View source for JN122

<!-- fill in the title links with dub titles only -->
{{EpicodePrevNext|
prevcode=JN121 |
<!--prevtitle= |-->
nextcode=JN123 |
nexttitle=Bewitch, Battle, and Bewilder! |
series=Pokémon Journeys: The Series |
colorscheme=Galar}}
{{EpisodeInfobox|
epcode=JN122 |
altepcode=EP1207 |
colorscheme=Galar |
title_en=It's… Champion Time! |
title_ja=セミファイナルⅠ　「圧勝」 |
title_ja_trans=The Semifinals I: "Overwhelming Victory" |
broadcast_jp=August 26, 2022 |
broadcast_us=June 23, 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=野田泰宏 |
artn=4 |
art=山崎玲愛 |
art2=大西雅也 |
art3=柳原好貴 |
art4=中矢利子 |
morecredits=yes |
epstaffpage=JN121-JN130 |
footnotes=* {{filb-eppics|ss|122}}
* {{BMGf|293838|Preview thread on BMGf}} ''Closed''
* {{BMGf|294215|Original review thread on BMGf}}
* {{BMGf|295981|Dub review thread on BMGf}}
}}
'''It's… Champion Time!''' (Japanese: '''セミファイナルⅠ　「圧勝」''' ''The Semifinals I: "Overwhelming Victory"'') is the 122nd episode of ''[[Pokémon Journeys: The Series]]'', and the 1,207th episode of the [[Pokémon animated series]]. It first aired in Japan on August 26, 2022, in Canada on January 28, 2023, in South Africa on February 21, 2023, in the United Kingdom on April 4, 2023, in Australia on April 26, 2023, and in the United States on June 23, 2023.
{{spoilers}}

==Blurb==
<!--https://www.pokemon.com/us/animation/seasons/25/episode-30-its-champion-time/-->
<!--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 semifinals of the Masters Eight Tournament are about to begin, with Galar Champion Leon set to battle Kalos Champion Diantha. Nearby, Ash and his Pokémon are training hard when they bump into their upcoming opponent—Cynthia! They’re soon joined by a young brother and sister with lots of enthusiasm for Pokémon, but when the sister wanders off on her own, our heroes are determined to help. After finding her, everyone returns to the stadium to see that Leon is already far ahead of Diantha, having eliminated several of her Pokémon. Leon goes on to win, claiming a spot in the finals. Next up: Ash versus Cynthia!</i>

==Plot==
A new day dawns in [[Wyndon]] as {{Ash}} wakes up at the {{DL|Wyndon|Rose of the Rondelands}} hotel to find [[Goh]] having stayed up all night to study the data that [[Project Mew]] had sent for him so he can be ready for the next mission as soon as it happens. Ash decides to do some last-minute {{pkmn|training}} with his [[Party|team]] before the [[Masters Eight Tournament]] semifinals begin, but as soon as he calls for everyone to stop and compliments them, {{AP|Dragonite}} tackles him in a very affectionate hug, causing both of them to slide through some bushes and end up right next to {{an|Cynthia}} and her {{TP|Cynthia|Garchomp}}, who are also doing some last-minute preparations. As Goh and the rest of Ash's Pokémon join them, Cynthia demonstrates her usual pre-{{pkmn|battle}} routine by having Garchomp fly around for a bit, giving her a back massage, and then having her fly around some more, with her going even faster now.

The group is approached by a young boy who introduces himself as [[Vic]], along with his little sister [[Toria]]. Both of them are huge fans of Ash, Cynthia, and {{an|Leon}}, with Vic declaring that he wants to be able to use a move like [[Ash's Pikachu]]'s {{m|10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt}}, choose {{p|Grookey}} as his [[first partner Pokémon]], and [[Evolution|evolve]] it into a {{p|Rillaboom}} that can [[Gigantamax]], just like Leon's Rillaboom. When Vic asks what Cynthia's first Pokémon was, Ash realizes he's never asked about it. Cynthia responds that Garchomp was her first partner, raised from a {{p|Gible}} that she hatched from an {{pkmn|Egg}} as a child. This reminds Ash of how his {{AP|Lucario}} also [[JN021|hatched from an Egg]]. Said Egg was very mysterious, as it refused to hatch and went from [[region]] to region, until Ash finally felt the Egg's [[Aura]] calling out to him, and it had hatched with him. Cynthia reveals that she had also heard of this mysterious Egg and figures it must've been fate for it to have wound up with Ash.

Vic thanks Ash and Cynthia of their stories and calls out to Toria, but before they can leave together, she gets distracted by a {{p|Gossifleur}} floating by and excitedly runs after it, forcing Vic to follow. Ash, Goh, and Cynthia head for [[Wyndon Stadium]] to watch the first semifinals match. No sooner have they arrived in front of the stadium and seen Leon entering the field on a giant screen, however, that they hear Vic nearby, having lost the sight of Toria. The group agrees to help find her and follows Vic just as the first semifinals match gets underway.

The group ends up finding Toria by following the sound of a Gossifleur singing, finding her watching said Gossifleur from a bush. The Gossifleur ends up evolving into an {{p|Eldegoss}} and flying away to scatter its seeds around [[Galar]]. Vic and Toria wave good-bye to it, before Vic suddenly remembers Leon's battle. The group rushes back to the stadium, where they're greeted by the shocking revelation that [[Diantha]] has already lost four Pokémon, while Leon has only lost one. Diantha's fifth Pokémon, {{p|Goodra}}, lands a {{DL|Type|Type effectiveness|super effective}} {{m|Fire Blast}} on Leon's Rillaboom, engulfing it in a giant fireball just as the group enters the stands. To Diantha's shock, Rillaboom manages to repel the flames by beating its drum before using {{m|Acrobatics}}, defeating Goodra and leaving Diantha with just one Pokémon against Leon's five. While Ash muses how he's never seen Diantha being backed into a corner like this, Diantha sends out {{TP|Diantha|Gardevoir}} as her final Pokémon. In the stands, {{TRT}} gives a recap of the battle so far for the viewers of their broadcast, revealing that Rillaboom alone has taken down four of Diantha's Pokémon. While [[James]] and {{MTR}} remain cheerful, [[Jessie]] stopped caring about the battle the instant Diantha's {{p|Gourgeist}} was defeated.

Diantha has Gardevoir attack with {{m|Shadow Ball}}. While Rillaboom manages to avoid the attack, its {{m|Knock Off}} is, in turn, dodged by Gardevoir, who follows up with {{m|Psychic}} to lift Rillaboom into the air and then slam it back down, finally taking the {{pkmn|category|Drummer Pokémon}} out of action. Leon responds to this [[Fainting|knockout]] by sending out {{TP|Leon|Charizard}}. Seeing Leon's ace has entered the battle, Diantha immediately [[Mega Evolution|Mega Evolves]] Gardevoir, while Leon Gigantamaxes Charizard. Gardevoir attacks with a powerful {{m|Thunderbolt}}, which actually causes the giant Pokémon to stumble backwards. Leon launches his own attack in the form of Charizard's [[signature move|signature]] {{m|G-Max Wildfire}}, which engulfs Mega Gardevoir in a flaming vortex. In a maneuver that catches Leon off-guard, Gardevoir uses Psychic to redirect Charizard's [[G-Max Move]] right back at it, forcing him to use {{m|Max Airstream}} to counter it. Fueled by Diantha's unrelenting desire to never give up, Mega Gardevoir keeps pushing, causing G-Max Wildfire, Max Airstream, and Psychic to fuse together into a single devastating move. However, before it can make contact, Leon orders another G-Max Wildfire, which busts through the combination attack and strikes Gardevoir head-on. When the flames die down, Gardevoir collapses and is judged unable to battle, meaning that Leon has won and will be advancing to the finals.

In the stands, the group is excited by the battle they just witnessed, with Vic and Toria asking Ash and Cynthia to have a cool battle like this one with them once they become [[Pokémon Trainer]]s, which they happily accept. After watching Leon and Diantha shake hands, Cynthia turns to look at Ash and Pikachu, whose faces are filled with determination as they prepare themselves to face Cynthia in their own semifinals match.

==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:JN122 Leon VS Diantha.png|thumb|220px|Leon facing Diantha]]
* [[Goh]] meets {{an|Cynthia}} again.
* [[Diantha]] is revealed to own a {{p|Goodra}}, a {{p|Hawlucha}}, and a {{p|Tyrantrum}}.
* {{an|Leon}} defeats Diantha in their semifinals [[Full Battle]], advancing to the finals.
{{animeevents}}

===Debuts===
====Pokémon debuts====

==Characters==
===Humans===
* {{Ash}}
* [[Goh]]
* [[Jessie]]
* [[James]]
* {{an|Cynthia}}
* [[Diantha]]
* {{an|Leon}}
* [[Hop]]
* [[Gym guide|Dan]]
* [[Vic]]
* [[Toria]]
* [[Announcer]]
* Crowd

===Pokémon===
* {{p|Pikachu}} ({{OP|Ash|Pikachu}})
* {{p|Meowth}} ({{TRM}})
* {{p|Wobbuffet}} ({{OP|Jessie|Wobbuffet}})
* {{p|Dragonite}} ({{OP|Ash|Dragonite}})
* {{p|Gengar}} ({{OP|Ash|Gengar}})
* {{p|Lucario}} ({{OP|Ash|Lucario}})
* {{p|Sirfetch'd}} ({{OP|Ash|Sirfetch'd}})
* {{p|Dracovish}} ({{OP|Ash|Dracovish}})
* {{p|Grookey}} ({{OP|Goh|Grookey}})
* {{p|Morpeko}} ({{OP|James|Morpeko}}; {{form|Morpeko|Hangry Mode}})
* {{p|Gible}} ({{OP|Cynthia|Garchomp}}; flashback)
* {{p|Garchomp}} ({{OP|Cynthia|Garchomp}})
* {{p|Rotom}} ([[Professor Cerise]]'s; [[Rotom Phone]]; ×2)
* {{p|Gardevoir}} ({{OP|Diantha|Gardevoir}}; [[Mega Evolution|Mega Gardevoir]])
* {{p|Aurorus}} ([[Diantha]]'s; flashback)
* {{p|Gourgeist}} ([[Diantha]]'s; flashback)
* {{p|Goodra}} ([[Diantha]]'s)
* {{p|Hawlucha}} ([[Diantha]]'s; flashback)
* {{p|Tyrantrum}} ([[Diantha]]'s; flashback)
* {{p|Charizard}} ({{OP|Leon|Charizard}}; [[Gigantamax]])
* {{p|Dragapult}} ({{an|Leon}}'s; flashback)
* {{p|Rillaboom}} ({{an|Leon}}'s)
* {{p|Aegislash}} ([[Gym guide|Dan]]'s)
* {{p|Rotom}} ([[Team Rocket]]'s; [[Rotom Phone]])
* {{p|Psyduck}} (Trainer's; multiple)
* {{p|Swirlix}} (Trainers'; ×2)
* {{p|Xatu}} (Trainer's; multiple)
* {{p|Venonat}} (Trainer's; multiple)
* {{p|Trubbish}} (Trainer's)
* {{p|Clobbopus}} (Trainers'; ×2)
* {{p|Marowak}} (Trainer's)
* {{p|Sandile}} (Trainer's)
* {{p|Munchlax}} (Trainer's)
* {{p|Pyukumuku}} (Trainer's)
* {{p|Meowstic}} (Trainer's; male)
* {{p|Marill}} (Trainer's)
* {{p|Gulpin}} (Trainer's)
* {{p|Wooper}} (Trainer's)
* {{p|Lotad}} (Trainer's)
* {{p|Slowbro}} (Trainer's)
* {{p|Hattrem}} (Trainer's)
* {{p|Darumaka}} (Trainer's; [[Galarian form|Galarian Form]])
* {{p|Raichu}} (Trainer's; [[Alolan form]])
* {{p|Sigilyph}} (Trainer's)
* {{p|Gossifleur}} (×4; one evolves)
* {{p|Eldegoss}} (newly evolved)

==Trivia==
[[File:JN122 AS.png|thumb|175px|The "After the story" artwork for this episode]]
* [[Get Inspired! Let's Solve a Poké Riddle!!]]: {{p|Gossifleur}}
* This episode marks the first appearance of a {{p|Tyrantrum}} in the {{pkmn|anime}} since the {{OBP|Pokémon|species|species}}'s debut in ''[[XY087|The Tiny Caretaker!]]'', 321 episodes earlier.
* As of this episode, all members of the current Masters Eight have been revealed to own a [[pseudo-legendary Pokémon]].
* This episode marks the first time that [[Diantha]] is defeated in an onscreen battle.
* This is the only [[Masters Eight Tournament]] battle to not be shown in its entirety.
* [[James's Morpeko]] is seen eating a [[Lumiose Galette]] during the battle, referencing Diantha's home [[region]] of [[Kalos]].
* [[Shinji Miyazaki]]'s music from ''[[M15|Kyurem VS. The Sword of Justice]]'' is reused as background music in this 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 [[JN123|next episode]].

===Errors===
* Diantha's Tyrantrum uses {{m|Hyper Beam}} on {{an|Leon}}'s {{p|Dragapult}}. As a {{type|Normal}} [[move]], it should not affect Dragapult, who is a {{type|Ghost}} Pokémon.

===Dub edits===

==In other languages==
{{Epilang|color=D5598C|bordercolor=00A1E9
|ar={{tt|!إنه وقت البطل|It's The Champion's time!}}
|zh_cmn={{tt|準決賽篇Ⅰ「大勝」|The Semifinals Chapter I: “Overwhelming Victory”}}
|zh_yue={{tt|準決賽篇Ⅰ，大勝|The Semifinals Chapter I, Overwhelming Victory}}
|cs={{tt|Je tu... čas šampionů!|It's... Champion Time!}}
|nl={{tt|Een overweldigende overwinning!|An Overwhelming Victory!}}
|fi={{tt|On mestarin aika!|It's Champion's time!}}
|fr_eu={{tt|C'est l'heure du Maître ! |It's Champion's Time!}}
|de={{tt|Es ist Champ-Time!|It's Champ-time!}}
|he={{tt|!זה...זמן אליפות|It's...Championship time!}}
|it={{tt|Pronti per- champion time!|Ready for- Champion time!}}
|pl={{tt|To... Czas Wielkich Mistrzów!|It's... Champion time!}}
|pt_br={{tt|É... Hora do campeão!|Its... Champion time!}}
|es_la={{tt|¡Es hora de los campeones!|It's the Champions' time!}}
|sv={{tt|Mästarstrid!|Master battle!}}
|hi={{tt|आया...चैम्पियन टाइम! ''Aaya... Champion Time!''|It's... Champion Time!}}
|ta={{tt|இது...சாம்பியன் டைம்!|It's... Champion Time!}}
|te={{tt|ఇది... ఛాంపియన్ టైమ్!|It's... Champion Time!}}
|bn={{tt|এসে গেল চ্যাম্পিয়ন টাইম!|Champion Time has come!}}
}}
{{-}}
<!-- fill in the title links with dub titles only -->
{{EpicodePrevNext|
prevcode=JN121 |
<!--prevtitle= |-->
nextcode=JN123 |
nexttitle=Bewitch, Battle, and Bewilder! |
series=Pokémon Journeys: The Series |
colorscheme=Galar}}
{{Project Anime notice}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1207}}
[[Category:Pokémon Journeys: The Series episodes|122]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Atsuhiro Tomioka]]
[[Category:Episodes storyboarded by Hiromasa Amano]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Yasuhiro Noda]]
[[Category:Episodes animated by Rei Yamazaki]]
[[Category:Episodes animated by Masaya Ōnishi]]
[[Category:Episodes animated by Yoshitaka Yanagihara]]
[[Category:Episodes animated by Toshiko Nakaya]]
[[Category:Episodes by multiple animation directors]]
[[Category:Episodes in which a Champion appears]]
[[Category:Episodes with World Coronation Series matches]]
[[Category:Episodes in which an alternately colored Pokémon appears]]
[[Category:Episodes which aired in Canada before the United States]]
[[Category:Episodes which aired in South Africa before the United States]]
[[Category:Episodes which aired in the United Kingdom before the United States]]
[[Category:Episodes which aired in Australia before the United States]]

[[de:Es ist Champ-Time!]]
[[es:EP1211]]
[[fr:LV122]]
[[it:PM122]]
[[ja:新無印編第122話]]
[[zh:宝可梦 旅途 第120集]]