Brief Summary
In this episode of the Pokémon Gotta Watch Them All podcast, the hosts review "Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction," the 18th Pokémon movie. They discuss the plot, characters, and animation, and share their overall impressions. The hosts also debate where the movie should be ranked on their list of Pokémon movies and participate in a Pokémon poll challenge, selecting their favorite Pokémon from the movie.
- The movie is better than recent ones, with a good plot and talking Pokémon.
- The villains are cool, and the side characters are great.
- The ending is lacking, and Xerneas is underused.
Intro
The hosts introduce themselves and today's topic: the 18th Pokémon movie, "Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction." They joke about the number of movies they've covered and the possibility of new ones being announced. The hosts express their desire to be voice actors in a Pokémon movie.
Synopsis of "Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction"
The movie is set in the Diamond Domain, where the mythical Pokémon Diancie rules. The Heart Diamond, which sustains the land, is failing, and Diancie is not strong enough to create a new one. Diancie seeks help from the Legendary Pokémon Xerneas but encounters thieves who want to control its diamond-producing powers. The thieves awaken the Legendary Pokémon Yveltal, and Ash and his friends help Diancie discover its true power to stop Yveltal and save the Diamond Domain.
Initial Impressions and Gen 6
Dante found the movie alright and better than recent ones, appreciating the lack of loose ends and the talking Pokémon with distinct personalities. The group discusses the transition from Gen 5 to Gen 6, with Chris noting the movie's placement as above mid-tier. They touch on Yveltal's cocoon and the explanation of the life cycle involving cocoons and trees.
Side Characters and Plot
The hosts praise the side characters, particularly Clement and Bonnie, and Serena's supportive role. They appreciate Denian's design and the basic plot of Diancie needing to save its kingdom. They discuss a weird time lapse in the movie where Diancie runs away from the Carbank, and they explain it later.
Diancie's Journey and Villains
The hosts compare Diancie's journey to a Disney princess narrative, noting her initial playfulness and later responsibility. They discuss Diancie's encounter with trainers and the villains who want to exploit her diamond-producing powers. The villains are compared to those in the Darkrai movie, and their motivations are seen as more than just a desire for Diancie.
Ash's Battle and Pikachu's Senses
Ash has a battle in the streets against a trainer with a Mega Absol, and Pikachu senses a disaster, leading them to Diancie. The hosts discuss Pikachu's "Spidey senses" and how they always lead to trouble. Ash saves Diancie, and they have dinner together before Team Rocket attacks.
Team Rocket and Catching Pokémon
The hosts discuss why Team Rocket doesn't capture Diancie and the general trope of villains not catching Pokémon in the anime. They talk about Ash's approach to befriending Pokémon before asking them to join his party, contrasting it with other characters like Paul and Go.
Travel Compilation and Friendship Bonds
The hosts express their tiredness with the travel compilation trope. They discuss how Diancie's bonds of friendship don't feel important enough, and they compare it to similar moments in other Pokémon movies. They suggest that certain scenes could have been animated or illustrated differently to better show Diancie's connection with Ash and his friends.
Recycled Plots and Xerneas' Role
The hosts note the recycling of plots in Pokémon movies, such as taking a Pokémon home to fulfill a destiny. They discuss how Xerneas' role in the movie feels underdeveloped, and they compare it to other legendaries who simply show up and leave.
Purple Water and Yveltal's Appearance
The hosts discuss the scene where the characters step into purple water, which awakens Yveltal. They joke about the characters' lack of awareness and the animation of Yveltal's appearance. They praise the scene where Yveltal turns people to stone.
Yveltal and Xerneas Lore
The hosts discuss the lore behind Yveltal and Xerneas, noting that Yveltal is often underappreciated. They talk about the balance between the two legendaries and how they represent good and evil. They also touch on the connection between Gen 6 and Gen 8, as well as the scrapped storyline for Pokémon Z.
Oblivion Wing and Petrifying
The hosts discuss Yveltal's Oblivion Wing attack and the scene where it petrifies people. They express their disappointment with the trainers who abandon their Pokémon after they are turned to stone.
Diancie's Mega Evolution and Xerneas' Intervention
Diancie creates a mega stone and mega evolves, absorbing Yveltal's final attack. Xerneas shows up and stares down Yveltal, who then leaves. The hosts express their confusion about why Xerneas turns Pikachu to stone before healing everyone.
Xerneas' Underuse and Missed Opportunities
The hosts feel that Xerneas was underused and that the movie missed opportunities to develop Diancie's bond with the gang. They compare the movie to the Star Wars sequel trilogy, criticizing the "power inside you" trope. They suggest that the movie could have benefited from a side character who could have provided more context and history.
Villain's Ending and Final Thoughts
The hosts appreciate the villains' ending, where they start new businesses instead of being arrested. They praise the villains' chemistry and potential as a doubles team. They reiterate that the things that happen in the movie don't feel important enough.
Ranking the Movie
The hosts rank "Diancie and the Cocoon of Destruction" on their list of Pokémon movies. After some debate, they decide to place it at number 10, right above Keldeo vs. the Sword of Justice and below Lucario and the Mystery of Mew.
Pokémon Poll Challenge
The hosts participate in a Pokémon poll challenge, selecting their favorite Pokémon from the movie. Danny chooses Pyroar, Chris chooses Pikachu, John chooses Xerneas, and Dante chooses Hawlucha. They encourage viewers to vote in the poll on the CGDannyB Discord server.
Hoopa and the Clash of Ages
The hosts announce that their next episode will cover "Hoopa and the Clash of Ages." Danny expresses his skepticism about the movie, while the others are excited. They thank viewers for watching and encourage them to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell.
