DP016

← DP015 : Shapes of Things to Come!

Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl

DP017 : Wild in the Streets! →

A Gruff Act to Follow!

DP016   EP482 ズガイドスＶＳピカチュウ！！ Zugaidos VS Pikachu!!

First broadcast Japan January 18, 2007 United States June 28, 2007

English themes Opening Diamond and Pearl Ending

Japanese themes Opening Together Ending 君のそばで 〜ヒカリのテーマ〜

Credits Animation Team Iguchi Screenplay 冨岡淳広 Atsuhiro Tomioka Storyboard 浅田裕二 Yūji Asada Assistant director 浅田裕二 Yūji Asada Animation director 岩根雅明 Masaaki Iwane Additional credits

Screenshots on Filb.de

A Gruff Act to Follow! (Japanese: ズガイドスＶＳピカチュウ！！ Zugaidos VS Pikachu!!) is the 16th episode of Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl, and the 482nd episode of the Pokémon anime. It first aired in Japan on January 18, 2007, and in the United States on June 28, 2007.

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

Blurb

Paul has just won his badge at the Oreburgh Gym, but he's reluctantly persuaded to stick around and watch Ash's battle the next day. Ash is in the middle of strategizing for the match when he finds out that Paul gave away his Azumarill because it wasn't tough enough, which only makes Ash dislike Paul's style even more! Meanwhile, Team Rocket are touring the Oreburgh Mining Museum to get a closer look at its Fossil Restorer machine, the key to their latest criminal plot.

When Ash's battle finally begins, Roark sends out Cranidos first and Ash uses Aipom to counter with speed and agility. However, Cranidos can be pretty nimble too, and it wins its round. Pikachu is up next, but Cranidos is still going strong and Pikachu just isn't having much of an effect. Paul gets up to leave in disgust, which gets Ash and Pikachu fired up. Roark responds by having Cranidos use its powerful Head Smash, and Ash has to bring in Turtwig to finally knock out Cranidos.

Roark's Onix comes in and defeats Turtwig in one hit, so now it's all up to Pikachu. Pikachu uses Thunderbolt to break up the field so Onix can't maneuver as quickly, a clever strategy until Onix brings the battle to a Screech-ing halt! Not only is Ash's match over, but he's been defeated in front of his rival Paul. Now he's going to have to figure out a way to get back on track!

Plot

Following Paul's Oreburgh Gym victory, Ash asks Paul to stay and watch his battle. Paul laughs at Ash, forcing Dawn and Pikachu to intervene before a fight breaks out. Dawn tells Paul that there's no harm in staying and watching. However, she becomes agitated when Paul cannot remember her, which causes Brock to rush in and stop her. Roark tells Paul he's free to stay and watch and Paul, now mildly amused, agrees. Ash is ready to battle straight away, but Roark suggests they schedule the match for tomorrow so his Pokémon can recover, to which Ash agrees.

Meanwhile, Team Rocket are at the Oreburgh Mining Museum, plotting to steal some rare artifacts. Disguised as scientists, Meowth suggests that they figure out interesting facts about Pokémon first. As they gazed in awe at a colossal structure of coal, Dr. Kenzo, who is a Pokémon Researcher, approaches them. He is thrilled to see their enthusiasm and offers to take them on a tour of the museum. Team Rocket has their sights set on the Fossil restorer machine, so Dr. Kenzo escorts them to the museum's research division. The trio is impressed by all of the technology and the Fossil Pokémon housed within a special eco-dome environment.

Meanwhile, Paul picks up his Pokémon from the Pokémon Center, where he sees Ash deciding which Pokémon he is going to use against Roark. Brock informs Ash that Turtwig is the only Pokémon who has an advantage against Rock types. Ash also knows that Aipom's Focus Punch and Pikachu's Iron Tail will be super effective against Rock Pokémon, so he decides that Pikachu, Aipom, and Turtwig will be the ones to battle. While those three are happy, Staravia is extremely upset that it's being left out, and Ash apologizes and promises it'll get to go up next time. Brock mentions to Ash that Paul's victory over Roark was mostly due to the speed of his Pokémon. Ash agrees and wonders what he'll do during his match. Paul steps in and suggests that Ash just imitate his battle strategy. Ash outright refuses to treat his Pokémon the way Paul does. Just then, a young boy runs up to Paul, thanking him for the Azumarill Paul gave him. Ash realizes this is the same Azumarill that quickly lost to Roark's Geodude, and calls Paul out for discarding his Pokémon. Paul remarks that Azumarill was never going to improve. He reminds Ash that they both want to win, but Ash replies that he is prepared to train his team to perform. With that, Paul leaves and Ash vows never to lose to him again.

The following day arrives, and Ash heads straight for the Oreburgh Gym to take on Roark. After the rules are stated, Ash is sure that he will show Paul some 'real battling'. Roark first sends out his Cranidos, surprising Ash who expected to face Cranidos last. Ash starts things off with Aipom, hoping to win using her speed. Ian calls for the match to begin, and Ash commands Aipom to use Focus Punch. However, Cranidos leaps high into the air and knocks Aipom to the ground with a Headbutt. After Aipom hits the ground, Roark has Cranidos use Flamethrower. Ash can keep Aipom out of harm's way with Double Team. However, Cranidos easily gets rid of all of Aipom's clones, so Ash decides to go on the attack with Swift sending Cranidos reeling back. Ash now has Aipom try another Focus Punch, so Roark has Cranidos counter with Zen Headbutt. Both attacks collide, causing a massive explosion. However, Aipom comes out of it the worst, as she flies into Ash's arms, unable to battle. Ash recalls Aipom for some rest and decides to use Pikachu next.

Right off the bat, Ash has Pikachu use Thunderbolt and Roark commands Cranidos to dodge and use Zen Headbutt. Although Cranidos successfully avoids the Thunderbolt, Pikachu strikes back with Iron Tail, sending Cranidos backward and demolishing one of the rocks on the Gym floor. Ash believes that should finish Cranidos off; however, Cranidos surprises him by quickly getting back to its feet and using Headbutt. Pikachu tries to dodge and use Thunderbolt by jumping into the air but Cranidos jumps as well, hitting Pikachu and canceling out the attack. Pikachu tries to use Thunderbolt again but is thwarted by Cranidos' Zen Headbutt. Again, Cranidos uses Headbutt on Pikachu, knocking him to the ground. Unimpressed, Paul gets up to leave, believing Ash has already lost. However, Pikachu suddenly shows his fighting spirit by letting off a powerful electric attack in the air, making Paul regain interest. Ash tells Pikachu to use Quick Attack while Cranidos is told to counter with Flamethrower. However, Pikachu dodges it and successfully lands Iron Tail on Cranidos's head. Amazingly, despite all of the damage, Cranidos manages to recover. Roark orders a Head Smash, so Ash takes his chance with Volt Tackle despite the risk of recoil. The two rush toward each other at full power and collide, causing a massive explosion and injuring both Pokémon.

Ash decides that Pikachu needs to be recalled for now and sends out Turtwig. Ash begins with Razor Leaf, though Cranidos’s Flamethrower scorches through the leaves. Turtwig, however, is quick enough to dodge the Flamethrower and uses Bite on Cranidos's arm. Cranidos uses Zen Headbutt and scores a direct hit sending Turtwig flying. Cranidos scores another direct hit on Turtwig with Flamethrower, causing major damage. Turtwig makes a quick recovery and fires off a Razor Leaf attack, scoring a knockout on Cranidos. Ash is thrilled with Turtwig’s efforts but doesn't allow himself to celebrate, knowing that he went through far too much to knock out only one Pokémon.

Roark sends out Onix as his second Pokémon, while Ash keeps Turtwig in. Turtwig attacks with Razor Leaf, but Onix is speedy enough to dodge. Onix follows up with Double-Edge, which scores a direct hit on Turtwig and knocks him out, having suffered massive damage already from Cranidos's Flamethrower. Ash sends out Pikachu again, but Pikachu is already exhausted and damaged from the round battling Cranidos. Onix uses Slam, countering Pikachu's Iron Tail attack, and the resulting exchange damages both sides. Ash is struggling, knowing that the only move that's any good against Onix is Iron Tail. Suddenly, Ash gets a flash of inspiration and tells Pikachu to use Thunderbolt on the field. Onix attempts a Double-Edge; however, the debris from Pikachu's attack keeps it at bay. Ash calls for a Quick Attack, but a Screech from Onix halts his advance. The decibels send Pikachu into one of the field's jagged stones, knocking him out. Ian declares Pikachu as unable to battle, therefore the match is over with Roark the winner, meaning no Badge for Ash. As Ash picks up his exhausted partner, Paul leaves but not before making it known that his opinion of Ash is as low as ever.

Major events

• Paul gives his Azumarill to a young boy.
• Ash battles Roark in his first Sinnoh Gym match and loses.

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

Debuts

Humans

• Dr. Kenzo

Characters

Humans

• Ash
• Dawn
• Brock
• Jessie
• James
• Giovanni (fantasy)
• Paul
• Roark
• Ian
• Dr. Kenzo
• Boy
• Researcher
• Tourist

Pokémon

• Pikachu (Ash's)
• Meowth (Team Rocket)
• Wobbuffet (Jessie's)
• Aipom (Ash's)
• Staravia (Ash's)
• Turtwig (Ash's)
• Chansey (Nurse Joy's)
• Onix (Roark's)
• Cranidos (Roark's)
• Omanyte
• Armaldo
• Aerodactyl (fantasy)
• Kabutops (fantasy)
• Cradily (fantasy)

Trivia

• Professor Oak's Big Pokémon Encyclopedia: Ash's Turtwig
  • Furthermore, Ash's Turtwig is also confirmed male when Professor Oak says that Turtwig is "like a big brother".
    • This marks the first time that a concurrent Grass-type starter Pokémon had their gender confirmed, not counting a concurrent Grass-type starter in their middle stage.
      • This is also the only time that a Grass-type starter Pokémon has been confirmed male.
• Pokémon senryū: ナエトルは　あたまにはっぱ　はえとるぞ Naetoru wa, atama ni happa, haetoru zo "Naetle, the leaf on its head is growing."
• Music from Jirachi: Wish Maker, Destiny Deoxys, and Lucario and the Mystery of Mew are used as background music.
• 4Kids background music is used in this episode.
• Jessie, James, Meowth, and Wobbuffet narrate the preview for the next episode.
• Team Rocket doesn't blast off in this episode.
• This is the first time Ash has lost to the first Gym Leader of a region since he faced Brock in Showdown in Pewter City.
  • Coincidentally, Brock and Roark were both Rock-type Gym Leaders at the time Ash first battled them, and both matches ended with their respective Onix defeating Pikachu.
  • This is also the first time that Ash has lost to a Gym Leader who doesn't use all of their Pokémon since facing Brock. In this case, Roark used only two of his three Pokémon.
• This is one of the few episodes of Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl where Dawn's Piplup does not appear.
• In the Norwegian dub, Dawn curses by calling Paul a "drittunge" (brat). "Drittunge" is a compound word of "dritt" (crap) and "unge" (child).

Errors

• When Team Rocket is dreaming about conquering Sinnoh and fantasizing about Fossil Pokémon, Jessie's Wobbuffet is smaller than its normal size.
• When Paul meets up with Ash at the Pokémon Center, one young Trainer passes by to thank Paul for his Azumarill. During that scene, Ash's Staravia is seen for a second. After both Ash and Paul have their conversation, Staravia disappears in the next scene.
• Dawn says that Paul has already battled Ash once, when in truth they have actually battled twice.
• When Aipom is knocked out, she is shown lying on the floor despite having being thrown into Ash (with him then shown holding her).
• When Ash realizes to use Pikachu's Thunderbolt on the ground, one of his eyebrows is briefly miscolored.
• Pikachu is defeated by Onix's Screech, despite it not being a damage dealing move.

Dub edits

• In the English dub, Brock says that Ash's Turtwig is the only one in his team that is good for battling Rock-types. In the original Japanese version, Brock doesn't talk down to Ash's Pokémon and just says that Turtwig is strong against Rock-types.
• In the English dub, Brock is impressed by Paul's Pokémon's speed, saying it helped him in his win against Roark. In the original Japanese version, Brock was impressed by Roark's Pokémon's speed.
• In the English dub, Ash compliments Pikachu by saying that he is the best. In the original Japanese version, Ash apologizes to Pikachu for the loss.

In other languages

Language		Title
Mandarin Chinese		頭蓋龍對抗皮卡丘！
Czech		Já to taky dokážu
Danish		En optræden der vil blive husket
Dutch		Norse bomen vangen veel wind!
Finnish		Näytön paikka
European French		Premier match à Sinnoh !
German		Alles auf eine Karte! *
Hebrew		קשה להיכנס לנעליים של פול
Italian		Un aspro finale & Fine del primo atto
Korean		무쇠체육관 시합, 피카츄 vs 두개도스
Polish		Trudny pojedynek
Portuguese	Brazil	Enfrentando um Grande Desafio!
	Portugal	Uma Atitude Incorrecta!
Romanian		Urmează o manifestare dură
Russian		Будет не просто
Spanish	Latin America	¡Un estilo que no se copia!
	Spain	Una actuación difícil de superar
Swedish		Ashs första match i Sinnoh
Thai		ซูไกโดส ปะทะ ปิกะจู

← DP015 : Shapes of Things to Come!

Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl

DP017 : Wild in the Streets! →

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