Whirl Cup

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A poster for the Whirl Cup

The Whirl Cup (Japanese: うずまきカップ Whirlpool Cup) is a tournament between Water Pokémon Trainers held once every three years. Trainers from all over the world come to the Whirl Islands in the Johto region to compete. All Pokémon used in Whirl Cup matches must be of the Template:Type2.

Trainers register for the Whirl Cup on Blue Point Isle, but the competition itself is held on Red Rock Isle. Only 8 skillful trainers can use up to 3 Pokemon each in the quarter-finals, semi-finals and the finals.

Tradition

Since ancient times, the Whirl Islands have been home to many different Water Pokémon, and the fiery battles seen during the competition represent the Trainers' love and appreciation for all the creatures of the sea.

All the islands in the Whirlpool Archipelago prepare months in advance for the Whirl Cup Competition. Celebrations are often held on each island. The Whirl Cup is probably the biggest attraction to the Whirl Islands. A spiral sea shell, either red or blue, is the symbol for the Whirl Cup.

The legend

It is said that long ago the Sea Heroes (Japanese: 海の勇者; also, Water Pokémon Alpha Omega) were expert Water Pokémon Trainers. They lived under the sea and understood the hearts of water Pokémon. In addition to earning a powerful Mystic Water pendant, the winning Trainers of the Whirl Cup earn this same prestigious title.

The rituals associated with the competition are kept vital and alive and are taught by Maya, the Sea Priestess, who wields the Great Sea Spirit Sapphire, which supposedly enables communication between Water Pokémon and humans.

Opening ceremony

Maya begins the Whirl Cup Competition by evoking the Sea Spirit Union, which brings together the energy from all Water Pokémon.

Closing ceremony

After six days of battling, Maya presents a Mystic Water pendant to the winning Trainer and declares him or her a new Sea Hero. The Whirl Cup Competition ends when Maya says the following words: "O, Great Sea Spirit and past Heroes of the Sea, continue to watch over the Whirl Cup Competition and safeguard the harmony of all humans and Pokémon alike."

Competition

The Whirl Cup is broken into two parts: the preliminary rounds and the World Cup Competition, also known as the final rounds.

Preliminary rounds

In place of a qualifier such as a collection of Gym Badges, the preliminary rounds weed out weak Trainers; only 64 Trainers can progress to the actual Competition. In this way, the qualifying rounds are not considered part of the actual Whirl Cup Competition. The number of preliminary rounds depends on the number of total entering Trainers, and take place in several different small stadiums, on a combination of land and water battlefields.

Final rounds

The final rounds are all held in the majestic Whirl Cup Colosseum. This part of the Whirl Cup is filled with six days of continuous battling.

First round

The sudden-death opening matches last for two days. Trainers choose one Pokémon each and the winner is decided when one opponent's Pokémon is unable to battle.

Second round

The winners of the first round are shuffled and randomly paired for the second round.

In the second round, each Trainer is allowed two Pokémon, and the first Trainer to knock out both opposing Pokémon will continue to the next round.

Third round

With the competition down to only 16 Trainers, the battles continue in a similar fashion as the second round. The victors move on to the final rounds.

The Anime Competitors

Trainers who have participated in only the preliminary rounds

• Marcellus

Trainers who have participated in the final rounds

• Ash Ketchum
• Christopher
• Misty
• Harrison
• Trinity (Runner-up)
• Whirl Cup winner

Main Character Results

Ash

Ash successfully made it through the preliminaries, beating both trainers with relative ease. Ash then was paired up with a tougher opponent, Christopher whom he overcame in the first round of the main event. The next round he was paired with Misty. The battle was close, but Misty was able to overcome Ash.

Misty

Like Ash, Misty was able to sweep through the preliminaries. Then, her first round battle against Harrison proved a little tougher. With a perfect recover and a little luck, Misty's Corsola was able to overcome Harrison's Qwilfish.

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