SM132: Difference between revisions

This article is about an episode of the Pokémon anime that has not been dubbed into English. As such, its coverage may contain romanized Japanese names, rather than dub names.

Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Strategy!

SM132   EP1071 ジュナイパーを攻略せよ！ Overcome Junaiper!

First broadcast Japan July 28, 2019 United States November 30, 2019

English themes Opening The Challenge of Life Ending

Japanese themes Opening キミの冒険 Ending タイプ：ワイルド

Credits Animation Team Kato Screenplay 面出明美 Akemi Omode Storyboard 樋口香里 Kaori Higuchi Assistant director 小柴純弥 Junya Koshiba Animation directors 酒井裕未 Hiromi Sakai 柳原好貴 Yoshitaka Yanagihara No additional credits are available at this time.

Screenshots on Filb.de Preview thread on BMGf Closed Original review thread on BMGf

Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Strategy! (Japanese: ジュナイパーを攻略せよ！ Overcome Junaiper!) is the 132nd episode of the Sun & Moon series, and the 1,071st episode of the Pokémon anime. It first aired in Japan on July 28, 2019 and is scheduled to air in the United States on November 30, 2019.

Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.

Plot

Wingull arrives at Melemele Island and informs Toucannon's flock that Rowlet is competing in a tough match against a Decidueye, prompting Toucannon, Trumbeak, and several Pikipek to leave for Manalo Stadium. Meanwhile, Ash is already training with Pikachu and Rowlet, who is hoping to overcome Hau's Decidueye. Though Ash's friends advise Torracat's Fire attacks would be more effective against Decidueye, Ash is insistent on choosing Rowlet and declares that he has no secret plan in mind. Kiawe quickly supports the tactic after seeing Rowlet's enthusiasm, though the others have their doubts. Ash decides to keep training with Rowlet while everyone else goes to watch Gladion's match.

James facing Gladion

While fuming over her loss against James in the previous round, Jessie demands he win or else before handing him the Z-Ring to ensure victory. Soon, James and Gladion enter the battlefield as Jīkyō introduces the latter to the audience. James calls out Mareanie for a pep talk; Mareanie agrees to do its best and fulfill James's personal goal of battling the Masked Royal. After Hapu calls for the second round match to begin, James makes the first move, but Gladion's Lycanroc easily evades the oncoming Sludge Bomb.

Meanwhile, Rowlet falls asleep again during Ash's training session. Rotom suggests Rowlet should learn a new move for a counter-strategy. Rowlet soon wakes up as its foster family arrives to lend a hand. After Rowlet informs Toucannon of its concerns for its upcoming match, Toucannon shows its Feather Dance technique. Rotom adds that the move would be ideal against Hau's Decidueye, as Feather Dance weakens an opponent's attack. With that, Ash and Rowlet begin to try to master Feather Dance.

Elsewhere, Mareanie manages to stand up, though she is clearly exhausted. As Lycanroc increases its attack power with Swords Dance, James decides to use a Z-Move and performs Black Hole Eclipse with Mareanie. Gladion counters with his own Z-Move, Continental Crush, with Lycanroc hurling a giant boulder directly at Mareanie's black hole. In the crowd, Nanu recalls how Ash used the same strategy during their grand trial match. The two Z-Moves cancel each other out, and Gladion has Lycanroc follow up with Stone Edge, winning the round. A dejected James walks backstage and is confronted by Jessie, though instead of receiving a scolding, she rewards his efforts with a can of Komala Coffee. Meowth adds that they will just think of another way to conquer Alola, and Jessie declares that Team Rocket only looks to the future. James is greatly relieved, as is Mareanie, who goes on to poison him in admiration.

Ash facing Hau

Later, Rotom interrupts Ash's training session to inform him that Gladion won his match and that his own match is about to begin. The Trumbeak and Pikipek return in time to deliver Rowlet a special gift, a Decidueye-styled cloak meant to encourage it to win. The flock leaves, while Ash returns to the stadium. Backstage, Hau declares his hopes to defeat Ash and prove himself as a strong Trainer. Ash shares his sentiments, also admitting that he wants to win the entire Manalo Conference. The two are called over to the battlefield; Hau runs off first, while Ash takes a moment to call out his Pokémon from their Poké Balls so they could cheer him and Rowlet on. Ash's friends are relieved to see Ash made it to his match, though they are concerned about how his training went. Meanwhile, Toucannon's flock perches themselves on the stadium rooftop to watch the battle.

Nanu gives the signal and Hau makes the first attack, a Razor Leaf. Rowlet dodges before launching a Seed Bomb, though Decidueye batters the Everstone away with a Leaf Blade. Surprisingly Ash decides to use his Z-Move early. As Rowlet uses Bloom Doom, Decidueye simply flies upwards and evades the entire move. Ash is taken aback. Hau declares that he done his research and calls Ash's tactic predictable. Decidueye shoots out a Spirit Shackle arrow, pinning Rowlet to the battlefield. Hau then uses his own Z-Move and lands a direct hit on Rowlet with Sinister Arrow Raid. As the dust settles, everyone's attention shifts from the shrivelled cloak to Rowlet who is sitting nearby, remarkably unharmed. Jikyo declares it an example of the art of substitution, and Hau is surprised by the unexpected tactic. Rowlet feels despondent as it looks at its damaged cloak. Seeing as the match is yet to be won, Hau confidently declares that his next move won't miss.

Major events

• Ash's Rowlet begins to learn Feather Dance with the help of its foster family.
• Gladion defeats James, advancing to the semifinals.
• Ash begins his second round battle against Hau.
• Hau is revealed to have obtained a Decidium Z.

For a list of all major events in the anime, please see the history page.

Debuts

Pokémon debuts

Characters

Humans

Dare da?

• Ash
• Lana
• Kiawe
• Lillie
• Sophocles
• Mallow
• Jessie
• James
• Professor Kukui/the Masked Royal (the Masked Royal in a fantasy)
• Professor Burnet
• Gladion
• Hala
• Olivia
• Nanu
• Hapu
• Lusamine
• Wicke
• Faba
• Hau
• Jīkyō
• Trainers
• Crowd

Pokémon

Who's That Pokémon?: Pikipek (Japan)

• Pikachu (Ash's)
• Meowth (Team Rocket)
• Wobbuffet (Jessie's)
• Rotom (Rotom Pokédex)
• Rowlet (Ash's)
• Lycanroc (Ash's; Dusk Form)
• Torracat (Ash's)
• Meltan (Ash's)
• Eevee (Lana's; Sandy)
• Vulpix (Lillie's; Alola Form; Snowy)
• Togedemaru (Sophocles's)
• Mimikyu (Jessie's)
• Mareanie (James's)
• Lycanroc (Gladion's; Midnight Form)
• Decidueye (Hau's)
• Espeon (Trainer's)
• Politoed (Trainer's)
• Ditto (Trainer's)
• Chansey (Trainer's)
• Cleffa (Trainer's)
• Pikipek (anime; multiple)
• Trumbeak (anime)
• Toucannon (anime)
• Shaymin (anime)
• Wingull

Trivia

• Poké Problem: Who was Rowlet's special training partner in today's episode?
  • Host: Rotom
  • Choices: Decidueye, Faba, Toucannon, Tapu Bulu
  • Answer: Toucannon
• Nanu and Hala narrate the preview for the next episode.
• The English dub title of this episode is a pun on the saying "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery".

Errors

Dub edits

In other languages

This episode article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of the Pokémon anime.