DP074

← DP073 : Crossing Paths

Diamond & Pearl series

DP075 : Our Cup Runneth Over! →

Pika and Goliath!

DP074   EP540 ピカチュウ！ライチュウ！進化への道！！ Pikachu! Raichu! The Path to Evolution!!

First broadcast Japan April 3, 2008 United States August 30, 2008

English themes Opening We Will Be Heroes Ending

Japanese themes Opening Together Ending 風のメッセージ (PokaPoka Version)

Credits Animation Team Iguchi Screenplay 米村正二 Shōji Yonemura Storyboard 小山賢 Masaru Koyama Assistant director 小山賢 Masaru Koyama Animation director 志村泉 Izumi Shimura Additional credits

Screenshots on Filb.de

Pika and Goliath! (Japanese: ピカチュウ！ライチュウ！進化への道！！ Pikachu! Raichu! The Path to Evolution!!) is the 74th episode of Diamond & Pearl series, and the 540th episode of the Pokémon anime. It first aired in Japan on April 3, 2008, alongside Crossing Paths as a one-hour special and in the United States on August 30, 2008.

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

Blurb

Before he can get to Pastoria City, Ash has to battle a slang-talking Trainer named Sho. Sho wants to collect a Pikachu evolution set and he already has Raichu and Pichu, so he has his eye on Ash's Pikachu—but Ash isn't about to trade. Instead, they have a battle: Sho's Raichu vs. Ash's Pikachu. Raichu isn't afraid to go head-to-head with Pikachu, and it also knows Hyper Beam, a move that Pikachu can't learn unless it evolves. Not only does Raichu beat Pikachu, Paul drops by just long enough to sneer at Ash for not having evolved his Pikachu.

While Pikachu gets some serious rest and recuperation at the nearest Pokémon Center, Ash takes out the Thunderstone he received in Vermilion City. Back at the Vermilion Gym, Lt. Surge's Raichu beat Pikachu and forced it to consider whether it wanted to evolve; even though Pikachu decided to remain a Pikachu, what if it's changed its mind since then? Team Rocket saw the whole thing unfold and they still think Pikachu should stay the same, so they swipe the Thunderstone when no one is looking.

It's just as well, since Pikachu decides to beat Raichu itself. After some special training, it's time for a rematch. Instead of relying on raw power, Ash has Pikachu use strategic moves and spinning tricks to beat Raichu. Sho admits that Ash's Pikachu is pretty good—but if they ever meet again, the result will be different!

Plot

The episode starts with the gang eating at a table in the woods, taking a short break from their journey. Piplup is excited about eating, flailing its arms happily. Unfortunately, Piplup accidentally knocked a piece of food out of Pikachu's paw. Disgruntled, both Pokémon ran off to find the food. Once the food stopped rolling, a strange Pichu picked it up, eating it right in front of the duo. Pichu called for its Trainer, a boy named Sho. When Sho laid his eyes on Pikachu, he thought it was a wild Pokémon. However, when a worried Ash ran over, Sho mistook their greeting, thinking Ash was trying to capture Pikachu.

In a rage, he tossed out his Raichu, and told it to use Iron Tail. Ash countered Raichu's attack with an Iron Tail of his own. Both Iron Tails collided. Once Sho realized that Pikachu wasn't wild, he offered up a few Pokémon to trade; namely a Mareep, Magnemite, and Magneton. Ash turned down all of the other Pokémon. Brock then asked why Sho wanted Pikachu so badly, to which he replied that he wanted a 'full-power evolution set'.

Ash asked why Sho didn't just evolve his Pichu, and Sho said that then he'd have to catch another Pichu. Ash challenged Sho to a battle – His Raichu against Pikachu. Sho accepted on the terms that if he won, Pikachu was his. However, Ash declined that offer. Still, Sho agreed to battle him anyway.

The first attack launched was by Pikachu – A Thunderbolt. Raichu took the electricity, completely unfazed. Sho mocked Pikachu's power, and gave Pikachu a Thunder. Pikachu also took the attack, then launched Volt Tackle; however, Raichu also knew this move and used it as well. Both of the Volt Tackles collided, creating an explosion. Raichu safely landed on its feet, but Pikachu slammed into a rock and struggled to stand back up. Both Pokémon then used Iron Tail, skidding backwards on the ground.

Ash assumed Raichu would be beaten with speed, and Pikachu used Quick Attack. The attack collided with Raichu's stomach, but Raichu didn't seem hurt at all. Then Sho decided it was time to use Hyper Beam. Once Ash tried to get Pikachu to dodge it, Raichu used its tail to attach Pikachu to a nearby rock so it couldn't run away. Raichu charged up its Hyper Beam attack and hit Pikachu at point-blank range. This also destroyed the rock and sent Pikachu flying. Pikachu tried to stand up, but fell back down when Raichu stepped in front of it. Pikachu looked in fear at the face of the attacker before its vision blurred. Ash, concerned, ran over to Pikachu and held it.

Sho again asked to trade, but Ash refuses. Changing his mind, Sho made fun of Pikachu and walked off with his Raichu. Watching in the distance was Paul, who stated that Pikachu needed to evolve to even come close to being an equal to Raichu. Just as quickly as he appeared, he was gone again. Brock then states that it's true that Pikachu can't learn Hyper Beam without evolving. Dawn then says that Pikachu can't evolve without a Thunder Stone.

Before Pikachu can say anything, it passes out in Ash's arms. Pikachu is immediately taken to a Pokémon Center, where it is hooked up to a electrocardiograph to check its pulse and heart rate. Team Rocket is seen outside, looking into the hospital room sadly as Pikachu's health began to deteriorate. Upon having flashbacks of its life, Pikachu's pulse and heart rates begin to plummet, and Nurse Joy used a defibrillator and Chansey set it for 200 volts. It was ineffective, so Nurse Joy told Chansey to set it for 300 volts instead. After three more tries, Pikachu's heart and pulse rates begins to go back to normal, much to everyone's relief.

Later that afternoon, Pikachu is seen resting in a hospital bed. As it wakes up, Ash and the others were waiting for it to come to. Pikachu quickly tries to rush off to get Raichu, but Ash puts it back in the bed, saying that it needs to rest. Then, Ash got out a Thunder Stone, revealing to Dawn that Pikachu had been defeated by a Raichu in the past, referring to his Gym battle with Lt. Surge's Raichu. The Nurse Joy in Vermilion City gave him the stone and he kept it all that time in case Pikachu ever wanted to evolve. Pikachu didn't seem to want to evolve even then. As Pikachu still seemes hurt, the gang left the room after Ash places the Thunder Stone on the table next to the window.

Outside, Team Rocket contemplate Pikachu evolving into Raichu. Jessie says that it wouldn't feel right, and Meowth is strongly against it, as he is proud not to evolve himself. Later that night, Pikachu glares angrily at the Thunder Stone, quickly turning away from it. It begins to think about the Raichu it battled. It sits up, looking at the Thunder Stone.

When the gang come into the room, Pikachu vanishes and the Thunder Stone is gone. Ash and his friends go off looking for Pikachu. A jolt of electricity in the night sky is seen and Ash runs off in that direction. Ash then sees his Pikachu, practicing Volt Tackle on a rock and breaking it. Ash runs over, happy that Pikachu decides to not evolve after all.

Team Rocket appears with Thunder Stone in hand, implying that they planned to sell it before running off. Brock, Dawn, and Piplup came rushing over, noticing that Pikachu decided not to evolve after all.

The next morning, Pikachu seems ready and raring to go as they ran into the lobby of the Pokémon Center. There, they see Paul. Paul notices that Pikachu hadn't evolved, but says nothing and walks right past them.

The episode switches to Ash and Pikachu training with a frisbee, practicing flips and spins. A jolt of electricity bursts from out of the trees, interrupting the training. Ash quickly runs over, noticing that it was Raichu's Thunder. Sho is seen with his Raichu, practicing against a few trees before the gang runs over. Ash immediately challenges Sho to another battle. Sho remarks that it would end the same, but that he was fine with a rematch. He let out his Pichu to watch the battle.

Right before the battle started, Pikachu taunted Sho and his Raichu. Ash told them that it was their turn to go first. Angrily, Sho told Raichu to use Iron Tail. Ash's Pikachu was able to dodge it by spinning over top of Raichu. Again, Raichu used Iron Tail. However, Pikachu spun around on the ground, dodging every Iron Tail Raichu threw at it. Finally, one of Raichu's Iron Tails hit Pikachu. Raichu then spun around and threw Pikachu in the air. Raichu used Volt Tackle on where Pikachu was going to land, and Ash countered with an Iron Tail.

Both Pokémon slid backwards, but Raichu came at Pikachu with another Volt Tackle. Pikachu was able to dodge it and then had to dodge a barrage of Iron Tails. Once Raichu was tired, Pikachu used Quick Attack and slammed into Raichu's stomach. Raichu was tossed backwards, but was able to stay on its feet. Raichu then came at Pikachu with an Iron Tail again. Pikachu was able to dodge it and use Iron Tail on Raichu's stomach. Raichu seemed to be worn out, but was able to make a come back with Thunder. However, Pikachu easily moved out of the way and used Volt Tackle. This time when Raichu was hit, it fell to the ground. Still, Raichu was able to stand back up. Sho then ordered Raichu to use Hyper Beam.

Raichu used its tail in the same way it had before, only this time Pikachu was held against a tree. Thinking on his feet, Ash told Pikachu to use Thunderbolt. Right as Raichu's Hyper Beam collided, Pikachu was able to soften the blow with Thunderbolt. Sho thought it was all over, until the smoke cleared and Pikachu was still standing. Raichu couldn't move, so Ash took this time to get an advantage. Pikachu used Volt Tackle combined with an Iron Tail and slammed right into Raichu.

Raichu was still able to get to its feet, and countered with Volt Tackle. Pikachu also used Volt Tackle. The attacks collided and an explosion was created. Both Pokémon were flung backwards, and both Pokémon were able to stand their ground. Raichu then used Iron Tail on Pikachu, who countered with a spinning Iron Tail. Raichu was flung into a tree, however Raichu was still able to get back up. Raichu then used Hyper Beam again, but its tail missed Pikachu. Ash's Pikachu then somehow 'used the energy from the Hyper Beam' to jump into the air and began to spin. It used the energy to go into an Iron Tail. Iron Tail collided with Raichu, knocking it out.

Both Paul and Team Rocket had been watching the battle. Team Rocket, much like they did when this happened previously, celebrated and revealed that they stole the Thunder Stone, and they intended to sell it for their plans to steal Pikachu. Meanwhile, Paul simply walks off-screen.

Finally, our heroes said good-bye to Sho and walked off into the sunset.

Major events

• Pikachu reaffirms his decision not to evolve.
• Team Rocket steals Ash's Thunder Stone.

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

Characters

Humans

• Ash
• Brock
• Dawn
• Jessie
• James
• Paul
• Sho
• Nurse Joy (×2; one in a flashback)
• Lt. Surge (flashback)
• Brandon (flashback)
• Giovanni (fantasy)

Pokémon

• Pikachu (Ash's)
• Meowth (Team Rocket)
• Piplup (Dawn's)
• Wobbuffet (Jessie's)
• Raichu (Sho's)
• Pichu (Sho's)
• Raichu (Lt. Surge's; flashback)
• Elekid (Paul's; flashback)
• Regice (Brandon's; flashback)
• Spearow (flashback)
• Gyarados (flashback)

Trivia

• This episode follows much of the premise of Electric Shock Showdown by having Ash's Pikachu be defeated by a Raichu and choose whether to evolve or not via the Thunder Stone. Clips from the said episode are shown in this episode.
  • Ash's Quick Attack tactic from the said episode did not succeed during this episode.

The machine in the Pokémon Center

• It is shown that Ash still had the Thunder Stone that the Nurse Joy from Vermilion City had given him. During the episode, Jessie, James, and Meowth grabbed the stone to prevent Pikachu's evolution, and currently have it with them. They also implied that they plan on selling it.
  • This is a rare situation where Team Rocket successfully steals something.
• 113, Chansey's National Pokédex number, was often shown in the machine used by Nurse Joy in the Pokémon Center. In addition, 74, the number of this episode in the Diamond & Pearl series, is also shown. It could also be a reference to the animation production joke A113.
• To My Best Friend and Pokémon Symphonic Medley were both used as background music.
• The dub title is a reference to David and Goliath.
• Ash makes an appearance in each of his previous outfits through still paintings of his memories.
• Pikachu's spinning aerial Iron Tail is visually identical to Pikachu's neutral-aerial attack in the Smash Bros. series. Red's Pika also imitated this technique in the Pokémon Adventures manga.
• Team Rocket doesn't blast off or recite their motto in this episode.
• Team Rocket says they don't want Pikachu to evolve, but they tried to evolve it 53 episodes earlier.
• This episode is featured on Pokémon All-Stars: Pikachu from Magna Pacific's Pokémon All-Stars series.
• This is a rare occurrence where a Pokémon in the Pikachu evolutionary family other than Ash's Pikachu knows Volt Tackle.
• The Volt Tackle and Iron Tail combination would again be used against Tobias's Latios in The Semi-Final Frontier!

• Professor Oak's Pokémon lecture: Paul's Electabuzz

Dub edits

• In the Hindi dub, when Pikachu quickly tries to rush off to get Raichu during his recovery in the Pokémon Center, Ash asks Pikachu if he really does want to evolve into Raichu. However, in the original as well as in the English dub version, Ash just says that it needs to rest.

In other languages

Language		Title
Mandarin Chinese		皮卡丘！雷丘！通往進化之道！！
Czech		Pikachu a Goliáš
Danish		Pika og Goliat
Dutch		Pika en Goliath!
Finnish		Pika ja Goljat!
European French		Pikachu et Goliath !
German		Pikachu und Goliath!
Italian		Pikachu vs. Raichu!
Korean		피카츄! 라이츄로 진화할까 말까?!
Norwegian		Pika og Goliat!
Polish		Pikachu i Goliat
Portuguese	Brazil	Pikachu e Golias
	Portugal	Pika contra Golias!
Russian		Пикачу и Голиаф
Spanish	Latin America	¡Pika y Goliath!
	Spain	Pika contra Goliat
Swedish		Pika och Goliat!

← DP073 : Crossing Paths

Diamond & Pearl series

DP075 : Our Cup Runneth Over! →

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