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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.
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| JN124
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セミファイナルⅢ 「武勇」
The Semifinals III: "Valor"
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First broadcast
| Japan
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September 9, 2022
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| United States
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English themes
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Japanese themes
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Credits
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(Japanese: セミファイナルⅢ 「武勇」 The Semifinals III: "Valor") is the 124th episode of Pokémon Journeys: The Series, and the 1,209th episode of the Pokémon anime. It first aired in Japan on September 9, 2022.
Plot
With Pikachu eliminated following his double-knockout against Spiritomb and his ability to use 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt removed, Ash holds a hefty disadvantage against Cynthia in their Masters Tournament semifinal battle. Ash carries Pikachu off of the battlefield and thanks him for battling so hard against the Sinnoh Champion. As Ash takes a moment to breathe and calm his nerves, Goh and Hop also note the disadvantage Ash has in numbers: three Pokémon remaining against Cynthia's four. Running down to the bottom of the stands, Team Rocket admonish Ash for putting on a poorer performance than first round match. Backstage, Diantha and Leon note that though Cynthia holds the lead, the battle is still up for grabs.
Ash calls out Dracovish for his fourth Pokémon, and Cynthia sends out her fifth Pokémon and undisputed ace, Garchomp, causing Ash to wonder if she will Mega Evolve. Dracovish goes in for an Ice Fang, but Garchomp dodges and lands a Dragon Claw, dealing super effective damage on Dracovish. While Dracovish is reeling from the damage, Cynthia calls for Stealth Rock, which spreads throughout the battlefield and turns invisible. Cynthia performs another substitution, bringing in Roserade, with Ash noticing that its burn from Gengar's earlier Will-O-Wisp is gone. Cynthia explains that this is due to Roserade's Ability, Natural Cure: being returned to its Poké Ball cleanses it of any status conditions, leading Ash to understand why she recalled Roserade before. Despite this, Dracovish is able to power through Roserade's Poison Jab and get off a Fishious Rend, resulting in damage to both sides, though Dracovish ends up getting poisoned. However, it manages to persevere and continue on, with Meowth stating that this due to Dracovish's unquenchable desire to defeat Roserade. Cynthia orders a Leaf Storm, but Dracovish charges straight through with Dragon Rush and score a direct hit, which is enough to knock Roserade out and even the score.
Ash wants to recall Dracovish at this point due to the damage it is taking from poison, but it insists on staying in the battle, so Ash acquiesces. Cynthia silently marvels at Ash's innate ability to understand his Pokémon's desires, but believes she still has a chance to throw him off and win. Cynthia then sends out her sixth Pokémon, Milotic, who the announcer describes as instrumental in Cynthia's victory over Iris. Dracovish charges toward with Dragon Rush, however, Milotic uses Disarming Voice to keep Dracovish at bay, before employing the same tactic it used against Iris's Dragonite and coiling around Dracovish to use a close-range Iron Head. Dracovish, however, strikes back with Fishious Rend, and the attacks collide to create a big explosion. Although Milotic has taken visible damage, Dracovish ends up going down and giving the Cynthia the lead once more. Despite its defeat, Diantha and Leon believe that Dracovish's final attack will make a huge difference in this next battle.
Ash recalls Dracovish and sends out Sirfetch'd, who immediately takes damage from Garchomp's Stealth Rock, but shrugs it off and readies itself. Ash suddenly gets an idea and has Sirfetch'd use Brutal Swing to throw its shield, much like in their battle against Bea. One by one, Brutal Swing eliminates the Stealth Rock, greatly impressing all the spectators. Milotic attacks with a Hydro Pump, but Sirfetch'd dodges and blocks a follow-up Iron Head, before getting off a flurry of Fury Cutters. Milotic's next attack is Disarming Voice, but Sirfetch'd manages to endure it and blitzes Milotic with Meteor Assault, taking it down.
Cynthia recalls Milotic and commends Ash on his cleverness at getting rid of the Stealth Rock, adding that their battle is making her heart race. However, she declares she will win nonetheless and face Leon. Ash corrects her and says he will face Leon. Cynthia sends Garchomp out once more, and Ash again predicts that she may Mega Evolve. Garchomp uses Scale Shot, but Sirfetch'd easily fights it off with Fury Cutter and clashes against Garchomp's Dragon Claw. Sirfetch'd ends up getting knocked back but is able to avert a second Dragon Claw by using Detect. Sirfetch'd then goes in for a Meteor Assault, and Garchomp uses Draco Meteor in response, both of which successfully land. Both Pokémon take a good amount of damage and enter a standoff, but Garchomp is able to remain conscious despite stumbling, while Sirfetch'd faints standing up.
Ash recalls Sirfetch'd as Cynthia calls Garchomp back. Diantha and Leon now believe that Cynthia has something else in store, as she has now twice passed on the opportunity to use Mega Evolution. Ash sends out his sixth and final Pokémon, Lucario, which results in Cinderace emerging from its Poké Ball to cheer on its friend. Noticing this development, Ash declares he and Lucario will carry Cinderace's feelings with them. Meanwhile, Cynthia sends Togekiss back out. Lucario starts off with Bullet Punch, and Togekiss tries to stop it in its track with Air Slash, but Lucario pushes through it and pummels Togekiss, dealing super effective damage. However, it is still standing, and Lucario charges an Aura Sphere. However, Togekiss beats it to the punch with another Air Slash, not only causing it a good amount of damage, but also making it flinch thanks to its Ability, Serene Grace, and Lucario's Aura Sphere is cancelled out as a result. Togekiss uses yet another Air Slash, but Ash has Lucario use Bullet Punch to neutralize the attack. After a brief moment of silence, Cynthia smiles and recalls Togekiss, generating whispers of yet another substitution. However, she surprises all of Wyndon Stadium by revealing a Dynamax Band and Dynamaxing it instead, confirming Leon and Diantha's earlier suspicions. Ash then readies his Key Stone, and Lucario prepares to take on Dynamax Togekiss as the battle enters its climax.
Major events
- For a list of all major events in the animated series, please see the history page.
Debuts
Pokémon debuts
Characters
Humans
Pokémon
Trivia
Errors
Dub edits
In other languages
