Japanese Title: Arrival in Paldea!
Original Airdate: June 2, 2023
UK Airdate: January 15, 2024 (special airing)
US Airdate: March 7, 2024
Liko has returned to Paldea and finds out the true reason that her mother hired the Rising Volt Tacklers was to bring her home, much to her sadness, thinking her journey as a Pokémon Trainer is ending quickly. Liko also finds out that her father, Alex, was worried about her and is more conflicted about what she wants to do for herself. However, through the help of her friends, Liko finds the courage to tell her father that she wants to resume her journey with the Rising Volt Tacklers, which he accepts. Meanwhile, Roy is excited to be in a region outside of Kanto.
This episode contains examples of the following tropes:
- Art Reflects Personality: Alex's paintings are real-to-life depictions of Pokémon of all kinds, reflective of his own caring nature. His final painting in the episode is of one such moment, with his Fidough and Liko's Sprigatito cuddling up to one another.
- Asshole Victim: The wild Lechonk that tries stealing Liko's bad is soundly beaten by Sprigatito and runs off, squealing in fear. Needless to say, no one is upset to see it run off.
- Brick Joke: While Mollie and Orla are out shopping, the two buy some coffee beans. Later, Alex tries to make a brew for Friede, but is short on them. The next morning, Liko wakes up to smell a similar brew coming from the girl's coffee, and recognizes it as the same one her dad drinks.
- Changing The Uncomfortable Subject: As soon as Alex hears that Liko was made a member of the Rising Volt Tacklers, Friede immediately changes the subject towards the paintings Alex did of Arcanine and Rapidash.
- Cutting Off the Branches: The Pokémon Scarlet and Violet story took players to the Naranja or Uva Academy, depending on which version they played. The anime uses the former school for its canon.
- Dirty Coward: The Lechonk that attacks Liko may be wild and fearsome, but as soon as Sprigatito fights back against it, the pig runs off to save its bacon.
- Flashback: Liko recounts the advice her grandmother gave her, as well as meeting the Rising Volt Tacklers and Roy.
- The Ghost: Liko's mom is mentioned a few times, but she isn't seen. According to Alex, his wife is incredibly busy.
- Good Parents: It's clear that Alex is a very loving father to Liko, although she treats it as more of a Parents as People example when she describes the two as not being very close (though in fairness to Alex, he is worried about her safety).
- Grew a Spine: Liko stands up to her father and tells him that she wants to keep traveling with the Rising Volt Tacklers.
- Heroes Love Dogs: The friendly and kind-hearted Alex owns a Fidough.
- Innocently Insensitive: Alex clearly wants what's best for his daughter, but he's so worried for her safety, he prefers that she stay at home. Liko overhears this, which doesn't help with her conflicting desires to not let her Dad worry, but yet wanting to stay with the Rising Volt Tacklers.
- Jerkass: The wild Lechonk that tries to steal Liko's bag does so for no reason.
- Like Father, Like Daughter: Liko's talent for drawing is revealed to have been picked up from her father, who paints Pokémon picture books.
- Mythology Gag: The town of Mesagoza is depicted in the anime for the first time, featuring the Naranja Academy, and many of the shops and buildings seen in the games.
- Nice Guy: Alex is very patient, friendly, and caring towards his daughter. He even gives Roy some of his picture books as a gift.
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business:
- Played for Laughs. The stench from Dot's Nidothing costume is so bad, she leaves her room and willingly goes outside to let it air out.
- As Liko runs back home, she spots Nidothing's costume on the railings of the observation deck. She decides it's not worth looking into at the moment.
- Poor Communication Kills: Liko clearly doesn't want to stay at home, since she's enjoyed being a Rising Volt Tackler, but she's so worried about upsetting her father and his worries about her safety, she spends much of the episode unable to tell him what she wants. With a little encouragement from Mollie and Orla, she eventually says it.
- Sensitive Artist: Alex is a very nice guy overall, and a talented artist who makes Pokémon picture books.
- Visible Odor: Dot's Nidothing costume reeks so badly, purple lines start appearing over it.
- Ugly Guy, Hot Wife: Downplayed. As revealed in later episodes, Alex's wife is incredibly gorgeous, while Alex himself is rather plain looking.
- Undying Loyalty: After it gets over her initial bout of jealousy towards Fidough, Sprigatito patiently waits outside for her trainer. When she senses Liko is in danger, she runs off and soundly hands a wild Lechonk its rear on a silver platter.
