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EP031

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← EP030 : Sparks Fly for Magnemite
Original series
EP032 : The Ninja Poké-Showdown →
Dig Those Diglett!
EP031.png
  EP031  
ディグダがいっぱい！
Lots of Digda!
First broadcast
Japan October 28, 1997
United States October 19, 1998
English themes
Opening Pokémon Theme
Ending
Japanese themes
Opening めざせポケモンマスター
Ending ニャースのうた
Credits
Animation Team Ota
Screenplay 首藤剛志 Takeshi Shudō
Storyboard 横田和 Kazu Yokota
Assistant director 大町繁 Shigeru Ōmachi
Animation director 武田優作 Yūsaku Takeda
Additional credits

Dig Those Diglett! (Japanese: ディグダがいっぱい！ Lots of Digda!) is the 31st episode of the Pokémon animated series. It was first broadcast in Japan on October 28, 1997, and in the United States on October 19, 1998.

201
Spoiler warning: this article may contain major plot or ending details.
201

Blurb

Ash, Brock, Misty and Pikachu are lost deep in the mountains. As they press forward on a rough road not even shown on their map, they suddenly hear a large explosion. Running toward the sound in surprise, the party emerges on a construction site where tractors are building a tremendous dam. Ash learns that the foreman is trying to recruit skilled Pokémon trainers because earth Pokémon, Diglett, are interfering with construction and delaying the completion of his work. The foreman has been recruiting Pokémon trainers to get rid of the Diglett. He will award free passes for travel to a luxurious natural hot springs to anyone who can accomplish this. As Ash scopes out the recruits, he notices a familiar enemy in the mix, Gary.

Plot

Ash and his friends travel on a pathway through some mountains to get to the Fuchsia Gym. Brock comments that Fuchsia Gym should be right over the mountain, but he realizes that they are surrounded by many mountains. Elsewhere in the forest, Team Rocket is having a picnic and getting ready to eat their lunch when an explosion is heard, concerning Ash, his friends, and Team Rocket. Team Rocket's food spills all over them, to their frustration and despair. Everyone runs to where the explosion came from, and they locate a road filled with trucks.

A large rock falls from the wall, and holes in the ground cause a multi-truck pileup. Pikachu hears Pokémon saying "Diglett" over and over from underneath the ground. Meowth watches from above as a Diglett pops out of the ground. As Pikachu runs over to greet it, Diglett suddenly goes back underground. Ash and his friends rush to a hysteric foreman's side, as he tells them to look at the Diglett in the distance. The Diglett are popping in and out of the ground. When Misty comments that they are very cute, the foreman yells at her, exclaiming that they are preventing them from building a dam. Ash scans Diglett with his Pokédex, which says that people can recognize their movement from the upturned earth. Ash then comments that he doesn't see any upturned earth. The foreman says that it is because the ground is covered with concrete, but if they look closely, they can see movement in the form of small quakes and cracks. The foreman fears that they may not be able to achieve their dream of building the Gaiva Dam.

The foreman explains that they came up with a special division of Pokémon Trainers to get rid of the Diglett. He is offering a reward of a six-night, seven-day-long stay at the Giva hot springs resort for anyone who can get rid of them. Ash volunteers, and the foreman thinks that Ash and his friends were the ones the construction crew called in. Before Ash can explain, Gary arrives with a fleet of Trainer-filled buses behind him. Gary notices Ash, and says that it must be a coincidence that he is there since only the best Trainers, such as himself, were invited, while deeming Ash the worst Trainer there is. Gary asks Ash if he has caught any good Pokémon, but as Ash prepares to show him, Gary retorts that only amateur Pokémon Trainers show off their Pokémon. He instead offers to show off his personal fan club. Ash asks if they are Pokémon, as Brock hits him in the head and tells him to not be dumb. Brock asks who the girls are, and Gary explains that they are his friends. Brock asks the girls if they want to go out with him some time, and they all agree. Brock asks the girls for their contact information, but the foreman begs for everyone to focus on the Diglett. Gary and his fan girls then drive off to stop the Diglett. Brock whines about having not gotten the girls' phone numbers, while Ash maintains that he can't let Gary beat him. Team Rocket, hidden nearby, note that they too are Pokémon Trainers, and resolve to join the Diglett pest control effort in order to earn some rest and relaxation at the Gaiva resort.

The foreman addresses the Pokémon Trainers. Ash comments that there are a lot of Trainers, and the foreman yells at him to be quiet and listen. Ash complains that the foreman didn't call him by name, as he proceeds to deem himself "Ash Ketchum, the loser from Pallet". Brock tells him not to get worked up about Gary, and reassures Ash that he can still catch up to him. Team Rocket notice the large number of trainers and consider that they could steal their Pokémon. Though they realize that with only their Koffing and Ekans, they would be outnumbered. Jessie discredits the idea of a sneak attack, before they settle on another plan that they refer to as "the principle of induced evolution".

The foreman pulls down on a large hanging banner to reveal an image of Diglett crossed out on it. He calls Diglett a great parasitic Bug Pokémon, but Gary corrects him, stating that Diglett is actually a Mole Pokémon, and comments on how small and weak they are. The foreman says that they may be small, but in large numbers, they can be very destructive. He sees the Diglett coming, as they take down a bus. Gary confidently steps forward, and with his cheerleaders' support, he throws his Poké Ball to bring out a Pokémon to battle Diglett. However, the Pokémon refuses to come out of its Poké Ball as a Diglett brings the Poké Ball back to Gary. Gary thanks the Diglett, but realizes that it wasn't supposed to happen that way. Gary throws another Poké Ball which contains his strongest Pokémon, though it too refuses to come out.

In frustration, Gary throws all of his Poké Balls as the foreman begs for someone to get rid of the Diglett. Everyone else throws their Poké Balls, but the Diglett continue to bring them back to their Trainers. Misty comments that at least the Diglett are polite, as Brock comments that they are also unstoppable. Ash decides to use his Squirtle to face the Diglett. Pikachu tries to stop Ash, but he had already thrown the Poké Ball. Squirtle also refuses to come out of its Poké Ball. Pikachu nods to inform Ash that the Pokémon don't want to battle. The foreman tries to hit the Diglett with a mallet, but Gary says it won't work since the Diglett are incredibly fast. Ash says that Gary must have really been studying, which Gary confirms while mocking Ash. Gary sees any effort to stop the Diglett as pointless and drives away in his car. Ash groans, asserting his continued disdain for Gary, while Brock once again calls out for the girls' numbers.

That night, Ash and his friends enjoy a hot spring, but Misty is concerned, as she still can't understand why the Pokémon wouldn't come out of their Poké Balls. Ash asks Pikachu, who points to where the Diglett are. Ash and friends follow them and pass by the foreman, who is still trying to hit the Diglett with a mallet. Meanwhile, Team Rocket is reading about how to evolve their Pokémon, and learn that Pokémon must have a lot of experience before they can evolve. They remember that Pokémon change when they evolve, and note that they've known Koffing and Ekans for a long time, and may miss them. As Team Rocket hugs their Pokémon and cry, their tears spur their Pokémon to evolve. As Jessie and James look on with proud anticipation, Meowth muses that their Pokémon's time to evolve has come.

Ash and his friends continue to follow and observe as the Diglett carry small trees and work together with Dugtrio to plant them on the mountainside. Ash scans Dugtrio with his Pokédex, and Brock remarks that this place must be Diglett and Dugtrio's home. He surmises that they play and work together on the mountain range, with Dugtrio plowing through the ground, and Diglett planting the trees. He suggests that the whole mountain range must have been transformed by them, and theorizes with Misty that gardens, forests, and mountain ranges across the Pokémon world have been cultivated by the Diglett and Dugtrio. The foreman appears, lamenting that the completion of the dam would flood the mountain forests and displace the Pokémon living there. Brock exclaims that the Pokémon must have figured that out already, and Misty notes that this must be why they wouldn't come out of their Poké Balls. Brock comments that people have a lot to learn from Pokémon. The foreman declares that they will stop work on the dam, to allow the Diglett and Dugtrio to continue their efforts.

Team Rocket shows up, and Jessie and James begin reciting their part of the Team Rocket motto, but when Meowth jumps in, he remarks that Ash and his friends already know the rest, cutting the motto short. Ash groans and tells Team Rocket that nobody is in the mood to deal with them right now. Team Rocket retorts that they are in a good enough mood for everyone and announce that they have a special treat to reveal. Team Rocket dons Japanese outfits and fans as fireworks go off above, revealing that Ekans has evolved into Arbok and Koffing has evolved into Weezing. As Jessie orders Arbok to attack, Ash calls on Squirtle, Charmander, and Bulbasaur. James commands Weezing to use Smog. Ash has Pikachu use Thunderbolt on Arbok, but it dodges. Jessie tells Arbok to dive underground, and James orders Weezing to follow. Diglett and Dugtrio can be heard chanting from underground, and Jessie and James start to gleefully chant along, but stop when they notice something is wrong. A commotion can be heard from underground, and Arbok and Weezing are thrown out of the ground covered in bumps and bruises. Meowth is baffled, but Jessie and James realize what's about to happen. Diglett and Dugtrio pop out of the ground and group together to form a wave of dirt and mud, scooping up Team Rocket and their Pokémon. They enjoy surfing on top of the wave, before it smashes into and destroys the dam wall, sending Team Rocket deep into the dirt and debris.

Ash almost feels bad for Team Rocket, and Misty remarks that Team Rocket never learns their lesson. Though the foreman affirms that he has learned his lesson, and Ash exclaims that their stay wasn't a waste after all. Additionally, Brock points out that the Fuchsia Gym is just over the mountains. Team Rocket comes out of the ground, as a sign falls on James's head, which Jessie reads that the dam project is cancelled, much to their disappointment. The following day, Ash and his friends make their way towards the Fuchsia Gym.

Major events

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

Debuts

Pokémon debuts

Characters

Humans

Dare da?

Pokémon

Who's That Pokémon?

Who's That Pokémon?: Diglett

Trivia

  • This is Nathan Price's last episode as Meowth.
  • Apparently, a Pokémon can choose whether or not to come out of their Poké Ball, as first demonstrated by Psyduck. However, this is the only instance where the Pokémon refuses to exit its Poké Ball, as opposed to sending itself out whenever it feels like it.
  • This episode is extremely similar to Tentacool & Tentacruel, in that a character is trying to build something that would destroy the area around them, and the Pokémon that interfere with it to save their area are targeted by the character to be exterminated. Additionally, the heroes are offered resort stays by both people in exchange for helping exterminate the Pokémon. The main difference between the two episodes is that unlike Nastina, the foreman in this episode realizes the error of his ways and willingly cancels the project.
  • Team Rocket breaks the fourth wall once again, when they first reveal their evolved Pokémon to Ash and friends. They mentioned that their Arbok and Weezing are being shown "for the first time on TV".
  • This is the first time when two of main characters' Pokémon evolve simultaneously, and in the same episode. This wouldn't happen again until A Corphish Out of Water.
    • Coincidentally, in both instances, one of the Pokémon involved belonged to Jessie.
  • Jessie and James mention experience points in this episode.
  • In the dub, when all of the Trainers are attempting to send out their Pokémon, one of the Trainers can be heard trying to send out a Porygon.
  • In the dub, the Dam is referred to as the "Gaiva Dam", likely a play on the phrase "Give a damn".
  • Weezing's line from when it uses Smog in the Japanese version can be heard in the Japanese version of Super Smash Bros. Melee, specifically when that game's Weezing is summoned via the Poké Ball.

Errors

  • Diglett was originally misspelled as Diglet in the Pokémon.com blurb, but this has since been corrected.
  • During Team Rocket's picnic, James is tanner than usual.
  • When Team Rocket asks how they can evolve their Pokémon, Ekans's underbelly is colored purple instead of yellow.
  • When James's Weezing's second head opens its mouth for the first time, it has the two upper square teeth the main head has. These were removed in subsequent appearances.
  • In the English dub:
    • The foreman says "Digletts," when "Diglett" is both singular and plural.
    • After the hot spring, where Ash, Misty, and Brock were bathing in, was emptied by the Diglett, the Pokémon can be heard saying their Japanese name, Digda, instead of Diglett.
    • Brock points out that Diglett plow the ground and that Dugtrio plant the trees, but the clips actually show Dugtrio plowing the ground and the Diglett planting trees.
  • Ekans's miscolored underbelly

    Ekans's miscolored underbelly

  • Weezing's teeth

    Weezing's teeth

Dub edits

  • Kanto Pokérap: Day 1 (Version 2)
  • When Jessie and James set up their picnic in the dub, Jessie says she is having Chinese food when she is really having Japanese curry, and James says he'll have tea and crumpets, pouring the tea into a bowl containing his supposed crumpets, when he's actually having ochazuke.
  • In the Japanese version, when witnessing the explosions, James speculates that the trucks and explosions related to treasure hunter TV shows or Ultra Squadrons, which is changed to an alien invasion in the English version.
  • The kanji for the hot spring advertisement is removed.
    • Also, the sign that translated to "The Pokémon Trainer Party" also has the text removed.
  • In the scene where Gary decides to make his grand slam, he originally stated that "it isn't like baseball, where being fourth batter is the best." Also, Misty and Brock's reaction in the original was of agreement, while as the dub had them calling Gary detestable. This was presumably done because Beauty and the Beach, their first encounter, was still banned by the time this episode aired.
  • The impact star is replaced when Brock hits Ash for wondering if Gary's cheerleaders are Pokémon.
  • Gary's cheerleaders refer to Brock as an "old man" in the Japanese version instead of "Sir", as in the dub.
    • In the dub, Brock makes the accusation that he is thought of as an old man.
  • Most lines relating to numbers or the number 4 are rewritten. This results in Jessie randomly declaring her name in the dub.
  • Brock originally wonders if it is alright to be wearing swimsuits in a hot spring.
  • When the group figures out that the Pokémon did not want to fight the Diglett, thus explaining why they won't obey their Trainers in leaving the balls, Misty refers to them as masters in the dub.
  • In the Swedish dub, when Meowth is calling someone on the phone, he asks if he can switch to a less embarrassing animated team.

In other languages



← EP030 : Sparks Fly for Magnemite
Original series
EP032 : The Ninja Poké-Showdown →
Project Anime logo.png This episode article is part of Project Anime, a Bulbapedia project that covers all aspects of Pokémon animation.
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