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| Season | Pokémon Horizons: The Series (Horizons Season 1) · Galar & the Galarian Moltres arc (HZ019–HZ023) |
| Episode | Horizons Season 1, episode 20 · English episode 1244 · Japanese episode 1253 · Bulbapedia code HZ020 |
| English title | Kabu’s Battle Training! |
| Japanese title | カブさんのバトル修行 Kabu-san no Batoru Shugyō — “Kabu’s Battle Training” |
| First aired (Japan) | 1 September 2023 · TV Tokyo |
| First aired (US) | 10 May 2024 · Netflix |
| Screenplay | Michihiro Tsuchiya |
| Opening / ending (Japan) | Dokimeki Daiārī (Heart-Pounding Diary) – asmi feat. Chinozo · RVR ~Raijingu Borutekkāzu Rappu~ (Rising Volt Tacklers Rap), Friede Ver. – Liko (Minori Suzuki) & Roy (Yuka Terasaki) |
| English opening | Becoming Me – Haven Paschall (version 1, with clips from Heart-Pounding Diary) |
| Previous episode | The Bittersweet Truth (HZ019) |
| Next episode | The Lonely Hatenna (HZ021) |
Filler / stand-alone episodeFuecoco learns FlamethrowerKabu and Wakaba
Kabu’s Battle Training! is the 20th episode of Pokémon Horizons: The Series, the first season of the Pokémon anime, and the 1244th episode of the English dub overall (Japanese episode 1253, Bulbapedia code HZ020). It first aired in Japan on 1 September 2023 and in the United States on 10 May 2024. It falls within the season’s Galar & the Galarian Moltres stretch (EP19–EP23).
Released on Netflix in the US on Friday 10 May 2024 with the rest of Part 2 (HZ013–HZ023); BBC iPlayer had released it in the UK on 27 February 2024.
Synopsis
Motostoke Gym Leader Kabu puts Liko and Roy through a test of creative training and a Multi Battle alongside his trainee Wakaba, teaching Liko that holding back out of kindness denies her opponents and her own partner the chance to grow. Kabu praises Sprigatito’s Leafage at the Battle Café but jogs off when Roy mentions the Black Rayquaza, and the two follow him to Motostoke Stadium, where the eager trainee Wakaba, who reminds Liko of Roy, leads them to him. Roy shows Kabu the Ancient Poké Ball, and Liko explains that she wants to learn about the Legendary Pokémon that brought her this far. Impressed, Kabu sets a contest: Liko must snuff out and Roy must light the flames of a group of Litwick, and whoever deals with every candle first wins. Liko adjusts Leafage to each candle’s speed and sturdiness, while Roy has Fuecoco fire Ember after Ember until it gets hungry and they have to stop for a snack.
Reassured by Kabu, Roy and Fuecoco recover and light candle after candle. Liko pauses to admire their progress just as a cluster of Litwick huddles together, and when Sprigatito snaps her back into the contest she cannot decide which Leafage to use and loses, a hesitation Kabu notices. Kabu then challenges them to a Multi Battle with Wakaba as his partner, pitting his Centiskorch and her Rolycoly against Sprigatito and Fuecoco. Fuecoco’s Ember is absorbed by Centiskorch’s Flash Fire, Sprigatito’s Leafage has no effect, and Centiskorch strikes back with Flame Wheel and Bug Bite while the intimidated Wakaba only watches. A big Leafage blinds Centiskorch for a combined Quick Attack and Tackle, but a Flamethrower blasts both partners back. Roy’s song lifts Fuecoco to its feet, and it answers with a newly learned Flamethrower of its own, but Centiskorch’s is stronger and Fuecoco faints.
Kabu leaves the rest to Wakaba, telling her the match is her test to become a Gym Trainer. Sprigatito’s Leafage overpowers Rolycoly’s Smack Down and lands a sharp hit after dodging Rapid Spin, but seeing Wakaba’s frustration and determination, Liko suddenly forfeits. Upset at the thought of winning without growing stronger, Wakaba runs off, refusing to become a Gym Trainer that way. Kabu tells Liko that she is clearly kind, but that she must also consider how an opponent who is trying their hardest feels, and that Sprigatito, too, was denied the chance to grow. Liko apologises to her partner and to Wakaba, who apologises in turn and resolves to start her training afresh. Kabu reveals that he saw the Black Rayquaza a few days earlier flying west towards the Galar Mine, so the Tacklers postpone their trip to Hammerlocke, and that night Liko ponders his words that winning is not the only path a Trainer can take.
Major Events
- Kabu’s training. The Litwick test
- Fuecoco learns Flamethrower
- Multi Battle against Kabu and Wakaba — Roy loses and Liko forfeits
- Kabu saw the Black Rayquaza flying towards the Galar Mine
Pokémon making their anime debut
Rolycoly#0837 · HZ020
Trivia
- The screenplay is by Michihiro Tsuchiya.
- This is a stand-alone episode: it can be skipped without losing the thread of the Kanto, Galar and Paldea story.
Part of our Pokémon Horizons: The Series guide. Browse every season of the Pokémon anime.