Last time on Schizoanalysis:
>>53005128 >>53043536 >>53111781Omake:
>>53135848(Note, life got in the way, so I missed the past few weeks. I'm catching up now.)
Schizoanalysis Episode 4:
-The trio is finally together, but we really don't get to bask in it. This episode is very Ash focused, with Misty and Brock playing more of a support role, rather than a lot of play between the three of them.
-Ash is describing an encounter with Gyarados, which leads us into the path split of the episode, telegraphing which direction our group is headed.
-Obviously, the Magikarp waterfall climb is in reference to the Pokedex entry of how Gyrados evolves in the wild. While the Aipom hot springs is in reference to Jigokudani Monkey Park, where the Japanese Macaque swim in hot springs when it snows outside.
-The reference to the Jigokudani Monkey Park could signify that this anime only region is actually an analogue to the real life Japanese Chubu Region (basically, whatever is north of Johto). The Jigokudani Monkey Park is in the northern tip of the Nagano prefecture, a very specific area that is near the border of Kanto.
-A slightly schizo connection is that the Gyarados references could be a wink towards Misty, as her experiences with Gyarados are significant to her character, and tie into the theme of the episode (Her childhood fear of Gyarados is a prejudice that she had to overcome in Pokemon Chronicles, and represents a time where she had to "Understand the Heart of a Pokemon").
-When Magikarp's legend is referenced, it is depicted in a traditional Japanese painting style, this leads me once again to assume this anime-only region is meant to be in Japan and adjacent to Kanto and Johto. This makes complete sense when you take into account Misty and Brock being here, and the show heavily telegraphing a return to Kanto.