So I have been watching this final special with Ash and Pikachu and it's been hot garbage.
So far 9 episodes have come out and they have been a waste of time. The only important episodes for the story is episode 1, where Ash helps a Latias, and the end of 9, when the same Latias asks for Ash's help to save a Latios. Episodes 2 and 3 can be important if you want to know how Misty and Brock join Ash. But episodes themselves are not interesting. The rest is just cliche helping a random Pokemon in trouble crap.
Now in regards to Nostalgia bait, it has only really been about the Pokemon that has been shown in the series itself. Ash has a different set of Pokemon he has caught with him in each episode so far except Pikachu. He obviously has had that each episode. There are no names of towns where the gang entered whatsoever. And the only old companion who has appeared has been Dent, one of the cooking triplets from Black and White. But the companion part isn't surprising. I never really watched Journeys but Ash's companions popped up in that show all the time. They probably thought it was stupid to do that gimmick again.
I really do feel like the production company was like oh shit at episode 9 realizing that they have done jack shit for a story and added a little bit at the end of 9. Which is why it feels rushed. Oh yeah also Jesse, James and Meowth break up at the end of 9. That even was rushed. There is no buildup that they were having issues during the whole special then oh let's whine about how the other ones screwed up and split.
Let's hope they do something competent for the final 2 episodes because I have not been impressed by them.
