I will see you all later this year for my full review of "Pokémon: Secrets of the Jungle."
Later.
