SM074

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Sun & Moon series

SM075 : Some Kind of Laziness! →

Tough Guy Trials!

SM074   EP1013 ちょーワルおやじはしまキング！？ The Big Old Thug is an Island King!?

First broadcast Japan May 10, 2018 United States October 13, 2018

English themes Opening Under The Alolan Moon 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 松井亜弥 Aya Matsui Storyboard 小平麻紀 Maki Kodaira Assistant director 小柴純弥 Junya Koshiba Animation directors 伊藤典子 Noriko Itō 八田木瀧 Taki Yatagi 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

Tough Guy Trials! (Japanese: ちょーワルおやじはしまキング！？ The Big Old Thug is an Island King!?) is the 74th episode of the Sun & Moon series, and the 1,013th episode of the Pokémon anime. It first aired in Japan on May 10, 2018, in New Zealand on August 31, 2018, in Canada on September 29, 2018, and in the United States on October 13, 2018.

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

Blurb

Ash can’t contain his excitement as he arrives on Ula’ula Island for his next grand trial. But Nanu, the island kahuna, has other ideas and leads Ash to believe someone else is the kahuna. To Nanu’s dismay, Acerola blows his cover and convinces him to grant Ash a “pre-trial” battle. Nanu is convinced Ash isn’t ready, and after his Krookodile soundly defeats Ash’s Lycanroc, he seems to prove his point. But Ash never gives up, and he vows to stay on the island and train hard for a rematch!

Plot

Ash and his Pokémon do some push-ups on their boat while they wait to arrive on Ula'ula Island. Rotom soon alerts Ash that their destination is up ahead. In a flashback, Ash recalls that Professor Kukui revealed to his students that he dreamed of opening the Alola Pokémon League and required their assistance to make it a reality. Both Ash and Kiawe had gotten fired up by the news and decided to take part in the League.

On the island, Jessie and Mimikyu admire their new Z-Ring, much to the disappointment of Meowth and James, who are eager to use it with Mareanie. Jessie's posing is interrupted by Mimikyu, who spots Ash and his Pokémon as they arrive on Ula'ula Island. Team Rocket realizes that Ash has traveled alone, and with their new Z-Crystals, they may very well defeat him in battle. Meanwhile, Bewear remains unaware that Team Rocket is away and has left their button-eyed robots back at the hideout.

Nanu walks sluggishly past the Po Town Police Office, yawns, and plans on taking a nap. He is soon confronted by Officer Jenny and Oricorio, who have come to check on him. Nanu denies that he was planning on taking a nap and turns back to the police station. Jenny salutes him as he returns to his hungry and meowing Alolan Meowth. He quickly feeds them, but his relaxation is again interrupted by a phone call from Giovanni. Giovanni admits that he was surprised to learn that Nanu became a police officer and an Island Kahuna, before asking him about the "Blinding One". He ignores Giovanni's query and hangs up after hearing someone calling for him from outside.

Nanu steps out of his office to see Ash smothered by his Alolan Meowth. Poipole shoots out some red sludge, though the Alolan Meowth respond by scratching it, which then turns into a full-blown melee. The find soon ends with Rotom scolding Poipole for sparking the fight, and Nanu comes to Ash's assistance, criticizing his conduct. Ash stands up immediately and greets Nanu, hoping that he is the Island Kahuna. Nanu attempts to lie to Ash, stating that the person Ash is looking for is one of his coworkers who is busy on patrol. Ash formally introduces himself, while Nanu admires his rare Poipole and Lycanroc. Poipole squirts some red sludge onto Nanu, though Ash has Poipole apologize for its actions. Nanu invites Ash into the police station so he could clean himself up. Upon seeing his Alolan Meowth hungry again, Nanu asks if Ash could feed and play with them while he waits for the Island Kahuna to arrive. Ash agrees, while Nanu leaves for someplace. While Ash is bitten and scratched, Rotom and his Pokémon, except for Torracat, enjoy the playtime and are left exhausted.

Acerola and her Mimikyu, Mimikins, enter the police station, looking for Nanu, though she instead finds Ash and his Pokémon. Ash explains that he was waiting for another officer to arrive, but Acerola laughs and reveals that her uncle Nanu is the only stationed officer. Rotom is sent into a spin after he tries to take pictures of Mimikins, but all of the photographs come out with an odd haze. Acerola reveals that Mimikins is an actual ghost, much to Ash and Rotom's surprise. Acerola escorts Ash to her workplace, the Malie City Library.

Poipole is enthralled by its book-filled surroundings, though it soon stops flying around to focus on a page that depicts Ultra Necrozma, with Lunala and Solgaleo standing on either side of it. Acerola explains the legend of the "Blinding One", a Pokémon said to shine brighter than anything else in the world. She details that when Alola had just formed, it was entirely dark, but the arrival of three Legendary Pokémon showered the area in light. As a result, the people of Alola were immensely grateful for the "Blinding One's" efforts and have continued to pass on the story throughout the generations. Acerola states that Nanu believes that the "Blinding One" may be an Ultra Beast. Team Rocket happens to overhear the conversation from outside and looks forward to revealing the new information to the Boss.

Sometime later, Ash is busy feeding Rowlet as his other Pokémon play with Mimikins, while Acerola is working at a kitchen bench. Ash tries to catch up with Nanu, but Acerola assures him that Nanu won't be there. She then reveals that she has taken his favorite play-toy, a kendama, as a hostage. Right on cue, Nanu walks through Acerola's door in search of the kendama, though he is initially startled to see Ash. Irritated that his cover was blown, Nanu ignores Ash's challenge. However, with Acerola's glare, Nanu concedes and decides to test Ash's skill in a pre-trial.

Acerola officiates the match, acting as a referee. Ash asks Nanu to give him a good fight, but he sighs and sends out his Krookodile, who immediately uses its Ability Intimidate on Ash's Lycanroc. Ash starts off the battle, having Lycanroc use Tackle, which Krookodile knocks back with its head. Krookodile continues to intimidate Lycanroc, who bares its teeth, which Nanu is glad to see. Lycanroc follows up with a Rock Throw, but Krookodile swats the attack away with its tail. Pikachu uses Iron Tail to stop the debris hitting Acerola. Lycanroc's Bite fails and Krookodile responds with a Sand Tomb, which traps its foe in shifting sands.

Krookodile lands several Mud-Slap attacks on Lycanroc, though its predicament only angers Lycanroc, whose eyes begin to glow red. Ash is immediately concerned by the change and remembers his battle against Gladion. Lycanroc suddenly leaps into the air and crunches down on Krookodile's arm. While Krookodile shakes it off, Lycanroc again bites down on its foe, but receives a hit to the face. Lycanroc continues to disobey Ash, while Nanu has Krookodile continue to face the enraged onslaught. Nanu finally responds, having Krookodile use Counter followed by Crunch, doing serious damage to Lycanroc. Acerola calls the match off as Ash makes his way to his injured Pokémon. Nanu tells Ash to return to Melemele Island, but Ash disagrees and vows to remain on Ula'ula Island to train for a rematch. Nanu shrugs and sighs as he walks off.

Meanwhile, Team Rocket reports their latest findings on the "Blinding One", though Matori informs them that the information was already known to Giovanni. Matori's dismissal and quick ending of the call sends Jessie into a tirade. James pitches in that they need to catch Pikachu, setting the trio's sights once again on their long-term target.

At Acerola's house, Ash notices Lycanroc is upset while the other Pokémon eat their food. Sitting beside it, Ash admits that he shares Lycanroc's sentiments, and affirms that there was nothing he or Lycanroc could do. He then asks Acerola for an ideal training location on Ula'ula Island. She responds that Tapu Bulu could help them train, and Rotom points out they met it once before. Ash is immediately excited by this, and offers Lycanroc a mountain of food in preparation for its intense training. In agreement, Lycanroc takes a large mouthful of food from Ash's hand.

Back at his office, Nanu plays with his kendama, which hypnotizes his Meowth, who watch on and trace his movements with their heads in amazement. Nanu stops fidgeting and grins as the sight of his entertained Pokémon.

Major events

• Professor Kukui is revealed to have told Ash and his classmates about the Pokémon League he's establishing in Alola.
• Ash arrives at Ula'ula Island and meets Island Kahuna Nanu and Acerola for the first time.
• Ash and Team Rocket learn about the legend of the "Blinding One".
• Ash's Lycanroc goes berserk again.
• Ash battles Nanu and loses.
• Acerola agrees to help Ash train for a rematch with Nanu.

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

Debuts

Pokémon debuts

• Necrozma (Ultra Necrozma)

Characters

Humans

Dare da?

• Ash
• Lana (flashback)
• Kiawe (flashback)
• Lillie (flashback)
• Sophocles (flashback)
• Mallow (flashback)
• Jessie
• James
• Giovanni
• Matori
• Officer Jenny
• Professor Kukui (flashback)
• Gladion (flashback)
• Acerola
• Nanu
• Piko
• Nene
• Trainers

Pokémon

Who's That Pokémon?

Who's That Pokémon?: Oricorio (Baile Style)

• 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; flashback)
• Turtonator (Kiawe's; flashback)
• Marowak (Kiawe's; Alola Form; flashback)
• Vulpix (Lillie's; Alola Form; Snowy; flashback)
• Togedemaru (Sophocles's; flashback)
• Steenee (Mallow's; flashback)
• Mimikyu (Jessie's)
• Mareanie (James's)
• Oricorio (Officer Jenny's; Baile Style)
• Umbreon (Gladion's; flashback)
• Lycanroc (Gladion's; Midnight Form; flashback)
• Type: Null (Gladion's; Silvally; flashback)
• Mimikyu (Acerola's; Shiny; Mimikins)
• Krookodile (Nanu's)
• Meowth (Nanu's; Alola Form; multiple)
• Poliwag (Trainer's)
• Cottonee (Trainer's)
• Psyduck (Trainer's)
• Bewear (anime)
• Cosmog (Nebby; flashback)
• Tapu Bulu (anime; photo)
• Cutiefly
• Murkrow (×3)
• Solgaleo (fantasy)
• Lunala (fantasy)
• Necrozma (Ultra Necrozma; fantasy; debut)

Trivia

• Poké Problem: The Pokémon the Island Kahuna sends out in today's episode is...?
  • Host: Ash
  • Choices: Sableye, Absol, Honchkrow, Krookodile
  • Answer: Krookodile
• Acerola, Rotom, and Ash narrate the preview for the next episode.
• The TVNZ OnDemand website incorrectly lists the episode as having aired on August 28, 2018, three days before it became available to watch on August 31, 2018.
• Ash, Acerola, and Nanu read the Who's That Pokémon? segment in the dub.

Errors

• When Krookodile is called out, its left arm is missing.
• When Rotom scans Krookodile, it says Krookodile is a Dark/Ground type, instead of a Ground/Dark type. This was fixed in the dub.
• When Lycanroc uses Rock Throw, the fur on its right cheek is white instead of orange.
• When Lycanroc is thrown in the air after getting hit by Krookodile's Counter, the claws on its front left paw are missing.

• 

  Krookodile's missing arm

In other languages

Language		Title
Mandarin Chinese		不良大叔是島嶼之王!?
Danish		Hårde prøver til seje fyre!
Dutch		Beproevingen zijn niet voor watjes!
Finnish		Koviskokeet!
European French		Une épreuve avant l'épreuve !
German		Prüfungen für harte Typen!
Korean		엄청 나쁜 아저씨가 섬의 왕!?
Norwegian		Store prøver for tøffe typer!
Brazilian Portuguese		Provas para os melhores!
Spanish	Latin America	¡La prueba de un tipo rudo!
	Spain	¡Las pruebas del tipo duro!
Swedish		Tuffa Prövningar och Tuffa Försök
Thai		ลุงจอมวายร้ายคนนี้คือราชาเกาะหรือนี่!?

← SM073 : Why Not Give Me a Z-Ring Sometime?

Sun & Moon series

SM075 : Some Kind of Laziness! →

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