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| Season | Pokémon DP: Sinnoh League Victors (Season 13) · Ash vs Paul: the Full Battle arc (DP186–DP188) |
| Episode | Season 13, episode 31 · English episode 650 · Japanese episode 655 · Bulbapedia code DP188 |
| English title | Battling a Thaw in Relations! |
| Japanese title | 決着ライバルバトル！サトシ対シンジ！！ Ketchaku Raibaru Batoru! Satoshi Tai Shinji!! — “Conclusion of Rival Battle! Satoshi VS Shinji!!” |
| First aired (Japan) | 19 August 2010 · TV Tokyo |
| First aired (US) | 15 January 2011 · Cartoon Network |
| Screenplay | Atsuhiro Tomioka |
| Opening / ending (Japan) | Saikō – Everyday! (The Greatest – Everyday!), Band Version – Fumie Akiyoshi with The Greatest-Band · Kimi no Mune ni LaLaLa (In Your Heart, LaLaLa) – MADOKA. |
| English opening | We Will Carry On! – Adam Elk |
| Previous episode | A Real Rival Rouser! (DP187) |
| Next episode | The Semi-Final Frontier! (DP189) |
Plot episodeAsh beats PaulRivalry ends
Battling a Thaw in Relations! is the 31st episode of Pokémon DP: Sinnoh League Victors, the thirteenth season of the Pokémon anime, and the 650th episode of the English dub overall (Japanese episode 655, Bulbapedia code DP188). It first aired in Japan on 19 August 2010 and in the United States on 15 January 2011. It falls within the season’s Ash vs Paul: the Full Battle stretch (EP186–EP188).
Synopsis
Ash defeats Paul in their Full Battle when Infernape overcomes Electivire, ending their rivalry with mutual respect. Gliscor’s Fire Fang burns Drapion, which collapses from its accumulated damage, but Paul’s last Pokémon, Electivire, uses Thunder to rain debris on Gliscor and defeats it with Brick Break.
Pikachu’s Volt Tackle only charges Electivire through Motor Drive, and Brick Break knocks Pikachu out, leaving a poisoned, battered Infernape. Electivire blocks Flamethrower with Protect and creates a Counter Shield with Thunder; when Infernape falls, Electivire itself waves off the referee. Infernape rises, activates Blaze, and its Flare Blitz collides with Thunder Punch until Electivire finally falls.
Dawn, Brock and Barry celebrate, Team Rocket cheer, and Paul thanks Electivire and leaves with a smile, while Reggie consoles Paul’s Pokémon at home. Cynthia reflects on the bond between the two rivals, and before leaving the island Paul admits Infernape is strong and announces he will challenge Brandon again. Ash wishes him luck and turns to his semi-final against Tobias.
Major Events
- Ash beats Paul for the first time in a regular battle. Gliscor beats Drapion
- Infernape’s Blaze overcomes Electivire
- Paul leaves with respect for Ash, to challenge Brandon again
- The last use of the original Type: Wild
- The first battle to span more than two episodes
Trivia
- The English title plays on “a thaw in relations”, for the moment Ash and Paul’s frosty rivalry warms into respect.
- The screenplay is by Atsuhiro Tomioka.
- This is a plot episode: it advances the Sinnoh storyline.
Changes in the English Dub
- Paul’s half-spoken “you’ve gotten stronger” becomes “Well… huh?”
- Reggie’s message is altered
- The last use of the original Type: Wild, at the end of the battle — replaced in the dub by an instrumental of This is the Moment
- An instrumental of A Small Thing
Part of our Pokémon DP: Sinnoh League Victors guide. Browse every season of the Pokémon anime.