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| Season | Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon – Ultra Legends (Season 22) · Guzzlord & the Masked Royal arc (SM140–SM144) |
| Episode | Season 22, episode 52 · English episode 1078 · Japanese episode 1084 · Bulbapedia code SM144 |
| English title | From Z to Shining Z! |
| Japanese title | アローラ最強のＺ！カプ・コケコVSピカチュウ！！ Arōra Saikyō no Z! Kapu-Kokeko Tai Pikachū!! — “Alola’s Strongest Z! Kapu-Kokeko VS Pikachu!!” |
| First aired (Japan) | 20 October 2019 · TV Tokyo |
| First aired (US) | 22 February 2020 · Disney XD |
| Screenplay | Aya Matsui |
| Opening / ending (Japan) | Kimi no Bōken (Your Adventure) – Taiiku Okazaki · Taipu: Wairudo (Type: Wild, 2019 version) – Shōko Nakagawa |
| English opening | The Challenge of Life – Dani Marcus and The Sad Truth |
| Who’s That Pokémon? | Golisopod (US) |
| Previous episode | Fiery Surprises! (SM143) |
| Next episode | Dreams of the Sun and Moon! (SM145) |
Plot episodeExhibition, part 4Pikashunium Z
From Z to Shining Z! is the 52nd episode of Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon – Ultra Legends, the twenty-second season of the Pokémon anime, and the 1078th episode of the English dub overall (Japanese episode 1084, Bulbapedia code SM144). It first aired in Japan on 20 October 2019 and in the United States on 22 February 2020. It falls within the season’s Guzzlord & the Masked Royal stretch (EP140–EP144).
Synopsis
Tapu Koko stands in as Professor Kukui’s final Pokémon, and Pikachu’s 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt overpowers the guardian’s Guardian of Alola to win the exhibition match and bring the Manalo Conference to an end. On the electrified field, Tapu Koko blocks Naganadel’s Sludge Bomb with Steel Wing and interrupts X-Scissor with Dazzling Gleam. Ash’s Dragon Pulse cannot hurt a Fairy type, but it kicks up dust that blinds Tapu Koko long enough for X-Scissor to land. Tapu Koko charges through Sludge Bomb and finishes Naganadel with Dazzling Gleam and Discharge. Ash’s last Pokémon, Pikachu, meets Dazzling Gleam with Thunderbolt and counters with Iron Tail, contains Nature’s Madness with Electroweb, and pins Tapu Koko with a second web. Thunderbolt cancels its Discharge in a blinding explosion, and as the Electric Terrain fades, Kukui praises how much Ash has grown.
Tapu Koko points to Kukui’s Z-Ring, wanting a Z-Move, though Kukui explains that he has already used his with Incineroar. Tapu Koko sings, summoning the other guardian deities, and their glittering scales recharge both Trainers’ Z-Rings. Tapu Koko then gives Kukui a Tapunium Z, a Z-Crystal thought to be only a legend. Kukui strikes the pose and passes its ancient power to Tapu Koko, and a huge headless golden giant rises from the cracked field. Ash’s Electrium Z transforms into a Pikashunium Z, and he places his cap on Pikachu’s head. Tapu Koko takes the giant’s head and unleashes Guardian of Alola, and Pikachu answers with 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt. The two Z-Moves clash, and in a white void Ash tells Pikachu that they have felt Alola’s power throughout their journey and must now become one with it.
With a final effort, Pikachu’s Z-Move breaks through, the giant crumbles in a burst of light, and Tapu Koko descends gently onto the rubble. Hala rules it unable to battle and declares Ash the winner of the exhibition, and the exhausted Ash collapses with relief as the crowd cheers and his classmates celebrate. Tapu Lele’s scales restore Pikachu and Tapu Koko, Kukui shakes the guardian’s hand to thank it, and Ash and Pikachu thank their opponents too. Kukui declares the first Manalo Conference a success and pats Ash on the head, warning him not to become overconfident, and Ash takes the advice to heart. The seventeen-episode Alola League arc ends here, with Ash as Alola’s first Champion and the island’s guardian deity among his defeated opponents.
Major Events
- The exhibition, part 4. Tapu Koko beats Naganadel
- Kukui receives a Tapunium Z, Ash’s Electrium Z becomes a Pikashunium Z, and Pikachu’s 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt beats Tapu Koko’s Guardian of Alola
- The first battle to last more than three episodes
- The end of the 17-episode League arc
- The last appearances of Hapu and Caster
Trivia
- The English title plays on the phrase “from sea to shining sea”, for the clash of Z-Moves that ends the exhibition.
- The screenplay is by Aya Matsui.
- This is a plot episode: it advances the Alola storyline.
Changes in the English Dub
- The Japanese on-screen caption naming the Z-Move is removed
- Type: Wild insert as Guardian of Alola meets 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt
Part of our Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon – Ultra Legends guide. Browse every season of the Pokémon anime.