DP177

←	DP176 : Coming Full-Festival Circle!

A Grand Fight for Winning!

DP177

EP643

決着ライバル対決！ヒカリＶＳノゾミ！！
Decisive Rival Showdown! Hikari VS Nozomi!!

First broadcast

Japan	May 20, 2010
United States	October 9, 2010

English themes

Opening	We Will Carry On!
Ending

Japanese themes

Opening	サイコー・エブリディ！
Ending	ドッチ～ニョ？

Credits

No additional credits are available at this time.
Animation	Team Kato
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

Screenshots on Filb.de

A Grand Fight for Winning! (Japanese: 決着ライバル対決！ヒカリＶＳノゾミ！！ Decisive Rival Showdown! Hikari VS Nozomi!!) is the 177th episode of Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl, and the 643rd episode of the Pokémon animated series. It first aired in Japan on May 20, 2010 and in the United States on October 9, 2010.

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

Blurb

The grand finale is under way at the Pokémon Contest Grand Festival, and it's sure to be an unforgettable battle! Just as they hoped, longtime friends and rivals Dawn and Zoey are facing off against each other for the title of Top Coordinator. And since each of them is using a Pokémon that the other has never battled against, the round promises to be full of surprises!

Zoey's Gallade and Glameow start off strongly, displaying Zoey's brilliant strategic mind. But the team of Dawn, Piplup, and Togekiss is formidable indeed, and as we near the end of the battle, both sides appear to be evenly matched.

Time is called while the battle is still in full swing, and the two are still neck-and-neck. When points are tabulated, Zoey's total barely edges out Dawn's, and so Zoey is declared Top Coordinator!

Dawn has learned a lot on her journey already and she takes losing in her stride, bidding farewell to Zoey. Then Ash learns that Volkner, Leader of the Sunyshore Gym, has invited Ash back for their Gym Battle. So our heroes set off for their next adventure, with a cheerful Dawn as part of the gang!

Plot

As Dawn and Zoey's impending Contest Battle in the finals of the Sinnoh Grand Festival is about to begin, Marian makes her announcement, and Dawn sends out Piplup and Togekiss, while Zoey sends out Glameow and Gallade, the evolved from her Kirlia. Ash checks Gallade out on his Pokédex just as Johanna unexpectedly arrives to cheer on her daughter. Ash and Brock are surprised by her sudden appearance, but quickly make room for her. Dawn tells Piplup and Togekiss to do their best, as they are going against Zoey.

Dawn starts out with having Piplup jump on Togekiss's back, then ordering Togekiss to fly up and use Aura Sphere. Piplup surrounds the Aura Sphere with Bubble Beam. Zoey has Glameow use Shadow Claw to cut the Aura Sphere in half and Gallade uses Psycho Cut to pop the Bubble Beam into a circling sparkling show, causing Dawn to loses points as she stares at the sparkles in a daze while Fantina admires it greatly. Togekiss flies towards Gallade and Glameow before flying up. While distracted, Piplup starts to use Hydro Pump, but Zoey has Glameow use Fake Out. Glameow leaps at Piplup, causing him to flinch, and then slams its paws together, sending Piplup flying. Dawn loses more points, now having three fourths of her full score. Brock remarks that Fake Out is a priority move that always causes its target to flinch, its use having prevented Piplup from executing Hydro Pump. Piplup recovers and Zoey has Gallade use Vacuum Wave on Togekiss. Dawn tells Togekiss to use Air Slash. Togekiss dodges the Vacuum Wave and fires the Air Slash, but Gallade back-flips and dodges it. Zoey and Gallade look up at Togekiss, and Zoey knows not to underestimate it. Both Dawn and Zoey lose points.

Gallade uses Signal Beam and Glameow uses Iron Tail. The Signal Beam hits Glameow's tail and Glameow spins its tail, creating a spinning whirlpool stream of Signal Beam. Piplup reacts with Whirlpool, and Glameow fires the Signal-Tail combination. Togekiss uses Aura Sphere on Whirlpool, causing it to glow like Aura Sphere. The two attacks collide and creates a beautiful fireworks display. Dawn and Zoey lose points; Dawn is now at one half of her original score, and Zoey is at three fourths of hers. Gallade uses Swords Dance, increasing his attack power while Togekiss uses Safeguard while spinning, causing Zoey to lose points. Glameow charges at Togekiss with Shadow Claw, and Dawn wonders why Zoey would use a Ghost-type move against a Normal type like Togekiss. Togekiss charges at Glameow with Sky Attack, and Gallade begins using Psycho Cut. Piplup retaliates with Peck and collides with Gallade, creating a bright flash. In the flash, Glameow jumps past Togekiss and lands on its tail to bounce onto Togekiss's back. After the flash fades away, Dawn wonders where Togekiss is, only to find her in the air, flying around in panic trying to get Glameow off her back, causing Dawn to lose more points.

Johanna comments on Zoey's strategy: in a Double Battle, it can be difficult for a Coordinator to be constantly managing both of their Pokémon as well as their opponent, so the tactic of distracting the opposing Coordinator by focusing the latter's attention on just one of their Pokémon can be extremely effective. Ash tells Togekiss and Dawn to hold on, but Togekiss has completely forgotten about the performance and is panicking, its lack of battle experience showing. Glameow uses Thunderbolt, but Togekiss's Safeguard blocks it, surprising both Zoey and Glameow. Fantina comments how wonderful the Thunderbolt was, but praises the Safeguard even more. Dawn and Zoey both lose points, but Zoey loses a bit more, leaving her slightly under half and Dawn at a fourth of her original.

Dawn tells Piplup to help Togekiss and Zoey tells Gallade to block him. Gallade uses Vacuum Wave, but Piplup dodges it with his spin technique, forward flipping onto Gallade's head and into the air. Zoey is shocked and Piplup uses Hydro Pump to knock Glameow off Togekiss's back. Togekiss swings underneath Piplup and soars away with him, and Zoey loses significant points, nearly making her score equal to Dawn's. Gallade uses Psycho Cut, but Togekiss easily dodges it. Zoey has Gallade use Psycho Cut again to separate Dawn's Pokémon, and Togekiss flies straight up to dodge. However, the attack follows them, and Piplup can see it gaining speed. Before it can hit, Piplup shoves himself off Togekiss's back with his feet, pushing both of them clear as the attack flies past between them, but also separates them, just as Zoey wanted. Dawn gets anxious and has Piplup initiate Whirlpool as he falls, while Togekiss charges towards Gallade and Glameow before flying upward in an attempt to distract Zoey. Piplup fires the Whirlpool, but Glameow catches it with Iron Tail. Johanna attributes this stunning defense as Zoey training hard to maximize the potential of Glameow's tail. While Togekiss flies away with Piplup, Gallade disperses the Whirlpool with Vacuum Wave, creating a beautiful sparkling effect, dropping Dawn to a fifth of her original score.

Dawn tells Piplup to use Peck and Togekiss use Sky Attack. Togekiss glows and charges as Piplup hops on Togekiss's head and his beak glows and grows. Piplup's beak shines a gold light that turns red and surrounds both Piplup and Togekiss, giving the two an appearance similar to that of a rocket flying through the air with fire trailing behind it. Fantina is amazed by the combination, and Zoey loses points, now being equal to Dawn's. Zoey tells Gallade to use Psycho Cut and Glameow to use Thunderbolt. Gallade jumps and prepares to use Psycho Cut while Glameow lifts its tail up. As Gallade lands on Glameow's tail, Glameow uses Thunderbolt and gives Psycho Cut an electric charge. Gallade jumps up while Dawn becomes excited and cheers Togekiss and Piplup on. Gallade fires the electrified Psycho Cut, which collides with Togekiss and Piplup's combination attack, causing a major explosion to erupt, along with a bright flash. Togekiss and Piplup are sent stumbling backwards and Gallade falls down. Zoey and Dawn try to stand on their feet as the sheer force of the explosion pushes them back. Togekiss and Piplup land on their feet while Gallade lands on the ground. Dawn and Zoey both lose points, the smoke clears, and time runs out. Dawn and Zoey quickly look to the board, and it is revealed that while both only have very few points left, Zoey has very slightly more than Dawn, and is declared the winner of the Grand Festival. Dawn looks disappointed as everyone cheers for Zoey. Ash, Brock, Johanna, and Pikachu are sad that Dawn lost. Gallade and Glameow hug Zoey while Dawn picks up Piplup. She tells Piplup and Togekiss they both did a great job and congratulates Zoey.

In the stands, Jessie is furious that Dawn lost and decides to quit Contests, throwing away her Jessilina costume and stomping away as she decides to rededicate herself fully to Team Rocket and capturing Pikachu. Zoey is awarded the Ribbon Cup and the title of Top Coordinator as the Sinnoh Grand Festival comes to an end. Dawn finishes changing and comes out of the dressing room to find her proud mother waiting in the hallway with her friends. She hugs her, being happy that she was there, and gives her back the Ribbon she gave her before her journey, saying she doesn't need it anymore, as she now has her own. Nurse Joy appears and informs Ash that she took a call from Volkner, informing him that the Sunyshore City Gym is fully repaired and he will be waiting for him. Ash becomes excited knowing he will soon be battling for his final Badge.

Dawn and Zoey meet outside, talking together as Nando comes out and congratulates the two on a fine battle before leaving. Zoey says she is going back to Snowpoint City, as Candice is going to be throwing a party in her honor, and tells Dawn that she is welcome to accompany her, but Dawn says she is going to stay with Ash and support him during the Sinnoh League. Zoey tells Dawn goodbye and leaves. Dawn sends out her team and thanks them for all their hard work getting into the Grand Festival and for the performances that got her to the finals, before telling them that they'll do even better next time.

Major events

Zoey holding the Ribbon Cup

Zoey's Kirlia is revealed to have evolved into a Gallade.
Zoey defeats Dawn in the final round of the Sinnoh Grand Festival.
Zoey receives the Ribbon Cup and the title of Top Coordinator.
Jessie abandons her career as a Pokémon Coordinator.
Ash learns that the Sunyshore Gym is fully repaired and Volkner is ready for their Gym battle.

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

Debuts

Pokémon debuts

TV episode debuts

Gallade

Characters

Humans

Pokémon

Trivia

Professor Oak's Big Pokémon Examination: Gligar
This episode concludes the four-part Sinnoh Grand Festival arc.
This episode marks a year since Ash last earned a Gym Badge, by far the longest period between Badge wins in Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl.
Gallade's appearance in this episode means that (with the expected exception of Porygon-Z who wouldn't appear until a few years later) all non-Legendary Generation IV Pokémon have appeared in an episode of the anime at some point.
Pokémon Symphonic Medley 2, By Your Side ~Hikari's Theme~ (New Arrangement Version), and music from Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea and Celebi: The Voice of the Forest, are used in this episode.
Every opponent Dawn has beaten in the finals of a Pokémon Contest makes cameos in the episode, except for May.
This episode marks the final appearances of Dawn's Pachirisu and Cyndaquil for the main Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl series, though they later made cameo appearances in Zoroark: Master of Illusions.
This episode also marks the final appearances of Zoey, Ursula, Marian, Raoul Contesta, and Mr. Sukizo.
Both Zoey and Dawn used their first and their most recently obtained Pokémon; Zoey used her Glameow and her Gallade, while Dawn used her Piplup and her Togekiss.
Pokémon Ranger: Heatran Rescue! followed this episode in the English dub.
Jessie's Wobbuffet doesn't appear in this episode.
The dub title is named after the song "It's a Grand Night for Singing" from the musical State Fair.

Errors

At the end of the last episode, when Marian is announcing Dawn and Zoey competing in the finals, there is a table with the Ribbon Cup right in front of her. In this episode, it is missing.
When Zoey's victory is shown on the scoreboard, Gallade's upper body is colored white on the screen. This was corrected on another scene, but wrong again when he appears a third time.
In the scene where Johanna talks to Ash and Brock near the beginning of the episode (after the opening theme), when Brock turns his head, an afterimage of his hair and shoulders can be seen.
Fake Out is used even though it is not the first move Glameow performed.
When Marian announces that only twenty seconds are left on the clock, there is a gap at the bottom where the background can be seen instead of her torso and arms.
When he turns to leave at the end of the episode, Nando can briefly be seen to have no eye underneath his hair.

Gallade's miscolored upper body
Gap at the bottom of the screen
Nando's missing eye

Dub edits

The English version used a vocal song, This is the Moment, in place of By Your Side ~Hikari's Theme~ (New Arrangement Version).
In the Hindi MarvelHQ dub, Nando departs by saying the opening lines of the song Channa Mereya.

In other languages

Language		Title
Mandarin Chinese		最終勁敵對決！小光對小望！！
Danish		En stor kamp at vinde!
Dutch		Een groot gevecht voor de winst
Finnish		Tiukka taistelu voitosta!
European French		Un grand combat pour la victoire!
German		Die Entscheidung
Indonesian		Pertarungan Antar Saingan! Dawn Melawan Zoey!!
Italian		Lotta finale per la vittoria!
Korean		사상 최고의 라이벌 대결 빛나 VS 소망
Norwegian		En stor kamp å vinne!
Polish		Wielki bój o zwycięstwo!
Portuguese	Brazil	Uma Grande Batalha Pela Vitória!
Portuguese	Portugal	A Grande Final do Grande Festival
Spanish	Latin America	¡Una gran Batalla que Ganar!
Spanish	Spain	¡Una gran batalla por ganar!
Swedish		En stor strid att vinna!