Pokémon Journeys Failed Leon and Diantha’s Semifinal Battle

Only three issues are sure in life: demise, taxes and the Pokémon anime capturing itself within the foot for no obvious purpose. The Masters Eight Tournament of the World Coronation Series in Pokémon Journeys is probably the most formidable, compelling, and fan-servicing storyline ever created for the anime. Ash, the one rival he’s by no means overwhelmed, and the six different Regional Champions all got here collectively for a event to declare the world’s biggest coach. Naturally, seasoned Pokémon followers knew to brace themselves for the precise type of factor that occurred in Leon and Diantha’s semifinal showdown: the inexplicable choice by the sequence to skip nearly the complete battle.

The Regional Champions from the anime and video games are among the most iconic characters within the franchise; it was each fan’s dream come true to see them assemble for a sequence of battles to find out the most effective of the most effective. Leon despatched Alain hurtling from the sector like Team Rocket, Diantha cleverly outmaneuvered Lance in a tricky battle, Iris did in addition to might be hoped in a loss to Cynthia, and Ash pulled off a miraculous comeback to defeat Steven. The first spherical of the Masters Eight wasn’t good, however the 4 battles are presents from Arceus in comparison with what occurred within the first semifinal matchup between Leon and Diantha. Not solely did Leon do to Diantha what Action Replay Man did to Ash within the Sinnoh League, however Journeys didn’t even trouble to indicate most of it.

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Pokémon Journeys’ Leon vs Diantha Semifinal Mostly Happens Offscreen

Pokémon Journeys has a significant downside throughout the Masters Eight, and his identify is Leon. The unbeatable Galar Champion is the reigning Monarch of the World Coronation Series and a strolling nuke who leaves a path of swirly-eyed Pokémon in every single place he goes. The sequence appears to agree Leon is so sturdy that his battles aren’t value exhibiting, as a result of most of his battle with Diantha occurred offscreen. Worse, Diantha acquired utterly demolished as Leon’s Rillaboom singlehandedly defeated 4 of her Pokémon. Diantha is the Champion of Kalos and ranked fifth out of 10,000+ within the World Coronation Series, but she solely managed to defeat two of Leon’s Pokémon in a full, 6v6 battle.

The choice to have Diantha lose so humiliatingly was unhealthy sufficient, however to have it happen principally offscreen is as baffling as it’s disappointing. A full battle between two Champions was occurring, and the episode targeted on Ash, Goh and Cynthia hanging out with two random youngsters – one in all whom ran off chasing Pokémon, inflicting the group to seek for her and miss the battle themselves.

The Masters Eight is barely seven battles complete with the primary 4 being 3v3 bouts, which means Journeys has already wasted one in all its three full battles between Champions – a battle that the anime’s by no means had earlier than. Journeys is milking the Masters Eight, so sustained perfection wasn’t anticipated, however even probably the most lifelike Pokémon followers couldn’t have anticipated such blatant disregard for a semifinal match between Champions in a event to declare the world’s biggest coach.

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Why Did Pokémon Journeys Largely Skip Leon vs Diantha?

Pokémon Journeys had a wide-open dunk and as an alternative threw the ball into the stands and went crashing into the cameramen. The solely query is, why? It’s true Leon is so highly effective that his means to ragdoll even different Champions hurts the sequence, however skipping his battles altogether is nearer to insult to damage than an answer.

It’s not like Ash, Goh and Cynthia hanging out with some random youngsters was notably attention-grabbing, even with among the latter’s backstory being revealed. Cynthia’s reputation means her backstory isn’t unappreciated, however occurring on the expense of a full battle between Champions wasn’t an excellent name, both. Especially contemplating the subsequent three episodes of Journeys will probably be targeted on Ash vs Cynthia with the added weight of Cynthia’s impending retirement.

Perhaps Leon vs Diantha was chosen as a budget-saving episode because the anime gears up for Ash vs Cynthia adopted by Ash vs Leon – two battles from which followers gained’t settle for something lower than the 2 biggest showdowns the anime has ever seen. Even that clarification isn’t completely acceptable, although; Pokémon is the highest-grossing media franchise of all time by a large margin, so it looks as if cash ought to be no object for the anime. The world could by no means know why Journeys arrange a battle between Champions solely to make it a blowout after which fast-forward via it, however the Masters Eight has two alternatives to redeem itself as Ash Ketchum squares off in opposition to the 2 strongest trainers in all of Pokémon.