Pokémon X•Y, Vol. 12

Pokémon X•Y VIZ Media Mini-volumes (Half-edition) #12

by Hidenori Kusaka, Satoshi Yamamoto (Illustrations)

Awesome Pokémon adventures inspired by the best-selling Pokémon X and Y video games!

X was a Pokémon Trainer child prodigy. But now he’s depressed and hides in his room avoiding everyone—including his best friend Y. An attack on their hometown by Legendary Pokémon Xerneas and Yveltal, led by Team Flare, forces X outside… Now what?

Team Flare makes a second attempt to activate the Ultimate Weapon and destroy the Kalos region! And this time, X, Y and friends will need some truly expert help to put a stop to the evil organization’s nefarious plan and heartless methods. Yet as this heart-pounding battle comes to an end, it’s our friends who are faced with a moral dilemma…

Also, will Yveltal and Xerneas fight on for eternity…?

Genres: Manga, Graphic Novels

112 pages, Paperback

Published October 3, 2017

About the author

Created the Pokemon Adventures series.

Also made a Pokemon Rangers/ Almia manga. It is based on the game Pokemon Rangers, Shadows of Almia

Also known as : 日下秀憲

Reviews

[Henry Xu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely one of my favorite books in this series, if not the favorite. The combination of sheer emotion, creativity, and pure epicness all packed into that tiny book makes this stand out in my eyes.
One of the main reasons for my reasoning is how many moments in this volume that really define how much the characters have grown. For example, take the speech X gives Emma near the beginning of the book. He tells her that at first, after the winning the junior tournament and being totally drained of his ambition to do anything, he thought he had nothing to live for. So he just did nothing, and for years, that didn’t change, living completely apart from the outside world. But when he started his journey, finally being exposed to the outside, his perspective started to shift. While the journey itself was absolutely horrific, X finally realized, that during the time he shut out the outside, he had food, a home, and most importantly, people. Friends that cared for him, and never abandoned him, even when he rejected them. Who, if he had chosen to, would’ve gladly, without hesitation, welcomed back gratefully. And even complete strangers, though they were having struggles of their own, helped them as much as they could. So, as X tells Emma, and what maybe we can take into consideration, we should never, ever, take the people that care for us for granted, and to not even think about betraying them, because even if there will always be people that oppose us, there are always others that love us just as much. It really shows how much X has learned from his journey, and it is his words that changes Emma’s mind about working with Lysandre.
Another moment that tugged at my heartstrings was the epilogue, where the group faces an important question: “Were the sacrifices we made worth it?” Because, after all the hardships they faced, it seemed no one really cared, one couple even going as far to insult them, although it is unlikely they really knew who those five kids really were. However, after AZ seems to want to destroy everything, like Team Flare wanted, and the group dwelled on, the group realizes: they were thinking exactly like Lysandre. They then decide that, no, they do not want to become like their enemy, and take action to prevent themselves from ever thinking like him ever again. I think this moral decision the characters make define them as probably one of the most truly good heroes I’ve read about, especially in an action focused story like Pokemon Adventures. This sort of thing made me truly appreciate reading.
The last moment I want to mention, while maybe not as breathtaking as what I’ve talked about above, is truly touching. At the very end, X and the gang decline an offer to party to celebrate all their hard work, instead insisting to head home. When they finally reach there, after so many struggles and achievements, triumphs and failures, Y and her mom hug, while Trevor narrates “We’re home.” While this not only caused my eyes to tear up a little, but it brings attention the importance of home and family. Certainly impressive, especially since this is based on Pokemon of all things! Did I mention how beautifully written this entire thing is?
This is not to say that this volume doesn’t have its share of awesome, too. The battles between the scientists, the Zygarde fight, and X mega evolving five of his Pokemon at the same time? Great!
However, I do have some complaints, mainly about the lack of resolution. While it’s great to know the main gang is doing well, what about the other characters? What happened to Korrina? Team Flare? Lysandre and Malva?! And what in the world was happening between those two and Diantha?! While I understand nothing has been made canon, it’s not like the authors haven’t already destroyed canon a couple of times already. Also, that Water Shuriken/ Fairy Wind combo on Bisharp? What is up with that? Also, why would X command Kanga to use Outrage while Misty Terrain is in effect? It makes no sense. But I am a forgiving person.
So, in conclusion, this volume has stretched beyond my expectations for Pokemon Adventures, and is wholly deserving of a five star rating.

[Jessi · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a very interesting development that Emma is actually there of her own free will thinking that she's helping Cassius in some round about way. Though, I don't think I've ever heard Cassius say he's got money troubles or anything like that. Anyway, X talks her down by revealing what he's learned on this journey: that having people and pokemon around you that love you is everything, and helping Team Flare destroy the world isn't going to make it safer for the people she loves. It works and she's about to sic Zygarde on Lysandre, but SHE GETS ATE!!! I was at work in the break room, and that gave me an actual physical reaction.

On that note, this series has what I think is the most instances of pokemon going after people instead of other pokemon. Which if you think about it, that's what you want to do. Take out the trainer. But still, everyone in this series is so blood thirsty, dang.

Oh, X, do you want to have all the key stones so you can be the big hero again. Even though Y is a titular character as well, but you wouldn't think it from how often she's cast aside as a side character to make more room for you. Huh? Huh?

Okay, I forgive you (this time). That full page shot of all the megas was pretty freaking sweet.

As X takes on Lysandre, we see all the characters from previous volumes and just start wailing on Team Flare. It's seriously satisfying. Specifically, Shauna getting revenge for herself and Korrina was so amazing.

Xerneas and Yveltal sacrifice themselves to save Zygarde from Lysandre, and without a purpose any longer, Zygarde disassembles himself shooting oobleck all over the place. We'll be picking up those pieces in the Alolan region. Yay! That got me so excited because I collected all the Zygarde cells in Sun.

In the falling action, the kids are left to wonder if saving the ungrateful populace was worth it, and they ultimately decide that it was, and they have a heart wrenching reunion back in Vaniville Town. AZ also gets his own reunion with his precious Floette. AZ is still around. I mean, what is he going to do now? Is he just going to continue living forever? No explanations? Fine, whatever.

Lastly, this has one of the sweetest and most in depth epilogues I think we've had so far with these series. You see all the kids following their dreams, and they all seem really happy.

All around, this is an amazing closing volume.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I played the games, I was absolutely horrified that Lysandre was trying to destroy the world and had killed Pokemon to do it. I assumed that I would really dislike the manga because of it, but I absolutely loved this series. I can hardly believe that I didn't find Team Flare to be the most annoying, but I actually enjoyed this story arc.

[TomintheSnow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each hero gets their flowers in this volume and it nicely ties in with the game and connects the next series with some foreshadowing related to the games. Overall, interesting story arc that gives the enemy team more meaning but disappointing in that gen I really took over at the expense of many gym leaders and elite four that had potential for interesting back stories.

[Noelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

We’ve come full circle. Unlike the previous series (Black + White), the main story centered around X coming out of his shell and battling again. The gym badge quest is nonexistent and instead focuses on X using his skills to take down Team Flare. It ended very nicely!

It also leads into Sun + Moon with the Zygarde cells, so that’s a nice touch!

[Julieanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall X/Y has been an enjoyable series once you get past how long it takes X to do any sort of developing as a character. Still a series I would read again.

[Brighton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alright, let’s go back to Hoenn! Can’t wait to get my hands on the first volume of OR/AS!

[Zia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of an underwhelming conclusion, but I still enjoyed it.