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'''Plant It Now... Diglett Later''' (Japanese: '''ディグダのむらをまもれ！おとしあなだいさくせん！？''' ''Protect the {{tt|Digda|Diglett}} Village! The Big Pitfall Strategy!?'') is the 218th episode of the [[Pokémon anime]]. It was first broadcast in Japan on October 4, 2001 and in the United States on November 9, 2002.  
'''Plant It Now... Diglett Later''' (Japanese: '''ディグダのむらをまもれ！おとしあなだいさくせん！？''' ''Protect the {{tt|Digda|Diglett}} Village! The Big Pitfall Strategy!?'') is the 218th episode of the [[Pokémon animated series]]. It was first broadcast in Japan on October 4, 2001, and in the United States on November 9, 2002.
 
{{spoilers}}
{{spoilers}}


==Synopsis==
==Blurb==
With the [[Whirl Cup]] over, {{Ash}} and {{Ashfr}} head towards the last areas of the [[Whirl Islands]]. However, everyone's hungry and the next town won't be reached for quite some time. Meanwhile, [[Jessie]] is spying on them from a high area, coming up with another scheme. While Jessie is watching the kids, [[James]] and {{MTR}} are busy digging a hole in the ground, attempting the pitfall trick again. As the kids approach, {{TRT}} hide behind a bush, waiting for their trap to work. Sure enough, the kids fall down into the sinkhole. Team Rocket start to bask in their success, but when they go to check out the hole, they fall into another one. Jessie complains to James and Meowth on why they didn't tell her about this one. Meowth says the one they fell in is theirs, since it has a picture of himself on the side. He then begins to dream about his sculpture being everywhere. Suddenly, a bunch of {{p|Diglett}} appear in both Team Rocket's hole and the kids.
<!--https://www.pokemon.com/us/animation/seasons/5/episode-9-plant-it-now-diglett-later/-->
<i>A village of kind, elderly people prepares a great meal for Ash and friends, and in return requests that the Pokémon Trainers assist them in defending their village against a gang of marauders that invades the village every year and attempts to rustle their sizable herd of Diglett. In explaining this to the children, the village's elderly mayor loses his train of thought numerous times, leaving Ash and friends completely confused by his request, until an unlikely source offers some clarification. The leader of the gang in question appears, succinctly restates the mayor's explanation, promises to return the following day with his gang, and finally excuses himself politely. A bit puzzled by this genteel marauder, Ash and friends nonetheless accept the mayor's request and along with Team Rocket, whose insatiable appetites had brought them to the dinner as well, begin fortifying the town against attack. When our heroes venture into the enemy camp, however, they learn that there is more to the marauders' plot than meets the eye.</i>


The Diglett form a "ladder," and a girl appears. She explains that the hole was dug because people kept sneaking into their town. {{an|Brock}} jumps out and does his usual spiel. The girl introduces herself as [[Rita and Sue|Rita]], and another, [[Rita and Sue|Sue]], introduces herself as well. After getting both groups out of the holes, Rita and Sue explain that they need help in defending their village. They offer free food and shelter if the groups agree to help. Eager at the prospect of food, both accept the offer and head towards the village.
==Plot==
With the [[Whirl Cup]] over, {{Ash}} and {{ashfr}} head towards [[Transit Town]]. However, everyone's hungry and the next town won't be reached for quite some time. Meanwhile, [[Jessie]] is spying on them from a high area, while [[James]] and {{MTR}} are busy digging a new pitfall trap. As the kids approach, {{TRT}} hides behind a bush, waiting for their trap to work. Sure enough, the group falls down into the sinkhole. Team Rocket starts to bask in their success, but when they go to check out the hole, they fall into another one. Jessie complains though Meowth reveals that it is one of their traps, citing his Meowth mark is present on it. Suddenly, a bunch of {{p|Diglett}} appear in both Team Rocket's hole and the kids.


The two groups sit down before an enormous mountain of food. Ash and his friends begin eating immediately, but Team Rocket hold off. James and Meowth question if eating with the enemy is right, but Jessie ignores them and dives right in to the food. Sue and Rita leave for their home, but say the village elders will explain the story to them. However, they forgot what they need to ask about, and go back and forth several times before remembering they were going to request help. Suddenly, the elders are interrupted by an armored man on a Dodrio. He claims to be the leader of the [[band of Diglett thieves]]. They explain that every year, they come to [[Diglett Village]] to steal all of the villagers' Diglett so they can help them. He tells the elders that they'll be back tomorrow to begin stealing the Pokémon.
The Diglett form a "ladder," and a girl appears. {{an|Brock}} jumps out and does his usual spiel, and he is even more excited to meet [[Rita and Sue|Rita and her sister Sue]]. After getting both groups out of the holes, Rita and Sue explain that they need help in defending their village. They offer free food and shelter if the groups agree to help. Eager at the prospect of food, both accept the offer and travel with the sisters to their hometown, [[Diglett Village]]. Team Rocket and the group are welcomed to town by a large banquet. Ash and his friends begin eating immediately, but Team Rocket holds off. James and Meowth question if eating with the enemy is right, but Jessie ignores them and dives right into the food. Sue and Rita leave for their home but say the village elders, who are also the [[Town Council members]], will explain the story to them. The men attempt to ask the group for a favor, but they get lost in their thoughts and only confuse Team Rocket and the group. Jessie becomes irritated, but she then reminds the Diglett villagers that they need help. Suddenly, the elders are interrupted by an armored man on a {{p|Dodrio}}. He claims to be the leader of the [[band of Diglett thieves]]. They explain that every year, they come to Diglett Village to steal all of the villagers' Diglett for their impeccable earth-moving abilities. He tells the elders that they'll be back tomorrow to begin stealing the Pokémon before riding away.


Realizing they need to act fast, Team Rocket and the others decide to join forces to stop the band of Diglett thieves. They come up with a plan on how to deal with the gang: Ash and the others will sneak into the enemy's village and spy on them so they can hear about the plans. Team Rocket will remain in Diglett Village to train the elderly residents how to defend themselves.
Everyone is curious about the oddly considerate thieves. The Mayor and one of the councilmen reveal that the Diglett Village has struggled because its young people have left for the city, while the elderly wish to remain in their homes and tend to the land. Realizing they need to act fast, Team Rocket and the others decide to join forces to stop the band of Diglett thieves. They come up with a plan on how to deal with the gang: Ash and the others will sneak into the enemy's village and spy on them so they can hear about the plans. Team Rocket will remain in Diglett Village to train the elderly residents on how to defend themselves. James puts "Operation No No Dodrio" into action.


Making their way into the village, Ash and the others hide behind a wall after seeing the leader. Pikachu glances at the leader and jumps back in surprise. The others look, and are stunned to see Sue and Rita talking to the band of Diglett thieves' leader. The kids run off, but are spotted by the leader. They learn that the leader of the band of Diglett thieves is Rita and Sue's father. He in turn explains that all the residents of Diglett Village are the grandparents of Rita and Sue, and the parents of the band of Diglett thieves. As it turns out, the village was founded by their ancestors many years prior. While the younger residents left the village, the older ones remained. The band of Diglett thieves was formed in order to make sure the elderly residents were staying in shape, and every year they return to the village in order to check up on their parents. The Diglett thieves make Ash and the others promise to go along with their plan. The kids agree, and promise to help out the Diglett Village residents.
Making their way into the village, Ash and the others hide behind a wall after seeing the leader. {{AP|Pikachu}} glances at the leader and jumps back in surprise. The others look and are stunned to see Sue talking to the leader of the band of Diglett thieves. Ash and his friends run off but are spotted by Rita, who alerts the Diglett thieves' leader to their presence. The leader removes his mask and he is revealed to be the [[Mayor of Diglett Village]], leaving the group confused. They sit down while the Mayor explains that the young residents of his town are also the children and grandchildren of the elderly folk of Diglett Village. The Mayor details that Diglett Village was established in the dry desert, but the residents and Diglett managed to transform it into productive agricultural land. He and the children simply wish for their parents to rest at the specially-built retirement home, but the elderly residents refuse to leave their homes. The band of Diglett thieves was then formed in order to keep the elderly residents in shape, and every year they return to the village in order to check up on their parents. The Mayor reveals that the Diglett thieves are simply a ploy, and he showcases some of their protective mechanisms to avoid harm to either themselves or the elderly. With the reassurances, Ash and his friends then agree and promise to help out the Diglett Village residents.


The next day, James sits on top of a makeshift tower in a tree, waiting for the band of Diglett thieves. When he sees them, he lets the elderly residents know, and they charge forward. The pitfalls Team Rocket was digging earlier work, as many Diglett thieves are falling into them. Ash and his friends help out as well. Ash has Cyndaquil use its {{m|Flamethrower}}, which is put out by a hose. Misty has Poliwhirl use {{m|Water Gun}}, which is deflected by shields. Meanwhile, the Diglett are carrying away the Diglett thieves. Finally, Brock has Crobat use {{m|Supersonic}}. Confusion is prevented by headphones.
The next day, James sits on top of a makeshift tower in a tree, waiting for the band of Diglett thieves. When he sees them, he alerts the elderly residents and calls for them to charge forward. The pitfalls Team Rocket was digging earlier work, as many Diglett thieves are falling into them. Ash and his friends help make the squabble more authentic by sending out their Pokémon to battle the invading thieves. The Diglett soon carry the Diglett thieves away and the elderly cheer them on. Suddenly, the leader hoists a white flag into the air and announces that he and his thieves will retreat. But Team Rocket, who is unaware of the scheme, is set on defending the elderly folk of Diglett Village. The trio begins throwing bombs at the ground, but the band of Diglett thieves have their defensive shields to keep them safe. Ash, however, is concerned and has Pikachu use {{m|Thunderbolt}} on them, sending them blasting off.


Suddenly, the band of Diglett thieves hold up a white flag, offering a truce. But Team Rocket, who are unaware of what's really going on, start throwing bombs at everyone. To prevent giving away their secret, Ash has Pikachu use {{m|Thunderbolt}} on them, sending them blasting off.
The elderly are immensely grateful to Ash and his friends for their assistance. The council gives the group a [[Silver Feather|Silver Wing]] Badge for their efforts. A councilman explains that it was made on [[Silver Rock Isle]], and he informs the group that a ferry from Transit Town will help them reach the island. Ash is keen to go and admits that Silver Rock Isle may reveal more about the {{an|Lugia|mysterious Pokémon}} they [[EP210|encountered earlier]]. Later, the group boards a boat and it speeds towards their next destination, Silver Rock Isle.
 
For all their work, the gang receives a Silver Wing Badge. They are very amazed at seeing it, thinking it may hold a clue to the mysterious Pokémon they saw earlier. The Diglett Village thank Ash and the others, and they head off towards the next town.


==Major events==
==Major events==
{{animeevents}}
{{animeevents}}
===Debuts===
===Debuts===
====Pokémon debuts====


==Characters==
==Characters==
===Humans===
===Humans===
[[File:PMTV EP218.png|thumb|200px|{{tt|Pocket Monster TV|Who's That Pokémon}}]]
* {{Ash}}
* {{Ash}}
* {{an|Misty}}
* {{an|Misty}}
Line 60: Line 64:
* [[James]]
* [[James]]
* [[Rita and Sue]]
* [[Rita and Sue]]
* [[Trinity]] (recap)
* [[Mayor of Diglett Village]]
* Mayor of [[Diglett Village]]
* [[Town Council members]]
* [[Town Council members]]
* [[Band of Diglett thieves]]
* [[Band of Diglett thieves]]


===Pokémon===
===Pokémon===
[[File:PMTV EP218.png|thumb|right||200px|Who's That Pokémon?]]
[[File:WTP EP218.png|thumb|200px|Who's That Pokémon?]]
[[File:WTP EP218.png|thumb|right||200px|Who's That Pokémon?]]
[[Who's That Pokémon?]]: {{p|Sandshrew}} ''(US and international)'', {{p|Diglett}} ''(Japan)''
[[Who's That Pokémon?]]: {{p|Sandshrew}} ''(US and international)'', {{p|Diglett}} ''(Japan)''
* {{p|Pikachu}} ({{OP|Ash|Pikachu}})
* {{p|Pikachu}} ({{OP|Ash|Pikachu}})
Line 76: Line 78:
* {{p|Poliwhirl}} ({{OP|Misty|Poliwhirl}})
* {{p|Poliwhirl}} ({{OP|Misty|Poliwhirl}})
* {{p|Crobat}} ({{OP|Brock|Crobat}})
* {{p|Crobat}} ({{OP|Brock|Crobat}})
* {{p|Diglett}} (multiple)
* {{p|Diglett}} (villagers'; multiple)
* {{p|Dodrio}}
* {{p|Dodrio}} ([[Band of Diglett thieves|Diglett thieves]]'; multiple)


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
* Music from ''[[m1|Mewtwo Strikes Back]]'' and ''[[m2|Power of One]]'' can be heard in this episode.
* Music from ''[[M01|Mewtwo Strikes Back]]'' and ''[[M02|The Power of One]]'' can be heard in this episode.
* The badge Ash receives in this episode is not an actual badge, but instead the {{DL|List of key items in Generation II|Silver Wing}}. Its existence is explored in [[EP219|the following episode]].
* The Badge Ash receives in this episode is not an actual Badge, but instead the [[Silver Feather|Silver]] and [[Rainbow Feather|Rainbow Wings]]. Its existence is explored in [[EP219|the following episode]].
* When an old woman says that she is 120 years old, [[Jessie]] claims that that's "ten times [her] age!" However, due to previous episodes, this is possibly a dub error.<!--which episodes?-->
* When an old woman says that she is 120 years old, [[Jessie]] claims that that's "ten times [her] age!". In the original version, Jessie states that it's "''More'' than ten times" her age (''私の数十倍'').
** However, after hearing Jessie say this, {{MTR}} responds, "Where did you get that math?" This joke was implied to say that she was older than she really says she is.
** In the dub, after hearing Jessie say this, {{MTR}} responds, "Where did you get that math?". In the original, he says "More than ten times is exaggerating!"
** Prior to the airing of this episode, Pokémon.com claimed that Jessie was twelve.
** Prior to the airing of this episode, [[Pokémon.com]] claimed that Jessie was 12 years old, whereas in the Japanese version of [[M02|the second movie]], Jessie is confirmed to be 25 years old.
* It appears that Team Rocket breaks the fourth wall within the first few seconds of this episode, but really did not. After the title card and Ash's narration of "Plant It Now... Diglett Later", Jessie says "Did they say... Diglett?" Meowth responds with "I think so." Even though it sounds like Jessie heard Ash reading the title card there is another explanation. Before the intro song begins a Diglett pops out of the ground in the pit where Ash, Misty, and Brock are and they yell out "Diglett!". After the intro song and the title card the story is just starting where it left off and what Jessie really heard was the three yelling out "Diglett!".
* This is the second episode in which the main characters are seen dressed in {{wp|fatigues}} and assembled in a command tent, the first being ''[[EP133|Tanks a Lot!]]''.
* This is the second episode in which the main characters are seen dressed in {{wp|fatigues}} and assembled in a command tent, the first being ''[[EP133|Tanks a Lot!]]''.
* The English title of this episode is a reference to the phrase "plant you now, dig you later".
* The episode's English [[dub]] title is a reference to the phrase "plant you now, dig you later".
* The episode's plot is based on the 1954 Japanese film ''Seven Samurai''. Its European French title also references the film's, counting Ash, Misty, Brock, Jessie, and James as the village's defenders.
* In the original Japanese version, [[Face Forward Team Rocket!]] is used as background music when Team Rocket attacks from their balloon.


===Errors===
===Errors===
* Misty says that her training with Corsola helped her get the edge over Ash in the Whirl Cup, however, Misty did not use Corsola in her match against Ash, as Psyduck popped out instead.
* Misty says that her training with Corsola helped her get the edge over Ash in the Whirl Cup. However, Misty did not use Corsola in her match against Ash, as Psyduck popped out instead.


===Dub edits===
===Dub edits===
Line 96: Line 99:
==In other languages==
==In other languages==
{{Epilang|color=DDDDDD|bordercolor=FFCB49
{{Epilang|color=DDDDDD|bordercolor=FFCB49
|bg={{tt|Посади го... заедно с Диглет|Plant it... along with Diglett}}
|zh_cmn={{tt|保護地鼠的村子，陷阱大作戰|Protect the Diglett Village, Big Pitfall Battle}}
|zh_cmn={{tt|保護地鼠的村子，陷阱大作戰|Protect the Diglett Village, Big Pitfall Battle}}
|de={{tt|Die Digda-Dieb-Division|The Diglett-thief-division}}
|de={{tt|Die Digda-Dieb-Division|The Diglett-thief-division}}
|nl={{tt|Eerst Zaaien, dan Oogsten|Plant it first, harvest later!}}
|nl={{tt|Eerst Zaaien, dan Oogsten|Plant it first, harvest later!}}
|fr_eu='''{{tt|Les cinq mercenaires|The five mercenaries}}
|fr_eu={{tt|Les cinq mercenaires|The five mercenaries}}
|he=שודדי הדיגלטים{{tt|shodedei haDiglettim|The Diglett(s) Robbers}}
|he=שודדי הדיגלטים{{tt|shodedei haDiglettim|The Diglett(s) Robbers}}
|it={{tt|Un villaggio da difendere|A village to be protected}}
|it={{tt|Un villaggio da difendere|A village to be protected}}
Line 106: Line 110:
|es_la={{tt|¡La guerra de los Diglett!|The Diglett war!}}
|es_la={{tt|¡La guerra de los Diglett!|The Diglett war!}}
|es_eu={{tt|Los Diglett cultivadores|The harvesting Diglett}}
|es_eu={{tt|Los Diglett cultivadores|The harvesting Diglett}}
|pl={{tt|Teraz roślina... potem Diglett|Plant now...  Diglett later}}
|hi=Diglett और इंसान का रिश्ता {{tt|''Diglett aur insaan ka Rishta''|The relation between Diglett and Humans}} {{tt|*|Hungama dub}}
}}
}}


Line 111: Line 117:
{{EpicodePrevNext|
{{EpicodePrevNext|
prevcode=EP217 |
prevcode=EP217 |
prevtitle=The Perfect Match |
prevtitle=The Perfect Match! |
nextcode=EP219 |
nextcode=EP219 |
nexttitle=Hi Ho Silver...Away! |
nexttitle=Hi Ho Silver...Away! |
Line 117: Line 123:
colorscheme=Johto | }}
colorscheme=Johto | }}
{{Project Anime notice}}
{{Project Anime notice}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:0218}}
[[Category:Original series episodes|218]]
[[Category:Original series episodes|218]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Takeshi Shudō|218]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Takeshi Shudō]]
[[Category:Episodes storyboarded by Kazu Yokota|218]]
[[Category:Episodes storyboarded by Kazu Yokota]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Shigeru Ōmachi|218]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Shigeru Ōmachi]]
[[Category:Episodes animated by Yūsaku Takeda|218]]
[[Category:Episodes animated by Yūsaku Takeda]]
 
[[pl:EP218]]
[[pt:EP218]]


[[de:Die Digda-Dieb-Division (Episode)]]
[[de:Die Digda-Dieb-Division]]
[[fr:Épisode 218]]
[[es:EP220]]
[[fr:EP218]]
[[it:EP218]]
[[ja:無印編第218話]]
[[ja:無印編第218話]]
[[zh:宝可梦 第219集]]

Latest revision as of 04:45, 3 September 2024

← EP217 : The Perfect Match!
Original series
EP219 : Hi Ho Silver... Away! →
Plant It Now... Diglett Later
EP218.png
  EP218  
ディグダのむらをまもれ！おとしあなだいさくせん！？
Protect the Digda Village! The Big Pitfall Strategy!?
First broadcast
Japan October 4, 2001
United States November 9, 2002
English themes
Opening Believe in Me
Ending
Japanese themes
Opening めざせポケモンマスター (Whiteberry)
Ending 前向きロケット団！
Credits
Animation Team Ota
Screenplay 首藤剛志 Takeshi Shudō
Storyboard 横田和 Kazu Yokota
Assistant director 大町繁 Shigeru Ōmachi
Animation director たけだゆうさく Yūsaku Takeda
Additional credits

Plant It Now... Diglett Later (Japanese: ディグダのむらをまもれ！おとしあなだいさくせん！？ Protect the Digda Village! The Big Pitfall Strategy!?) is the 218th episode of the Pokémon animated series. It was first broadcast in Japan on October 4, 2001, and in the United States on November 9, 2002.

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

Blurb

A village of kind, elderly people prepares a great meal for Ash and friends, and in return requests that the Pokémon Trainers assist them in defending their village against a gang of marauders that invades the village every year and attempts to rustle their sizable herd of Diglett. In explaining this to the children, the village's elderly mayor loses his train of thought numerous times, leaving Ash and friends completely confused by his request, until an unlikely source offers some clarification. The leader of the gang in question appears, succinctly restates the mayor's explanation, promises to return the following day with his gang, and finally excuses himself politely. A bit puzzled by this genteel marauder, Ash and friends nonetheless accept the mayor's request and along with Team Rocket, whose insatiable appetites had brought them to the dinner as well, begin fortifying the town against attack. When our heroes venture into the enemy camp, however, they learn that there is more to the marauders' plot than meets the eye.

Plot

With the Whirl Cup over, Ash and his friends head towards Transit Town. However, everyone's hungry and the next town won't be reached for quite some time. Meanwhile, Jessie is spying on them from a high area, while James and Meowth are busy digging a new pitfall trap. As the kids approach, Team Rocket hides behind a bush, waiting for their trap to work. Sure enough, the group falls down into the sinkhole. Team Rocket starts to bask in their success, but when they go to check out the hole, they fall into another one. Jessie complains though Meowth reveals that it is one of their traps, citing his Meowth mark is present on it. Suddenly, a bunch of Diglett appear in both Team Rocket's hole and the kids.

The Diglett form a "ladder," and a girl appears. Brock jumps out and does his usual spiel, and he is even more excited to meet Rita and her sister Sue. After getting both groups out of the holes, Rita and Sue explain that they need help in defending their village. They offer free food and shelter if the groups agree to help. Eager at the prospect of food, both accept the offer and travel with the sisters to their hometown, Diglett Village. Team Rocket and the group are welcomed to town by a large banquet. Ash and his friends begin eating immediately, but Team Rocket holds off. James and Meowth question if eating with the enemy is right, but Jessie ignores them and dives right into the food. Sue and Rita leave for their home but say the village elders, who are also the Town Council members, will explain the story to them. The men attempt to ask the group for a favor, but they get lost in their thoughts and only confuse Team Rocket and the group. Jessie becomes irritated, but she then reminds the Diglett villagers that they need help. Suddenly, the elders are interrupted by an armored man on a Dodrio. He claims to be the leader of the band of Diglett thieves. They explain that every year, they come to Diglett Village to steal all of the villagers' Diglett for their impeccable earth-moving abilities. He tells the elders that they'll be back tomorrow to begin stealing the Pokémon before riding away.

Everyone is curious about the oddly considerate thieves. The Mayor and one of the councilmen reveal that the Diglett Village has struggled because its young people have left for the city, while the elderly wish to remain in their homes and tend to the land. Realizing they need to act fast, Team Rocket and the others decide to join forces to stop the band of Diglett thieves. They come up with a plan on how to deal with the gang: Ash and the others will sneak into the enemy's village and spy on them so they can hear about the plans. Team Rocket will remain in Diglett Village to train the elderly residents on how to defend themselves. James puts "Operation No No Dodrio" into action.

Making their way into the village, Ash and the others hide behind a wall after seeing the leader. Pikachu glances at the leader and jumps back in surprise. The others look and are stunned to see Sue talking to the leader of the band of Diglett thieves. Ash and his friends run off but are spotted by Rita, who alerts the Diglett thieves' leader to their presence. The leader removes his mask and he is revealed to be the Mayor of Diglett Village, leaving the group confused. They sit down while the Mayor explains that the young residents of his town are also the children and grandchildren of the elderly folk of Diglett Village. The Mayor details that Diglett Village was established in the dry desert, but the residents and Diglett managed to transform it into productive agricultural land. He and the children simply wish for their parents to rest at the specially-built retirement home, but the elderly residents refuse to leave their homes. The band of Diglett thieves was then formed in order to keep the elderly residents in shape, and every year they return to the village in order to check up on their parents. The Mayor reveals that the Diglett thieves are simply a ploy, and he showcases some of their protective mechanisms to avoid harm to either themselves or the elderly. With the reassurances, Ash and his friends then agree and promise to help out the Diglett Village residents.

The next day, James sits on top of a makeshift tower in a tree, waiting for the band of Diglett thieves. When he sees them, he alerts the elderly residents and calls for them to charge forward. The pitfalls Team Rocket was digging earlier work, as many Diglett thieves are falling into them. Ash and his friends help make the squabble more authentic by sending out their Pokémon to battle the invading thieves. The Diglett soon carry the Diglett thieves away and the elderly cheer them on. Suddenly, the leader hoists a white flag into the air and announces that he and his thieves will retreat. But Team Rocket, who is unaware of the scheme, is set on defending the elderly folk of Diglett Village. The trio begins throwing bombs at the ground, but the band of Diglett thieves have their defensive shields to keep them safe. Ash, however, is concerned and has Pikachu use Thunderbolt on them, sending them blasting off.

The elderly are immensely grateful to Ash and his friends for their assistance. The council gives the group a Silver Wing Badge for their efforts. A councilman explains that it was made on Silver Rock Isle, and he informs the group that a ferry from Transit Town will help them reach the island. Ash is keen to go and admits that Silver Rock Isle may reveal more about the mysterious Pokémon they encountered earlier. Later, the group boards a boat and it speeds towards their next destination, Silver Rock Isle.

Major events

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

Debuts

Pokémon debuts

Characters

Humans

Pocket Monster TV

Pokémon

Who's That Pokémon?

Who's That Pokémon?: Sandshrew (US and international), Diglett (Japan)

Trivia

  • Music from Mewtwo Strikes Back and The Power of One can be heard in this episode.
  • The Badge Ash receives in this episode is not an actual Badge, but instead the Silver and Rainbow Wings. Its existence is explored in the following episode.
  • When an old woman says that she is 120 years old, Jessie claims that that's "ten times [her] age!". In the original version, Jessie states that it's "More than ten times" her age (私の数十倍).
    • In the dub, after hearing Jessie say this, Meowth responds, "Where did you get that math?". In the original, he says "More than ten times is exaggerating!"
    • Prior to the airing of this episode, Pokémon.com claimed that Jessie was 12 years old, whereas in the Japanese version of the second movie, Jessie is confirmed to be 25 years old.
  • This is the second episode in which the main characters are seen dressed in fatigues and assembled in a command tent, the first being Tanks a Lot!.
  • The episode's English dub title is a reference to the phrase "plant you now, dig you later".
  • The episode's plot is based on the 1954 Japanese film Seven Samurai. Its European French title also references the film's, counting Ash, Misty, Brock, Jessie, and James as the village's defenders.
  • In the original Japanese version, Face Forward Team Rocket! is used as background music when Team Rocket attacks from their balloon.

Errors

  • Misty says that her training with Corsola helped her get the edge over Ash in the Whirl Cup. However, Misty did not use Corsola in her match against Ash, as Psyduck popped out instead.

Dub edits

In other languages



← EP217 : The Perfect Match!
Original series
EP219 : Hi Ho Silver...Away! →
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