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| Season | Pokémon: Advanced Battle (Season 8) · Back to Kanto: the Battle Frontier begins arc (AG132–AG136) |
| Episode | Season 8, episode 43 · English episode 408 · Japanese episode 412 · Bulbapedia code AG136 |
| English title | The Symbol Life |
| Japanese title | 初陣！バトルファクトリー！！（後編） Uijin! Batoru Fakutorī!! (Kōhen) — “First Battle! Battle Factory!! (Part Two)” |
| First aired (Japan) | 28 July 2005 · TV Tokyo |
| First aired (US) | 22 April 2006 · Kids’ WB |
| Screenplay | Masashi Sogo |
| Opening / ending (Japan) | Battle Frontier – Akina Takaya · Pokémon Kazoe Uta (Pokémon Counting Song) – Akiko Kanazawa |
| English opening | Unbeatable – David Rolfe |
| Pokémon Trainer’s Choice | Which has only one evolution? (Whismur / Spoink / Beldum) → Spoink |
| Previous episode | Numero Uno Articuno (AG135) |
| Next episode | Hooked on Onix (AG137) |
Plot episodeKnowledge SymbolCharizard beats Articuno
The Symbol Life is the 43rd episode of Pokémon: Advanced Battle, the eighth season of the Pokémon anime, and the 408th episode of the English dub overall (Japanese episode 412, Bulbapedia code AG136). It first aired in Japan on 28 July 2005 and in the United States on 22 April 2006. It falls within the season’s Back to Kanto: the Battle Frontier begins stretch (EP132–EP136).
A week later, on 29 April 2006, Kids’ WB gave the slot to the world premiere of The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon; the regular run resumed on 6 May.
Synopsis
At dawn Ash and Pikachu test Charizard’s flying, and the whole group is impressed by the power of the Flamethrower and the new Dragon Breath it has developed while training in the Charicific Valley. Ash has summoned Charizard from the Charicific Valley specifically for this one-on-one match. Team Rocket watch from hiding and plot to steal either Articuno or Charizard for Giovanni. Sergio leads Ash, Brock and Scott into the arena, Scott takes the others up to the stands, and Noland, eager to face a strong opponent, sends out Articuno against Charizard. Team Rocket’s plan to cut through the roof falls apart when the roof simply opens, and Articuno’s Ice Beam freezes them before Charizard’s Flamethrower and Pikachu’s Thunderbolt blast them off.
The battle itself is fierce from the first exchange. Charizard’s opening Flamethrower connects, but Articuno dodges the second, cloaks itself in Mist and knocks the disoriented Charizard down. Dragon Breath finally hits on the third attempt, yet Ice Beam freezes one of Charizard’s wings and Steel Wing sends it crashing to the ground. Water Pulse slams Charizard into a wall, a second Ice Beam freezes a wingtip, and a barrage of Water Pulse shards follows; Charizard’s Flamethrower cannot break through Articuno’s combined attacks, and from the stands Max comments on the type match-up, although Charizard’s Flying typing means Ice Beam hits it with normal force. For most of the battle Articuno’s mastery of the air keeps Charizard on the defensive.
Ash calls for Overheat, which melts the ice on Charizard’s wings, but Water Pulse meets it in a huge explosion and Articuno follows with a direct Steel Wing. As Articuno comes in with glowing wings for another Steel Wing, Charizard grabs them and slams Articuno into the ground with Seismic Toss. Articuno cannot continue, and Ash wins the Knowledge Symbol, his first Frontier Symbol, along with a Frontier Pass to hold them. Noland tells him the next facility is the Battle Arena; Articuno flies off and Charizard returns to the Charicific Valley. It is the first time in the anime that a Legendary Pokémon has been beaten one-on-one by a non-Legendary, and the only Frontier Brain battle 4Kids dubbed before the English dub changed hands.
Major Events
- Knowledge Symbol. Charizard beats Noland’s Articuno with Seismic Toss, the first time a non-Legendary beats a Legendary one-on-one in the anime
- Ash receives a Frontier Pass
- The only Frontier Brain battle dubbed by 4Kids
Trivia
- The English title plays on the reality show The Simple Life.
- The screenplay is by Masashi Sogo.
- This is a plot episode: it advances the Hoenn storyline.
Changes in the English Dub
- 12 seconds of recap footage after the main break cut
- 3 seconds of routine time cuts
- Nobody names Saffron City (in Japanese Max says Yamabuki)
- Music from The Power of One reused
Part of our Pokémon: Advanced Battle guide. Browse every season of the Pokémon anime.