Pushing the Fiery Envelope! – Pokémon Season 21, Episode 20

Plot episodeLitten evolves into TorracatFirst Battle Royal

Pushing the Fiery Envelope! is the 20th episode of Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon – Ultra Adventures, the twenty-first season of the Pokémon anime, and the 998th episode of the English dub overall (Japanese episode 1003, Bulbapedia code SM063). It first aired in Japan on 22 February 2018 and in the United States on 30 July 2018. It falls within the season’s The Ultra Guardians & new rivals stretch (EP61–EP69).

Premiered on Monday 30 July 2018, in Disney XD’s summer line-up of seven Monday-evening premieres (2 July – 13 August 2018); Prime Video had released it on 26 July. The following Monday Disney XD went straight on to SM065.

Synopsis · Major Events · Trivia · Dub Changes · All episodes

Synopsis

Ash’s Litten challenges the Masked Royal’s Incineroar in a Battle Royal and loses, but in a rematch it masters Flame Charge and evolves into Torracat. On television, Ash and his friends watch the Masked Royal and his Incineroar knock out Machamp, Primarina and Decidueye with Malicious Moonsault in a Battle Royal, a free-for-all between four Trainers, as he chases a twentieth straight victory; afterwards he invites any Trainer to challenge him the next day. At the Battle Royal Dome on Akala Island, Team Rocket volunteer to host in disguise, using the names of the legendary birds. When the Masked Royal asks for challengers, Litten rushes into the ring to confront Incineroar, and the Masked Royal recognises it. He invites Ash to enter with Litten and asks whether he has brought friends, so Kiawe and Marowak and Sophocles and Charjabug join the match.

At the bell, Litten’s Scratch, Marowak’s Bonemerang and Charjabug’s Discharge all fail against Incineroar, which deflects Marowak’s Shadow Bone and knocks out Marowak and Charjabug with Darkest Lariat. Litten alone survives, drawing cheers, but Incineroar powers up with Bulk Up, catches Litten in mid–Fire Fang and sends it flying with Throat Chop. Litten is upset by the loss, and even Meowth hopes it wins next time. That night, Professor Kukui suggests that seeing its final evolution has awakened Litten’s wild side, and Rotom notices that Litten is trying to learn Flame Charge. Ash sets up a special programme of speed and agility drills, including sparring with Lycanroc, but Litten cannot master the move. Then the Masked Royal and Incineroar appear on the beach and challenge Ash and Litten to a single battle.

Incineroar knocks away Fire Fang with Throat Chop and blocks Ember with its fiery belt, and Litten’s half-formed Flame Charge is no match for Cross Chop. Encouraged by Ash, Litten tries again and is engulfed in flames; caught by Incineroar, it breaks free inside a fireball and, amid red flames and a purple aura, evolves into Torracat. Its refined Flame Charge overpowers Darkest Lariat, and a second clash leaves Incineroar visibly tired. In the final exchange, though, Incineroar bulks up again and wins with Throat Chop. Ash praises Torracat’s effort, and the delighted Masked Royal declares that they are now rivals before striking his signature pose. Later, Professor Burnet says she would love to meet the Masked Royal and asks Kukui whether he would too; Kukui laughs awkwardly while Torracat stares at him knowingly.

Major Events

• The Masked Royal. The first Battle Royal, in which Ash, Kiawe and Sophocles lose to the Masked Royal’s Incineroar
• Litten learns Flame Charge and evolves into Torracat, with a unique red-flame evolution, but loses the rematch
• The Masked Royal is Kukui
• Team Rocket host under the aliases of the Legendary birds
• Alola!! insert
• The Japanese ending is updated
• Anime debuts of Torracat, Primarina and Decidueye
• TV-episode debut of Incineroar

Pokémon making their anime debut

• Torracat#0726 · SM063
• Primarina#0730 · SM063
• Decidueye#0724 · SM063
• Incineroar#0727 · SM063

Captures and evolutions

• Litten → Torracat#0726 · Ash · learning Flame Charge in the rematch with the Masked Royal’s Incineroar

Trivia

• The screenplay is by Atsuhiro Tomioka.
• This is a plot episode: it advances the Alola storyline.

Changes in the English Dub

• The Japanese caption naming Malicious Moonsault is erased
• Team Rocket’s aliases use the Japanese names of the Legendary birds
• Japanese version: Alola!! insert during Litten’s Flame Charge training
• The Sun & Moon Champion battle theme

Part of our Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon – Ultra Adventures guide. Browse every season of the Pokémon anime.