Welcome to Bulbapedia, the free Pokémon encyclopedia that anyone can edit. Create your account and get started with editing pages!
staging.bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net

AG166: Difference between revisions

From Bulbapedia, the community-driven Pokémon encyclopedia.
Jump to navigationJump to search
m (Text replacement - "episode of the Pokémon anime" to "episode of the Pokémon animated series")
Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit
 
(21 intermediate revisions by 15 users not shown)
Line 4: Line 4:
nextcode=AG167 |
nextcode=AG167 |
nexttitle=What I Did for Love! |
nexttitle=What I Did for Love! |
series=Advanced Generation series |
series=Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire |
colorscheme=Emerald }}
colorscheme=Emerald }}
{{EpisodeInfobox|
{{EpisodeInfobox|
Line 18: Line 18:
en_series=|
en_series=|
en_op={{OBP|Battle Frontier|dub}} |
en_op={{OBP|Battle Frontier|dub}} |
en_ed={{so|Pokémon Go!}} |
ja_op=[[Spurt!|スパート！]] |
ja_op=[[Spurt!|スパート！]] |
ja_ed=[[GLORY DAY ~That Shining Day~|GLORY DAY 〜輝くその日〜]] ③ |
ja_ed=[[GLORY DAY ~That Shining Day~|GLORY DAY 〜輝くその日〜]] ③ |
Line 28: Line 29:
epstaffpage=AG161-AG170 |
epstaffpage=AG161-AG170 |
footnotes=*{{filb-eppics|ag|166}}}}
footnotes=*{{filb-eppics|ag|166}}}}
'''Curbing the Crimson Tide!''' (Japanese: '''摩天楼の赤いイナズマ！''' ''The Red Lightning of Skyscrapers!'') is the 166th episode of the {{series|Advanced Generation}}, and the 440th episode of the [[Pokémon anime]]. It was first broadcast in Japan on March 2, 2006 and in the United States on November 18, 2006.  
'''Curbing the Crimson Tide!''' (Japanese: '''摩天楼の赤いイナズマ！''' ''The Red Lightning of Skyscrapers!'') is the 166th episode of ''[[Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire]]'', and the 440th episode of the [[Pokémon animated series]]. It was first broadcast in Japan on March 2, 2006, and in the United States on November 18, 2006.  


{{spoilers}}
{{spoilers}}


==Blurb==
==Blurb==
<!--http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-episodes/09_21-curbing-the-crimson-tide/-->
<!--https://www.pokemon.com/us/animation/seasons/9/episode-21-curbing-the-crimson-tide/-->
<i>There's big trouble in the big city when Ash and our friends pay a visit—a mysterious talking Pokémon known as Red Lighting has been battling all the Trainers in town, and it acts like a real bully when it wins! May's plans for a nice day out are ruined when Red Lightning humiliates her and her Squirtle, so now our heroes are out to uncover who or what is behind its activities. To catch up with it, our heroes commandeer Team Rocket's balloon and follow Red Lightning back to a huge house.
<i>There's big trouble in the big city when Ash and our friends pay a visit—a mysterious talking Pokémon known as Red Lighting has been battling all the Trainers in town, and it acts like a real bully when it wins! May's plans for a nice day out are ruined when Red Lightning humiliates her and her Squirtle, so now our heroes are out to uncover who or what is behind its activities. To catch up with it, our heroes commandeer Team Rocket's balloon and follow Red Lightning back to a huge house.


Line 41: Line 42:


==Plot==
==Plot==
Three young boys stand in an alley and are suddenly confronted by a mysterious figure in a crimson cloak known as the Red Lightning, who challenges them to a Pokémon battle. {{OBP|Hiroshi|AG166|One of the boys}} calls out a {{p|Poliwag}}, beginning the fight with {{m|Water Pulse}}. Red Lightning retaliates with a {{m|Hyper Beam}} attack that instantly [[fainting|knocks out]] Poliwag. Red Lightning approaches the defeated Pokémon, crouches, and leaves his mark—a series of doodles—upon it. The Poliwag's {{pkmn|Trainer}} rushes to his Pokémon as Red Lightning rides a gust of wind to reach a rooftop and disappear.
The mysterious Red Lightning confronts a trio of boys in an alleyway, challenging them to a [[Pokémon battle]]. {{OBP|Hiroshi|AG166}} calls out his {{p|Poliwag}}, beginning the fight with {{m|Water Pulse}}. Red Lightning retaliates with a {{m|Hyper Beam}} attack that instantly [[fainting|knocks out]] Poliwag. Red Lightning approaches the defeated Pokémon, crouches, and leaves his mark—a series of scribbles—upon it. Hiroshi rushes to his Pokémon as Red Lightning rides a gust of wind to reach a rooftop and disappear.


{{Ash}}, now with his fifth [[Symbol|Frontier Symbol]], plans to head to the {{DL|Battle Frontier (Generation III)|Battle Tower}}. Our heroes walk along the sidewalk as Ash searches for the nearest [[Pokémon Center]]. Once they find it, {{an|Brock}} quickly locates [[Nurse Joy]] and begins his usual romantic speech while dressed as a medieval prince. Before long, [[Max]] drags Brock off by the ear. Suddenly, the three boys arrive with the fainted Poliwag. Given Ash and company's unfamiliarity with the mysterious individual, Nurse Joy tells them that he regularly challenges and defeats Trainers, then draws on their Pokémon's faces, such as another young boy's {{p|Gulpin}} that arrived shortly beforehand. Nearby, {{TRT}} are [[List of Team Rocket's disguises|disguised]] in janitor's clothing and plan to capture the defeated Pokémon.
On their way to the {{gdis|Battle Tower|III}}, {{ash|the group}} are passing through [[Commerce City]]. The boys stop at the local [[Pokémon Center]] while {{an|May}} leaves to do some shopping. {{an|Brock}} quickly locates [[Nurse Joy]] and begins to confess his love, though [[Max]] quickly drags him off by the ear. Suddenly, the three boys arrive with the fainted Poliwag. Given Ash and company's unfamiliarity with the mysterious individual known as Red Lightning, Nurse Joy tells them that he regularly challenges and defeats Trainers, then draws on their Pokémon's faces. Nearby, {{TRT}} is [[List of Team Rocket's disguises|disguised]] in janitor's clothing and plan to capture the defeated Pokémon.


Afterward, {{an|May}} is outside diligently reading a textbook about [[Pokéblock]]s and feeding {{TP|May|Eevee|Glaceon}} one. {{TP|May|Munchlax}} is quick to notice and begins to complain, so May gives it a May's Pink Surprise. May then recalls Munchlax, {{TP|May|Combusken|Blaziken}}, and Eevee back into their [[Poké Ball]]s as she tries to figure out which of her Pokémon is missing. She eventually realizes that {{TP|May|Squirtle|Wartortle}} is missing and goes to look for it. May finally catches up to Squirtle, who is smelling some flowers alongside a {{p|Butterfree}}. A brief gust of wind carries Butterfree off into the sky and Red Lightning arrives on the scene, offering May a [[Pokémon battle]]. He doesn't give May much of a choice, however, and fires his signature Hyper Beam attack. Squirtle avoids the blast and counters with {{m|Water Gun}}. Red Lightning avoids Water Gun as it dives toward Squirtle and gets a lock on it. Red Lightning opens his claw and targets Squirtle with another Hyper Beam, knocking it unconscious. The mark of Red Lightning is left as evidence of Squirtle's defeat. May is dumbfounded by the strange figure, his aerial escape, and the doodles on Squirtle's face.
Afterward, {{an|May}} is outside diligently reading a textbook about [[Pokéblock]]s and feeding {{TP|May|Eevee}} one. {{TP|May|Munchlax}} is quick to notice and begins to complain, so May gives it a May's Pink Surprise. May [[recall]]s Munchlax, {{TP|May|Combusken}}, and Eevee back into their {{i|Poké Ball}}s as she tries to figure out which of her Pokémon is missing. She eventually realizes that {{TP|May|Squirtle}} has disappeared, and she soon finds it smelling some flowers alongside a {{p|Butterfree}}. A brief gust of wind carries Butterfree off into the sky and Red Lightning arrives on the scene, offering May a [[Pokémon battle]]. He doesn't give May much of a choice, however, and fires his signature Hyper Beam attack. Squirtle avoids the blast and counters with {{m|Water Gun}}. Red Lightning avoids Water Gun as it dives toward Squirtle and gets a lock on it. Red Lightning opens his claw and targets Squirtle with another Hyper Beam, knocking it unconscious. Red Lightning leaves its mark on Squirtle’s face. May is dumbfounded by the strange figure, his aerial escape, and the doodles on Squirtle's face.


Inside the Pokémon Center, Ash notices that all of the patient Pokémon have the same markings that the young boy's Poliwag had. May enters the building with her Squirtle, Red Lightning's most recent victim. The group heads out in the search of this "Red Lightning." Before long, a scream is heard in the distance. They rush over to find a young girl and her {{p|Chansey}} beaten by Red Lightning in another alley. A gust of wind alerts them to Red Lightning, standing on a gate and about to make his escape. Ash confronts him and tells {{AP|Pikachu}} to use {{m|Quick Attack}}, but his target leaps out of the way. Pikachu fires a {{m|Thunderbolt}} attack but misses again, and Red Lightning moves in to take advantage of the situation. He uses Hyper Beam, but Pikachu dodges with a Quick Attack off of a nearby wall.
Inside the Pokémon Center, Ash notices that all of the patient Pokémon have the same markings that the young boy's Poliwag had. May enters the building with her Squirtle, Red Lightning's most recent victim. The group heads out in the search of this "Red Lightning." Before long, a scream is heard in the distance. They rush over to find a young girl and her {{p|Chansey}} beaten by Red Lightning in another alley. A gust of wind alerts them to Red Lightning, standing on a gate and about to make his escape. Ash confronts him and tells {{AP|Pikachu}} to use {{m|Quick Attack}}, but his target leaps out of the way. Pikachu fires a {{m|Thunderbolt}} attack but misses again, and Red Lightning moves in to take advantage of the situation. He uses Hyper Beam, but Pikachu dodges with a Quick Attack off of a nearby wall.


When the battlers land on the ground, a net emerges from the distance, which Red Lightning dodges easily. Team Rocket announce their appearance with their trademark motto. Right after the motto's end, {{MTR}} fires another net at Red Lightning, but he avoids it and bounces off of the [[Team Rocket's mechas#Meowth Hot Air Balloon|balloon]] to escape yet again. Ash and heroes board the balloon's basket and temporarily form a truce with Team Rocket to pursue Red Lightning. The group follows him to the exquisitely-arranged garden rooftop of a tall building, where [[Luna|a young girl]] is seen holding a small notebook computer. With a press of a button, one of the nearby trees rockets into the sky and collides into Team Rocket's balloon just after Ash and his friends drop down from the basket. With Team Rocket sent blasting off, the rest of the group observes the girl and Red Lightning interact. Upon discovering that she is behind this, they emerge from hiding and confront her, but she reacts angrily and brushes them off. A well-dressed man comes from the house and apologizes for the actions of the girl, named Luna. She is quick to interrupt him, so a fed-up Ash challenges her to a Pokémon battle. Red Lightning begins with Hyper Beam, but Pikachu launches himself high into the air with Quick Attack and follows up with Thunderbolt. Red Lightning counters the move with {{m|Swift}}, creating an explosion that defrocks him, revealing "him" to be a {{p|Scizor}} that "spoke" using a speaker in its collar. Pikachu chases after Scizor with Quick Attack, but he scrambles for a ledge when Scizor leads him off the rooftop.
When the battlers land on the ground, a net emerges from the distance, which Red Lightning dodges easily. Team Rocket announce their appearance with their {{motto}}. Right after the motto ends, {{MTR}} fires another net at Red Lightning, but he avoids it and bounces off of the [[Team Rocket's mechas#Meowth Hot Air Balloon|balloon]] to escape yet again. Ash and his friends board the balloon's basket and temporarily form a truce with Team Rocket to pursue Red Lightning. The group follows him to the exquisitely-arranged garden rooftop of a tall building, where [[Luna|a young girl]] is seen holding a small notebook computer. With a press of a button, one of the nearby trees rockets into the sky and collides into Team Rocket's balloon just after Ash and his friends drop down from the basket. With Team Rocket sent blasting off, the rest of the group observes the girl and Red Lightning interact. Upon discovering that she is behind this, they emerge from hiding and confront her, but she reacts angrily and brushes them off. A well-dressed man comes from the house and apologizes for the actions of the girl, named Luna. She is quick to interrupt him, so a fed-up Ash challenges her to a battle. Red Lightning begins with Hyper Beam, but Pikachu launches himself high into the air with Quick Attack and follows up with Thunderbolt. Red Lightning counters the move with {{m|Swift}}, creating an explosion that defrocks him, revealing "him" to be a {{p|Scizor}} that "spoke" using a speaker in its collar. Pikachu chases after Scizor with Quick Attack, but he scrambles for a ledge when Scizor leads him off the rooftop.


Ash says that he will match Scizor's speed with that of his {{AP|Sceptile}}. As Scizor flies off into the distance by using the building's updrafts, Sceptile is right behind him scaling the edifices. Scizor turns around and fires Hyper Beam. Although Sceptile leaps to avoid the attack, a gust of wind throws it in the beam's path. The hit makes Sceptile begin to fall, but it recovers in time by gripping onto a skyscraper. Sceptile notices the city's gusty winds and uses them to float through the air like Scizor. Sceptile then comes down with a powerful {{m|Leaf Blade}}, knocking Scizor unconscious. Luna begins to panic, but Sceptile reaches Scizor and rescues it from a disastrous fall. Sceptile returns to the rooftop with Scizor in tow.
Ash says that he will match Scizor's speed with that of his {{AP|Sceptile}}. As Scizor flies off into the distance by using the building's updrafts, Sceptile is right behind it scaling the edifices. Scizor turns around and fires Hyper Beam. Although Sceptile leaps to avoid the attack, a gust of wind throws it in the beam's path. The hit makes Sceptile begin to fall, but it recovers in time by gripping onto a skyscraper. Sceptile notices the city's gusty winds and uses them to float through the air like Scizor. Sceptile comes down with a powerful {{m|Leaf Blade}}, knocking Scizor unconscious. Luna begins to panic, but Sceptile reaches Scizor and rescues it from a disastrous fall. Sceptile returns to the rooftop with Scizor in tow. Luna is furious, adding that Ash had no business saving Scizor.  


With the battle over, Ash and heroes turn around to question Luna about her actions. The man then begins to explain how her parents were often away on scientific work, leaving young Luna alone to occupy her time by inventing devices, such as the ones utilized in Red Lightning. May goes over to comfort the young girl and suggests they have a rematch between Scizor and Squirtle, with Brock as the judge. Luna agrees and initializes the battle with Scizor's {{m|Swift}}, which Squirtle defends against using {{m|Withdraw}}. Squirtle launches a Water Gun at Scizor, but it quickly avoids the attack. Squirtle follows up with an {{m|Ice Beam}} that freezes the stone walkway and causes Scizor to lose its balance. Squirtle uses the icy battlefield to {{m|Rapid Spin|rotate at high speed}} toward Scizor. It tries to dodge by jumping, but the high-speed Rapid Spin still connects and sends Scizor plummeting to the ground, knocked out. Squirtle strikes a dynamic pose as May is declared the victor.
Luna’s Butler orders Luna to settle down, adding that she knows she is feeling lonely. He reveals that Luna's parents are often away on scientific work, leaving young Luna alone to occupy her time by inventing devices, such as the ones utilized in Red Lightning. May goes over to comfort the young girl and suggests they have a rematch between Scizor and Squirtle, with Brock as the judge. Luna agrees and initializes the battle with Scizor's {{m|Swift}}, which Squirtle defends against using {{m|Withdraw}}. Squirtle launches a Water Gun at Scizor, but it quickly avoids the attack. Squirtle follows up with an {{m|Ice Beam}} that freezes the stone walkway and causes Scizor to lose its balance. Squirtle uses the icy battlefield to {{m|Rapid Spin|rotate at high speed}} toward Scizor. It tries to dodge by jumping, but the high-speed Rapid Spin still connects and sends Scizor plummeting to the ground, knocked out. Squirtle strikes a dynamic pose as May is declared the victor. Having realized her thoughtless actions, Luna apologizes for causing trouble in the city and swears not to ever again. The Butler also informs May that a [[Pokémon Contest]] is due to be held in neighboring [[Gardenia Town]], much to her excitement.
 
Having realized her thoughtless actions, Luna apologizes for causing trouble in the city and swears not to ever again. As the sun sets on another adventuresome day for our heroes, May relishes the thought of her next [[Pokémon Contest]] in [[Gardenia Town]].


==Major events==
==Major events==
* {{an|May}} learns that a [[Pokémon Contest]] will be held in [[Gardenia Town]].
* [[Ash's Sceptile]] is revealed to know {{m|Agility}}.
* [[Ash's Sceptile]] is revealed to know {{m|Agility}}.
* [[May's Squirtle]] is revealed to know {{m|Withdraw}}.
* [[May's Squirtle]] is revealed to know {{m|Withdraw}}.
* {{an|May}} learns that a [[Pokémon Contest]] will be held in [[Gardenia Town]].
{{animeevents}}
{{animeevents}}


Line 75: Line 74:
* [[James]]
* [[James]]
* [[Nurse Joy]]
* [[Nurse Joy]]
* [[Luna]]  
* [[Luna]]
* Butler
* {{OBP|Hiroshi|AG166}}
* {{OBP|Hiroshi|AG166}}  
* Butler
* Trainers
* {{pkmn|Trainer}}s
* Luna's parents (flashback)
* Luna's parents (flashback)


Line 86: Line 85:
* {{p|Wobbuffet}} ({{OP|Jessie|Wobbuffet}})
* {{p|Wobbuffet}} ({{OP|Jessie|Wobbuffet}})
* {{p|Sceptile}} ({{OP|Ash|Sceptile}})
* {{p|Sceptile}} ({{OP|Ash|Sceptile}})
* {{p|Combusken}} ({{OP|May|Blaziken}})
* {{p|Combusken}} ({{OP|May|Combusken}})
* {{p|Munchlax}} ({{OP|May|Munchlax}})
* {{p|Munchlax}} ({{OP|May|Munchlax}})
* {{p|Squirtle}} ({{OP|May|Wartortle}})
* {{p|Squirtle}} ({{OP|May|Squirtle}})
* {{p|Eevee}} ({{OP|May|Glaceon}})
* {{p|Eevee}} ({{OP|May|Eevee}})
* {{p|Scizor}} ([[Luna]]'s; Red Lightning)
* {{p|Scizor}} ([[Luna]]'s; Red Lightning)
* {{p|Scyther}} ([[Luna]]'s; flashback)
* {{p|Scyther}} ([[Luna]]'s; flashback)
* {{p|Poliwag}} ({{OBP|Hiroshi|AG166}}'s)
* {{p|Poliwag}} ({{OBP|Hiroshi|AG166}}'s)
* {{p|Marill}} (Trainer's)
* {{p|Jumpluff}} (Trainer's)
* {{p|Heracross}} (Trainer's)
* {{p|Phanpy}} (Trainer's)
* {{p|Mudkip}} (Trainer's)
* {{p|Shroomish}} (Trainer's)
* {{p|Azurill}} (Trainer's)
* {{p|Corphish}} (Trainer's)
* {{p|Chansey}} (Trainer's)
* {{p|Snorunt}} (Trainer's)
* {{p|Gulpin}} (Trainer's; flashback)
* {{p|Butterfree}}
* {{p|Butterfree}}
====Trainers'====
* {{p|Gulpin}} (flashback)
* {{p|Marill}}
* {{p|Jumpluff}}
* {{p|Heracross}}
* {{p|Phanpy}}
* {{p|Mudkip}}
* {{p|Shroomish}}
* {{p|Azurill}}
* {{p|Corphish}}
* {{p|Chansey}}
* {{p|Snorunt}}


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
* [[Spurt!]] replaced {{so|Battle Frontier}} as the [[List of Japanese opening themes|Japanese opening theme]].
* [[Spurt!]] replaced {{so|Battle Frontier}} as the [[List of Japanese opening themes|Japanese opening theme]].
* [[I Won't Lose! ~Haruka's Theme~]] debuted as an insert song.
* [[I Won't Lose! ~Haruka's Theme~]] debuted as an insert song.
* Luna's house bears a striking resemblance to the headquarters of the [[Pokémon Lover's Club]] in ''[[EP027|Hypno's Naptime]]''.
* Luna's house bears a striking resemblance to the headquarters of the {{DL|Pokémon Fan Club|Pokémon Lover's Club}} in ''[[EP027|Hypno's Naptime]]''.
* Scizor draws on others' faces much like {{an|Jigglypuff}} did.
* Scizor draws on others' faces much like {{an|Jigglypuff}} did.
* The episode's English name may be a reference to the {{wp|Alabama Crimson Tide}}, the name given to sports teams at the University of Alabama.
* The episode's English name may be a reference to the {{wp|Alabama Crimson Tide}}, the name given to sports teams at the University of Alabama.
* The Fifth Avenue {{an|May}} mentions may be a reference to the high-end shopping district of {{wp|Fifth Avenue}} in New York City.


===Errors===
===Errors===
* When May came to the [[Pokémon Center]], the drawings on Squirtle's face changed.
* When May came to the [[Pokémon Center]], the drawings on Squirtle's face changed.
* When Luna's tree missile sends Team Rocket blasting off, Wobbuffet's voice can be heard, but only Jessie, James, and Meowth are seen.
* When Luna's tree missile sends Team Rocket blasting off, Wobbuffet's voice can be heard, but only Jessie, James, and Meowth are seen.
* When Poliwag is called out of its [[Poké Ball]], it cries but its mouth doesn't move.
* When Poliwag is called out of its {{i|Poké Ball}}, it [[cry|cries]], but its mouth doesn't move.


===Dub edits===
===Dub edits===
Line 125: Line 123:
{{Epilang|color=77FF77|bordercolor=55DD55
{{Epilang|color=77FF77|bordercolor=55DD55
|zh_cmn={{tt|摩天樓的紅色閃電！|The Red Lightning of Skyscrapers!}}
|zh_cmn={{tt|摩天樓的紅色閃電！|The Red Lightning of Skyscrapers!}}
|da={{tt|Vi bryder den røde flod-bølge!|We break the red flood wave}}
|nl={{tt|Het rode gevaar ontmaskerd!|Unmasked the Red Menace!}}
|nl={{tt|Het rode gevaar ontmaskerd!|Unmasked the Red Menace!}}
|de={{tt|Unfug! Nichts als Unfug!|Fooling! Nothing than fooling!}}
|de={{tt|Unfug! Nichts als Unfug!|Fooling! Nothing than fooling!}}
|fi={{tt|Punainen vaara|The red danger}}
|fi={{tt|Punainen vaara|The red danger}}
|fr_eu={{tt|Le fantôme rouge!|The red phantom!}}
|fr_eu={{tt|Le fantôme rouge!|The red phantom!}}
|hi=अकेलापन अच्छा नहीं होता! {{tt|''Akelapan accha nahi hota!''|Loneliness is not good!}}{{tt|*|Disney XD dub}}
|he={{tt|תעלומת ברק אדום|The Red Lightning Mystery}}
|he={{tt|תעלומת ברק אדום|The Red Lightning Mystery}}
|it={{tt|Il Pokémon mascherato|The disguised Pokémon}}
|it={{tt|Il Pokémon mascherato|The disguised Pokémon}}
Line 146: Line 146:
nextcode=AG167 |
nextcode=AG167 |
nexttitle=What I Did for Love! |
nexttitle=What I Did for Love! |
series=Advanced Generation series |
series=Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire |
colorscheme=Emerald }}
colorscheme=Emerald }}
{{Project Anime notice}}
{{Project Anime notice}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:0440}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:0440}}
[[Category:Advanced Generation series episodes|166]]
[[Category:Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire episodes|166]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Masashi Sogo]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Masashi Sogo]]
[[Category:Episodes storyboarded by Kazuhiro Ōyama]]
[[Category:Episodes storyboarded by Kazuhiro Ōyama]]
Line 161: Line 161:
[[fr:AG166]]
[[fr:AG166]]
[[ja:AG編第166話]]
[[ja:AG編第166話]]
[[zh:精灵宝可梦 超世代 第165集]]
[[zh:宝可梦 超世代 第165集]]

Latest revision as of 05:08, 3 September 2024

← AG165 : King and Queen for a Day!
Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire
AG167 : What I Did for Love! →
Curbing the Crimson Tide!
AG166.png
AG166   EP440
摩天楼の赤いイナズマ！
The Red Lightning of Skyscrapers!
First broadcast
Japan March 2, 2006
United States November 18, 2006
English themes
Opening Battle Frontier
Ending Pokémon Go!
Japanese themes
Opening スパート！
Ending GLORY DAY 〜輝くその日〜 ③
Credits
Animation Team Ota
Screenplay 十川誠志 Masashi Sogo
Storyboard 大山和弘 Kazuhiro Ōyama
Assistant director 秦義人 Yoshito Hata
Animation director 志村泉 Izumi Shimura
Additional credits

Curbing the Crimson Tide! (Japanese: 摩天楼の赤いイナズマ！ The Red Lightning of Skyscrapers!) is the 166th episode of Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire, and the 440th episode of the Pokémon animated series. It was first broadcast in Japan on March 2, 2006, and in the United States on November 18, 2006.

201
Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.
201

Blurb

There's big trouble in the big city when Ash and our friends pay a visit—a mysterious talking Pokémon known as Red Lighting has been battling all the Trainers in town, and it acts like a real bully when it wins! May's plans for a nice day out are ruined when Red Lightning humiliates her and her Squirtle, so now our heroes are out to uncover who or what is behind its activities. To catch up with it, our heroes commandeer Team Rocket's balloon and follow Red Lightning back to a huge house.

There they meet Red Lightning's owner, a little girl named Luna. Luna isn't about to apologize, so Pikachu battles Red Lightning and the truth is revealed: Red Lightning is a Scizor in disguise! Luna was behind the whole thing, even equipping her Scizor with hidden speakers so she could be its voice. With or without a costume, however, her Scizor is incredibly fast. To keep up with its speed, Ash decides to call on Sceptile. When Scizor ends up on the losing end, Sceptile even saves it from a nasty fall, but Luna is less than grateful.

Luna's butler explains that her parents are often away due to work, and that's why she has an attitude that started all the Red Lightning trouble. To help her feel less lonely, May challenges Luna to a real Pokémon battle. Squirtle comes out the victor in its rematch with Scizor, but Luna doesn't mind. She doesn't need to pick on Trainers now that she's experienced a fair Pokémon battle, and she'll be cheering for May as our favorite Pokémon Coordinator heads to the next Contest!

Plot

The mysterious Red Lightning confronts a trio of boys in an alleyway, challenging them to a Pokémon battle. Hiroshi calls out his Poliwag, beginning the fight with Water Pulse. Red Lightning retaliates with a Hyper Beam attack that instantly knocks out Poliwag. Red Lightning approaches the defeated Pokémon, crouches, and leaves his mark—a series of scribbles—upon it. Hiroshi rushes to his Pokémon as Red Lightning rides a gust of wind to reach a rooftop and disappear.

On their way to the Battle Tower, the group are passing through Commerce City. The boys stop at the local Pokémon Center while May leaves to do some shopping. Brock quickly locates Nurse Joy and begins to confess his love, though Max quickly drags him off by the ear. Suddenly, the three boys arrive with the fainted Poliwag. Given Ash and company's unfamiliarity with the mysterious individual known as Red Lightning, Nurse Joy tells them that he regularly challenges and defeats Trainers, then draws on their Pokémon's faces. Nearby, Team Rocket is disguised in janitor's clothing and plan to capture the defeated Pokémon.

Afterward, May is outside diligently reading a textbook about Pokéblocks and feeding Eevee one. Munchlax is quick to notice and begins to complain, so May gives it a May's Pink Surprise. May recalls Munchlax, Combusken, and Eevee back into their Poké Balls as she tries to figure out which of her Pokémon is missing. She eventually realizes that Squirtle has disappeared, and she soon finds it smelling some flowers alongside a Butterfree. A brief gust of wind carries Butterfree off into the sky and Red Lightning arrives on the scene, offering May a Pokémon battle. He doesn't give May much of a choice, however, and fires his signature Hyper Beam attack. Squirtle avoids the blast and counters with Water Gun. Red Lightning avoids Water Gun as it dives toward Squirtle and gets a lock on it. Red Lightning opens his claw and targets Squirtle with another Hyper Beam, knocking it unconscious. Red Lightning leaves its mark on Squirtle’s face. May is dumbfounded by the strange figure, his aerial escape, and the doodles on Squirtle's face.

Inside the Pokémon Center, Ash notices that all of the patient Pokémon have the same markings that the young boy's Poliwag had. May enters the building with her Squirtle, Red Lightning's most recent victim. The group heads out in the search of this "Red Lightning." Before long, a scream is heard in the distance. They rush over to find a young girl and her Chansey beaten by Red Lightning in another alley. A gust of wind alerts them to Red Lightning, standing on a gate and about to make his escape. Ash confronts him and tells Pikachu to use Quick Attack, but his target leaps out of the way. Pikachu fires a Thunderbolt attack but misses again, and Red Lightning moves in to take advantage of the situation. He uses Hyper Beam, but Pikachu dodges with a Quick Attack off of a nearby wall.

When the battlers land on the ground, a net emerges from the distance, which Red Lightning dodges easily. Team Rocket announce their appearance with their motto. Right after the motto ends, Meowth fires another net at Red Lightning, but he avoids it and bounces off of the balloon to escape yet again. Ash and his friends board the balloon's basket and temporarily form a truce with Team Rocket to pursue Red Lightning. The group follows him to the exquisitely-arranged garden rooftop of a tall building, where a young girl is seen holding a small notebook computer. With a press of a button, one of the nearby trees rockets into the sky and collides into Team Rocket's balloon just after Ash and his friends drop down from the basket. With Team Rocket sent blasting off, the rest of the group observes the girl and Red Lightning interact. Upon discovering that she is behind this, they emerge from hiding and confront her, but she reacts angrily and brushes them off. A well-dressed man comes from the house and apologizes for the actions of the girl, named Luna. She is quick to interrupt him, so a fed-up Ash challenges her to a battle. Red Lightning begins with Hyper Beam, but Pikachu launches himself high into the air with Quick Attack and follows up with Thunderbolt. Red Lightning counters the move with Swift, creating an explosion that defrocks him, revealing "him" to be a Scizor that "spoke" using a speaker in its collar. Pikachu chases after Scizor with Quick Attack, but he scrambles for a ledge when Scizor leads him off the rooftop.

Ash says that he will match Scizor's speed with that of his Sceptile. As Scizor flies off into the distance by using the building's updrafts, Sceptile is right behind it scaling the edifices. Scizor turns around and fires Hyper Beam. Although Sceptile leaps to avoid the attack, a gust of wind throws it in the beam's path. The hit makes Sceptile begin to fall, but it recovers in time by gripping onto a skyscraper. Sceptile notices the city's gusty winds and uses them to float through the air like Scizor. Sceptile comes down with a powerful Leaf Blade, knocking Scizor unconscious. Luna begins to panic, but Sceptile reaches Scizor and rescues it from a disastrous fall. Sceptile returns to the rooftop with Scizor in tow. Luna is furious, adding that Ash had no business saving Scizor.

Luna’s Butler orders Luna to settle down, adding that she knows she is feeling lonely. He reveals that Luna's parents are often away on scientific work, leaving young Luna alone to occupy her time by inventing devices, such as the ones utilized in Red Lightning. May goes over to comfort the young girl and suggests they have a rematch between Scizor and Squirtle, with Brock as the judge. Luna agrees and initializes the battle with Scizor's Swift, which Squirtle defends against using Withdraw. Squirtle launches a Water Gun at Scizor, but it quickly avoids the attack. Squirtle follows up with an Ice Beam that freezes the stone walkway and causes Scizor to lose its balance. Squirtle uses the icy battlefield to rotate at high speed toward Scizor. It tries to dodge by jumping, but the high-speed Rapid Spin still connects and sends Scizor plummeting to the ground, knocked out. Squirtle strikes a dynamic pose as May is declared the victor. Having realized her thoughtless actions, Luna apologizes for causing trouble in the city and swears not to ever again. The Butler also informs May that a Pokémon Contest is due to be held in neighboring Gardenia Town, much to her excitement.

Major events

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

Debuts

Pokémon debuts

Characters

Humans

Pokémon

Trivia

Errors

  • When May came to the Pokémon Center, the drawings on Squirtle's face changed.
  • When Luna's tree missile sends Team Rocket blasting off, Wobbuffet's voice can be heard, but only Jessie, James, and Meowth are seen.
  • When Poliwag is called out of its Poké Ball, it cries, but its mouth doesn't move.

Dub edits

In other languages



← AG165 : King and Queen for a Day!
Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire
AG167 : What I Did for Love! →
Project Anime logo.png This episode article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of Pokémon animation.
Retrieved from "https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/w/index.php?title=AG166&oldid=4100792"