View source for SM025

{{EpicodePrevNext
|prevcode=SM024
|prevtitle=Alolan Open House!
|nextcode=SM026
|nexttitle=So Long, Sophocles!
|series=Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon
|colorscheme=Alola}}
{{EpisodeInfobox
|epcode=SM025
|altepcode=EP964
|colorscheme=Alola
|title_en=A Team-on-Team Tussle!
|title_ja=クリスタル争奪戦！ロケット団対スカル団！！
|title_ja_trans=Fighting for a Crystal! Rocket-dan VS Skull-dan!!
|broadcast_jp=May 4, 2017
|broadcast_us=July 29, 2017
|en_op=[[Under The Alolan Sun]]
|ja_op=[[Alola!!|アローラ!!]]
|ja_ed=[[Pose|ポーズ]]
|olmteam=Team Kato
|scenarion=1
|scenario=冨岡淳広
|storyboardn=1
|storyboard=飯島正勝
|directorn=1
|director=渡辺正彦
|artn=1
|art=篠原隆
|morecredits=no |<!--please don't change to "yes" until the corresponding staff page has been updated-->
epstaffpage=SM021-SM030
|footnotes=* {{filb-eppics|sm|025}}
* {{BMGf|222839|Preview thread on BMGf}} ''Closed''
* {{BMGf|224020|Original review thread on BMGf}}
* {{BMGf|232427|Dub review thread on BMGf}}
}}

'''A Team-on-Team Tussle!''' (Japanese: '''クリスタル争奪戦！ロケット団対スカル団！！''' ''Fighting for a Crystal! {{tt|Rocket-dan|Team Rocket}} VS {{tt|Skull-dan|Team Skull}}!!'') is the 25th episode of ''[[Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon]]'', and the 964th episode of the [[Pokémon animated series]]. It first aired in Japan on May 4, 2017 and in the United States on July 29, 2017.
{{spoilers}}

==Blurb==
<!--https://www.pokemon.com/us/animation/seasons/20/episode-25-a-team-on-team-tussle/-->
<i>After snooping on Ash’s class as they learn about Z-Crystals, Team Rocket just has to have one! Thanks to James’s research, they spy a Dark-type Z-Crystal embedded in a rock high above—guarded by a towering Totem Pokémon, Alolan Raticate. Team Skull is on the scene, too, and the rivalry begins in earnest!

Tupp, the blue-haired leader of the three Team Skull Grunts, is the first one to reach the Z-Crystal. He manages to pry the crystal out of the rock—but it goes flying and hits Meowth in the head! Now that Team Rocket has the Z-Crystal, they just have to figure out how to use it...</i>

==Plot==
{{an|Professor Kukui}} is teaching the class about [[Z-Move]] and {{Ash}} and {{an|Kiawe}} are showing it to them. {{TRT}} is watching from the balcony and wondering what a Z-Move is. {{AP|Pikachu}} and {{TP|Kiawe|Turtonator}} manage to pull off {{m|Gigavolt Havoc}} and {{m|Inferno Overdrive}} respectively, with Team Rocket being impressed. Back at [[Bewear's den|their hideout]], [[James]] explains his findings on Z-Move, and that they need to find a [[Z-Crystal]] and a [[Z-Ring]] to perform [[Z-Move]]s. {{MTR}} visualizes himself blasting Ash and Pikachu off with his Z-Move. James pulls out a [[Dowsing Machine]], which he has modified to locate Z-Crystals. Immediately after activation, it picks up the trace of a Z-Crystal. Team Rocket set off to find the Z-Crystal.

Back in class, Professor Kukui asks the class if they know the other Z-Crystals, excluding Ash's and Kiawe's. He shows the students replicas of all the Z-Crystals and {{Rotom}} names their [[type]]s. The class are impressed with Rotom. Meanwhile, Team Rocket have found a [[Darkinium Z]] embedded on the top of a rock formation. As they rush towards it, they are stopped by hordes of {{rf|Alolan}} {{p|Rattata}}, {{p|Raticate}} and a {{pkmn2|Totem}} Raticate. The Totem Raticate attacks Team Rocket and destroys James's device. Team Rocket retreats. [[Tupp]], [[Zipp]] and [[Rapp]] are wandering in the forest, looking for candies when they heard a loud noise. Team Rocket runs past them with Totem Raticate behind. It attacks [[Team Skull]] with a {{m|Hyper Beam}}, sending them running to the bushes. They plot to capture the Totem Raticate.

In the classroom, Kukui explains that Z-Moves are dependent on the type of the moves instead of the Pokémon's types. He gives an example of Pikachu being able to use a [[Steelium Z]] Z-Crystal with {{m|Iron Tail}}. {{an|Lana}} asks about the pose for {{type|Water}} Z-Move. Team Rocket and Team Skull are sneaking around Totem Raticate's nest. Rapp spots the Darkinium Z, and Tupp decides to grab the Z-Crystal instead. The two teams climb both sides of the rock where they meet face to face. The Totem Raticate senses their appearance. Team Rocket recites their {{motto}} to an unimpressed Team Skull. Rapp gushes over Meowth, much to Jessie's annoyance. Team Skull asks Team Rocket where they came from and Jessie replies that they are from [[Kanto]], although Team Skull don't appear to know that Kanto is a region. As they argue, the Rattata and Raticate attack the two teams and Totem Raticate sends the two teams blasting off with its tail. In school, the students are practicing the different poses for Z-Move, while Ash jokes on learning a new Z-Move and {{an|Kiawe}} comments on it.

The two teams land on the ground and resume bickering. The two teams decide to compete for the Z-Crystal. The losers will have to work for the winners. Team Rocket set up a trap for the Rattata and Raticate using [[Berry|berries]], a cage, and berry stench. All but the Totem Raticate fall for it. Team Rocket goes to find the Totem. Tupp sends Zipp and Rapp to distract the Totem so he can grab the Z-Crystal. James has his {{TP|James|Mareanie}} use {{m|Spike Cannon}} on the Totem Raticate. It hits but it does not do much. It strikes back with its tail, sending Team Rocket flying. Zipp commands his {{DL|Zipp|Garbodor}} to use {{m|Venoshock}} and Rapp has her {{DL|Rapp|Zubat}} use {{m|Supersonic}}. None of the attacks faze Raticate who uses {{m|Tackle}} to send them flying, allowing Team Rocket to return to the battle. They spot Tupp climbing the rock with his {{DL|Tupp|Salandit}}, heading towards the Z-Crystal. Focusing on Tupp, they are surprised by the Totem Raticate. Jessie sends out her {{TP|Jessie|Mimikyu}}. Together with Mareanie and Meowth, they face off against Raticate while Jessie and James head for Tupp. Mimikyu's and Mareanie's attacks prove to be useless, and Raticate strikes back with its own attacks, sending Mimikyu flying to the bushes and Mareanie and Meowth at Rapp's feet. Upon realizing Meowth is in danger, Jessie and James decide to abort the pursuit for the Z-Crystal and rush to their friend's aid. Tupp tugs at the Darkinium Z. Just when all seems lost, Mimikyu jumps in and attacks the Raticate until it faints. When Tupp looks over his shoulder, he finds himself surrounded by the escaped Rattata and Raticate. They attack with Bite, sending him and the Z-Crystal flying. The Darkinium Z lands on Meowth's head. He quickly grabs it and claims ownership. Initially angry, Zipp and Rapp tiptoe away at the sight of {{an|Bewear}} behind Team Rocket. Team Rocket laugh in victory as Bewear scoops them up and takes them away.

Released from school, Ash says goodbye to his classmates. He and Lana stop for a while to practice their Z-Move poses. At their hideout, Meowth is posing with a homemade Z-Ring. As the Z-Move does not work, Team Rocket tries many different poses while Bewear sleeps happily.

==Major events==
[[File:Meowth Darkinium Z.png|thumb|220px|Meowth holding the Darkinium Z]]
<!-- This is not for summarizing everything that happens in this episode. Only events pertaining to the series as a whole, such as catching and releasing Pokémon and obtaining Badges, go here. -->
* {{TRT}} witnesses a [[Z-Move]] for the first time and learns about [[Z-Crystal]]s.
* Team Rocket encounters [[Team Skull]] for the first time.
* Team Rocket and Team Skull fight for a [[Darkinium Z]], which Team Rocket takes for themselves.
{{animeevents}}

===Debuts===
====Pokémon debuts====
{{-}}

==Characters==
===Humans===
[[File:Dare da SM025.png|thumb|200px|{{tt|Dare da?|Who's That Pokémon?}}]]
* {{Ash}}
* {{an|Lana}}
* {{an|Kiawe}}
* {{an|Lillie}}
* {{an|Sophocles}}
* {{an|Mallow}}
* [[Jessie]]
* [[James]]
* {{an|Professor Kukui}}
* [[Tupp]]
* [[Rapp]]
* [[Zipp]]

===Pokémon===
[[File:WTP SM025.png|thumb|200px|Who's That Pokémon?]]
[[Who's That Pokémon?]]: {{p|Raticate}} ([[Alolan form|Alola Form]]) ''(US and international)'', {{p|Garbodor}} ''(Japan)''
* {{p|Pikachu}} ({{OP|Ash|Pikachu}})
* {{p|Meowth}} ({{TRM}})
* {{p|Wobbuffet}} ({{OP|Jessie|Wobbuffet}})
* {{p|Rotom}} ({{an|Rotom Pokédex}})
* {{p|Popplio}} ({{OP|Lana|Popplio}})
* {{p|Charizard}} ({{OP|Kiawe|Charizard}}; [[Poké Ride|Ride Pokémon]])
* {{p|Turtonator}} ({{OP|Kiawe|Turtonator}})
* {{p|Vulpix}} ({{an|Lillie}}'s; [[Alolan form]]; [[Snowy]])
* {{p|Togedemaru}} ({{OP|Sophocles|Togedemaru}})
* {{p|Steenee}} ({{OP|Mallow|Steenee}})
* {{p|Mimikyu}} ({{OP|Jessie|Mimikyu}})
* {{p|Mareanie}} ({{OP|James|Mareanie}})
* {{p|Komala}} ([[Samson Oak]]'s)
* {{p|Zubat}} ([[Rapp]]'s)
* {{p|Salandit}} ([[Tupp]]'s)
* {{p|Garbodor}} ([[Zipp]]'s)
* {{p|Bewear}} ({{an|Bewear|anime}})
* {{p|Rattata}} ([[Alolan form]]; multiple)
* {{p|Raticate}} ([[Alolan form]]; multiple; one {{pkmn2|Totem}})
* {{p|Wingull}} (×3)

==Trivia==
* [[Poké Problem]]: ''What [[Totem Pokémon]] will appear in today's episode?''
** Host: [[James]]
** Choices: {{p|Gumshoos}}, {{rf|Alolan}} {{p|Raticate}}, {{p|Toucannon}}, {{p|Bewear}}
** Answer: Alolan Raticate
* {{Rotom}} sings a part of [[Pose]] while listing the types of each [[Z-Crystal]] replica presented by {{an|Professor Kukui}}.
* Pikachu [[Breaking the fourth wall|breaks the fourth wall]] when he looks at Kiawe's bubble when Kiawe comments that the pose Ash is doing is not an actual pose.
* {{MTR}} tries to perform Iyami's "Shesh" pose from {{wp|Osomatsu-kun}} near the end of the episode.
* {{Ash}}, {{an|Mallow}}, {{an|Kiawe}}, {{an|Lillie}}, {{an|Lana}}, {{an|Sophocles}}, and [[Sophocles's Togedemaru]] narrate the preview for the [[SM026|next episode]].
* [[Tupp]] and [[Rapp]] read the [[Who's That Pokémon?]] segment in the dub.

===Errors===

===Dub edits===
* The Japanese texts depicting {{m|Gigavolt Havoc}} and {{m|Inferno Overdrive}}'s names are edited out in the dub.
* In the Japanese version, Rotom sings out the names of the Z-Crystals, while in the English dub, it just recites them.

==In other languages==
{{Epilang|color=90BDDC|bordercolor=F1912B
|zh_cmn={{tt|純晶爭奪戰！火箭隊對骷髏隊！！|Fighting For a Crystal! Team Rocket VS Team Skull!!}}
|zh_yue={{tt|純晶爭奪戰！火箭隊對骷髏隊!!|Fighting For a Crystal! Team Rocket VS Team Skull!!}}
|da={{tt|To teams i en tvist|Two teams in a twist}}
|nl={{tt|Een team-tegen-team twist!|A team-against-team dispute!}}
|fi={{tt|Ryhmärähinä!|A team brawl!}}
|fr_eu={{tt|Le choc des équipes !|The teams' clash!}}
|de={{tt|Gerangel um den Z-Kristall!|Wrangling around the Z-Crystal!}}
|he={{tt|!מאבק שני הצוותים|The struggle of the two teams!}}
|it={{tt|Tenzone fra Team!|Dispute between teams!}}
|ko={{tt|크리스탈 쟁탈전! 로켓단 대 스컬단!!|Fighting For a Crystal! Team Rocket VS Team Skull!!}}
|no={{tt|En krangel mellom to gjenger!|A fight between two gangs!}}
|pl={{tt|Zespołowa próba sił!|A team trial of power!}}
|pt_br={{tt|Uma batalha entre equipes!|A battle between teams!}}
|pt_eu={{tt|Disputa team-contra-team!|Team-VS-Team dispute!}}
|ru={{tt|Командная cхватка!|Team fight!}}
|es_la={{tt|¡Una riña entre equipos!|A fight between teams!}}
|es_eu={{tt|¡Peleílla entre equipos!|A small fight between teams!}}
|sv={{tt|En Kristallklar Lagkamp!|A crystal clear team struggle!}}
|th={{tt|การต่อสู้เพื่อคริสตัล! แก๊งร็อคเก็ต ปะทะ แก๊งสคัล!!|Fighting for a Crystal! Rocket Gang VS Skull Gang!!}}
|tr={{tt|Takımlar Arası Kavga!|Brawl Between the Teams!}}
}}
{{-}}
{{EpicodePrevNext
|prevcode=SM024
|prevtitle=Alolan Open House!
|nextcode=SM026
|nexttitle=So Long, Sophocles!
|series=Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon
|colorscheme=Alola}}
{{Project Anime notice}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:0964}}
[[Category:Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon episodes|025]]
[[Category:Episodes focusing on Team Rocket]]
[[Category:Episodes focusing on Team Skull]]
[[Category:Episodes in which a main character receives a Z-Crystal]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Atsuhiro Tomioka]]
[[Category:Episodes storyboarded by Masakatsu Iijima]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Masahiko Watanabe]]
[[Category:Episodes animated by Takashi Shinohara]]

[[de:Gerangel um den Z-Kristall!]]
[[es:EP968]]
[[fr:SL025]]
[[it:SM025]]
[[ja:SM編第25話]]
[[zh:宝可梦 太阳＆月亮 第25集]]