This was such a small moment but I liked this interaction between Amethio and Friede. Amethio wondering what the move Rayquaza used was, and Friede casually telling him the move's name.
It shows that Amethio still has a lot to learn and in this moment, he admitted that he didn't know something, and Friede offered him an answer, teaching him and willing to tell him about things he doesn't know.
I almost forgot to post this today. I've finally reached five more episodes to talk about. And aren't I so lucky that the big multi-parters haven't been broken up yet. Anyway, on to the "reviews":
HZ041: Anti’s mom Flora talks a lot + Backstory
Alternate Title: Mr. Doctor Professor is a weirdo
HZ042: Grandpa is superman…wtf
Alternate Title: I don’t know what’s going on, but I think I like it
HZ043: Kiara wants cookies and Kovu is along for the ride
Alternate Title: The ships! These two menaces are too cute
HZ044: The Bad Guy Club for Villains make Spaghetti
Alternate Title: Envy traps Mr. Doctor Professor alone with him, oh my
HZ045: Tofu gets his ass beat by Spaghetti Noodle, again, but this time with Pirates
Alternate Title: Mr. Big Bad himself makes an appearance and I got some theories (learn more here)
Alternate Title: Leafage learned to walk on two legs
It's so fitting that Amethio was present when Liko's Nyahoja evolved given that he's been involved in most of Liko's important steps as a trainer so far.
He is the reason Liko's pendant activated its powers for the first time in the series (when it had been dormant for decades before that point) which made Liko want to know more about its mysteries, Nyahoja managed to use her Leafage at full power against him back in HZ002 (and with her backstory from HZ040 in perspective, it was significant that Nyahoja stopped holding back at that moment).. Their narratives kept being intertwined every step of the way, Liko catching her first Pokemon and deciding the kind of trainer she wants to be in HZ021 was immediately followed by Amethio being woven back into the story and appearing in contrast.
In fact, Liko wanting to become stronger in the first place was in relation to Amethio, too.
Liko specifically brought up Amethio in HZ007 and the fact that not being able to do anything against him left her frustrated (in comparison, Roy's motivations were tied to Rayquaza). She learned that feeling of frustration for the first time because of him, which gave her the resolve to grow stronger.
Even now at the end of the first year, Amethio is still acting as a source of motivation of sorts to Liko, albeit differently.
Liko asks Friede how they can use Terastal, and Roy brings up that Lizardon was amazing, to which Liko adds that Amethio's Soublades was amazing too! She thinks of Soublades positively and was impacted by the experience, and may see it as a kind of inspiration.
Amethio went from someone Liko couldn't trust, to someone she can thank and maybe consider as someone she wants to reach too. I wonder if Amethio will be involved somehow if Nyarote evolves in Masquernya in the future.
Something about Amethio's Terastal pose being similar to Friede's (their ways of holding their Tera Orbs and throwing them are the same).
We known Hamber presumably taught Amethio most of what he knows in battles (and Amethio goes to him when he seeks guidance and strength), and even Hamber could pick up on Amethio's battle style changing in HZ034, which happened after Amethio's encounters with Friede.
Hamber is the one who gave Amethio his Tera Orb and also used Terastal in a battle with him, yet when the time comes for Amethio to use Terastal, he channels Friede's stance and posture, not Hamber's. Despite being shaken by his loss against Friede's Terastal in HZ025, Amethio seems to subconsciously be influenced by him (probably much more than he'd like to admit).