 |
|
| Season | Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series (Season 25) · The Masters Eight: semifinals arc (JN121–JN128) |
| Episode | Season 25, episode 32 · English episode 1202 · Japanese episode 1210 · Bulbapedia code JN124 |
| English title | Valor: A Strategic Part of Battling! |
| Japanese title | セミファイナルⅢ 「武勇」 Semifainaru III "Buyū" — “The Semifinals III: "Valor"” |
| First aired (Japan) | 9 September 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 | Bewitch, Battle, and Bewilder! (JN123) |
| Next episode | Whittle While You Work! (JN125) |
Plot episodeAsh vs Cynthia, part 2
Valor: A Strategic Part of Battling! is the 32nd episode of Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series, the twenty-fifth season of the Pokémon anime, and the 1202nd episode of the English dub overall (Japanese episode 1210, Bulbapedia code JN124). It first aired in Japan on 9 September 2022 and in the United States on 23 June 2023. It falls within the season’s The Masters Eight: semifinals stretch (EP121–EP128).
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 11 February 2023.
Synopsis
Ash fights back in his semifinal against Cynthia as Dracovish and Sirfetch’d take down Roserade and Milotic, leaving Lucario to face Cynthia’s Togekiss, which she surprisingly Dynamaxes. With Ash down to three Pokémon against Cynthia’s four, he sends out Dracovish, and Cynthia answers with Garchomp, prompting Ash to wonder whether she will Mega Evolve it. Garchomp dodges Ice Fang, lands a hard Dragon Claw and scatters Stealth Rock across the field. Cynthia then swaps in Roserade, whose burn from Gengar’s Will-O-Wisp has been cured by its Natural Cure Ability. Dracovish takes a Poison Jab and strikes back with Fishious Rend, but becomes poisoned. The poison only fuels its determination, and it powers through Roserade’s Leaf Storm with Dragon Rush to knock Roserade out. Ash considers recalling the weakening Dracovish, but it insists on staying in.
Cynthia’s Milotic holds back Dragon Rush with Disarming Voice and coils around Dracovish for Iron Head, the same tactic it used on Iris’s Dragonite, and when Iron Head and Fishious Rend collide in a large explosion, Dracovish falls. Sirfetch’d is hurt by Stealth Rock the moment it enters, but Ash has it sweep the floating stones away with its shield using Brutal Swing, impressing Goh, Hop, Leon, Diantha and Cynthia alike. It leaps over Hydro Pump, recovers its shield, blocks Iron Head and pushes Milotic back with a flurry of Fury Cutter, then endures Disarming Voice and finishes Milotic with Meteor Assault. Cynthia praises Ash for clearing the trap and sends Garchomp back out, again raising the possibility of Mega Evolution.
Sirfetch’d knocks away Scale Shot with Fury Cutter, clashes with Dragon Claw, and avoids a second one with Detect before launching Meteor Assault as Garchomp fires Draco Meteor. Both attacks land, and as the smoke clears, Garchomp stumbles but stays conscious while Sirfetch’d faints still standing. Ash sends out Lucario against Togekiss, and in the stands Goh’s Cinderace bursts from its Poké Ball to cheer on its friend. Lucario pushes through Air Slash with Bullet Punch, and when Togekiss’s Air Slash disrupts its Aura Sphere, Lucario answers the next with Bullet Punch, resisting a flinch thanks to its Inner Focus Ability. After a moment of silence, Cynthia recalls Togekiss and Dynamaxes it, stunning a stadium that expected her to Mega Evolve Garchomp. Ash raises his Key Stone, and Lucario prepares to face the giant Togekiss as the battle nears its climax.
Major Events
- Ash vs Cynthia, part 2. Dracovish beats Roserade, Milotic beats Dracovish, Sirfetch’d clears the Stealth Rock and beats Milotic, and Garchomp beats Sirfetch’d
- Cynthia Dynamaxes Togekiss
- Lucario’s Ability, Inner Focus, is revealed
- A move of every type is used in the battle
Trivia
- The screenplay is by Atsuhiro Tomioka.
- This is a plot episode: it advances the Kanto, Galar & beyond storyline.
Part of our Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series guide. Browse every season of the Pokémon anime.