Pokemon (2019): Harukanaru Aoi Sora

My score: 5/10.

Overall Opinion: The visuals were good, the story was a lot simpler than I thought, it gave a good message "always love and respect the people you have and the time with them" . There weren't any amazing fights, a lot of call backs to the start of Pokémon. It was a lot nostalgic sad it was in the alternate universe. They presented the story well in the given amount of time, there was no rush at all in completing the story, the Pokémon shown were also good in their movements also. It would have been better if it was a different story, ... but i am satisfied with what we got.

The episode features the main character, Pikachu and his mother. That's it. There are no other recurring characters and no other Pokemon owned by Ash, so a person could watch this special without any prior knowledge of the series. It also won't spoil anything, it's entirely standalone.

Ultimately it's just another adventure with Ash and Pikachu in the fantastical world of Pokemon, but it's very well executed. The story of the episode is pretty interesting and the art style is on point. It's more similar to the movie continuity, for those who have seen the movies. Ash and Pikachu were their usual adventurous selves, though ... you do see a side of Ash that doesn't show up as much anymore.

I think it's worth a watch regardless of what your opinions are on the anime as a whole. It's pretty short but still pretty good.

For a 20 minute episode this had a lot of call backs to the original days of Pokémon and a lot of feels.

Ash meets a boy, Haruka, who has never touched Pokémon so they both try to find a Pokémon that Haruka can touch. Instead Ash meets a couple who says that Haruka is their son.... who got sick and passed away.

I'm sad this is in an alternate universe could I would've loved seeing this in the main universe. It had everything I love about Pokémon. Goofy moments, Pokémon interactions, the bond between Ash and Pikachu, Ash being able to make friends and sometimes ... there are these episodes that just make you feel stuff (I'm still not over Mallow's mother from Sun & Moon or the Stoutland episode). Anyway, great special that everyone who loves Pokémon should watch.