DP081

DP081 File:DP81ScorchingHikozaru.jpg.png

DP081   灼熱のヒコザル! The Scorching Hikozaru!

First broadcast Japan May 29, 2008 United States

English themes Opening Ending

Japanese themes Opening Together (2008) Ending 風のメッセージ (PokaPoka Version)

Credits Animation Team Iguchi Screenplay 冨岡淳広 Atsuhiro Tomioka Storyboard 浅田裕二 Yūji Asada Assistant director 浅田裕二 Yūji Asada Animation director 岩根雅明 Masaaki Iwane No additional credits are available at this time.

(Japanese: 灼熱のヒコザル! The Scorching Hikozaru!) is the 81st episode of Diamond & Pearl. It aired in Japan on May 29, 2008.

Ash and Co. are running after Gligar who has been blown away by a gust, and promptly run into Paul. After a huge argument about their different ways of treating Pokémon, Ash challenges Paul to a battle...

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

Synopsis

The episode begins with Ash facing off against Dawn in a training match, while Brock and his Pokémon watch on. Ash commands Pikachu, Buizel, and Turtwig, while Dawn commands Piplup, Ash's Staravia, and Ash's Chimchar.

After the training session, Ash's Gligar gets excited and hugs Ash, but ends up knocking him down. Brock offers a training match of his Sudowoodo VS Ash's Gligar, to calm his excitement.

Before they can start, a strong wind blows Gligar onto Team Rocket's air balloon, sending them flying.

The scene changes to Paul and his Electabuzz shocking a wild Drapion, in an attempt to catch it. This fails, however, as Ash's Gligar falls from the sky, right in front of Paul and the Drapion escapes. Ash's Staravia leads Ash and co. to Gligar...and Paul.

Paul insults Ash's performance in the Wallace Cup and Ash becomes angry. He criticizes Paul for his harsh training methods. They reflect on Champion Cynthia's helpful advice back at Amity Square. Paul begins to walk away from Ash and co. and Chimchar yells at Paul.

Ash and Paul agree to a battle. Dawn uses the Coin Toss option on her Pokétch. Ash wins the toss and picks Gligar to fight in his debut battle. Paul chooses his Gliscor.

The battle begins and Ash's Gligar uses X-Scissor. Gliscor pounds back with a Night Slash. Gligar keeps attacking, but Gliscor seems impervious to his attacks. Gliscor then uses Metal Claw and slams Gligar into the ground, knocking him out in an OHKO. Paul insults Ash's Gligar.

Paul sends out his Ursaring next. Ash's Chimchar volunteers to fight next. The battle begins with Chimchar's Flame Wheel. Ursaring uses Focus Blast. Chimchar uses Dig. Ursaring uses Hammer Arm on the ground, unearthing Chimchar and knocking him into the air. Chimchar dives down with a Flame Wheel, but Ursaring catches him. Ursaring uses Secret Power at close range, followed by a ferocious Headbutt. Ash's Chimchar is too scared of Ursaring to attack, due to the mysterious power of Ursaring's Secret Power attack. Despite encouragement from Ash and co., Ursaring uses Hammer Arm on Chimchar, burying him in a pile of rubble. Chimchar emerges in a flaming fury! Brock suggests that Chimchar is trying his best to defeat Paul. Chimchar's Flame Wheel collides with Ursaring's Focus Blast and knocks out Paul's Ursaring.

Chimchar continues in an uncontrollable rage. He charges at Ash, bouncing all around, knocking Team Rocket away. Dawn's Piplup tries to calm him with a Whirlpool. Ash's Buizel uses Water Gun, but nothing works. Ash grabs Chimchar and tries to control him, but Chimchar bites him in the shoulder. He finally snaps out of his rage, after encouragement from Ash.

Ash says that he believes in Chimcar's power, but Paul criticizes that 'belief' in Pokémon. Brock mentions that all Pokémon have potential to rise up against the challenges they meet.

The episode ends with Ash embracing Chimchar and Paul walking away.

Major events

• Ash and Paul battle, ending in a tie.
• Ash and co. continue on to Pastoria City.

Characters

Humans

• Ash Ketchum
• Brock
• Dawn
• Jessie
• James
• Paul
• Cynthia (flashback)

Pokémon

• Pikachu (Ash's)
• Meowth (Team Rocket)
• Wobbuffet (Jessie's)
• Turtwig (Ash's)
• Staravia (Ash's)
• Chimchar (Ash's)
• Buizel (Ash's)
• Gligar (Ash's)
• Piplup (Dawn's)
• Sudowoodo (Brock's)
• Croagunk (Brock's)
• Electabuzz (Paul's)
• Ursaring (Paul's)
• Gliscor (Paul's)

Trivia

• In place of Professor Oak's lecture, a memorial of the Destiny Deoxys movie is played, in anticipation of the July 19th release of the new Pokémon movie.

Dub edits

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