AG042
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Love at First Flight
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First broadcast
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English themes
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Japanese themes
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Credits
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Love at First Flight (Japanese: バルビートとイルミーゼ！愛のダンス! Barubeat and Illumise! Dance of Love! ) is episode 42 of the Advanced Generation series, and the 316th episode of the Pokémon anime. It was first broadcast in Japan on September 11, 2003 and in the United States on October 16, 2004.
Synopsis
Still on their way to Fallarbor Town, Ash and the gang find themselves along the shore of Lake May, a coincidence that doesn't fall short on Brock or May, as she comments on the comparison of the lake's beauty and herself. Max disagrees; May isn't thrilled. Ash then points out something is hovering over the surface of the lake's water. It is a Illumise with a yellow bow around her neck, who displays her grace by gently touching the water in a pose, rippling the surface. Ash comments they haven't encountered one of them yet, and May subsequently points out another one they haven't seen before. It's a Volbeat with a red bow, flying across the lake, and the Illumise isn't unhappy to see him when he joins her.
The pair then bow to one another, as dance partners would, and begin flying around one another in a wide circle. Brock identifies them for what they are (Volbeat and Illumise), prompting May and Ash to pull out their Pokédexes: May's identifies Illumise, and Ash's Volbeat. The two Firefly Pokémon are still dancing about. While watching, a Nurse Joy greets the group, asking of they are here for the May Festival, for the dance performance of Illumise and Volbeat. She notes that it is almost time for the practice runs, and indicated two people standing out on the lake's pier, saying they are Volbeat and Illumise's Trainers, Romeo and Juliet.
Cue Brock reacting as normal to any pretty woman, quoting lines from Romeo and Juliet, before being pulled away by Max and May.
Juliet introduces herself to the audience gathered at the lakefront, promising to make it a success; Romeo stands behind her, silent and somewhat dejected-looking. Nurse Joy goes on to comment to the group about a local legend, that anyone in love who watches Illumise and Volbeat dance together will be blessed with good luck. On the pier, Juliet tells Illumise it's time to start practicing and twirls a conductor's baton with a light at the tip of it, ordering Illumise to use Sweet Scent. As Illumise does, Juliet turns to Romeo and asks him to release more Volbeat. He complies, but the belt pack he carried them in falls onto the pier, with four Poké Balls falling out. Juliet concernedly comments on this, indicating it is not the first time this has happened. Remorsefully, Romeo begins to gather them up.
Brock isn't impressed with Romeo at all, naturally jealous over the match-up and making it clear, in his opinion, that Romeo isn't worthy of his place as Juliet's partner. May comments on his seemingly lack of dependability. Ash himself shouts out encouragements. Romeo thanks him, calls out the rest of his Volbeat, and tells his lead Volbeat it's time to start. Volbeat leads the now-quintet across the lake, but he's distracted by his feelings of love for Illumise and simply starts chasing her around, the rest following.
Juliet is dismayed and tell Romeo to please conduct his Volbeat properly. Frozen, Romeo attempts to regain his composure and his Volbeat with a baton similar to Juliet's, but it fumbles from his hand onto the pier, threatening to fall into the water. At Romeo's cry, Volbeat stops to help, but ends up colliding with Illumise by accident, sending all five Volbeat and Illumise into the lake.
At the distress of the two Trainers, the gang realize that isn't supposed to happen. The Volbeat are treading water at the surface, but Illumise is nowhere to be seen. Juliet makes to leap into the water, but accidentally bumps Romeo in the process, sending him into the water on the other side of the pier. It's a problem, because Romeo cannot swim. May encourages Brock and Ash to help them all. Ash calls out Corphish and Brock calls out Lotad and Mudkip, and all of them, including their two Trainers, dive into the water.
Underwater, Juliet is frantically searching for Illumise, but she doesn't find her. Romeo, on the surface, is still threatening to drown, until Juliet resurfaces and he clings to her for his life. Brock instructs Mudkip to find Illumise and Lotad to help the Volbeat; Ash and Corphish also help in the Volbeat's aid. Underwater, Mudkip finds Illumise; at the same time, Lotad, Corphish, and Ash rescue the Volbeat.
On the pier, everyone is recovering, and Brock brings Juliet a towel, which she thanks him for, but is more concerned for Illumise, who is in Nurse Joy's care. When Illumise is shown to be alright, Nurse Joy still tells Juliet it would be a good idea to give Illumise a check up, and then tells Romeo the same. Romeo thanks Ash, and introductions are finally made. Romeo is impressed with Ash's passion, comparing it to his own (his lack thereof), and accidentally sits on Corphish -- namely, the spikes on its head. No energy, he cites, leaping around in pain until he winds up back in the water. It's clear he suffers from misfortune.
Team Rocket are watching them, and Jessie hopes Romeo is alright, so she can see the Volbeat and Illumise dance and be brought good luck. James says it's only for people in love, but Jessie rebuts him, claiming she's already in love with a prince charming figure from her own fantasies. Meowth suggests catching the Firefly Pokémon for the Boss, because they could be dancing entertainment. Predictably, the other two are enthused.
At the Pokémon Center, Nurse Joy returns Romeo's Volbeat. As thankful as he is, Romeo remains depressed, fearing he'll simply mess up the act again. The others offer to help him practice, and Romeo cheers up somewhat. Outside on the lakefront, however, it becomes obvious Romeo isn't as clumsy as he first appeared to be, directing the Volbeat with little issue. He says he's fine when he practices alone, but he and his lead Volbeat, nicknamed Beat, tell to mess up when practicing with Juliet. May, however, senses what the problem ultimately is, and asked Romeo how he feels about Juliet. Claiming his chest tightens, his heart races, his hands sweat, and generally acts like a dunce when near her, May accurately tells him exactly what's wrong with him: he's lovesick.
Romeo isn't sure if he is or not. He confesses he and Juliet have been friends since childhood, so it couldn't be possible. May contradicts him, telling him friends can fall in love, and it is likely Beat is also in love with Illumise; Beat doesn't deny it. Romeo isn't thrilled at the prospect, treating it like a problem, but May to the rescue: she has an idea, and asks a favor of Ash....
That night, Juliet is approached by Romeo from behind, trying to confess his feelings, but can't quite do it. May pops in to try and encourage him that a confession will be the best route, but Romeo isn't convinced, worried Juliet might not feel the same. Ash, however, is impatient...and turns out to be disguised as Juliet. He's acting as her stand-in for Romeo, apart of May's plan, but Ash is only begrudgingly playing the part. But Romeo isn't feeling May's confidence, being unable to tell even a fake Juliet his feelings. Brock steps in to show Romeo how it's done, claiming to be Romeo's rival in love, and professes to Juliet-née-Ash his love. It's far too convincing an act, and Brock chases Ash around the porch, entirely absorbed by his own emotions. May isn't happy; Romeo's despondent.
At her home, Juliet wonders about Romeo's change, and why he's clumsy compared to when he was younger, and how much fun they used to have. Flashback to Romeo and Juliet fishing along the lake shore. Juliet asks Romeo if he would like to marry her when they're grown up; Romeo casually-but-happily agrees. Juliet asked, "Promise?" and kisses him on the cheek, prompting them both to laugh. In the present, Juliet laments on the lost promise, and that she barely gets two words from him now.
Outside her window, she and Illumise spot a light over the lake, which turns out to be Meowth disguised as a Volbeat, on a rope attached to Team Rocket's balloon. Once Illumise is lured over, Illumise is caught in a net and hauled up. On the shore, Juliet is confused, unable to see anything by the light of Illumise's bow and Meowth's tail-bulb, until they flicker out.
Back at Romeo's, he's still trying to practice his confession to a dressed-up Ash, and is failing miserably. May chastises him, asking if he likes her (he nods), then he needs to tell her. Unbeknownst to any of the group, Juliet is in earshot, hiding behind a tree and indirectly having confirmed for herself Romeo's feelings. Brock jumps up to ride on the professions, and belatedly discovers Juliet hiding. She doesn't reveal what she's heard, but asks Romeo if it was his Volbeat by the lake, and when Romeo denies it, says Illumise disappeared when they thought Volbeat had been the one. However, Romeo comes up with a plan: his Volbeat will follow Illumise scent to track her down.
Daybreak. Over the lake, Beat picks up her scent and fly off with the other four Volbeat behind him. The humans trail them, until they hit a sheer cliff. Romeo, with a change of character, tells the others he'll climb the cliff, but the others should find another way up. Ash and Pikachu accompany Romeo.
At the top, they find Team Rocket, dressed up as Volbeat and Illumise with an alternate motto to boot. They admit it was a trap, revealing Illumise hanging in a cage under their balloon-with-a-vacuum-attachment. The vacuum sucks up four of the Volbeat, and then Ash and Pikachu, who plug up the suction at the mouth; Juliet and the others aren't far off now. Ash tells Romeo he needs to save Illumise, and Romeo orders Beat to use Quick Attack. Beat smashes the cage, freeing Illumise. Meowth maximized the suction power, pulling Ash and Pikachu inside their containment unit (the fan part of the vacuum), and then go after the last two Pokémon.
Inside, Ash orders a Thunderbolt, which cuts the vacuum's power. Romeo orders Double-Edge, and Beat smashes the containment unit, leaving Ash, Pikachu, and Volbeat quartet dizzy from their venture. Jessie sends out Seviper to recapture the vulnerable Volbeat, but Juliet orders Sweet Scent to lure the Volbeat away. Jessie commands Seviper to try again, but Romeo calls for a five-way Signal Beam attack, effectively blasting Team Rocket off.
The day is won, and Illumise kisses her main champion, Beat, on the cheek. Looking on, Romeo finds now to be the perfect time to confess his affections. Juliet, however, acts affronted, and Brock intercedes with his own vows of love. She does turn him down gently, however, claiming there was someone else, and goes on to remind Romeo of the promise they made to get married, and asks if he's going to keep it. Blushing, Romeo agrees, and it's a good end for everyone (except Brock's case of heartbreak). The following night, the performance is going well, as Romeo's confidence shines through. May attributes it to the power of love, which Ash questions, and May teases him some. As the episode closes, the Volbeat and Illumise dance light patterns in the night sky, from a circle, to a heart, to a Pikachu.
Major events
- For a list of all major events in the animated series, please see the history page.
Debuts
Pokémon debuts
TV episode debuts
Characters
Humans
- Ash
- May
- Brock
- Max
- Jessie
- James
- Nurse Joy
- Romeo
- Juliet
- Giovanni (fantasy)
- Jessie's "prince" (fantasy)
Pokémon
Pokémon Trainer's Choice: Plusle
- Pikachu (Ash's)
- Meowth (Team Rocket)
- Wobbuffet (Jessie's)
- Corphish (Ash's)
- Lotad (Brock's)
- Mudkip (Brock's)
- Seviper (Jessie's)
- Illumise (Juliet's; debut)
- Volbeat (Romeo's; multiple, including one nicknamed "Beat"; debut)
- Rapidash (fantasy)
Trivia
- The dub title is based on the phrase "Love at first sight"
- For reasons unknown, this episode was pulled over and aired on a later date.
- This is the fourth episode that makes a reference to William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet. The other three are Lights, Camera, Quack-tion, Wherefore Art Thou, Pokémon? and A Corsola Caper! and the first outside of the original series.
- It is also the second based on the play to focus on two Pokémon that are gender counterparts.
- This is the last episode where Megan Hollingshead plays Nurse Joy.
- This episode marks the second time that Ash has crossdressed. He has crossdressed before in Pokémon Scent-sation, and again in the future in Tanks for the Memories!. It is interesting to note that Brock falls madly in love with Ash when he is dressed as Juliet, which hasn't happened before. This is probably because in the first time, he was dressed as a young girl which Brock wouldn't fall in love with, and the time after this one, Brock didn't even see him crossdressing.
- In this episode, Team Rocket uses a variation of their motto.
Pokémon Trainer's Choice
- Question: Trainers, Which Pokémon would be most effective against Mudkip?
- Choices: Roselia, Plusle, Torchic
- Answer: Ok, trainers! If you chose Plusle, you were right!
Errors
- While the Trainer's choice is correct in establishing that Plusle is effective against Mudkip, Roselia, being a Template:Type2, is also just as effective, if not more due to Mudkip commonly carrying Template:Type2 moves.
Dub edits
In other languages
| Language | Title | |
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| Mandarin Chinese | 電螢蟲與甜甜螢，愛的舞蹈！ | |
 Finnish
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Rakkautta ensi lennolla | |
 European French
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Coup de foudre en plein vol | |
 German
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Liebe auf den zweiten Blick | |
 Hebrew
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אהבה בטיסה ראשונה ahava betisa rishona | |
 Italian
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Romeo, Giulietta e i Pokémon | |
| Portuguese |  Brazil
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Amor à Primeira Voada |
 Portugal
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Amor ao Primeiro Vôo | |
| Spanish |  Latin America
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¡Amor al primer vuelo! |
 Spain
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Amor al primer vuelo | |
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This episode article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of Pokémon animation. |
