Tag! We're It! (518)

[S.Suikun]

The MC looks familiar for some reason, but I can't place my finger on who he reminds me of. In addition to the great battles (in spite of some one-hit KO's), I absolutely loved the little things in this episode, like Piplup pecking the heartbroken Brock, Pikachu and Elekid's little scuffle, Brock following his partner zombified, and Koffing's "OH SHI-". If one of the main characters were to win this, I'm really hoping the Soothe Bells prove to have some significance down the road, especially if they're dedicating a three-part arc to it.

Also, Chimmy and Pikachu giving each other the thumbs-up is unfortunately going to give way for more fuel to the "Chimchar should go to Ash" argument. Be prepared, folks.

Oh snap. Two non-snarky reviews in a row from me. Quick, somebody check my temperature. Preferably orally. Not the other way.

[turtle twig]

Yeah, this looks like a good episode. I can't believe my boy Shinji was pair up with Ash. If they lose the competition, then we'll it would be Ash's fault since he's not that good of a trainer.

If that's how you feel. What do you think (or hope) will become of Paul/Shinji later on down the road (i.e. before DP ends)?

[Geodude]

koffin´s expression when its rapidspin(?) was stopped by psychic.

How can you mistake that for Rapid Spin? The "Gyro Ball" command was easily audible.

*Hey! Magmar and Rhydon...it's Blaine's lineup pretty much! And Pikachu didn't aim for the horn...but it hit it anyway!?

Obviously because of Rhydon's Lightningrod ability.

this episode is the first time ive seem wingull in the anime

Then you don't watch very often do you?

I laughed at Brock's reaction when Honoka told him that she wasn't interested in younger guys.

Is that what that was? First time we've ever heard a girl say that to Brock. XD

It's a bit funny how she was a bit arrogant in the beginning and seemed to know exactly what she did - plus the bit where she told Brock off - but did gain interest (in a neutral sense for now ) in him after he had to help her out a lot in the battle.

I laughed at how the camera panned down to Croagunk after that scene, and it wasn't readying a Poison Jab, because the girl was showing some kind of interest in Brock for once.

Dawn and Kouhei were amusing as well. I couldn't help but snort whenever the guy adjusted his glasses, doing his, "he. hehe. 8D".
I can definitely see them proceed to the finals, considering they cover both defense and offense calculatingly and it'll be difficult to break through the former.

Yeah, it seemed like Kouhei's strategy was, "I'll take care of all the defense, you do the attacking," which worked really well for Dawn once she got used to it. And of course he can come up with powerful attacks of his own when needed too, like the aforementioned scene with stopping Koffing.

Speaking of Chimchar - cutest Pokémon evar. The writers make it clear that Chimchar is the "special" case within Paul's team, since it didn't adapt his personality even after everything he's done to it and still cheered with Pikachu over their win or responded enthusiastically when Ash talks to it.

Indeed. It's pretty clear that they're building up to something with Chimchar.

[turtle twig]

Indeed. It's pretty clear that they're building up to something with Chimchar.

I have that same feeling too. I have the feeling that if it does evolve, something still may happen to it (insert ominous music).

[uber gon]

It's nice to see FLAIL being used now.

[TeddiUrsa]

How can you mistake that for Rapid Spin? The "Gyro Ball" command was easily audible.

Ah, "Gyro Ball", eh? Mh, I watched the episode at 5am, stayed up just for watching so I was a bit tired ^^" I didn´t even know that Koffin can learn that move.


Anyway,I really like the animation director for this one.

[Korobooshi Kojiro]

I thought it was Koffing's way of utilizing Shadow Punch or something, as the attack was purple-ly.

The MC looks familiar for some reason, but I can't place my finger on who he reminds me of

I thought the Trick Master.

[Geodude]

Koffing trainer: "Gyro Ball!"
Serebii users: "Hmm, what attack was that?"

[Somorio]

there's probably going to be some sort of fanshiping with dawn and that evil glasses kid now...

I can never get enough of shinji's irratated facial expressions and gritting teeth, so awesome lol.

this episode was great but i'm kinda getting a maylene lust...in a healthy way...

[Gravy]

The MC looks familiar for some reason, but I can't place my finger on who he reminds me of.

It's the Mayor from the Orange Islands' 'We need another Bulbasaur episode!'...umm...episode.

[Almighty Zard]

there's probably going to be some sort of fanshiping with dawn and that evil glasses kid now...

Kojiro dude already came up with a name for it, Otakushipping.

[X-Wing]

I don't know if Brock's up to win this tournament, but I think he's gonna inherit the soothe bell and attach it to happiny and pull off a zubat-to-crobat-like combo giving us a blissey in no-time.

[RageKaiser]

This episode was full of win, not only that, it shot up to my favorite one so far.

I just have to say, I wish that glasses dude wasn't just a random character and that we saw him more often because he completely rocks

And they give us ANOTHER girl that shows some sort of interest in Takeshi? happy day! Not only that Usokki battling and kicking some MAJOR tail with flail?(pardon the rhyme)

Then we come across Satoshi and Shinji...Ah what a pair, I have to say that Satoshi's battle strategy that he used from Nozomi was great thinking, I mean, In what earlier region would he have ever done that?

This gets a perfect 10/10 in my book, I hope the rest of the episodes in this little arc are good as well.

Btw, I feel so bad for Hikozaru ;_;

[AshfanGirl20]

Best episode so far I must say. Animation top notch, good battles and the characters were too funny. I really loved the interaction between Ash and Shinji and the techniqe Ash used was so awesome.

[zeno48]

Best episode so far I must say. Animation top notch, good battles and the characters were too funny. I really loved the interaction between Ash and Shinji and the techniqe Ash used was so awesome.

i did not think the animation was all that but the episode overall was pretty good. Ash and Paul interacted which was cool now onwards to see chimchar getting it's *** wouped by a crazy zangoose lol.

[uber gon]

What new D/P attacks were used in this episode?

[Geodude]

Hammer Arm and Gyro Ball come to mind. We've seen Gyro Ball before though.

[firewater]

yeah, from what the pics on the main site look, I think that there are going to be one of 2 outcomes

A-the random Zangoose trainer owns Chimchar, and it eventually goes to Ash after Shinji ditches it

B- or the one that seems to happen nearly every other time here, that Chimchar & Pikachu end up winning the match, but it is proably a Tie between Pika and the Metagross, then Chimchar ends up beating Zangoose.

Personally, I pick number 3, which is the same scenario as B, but with A's ending

[uber gon]

Hammer Arm and Gyro Ball come to mind. We've seen Gyro Ball before though.

How was HAMMER ARM portrayed?

[Dax]

This episode was simply fantastic. First off I love this kind of episodes that are full of battles with purposes. Sometimes episodes are just battles that are just not leading to anything in particular.

First off is Dawn’s partner. I don’t know his name but I only know that guy was absolutely amazing. He made me laugh with his thing with the glasses and Dawn’s and Piplup’s reactions were priceless. Plus his Slowking was just absolutely amazing. It had an edge that I love. That thing it did with his finger to defeat Koffing was awesome. I loved Koffing’s reaction too, it was so funny. That guy should be Dawn’s main rival. I like Zoey but we need characters like him in this anime. I hope he’s not just s character for these episodes arcs.

Wingull was actually really cool and Sudowoodo was absolutely amazing. We need to see it more often, his style of battling is amazing and it’s so funny when it runs.

The best thing of the episode was Chimchar. Paul is really crossing the line with its training and looking in the preview he’s even worse. Chimchar looked awesome and I love how he used the fire to power up his move. Still I liked how Pikachu tried to stop Chimchar but the awesome monkey just obeyed his trainer.

I know some people might complain but Ash using Zoey’s strategy to stop that Surf was actually pretty neat. I like that he can take strategies from other sources and accommodate them to his style. First Dawn and now Zoey. Everybody has a different style of battling and everybody has different strategies so there’s nothing stopping him to learn more.

It was definitely one of the best episodes of this season and one of my favorites overall.