Ash Ketchum May Be Gone, But Pokémon's New Champion Is No Pushover

Warning: Spoilers for Pokémon Horizons, episode #79Pokémon Horizons has brought Liko and Roy's journey to a critical point, forcing them to face off against the Paldea region's top champion, Geeta, if they're to enter the forbidden land of Area Zero. The series' new heroes will have to push themselves to the limit if they're to achieve their goals, and Geeta will be the ultimate judge.

Fans have gotten to see the champions of every previous region compete in the Masters' Eight Tournament, but as the 9th generation's local champion, Geeta wasn't included in this global face-off. While Geeta has appeared in Pokémon Horizons before, this episode marked the first time that fans got to see her battling prowess on display, and she proved in dramatic fashion that she's just as challenging as any other champion-tier trainer out there, even in the unusual triple battle format. Geeta put Liko, Roy, and Dot's resolve to the test, with entry to Area Zero on the line.

Geeta Proves Her Champion Cred

Geeta's Strategy Was Well Thought Out

Geeta took on all three challengers at once, battling with her Glimmora and two Glimmet. Her strategy was perfectly calibrated to facing the three young trainers, starting off by raising her Glimmet's speed and making them far more difficult to hit. She quickly made a habit of blinding the challengers with Dazzling Gleam, keeping them off-balance so that the Glimmet could strike while they were unable to see. Even when Liko did manage to land a hit, it only triggered Glimmora's ability, Toxic Debris, scattering poisoned shards around the battlefield and ensuring that their Pokémon were poisoned.

While Geeta could've simply waited out the poison, she opted for a more aggressive strategy, which gave Liko and friends the opportunity to formulate a counterattack. Liko boldly attacked Roy's Crocalor, preventing it from attacking, which caused it to grow angry and made Stomping Tantrum into a more powerful attack. With the Glimmet taken out, Geeta Terastallized her Glimmora into a pure Rock-type, giving Liko and Dot a chance at a super effective hit. While Quaxwell and Crocalor fainted from Glimmora's attack, Liko's Floragato hung on and managed to deliver a final blow, securing their victory over Geeta.

Liko, Dot, and Roy Make Pokémon Anime History

The Trio Become the First to Defeat a Champion on Screen After Ash

Geeta had a very solid strategy in the works, which made her an extremely difficult opponent for them to defeat. Liko's victory over Geeta helped prove how serious the trio were about entering Area Zero, and secured them permission to visit alongside Friede and Ms. Briar. As a result of this battle, Roy is the first male main character besides Ash to have defeated a champion, while Liko's Floragato is the only not-fully-evolved Pokémon to defeat a champion's Pokémon on screen besides Ash's Pikachu.

While the heroes may have won out in the end, Geeta put on a trial that proved why she's deserving of the title of Paldea's Top Champion. With this challenge out of the way, Pokémon Horizons can finally enter the long-awaited land of Area Zero.