Folks, we’ve no time to lose. Olivia’s first day as the team’s interim teacher has begun, and it’d be terrible form to show up late for our very first class. Having finally arrived at Akala island, I’m eager to see Sun and Moon explore this fresh new environment, and possibly even move our crew forward on their island pilgrimage.
If this were a pokemon game, I’d say we’re somewhere between the second and third cities at the moment, perhaps right around where your starter evolves into its second form, and your team begins to resemble a cultivated roster, rather than whatever birds and rats you found in your backyard. Ash’s team is certainly getting there, and I expect Olivia’s training to accelerate that – but then again, I’d be just as happy simply to ramble around this new island, and see what its beaches and towns are like. It’s hard to go wrong in Sun and Moon, so let’s see where our journey takes us this time!
Episode 32
Alright, whew, the Pokeproblem is back. If I didn’t have a Pokeproblem to pointlessly ramble about each episode, I’m not sure what I’d do
Also, I just like the children’s anime tradition of having the cast welcome you back to the show. In both this and Precure, it always feels like an emotional weight is lifted – it’s essentially making explicit the implicit promise of slice of life or adventure narratives, that you are being invited to share some time with these people as a member of the gang
“Which pokemon do I try to get in today’s episode?” I’m guessing Alolan Muk, purely because its wild design is probably a better advertisement for the Sun and Moon games than “Geodude with a crew cut”
Nice shot aiming down at Ash as he approaches this ranch, with the facility’s gateway framing his approach. By setting the “camera” here, the shot creates a sense of Ash being overwhelmed by the much larger facility ahead, creating a sense of anticipation – one that is further facilitated by how this shot partially obscures the insignia on this gate, offering a question as to what impressive facility lies behind the camera’s frame. Even a single shot like this can do a great deal of work in tonally setting our dramatic expectations – you don’t really notice all the work it’s doing as it passes by, but you certainly notice when a show lacks intelligent storyboarding, if only through how emotionally flat everything feels
And here’s the reveal – they’ve arrived at Ohana Town, which is oddly Wild West-themed. Surprised they’re not doing a bigger pan across the town, but maybe they’re saving that
This Stoutland with a saddle on his back looks so proud of himself. You’re doing a great job, Stoutland
Apparently they’re going treasure hunting, using the Stoutland’s treasure-sniffing abilities. The Sun and Moon anime generally has nothing to do with the game’s narrative, and that’s to its benefit, but I think we’re on pace for roughly where this feature was introduced in the game
I mean, seriously though – “today we’re gonna ride on big fluffy dogs and go hunting for treasure.” Sun and Moon knows what the people want
Olivia points out the wildest Stoutland in the stable, and says they shouldn’t ride that one, but Lana’s warrior heart demands she tame the savage beast. I would expect no less
A nice beat here where the Stoutland’s affection prompts Ash to remember Nyabby’s Stoutland. A lesson to children illustrating that sometimes we might unexpectedly be reminded of our sad memories, but to try to think of those we’ve lost in a positive spirit
Ash just vibin’ on his memories as this Stoutland cheerfully yanks his pants off
“We’ll head to the rock face!” Sophocles, how are you going to dig up treasure if you’re heading to terrain made of rock. Please take this dog-riding treasure hunt field trip more seriously
And of course, Lana must tame her Stoutland rodeo-style to earn its trust, and then it just chooses its own direction. Trust Lana to always hold up the far end of this class’s bell curve
Some wonderfully fluid cuts for Lillie attempting to get on her own Stoutland. The comedy is greatly enhanced by the clear nervous energy in Lillie’s movements, as she speed-tiptoes towards and away from her steed
Another clever layout here, as Ash’s Stoutland charges towards the camera, then flings Ash and Pikachu directly into the foreground. Masakatsu Iijima did some solid work on this storyboard
Sun and Moon is apparently well aware of the shitty drop rates you have to expect for minigames like this, as Ash gets useless treasure after useless treasure
And again, another nice aerial shot peering down at Kaki, emphasizing the beautiful cliff walls looming above him. Lots of shots creating a sense of imposing open space, appropriate for this new island speed tour
Apparently Lana’s Stoutland was just looking for berries. Well, maybe there’s a super awesome treasure behind all these berry trees
Meanwhile, Mallow’s Stoutland is also rustling up food, but that’s all Mallow cares about, anyway
After half a day, Mallow has twenty points, Ash has fifteen points, Lana and Sophocles are tied at zero, and Lillie has… almost succeeded in actually getting on her Stoutland
Sophocles I expected, but Lana’s performance is disappointing! But I suppose betting on the wild Stoutland was always a gamble, and I applaud that kind of risk-taking, so I can’t be too mad
Oh shit, Kaki actually found a pokemon fossil. We have a new leader!
Lana’s Stoutland just decides to take a nap, and so of course the goodest boy Popplio volunteers to take over looking for treasure. Watching him steadfastly waggle his little flippers to help Lana win is perhaps the most effective therapy I’ve ever experienced
Popplio’s even willing to fight this horrible trash pokemon in order to defend Stoutland, who’s been nothing but a dick all day. Popplio forever!
WHY DOES POPPLIO EVER FIGHT. Every time, he gets hit by some awful projectile and bounced away like a rag doll. Please protect this precious seal baby
Excellent expression work for Lana, as her courageous heart at last wins this Stoutland’s trust
And even some fancy impact frames for Stoutland powering up. Fuck up that awful trash goblin, Stoutland!
Huh, I guess the Pokeproblem’s answer was Crew Cut Geodude after all
Apparently Alolan Geodudes are Rock and Electric type, which seems like a pretty handy combination. Of course, knowing Ash, he’s probably just going to have Pikachu use Thunderbolt regardless – and knowing Pikachu, that’s probably going to work, because Ash’s Pikachu is an unstoppable font of type advantage-invalidating pokepower
Oh hey, it actually wasn’t effective! I’ll give the show marks for that, though seriously Ash, how do you not know pokemon are generally resistant to their own goddamn element
Geodude bounces Ash’s pokeball back into his face, which thankfully doesn’t work. Is there just some special property of pokemon that allows them to comfortably exist in pokeballs, or did the pokeball designers wisely include some anti-human capture tech to avoid easy kidnappings and general societal chaos? The world may never know
Lillie’s story offers a gentle instruction regarding phobias – her friends respect her fears completely, but she personally is trying her best to embrace immersion therapy, and overcome her anxieties
Sophocles takes the lead with his star piece! Nice work Sophocles, I apologize for calling you the runt of the class, even if that’s not wrong
And of course, in the end, Lana’s work building trust with Stoutland pays off, as he leads her to the raw materials for a Z-ring. I told you she was the top of the class!
And Done
Heck yeah, Lana gets a power upgrade! I figured it might be around time for another of our main pokemon to evolve, but getting a Z-ring is just as impactful of a victory. And more importantly, Lana getting a Z-ring means we’re likely in for some beautiful fight animation to come, as we finally see how this stupendous animation team brings a high-powered water move to life. With the team’s power steadily increasing, I’m sure we’ve got plenty of dazzling battles to look forward to!
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