This article is about an episode of the Pokémon animated series that has not been dubbed into English. As such, its coverage may contain romanized Japanese names, rather than dub names.
An Epic Defense Force! (Japanese: 映画対決！出撃イッシュ防衛隊！！Movie Showdown! Sortie, Isshu Defense Group!!) is the 82nd episode of the Best Wishes series, and the 739th episode of the Pokémon anime. It first aired in Japan on June 7, 2012.
Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.
Template:Incomplete synopsisAsh and his friends arrive in a port town. For some reason, Cilan, who's also a Movie Connoisseur, is in high spirits. Apparently this town, which used to host a movie studio, has recently seen the completion of the movie amusement park 'Pokéwood', attracting the attention of movie fans. Ash and his friends then happen to meet Luke and the 'Tricky Fox Pokémon' Zorua again.
Being an aspiring movie director, Luke has come to the town to participate in the movie competition that's being held to commemorate the opening of Pokéwood. The competitors are to produce a movie using the same equipment and the same sets, competing in terms of execution. At Luke's suggestion, Ash and his friends work with him on the production. The movie stars the Unova Defense Force, consisting of Ash, Pikachu and Pignite. A giant Mecha Tyranitar suddenly attacks Pokémon Island! Then suddenly, the Titan Golurk rises!
This episode marks the first time when an event-exclusive Pokémon makes its anime debut outside the movies.
This episode contains a parody of the MGM Logo, with Zorua in place of the lion.
The movie seen in this episode is a parody of kaijuu movies, which is popular in Japan. There are a number of Godzilla references in this episode as well, which are listed below.
Iris plays the twin priestesses of Pokemon Island, a part very similar to the miniature priestesses of Birth Island in the Mothra movies, the Shobijin.
Cilan playing an evil alien controlling the Mecha Tyranitar is similar to a number of Godzilla movies where various daikaijuu were under control by aliens bent on destroying Earth, including Destroy All Monsters.
The Mecha Tyranitar itself is a very obvious reference to Godzilla's long-time mechanical foe, Mechagodzilla.
Throughout the episode, both Luke's Zorua (as Iris) and Iris have faces that are different sizes. In some scenes they are the same size, and others they are different sizes.
The artwork for the Pansear at the props museum is missing its nose.
