SM087

This article is about an episode of the Pokémon animated series that has not been dubbed into English. As such, its coverage may contain romanized Japanese names, rather than dub names.

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Sun & Moon series

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SM087

SM087   EP1026 アローラの危機！かがやきを喰らう闇！！ A Crisis in Alola! The Darkness that Devours Radiance!!

First broadcast Japan August 23, 2018 United States

English themes Opening Ending

Japanese themes Opening 未来コネクション Ending ジャリボーイ・ジャリガール

Credits Animation Team Kato Screenplay 米村正二 Shōji Yonemura Storyboard 樋口香里 Kaori Higuchi Assistant director 渡辺正彦 Masahiko Watanabe Animation director 直井由紀 Yuki Naoi No additional credits are available at this time.

Screenshots on Filb.de Preview thread on BMGf Closed Original review thread on BMGf

(Japanese: アローラの危機！かがやきを喰らう闇！！ A Crisis in Alola! The Darkness that Devours Radiance!!) is the 87th episode of the Sun & Moon series, and the 1,026th episode of the Pokémon anime. It first aired in Japan on August 23, 2018.

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

Plot

In a dark place, there is a mass of black crystals. But suddenly, the crystals shatter and a Necrozma is revealed. Necrozma looks up to see an Ultra Wormhole and sees Lunala and Solgaleo come out through it. The two Legendary Pokémon catch Necrozma's interest as it flies up towards them.

Meanwhile, at Professor Kukui's house, Ash wakes up, commenting that he slept well, then, Poipole starts looking around for something. Ash and Pikachu get hungry, so they decide to get something to eat. When Ash climbs down, he sees Kukui, who has his coat buttoned up, much to Ash and Rotom's surprise. Kukui states that he's cold and opens his coat to reveal he even has a shirt on. Ash asks where's Professor Burnet and she reveals herself to be lying on the floor. Ash asks if she's not going to the sea, and Burnet replies that she'll just watch the Luvdisc. Ash and his Pokémon watch in confusion of the state that the Professors are in.

Later, at the Pokémon School, Ash greets Sophocles, who greets back weakly, stating that he's hungry. Ash asks what happened and Sophocles reveals that his mom overslept and didn't prepare breakfast. Then, the rest of the class arrives. Mallow is annoyed because her dad left her to do all the chores because he didn't feel like it. Kiawe reveals that he and Mimo had to work really hard to take care of the Pokémon because their mother and father were slacking off. Lana reveals that her father didn't go fishing and instead just lazed around at home. Lillie states that Hobbes was like that as well, having fallen asleep while he was sending Lillie off. Ash is surprised and reveals that the Professors were like that as well as Kukui enters the classroom and lazily greets the class.

Kukui reveals that he was going to make the day's lesson about the Manalo Festival, but he doesn't feel like it and instead leaves the class to talk about it themselves while he goes to take a nap in the principal's office, where Samson Oak is also tired and taking a nap, much to the concern of his Vulpix. Back in the classroom, Kiawe decides to tell the class about the Manalo Festival; he explains that a solar eclipse occurs in Alola every 21 years, and on that day, the Island Kahunas go to the respective ruins of their island and offer a prayer of gratitude to the Legendary Pokémon in the myth of Alola's creation. Mallow explains to Ash that's what the Manalo Festival is and the latter gets curious what "Manalo" means. Kiawe explains it comes from an old language, meaning "You and I will live together." Lillie notes that "Alola" and "Manalo" sound similar, and Kiawe reveals that "Alola" means "to share". Lana realizes by putting the two words together, it forms "We will share and live together."

Lillie asks about the Legendary Pokémon described in the myth and Kiawe replies that it's the "Blinding One". Ash and Poipole are surprised at the mention of the "Blinding One" and the former remembers Acerola talking about it. Rotom brings up a picture of the "Blinding One" with Solgaleo and Lunala and mentions that Poipole drew a picture of the "Blinding One" not too long ago. Lillie mentions how her mother told Lillie and Gladion stories about the "Blinding One". Mallow and Lana ask Lillie to tell them the legend and Lillie agrees. The Blinding One once appeared in the Pokémon world and filled it with overflowing light. The light, which held a mysterious power, led to the birth of the Alola region. However, the Blinding One ended up depleting its light, causing it to turn black and enter a long slumber. Then the emissaries of the sun and the moon appeared and shared their light with the Blinding One, allowing it to awaken and shine once more, then it flew off to the ends of the sky.

The class figures the "emissaries of the sun and the moon" were Solgaleo and Lunala, and the "end of the sky" is the other side of an Ultra Wormhole. Kiawe wonders if the Blinding One is still on the other side of the Ultra Wormhole, and Lillie believes that it is. Ash gets intrigued as Poipole looks up at the sky to see dark clouds. Then, Komala rings the bell for lunchtime. Sophocles is depressed because his mother didn't make him lunch either. Ash states that in times of need, they should help each other and copies Samson Oak's Pokémon puns, but his classmates don't understand his point, so Ash directly states that just like "Alola", they should share their foods, and everyone share some of their food with Sophocles. Pikachu sees this and give some Berries to Charjabug and Togedemaru, followed by Tsareena, Marowak, Popplio, and Snowy, who also share their berries. As everyone eats, the class remembers the meaning of "Alola" and "Manalo" combined.

Meanwhile, at Team Rocket's food truck, Meowth is excited about the eclipse, but Jessie and James aren't interested. Then, Meowth looks out to see people lazing around, including Nurse Joy and Officer Jenny. Mallow and Tsareena return home, but finds the place empty. Abe is revealed to have gone to Oranguru's bar, along with several other tired adults. Meanwhile, at the beach, Ash and Kiawe try to practice their Z-Moves, but the moves fade away. Ash and Kiawe wonder what happened, and Rotom reveals that neither Pikachu and Marowak were able to build up Z-Power. Ash wonders if the clouds have anything to do with it and Kiawe questions his reasoning. Then, Poipole draws a symbol on the ground.

At Aether Paradise, Burnet is investigating the diminishing of Ultra Aura across Alola, and Faba wonders what's causing it. Wicke tells Faba not to speak before she does and Faba apologizes. Wicke apologizes for being so harsh and wonders if it's because she's in a downer mood. Then, Lusamine comes into the room, with her hair all messed up, and wonders if the Ultra Aura diminishing is what's causing their lack of motivation. Burnet says there might be a connection as her analysis is complete. The data shows a tiny Ultra Wormhole that is sucking up all the Ultra Aura. Wicke notes how when Ultra Beasts appeared, the Ultra Aura levels went up, but now it's the opposite. Burnet believes there might be something absorbing the Ultra Aura and Lusamine states they'll need to investigate it, but everyone thinks it's too much of a bother.

Meanwhile, a Team Rocket helicopter is headed towards Alola. Inside, Matori is contacted by Giovanni, who asks for a status report. Matori reports about the small Ultra Wormhole and that their target might appear. Giovanni states that he expects great things from Matori and the transmission ends. Matori asks Gozu how far off Alola is and the latter replies they'll be there momentarily. Gozu calls for optical camouflage and the pilots activate the camouflage to make the helicopter invisible. Meanwhile, somewhere else, Gladion is trying to calm down Silvally, who is frightened by something. Gladion looks up at the sky and wonders if something is coming. Back with Solgaleo and Lunala, they are traveling through an Ultra Wormhole, being chased by Necrozma. Solgaleo turns and attempts to confront Necrozma, but the latter fires Prismatic Laser, knocking out Solgaleo. Lunala sees this and continues to flee, with Necrozma in hot pursuit.

Next day, at the Pokémon School, the class notes how the dark clouds still haven't cleared, when Komala rings the Ultra Guardians bell. Seeing as Kukui is not there, Ash decides to press the button himself. At the base, the Ultra Guardians are greeted by a tired Lusamine. Lillie gets embarrassed by her mother's untidy appearance and says that she should properly groom herself before appearing in front of people. Lusamine lazily tells the Ultra Guardians to head for the Altar of the Sunne. Mallow asks if another Ultra Beast appeared, but Lusamine replies that she'll tell them about it when they're there. Lusamine says that she'll see them there, much to the Ultra Guardians' surprise because she didn't send them off with a finishing line, so Ash says it himself, and the others all respond accordingly.

At the Altar of the Sunne, the Ultra Guardians arrive and meet up with Lusamine, Wicke, Faba, and Burnet. Lusamine tells the Ultra Guardians that their seventh member should appear soon. As Ash asks about the seventh member, they all feel a gust of wind as a Ride Noivern descends, and on its back is Gladion, in a slightly different Ultra Guardians uniform. Ash and Lillie are happy to see Gladion, who says that Silvally is frightened and that if there's an Ultra Beast, then it might be the most dangerous one yet. Then, he notices Poipole and asks if it's an Ultra Beast, which Ash confirms and asks if it's cute, much to Gladion's confusion. Kiawe asks about their mission, and Lusamine calls for Burnet to explain. Burnet states that Ultra Aura in Alola has been decreasing, and Wicke believes that's why the adults' motivations are dropping as well. Lusamine states that children and Pokémon aren't affected for some reason. Burnet and Wicke explain that the Ultra Aura decrease is caused by the small Ultra Wormhole that opened close by, which is sucking Ultra Aura in. Gladion asks about the chance of an Ultra Beast appearing and his mother replies it's possible if the Ultra Wormhole grew bigger. Burnet replies they are trying to find the Ultra Wormhole. Wicke calls for Faba, but he is focused on a game, forcing Wicke to shout to get his attention.

Faba says the clouds are in the way of finding the Ultra Wormhole and reveals a machine that can disperse the clouds. He states that the Ultra Guardians can use their Z-Moves to power the machine in order to clear the clouds. Ash and Kiawe state how they weren't able to perform Z-Moves the day before because they weren't able to build up enough Z-Power. Burnet figures that it's because Z-Power is linked to Ultra Aura, and Kiawe realizes the reason why their Z-Moves failed. Faba states that even with less Z-Power, four Z-Moves might provide enough power for the machine, so Ash, Kiawe, Lana, and Gladion have their Pokémon use their respective Z-Moves to build up Z-Power and fire it at the machine. The machine powers up and successfully blows the clouds away. As Burnet gets to locating the Ultra Wormhole, Lusamine takes the Ultra Guardians to a newly discovered ruin. Inside, there's a mural depicting the Blinding One, Lunala, Solgaleo, several Trainers and their Pokémon using Z-Moves, and the symbol that Poipole drew. There are also texts written in ancient murals. Lusamine asks her children if they remember the legend of the Blinding One, which they confirm. Lusamine figures that if they decipher the text, they can find out more about the legend. But then, Burnet calls to tell everyone to come back.

Back outside, Burnet reveals that they found the Ultra Wormhole, but it's getting bigger. In front of the moon, the Ultra Wormhole fully opens as Gladion sends out Silvally. Then, Lunala appears, much to everyone's surprise and amazement. But then, Silvally gets frightened again as Lillie wonders if Lunala is the cause of the Ultra Aura drain, but Gladion states it's not Lunala and that something else is coming. Dark energy crackles as Necrozma attempts to come out of the Ultra Wormhole, surprising everyone, however, Poipole seems fixated on Necrozma.

Major events

• A small Ultra Wormhole opens above the Altar of the Sunne, covering Alola with dark clouds and draining the region of its Ultra Aura, causing all adults to lose their energy and motivation, and draining Z-Moves of their power.
• Ash learns about the Manalo Festival.
• A special Team Rocket unit led by Matori, called "Matori Matrix", heads to Alola on Giovanni's orders.
• Ash and his classmates go on their fifth Ultra Guardians mission.
• The Ultra Guardians travel to the Altar of the Sunne.
• Gladion is revealed to have joined the Ultra Guardians and acquired a Z-Power Ring.
• A Lunala appears from the Ultra Wormhole above the Altar of the Sunne, followed by Necrozma.

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

Debuts

Humans

• Gozu

Pokémon debuts

• Necrozma

Characters

Humans

Dare da?

• Ash
• Lana
• Kiawe
• Lillie
• Sophocles
• Mallow
• Jessie
• James
• Giovanni
• Matori
• Gozu
• Nurse Joy
• Officer Jenny
• Professor Kukui
• Samson Oak
• Gladion
• Lusamine
• Professor Burnet
• Hobbes (flashback)
• Faba
• Wicke
• Acerola (flashback)
• Sima (flashback)
• Rango (flashback)
• Mimo (flashback)
• Abe
• Lana's father (flashback)
• Harper and Sarah (flashback)
• Sophocles's mother (flashback)
• Team Rocket Grunts

Pokémon

Who's That Pokémon?: Silvally (Japan)

• Pikachu (Ash's)
• Meowth (Team Rocket)
• Wobbuffet (Jessie's)
• Rotom (Rotom Pokédex)
• Rowlet (Ash's)
• Lycanroc (Ash's; Dusk Form)
• Torracat (Ash's)
• Poipole (Ash's)
• Popplio (Lana's)
• Charizard (Kiawe's; Ride Pokémon)
• Marowak (Kiawe's; Alola Form)
• Vulpix (Lillie's; Alola Form; Snowy)
• Togedemaru (Sophocles's)
• Charjabug (Sophocles's)
• Tsareena (Mallow's)
• Komala (Samson Oak's)
• Vulpix (Samson Oak's)
• Meowth (Matori's; Alola Form)
• Lycanroc (Gladion's; Midnight Form)
• Silvally (Gladion's)
• Clefable (Lusamine's)
• Mudbray (Sima's; ×5; flashback)
• Garchomp (Ride Pokémon)
• Metang (Ride Pokémon)
• Flygon (Ride Pokémon)
• Dragonair (Ride Pokémon)
• Altaria (Ride Pokémon)
• Noivern (Ride Pokémon)
• Oranguru (anime)
• Solgaleo (Nebby)
• Lunala (anime)
• Necrozma (anime; Ultra Necrozma in a flashback/fantasy; debut)
• Luvdisc
• Wailmer (fantasy)
• Wailord (fantasy)
• Drifloon (fantasy)
• Machoke (fantasy)

Trivia

The edited painting in the first preview (left) and the actual episode (right)

• Poké Problem: Which Pokémon comes out of an Ultra Wormhole in today's episode?
  • Host: Lillie
  • Choices: Lunala, Buzzwole, Celesteela, Stakataka
  • Answer: Lunala
• Gozu and Matori narrate the preview for the next episode.
• The title theme jingle based on There's Trouble!, which played from Family Determination! to 10,000,000 Reasons to Fight!, returns in this episode.
• The painting that Poipole makes on the sand at the beach was altered between the first preview for this episode, aired after SM086, and the actual episode; shadows are removed, making it seem more like a freshly-made painting.
• In this episode, Faba is seen playing a gaming console that greatly resembles a Game Boy Advance.
• Although Matori has been a recurring member of Team Rocket since Memories are Made of Bliss! (which first aired over eight years earlier), this episode marks the first time she is seen wearing a Team Rocket uniform.
• The Manalo Festival being held once every 21 years is a reference to the Pokémon anime's 21-year run.

Errors

• During the scene in which the group's Pokemon are shown while Kiawe explains the Manalo Festival, Pikachu is missing his nose.

In other languages

← SM086

Sun & Moon series

SM088 →

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