 |
|
| Season | Pokémon: BW Adventures in Unova and Beyond (Season 16) · The Vertress Conference arc (BW103–BW108) |
| Episode | Season 16, episode 6 · English episode 756 · Japanese episode 761 · Bulbapedia code BW103 |
| English title | Curtain Up, Unova League! |
| Japanese title | 開幕イッシュリーグ・ヒガキ大会！サトシ対シューティー！！ Kaimaku Isshu Rīgu Higaki Taikai! Satoshi Tai Shūtī!! — “The Isshu League Higaki Conference Gets Underway! Satoshi VS Shooty!!” |
| First aired (Japan) | 22 November 2012 · TV Tokyo |
| First aired (US) | 9 March 2013 · Cartoon Network |
| Screenplay | Yukiyoshi Ōhashi |
| Opening / ending (Japan) | Yajirushi ni Natte! (Be an Arrow!) – Rica Matsumoto · Mite Mite☆Kotchitchi (Look Look☆Here) – Momoiro Clover Z |
| English opening | It’s Always You and Me (Version 1) – Neal Coomer & Kathryn Raio |
| Who’s That Pokémon? | Ferrothorn (US) |
| Previous episode | Team Eevee and the Pokémon Rescue Squad! (BW102) |
| Next episode | Mission: Defeat Your Rival! (BW104) |
Plot episodeVertress Conference, part 1Ash v Trip begins
Curtain Up, Unova League! is the 6th episode of Pokémon: BW Adventures in Unova and Beyond, the sixteenth season of the Pokémon anime, and the 756th episode of the English dub overall (Japanese episode 761, Bulbapedia code BW103). It first aired in Japan on 22 November 2012 and in the United States on 9 March 2013. It falls within the season’s The Vertress Conference stretch (EP103–EP108).
Synopsis
The Vertress Conference opens in Vertress City, and Ash is drawn against his rival Trip in the very first round. Bianca knocks Ash into a fountain, Stephan is thrilled to hear his name said correctly, Virgil arrives by helicopter, and a friendlier Trip wishes Ash luck. Ash also finds Cameron, who has camped outside for three days without registering; the two talk Nurse Joy into letting him enter, and Professor Juniper sends Ash his Palpitoad.
After a sleepless night spent remembering the Gym Leaders who helped him, Ash joins the opening ceremony, where Freddy O’Martian skydives into the stadium, Officer Jenny lights the torch and a flock of Pidove flies overhead.
Stephan’s Zebstrika beats Radley’s Braviary with Giga Impact, while Bianca’s Emboar, Virgil’s Vaporeon and Cameron’s Ferrothorn begin their matches against Mikael’s Watchog, Ultimo’s Crustle and Kendrick’s Eelektross. Then Trip’s Serperior dodges Pikachu’s Quick Attack, Iron Tail and Electro Ball and slams him with Dragon Tail, leaving Ash stunned.
Major Events
- The Vertress Conference opens. Cameron registers at the last minute
- Professor Juniper sends Palpitoad and Ash decides to use only his current Pokémon
- Freddy O’Martian skydives into the stadium
- Stephan’s Zebstrika beats Radley’s Braviary
- Ash calls Juniper rather than Oak before a League
- Ash v Trip begins, the earliest Ash has met his main rival in a Conference and the first time not in a Full Battle
- Debuts of Russet, Mikael, Ultimo and Kendrick
Trivia
- The screenplay is by Yukiyoshi Ōhashi.
- This is a plot episode: it advances the Unova storyline.
Changes in the English Dub
- An instrumental of Best Wishes!
Part of our Pokémon: BW Adventures in Unova and Beyond guide. Browse every season of the Pokémon anime.