View source for JN116

{{EpicodePrevNext|
prevcode=JN115 |
prevtitle=Curtain Up! Fight the Fights! |
nextcode=JN117 |
nexttitle=The Fiery Road to Mastership! |
series=Pokémon Journeys: The Series |
colorscheme=Galar}}
{{EpisodeInfobox|
epcode=JN116 |
altepcode=EP1201 |
colorscheme=Galar |
title_en=Pride of a Champion! |
title_ja=チャンピオンの誇り！ワタルVSカルネ！！ |
title_ja_trans=Champions' Pride! Wataru VS Carne!! |
broadcast_jp=July 8, 2022 |
broadcast_us=February 24, 2023 |
en_op=[[With You]] |
ja_op=[[One, Two, Three|１・２・３]] |
ja_ed=[[Supereffective Type|バツグンタイプ]] |
olmteam=Team Kato |
scenarion=1 |
scenario=冨岡淳広 |
storyboardn=1 |
storyboard=尼野浩正 |
directorn=1 |
director=碇由衣 |
artn=8 |
art=清水和也 |
art2=Yu Tianxiang |
art3=GU YINQIU |
art4=HANG XINHUA |
art5=柳原好貴 |
art6=濱中章太郎 |
art7=伊藤京子 |
art8=山崎玲愛 |
morecredits=yes |
epstaffpage=JN111-JN120 |
footnotes=* {{filb-eppics|ss|116}}
* {{BMGf|293382|Preview thread on BMGf}} ''Closed''
* {{BMGf|293683|Original review thread on BMGf}}
* {{BMGf|295380|Dub review thread on BMGf}}
}}
'''Pride of a Champion!''' (Japanese: '''チャンピオンの誇り！ワタルVSカルネ！！''' ''Champions' Pride! {{tt|Wataru|Lance}} VS {{tt|Carne|Diantha}}!!'') is the 116th episode of ''[[Pokémon Journeys: The Series]]'', and the 1,201st episode of the [[Pokémon anime]]. It first aired in Japan on July 8, 2022, in Canada on December 3, 2022, in the United Kingdom on January 19, 2023, in South Africa on January 24, 2023, and in the United States on February 24, 2023.
{{spoilers}}

==Blurb==
<!--https://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-episodes/25_26-pride-of-a-champion/-->
<!--Please do not alter the blurb to fix any errors, they are meant to be presented as they are on the official site.-->
<i>The Masters Eight Tournament continues as the action moves to the second match of the first round: Lance, Champion of Kanto and Johto, versus Kalos Champion Diantha! Ash, Goh, and Hop watch from the stands, and there’s plenty of action. It’s three on three, starting with Lance’s Dragonite and Diantha’s Aurorus. Both teams are skilled, but the first bout goes to Lance! Next, Diantha brings out Gourgeist, while Lance switches Dragonite out and sends in Gyarados. Diantha wins, and the battle continues until finally it’s down to Lance’s Dynamax Dragonite versus Diantha’s Mega Gardevoir. Mega Gardevoir is victorious, and Diantha advances to the semifinals! Next up? Iris versus Cynthia!</i>

==Plot==
The second battle of the [[World Coronation Series|Pokémon World Coronation Series]] [[Masters Eight Tournament]]'s first round is about to get underway as {{an|Lance}} and [[Diantha]] enter the [[Wyndon Stadium]] battlefield. In the stands, {{Ash}} tells [[Goh]] and [[Hop]] how he's actually [[XY028|battled against]] [[XY118|Diantha before]], much to Hop's amazement. Elsewhere in the stadium, {{TRT}} is continuing their live coverage of the event, although [[Jessie]] refuses to acknowledge Diantha as a superior actress to her. Both {{pkmn|Champion}}s give speeches about how they shoulder the hopes of the {{pkmn|Trainer}}s of their respective [[region]]s and look forward to facing each other. [[Gym guide|Dan]] explains the usual rules: the battle will be three-on-three, with substitutions allowed to be made at any time. Moreover, each competitor may only use one of either [[Dynamax]], [[Mega Evolution]], or [[Z-Move]]s per battle.

At Dan's signal, the first pair of Pokémon is sent out. Lance leads with his {{TP|Lance|Dragonite}}, while Diantha's first choice is {{p|Aurorus}}. Lance makes the first move by ordering a {{m|Hyper Beam}}, but it ends up being heavily weakened by Aurorus's {{m|Light Screen}}. As Dragonite is forced to [[recharge]] after using Hyper Beam, Diantha uses the opportunity to hit Dragonite with a {{DL|Type|Type effectiveness|super-effective}} {{m|Blizzard}}. Despite taking heavy [[damage]] from the attack, Dragonite is able to endure it, and, immediately after it has finished recharging, deals its own blow of super effective damage with {{m|Body Press}}. The second Body Press, however, is softened up by {{m|Reflect}}, giving Aurorus a double layer of protective barriers to hide behind. In the locker room, [[Alain]] notes that the screen moves will fade eventually and only provide temporary defenses. Based on the current situation, both {{an|Steven Stone|Steven}} and {{an|Cynthia}} believe Diantha has the advantage at the moment. Undeterred, Lance has Dragonite attack with {{m|Twister}}, while Aurorus uses {{m|Rock Slide}}. Both attacks hit their mark, but unlike Dragonite, Aurorus is unable to withstand the hit and [[Fainting|faints]], giving Lance the first knockout of the match.

As Diantha [[recall]]s her fainted Pokémon, Lance decides to do the same and withdraws Dragonite. Diantha's second Pokémon choice is {{p|Gourgeist}}, which elates Jessie, as she [[Pokémon the Series: XY|once]] owned a {{TP|Jessie|Gourgeist}} as well. Against the {{2t|Ghost|Grass}} opponent, Lance chooses his [[Lance's Gyarados|Red Gyarados]]. Gourgeist begins the round by using {{m|Trick-or-Treat}}. Hop explains to Ash and Goh that Trick-or-Treat is Gourgeist's [[signature move]], which adds Ghost to the opponent's [[type]], meaning that Gyarados is now weak against Ghost-type moves. Gyarados attacks with {{m|Aqua Tail}}, which pushes Gourgeist back, even through Reflect. Knowing that the effect of Light Screen will end soon, Lance orders a {{m|Dragon Pulse}}. Before the attack can go off, Gourgeist [[Priority|attacks first]] with {{m|Shadow Sneak}}, which, thanks to Trick-or-Treat, deals big damage on Gyarados. The Dragon Pulse is still successfully fired, however, hitting Gourgeist just as Light Screen fades away. Lance aims for a finishing blow with {{m|Ice Fang}}, but Gourgeist uses {{m|Phantom Force}} to evade it. Although Gyarados manages to hit Gourgeist with a Dragon Pulse afterward, the damage from Phantom Force is too much for it to withstand and it faints, evening the odds and making Team Rocket shed tears of joy at seeing a Gourgeist succeed.

Lance's third Pokémon is {{p|Hydreigon}}, which Diantha also feels prepared for, having Gourgeist use Trick-or-Treat on it. Ignoring this, Lance has Hydreigon use {{m|Dark Pulse}}. Not only does the attack hit its mark just as Reflect fades away, but it also causes Gourgeist to [[flinch]], leaving it open for another super-effective Dark Pulse. The attack is enough to defeat the {{pkmn|category|Pumpkin Pokémon}}, much to Jessie's dismay. Talking to Gyarados's {{i|Poké Ball}}, Lance thanks it for enabling this victory. Diantha's third and final Pokémon is her ace, {{TP|Diantha|Gardevoir}}, whom she immediately Mega Evolves. Diantha orders a {{m|Shadow Ball}}, which Hydreigon successfully counters with {{m|Tri Attack}}. Lance follows up by calling for {{m|Flash Cannon}}, which ends up being easily dispersed by Gardevoir's {{m|Psychic}}. Gardevoir launches a {{m|Moonblast}}, and though Hydreigon attempts to withstand the attack, it is engulfed by a massive explosion and knocked out, meaning that both Trainers now have just one Pokémon left.

Dragonite reenters the battlefield, full of confidence. Lance wastes no time in using his [[Dynamax Band]] to Dynamax Dragonite, increasing its [[HP|stamina]] in the process. Backstage, Alain notes that, unlike Mega Evolution, Dynamax has a time limit, which could end up being a decisive factor. Gardevoir's Moonblast powers through Dragonite's {{m|Max Hailstorm}} and scores a hit, which the Dragon Pokémon successfully endures. Max Hailstorm's secondary effect results in {{weather|hail}} starting to fall over the battlefield, slowly chipping away at the stamina of both Pokémon. Confident that Dragonite can handle it, Lance orders a {{m|Max Strike}}, which engulfs Gardevoir, but even while being pummeled by the [[Max Move]], Gardevoir is still able to use Shadow Ball. Dragonite counters with {{m|Max Wyrmwind}}, which, while useless against a {{t|Fairy}} type like Gardevoir, is still able to completely stop and dissipate the Shadow Ball before it can make contact. Both Diantha and Ash surmise that Lance is trying to keep Dragonite standing so he can attack as soon as its Dynamax state ends. This is proven true moments later as Dragonite returns to normal size and fires a Hyper Beam. Diantha is unconcerned and has Gardevoir attack with Moonblast, evading the Hyper Beam and dealing the finishing blow on its immobilized opponent. Dan declares Diantha the winner of the match, meaning that she'll be advancing to the semifinals to be {{an|Leon}}'s next opponent, although Hop is confident that his brother is going to win. In Diantha's post-battle interview with Team Rocket, Diantha thanks her fans in [[Kalos]], while Jessie gets up in her face and insists that she use Gourgeist as her final Pokémon in the next battle, much to Diantha's confusion.

Backstage, Ash meets with Lance, who seems positive, despite his defeat, and tells Ash to hang in there before leaving. Next, Ash is approached by a very excited {{an|Iris}}, who is eager to let loose after witnessing two heated battles. Ash wishes her good luck against Cynthia, and she eagerly rushes to the battlefield. Once both competitors are in place, Dan gives the signal to send out the first Pokémon. Iris's lead is her trusted [[starter Pokémon]], {{TP|Iris|Excadrill}}, which Ash is excited to see again. On the opposite side of the field, Cynthia sends out {{p|Gastrodon}} as her first Pokémon, marking the start of the battle between the [[Sinnoh]] and [[Unova]] Champions.

==Major events==
<!-- This is not for summarizing everything that happens in this episode. Only events pertaining to the series as a whole, such as catching and releasing Pokémon and obtaining Badges, go here. -->
[[File:JN116 Lance VS Diantha.png|thumb|220px|Lance facing Diantha]]
* [[Diantha]] is revealed to own an {{p|Aurorus}} and a {{p|Gourgeist}}.
* {{an|Lance}} is revealed to own a {{p|Hydreigon}}.
* Diantha defeats Lance, advancing to the semifinals to face {{an|Leon}}.
* {{an|Iris}} and {{an|Cynthia}} begin their battle.
{{animeevents}}

===Debuts===
====Humans====
=====Main series debuts=====
* {{jo|Jimmy}}
* {{jo|Marina}} (in person)

====Pokémon debuts====
=====Main series debuts=====
* [[Jimmy's Typhlosion]]
* [[Little Miss]]

==Characters==
===Humans===
* {{Ash}}
* {{an|Iris}}
* [[Goh]]
* [[Jessie]]
* [[James]]
* [[Nurse Joy]]
* [[Ritchie]]
* {{jo|Jimmy}}
* {{jo|Marina}}
* [[Vincent|Jackson]]
* {{an|Lance}}
* {{an|Steven Stone}}
* {{an|Cynthia}}
* [[Alain]]
* [[Diantha]]
* {{an|Tierno}}
* {{an|Shauna}}
* {{an|Trevor}}
* [[Sawyer]]
* {{an|Leon}}
* [[Gym guide|Dan]]
* [[Hop]]
* [[Announcer]] (voice only)
* Crowd

===Pokémon===
* {{p|Pikachu}} ({{OP|Ash|Pikachu}})
* {{p|Meowth}} ({{TRM}})
* {{p|Wobbuffet}} ({{OP|Jessie|Wobbuffet}})
* {{p|Excadrill}} ({{OP|Iris|Excadrill}})
* {{p|Grookey}} ({{OP|Goh|Grookey}})
* {{p|Morpeko}} ({{OP|James|Morpeko}}; {{form|Morpeko|Hangry Mode}})
* {{p|Dragonite}} ({{OP|Lance|Dragonite}}; [[Dynamax]])
* {{p|Gyarados}} ({{OP|Lance|Gyarados}}; [[Red Gyarados]])
* {{p|Hydreigon}} ({{an|Lance}}'s)
* {{p|Gastrodon}} ({{an|Cynthia}}'s; {{form|Shellos and Gastrodon|West Sea}})
* {{p|Gardevoir}} ({{OP|Diantha|Gardevoir}}; [[Mega Evolution|Mega Gardevoir]])
* {{p|Aurorus}} ([[Diantha]]'s)
* {{p|Gourgeist}} ([[Diantha]]'s)
* {{p|Pikachu}} ([[Ritchie]]'s; [[Sparky]])
* {{p|Typhlosion}} ({{OP|Jimmy|Typhlosion}})
* {{p|Misdreavus}} ({{jo|Marina}}'s; [[Little Miss]])
* {{p|Meganium}} ([[Vincent's Meganium|Jackson's]])
* {{p|Rotom}} ([[Professor Cerise]]'s; [[Rotom Phone]])
* {{p|Aegislash}} ([[Gym guide|Dan]]'s)
* {{p|Wooloo}} ([[Hop]]'s)
* {{p|Rotom}} ([[Team Rocket]]'s; [[Rotom Phone]])
* {{p|Growlithe}} (Trainer's)
* {{p|Shuckle}} (Trainer's)
* {{p|Psyduck}} (Trainer's)
* {{p|Slowpoke}} (Trainer's)
* {{p|Trubbish}} (Trainer's)
* {{p|Darumaka}} (Trainer's; {{rf|Galarian|Form}})

==Trivia==
[[File:JN116 AS.png|thumb|175px|The "After the story" artwork for this episode]]
* [[Get Inspired! Let's Solve a Poké Riddle!!]]: {{p|Hydreigon}}
* {{an|Lance}} using a {{p|Hydreigon}} could be a [[List of cross-canon references|reference]] to {{game|Black and White|s 2|Pokémon Black 2 and White 2}}, in which he uses one during the [[Pokémon World Tournament]].
** This marks the first time since ''[[EP236|Rage of Innocence]]'', 965 episodes earlier, that Lance has been shown owning a new Pokémon.
* This episode marks the first physical appearance of an {{p|Aurorus}} in the {{pkmn|anime}} since the species's debut in ''[[XY023|Coming Back into the Cold!]]'', 379 episodes earlier.
** In addition, this marks the first time Aurorus has received a [[Pokédex]] entry in the anime, despite having debuted 379 episodes earlier.
* This episode marks the first appearance of several [[human]] characters in the anime after long absences:
** [[Ritchie]], whose last main series appearance was in ''[[EP222|A Promise is a Promise]]'', 979 episodes earlier.
** [[Jackson]], whose last appearance was in ''[[EP272|Johto Photo Finish]]'', 929 episodes earlier.
** {{an|Tierno}}, {{an|Shauna}}, {{an|Trevor}}, and [[Sawyer]], whose last appearance was in ''[[XY140|Till We Compete Again!]]'', 262 episodes earlier.
*** This episode also marks the final appearance of the aformentioned characters.
* Despite debuting [[The Legend of Thunder!|over twenty years earlier]], this episode marks {{jo|Jimmy}}'s first appearance in a main series episode.
** This episode also marks {{jo|Marina}}'s first physical appearance in a main series episode.
* This episode marks the first appearance of [[Lance's Dragonite]] in the anime since ''[[AG098|The Scuffle of Legends]]'', 829 episodes earlier.
** This episode also marks the first appearance of {{an|Cynthia}}'s {{p|Gastrodon}} since ''[[DP100|Aiding the Enemy!]]'', 635 episodes earlier.
** Additionally, this episode also marks the first physical appearance of [[Iris's Excadrill]] in the anime since ''[[BW139|Team Rocket's Shocking Recruit!]]'', 405 episodes earlier.
* When [[Diantha]] sends out her Aurorus, {{an|Iris}} is shown reacting to it without any signs of discomfort, suggesting she has gotten over her fear of {{t|Ice}} types since the events of ''[[Pokémon the Series: Black & White]]''.
* Despite the [[move]] having existed since [[Generation VI]] and being the [[signature move]] of {{p|Pumpkaboo}} and {{p|Gourgeist}}, both of which were featured heavily throughout ''[[Pokémon the Series: XY]]'', this episode marks the [[List of moves by anime debut|anime debut]] of {{m|Trick-or-Treat}}.
* [[Shinji Miyazaki]]'s music from ''Pokémon the Series: XY'' is reused as background music in this episode.
* [[Jessie's Gourgeist]] is referenced at various points throughout the episode.
* The [[Who's That Pokémon?|Dare da?]] segment is replaced with [[eyecatch]]es of {{Ash}}, [[Goh]], and {{AP|Pikachu}} for this episode.
* [[James]], {{MTR}}, [[Jessie]], and {{TP|Jessie|Wobbuffet}} narrate the preview for the [[JN117|next episode]].

===Errors===
* When Goh asks Ash about him knowing both Lance and Diantha, the inside of [[Hop]]'s eye is colored black instead of white. This error is not present during the episode's preview at the end of the [[JN115|previous episode]].
* When [[Lance's Gyarados]] faints, it has no eyes.
* In the {{pmin|Poland|Polish}} dub, "''{{m|Moonblast|Księżycowy Błysk}}''" is called "''Księżycowy Blask''".

===Dub edits===

==In other languages==
{{Epilang|color=D5598C|bordercolor=00A1E9
|zh_cmn={{tt|冠軍的尊嚴！阿渡VS卡露妮！！|Champions' Pride! Lance VS Diantha!!}}
|zh_yue={{tt|冠軍的尊嚴，阿渡對卡露妮|Champions' Pride, Lance Versus Diantha}}
|da={{tt|Stolthed på spil!|Pride at stake!}}
|fi={{tt|Mestarin ylpeys!|Pride of a Champion!}}
|de={{tt|Champ gegen Champ!|Champion versus Champion!}}
|it={{tt|L'orgoglio di un campione!|A Champion's pride!}}
|pl={{tt|Duma Wielkiego Mistrza!|Pride of a Champion!}}
|pt_br={{tt|Orgulho de campeões!|Pride of Champions!}}
|es_la={{tt|¡Orgullo de campeones!|Champions' pride!}}
|sv={{tt|En mästares stolthet!|A Champion's pride!}}
}}
{{-}}
{{EpicodePrevNext|
prevcode=JN115 |
prevtitle=Curtain Up! Fight the Fights! |
nextcode=JN117 |
nexttitle=The Fiery Road to Mastership! |
series=Pokémon Journeys: The Series |
colorscheme=Galar}}
{{Project Anime notice}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1201}}
[[Category:Pokémon Journeys: The Series episodes|116]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Atsuhiro Tomioka]]
[[Category:Episodes storyboarded by Hiromasa Amano]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Yui Ikari]]
<!--[[Category:Episodes animated by Kazuya Shimizu]]-->
<!--[[Category:Episodes animated by Yu Tianxiang]]-->
<!--[[Category:Episodes animated by GU YINQIU]]-->
<!--[[Category:Episodes animated by HANG XINHUA]]-->
[[Category:Episodes animated by Yoshitaka Yanagihara]]
[[Category:Episodes animated by Shōtarō Hamanaka]]
[[Category:Episodes animated by Kyōko Itō]]
[[Category:Episodes animated by Rei Yamazaki]]
[[Category:Episodes by one-time animation directors]]
[[Category:Episodes by multiple animation directors]]
[[Category:Episodes in which an alternately colored Pokémon appears]]
[[Category:Episodes with World Coronation Series matches]]
[[Category:Episodes in which a Champion appears]]
[[Category:Episodes which aired in Canada before the United States]]
[[Category:Episodes which aired in the United Kingdom before the United States]]
[[Category:Episodes which aired in South Africa before the United States]]

[[de:Champ gegen Champ!]]
[[es:EP1205]]
[[fr:LV116]]
[[it:PM116]]
[[ja:新無印編第116話]]
[[zh:宝可梦 旅途 第116集]]