BW044

← BW043 : Meowth's Scrafty Tactics!

Pokémon the Series: Black & White

BW045 : Beheeyem, Duosion, and the Dream Thief! →

Purrloin: Sweet or Sneaky?

BW044   EP701 チョロネコに御用心！ニャースとミジュマル！！ Beware of Choroneko! Nyarth and Mijumaru!!

First broadcast Japan August 25, 2011 United States December 3, 2011

English themes Opening Black and White Ending

Japanese themes Opening ベストウイッシュ！ Ending ポケモン言えるかな？ＢＷ

Credits Animation Team Kato Screenplay 園田英樹 Hideki Sonoda Storyboard うえだしげる Shigeru Ueda Assistant director うえだしげる Shigeru Ueda Animation director 小山知洋 Tomohiro Koyama Additional credits

Screenshots on Filb.de

Purrloin: Sweet or Sneaky? (Japanese: チョロネコに御用心！ニャースとミジュマル！！ Beware of Choroneko! Nyarth and Mijumaru!!) is the 44th episode of Pokémon the Series: Black & White, and the 701st episode of the Pokémon anime. It first aired in Japan on August 25, 2011 and in the United States on December 3, 2011.

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

Blurb

Our heroes are on their way toward Nimbasa City for Ash’s fourth Gym Badge challenge when they come across a Purrloin. Meowth, still traveling with the gang, is entirely smitten with the cutie-pie Pokémon, as are Oshawott and Iris—but Cilan’s previous experiences with a Purrloin were so horrible, he doesn’t even want to talk about them!

With Meowth translating, Purrloin tells our heroes that a good friend is trapped in a cave up ahead, and pleads with them to come and help. Cilan refuses to believe Purrloin and stays behind, but everyone else decides to join the rescue, only to find that the story is a hoax—Purrloin has lured them into the cave to steal Ash’s backpack and food!

Outside, Cilan is waiting for the others to come back when a Trainer named Misha comes looking for her Purrloin. They rush to the cave to confront Purrloin, and with Meowth’s translation help, Purrloin and Misha resolve a serious misunderstanding that had kept them apart.

It’s not all happy reunions, though—just as everyone is about to hug and make up, the ground collapses under their feet, and our heroes are swept away in a landslide! Left on solid ground, Purrloin runs off to fetch help, and manages to convince a flock of Tranquill (earlier victims of Purrloin’s thieving ways) to come to the rescue, and everyone is safe and sound once more.

Meanwhile, Jessie and James continue Team Rocket’s mysterious mission without Meowth...

Plot

A Purrloin spies on a pair of nesting Tranquill with a sprig of Berries. The Tranquill communicate by flapping their wings before leaving their nest, and the Berries, behind. Purrloin sneaks into the nest, and eats one, only to be discovered by one of the Tranquill. Purrloin unsheathes his claws in response, and while thinking that it is safe, a huge group of Tranquill swarm the nest. Purrloin quickly dives from the nest and begins to run for safety, being pursued by the Tranquill. However, Purrloin gains speed and races off into the depths of the forest, leaving the confused Tranquill behind.

Continuing on towards Nimbasa City, Ash and his companions, now including Meowth, are walking through a forest. Meowth explains that he is in fact good in character, and that everything is better with his new friends. Pikachu, however, still doubts Meowth intentions. Meowth is deeply moved by Ash's sentiments towards him in contrast to Pikachu's, and begins to wail and cry in joy. Meowth is in the middle of a huge emotional scene, when Purrloin runs into him, knocking him over. Meowth turns to see his attacker, only to fall in love with Purrloin. Ash quickly scans Purrloin with the Pokédex. Though Cilan holds his arms up in front of him in defense, very briefly stating that a Purrloin did something terrible to him once, and that he doesn't want to talk about it.

As Meowth asks Purrloin what is wrong, and after looking away in a devious manner, Purrloin begins to plead to Meowth. Meowth, shocked, then turns to the others and explains that Purrloin is asking for help. Cilan warns everyone not to fall for Purrloin's cuteness, though Meowth decides to help Purrloin. Then, all of a sudden, the group are attacked with Gust by the Tranquill flock, who have discovered Purrloin's location. Ash, stating that they must be agitated, then sends out Oshawott to help, using Water Gun in combination with Pikachu's Thunderbolt. The Tranquill then flee in fear. Purrloin then tries to creep away, only to have Meowth stop her. She then flatters Meowth, and also infatuates Oshawott. Meowth then begins to fight over Purrloin with Oshawott, however Ash stops the fighting. Afterwards the group venture over to a stream to repose themselves, Purrloin explains to Meowth that she didn't realize that the Berries belonged to the Tranquill, and Cilan yet again dismisses this behavior. Oshawott then uses Water Gun on Ash and Cilan, knocking some Berries out of Ash's backpack. Iris is also overwhelmed by Purrloin’s cuteness, and tries to catch her; however, Meowth blocks her and almost becomes caught by her Poké Ball. Purrloin then sneaks away, preparing to steal the Berries from Ash's backpack.

Meanwhile, Jessie and James are taking photographs of Anville Town’s train yard, and discussing their feelings of loss about Meowth. While James is more concerned, Jessie is focused on the mission at hand, and orders their plans be executed tonight.

Purrloin runs back to Ash and the others, and explains that her friends are stuck in a deep cave up the road. Ash and the others agree to go to assist, however Cilan decides to stay behind, as he can't bring himself to trust Purrloin. She leads them up a steep and rocky mountain, and Ash begins to get tired. Purrloin states that they are almost there, however. She tells Ash to leave his backpack because it is heavy and it might get in the way. However, Ash refuses. Cilan, meanwhile, becomes increasingly worried about the others. Misha with her arm in a sling arrives and ask Cilan if she has seen a Purrloin, and he says yes he has.

Purrloin guides Ash and his companions through an abandoned mine tunnel, and Purrloin gestures to a miniscule hole to the side of the tunnel, explaining that the group must crawl through. Ash and the others barely squeeze through, so Purrloin has Meowth grab Ash’s backpack, making the excuse that it gets even narrower up ahead. Arriving in a larger area, Purrloin explains that her friends are down there and Meowth must leave the backpack up above. The group jumps down the scaffolding, which is very old and begins to creak. Purrloin then calls goodbye from above, with Ash's backpack, stating that she has no business with them anymore now that she has their food. The scaffolding then collapses, and while Purrloin checks to see if they are alright, Cilan and the Misha catch up with them. Purrloin confronts her Trainer about her recent abandonment, and Misha explains that she had been in an accident and was unable to come home. The hospital had let her leave, only to find Purrloin gone. Purrloin refuses to believe Misha’s story, but begins to consider that fact that her Trainer has been searching for her.

Meowth is alarmed as the ground underneath his and the others feet begins to sink, much like quicksand. Cilan and Misha try to help with a rope, but end up in the quicksand too. Purrloin runs for help. Ash uses Snivy with Vine Whip to pull them to safety, however Excadrill and Pansage are needed also. The rope then snaps, but just before all seems lost, the Tranquill return and pull the group to safety, thanks to Purrloin. The group then thank Purrloin; however, amidst all the romantic confusion, it is revealed that Purrloin is actually male. Cilan remarks that this another case of Purrloin’s deception, as Oshawott and Meowth are forced to confront heartbreak. The group then go off in search of new adventures. Meanwhile, Jessie and James guide the mobile lab of Dr. Zager, into Anville Town so that their evil plans can be advanced.

Major events

• Iris tries to catch a Purrloin, not knowing it was already owned, but Meowth blocks the Poké Ball, almost resulting in him getting caught by her again.
• Dr. Zager arrives in Anville Town.

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

Debuts

Pokémon debuts

TV episode debuts

• Purrloin

Characters

Humans

• Ash
• Iris
• Cilan
• Jessie
• James
• Misha

Pokémon

Who's That Pokémon?

Who's That Pokémon?: Purrloin

• Pikachu (Ash's)
• Meowth (Team Rocket)
• Axew (Iris's)
• Oshawott (Ash's)
• Snivy (Ash's)
• Excadrill (Iris's)
• Pansage (Cilan's)
• Purrloin (Misha's)
• Tranquill (multiple)

Trivia

• Professor Oak's Pokémon Live Caster: Beartic
• This episode aired the same day as White—Victini and Zekrom's theatrical release in the United States.
• In the English dub, close to the end of the episode, when Meowth tries to ask Purrloin out for a date, he says, "Come on, baby, don't say maybe!" This refers to Jackson Browne and Glenn Frey's song "Take It Easy".
• In India, this episode was aired only in English, even on the Hindi language feed. Hence, a Hindi dub of this episode does not exist.

Dub edits

• In the English dub, Meowth calls Ash and his friends throughout the episode. In the Japanese version, he doesn't call them anything, as he was trying not to blow his cover.
• In the English dub, Ash says that he doesn't care why the Tranquill were angry before bringing out Oshawott. In the Japanese version, he just brings out Oshawott.
• In the English dub, Cilan says that Purrloin's tail looks like a pitchfork. In the Japanese version, he says that it looks like a devil's tail.
• In the English dub, Meowth asks for a favor after brushing off Misha's gratitude, and Misha asks what it is. In the Japanese version, he instead calls Misha "mother", and Misha repeats this back to him.
• In the English dub, Cilan calls the reveal that Purrloin is male a "menu substitution". In the Japanese version, he says that it is "in bad taste".
• In the English dub, the narrator says Meowth and Oshawott's love for Purrloin is unrequited. In the Japanese version, he says that their love "vanished into thin air" as soon as they discovered Purrloin's gender.

In other languages

Language		Title
Mandarin Chinese		小心扒手貓！喵喵與水水獺！！
Croatian		Purrloin, sladak ili lukav?
Danish		Purrloin, sød eller lusket?
Dutch		Purrloin, schattig of stiekem?
Finnish		Purrloin, suloinen vai salavihkainen?
European French		Chacripan, tendre ou sournois ?
German		Felilou hat's faustdick hinter den Ohren!
Greek		Purrloin: Γλυκό ή Ύπουλο;
Hindi		Purrloin: Sweet or Sneaky?
Italian		Purrloin, delizia o malizia?
Korean		나옹과 수댕이! 쌔비냥을 조심하라!
Norwegian		Purrloin, søt eller snikete?
Polish		Purrloin, słodziak czy oszust?
Brazilian Portuguese		Purrloin, Doce ou Bajulador?
Russian		Пурлойн — к счастью или к беде?
Spanish	Latin America	Purrloin: ¿Dulce o traicionero?
	Spain	Purrloin, ¿dulce o malicioso?
Swedish		Purrloin, mysig eller mystisk?
Thai		ระวังโจโรเนโกะ! เนียสกับมิจูมารุ!!

← BW043 : Meowth's Scrafty Tactics!

Pokémon the Series: Black & White

BW045 : Beheeyem, Duosion, and the Dream Thief! →

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