This article is about an episode of the Pokémon anime that has not been dubbed into English. As such, its coverage may contain romanized Japanese names, rather than dub names.
(Japanese: 開幕！シンオウリーグ・スズラン大会！！Raise the Curtain! Shin'ō League - Suzuran Tournament!!) is the 183rd episode of the Diamond & Pearl series, and the 649th episode of the Pokémon anime. It aired in Japan on July 1, 2010.
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Ash's opponent in the first battle round is Nando, the Pokémon minstrel. He is a talent who also entered the Sinnoh Grand Festival and had a fierce battle against Zoey. Nando, specialized in Template:Type2 and Template:Type2, sends out Roserade as his first Pokémon. Ash sends out Staraptor who has a type advantage.
But it is Nando and Roserade who take the initiative first. Roserade uses Sweet Scent, which Staraptor failed to dodge, then Roserade uses Magical Leaf, which hit its target too, Staraptor is down, and Nando tells Roserade to use Solar Beam. Ash begs Staraptor to stand up and dodge, Roserade launches its Solar Beam, but in the last second Staraptor opened its eyes, an explosion occurred, and Staraptor got out of the smoke, Nando and Roserade are astonished. Ash tells Staraptor to use Brave Bird, which took Roserade out. Nando then sends out Armaldo, Dawn checks it in her Pokédex, Ash realizes that Staraptor took severe damage, so he tells it to use Close Combat, but Armaldo uses Protect, which knocked away Staraptor, then Armaldo chains with Rock Blast, which took out Staraptor. With Dawn and Brock discussing Ash's situation, Barry suddenly comes chocked, and tells them that an unknown trainer entered the competition with a powerful Darkrai, but Dawn is busy cheering for Ash. Ash sends out Quilava. Meanwhile, Team Rocket seem to be busy with their business, Quilava is then shown knocked away, and both Armaldo and Quilava are running out of gas, Nando tells Armaldo to use X-Scissor, while Ash told Quilava to use Aerial Ace, both attacks collide, and both Pokémon are out, resulting in a draw. Back with Dawn and co. Conway appeared in a creepy way as always. Nando sends his last Pokémon, which is Kricketune, and Ash sends out Heracross. Ash tells Heracross to use Megahorn, and Kricketune counters with Silver Wind, both attacks collided, but Silver Wind hits Heracross and sends it away. Kricketune uses Sing, and Heracross fell asleep, then Kricketune chains with Fury Cutter, Ash told Heracross to use Sleep Talk, Heracross dodged Fury Cutter, and used Focus Punch to send Kricketune flying. Ash tells Heracross to use Focus Punch, and Nando tells Kricketune to dodge, then it countered with Fury Cutter, the two Pokémon have a fierce fight using Focus Punch and Fury Cutter, Kricketune prepares a Sing attack, but Heracross uses Megahorn in the ground, and then sends Kricketune flying with a Horn Attack. Kricketune is out; therefore, Ash is the winner. Nando thanks Ash for a great battle and then leaves, the screen then shows Paul winning his battle, then Brock tells Ash about the trainer with Darkrai.
