The 28th episode ofPokemon Journeysis called “Sobbing Messan,” in Japan, and it will bethe anime debut of thePokemon SwordandShieldstarter Sobble(“Messan” is Sobble’s Japanese name). Since Sobble is one of the new Generation 8 starter Pokemon, fans expect it’ll end up caught in this episode, but they’re worried the anime will give it over to Goh instead of Ash.
WheneverAsh gets a new traveling companion, they’re generally only starting out as trainers; Goh follows this trend. However, unlike Ash’s previous companions — such as May and Dawn — Goh still hasn’t found his groove as a Pokemon trainer after nearly 30 episodes. He barely gets along with his first Pokemon, Raboot, the evolution of the Generation 8 fire-starter Scorbunny.
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As such, fans have doubts that Goh will be able to handle Sobble as it’s an entirely different beast. It’s known for having a timid nature that makes it prone to crying, and its sobbing can trigger uncontrollable tears in everyone around it. It’s the kind ofPokemonone would expect a seasoned trainer like Ash to handle — or Brock if he was here. But the episode 28 preview implies that Sobble will end up with Goh this time around.
Goh becoming Sobble’s trainer seems more likely since Ash already caught a new Pokemon for himself in the episode right before this one. After his very first official battle alongside his new Riolu,Ash managed to catch himself a new Galarian Farfetch’d. He and Goh made a plan to find new Pokemon before heading back to Kanto, so since Ash already has his, Sobble will probably end up as Goh’s.
Goh catching Sobble might not be the worst thing, though. The show may plan on using the Pokemon to help Goh grow as a trainer. Yes, it can be more than a handful, but that quality might be just what Goh needs to finally get a handle on being a trainer.
On the other hand, the episode revolves around Ash and Goh trying to keepTeam Rocketfrom catching Sobble, so the duo could end up failing, and Jessie and James could get their hands on the Pokemon. It would be the first time in the anime’s history that the Generation starters get split among the show’s protagonists and Team Rocket, and Sobble does seem like the perfect Pokemon for James.
Regardless, if Ash doesn’t catch Sobble, thenGrookey’s a shoo-in to end up on his squad. The anime loves giving Ash the grass-starter of the current generation so it would fit with tradition. It would also explain the anime ending credits, which sees a random Grookey dancing with Ash’s Riolu and Lycanroc.
