The freshly rebooted series Pokémon Horizons has just seen the debut of the first character from the Pokémon Scarlet and Violet games, and she's already sparking new rivalries with the series' heroes. Nemona, a fan favorite character from the games, made her appearance in anime form for the first time, and the series managed to nail her characterization.
Nemona is one of the first characters that a player meets in Scarlet and Violet, and she becomes their rival throughout the game, with the two trainers pushing each other to new heights. Nemona is known for being obsessed with Pokémon battles, always challenging the player to a match when they see each other, although it doesn't always end up happening. The version of Nemona seen in the series is very much the same as her video game counterpart, eager to challenge Roy and Liko, although the pair are hardly prepared for an opponent like her.
Nemona is introduced, of course, battling another trainer. Liko and Roy enjoy watching her battle, and as they speak afterward, Nemona challenges them as well. Unfortunately for her, though, they're here on business, as Artazon's local gym leader Brassius supposedly has a clue as to the location of the Black Rayquaza. Nemona is also here to help out Brassius, who has been rather down lately, so she ends up joining the pair for most of the episode. As a result, Nemona gets to watch and commentate when Roy faces off with Brassius in a gym battle, bringing back the classic Pokémon trope of having side characters explain a battle as it occurs.
Nemona is very much the same as she is in the games-a bit overeager, but very nice and well-meaning. They do go out of their way to establish that Nemona holds her Champion rank here in the anime, just as she does in the games. It also looks like Nemona will be hanging around for at least one more episode, as she appears in the next episode preview as well. Nemona is as fascinated by the Black Rayquaza story as Liko and Roy themselves are, so it makes sense that she'd accompany them on a major clue that's not too far away.
Perhaps the best thing about seeing Nemona animated is that she finally has a voice, as Scarlet and Violet very disappointingly lacked voice acting. Nemona's energetic personality definitely benefits from being fully voiced, and so in a way her anime counterpart almost seems like a truer version of the character. Her presence also opens the door for other beloved characters from Scarlet and Violet to make their debut, such as Arven. There's no telling how long Nemona will hang around at this stage, but many fans wouldn't mind if she became a fixture of Pokémon Horizons.