Paldean Winds #02: Breathe In

Paldean Winds has been an interesting addition to short-form Pokémon content. I was particularly surprised by the unusual release schedule, with several weeks going by between each episode. This is by no means a negative critique, and actually the free in-game distributions that come with each episode make it a fun little event.

As I expected after watching the first episode, it looks like the first three episodes will focus on one of the three main characters: Ohara, Aliquis and Hohma. I now wonder if the fourth episode of this short series will be an ensemble finale, perhaps showing us what the three students have been working on for their video assignment.

The most recent episode, Breath In, focuses on Aliquis and their rivalry with Nemona. The animation really shines in the two battles at the beginning and the end of the episode. It’s great to see Paldean Pokémon battle, especially since Horizons is probably still far from showcasing Meowscarada, Kilowattrel or Paldean Tauros in battle.

Unfortunately, what is starting to become more and more apparent in these shorts is that they are – well – short. Unlike Pokémon Generations, this series introduces entirely new characters that were not present anywhere in the Pokémon universe and therefore need their goals and conflicts explained and resolved within the 10-minute time limit.

This results in a very thinly sketched-out plot: Aliquis is struggling to beat Nemona and briefly considers replacing their ace of choice, Meowscarada. The scene where Aliquis lashes out at their partner is probably one of the best moments of the episode, though it does come quite suddenly and gets resolved within mere seconds.

What I particularly appreciated was the ending, where we don’t get to know the outcome of the battle, bringing home the idea that these episodes are simply special glimpses and moments from the wider Scarlet and Violet universe. 

originally written on Saturday, 19 November 2023