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| Season | Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series (Season 25) · The Masters Eight: semifinals arc (JN121–JN128) |
| Episode | Season 25, episode 33 · English episode 1203 · Japanese episode 1211 · Bulbapedia code JN125 |
| English title | Whittle While You Work! |
| Japanese title | セミファイナルⅣ 「衝撃」 Semifainaru IV "Shōgeki" — “The Semifinals IV: "Impact"” |
| First aired (Japan) | 16 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 | Valor: A Strategic Part of Battling! (JN124) |
| Next episode | GO FOR DREAM! Go’s Road to Mew!! (JN126) |
Plot episodeAsh beats CynthiaMega Lucario
Whittle While You Work! is the 33rd episode of Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series, the twenty-fifth season of the Pokémon anime, and the 1203rd episode of the English dub overall (Japanese episode 1211, Bulbapedia code JN125). It first aired in Japan on 16 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 4 March 2023.
Synopsis
Ash’s Mega Lucario defeats Cynthia’s Dynamax Togekiss and then her Garchomp with a last-gasp Reversal, sending Ash into the Masters Eight final against Leon. Cynthia’s decision to Dynamax Togekiss rather than Mega Evolve Garchomp surprises everyone, and Ash answers by Mega Evolving Lucario. Max Airstream’s cyclone blows Lucario back and boosts Togekiss’s Speed, but Lucario leaps over the next storm and lands a super-effective critical hit with Bullet Punch. A third Max Airstream meets a charging Aura Sphere, and as Ash and Lucario combine their auras, Greninja feels the surge far away in Kalos, and the Giant Aura Sphere breaks through to strike Togekiss. Togekiss shrinks back and collapses, but it rises again, faster than ever. Thrilled, Cynthia orders Sky Attack, which shatters Lucario’s Double Team copies before Aura Sphere can land, but a final Bullet Punch overpowers Togekiss.
With one Pokémon each left, Cynthia sends out Garchomp, and Diantha and Leon agree that the battle is a toss-up. Cynthia and Garchomp remember their life together, from playing as children and fishing up a Feebas to Gible’s evolution, the mural at Amity Square and countless battles. Scale Shot meets Bullet Punch and Aura Sphere in a large explosion, and Cynthia admits she has long wanted a battle this intense. Lucario and Garchomp trade Bullet Punches and Dragon Claws in an all-out slugfest until both back away exhausted. When Lucario drops to one knee, Cynthia orders Dragon Claw, but Lucario gathers its last strength for Reversal. Both attacks land and both Pokémon fall, and after a tense silence, Lucario slowly rises while Garchomp stays down. Dan declares Ash the winner and a finalist.
Ash stands stunned by the cheers until he sees Pikachu jumping for joy, then rushes to hug Lucario. Goh and Hop cheer, Team Rocket are moved that their twerp has beaten the Champions of Hoenn and Sinnoh, Ash’s Pokémon at Professor Oak’s lab celebrate, and Professor Oak fights back tears, while Leon eagerly looks forward to their battle. Garchomp takes Lucario’s paw and rises, and Cynthia praises Ash’s bond with his Pokémon, admitting she still has much to learn and hoping to battle him again. The announcer confirms that the final will be a six-on-six Full Battle to decide the Monarch. In the tunnel, Cynthia apologises to Diantha for losing, but says battling gives her a thrill she cannot give up, so she will keep battling alongside her research, to Diantha’s delight. Outside, Ash thanks his team and reminds them that they cannot back down now that they have earned a shot at Leon.
Major Events
- Ash beats Cynthia. Mega Lucario beats the Dynamax Togekiss with the Giant Aura Sphere and Garchomp with Reversal
- Ash reaches the final
- Cynthia decides not to retire
- Greninja’s last physical appearance
Trivia
- The English title plays on “Whistle While You Work” from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937).
- The screenplay is by Atsuhiro Tomioka.
- This is a plot episode: it advances the Kanto, Galar & beyond storyline.
Changes in the English Dub
- The Japanese G-Max comparison again becomes the “Giant Aura Sphere”
- Music from Kyurem VS. The Sword of Justice
Part of our Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series guide. Browse every season of the Pokémon anime.