SM137

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Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon

SM138 : Final Rivals! →

The Wisdom Not to Run!

SM137   EP1076 無敗の帝王グズマ！ Undefeated Emperor Guzma!

First broadcast Japan September 1, 2019 United States January 4, 2020

English themes Opening The Challenge of Life Ending

Japanese themes Opening キミの冒険 Ending タイプ：ワイルド

Credits Animation Team Kato Screenplay 面出明美 Akemi Omode Storyboard 浅田裕二 Yūji Asada Assistant director 浅田裕二 Yūji Asada Animation directors 岩根雅明 Masaaki Iwane 志村泉 Izumi Shimura 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

The Wisdom Not to Run! (Japanese: 無敗の帝王グズマ！ Undefeated Emperor Guzma!) is the 137th episode of Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon, and the 1,076th episode of the Pokémon animated series. It first aired in Japan on September 1, 2019, in the United Kingdom on January 3, 2020, and in the United States on January 4, 2020.

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

Blurb

In the second half of the Alola Pokémon League semifinals, Ash is battling Guzma, whose Golisopod had previously fled the match—resulting in the defeat of Guzma’s other partner, Scizor. With Golisopod back on the battlefield, Guzma begins reliving painful memories of past conflicts and his strained relationship with Professor Kukui. His frustration builds to a fever pitch, but it’s not enough to stop Ash and Pikachu from ruining his “undefeated” record and winning the match. After the battle, though, Plumeria and the Team Skull Grunts express admiration for his effort—giving him the strength to keep going despite his loss.

Next up are the finals: Ash versus Gladion!

Plot

Guzma remarks that his victory is still certain, brushing off Golisopod's poorly-timed Emergency Exit. He orders Golisopod to use Poison Jab, and it poisons Torracat. Golisopod follows up with Throat Chop, though Torracat evades it despite being afflicted by the poison. Torracat uses Fire Fang as it latches onto Golisopod's arm and engulfs it in flames. Golisopod shakes Torracat off and kicks it away, inflicting a lot of damage and defeating it. Nanu declares Torracat to be unable to battle, and Ash recalls it back to its Poké Ball to rest. Guzma is relieved, admitting under his breath that he was beginning to sweat.

Guzma is amused at Ash's next choice, Pikachu, and recalls that Golisopod easily defeated him last time. Ash remains confident, declaring that the battle isn't over yet. Spurred on by his cheering Team Skull Grunts, Guzma boasts that he will win and starts off with Poison Jab, though Pikachu slides between Golisopod's legs to evade it. Golisopod counters an oncoming Iron Tail with Liquidation and then slams him to the ground with Throat Chop. Hala and Professor Kukui realize that Guzma, despite his potential, has not changed at all. Plumeria privately hopes that Guzma wins for the sake of the many grunts who felt like outcasts before they joined Team Skull.

Pikachu is able to continue battling, though Guzma urges Ash to accept his loss and move on. Ash refuses to give up, which irks Guzma, who has Golisopod use Pin Missile. Pikachu protects himself with Electroweb before using Thunderbolt, which Golisopod blocks with its claws. However, Ash predicted this and has Pikachu strike Golisopod's legs with Iron Tail, knocking it over, before using Thunderbolt to electrocute it in midair. Guzma becomes increasingly furious and recalls the overwhelming humiliation he felt every time he lost to Kukui during their practice matches. Upon seeing this, Plumeria comes to the realization that Guzma's claim of being undefeated is fake. She sees he is very much like his Golisopod, as both hide behind their armor and run away to avoid being hurt. Just then, Ash charges up his Z-Power Ring and Pikachu launches Gigavolt Havoc, but Golisopod manages to withstand the Z-Move, much to everyone's surprise.

Seeing Golisopod's refusal to run away anymore, Guzma is reinvigorated after reflecting on his past and left even more determined to test his limits. He orders Golisopod to use Pin Missile, which Pikachu evades with Quick Attack. Pikachu strikes back with Iron Tail, though Golisopod counters it using Liquidation. Pikachu fires Electroweb, though Golisopod shreds it with its sharp claws and uses Poison Jab. However, Pikachu evades it and uses Iron Tail, but that attack collides with Liquidation, which defeats Golisopod. Nanu declares Golisopod to be unable to battle and awards the victory to Ash, allowing him to advance to the finals. Ash looks at Guzma, who helps Golisopod up before recalling it to its Poké Ball. As Guzma prepares to leave the battlefield, Kukui stops him to say that he will be waiting for him in the next League. Guzma doesn't reply and continues walking away. Backstage, Guzma is greeted by Plumeria and his grunts backstage. He announces that the era of "undefeated" Guzma is over and orders everyone to go their separate ways. The grunts, however, are moved to tears, and Plumeria explains they were all inspired by his battle. She then assures Guzma that the grunts still want to follow him, as well as her own loyalty.

That evening, Ash's friends urge him to do his best in his finals match against Gladion. Meanwhile, at the docks, Gladion and his Pokémon stare at the sunset with anticipation. At the battlefield, Kukui wonders about the outcome of the finals match. Elsewhere, a swarm of Meltan walk along the seafloor and approach Manalo Stadium.

Major events

The Manalo Conference finalists

• Ash wins his battle against Guzma, advancing to the finals to face Gladion.
• Guzma tries to disband Team Skull, but his underlings choose to remain with him.

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

Characters

Humans

Dare da?

• Ash
• Lana
• Kiawe
• Lillie
• Sophocles
• Mallow
• Nurse Joy (×4)
• Professor Kukui
• Professor Burnet
• Hala
• Nanu
• Hau
• Acerola
• Gladion
• Lusamine
• Wicke
• Faba
• Ilima (flashback)
• Guzma
• Plumeria
• Team Skull Grunts
  • Tupp
  • Rapp
  • Zipp
• Caster
• Trainers
• Crowd

Pokémon

Who's That Pokémon?

Who's That Pokémon?: Slowbro (US and international), Braviary (Japan)

• Pikachu (Ash's)
• Rotom (Rotom Pokédex)
• Rowlet (Ash's)
• Lycanroc (Ash's; Dusk Form)
• Torracat (Ash's)
• Meltan (Ash's)
• Primarina (Lana's)
• Eevee (Lana's; Sandy)
• Vulpix (Lillie's; Alolan form; Snowy)
• Togedemaru (Sophocles's)
• Vikavolt (Sophocles's)
• Tsareena (Mallow's)
• Braviary (Professor Kukui's; flashback)
• Umbreon (Gladion's)
• Lycanroc (Gladion's; Midnight Form)
• Silvally (Gladion's)
• Zoroark (Gladion's)
• Kangaskhan (Ilima's; flashback)
• Mimikyu (Acerola's; Shiny; Mimikins)
• Golisopod (Guzma's)
• Scizor (Guzma's; flashback)
• Jigglypuff (Trainer's)
• Lurantis (Trainer's; flashback)
• Meltan (anime; multiple)
• Shaymin (anime)
• Krabby

Trivia

• Poké Problem: Who's the referee of the battle in today's episode?
  • Host: Hala
  • Choices: Hala (myself), Olivia, Nanu, Hapu
  • Answer: Nanu
• An instrumental version of Aim to Be a Pokémon Master, and Notebook of the Heart were used as insert songs during Ash's battle against Guzma.
• With the exception of one-on-one battles, this episode marks the first time Pikachu hasn't been defeated in a Pokémon League battle since Ash's match against Drake at the Orange League.
• This marks the first time Ash has defeated a villainous team leader by himself without assistance.
• This is the last episode to feature the Alola design of Nurse Joy.
• Mallow, Lana, Lillie, Sophocles, and Kiawe all narrate the preview for the next episode.
• A teaser for Pokémon Journeys: The Series is unveiled in this episode.

Errors

Garbodor disappearing

• During the Poké Problem extra scene, after Plumeria yells at the Team Skull Grunts to be quiet, Garbodor disappears in the last frame of the shot.
• In the Polish dub, Tupp's voice actor is switched to Zipp's during one scene.

Dub edits

• The Japanese text depicting Gigavolt Havoc's name is edited out in the dub.

In other languages

Language		Title
Chinese	Cantonese	不敗的帝王古茲馬
	Mandarin	不敗的帝王古茲馬！！
Danish		Den Kloge Holder Ud!
Dutch		De wijsheid om niet weg te rennen!
Finnish		Pakeneminen ei ole viisautta!
German		Die Weisheit des Nichtwegrennens!
Hebrew		!החוכמה לא לברוח
Italian		Restare è la virtù dei forti!
Korean		무패의 제왕 구즈마!
Polish		Ucieczka nie popłaca!
Brazilian Portuguese		Sabedoria para não fugir!
Russian		Проиграть с достоинством!
Latin American Spanish		¡La sabiduría de no huir!
Turkish		Kaçmazsan akıllılık edersin!

← SM136 : Getting Down to The Ire!

Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon

SM138 : Final Rivals! →

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