Pokémon Horizons Volume 2 (EN) Thoughts

On May 10, the second volume of Pokémon Horizons' English dub streamed on Netflix. While it is a bit better than the first volume, there still are core issues that I would like to see improved further over time.

First, the biggest positives- apart from bugbears I shall mention below; this volume incorporates more elements from the video games and has some very strong animation. The voice casting is also quite solid, though I admittedly have to wonder if the last volume's delay was partially because of the strikes last year.

Courtesy: Netflix/The Pokémon Company 

That said, there is still room for improvement. The appearance of fan-favorite gym leader Kabu is undercut by a rough vocal performance from Clyde Kusatsu; whose line reading resembles John Cleese with a chest cold. I had to turn on the closed captions just to understand what he was saying.

The two episodes that conclude the current storyline are absent (despite having already been dubbed for airing in the UK), and the plot overall is still rife with pacing problems (one episode infamously ends on a mine collapse, only for the next to show the characters inside having escaped with no explanation). I would honestly be more willing to agree with the praise if the anime didn't constantly go out of its way to undermine the story and characters.

Still, it isn’t without redeeming qualities. The animation is among some of the best you’ll find in the franchise, and the episode that shows how Friede met Captain Pikachu is a standout. The casting of voice actors from previous incarnations of the anime also lends to some amusing performances. In particular, casting Zeno Robinson as Roy’s Fuecoco is entertaining (the vocalizing reminds me of the grunts from Muscle Man on Regular Show).

Though I still prefer the 2019 live-action Detective Pikachu and the stop-motion Pokémon Concierge, volume 2 of Pokémon Horizons is a bit better than volume 1. While it remains to be seen what will happen in the long term, things seem to be improving in the short term (I am also watching the subs as you see this). That is all for now, and I will see you again soon.