Sorry for the late post, life was busy this week and could not post it earlier due to work.
Liko, Roy and Dot have returned to Orange Academy. What awaits the trio there now that they've passed their assessment tests is an exhibition match against the Paldea Elite Four, where they will team up with the Gym Leader that was in charge of their assessment test and battle an Elite Four member. Roy and Colza VS Hassaku! Dot and Nanjamo VS Poppy! How will these thrilling battles go?!
The final exhibition match is Liko & Kaede VS Chili! Liko is nervous about battling Elite Four Chili, wondering how she and Nyarote should battle when facing such a powerful opponent. Meanwhile, Terapagos gets lost, and Dot goes to the school building to search for it, where she runs into Botan, another Orange Academy student...!
I think my main problem with Best Wishes is that Ash becomes an idiot right after the peak of his journey for seemingly no reason. Also, Pikachu loses to a starter with probably zero battling experience.
I think you can still have the events of Best Wishes go down with it still being enjoyable IF the writers had framed it well.
Imagine the following changes are made:
The writers never clarify that Ash is still 10.
It is mentioned that after the Sinnoh League, Ash took a long break from battling.
He goes with Professor Oak and Delia to Unova to vacation, but ends up being compelled to journey again because he can’t hold in the excitement of meeting new Pokemon and people.
While there, Zekrom strikes Pikachu with so much electricity that not only does Pikachu lose the ability to use Electric type moves, but it also practically loses all of its strength. In game terms, he goes back to level 5.
Pikachu loses to Snivy due to its weakened state.
Ash is frustrated in himself for losing to a new trainer and a starter Pokemon, and loses some confidence in himself.
He sets out on his journey with the hopes that Pikachu will regain its strength.
By the time of the Unova League, Pikachu has regained all its strength and is able to defeat Serperior.
With these changes, I think Best Wishes wouldn’t have been that bad. The only change that I think would need to be made is that Ash defeats Cameron and loses to Virgil.
I mean, it just makes sense. They introduced an Eevee trainer out of nowhere to win the league. A new Eeveelution came out the next generation. Why not make Ash vs. Virgil a nail biter, with Eevee last minute evolving into Sylveon and defeating Pikachu?
What do you guys think? Would these changes have made Best Wishes more enjoyable?
I swear at one point I watched a video that was about Ash bonding with everyone of his Pokémon. Even Larvitar and Nebby were included. The video was in complete Japanese though. Has anyone else seen it? And if so, do you know where I can find it? I thought it was from the official Japanese Pokémon channel, but as far back as I’ve searched, I couldn’t find it.
