DP051

← DP050 : Tag! We're It!

Diamond & Pearl series

DP052 : Smells Like Team Spirit! →

Glory Blaze!

DP051   EP517 ヒコザルＶＳザングース！運命のバトル！！ Hikozaru VS Zangoose! Destined Battle!!

First broadcast Japan October 18, 2007 United States February 1, 2008

English themes Opening Diamond and Pearl Ending

Japanese themes Opening Together Ending 君のそばで 〜ヒカリのテーマ〜 (Winter Version)

Credits Animation Team Iguchi Screenplay 冨岡淳広 Atsuhiro Tomioka Storyboard 日高政光 Masamitsu Hidaka Assistant director 古賀一臣 Kazuomi Koga Animation director 志村泉 Izumi Shimura Additional credits

Screenshots on Filb.de

Glory Blaze! (Japanese: ヒコザルＶＳザングース！運命のバトル！！ Hikozaru vs. Zangoose! Destined Battle!!) is the 51st episode of the Diamond & Pearl series, and the 517th episode of the Pokémon anime. It first aired in Japan on October 18, 2007 and in the United States on February 1, 2008.

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

Synopsis

The Hearthome City Tag Battle Competition continues as the teams of Ash and Paul, Dawn and Conway, and Brock and Holly advance to the next round. During the night, Ash trains with his Pokémon, having Staravia use Aerial Ace. Aipom, Turtwig and Pikachu dodge the normally unavoidable attack with the spinning maneuver Dawn taught them before. Staravia notices a blast of energy nearby. At the Pokémon Center, Nurse Joy is overwhelmed with all the Trainers needing their Pokémon healed. Brock steps forward to help as Holly and Croagunk notice. Dawn and Conway discuss the next round as Conway mentions that teamwork and friendship is as important as training, as Dawn and Piplup notice how close they are. Dawn rushes out to find Ash as Conway mentions that Ash is still a foe.

The explosive energy Staravia spotted earlier was Paul's Chimchar taking several attacks from Paul's Pokémon. Elekid uses Thunder, Murkrow uses Shadow Ball, Torterra uses Hyper Beam and Ursaring uses Focus Blast. The tidal wave of attacks converges as Chimchar uses Flame Wheel to defend. Ash notices the brutal training as Chimchar unleashes Flamethrower, but it hits Ash and knocks him backward. Team Rocket watches nearby as Ash gets up, complementing Chimchar’s power. Paul calls Chimchar back for more training as Ash questions Paul's aggressive tactics as Dawn arrives. Paul brushes him off as he reveals his intention to get his Pokémon exposed to powerful battles. Dawn scolds him for his selfish goals as Paul ignores them, mentioning that Chimchar needed to be struck by the Surf attack from the previous battle to get stronger. Ash tries to get him to raise Chimchar's strong points, but Paul mentions that it is a waste. Despite the rigor, Chimchar still wants to train. Ash tries to convince Chimchar, but Paul and his team walks away as Chimchar follows sadly. Team Rocket wants to take Chimchar to get the Soothe Bell.

Paul continues training Chimchar as it dodges Ursaring's Hammer Arm. Torterra fires Leaf Storm and Chimchar gets caught in it. Murkrow executes a Sky Attack as Chimchar tries Flamethrower, but it gets hit and collapses. Paul orders Chimchar to stand. It tries but is too weak, collapsing. Paul orders Elekid to use Thunder on it, but Pikachu rushes forward with Volt Tackle to block. Elekid charges for another attack, but Ash and Dawn rush in to take Chimchar to the Pokémon Center. At the Center, Brock treats Chimchar, as Brock’s talent impresses Holly. Brock steps out and mentions that Chimchar needs rest. Brock confronts Paul about his training methods. Although reluctant at first, Brock manages to get him to talk for Chimchar's safety.

Paul mentions how he met Chimchar, when he captured a Ninjask. He noticed a Chimchar racing through the forest, pursued by several Zangoose. The Zangoose attacked Chimchar for unknown reasons, but they were relentless. Chimchar wound up cornered at the edge of a cliff. As Paul watched, the Zangoose lunged forward. Chimchar activated Blaze and used a powerful Flame Wheel to consume the area with a spiral of fire. When it was over, the Zangoose were gone and Paul decided to catch the Chimchar, wanting that power to win battles. Paul has been trying to get Chimchar to duplicate that power by invoking the same stress situation, but has not had any luck. Paul wants to keep going even though everyone urges him to let Chimchar rest. Only Nurse Joy's insistence makes him comply.

The next day, the tournament continues as Dawn and Conway make it to the next round. Brock and Holly also win their battle. Ash and Paul fight in the last battle of the day as Ash sends Turtwig. Paul calls out Chimchar, shocking everyone, as they notice Chimchar still wounded. Ash informs Turtwig to cover Chimchar as their opponents send out Metagross and Zangoose. While Dawn checks her Pokédex, the sight of a Zangoose scares Chimchar while Paul grins at the situation. The battle starts as Metagross charges with Bullet Punch. Chimchar fires Flamethrower but Zangoose jumps forward with X-Scissor. Turtwig uses Razor Leaf, but Zangoose swats them away. Metagross lands a hit on Chimchar as Zangoose hits Turtwig. Chimchar uses Dig as Metagross uses Magnet Rise to dodge. Zangoose jumps in with Crush Claw and sends Chimchar back. Turtwig attempts to tackle Zangoose, but it dodges and Metagross uses Psychic to send Turtwig back, crashing into Chimchar. Zangoose jumps forward with Crush Claw as Chimchar is paralyzed by fear. Turtwig uses bite on Zangoose's arm to stop the attack.

Metagross charges with Bullet Punch as Paul orders Chimchar to use Flame Wheel... on Turtwig! Chimchar refuses to attack its teammate at first, but is forced to comply. Chimchar speeds forwards and hits Turtwig and Zangoose, separating them Chimchar is able to keep the momentum going and hits Metagross. Turtwig suffers major damage as a result, and Ash is furious with Paul for intentionally harming his Pokémon. Zangoose attempts another Crush Claw and Chimchar attempts another Flame Wheel, but Zangoose pins it and stops the attack. Paul orders Chimchar to use Flamethrower, but looking Zangoose in the eye paralyzes it in fear... this is the last straw for Paul as far as Chimchar is concerned. Turtwig uses Razor Leaf to get Zangoose off Chimchar as Turtwig steps forward, but collapses from damage. Zangoose unleashes Fire Blast as Chimchar intercepts, taking the attack and powering up. Ash and Chimchar wait for Paul’s command, but Paul does nothing and turns away, having completely given up on Chimchar. Metagross heads with Bullet Punch and Ash, realizing Paul isn't going to be giving any more commands to Chimchar and is willing to let them get knocked out of the tournament, orders Chimchar to use Flamethrower, stunning everyone. Chimchar does so and hits Metagross, knocking it out. Turtwig charges forward as Zangoose uses Crush Claw. Turtwig spin dodges and uses Razor Leaf and Tackle to knock out Zangoose. Ash and Paul win the duel, advancing to the semifinals. As Ash praises the two Pokémon, Paul still has his back turned and Chimchar is upset knowing what is in store for it.

At sunset, Paul releases Chimchar and tells it to get lost before walking away. Ash and his friends arrive and scold Paul for his decision, but as far as Paul is concerned the special training is over and he is going to need a new fire-type. Chimchar starts to sadly walk away, and Ash is upset to see such a loyal and hard-working Pokémon treated like this. Suddenly inspiration strikes him and he decides to take action. Calling to Chimchar, Ash offers the Chimp Pokémon a spot on his team, stopping Paul in his tracks and stunning everyone. Dawn asks Ash if he's sure, and Ash is positive promising Chimchar the chance to have fun and train. Ash steps up to Chimchar and kneels down, leaving Chimchar with an important decision to make...

Major events

• Ash and Paul, Dawn and Conway, and Brock and Holly advance to the tag battle semi-finals.
• Paul releases Chimchar.
• Paul is revealed to have obtained a Ninjask.
• Ash invites Chimchar to join his team.

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

Characters

Humans

• Ash
• Dawn
• Brock
• Jessie
• James
• Paul
• Nurse Joy
• Cynthia (flashback)
• Conway
• Holly
• Enta
• Black Belt
• Psychic
• Pokémon Trainers

Pokémon

• Pikachu (Ash's)
• Meowth (Team Rocket)
• Piplup (Dawn's)
• Wobbuffet (Jessie's)
• Aipom (Ash's)
• Turtwig (Ash's)
• Staravia (Ash's)
• Pachirisu (Dawn's)
• Croagunk (Brock's)
• Chimchar (Paul's; released)
• Elekid (Paul's)
• Ursaring (Paul's)
• Murkrow (Paul's)
• Torterra (Paul's)
• Ninjask (Paul's; new; flashback)
• Zangoose (Black Belt's)
• Nosepass (Holly's)
• Aggron (Conway's)
• Metagross (Psychic's)
• Chansey (Nurse Joy's)
• Hitmonchan
• Rhydon
• Magmar
• Tauros
• Furret
• Granbull
• Zangoose (wild, group; flashback)
• Cranidos (Roark's; flashback)
• Garchomp (Cynthia's; flashback)

Trivia

• Yuriko Yamaguchi returns to voice Nurse Joy.
• Music from Lucario and the Mystery of Mew and Pokémon Symphonic Medley are used as background music.
• Professor Oak's Pokémon lecture: Bronzong
  • Pokémon senryū: ドータクン　エスパーわざで　さあドーダ Dōtakun, esupā waza de, sā dōda. "Dohtakun, Psychic moves, now how's that?"
• Although the ending theme song changed, the accompanying animation did not.
• The title is a reference to the phrase "Going out in a blaze of glory", as well as the song Glory Days (song) by Bruce Springsteen.
• This episode, along with Tag! We're It...! and Smells Like Team Spirit! was aired as a 90 minute special on February 1st, 2008 on Cartoon Network.
• The ending theme song, By Your Side ~Hikari's Theme~ changed to the Winter Version.
• Paul's Murkrow is voiced by Chinami Nishimura, for unknown reasons, in this episode, though its usual voice actor is Chie Satō.
• Team Rocket doesn't blast off or recite their motto in this episode.

In other languages

Language		Title
Mandarin Chinese		小火焰猴對抗貓鼬斬！命運的對決！！
Czech		Hořké vítězství
Dutch		Vlammende strijd!
Finnish		Kunnian kenttä
European French		S'enflammer pour la gloire !
German		Willkommen im Team!
Italian		Senza pietà
Polish		Blask zwycięstwa
Portuguese	Brazil	A Chama da Glória!
	Portugal	A Chama da Glória!
Spanish	Latin America	¡Llamarada de Gloria!
	Spain	¡Resplandor de Gloria!
Swedish		Chimchars dilemma

← DP050 : Tag! We're It!

Diamond & Pearl series

DP052 : Smells Like Team Spirit! →

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