BW100 "Iris Returns to the Village of Dragons!"

I have placed my episode review in spoiler tags. Feel free to read it.

So here we are... After 100 episodes and more than 2 years of waiting, Ash and co. have finally arrived to Iris's hometown, the Village of Dragons. At first glance, it might seem like a typical homecoming episode. Iris reunites with the elder who gave her Axew, the other main characters stay on the sidelines, and some interesting plot device happens that makes things rather hectic. Well, in this case, it seems to combine those elements of a homecoming episode with the "generic" filler in which Ash and co. assist with a "COTD's" situation. More than half of the episode was spent on Iris reuniting with her "childhood friend but we never saw her up until now" Shobu, who happens to own the only non-legendary fifth gen Dragon-type pokemon who has yet to debut in the anime: Zweilous. She actually owns two Zweilous, and one of them evolved into a Hydreigon near the middle of the episode who (like many other COTD pokemon who had evolved half-way through an episode) had a complete change in personality and caused a lot of destruction.

Of course, Iris is a up-and-coming "Dragon Master," so she obviously steps up to the plate to calm down the Hydreigon. I'm a bit relieved that Fujita did not write this episode, because otherwise he would have given Iris a special power that can instantly read a Dragon-type pokemon's heart. Since another writer constructed this episode and had reminded us viewers that Iris needs to put some effort in to calm down a Dragon-type, it was obvious that Iris was going to get up close and personal to solve this little issue.

The one aspect of the episode that I did like about this episode was that Iris actually used her freaking pokemon to assist her. When was the last time that she had actually called out her reserves at the same time? It was also nice that Iris even called out Axew, and that Axew worked alongside Excadrill to calm Hydreigon down once it landed. I also liked seeing Emolga climb on top of Dragonite's head to help it fight Hydreigon in the skies, even though it had been made clear in the past that Dragonite can get a bit wild sometimes. It took some damn effort and observation skills from Iris to actually calm down her friend's pokemon. And for those who just do not plain like Iris at all, she does get bit in both arms by Hydreigon's mouth claws.

If it were not for the fact that most of Iris's pokemon had disobeyed her at some point and that the writers just magically had all of them obey Iris after only a few seconds of emotional bonding, I would have been more accepting of this episode's outcome. Indeed Iris did struggle with getting her Dragonite to stop attacking a Haxorus during the start of the episode, and she still has problems getting it to obey her commands. Even though the elder calmed Dragonite down near the start of the episode, how is this enough for Dragonite to obey its own trainer just moments later? Realistically, Iris would not have been able to get all of her disobedient pokemon to obey her, much less work together. Just seeing Emolga and Dragonite cooperating with each other at all cannot be called anything but a DEM. So yes, another problem swiftly and magically solved because the writers seem to prefer Iris to do anything but develop and change on her own; her pokemon and the Hydreigon were responsible for the issue and Iris had to be the one to calm them down.

And what is with Drayden lurking in the bushes, observing Iris, and making assumptions that Iris has the potential to become a powerful Dragon Master? Iris is already practically at that level without much growth on her part, and all of the techniques that she had used to calm the Hydreigon down in this episode could have also worked on pokemon with different types.

Has Iris really developed throughout the course of her time on the main cast to justify Drayden's decision to battle her again? Nope. Was there any true exposition on Iris's character outside of the fact that she had a childhood friend who was just introduced here to create a conflict for this episode? Nope.

Overall, this was an average episode. The episode slated to air in two weeks seems to combine what will most likely be a rushed gym battle with Iris's "true backstory" (the writers seem to rewrite Iris's past a lot, don't they?).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Winterdaze

When she was calming Hydreigon down, she was quite obviously trying to imitate what she'd seen the Elder do to calm down Dragonite and Haxorus. I thought that bit was great, since she was actually learning and applying skills she'd observed instead of having them just come out of nowhere like in the past.

---

Actually, Iris has done this before. Only once, but in the episode with the three Deino at the daycare, the way Iris got the timid Deino to warm up to her was explicitly shown to be a technique used by her village elder to calm down a Druddigon in a similar scenario.

I'll admit this is a much better way for Iris to do her dragon-whispering than just coming up with solutions all on her own, but did we really need to see it again? :\ Regardless it all boils down to the same old shit we've seen a dozen times before and there's no real sense of progression in any of these. The way Iris solved this problem really does highlight how the writing of an episode literally bends to her will, since these practices did not fly at all back when Officer Jenny & co. were dealing with Dragonite not too long ago. This episode sure doesn't make me excited for the next one, but that's hardly a surprise...

Just a very ordinary episode.. its shown Iris is having greater potential and is on the road of becoming dragon master.. its plausible but doing same thing again and again wil just frustrate the ppl watching the anime.. its all nicely done calming hydreigon after becoming confused/frightened of evolving. good to see tag of emolga and dragonite.. when emolga was riding on dragonite's head it reminds of the good old orange league in which pikachu was clinging to dragonite's head eventually winning.. there s no need of drayden to hide and show up just to call iris to gym battle. nevertheless better than other eps.. waiting for next one

Hey, Hikari! What a surprise! You are so... different.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Metan

Hey, Hikari! What a surprise! You are so... different.

---

I don't see why no one liked this character of the day. As I said before, she's a cutie. I wish more dragon girls would be more present in this show from now on.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Caseydia

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Metan

Hey, Hikari! What a surprise! You are so... different.

---

I don't see why no one liked this character of the day. As I said before, she's a cutie. I wish more dragon girls would be more present in this show from now on.

---

I also liked this CotD, but you have to agree her face lines and hair is similar to Hiraki's.

Firstly, I have a comment to make on the general interior design of the Village's homes, which usually I don't notice. Yes, the theme was fitting, but I felt they could have polished it a bit more, with a more dark rich brown wood, and perhaps noticeable wools and possibly large animal skins (fake I guess, since real may seem cruel to some, I don't know), and softer decor. I realise I'm fussing over nothing, and maybe due to the climate there, the typical cabin setting is unnecessary, however I still can't shake off the feeling they were lacking something.
I kind of liked the placement in the CoTD for a single reason that it brings about Iris' homecoming in three different types of people; the old friend, the austere teacher and the maternal mentor (though I think some of the meet ups could've been done a bit better. Also I wish to hold opinions on her dialogue since I have no full comprehension of it yet, but her actions aren't the most fascinating, which is true. What Moe mentioned about her calming the Hydreigon down with Iris' assistance would be pleasant, and I would've thought at the very least she could have given Iris some advice on the Hydreigon, since she personally knows it, even if it has evolved, it wouldn't be altogether useless to give some background information and history about it instead of standing there. It would've been even nicer if Iris bothered to ask for her knowledge; I don't think it would've shown her as any weaker or incompetent to do so, just wise in the fact of relationships between people and Pokemon. (Unless she did ask, but I didn't see that, but apologies if she did).
It's interesting that Iris' reverie is on the Matriarch's peaceful approach and she immediately uses an aggressive tactic by using Dragonite and Emolga, then both them and Axew with Excadrill. I can comprehend that it may be due to she recognises the Pokemon as a formidable force, but I think it would've been nicer if she tried to let the Hydreigon hear her out first, especially that she did that with Dragonite, an also out of control powerful Pokemon. It may be the possibility of that Iris wasn't near the Pokemon, but she could've flown up on Dragonite to console Hydreigon, and then changed tactics. I didn't mind her whole team coming out (the match ups of them are in addition another mark on it), though it was a weird mark on her team's general power, still it let out the lot of them for a nice photo finish with Iris. The dragon feeling was alright, too, would've been cool to have seen the wave effect on the body and its thoughts, but I suppose it wasn't vital to know what it was thinking (you could guess), but it could've helped.
I did like Drayden lurking in the shadows (other than the fact that it looked hysterical, his face half hidden under that branch), as it conveys him reviewing her progress silently then challenging her.
The last thing I'll comment on is the Matriarch's little shuffle run. Maybe it's just me, but I find that such a sly old lady run.

Altogether, the episode was a bit eh. Not enthralling for me, but what I expected.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Metan

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Caseydia

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Metan

Hey, Hikari! What a surprise! You are so... different.

---

I don't see why no one liked this character of the day. As I said before, she's a cutie. I wish more dragon girls would be more present in this show from now on.

---

I also liked this CotD, but you have to agree her face lines and hair is similar to Hiraki's.

---

What? Are we looking at the same photo? I don't see anything that is remotely close to Dawn in this picture. People just look to bring up old references don't they?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Caseydia

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Metan

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Caseydia

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Metan

Hey, Hikari! What a surprise! You are so... different.

---

I don't see why no one liked this character of the day. As I said before, she's a cutie. I wish more dragon girls would be more present in this show from now on.

---

I also liked this CotD, but you have to agree her face lines and hair is similar to Hiraki's.

---

What? Are we looking at the same photo? I don't see anything that is remotely close to Dawn in this picture. People just look to bring up old references don't they?

---

Uh, seriously? I'd say she is a lost sister of Hikari, despite the hair differences. o_@

Didn't watch, but have 3 questions:

Did she get the Hydreigon?
Was the elder disappointed Axew is still a weenie?
Did the Excadrill/Drayden subplot instantly become about Dragonite?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Metan

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Caseydia

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Metan

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Caseydia

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Metan

Hey, Hikari! What a surprise! You are so... different.

---

I don't see why no one liked this character of the day. As I said before, she's a cutie. I wish more dragon girls would be more present in this show from now on.

---

I also liked this CotD, but you have to agree her face lines and hair is similar to Hiraki's.

---

What? Are we looking at the same photo? I don't see anything that is remotely close to Dawn in this picture. People just look to bring up old references don't they?

---

Uh, seriously? I'd say she is a lost sister of Hikari, despite the hair differences. o_@

---

You guys are talking about the eyes right? cause that's where I can see the only similarity.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Signas

Didn't watch, but have 3 questions:

Did she get the Hydreigon?
Was the elder disappointed Axew is still a weenie?
Did the Excadrill/Drayden subplot instantly become about Dragonite?

---

Nope. The Hydreigon is Iris's friend's possession.
She didn't show it to Iris and said Axew was fine. But IIRC she sighed after Iris left her room.
The Dragonite started to battle a Haxorus similar to what Ash's Charizard did in Johto. It didn't beat Dragonite, though.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ♥Lady Marie♥

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Metan

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Caseydia

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Metan

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Caseydia

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Metan

Hey, Hikari! What a surprise! You are so... different.

---

I don't see why no one liked this character of the day. As I said before, she's a cutie. I wish more dragon girls would be more present in this show from now on.

---

I also liked this CotD, but you have to agree her face lines and hair is similar to Hiraki's.

---

What? Are we looking at the same photo? I don't see anything that is remotely close to Dawn in this picture. People just look to bring up old references don't they?

---

Uh, seriously? I'd say she is a lost sister of Hikari, despite the hair differences. o_@

---

You guys are talking about the eyes right? cause that's where I can see the only similarity.

---

The face format and some parts of the hair are also similar in my eyes.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Metan

Hey, Hikari! What a surprise! You are so... different.

---

Oh she doesn't look that... much...

Hold on a second. *gets out MS Paint and one minute later...*



Holy fruits! o_o

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by DynoStretch

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Metan

Hey, Hikari! What a surprise! You are so... different.

---

Oh she doesn't look that... much...

Hold on a second. *gets out MS Paint and one minute later...*



Holy fruits! o_o

---

Yeah but if you could leave the colors alone, she really looks nothing like her. I don't see why she is getting such a bash. The reason why I believe some thought she was bland is because Iris is yet again helping another training with their dragon pokemon. I mean are they're any competent dragon users in this series?

skip this eppy.

This eppy almost made me sleep. Slight reunion-esque yes. But the eppy seemed to be put out there for the heck of it :(