Summary
Held items in Pokémon battles add complexity and unpredictability, making battles more interesting for viewers.
The addition of items allows for customization and introduces new challenges for protagonists to address, extending beyond typing or the efficacy of moves. Held items have been featured in multiple Pokémon manga, indicating that there is no justification for excluding them from the anime battles. Including held items in the anime battles would provide fans with fresh possibilities and heightened excitement.
Battles in the Pokémon anime are known for their unique logic, making fights more captivating for viewers. However, there is one game mechanic, held items, that the anime has largely disregarded. Incorporating held items could introduce a whole new dynamic to Pokémon Battles.
In the games, held items are various types of items (berries, armor, tools, etc.) that a Pokémon can carry into battle, each with its own effects. For instance, a Pokémon holding a berry will consume it at the right moment to achieve its desired effect. Other items can alter a Pokémon's stats, ground flying Pokémon, boost attacks, or even trigger evolution. While held items have made occasional appearances in the anime, typically only berries and items related to Pokémon evolution are shown. The anime primarily showcases the use of Mega Stones as the commonly used held item in battles.
Pokémon Battles Are More Complex With Items
Items in battles add an element of surprise and unpredictability, making them more thrilling. Typically, a Pokémon's held item is not obvious, so when it is ultimately used, it can catch opponents off guard. Certain items, such as the Rocky Helmet that inflicts damage, can force players to quickly change their strategies. This adds complexity to battles, which is something highly appreciated by game players. Since the second generation of Pokémon games, held items have been a fundamental part of the series, although they are rarely featured in the anime.
Including items in the anime provides several significant advantages. Firstly, it introduces a new level of complexity, presenting challenges for the protagonists beyond just type matching and move effectiveness. Secondly, it allows for customization, where battles between two Pokémon using different items can become considerably distinct from battles without items. For example, if Pikachu, an electric type Pokémon, were to use an Air Balloon, it would lose its vulnerability to Ground-type attacks. This creates a dilemma for characters like Ash, Liko, or Roy on how to counter this situation. While it may make battles more challenging for younger viewers to follow, it also brings a lot of potential for excitement and innovation.
Held items have been featured in previous Pokémon manga, implying their potential relevance in anime battles. The numerous benefits they bring make their limited presence in the series so far quite puzzling. Ideally, as Pokémon Horizons advances, we can expect held items to have a greater impact compared to their portrayal under Ash in the anime. This would finally grant fans battles with the same level of complexity as those experienced in the games.
