Pokémon fans are dreaming up a new battle feature that could give future games a much-needed visual boost in "Winds and Waves": finisher animations.
As someone who has already witnessed how Z-moves work, it's intriguing to see how finisher animations will fare. Recently, fans have wondered whether Game Freak wants to make Pokémon battles feel more cinematic, particularly after criticism that some recent releases have fallen short in terms of polish and presentation.
Where Did Finisher Animation Fan Theory Come From?
The idea emerged from a Reddit fan discussion comparing the visual direction of recent Pokémon titles with what the series could potentially achieve in the future.
One fan suggested that the Mega Evolutions featured in "Pokémon Legends: Z-A" could have been even more impressive with longer, more dramatic transformation sequences. The game's map and limited opportunities to interact with buildings were also mentioned as areas that could have been developed further.
Now that we're months away from the big "Pokémon Winds and Waves" reveal, some hope the next major entry will take a more ambitious approach to world design, including environments that feel more interactive and meaningful.
Finisher Animations Could Make Final Hits More Memorable
The concept behind finisher animations is straightforward. Whenever a Pokémon delivers the final blow that knocks out an opponent, the game could trigger a unique cinematic sequence. Taking inspiration from the spectacle of Z-Moves, these moments could feature dynamic camera movements, distinctive visual effects, and music that makes the decisive attack feel like a genuine highlight.
Fans have already imagined how such sequences might work for potential starter Pokémon. A Fire-type starter using Fire Fang, for instance, could set its fangs ablaze before rushing toward its opponent, ending the attack in a dramatic burst of flames. A move as powerful as Blast Burn could take things even further, surrounding the battlefield with towering crimson flames before culminating in a massive explosion.
A Water-type starter using Hydro Pump could create several swirling orbs around its body before combining them into a concentrated water cannon. Meanwhile, a Grass-type Pokémon using Energy Ball might gather leaves and surrounding natural energy before unleashing a gigantic emerald-colored blast.
Would Pokémon Finisher Animations Become Too Repetitive?
Not every fan is convinced that elaborate finishing moves would necessarily improve the gameplay experience. Some argue that watching lengthy animations repeatedly could quickly become tiresome, especially during routine battles, grinding sessions, or long Elite Four challenges.
One possible solution would be an optional setting that allows players to disable finisher animations while keeping other battle effects active.
Others believe the feature would work better if reserved for signature moves rather than ordinary attacks. Limiting cinematic finishers to special moves could give them greater identity without turning every basic attack into an extended cutscene.
'Pokémon Stadium' Still Sets the Bar For Battle Presentation
The conversation has also revived calls for more dynamic "Pokémon" battle animations overall. Rather than having Pokémon stand mostly in place while an attack is represented through flying particles, some fans want moves to feel more physical, with attacks visibly connecting with opponents through closer camera angles and more detailed animations.
There are, however, questions about how the feature would affect battle pacing. Some fans wonder whether making a basic move such as Tackle dramatically cinematic simply because it scores the knockout would feel out of place.
Others believe that such a system could reduce the tension of watching an opponent's HP slowly drop and wondering whether the next attack will finally be enough.
In our previous "Winds and Waves" report, fans argued whether there would be a new Pokemon based on a tropical fruit.
