When the team meet a friendly old couple who've always wanted a monster of their own, Genki starts to wonder if it's really right to drag someone as young as Mocchi into an adventure as dangerous as finding the Phoenix. Matters are not helped by the appearance of the Black Dinos, currently in town.
This episode contains examples of:
- Character Development: Genki starts out arrogant, abrasive and dismissive, scoffing at Holly's suggestions — including the idea that he needs new shoes. By the end of the episode, he's developed a much better perspective, and proves genuinely appreciative of Matthew and Lilly providing him with a pair of boots and a cloak.
- Chekhov's Gun:
- As the Searchers are walking away, Matthew and Lilly notice that Genki doesn't have any shoes on. This Foreshadows the couple catching up with them later to offer some extra supplies, including some old boots.
- The Mystery Disc that the group finds turns out to have a Spotted Dino inside, which they entrust to the couple, giving them the companion they so dearly desired without having to leave Mocchi behind.
- Gentle Touch vs. Firm Hand: Holly naturally favors using a gentle touch with the young Mocchi, while Genki starts out with a firm hand.
- Innocently Insensitive: Genki struggles with this throughout the episode:
- Firstly, he fails to appreciate the fact that Mocchi has only just been born and is overly harsh on him, rejecting his request to be carried and complaining that Holly's spoiling him.
- He also doesn't realize just how awful Moo's rise has been for the residents of the monster world, and his dismissive attitude rubs Holly, Suezo, and most of the residents of the village they're visiting the wrong way.
- Finally, the whole reason Genki and the others consider leaving Mocchi behind with the friendly couple is because they're worried about endangering him. Mocchi mistakes this for Genki hating him, especially since he was so harsh from the get-go.
- Jerkass Realization: Genki has two Downplayed ones. First when he sees just how terrified the villagers are of Moo, and again when he sees how happy Mocchi is with Matthew and Lily, causing him to second-guess his treatment of him and the wisdom of bringing him along.
- Just a Kid: Genki worries that it might be too dangerous to take a newly born monster like Mocchi along on such a dangerous quest. Suezo also feels the same way about Genki.
- A Lesson Learned Too Well: Downplayed. Once it really hits Genki just how dangerous their mission is, he becomes concerned about Mocchi's safety, leading to the miscommunication that spurs the young monster running away.
- Mineral MacGuffin: Holly's Magic Stone, which acts as a sort of magical compass that points the group towards Mystery Discs and which way they're supposed to be headed next.
- Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: Genki's thoughtless bragging about how easy he thinks it'll be to take down Moo turns most of the villagers against the group because they're afraid of attracting unwanted attention from his forces. They get kicked out of the restaurant mid-meal, and vendors refuse to do business with them.
- Not a Game: Holly berates Genki for initially acting like Moo's no big deal. Upon seeing some of the long-reaching effects of Moo's evil, it really starts sinking in for him.
- Poor Communication Kills:
- Mocchi misinterprets Genki's desire to leave him with the kindly couple as a sign that he dislikes him, rather than wanting to ensure his safety. They aren't able to clear up the misunderstanding until after they've saved each other from the Black Dinos.
- Since Genki hadn't discussed his growing concerns with Holly and Suezo, they're both just as blindsided by his declaration that Mocchi should stay with the couple as Mocchi is. Suezo completely misreads his intentions as misplaced jealousy and calls him out for it.
- Ridiculously Cute Critter: Mocchi, as well as the Spotted Dino revived from the Mystery Disc they found.
- Shoo the Dog: Genki tries to do this to Mocchi out of concern for his well-being.
- Significant Wardrobe Shift: While Genki keeps the modern clothes he was wearing when he got pulled into the game world, along with his signature rollerblades, he gets a proper pair of walking boots here, along with a cloak to help protect against the elements whenever he needs it.
- Surprisingly Realistic Outcome:
- Genki's excitement at being pulled into the monster world doesn't go over well with Holly and Suezo when he acts dismissive of the very real threat Moo poses. It also gets them shunned by most of the villagers, who are afraid of courting Moo's wrath.
- Genki may be great at rollerblading, but they don't make very good shoes for traveling over unpaved roads and rough terrain. Fortunately, the kindly old couple provides him with some more appropriate footwear, along with a cloak.
- Raising a monster within the confines of a video game's mechanics doesn't equate to knowing how to raise the real deal. Genki's overly firm approach winds up making Mocchi feel alienated and contributes to him running away.
- Untrusting Community: Inverted; the villagers treat the Searchers normally until Genki brags about their mission at the restaurant. This makes everyone suspicious and wary of them, because they're afraid of what Moo might do if he hears about it.
- Was Too Hard on Him: Genki eventually realizes that he was too harsh on Mocchi.
- What the Hell, Hero?:
- Holly and Suezo call Genki out for his brash overconfidence and acting as though Moo isn't a very real threat.
- Suezo also tears into him for abruptly declaring that Mocchi should stay behind with Matthew and Lily, accusing him of overreacting to how Mocchi 'upstaged' him by finding the mystery disc.
