Pokemon Horizons Episode 61 recap: Roy vs Ryme!

Pokemon Horizons Episode 61 sees our heroes reaching Montenevera in the Glaseado Mountains of Paldea after experiencing some fun and scares in the snow in Episode 60. Roy and Fuecoco are prepared to battle the gym leader Ryme to advance in their Terastal Training course, but Montenevera's rap-loving gym leader isn't about to let them proceed without quite the battle.

Did Roy overcome his next challenge? What do Liko and Dot think of Ryme? For fans who may not have caught the episode, it doesn't hurt to examine the events as they unfolded with a Pokemon Horizons Episode 61 recap.

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Recapping Pokemon Horizons Episode 61 "Let Your Soul Resonate! A Challenge to Ryme"

Our heroes reach Montenevera in Pokemon Horizons Episode 61 (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Our Pokemon Horizons Episode 61 recap begins with Liko, Dot, and Roy reaching Montenevera after their time in the Glaseado Mountains in Episode 60. Roy and Fuecoco are in high spirits, ready to battle Ryme and complete their next Terastal Training test for Naranja Academy. As our heroes enter, the locals inform them of two concerts for the day that are meant to assist in the passage of departed souls.

The group heads to Montenevera Gym but is informed that Ryme isn't present at the moment, with the receptionist pointing our heroes to the nearby concert stages. Our heroes are then circled by a group of Greavard, and while they find the ghostly dog Pokemon cute, they start to feel tired. Dot's Rotom Phone points out that Greavard have the ability to drain life energy from those near them.

After resting at a nearby restaurant, the kids are alarmed when Terapagos catches a ride on a nearby Drifloon. The Drifloon loses its grip on the crystalline legendary Pokemon, but Terapagos is saved by Naranja Academy's Nemona and her Pawmot, and the kids are surprised to see her. Shortly after, Nemona points out that Ryme will be both battling and performing during the concert.

Nemona makes a return in Pokemon Horizons Episode 61 (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Our Pokemon Horizons heroes and Nemona reach the town's central plaza and find an open participation battling segment for the concert, but Ryme doesn't seem to be anywhere nearby. Roy declares his intent to battle Ryme but is challenged by a trainer named MC Sledge instead. Sledge sends out a Sableye, but Roy and Fuecoco dispatch it thanks to Fuecoco's well-placed Flame Charge move.

After the battle, Sledge announces the arrival of Ryme, the MC of RIP, and Roy is stunned to realize that she's the very same mysterious trainer he met in the Annihilape-protected forest from Pokemon Horizons Episode 57. Nemona points out her specialty is Ghost-type Pokemon, and Roy immediately offers himself up to challenge her for his Terastal Training test.

Roy and Ryme meet again, with the former stating that he found the rage-filled Annihilape she had been searching for, to her delight. Before the battle begins, Ryme challenges Roy to a rap battle, and the fiery youth's words prove to be more than sufficient for the MC of RIP. Ryme then asks Roy what Terastal power means to him, and Roy says it's a power to help him beat the Black Rayquaza.

Houndstone and Fuecoco clash in Pokemon Horizons Episode 61 (Image via The Pokemon Company)

With that, this Pokemon Horizons battle begins, and Ryme sends out Houndstone while Roy chooses his Kilowattrel. The latter Pokemon has very impressive speed, but Houndstone proves to be too much after landing a combined assault of the moves Phantom Force and Crunch. With Kilowattrel down, Fuecoco enters the arena in front of a crowd of enthralled onlookers.

Thanks to a well-timed Flamethrower following a Flame Charge, the little Fire-type starter Pokemon manages to take down Houndstone, but Ryme responds by sending in her Low Key Form Toxtricity; but Liko is confused since the creature is Electric/Poison-type and doesn't fit Ryme's Ghost-type theme. Even worse, Toxtricity's Punk Rock ability boosts its moves centered on sound waves.

This causes Fuecoco's attacks to constantly be repelled by Toxtricity's moves like Overdrive and Boomburst. Nemona also points out that Punk Rock reduces damage from other Pokemon's sound-based attacks, effectively nullifying Fuecoco's Disarming Voice move, which also doesn't match up well as a Fairy-type move since Toxtricity is part Poison-type.

Roy grows desperate and Terastallizes Fuecoco in an attempt to turn the tide, which Ryme criticizes him for. Before our Pokemon Horizons hero and Fuecoco can respond, Toxtricity finishes off Fuecoco with a Venoshock and Overdrive, all without Ryme even using Terastallization herself. Roy is devastated, and Ryme tells Roy that he was a poor partner to his Fuecoco due to his desperation.

Roy struggles with his shortcomings at the conclusion of Pokemon Horizons Episode 61 (Image via The Pokemon Company)

Ryme tells Roy to return to the battle arena once he's washed his soul, and our Pokemon Horizons hero is left distraught as his allies attempt to cheer him up. However, Roy is left to reconcile with the thought that despite the effort and training he and Fuecoco undertook, he still isn't utilizing his partner Pokemon to the best of its potential.