JN004

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.

(Japanese: 行くぜガラル地方！ヒバニーとの出会い！！ Let's Go to the Galar Region! An Encounter with Hibanny!!) is the fourth episode of the new series, and the 1,089th episode of the Pokémon anime. It first aired in Japan on December 8, 2019.

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

Plot

Go starts the morning off by brushing his teeth, doing his level best to ignore Ash who is rapidly brushing his teeth and dizzies himself. Later, Mimey hands Go his breakfast and drink, though he is less than impressed to learn that Mimey was just miming. Just as Ash slumps into his seat, Go rushes off in a hurry to see Professor Sakuragi in the lab. Go shows the Professor a news article out of Galar that mentions the Gigantamax phenomena. Ash is immediately interested and forgets about missing his breakfast. At the boys' requests, Sakuragi agrees to send them to the Galar region to learn more about the mysterious phenomenon.

A plane and train ride later, and Ash and Go arrive at Wyndon Station. Go takes a moment to check his Rotom Phone for the station concierge where they learn that the next train to the Wild Area is three hours away. Go is keen to get going right away, but the option of bus, which is six hours away, leaves the boys stuck in Wyndon for the time being. Ash suggests they find a place to eat, and he soon locates a store using his sense of smell. They buy a heap of Galar’s famous scones. While enjoying the treats, two stones are thrown overhead, hitting a nearby bin. Pikachu goes over to investigate while Go and Ash zero in on the culprit - a mischievous Scorbunny. While the boys’ are distracted trying to get a shot of Scorbunny a group of Nickit pilfer through Ash's bag for food. The Nickit run off with Ash's backpack, and Scorbunny also makes a getaway. Realizing the Pokémon are working together, Ash and Go chase them down an alley way. The boys fall for Scorbunny’s bike bell distraction, allowing the Nickit to get further away. Go and Ash decide to split up to cover more ground.

Go soon spots a series of footprints left by Scorbunny down one of the laneways, while Ash is only finding dead ends. Go calls Ash to alert him the find, and together they spy of Scorbunny and the Nickit. Go takes the opportunity to scan Nickit with his Pokédex function, learning that it is a talented scavenger thanks to the soft pads on its feet. Though the device is unable to recognize Scorbunny, with the prospect of an entirely new species exciting the boys. Meanwhile, Scorbunny splits the spoils, and the Pokémon enjoy the scones. Ash, however, is furious and his comment is heard by Scorbunny. Realizing he has been found out, Ash rushes out of hiding to approach Scorbunny, However, the Rabbit Pokémon kicks Ash's backpack sky high and out of Ash’s reach. Scorbunny then turns its attention to Ash, though Pikachu blocks its incoming kick. Ash decides to battle Scorbunny, so he orders Pikachu use Iron Tail. Scorbunny makes a stealthy dodge, running up a wall before striking down at its opponent, though Pikachu dodges. Pikachu replies with a Thunderbolt, but Scorbunny speeds off, only to run into a bin. Ash calls for an Electroweb which ensnares Scorbunny, delivering a direct zap and defeating it. As Pikachu and Ash celebrate their win, Scorbunny is frustrated by the loss. Pikachu scales a light pole and throws Ash’s backpack down to its rightful owner. Ash turns his attention to Scorbunny, but the Pokémon kicks Ash from behind in revenge. Pikachu promptly shocks Scorbunny and Ash to settle the situation. Go comments that Scorbunny was impressive. The Pokémon seems chuffed by the compliment, rubbing its face to reveal some of its naturally white fur underneath the soot, much to Go's surprise.

The scone man from earlier yells at the Nickit for running off with his scones. He corners the Nickit trio in an alleyway, and lifts Scorbunny up by the ears as it tries to intervene. Go rushes in, apologizing on behalf of "his" Scorbunny's actions. Everyone returns to the scone shop, with Scorbunny and its Nickit friends receiving some complimentary scones. Go is taken aback as man says he knew about that Go lied about “Scorbunny”. Learning of the Rabbit Pokémon's species name, Go looks Scorbunny up on his dex with a voice command. Go is perplexed as to why this Scorbunny is brown instead of white in color. The scone man suggests Scorbunny deliberately covered itself in dirt to fit in with its urban surrounds and the Nickit. He reveals that Scorbunny and its friends have been affecting his business for some time. Hearing this, Go confronts Scorbunny directly. He tells Scorbunny to gives things try and explore the world instead of resigning itself to its misery and thieving life. Go adds that with its lucky legs, Scorbunny is bound to have a good future. Ash is immediately alarmed, and as feared, Scorbunny goes onto kick him from behind.

Go soon realizes that it is time for them to get the train, so they rush off, leaving Scorbunny. The Nickit see that something has awakened within Scorbunny and urge their friend to follow after Go. Scorbunny refuses and begins to walk away. The Nickit respond by picking Scorbunny up with their tails and carrying it directly to Wyndon Station. Ash and Go soon board, while the Nickit toss Scorbunny onto the train just before it departs. In honor of the friend, the Nickit kick a drink can directly into the bin and tease it was a tail wag and pulling of the eye. Scorbunny tears up at the gesture before the doors close shut and the train leaves the station. Scorbunny starts to clean the dirt of itself as its new life begins. Meanwhile, Ash and Go recount their encounter with Scorbunny and the Nickit back to the Sakuragi Institute. Sakuragi thanks the boys for the update and wishes them luck during their time in the Wild Area.

Major events

• Ash and Go learn about the Galar region and travel there for the first time.
• Ash and Go encounter a wild Scorbunny, who starts following them.

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

Debuts

Humans

• Professor Magnolia (picture)

Pokémon debuts

• Scorbunny
• Nickit

Characters

Humans

• Ash
• Go
• Professor Sakuragi
• Professor Magnolia (picture)
• Kikuna
• Renji
• Scone man
• Trainers
• Woman (flashback)
• Customer (flashback)

Pokémon

Who's That Pokémon?: Scorbunny (Japan)

• Pikachu (Ash's)
• Rotom (Professor Sakuragi's; Rotom Phone)
• Mr. Mime (Delia's; Mimey)
• Togepi (Trainer's)
• Turtwig (Trainer's)
• Sliggoo (Trainer's)
• Honedge (Trainer's)
• Clefairy (Trainer's)
• Pichu (Trainer's)
• Wooper (Trainer's)
• Larvitar (Trainer's)
• Kirlia (Trainer's)
• Zweilous (Trainer's)
• Jangmo-o (Trainer's)
• Scorbunny (debut)
• Nickit (×3; debut)
• Sneasel
• Pidove (×3)

Trivia

• Get Inspired! Let's Solve a Poké Riddle!!: Scorbunny
• The recycling can that the three Nickit use to throw at the train station has a Slowpoke's face design from Pokémon Quest.
• The initial preview for this episode depicted Scorbunny with its proper color scheme instead of being covered in dirt as in the broadcast version.
• Ash, Pikachu, Scorbunny, and Go narrate the preview for the next episode.
• This episode marks the first appearance of a Sliggoo in the anime other than the one that belonged to Ash.

Errors

• In a scene where Ash & Go were inside the plane, Turtwig's sclera is miscolored white instead of yellow.
• The bus seen in the initial shots of Galar has its door on the wrong side, opening onto the middle of the road.

Dub edits

In other languages

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