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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.
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激闘のホウエン地方！挑戦バトルフロンティア！！
The Hoenn Region, Site of Fierce Fights! The Battle Frontier Challenge!!
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First broadcast
| Japan
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December 29, 2019
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| United States
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English themes
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Japanese themes
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Credits
| Animation
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Team Kato
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| Screenplay
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赤尾でこ Deko Akao
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| Storyboard
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齋藤徳明 Noriaki Saitō
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| Assistant director
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村田尚樹 Naoki Murata
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| Animation directors
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加藤祐子 Yūko Katō
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| 大川駿 Shun Ōkawa
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| No additional credits are available at this time.
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(Japanese: 激闘のホウエン地方！挑戦バトルフロンティア！！ The Hoenn Region, Site of Fierce Fights! The Battle Frontier Challenge!!) is the seventh episode of the new series, and the 1,092nd episode of the Pokémon anime. It first aired in Japan on December 29, 2019.
Plot
At the Sakuragi Institute, Mimey leads everyone through some morning kung fu exercises. Mimey points out that Metapod's pose is perfect, leaving everyone confused as it doesn’t have any limbs. Unexpectedly Scorbunny kicks Metapod into a rock, sending everyone into a panic. As Professor Sakuragi mistakenly tries nursing a rock, Metapod assures Go that it fine.
Go gets a big surprise when Ash tosses him his bag, and says they're heading for the Hoenn region. They arrive at the Hoenn Battle Frontier, in time to compete in the Battle Frontier Flute Cup. Ash plans on entering with Pikachu and Mimey while Go hopes Scorbunny and his Scyther will do well. Go isn't feeling as enthusiastic as Ash, but that subsides when a Taillow swoops by. He chases after it, and with one Poké Ball he makes the catch. As his Pokédex updates, Go learns that Taillow eat Wurmple, so he calls Taillow out to catch himself a Wurmple. Go and Scorbunny walk directly into a Mightyena, and it becomes angry after Scorbunny pulls out a tuft of its fur.
Meanwhile, Ash comes face to face with Houji riding on his Hariyama’s shoulder. He orders Ash to move away from the bins. Houji has Hariyama lean forward, so he can throw away a drink bottle, only to fall face first into the bin. Ash pushes the bottle into the recycle, and is left stunned by Houji’s quick recovery. Afterwards Houji introduces himself, revealing that he is a Trainer from Lavaridge Town. Houji reveals that he is also entering the Flute Cup, only revealing that he will be using Hariyama. The Mightyena from earlier, follow by Go and Scorbunny, leap into view. As Go prepares to catch Mightyena, Houji intervenes, admitting Mightyena is already his Pokémon. Go then shows off his new Taillow, and Houji comments on Go’s sincerity. Scorbunny prepares to kick Houji for the snide remark, but Mightyena’s snarl stops it, and it instead kicks Ash. Pikachu tries to defend his Trainer, but ends up electrocuting Ash.
Soon Houji gets an update of his phone, and he learns that he is up against Go in the first round. The Battle Frontier Flute Cup soon gets underway, with Houji’s Mightyena battling Go's Scyther. Go takes a moment to consult his dex, and learns that his Bug-type Scyther has the advantage over its Dark-type opponent. Go decides to play it safe by having Scyther boost its attack power with a Swords Dance. Though Mightyena just rushes in, dealing a single knockout blow with Fire Fang. Go apologizes to Scyther before recalling it back. Next, Go sends out Scorbunny. It prepares to land a Double Kick, but is struck back with a Snarl attack. Mightyena follows up with Crunch, helping Houji advance to the next round. Go is left speechless by the defeat, and kneels down to comfort his fainted Pokémon. Despite his Pokémon making an instant recovery after a visit to the Pokémon Center, Go is struggling to cope with his swift loss. He remarks that catching is better than battling. He rushes out to catch himself a Wurmple, ignoring Ash's request that he watch the matches.
Later, Ash and Houji have breezed through the rounds and now face each other in the finals. Go returns to the stadium in time to watch the match unfold. Houji selects Hariyama first, and orders a Force Palm attack. Though Mimey moves out of the way, causing the move to miss. Houji orders a barrage of Force Palms, but Mimey continues to dodge them all with its kung fu techniques. Ash calls for a Focus Punch, and Mimey delivers a direct hit. Hariyama tries an Arm Thrust, but Mimey’s Reflect stops it from doing any damage. Mimey continues to trap Hariyama with Reflect walls before using Psychic to deal the finishing blow. Like Go, the commentator is astounded, and even remarks that he has a newfound respect for Mr. Mime.
Houji calls out his Mightyena. Though Mimey has seemingly lost its will to battle, so Ash sends Pikachu onto the field instead. Houji starts with a Snarl, though Pikachu swiftly evades with Quick Attack and lashing Mightyena with an Iron Tail. As he descends back to the field, Pikachu uses Thunderbolt, which proves powerful enough to blow a hole in the stadium’s ceiling. Houji calls for a Sucker Punch, so Mightyena speeds around Pikachu, almost invisible as it bides its time to attack. As Sucker Punch hits, Pikachu is thrown into the air. Ash orders an Electroweb aimed at the ceiling, allowing to rebound with added velocity. Pikachu uses Iron Tail to smash directly into his opponent, knocking Mightyena out and winning Ash the Flute Cup. Idol Hibana awards Ash a set of five flutes in honor of the victory. Hariyama stomps towards Ash at the winner’s podium, before Houji offers a handshake. However Houji leans too far forward and hits the ground.
Afterwards, Go congratulates on the win and admits Mimey put up a great performance. Go adds that battles really are fun, marking a real change of heart for the young Trainer. By nightfall, the boys return to the Sakuragi Institute where Go proudly displays his three Wurmple. Koharu cannot understand why he caught three of the same Pokémon. Go replies that it part of a back-up plan that takes into account that Wurmple's evolutionary pattern into either Cascoon or Silcoon is unpredictable. Suddenly Ash says it look like the Wurmple are evolving, but quickly reveals that he was joking. Scorbunny kicks Ash for the bad joke.
Major events
- For a list of all major events in the anime, please see the history page.
Debuts
Pokémon debuts
Characters
Humans
Pokémon
Who's That Pokémon?: Mightyena (Japan)
Trivia
Errors
Dub edits
In other languages
