"The Dealer of Destruction" Review (Pokémon Sun and Moon: Ultra Legends)

Alola everyone, and welcome to a look at one of my favorite episodes of “Pokémon Sun and Moon: Ultra Legends!” I have waited a long time to address this, and now that time is upon me; so let’s open up “The Dealer of Destruction!” 

We open on the Pokémon Academy, where Ash is testing Pikachu’s “Corkscrew Crash” Z-Move with the Steelium-Z Crystal he picked up on his visit to Poni Island. The other classmates are impressed how the attack tore through the boards like paper! As Mallow and Sophocles express interest in learning a Z-Move; Principal Oak comes in and says it’s time to go to Aether Paradise for announcement from Professor Kukui.

At Aether Paradise, a press conference is taking place with Professor Kukui, Professor Burnet and the four Island Kahunas! Its purpose- to unveil the Alola Pokémon League! I totally called it about this aspect; the parallels are not with Unova; but with the Orange Islands instead. Furthering this is a scene which details the history of the league in Alola is shown, which; much like in the games, took place at the peak of Mt. Lanakila in ages’ past.

In this case, a new facility is being built for the occasion! I also like the idea that much like in the games; that anyone can enter, but only the best can truly succeed in the competition. Either way, the prospect makes waves across the Alola Region; though Kukui just stops short of outing himself as the Masked Royal. One by one, everyone makes a pact to compete in the League!

However, not all is well in Po Town; and not everyone is happy with the news. One such individual has a history with Kukui, who I’ve been eager to talk about ever since I started this anime: Guzma!

Entering their hideout in the Shady House, one of the grunts turns on their TV by giving it a good tap a la the Fonz or Spike Spiegel, Guzma sees the announcement and decides to pay his old associate a visit. I also note his dub voice is a deliciously devilish blend of Seto Kaiba and the Jack Nicholson Joker; so close to how I imagined.

"Decent people shouldn't live here, they'd be happier someplace else."

After Ash watches a recap of the days’ events with Kukui and Burrnet, he decides to train while Guzma makes plans to go for the League himself. This is the first part of his plan throughout the story: to eliminate Kukui’s legacy before it even starts.

The next day, Team Rocket even wants to enter the tournament; and James’ Mareanie tries to eat him; and this has to be one of my favorite takes on that running gag, as the poison makes him look like a purple-faced rocker.

This of course doesn’t sit well with Team Skull; who approach them with their leader Guzma and his lover Plumeria! Safe bet their rap singles are pretty explicit.

Team Rocket won’t take this lying down, busting out their own rap arrangement of their motto; which definitely seems like they picked up a bit from the Aqua Teen Hunger Force. 

Guzma has a very low tolerance for these shenanigans, and the group is sent blasting off without even breaking a sweat by the self-proclaimed “Emperor of Destruction.” Though distinctly different from the games, this does a very good job establishing Guzma as a character and what he’s willing to do.

The Skull Grunts call out Kukui in front of the Pokémon academy, and as the students rush out front; Guzma comes right out to confront Kukui! This makes quite the impression, and on top of establishing a personal history with Kukui; it marks a clear aim to what he has planned: to eliminate Kukui’s legacy before it even starts.

"When I tell you to do something, I mean that shit: BURN IT ALL!"

Ash responds by challenging Guzma to a battle, and Guzma sends out his Golisopod to counter Ash’s Pikachu! Guzma wastes no time in showing his style of battle; with Golisopod lashing out at Pikachu with First Impression!

Golisopod follows up with Pin Missile, and Pikachu counters with Electro Web! Golisopod uses its scales to shield itself, and Pikachu and Ash try their Corkscrew Crash Z-Move! Golisopod takes the attack, and counters with Liquidation! The two trade blows with Quick Attack and Poison Jab, then Iron Tail and Pin Missile! Pikachu lands one Quick Attack square on Golisopod’s vulnerable underbelly, forcing it to escape via its Emergency Exit ability!

Though Guzma tries to dismiss the affair as not worth the effort; Kukui naturally isn’t fooled! Their full history hasn’t yet come to light in this episode; but as Kiawe gives Ash a Pecha Berry for Pikachu’s poison, we close on Guzma back in the Shady House, plotting his next move. Now THAT is how you introduce an antagonistic rival: Alain, take note.

“The Dealer of Destruction” makes a great play while still not tipping its hand too early. Though the rendition of Guzma is different from the games; it works in a different way that I’m eager to get into more in the near future, much as how Jack Nicholson’s aforementioned Joker is different from the one in the Arkham series; or how the 1990 live-action Shredder is different from the various animated versions. His arc being directly intertwined with the League storyline is one of the many reasons what’s about to transpire surpasses the Kalos League; but that’s a matter for another day. I will be back with more content planned for this month, and I will see you again soon. Alola.