JN118

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JN117 : The Fiery Road to Mastership!
Pokémon Journeys: The Series
JN119
Battling as Hard as Stone!
JN118.png
JN118   EP1203
サトシ出陣!VSダイゴ!!
Satoshi Goes into Battle! VS Daigo!!
First broadcast
Japan July 22, 2022
United States June 23, 2023
English themes
Opening With You
Ending
Japanese themes
Opening 1・2・3
Ending バツグンタイプ
Credits
Animation Team Kato
Screenplay 冨岡淳広 Atsuhiro Tomioka
Storyboard 尼野浩正 Hiromasa Amano
Assistant director 興満録助 Rokusuke Okimitsu
Animation directors 山崎玲愛 Rei Yamazaki
伊藤京子 Kyōko Itō
中矢利子 Toshiko Nakaya
Additional credits

Battling as Hard as Stone! (Japanese: サトシ出陣!VSダイゴ!! Satoshi Goes into Battle! VS Daigo!!) is the 118th episode of Pokémon Journeys: The Series, and the 1,203rd episode of the Pokémon animated series. It first aired in Japan on July 22, 2022, in Canada on December 17, 2022, in the United Kingdom on January 23, 2023, in South Africa on February 7, 2023, in Australia on April 24, 2023, and in the United States on June 23, 2023.

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

The Pokémon World Coronation Series Masters Eight Tournament is in full swing, and the final match of the first round is between Ash and Steven Stone, the Champion of Hoenn! First, Steven’s Metagross takes on Ash’s Dracovish, but when Steven realizes that Ash is predicting his moves, he switches out Metagross for Aggron. Aggron takes down Dracovish, so Ash brings out Gengar to get revenge. Next, Steven’s Cradily defeats Gengar, meaning Ash has one Pokémon left—Pikachu! It defeats Cradily, but then Steven Mega Evolves his Metagross. It seems Pikachu can’t land a single attack…until Ash uses 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt, winning and securing his spot in the semifinals!

Plot

All of Wyndon Stadium waits with anticipation as the fourth and final match of the Pokémon World Coronation Series Masters Eight Tournament quarterfinals, featuring Hoenn Champion Steven and Ash, the first Champion of Alola, prepares to begin. In the audience, Team Rocket, still broadcasting the events of the tournament, are excited to see Ash battle, though Jessie believes Ash has no chance of victory against Steven. Meanwhile, Goh has Hop move over so that Iris, having desired to feel the excitement of the stadium in person like Ash had for the previous battles, can join them in the bleachers. Hop is shocked to meet the Unova Champion in person, while Iris is excited to meet Leon's younger brother and affectionately cuddles up to his fluffy Wooloo.

Dan recites the rules once more: the matches in the first round are three-on-three battles with no restrictions on time or exchanges. In addition, each Trainer is allowed only one use of either Dynamax, Z-Moves, or Mega Evolution. Hop is surprised to see that Ash has the ability to use all three. Ash declares to Steven that he will be the one to advance to the semifinals. Steven, eyeing Ash's Dynamax Band, Z-Power Ring, and Mega Glove, notes Ash's confidence despite the status and strength of the former. On the count of three, both Trainers call out their first Pokémon. Steven chooses to lead with his ace, his Shiny Metagross, while Ash selects Dracovish. Backstage, Leon looks forward to seeing what Ash, the "rookie Champion", has to show.

At Dan's signal, the battle begins. Ash calls for Water Gun, but Metagross uses Agility to dodge and move in close. Ash calls for Fishious Rend while Steven orders a Psychic. Fishious Rend manages to subdue Psychic and cause Metagross damage, but Dracovish is still sent flying back by the attack. Steven mutters that Ash predicted his strategy. In the audience, Goh notes that Fishious Rend's power increases if the attack goes first, while Iris adds that the move is boosted further by Dracovish's Ability, Strong Jaw. Internally, Ash thanks Paul for showing him Metagross's strategy of approaching with Agility and then attacking with Psychic. Seeing the damage Dracovish's attack caused, Steven chooses to recall Metagross in favor of Aggron. Steven notes that while he is the strongest Trainer in Hoenn, that alone is not enough for him, adding that he entered the World Coronation Series to become the world's strongest Trainer. Backstage, Diantha notes that she has never seen Steven so fired up before. Ash responds that it is the same for him and that he will win the tournament for every person and Pokémon who has cheered them on to this point. Ash calls for Dragon Rush, but Aggron's Heavy Slam overpowers the attack and flings Dracovish back. Though Dracovish gets back on its feet and seems able to continue, it suddenly collapses and is ruled unable to battle by Dan. Iris is sad that Dracovish lost, while Ash recalls and thanks it for its effort. For his second Pokémon, he selects Gengar, who immediately uses Will-O-Wisp to burn Aggron, causing it to stumble. Undeterred, Steven has Aggron use Smart Strike, which sends Gengar flying, but Aggron's burn saps more of its strength. Aggron uses Rock Tomb in an attempt to trap Gengar, but the latter uses Dazzling Gleam to easily free itself and hit Aggron. Once again Aggron takes damage from its burn and collapses to the ground, unable to continue battling. At Professor Oak's Laboratory, all of Ash's Pokémon, especially his Fire types, cheer in happiness.

Steven recalls and thanks Aggron before sending out Cradily as his third Pokémon. Cradily uses Power Whip, surrounding Gengar with its many tentacles and striking it multiple times. The tentacles proceed to wrap around Gengar, who struggles to break free. Steven calls for Ingrain, which Alain notes will prevent Cradily from being recalled. Diantha takes this as a sign that Steven intends to defeat Gengar here and now. Ash orders a Sludge Bomb, which scores a direct hit; however, Ingrain slowly begins restoring Cradily's health. Steven goes on the offensive, calling for Meteor Beam, the attack's intense light blinding Ash and Gengar. Ash realizes he can fight light with light and shouts for Gengar to use Dazzling Gleam, which blocks Meteor Beam and results in a massive explosion that damages both Pokémon but also frees Gengar. Steven compliments Ash's strategy, the two Trainers calling for Power Whip and Shadow Ball, respectively. Gengar avoids several tentacles and launches its attack, but Cradily bats it aside and batters Gengar with its attack, flinging it into the ground and defeating it. Recalling Gengar, Ash selects Pikachu, whom Steven calls Ash's greatest partner, for his final Pokémon. Knowing that Electric-type attacks are not very effective against Grass types and Cradily is still restoring health with Ingrain, plus Metagross waiting in the wings, Goh and Hop note that Ash needs to finish Cradily quickly. James and Meowth are excited to see Pikachu, and now Jessie is cheering for Ash as well, telling Pikachu to not lose. Steven orders Cradily to use Rock Blast, but Pikachu's Quick Attack strikes first. When the rocks are subsequently launched, Pikachu jumps from one rock to another to gain height and wraps up Cradily's Power Whip with Electroweb, a maneuver that leaves Leon impressed. With Cradily's tentacles out of the way, Pikachu lands a super-effective Iron Tail, taking Cradily out of the fight and leaving both sides with only one Pokémon left. Steven praises Ash's skill, remarking that every attack that the latter launches leaves him surprised. Ash credits Gengar's efforts in assisting with Pikachu's victory.

Steven recalls Cradily and sends out Metagross once more. Immediately he grasps his Mega Stickpin and Mega Evolves Metagross. Ash calls for Thunderbolt, but Metagross effortlessly avoids the attack, as well as several follow-up Thunderbolts. Metagross uses Meteor Mash, which smashes into Pikachu and causes big damage. Diantha notes that Mega Metagross is said to have far superior strategic and information process capabilities than its base form, enabling it to predict Pikachu's every action with incredible accuracy. Ash calls for Iron Tail, but Metagross easily dodges again and smashes Pikachu into the ground with Psychic, though Pikachu is still able to stand back up. Ash's grimace gives way to a smile as he tosses his hat to Pikachu and the two begin to perform their Z-Move, much to the excitement of the audience. Fully charged with Z-Power, Pikachu fires 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt, but Metagross dodges and prepares to finish Pikachu with Flash Cannon. To Steven's shock, however, the lightning bolts suddenly change direction and block Metagross's attack, as well as strike the Iron Leg Pokémon and send it plummeting to the ground. While Steven is in disbelief at Pikachu's ability to command electricity, Pikachu strikes Metagross with Iron Tail, scoring the finishing blow on his Steel-type opponent. Dan rules Metagross unable to battle and Ash the victor. With that, Ash advances to the semifinals to battle Cynthia, who is very excited and delighted at the prospect of finally battling Ash. In the audience, Goh and Iris dance with Grookey in celebration while Hop calls Ash and his Pokémon incredible. Team Rocket is likewise thrilled with the upset, Jessie even believing that Ash might win the entire tournament. Steven congratulates Ash, attributing the victory to the feelings Ash and his partners have for each other coming together to form an incredible power. With the battle over, the four Trainers advancing to the semifinals have been decided: Leon, Diantha, Cynthia, and Ash.

Outside the stadium, Steven expresses his belief in Ash's ability to defeat Cynthia. Alain and Iris likewise tell Ash to win, which he promises to do. Ash says goodbye to the three, while inside the stadium, Leon looks down upon the battlefield impassively.

Major events

Ash facing Steven
For a list of all major events in the animated series, please see the history page.

Debuts

Pokémon debuts

Characters

Humans

Pokémon

Trivia

The "After the story" artwork for this episode

Errors

Dub edits

  • The Japanese text depicting 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt's name when Pikachu is about to use the move is edited out in the dub.

In other languages



JN117 : The Fiery Road to Mastership!
Pokémon Journeys: The Series
JN119
Project Anime logo.png This episode article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of Pokémon animation.