EP152

← EP151 : The Totodile Duel

Original series

EP153 : Love, Totodile Style →

Hot Matches!

EP152   エアームドＶＳヒノアラシ！はがねのつばさ！！ Airmd VS Hinoarashi! Steel Wing!!

First broadcast Japan June 15, 2000 United States May 12, 2001

English themes Opening Pokémon Johto Ending

Japanese themes Opening OK! Ending ポケモンはらはら²リレー

Credits Animation Team Ota Screenplay 米村正二 Shōji Yonemura Storyboard 井上修 Osamu Inoue Assistant director 井上修 Osamu Inoue Animation director 佐藤まさふみ Masafumi Satō Additional credits

Screenshots on Filb.de

Hot Matches! (Japanese: エアームドＶＳヒノアラシ！はがねのつばさ！！ Airmd VS Hinoarashi! Steel Wing!!) is the 152nd episode of the Pokémon anime. It was first broadcast in Japan on June 15, 2000, and in the United States on May 12, 2001.

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

Blurb

When Ash and friends hear of a virtually undefeatable trainer operating nearby, they seek her out, only to see first Brock's Vulpix and then Ash's Cyndaquil take heavy abuse from her Skarmory—despite its disadvantage against the Fire element.

Plot

After exiting the Pokémon Center, Ash bumps into a young Trainer holding a Growlithe in his hands. He warns Ash to avoid an old mountain bridge because of a tough Trainer, but Ash decides to go anyway. As the group discusses which Pokémon the Trainer might be using to be so tough, Team Rocket overhears the conversation and decides to snatch the Pokémon once they are weakened during the battle. Once they reach the destination, Misty spots a young girl. When Brock begins flirting with her, she identifies herself as Miki and challenges him to a battle, surprising Brock with her determination.

Miki instructs Brock to send out a Fire-type Pokémon, explaining she is trying to get her Skarmory to be stronger and beat any type of Pokémon; even its weaknesses like Fire-types. Miki sends out Skarmory while Brock sends out his only Fire-type Pokémon, Vulpix. The battle starts with Skarmory making a dust cloud in Vulpix's face while it swoops back into the air. Before Skarmory can attack, Vulpix uses Flamethrower, only to miss because of Skarmory using Agility. Vulpix then starts using its Quick Attack to flee from Skarmory. However, Skarmory strikes it with Steel Wing, and Vulpix is knocked out. Miki asks Brock if he has any more Fire-type Pokémon. Ash steps in and says that he has one, but he boasts that it might be too hot for her Skarmory to handle.

The match starts, and Ash sends out Cyndaquil who is already yawning. Skarmory approaches with Fury Attack, but Cyndaquil dodges. Next, Cyndaquil tries to get its flames going but gets attacked by Swift. Cyndaquil's Agility helps it dodge most of the Fury Attacks except for the final one. Cyndaquil finally gets its flames going and breaths a Flamethrower, but the attack misses. Skarmory's Swift attack hits again. Skarmory swoops down for a Steel Wing, when Cyndaquil uses Flamethrower, missing yet again. Just as Skarmory is about to attack, two claws appear and grab the two Pokémon. Team Rocket recites their motto and begins to fly off in their balloon. Miki notices Skarmory is wriggling around and orders it to use Swift on the cable. Skarmory manages to escape, though its wings are still pinned to its body so Brock jumps to Skarmory's aid, only to be crushed under its weight. With Cyndaquil still captive, Ash and Pikachu continue to chase after Team Rocket. Skarmory later appears and slices through the balloon with a Steel Wing attack, which sends Team Rocket blasting off. Ash manages to catch Cyndaquil and retrieves it from its cage.

At night, everyone returns to Miki's house to enjoy a home-cooked meal prepared by Brock. Miki is impressed by Brock's culinary skills, and Brock tells Miki that he would happily cook for her if she traveled with him. Misty pulls Brock aside by the ear and scolds him for the flirting comment. Ash asks Miki about her training regime, and she explains that she intensely trains alongside Skarmory. By morning, Ash and Cyndaquil run uphill through the fog in an attempt to become stronger. Once they reach the hilltop, Ash has Cyndaquil practice its best Tackle attack on him. Ash turns his attention to Cyndaquil's flame, but after a while, he decides to practice its Agility attack. Afterward, Ash has Cyndaquil use another Tackle on him, and this time it is powerful enough to knock Ash into a nearby apple tree. Ash's attention then turns to breakfast and as he goes to pick several apples he also disturbs a wild Beedrill. Soon, Ash and Cyndaquil are running from an entire swarm. Ash trips over, but Cyndaquil rushes to defend its Trainer and fires several Flamethrowers to ward off the Beedrill. Ash is impressed by Cyndaquil's newfound control and has it practice its Flamethrower on some flying targets.

Meanwhile, Brock, Misty, and Miki have enjoyed a leisurely morning. Ash's friends watch Miki brushes her Skarmory's wings, and soon Ash returns from his special training. Ash challenges Miki to a rematch and she happily accepts the challenge. After withstanding three Steel Wings, Cyndaquil manages to defeat Skarmory using Flamethrower. Ash is thrilled that his training has paid off. Miki thanks the group for the experience and she adds that she wishes to travel around and battle Gym Leaders. Ash looks forward to seeing her in the Silver Conference as he and his friends wave goodbye.

Major events

• Ash's Cyndaquil learns to ignite the flame on its back at will.
• Ash's Cyndaquil is revealed to know Agility and Smokescreen.

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

Debuts

Pokémon debuts

• Skarmory

Characters

Humans

Dare da?

• Ash
• Misty
• Brock
• Jessie
• James
• Miki
• Growlithe Trainer

Pokémon

Who's That Pokémon?

Who's That Pokémon?: Aipom (US and international), Skarmory (Japan)

• Pikachu (Ash's)
• Meowth (Team Rocket)
• Togepi (Misty's)
• Wobbuffet (Jessie's)
• Cyndaquil (Ash's)
• Vulpix (Brock's)
• Skarmory (Miki's; debut)
• Growlithe (Trainer's)
• Beedrill (multiple)

Trivia

• Exciting² Pokémon Relay replaced Exciting Pokémon Relay as the Japanese ending theme.
• Skarmory's voice is dubbed in this episode, but in every other appearance after this one, until Going for Choke!, it retains its Japanese voice.
• This episode is featured on Pokémon All-Stars: Cyndaquil from Magna Pacific's Pokémon All-Stars series.
• This episode premiered in Japan on Yūji Ueda's 33rd birthday.
• This is the first episode where the Steel-type is mentioned by name.
• This episode is referenced in Cyndaquil's Blueberry Pokédex image in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, which features a Cyndaquil battling a Skarmory.

Errors

• Every Poké Ball sound effect is out of sync in this episode.
• In the English dubbed version, when Brock battles Miki, he commands Vulpix to use Agility. This was a dubbing error, as it was originally commanded to use Quick Attack.
• During Ash's first battle, Miki tells Skarmory to use Fury instead of Fury Attack.
• Cyndaquil uses Agility in this episode, although it shouldn't be able to learn the move.

Dub edits

• Pokémon Karaokémon: You & Me & Pokémon
• An instrumental version of You Can Do It (If You Really Try) is used.
• When this episode first premiered on Kids' WB!, the part which shows Ash training with Cyndaquil to the part where he gets a bite to eat was cut out in order to make room for the entire music video for the song Pokérap GS. In future airings, the uncut version would be shown, and instead of Pokérap GS includes the Pokémon Karaokémon segment You & Me & Pokémon.

In other languages

Language		Title
Arabic		مباريات ساخنة
Bulgarian		Ожесточени двубои!
Mandarin Chinese		鋼鐵鳥對抗火球鼠，鋼鐵之翼
Czech		Ocelový zápas
Dutch		Een Vurige Strijd!
European French		Chaud devant
German		Heiße Kämpfe
Hebrew		הקרב הלוהטhakrav halohet
Hindi		आग की मॅचस Aag ki Matches *
Hungarian		A nagy csata
Italian		Sfide e rivincite* La prova del fuoco*
Polish		Ciężkie walki!
Portuguese	Brazil	Batalhas Quentes!
	Portugal	Combates Ardentes!
Romanian		Meciuri Fierbinți
Spanish	Latin America	¡Duelos calientes!
	Spain	Combates Ardentes!

← EP151 : The Totodile Duel

Original series

EP153 : Love, Totodile Style →

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