XY051

← XY050 : Pathways to Performance Partnering!

XY series

XY052 : A Stealthy Challenge! →

When Light and Dark Collide!

XY051   EP850 ルチャブルとダークルチャブル！ Luchabull and Dark Luchabull!

First broadcast Japan November 27, 2014 United States February 7, 2015

English themes Opening Be a Hero Ending

Japanese themes Opening メガＶ（メガボルト） Ending ドリドリ

Credits Animation Team Kato Screenplay 武上純希 Junki Takegami Storyboard 池添隆博 Takahiro Ikezoe Assistant director 西田健一 Ken'ichi Nishida Animation director 田島瑞穂 Mizuho Tajima No additional credits are available at this time.

Screenshots on Filb.de Preview thread on BMGf Closed Original review thread on BMGf Dub review thread on BMGf

When Light and Dark Collide! (Japanese: ルチャブルとダークルチャブル！ Luchabull and Dark Luchabull!) is the 51st episode of the XY series, and the 850th episode of the Pokémon anime. It first aired in Japan on November 27, 2014, and in the United States on February 7, 2015.

Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.

Blurb

When Ash and Pikachu attempt to rescue a Snubbull from asinister Hawlucha, they accidentally injure the Gallade who's swooping in to protect Snubbull. That's when they discover that they've interrupted a rehearsal of a Super Pokémon Battle show! The director, Carl, explains that the show combines a Pokémon battle with a scripted storyline—but since one of his stars is injured, he’ll have to call off tomorrow’s performance.

Bonnie has a better idea: she suggests that Ash's Hawlucha step in to fill the role of the shining hero! Hawlucha has some trouble with the idea of a staged battle, but the show must go on. When the curtain goes up, Team Rocket tries to steal the show, but Hawlucha and Dark Hawlucha team up to blast them off. Then the two Pokémon clash with each other in an intense battle over "Lady Snubbull," and the Super Pokémon Battle show is a huge success!

Plot

As Ash and his friends try to find the nearest Pokémon Center, they hear a roar. They come to a theater, where they see a Hawlucha bullying a Snubbull. As Pikachu uses Thunderbolt, a Gallade comes. The Pokémon dodge, but Gallade injures his leg. Snubbull is angry and uses Thunder Fang on Ash. Suddenly, the lights turn on, making a man displeased they interrupted the rehearsal. Later, at the Pokémon Center, the heroes introduce themselves to Carl, the director of the play. Ash apologizes, as they thought Snubbull was being bullied. Carl tells the play is called "Super Pokémon Battle", a mixture of Pokémon battles and drama. Practically, it is a magnificent battle between "Dark" (Hawlucha) and "Shining" (Gallade).

Gallade comes out, his leg being bandaged. Nurse Joy clarifies his leg will heal in two to three days. Carl sees he will have to cancel the play, making Ash sad he also ruined the play. Bonnie asks if another Pokémon could take Gallade's place and suggests Ash's Hawlucha. Carl sees he has no choice, so runs off to rewrite the script, while Serena praises Bonnie for such a good idea. Next day, Ash sends out Hawlucha, while Carl explains Ash's Hawlucha battles Dark Hawlucha to save Lady Snubbull. Dark Hawlucha has the upper hand, but Ash's Hawlucha would make a counterattack and win.

The scene begins, as the Hawlucha clash with each other. Dark Hawlucha wraps him and goes to throw him away, but Ash's Hawlucha manages to dodge. Everyone tells Ash's Hawlucha has to act flying, for Dark Hawlucha was to throw him away. Ash's Hawlucha jumps and uses High Jump Kick, hitting Dark Hawlucha. Everyone is disappointed as Ash's Hawlucha does not stick to the script, for he does actual battling. Hawlucha repeats the play, so Dark Hawlucha throws Ash's Hawlucha away. Dark Hawlucha comes to use Karate Chop, so Hawlucha counterattacks. However, both get angry and start hitting each other. Everyone separates them, so Dark Hawlucha walks away, displeasing Carl for this bad performance.

Team Rocket spy and see they could catch all the Pokémon for their boss, plus they can make some plays of their own to earn cash. Ash's Hawlucha is sad, so the heroes encourage it, for it is Hawlucha's first time acting. Suddenly, they see Dark Hawlucha climbing a tree and falls down. They think it is practicing safe falling. Carl explains to them Hawlucha competed in a tournament and became a Champion. However, Carl made a mistake and caused Hawlucha to get hurt. With that strain, it cannot compete in regular Pokémon battles. Still, even with that accident, it still has not lost its pride, for Dark Hawlucha does its best in Super Pokémon Battles.

Later, Ash trains Hawlucha for the scene in the play, while Dark Hawlucha observes. Later, Carl tells them the rehearsal is over and it is nearly the time for the play. Clemont is worried Hawlucha may not act very well, but Ash has faith in both of them. Later, the viewers gather to see the play. Team Rocket, disguised, are also among the viewers. Jessie sees the spotlights and has the urge to show herself, even if James and Meowth remind her why they are here. Team Rocket show themselves, though the heroes and the Hawlucha appear. James reminds Jessie of their task, who sends Pumpkaboo, along with Inkay. Inkay uses Psybeam, which hits Pikachu.

Pumpkaboo uses Shadow Ball, but misses. Inkay uses Psybeam, which causes the Hawlucha to dodge. However, Dark Hawlucha is hit by Shadow Ball. The Hawlucha stand near each other and combine their forces. Inkay uses Psybeam and Pumpkaboo Shadow Ball, but both miss. Hawlucha spins around Dark Hawlucha and uses High Jump Kick on Inkay, knocking it out on Pumpkaboo. Using Flying Press, Hawlucha blasts Team Rocket off. The viewers are amazed by this event, though Carl carries on with the play. As Dark Hawlucha bullies Lady Snubbull, Shining Hawlucha appears. However, Hawlucha is nervous and falls down. Dark Hawlucha helps Shining Hawlucha stand up, for it is not part of the script.

Hawlucha uses Karate Chop on Dark Hawlucha, who attacks him back with the same attack. The heroes are not pleased, for it is not in the script, but Carl waits, for the viewers support both Hawlucha. Carl sees Dark Hawlucha feels like being in a ring, like it battled for the title of Champion. Shining Hawlucha attacks Dark Hawlucha, tossing it and attacking it with High Jump Kick. The viewers support Dark Hawlucha, who stands up and clashes with Shining Hawlucha. Everyone is pleased, for Ash's Hawlucha inspired Dark Hawlucha to act so lively. Shining Hawlucha tries to use Flying Press, but Dark Hawlucha avoids the attack. Carl is happy, for Dark Hawlucha is enjoying the moment. After a final clash, Dark Hawlucha is defeated.

The heroes are glad the play turned out to be well. Shining Hawlucha comes to Dark Hawlucha, helping it stand up. Next day, the heroes thank Carl and his Hawlucha on this experience, but Carl thanks them back, for everyone enjoyed the play. With Gallade's leg healed, Carl is able to spread the play further. Carl wishes Ash luck in his mission to become the Champion, while Dark Hawlucha shakes hands with Ash's Hawlucha. Carl bids the group farewell and leaves in a truck.

Major events

For a list of all major events in the animated series, please see the history page.

Characters

Humans

Pokémon Quiz

• Ash
• Serena
• Clemont
• Bonnie
• Jessie
• James
• Nurse Joy
• Carl

Pokémon

Who's That Pokémon?

Who's That Pokémon?: Snubbull (US and international)
Pokémon Quiz: Dark Hawlucha (Japan)

• Pikachu (Ash's)
• Meowth (Team Rocket)
• Wobbuffet (Jessie's)
• Dedenne (Clemont's)
• Hawlucha (Ash's)
• Pumpkaboo (Jessie's)
• Inkay (James's)
• Wigglytuff (Nurse Joy's)
• Hawlucha (Carl's; Shiny)
• Snubbull (Carl's)
• Gallade (Carl's)
• Machamp (flashback)
• Machop (flashback)
• Simipour
• Spritzee

Trivia

File:Title Card XY Ash.png

The title card segment focuses on Ash for this episode

• Mairin's Mega Evolution Journal: Mega Sableye
• This is the first time the Pokémon Quiz segment features a shiny Pokémon.
  • Also, this is the first time not to feature a Team Rocket decoy card in this segment.
• The extended theme of Team Rocket's Motto is used in this episode.
• Another verse of V (Volt) is used during the battle between Ash's Hawlucha and Carl's Hawlucha.
• This was the first episode to air after the release of Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.
• This episode marks the first time a Pokémon has been seen on crutches in the anime.
• This episode was originally titled "When Dark and Light Collide!".

References

← XY050 : Pathways to Performance Partnering!

XY series

XY052 : A Stealthy Challenge! →

This episode article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of Pokémon animation.