X was a Pokémon Trainer child prodigy. He hated the shine of the spotlight so he took to hiding in his room and avoiding everyone—including his best friend Y. But now a surprise attack has brought X out of hiding!
The mystery of Mega Evolution begins to unravel, and new Pokémon join X and Y and their friends as they face an intensifying battle! Meanwhile, the headquarters of the Mega Evolution family, the Tower of Mastery, is under attack by a mysterious figure in a mechanical suit! Who is the masked marauder named Essentia?!
The Pokémon Adventures manga continues to prove why it’s considered one of the best adaptations of the Pokémon franchise, with this volume diving deeper into the X•Y arc’s darker themes, character growth, and intense battles.
One of the biggest highlights is X’s development—after shutting himself off from the world, he slowly begins to open up and trust his friends again. Y, Shauna, Tierno, and Trevor push forward in their journey, and their curiosity about Mega Evolution becomes a key driving force in the plot. The way the manga explores Mega Evolution feels more mysterious and high-stakes compared to the games.
What really stands out is how Pokémon Adventures is much darker than the anime. While the anime keeps battles lighthearted and avoids serious consequences, the manga doesn’t hold back. The use of Pokémon as weapons to harm or even kill people is shocking, but it also adds depth to the villains and the overall conflict. Team Flare’s presence feels genuinely threatening, making the stakes much higher than in other Pokémon adaptations.
The artwork by Satoshi Yamamoto continues to shine, especially in battle sequences and dramatic moments. Every panel is filled with energy, and Pokémon expressions add an extra layer of emotion.
Overall, Pokémon Adventures: X•Y, Vol. 2 delivers a thrilling, action-packed, and surprisingly dark take on the Pokémon X and Y story. Fans looking for a more serious, character-driven Pokémon story will love this arc.
X, Y, and friends continue their journey through the Kalos region discovering more about mega evolution and Team Flare’s plans for the world.
X has finally come out of his tent and Pokémon are flocking to his mega evolution team. I’m excited to see which form is chosen when Charmander inevitably mega evolves. I’m rooting for Charizard X myself!
This one was great. We're learning a lot more about mega evolution. X is slowly coming more out of his shell. Trevor is having a nice time researching mega evolution. Tierno had a great time at the park. Trouble is brewing, I hope they are prepared for Team Flare.
Now X is less depressed and is able to function as a person, which is nice. The pacing is just as swift, though the battles against Team Flare pretty much constantly is getting a bit stale. There should be a broader focus, and perhaps even spend more time with the gym leaders.