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| Season | Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series (Season 25) · The Masters Eight: quarterfinals arc (JN115–JN120) |
| Episode | Season 25, episode 28 · English episode 1198 · Japanese episode 1204 · Bulbapedia code JN118 |
| English title | Battling as Hard as Stone! |
| Japanese title | サトシ出陣！VSダイゴ！！ Satoshi Shutsujin! Tai Daigo!! — “Satoshi Goes into Battle! VS Daigo!!” |
| First aired (Japan) | 22 July 2022 · TV Tokyo |
| First aired (US) | 23 June 2023 · Netflix |
| Screenplay | Atsuhiro Tomioka |
| Opening / ending (Japan) | Wan, Tsū, Surī (One, Two, Three) – Satoshi & Go (Rica Matsumoto and Daiki Yamashita) · Batsugun Taipu (Supereffective Type) – Pokémon Music Club |
| English opening | With You – Echosmith |
| Previous episode | The Fiery Road to Mastership! (JN117) |
| Next episode | Koharu and Eievui – The Miracle of Evolution (JN119) |
Plot episodeAsh vs StevenQuarterfinal
Battling as Hard as Stone! is the 28th episode of Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series, the twenty-fifth season of the Pokémon anime, and the 1198th episode of the English dub overall (Japanese episode 1204, Bulbapedia code JN118). It first aired in Japan on 22 July 2022 and in the United States on 23 June 2023. It falls within the season’s The Masters Eight: quarterfinals stretch (EP115–EP120).
Released on Netflix in the US on 23 June 2023 with the third part (JN118–JN136, without the clip shows); Teletoon had premiered it in Canada on 17 December 2022. The first episode of Netflix’s third part; POP showed it in the UK on 23 January 2023.
Synopsis
Ash defeats Hoenn Champion Steven Stone in the last quarterfinal of the Masters Eight Tournament, using a Z-Move that changes direction in mid-flight to bring down Steven’s Mega Metagross. Iris joins Goh and Hop in the stands, hugging Hop’s Wooloo, as Dan restates the one-power-up rule and Steven admires Ash’s Dynamax Band, Z-Power Ring and Mega Glove. Steven’s Shiny Metagross faces Dracovish, using Agility to close in and Psychic, but Ash, remembering how Paul’s Metagross fought, has predicted the pattern, and Fishious Rend, boosted by moving first and by Dracovish’s Strong Jaw Ability, overpowers the Psychic. Steven switches to Aggron, declaring that being Hoenn’s strongest is not enough; he entered the World Coronation Series to become the world’s strongest Trainer. Ash vows to win for everyone who has supported him, but Aggron’s Heavy Slam overpowers Dragon Rush and knocks Dracovish out.
Gengar burns Aggron with Will-O-Wisp, and although Smart Strike hurts it and Rock Tomb traps it, Gengar breaks free with Dazzling Gleam, and the burn finishes Aggron as Ash’s Fire types cheer at Professor Oak’s lab. Steven’s Cradily wraps Gengar in Power Whip and roots itself with Ingrain, steadily healing while Sludge Bomb hits it, and blinds Gengar with Meteor Beam until Ash fights light with light, using Dazzling Gleam. The collision frees Gengar, but after a final exchange of Power Whip and Shadow Ball, Cradily slams Gengar into the ground. Ash’s Pikachu strikes first with Quick Attack, climbs the falling Rock Blast stones, tangles Cradily’s tentacles with Electroweb and knocks it out with a super-effective Iron Tail. Steven praises Ash’s skill, and Ash credits Gengar for setting up the win.
For his final Pokémon, Steven Mega Evolves Metagross with his Mega Stickpin, and Diantha explains that Mega Metagross can predict its opponent’s moves. It dodges every Thunderbolt and Iron Tail and slams Pikachu down with Meteor Mash and Psychic, but Pikachu rises, and Ash tosses it his hat for their Z-Move. Metagross dodges 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt and readies Flash Cannon, but the lightning suddenly turns, blocks the attack and strikes Metagross to the ground, and Iron Tail finishes it. Ash advances to face Cynthia, Goh and Iris dance with Grookey, and even Jessie wonders whether Ash might win the whole tournament. Steven credits Ash’s bond with his partners; the semifinalists are Leon, Diantha, Cynthia and Ash. Outside the stadium, Steven, Iris and Alain say goodbye before heading home, all urging Ash to win, while inside Leon gazes impassively at the empty battlefield.
Major Events
- Ash vs Steven. Quarterfinal: Ash’s Dracovish, Gengar and Pikachu beat Steven’s Metagross, Aggron and Cradily
- Dracovish’s Ability, Strong Jaw, is revealed
- Pikachu’s curving 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt and Iron Tail beat Mega Metagross, Steven’s first loss on screen
- Tracey, Drew and Harley return
- Daiki Tomiyasu becomes director and Jun Ōwada deputy director
Trivia
- The screenplay is by Atsuhiro Tomioka.
- This is a plot episode: it advances the Kanto, Galar & beyond storyline.
Changes in the English Dub
- The 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt caption is removed
- An instrumental of Aim to Be a Pokémon Master as Pikachu fires 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt
Part of our Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series guide. Browse every season of the Pokémon anime.