JN039: Difference between revisions

title_ja=サトシ対サイトウ！ 攻略たこがため！！ |

title_ja_trans=Satoshi VS Saitou! Conquer the Octopus Hold!! |

morecredits=no |<!--please don't change to "yes" until the corresponding staff page has been updated-->

'''Octo-Gridlock at the Gym!''' (Japanese: '''サトシ対サイトウ！ 攻略たこがため！！''' ''{{tt|Satoshi|Ash}} VS {{tt|Saitou|Bea}}! Conquer the {{tt|Octopus Hold|Octolock}}!!'') is the 39th episode of ''[[Pokémon Journeys: The Series]]'', and the 1,124th episode of the [[Pokémon anime]]. It first aired in Japan on September 27, 2020, in the United Kingdom on March 3, 2021, and in the United States on March 5, 2021.

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{{Ash}}'s {{pkmn|training}} session is interrupted by [[Goh]], who rushes in to inform him that [[Bea]]'s [[World Coronation Series]] ranking has risen to 193. Ash is keen to have a [[rematch]] against Bea, so the boys boat over to [[Cianwood Gym]] in the [[Johto]] [[region]] where Bea is training. Inside, Cianwood [[Gym Leader]] [[Chuck]] has his {{p|Poliwrath}} exchange blows with Bea's {{p|Grapploct}} in an intense heat. Bea suddenly receives a notification on her [[Rotom Phone]], and Ash challenges her to a battle. Bea, however, only remembers Ash as the "Riolu Trainer", taking him by surprise. Even so, Bea accepts his challenge. Chuck remembers Ash from [[EP209|their previous Gym battle]] and suggests Ash use the Gym for his match. Before they get started, Ash adds that he has since bounced back into the Great Class.

The {{DL|Battle judge|Drone Rotom}} flies into the Gym to officiate the Great Class two-on-two match between Ash and Bea. Ash calls out {{AP|Pikachu}} while Bea starts off with her {{p|Hitmontop}}. Using {{m|Gyro Ball}}, Hitmontop evades a {{m|Thunderbolt}} and clashes with Pikachu’s follow up {{m|Iron Tail}}. Pikachu uses {{m|Quick Attack}} and an {{m|Electroweb}} to break Hitmontop's spin. Hitmontop rebounds with {{m|Focus Energy}} and scores several of hits with {{m|Triple Kick}}. Pikachu stands back up again and uses Electroweb on the battlefield. Bea calls for a Gyro Ball to break through the electrified threads, which slows Hitmontop down and does damage each time. Pikachu delivers an Iron Tail followed by a Quick Attack to knock Hitmontop out.

Ash chooses {{AP|Riolu}} to face Grapploct, a familiar opponent for the Emanation Pokémon. A stare down is broken by Riolu moving first, with its {{m|Vacuum Wave}} blasting through Grapploct's Liquidation, shocking Bea. Ash orders Riolu to immediately fall back to avoid getting tangled into Grapploct's tentacles. Bea orders Grapploct to attack with Octolock, and Ash simply smiles and allows Riolu to be ensnared by Grapploct. Riolu remains calm as Grapploct wraps its tentacles around, and it tries to trace its opponent’s movements to break free of the Octolock. Bea notices the tactic, but allows the counter strategy to unfold out of intrigue. Ash orders Riolu to build up its power, to which Riolu closes its eyes and generates a energy field around itself. Riolu then unleashes an explosive {{m|Force Palm}} at point blank range, escaping Grapploct's grip and knocking it down. Next, Grapploct and Riolu collide with Close Combat and Force Palm respectively. Both Pokémon hit their mark and collapse to onto the field, ending the match in a draw. The draw ruling means no change to either competitors’ ranking.

Chuck commends Ash and Bea's efforts, and suggests they celebrate. He unveils a dessert picnic outside, adding that eating sweets builds up one's stamina. Ash, Goh and the Pokémon tuck in. Everyone is surprised to see that Bea also has a sweet tooth, as she scoffs down several cakes. Bea complements Ash on his counter strategy for Grapploct's Octolock, though has her eyes set on climbing the World Coronation ranks and beat [[Leon]]. Ash vows to continue training and promises not to lose next time, hoping to also face Leon. Chuck is unsurprised by Bea's sentiments, adding that she gets it from her father – a karate teacher in the [[Galar]] region. Bea promises that she will battle the "Riolu Trainer" again, with Ash interjecting that his name is Ash, making everyone laugh.

* [[Leon]] (fantasy)

* {{p|Farfetch'd}} ({{OP|Ash|Farfetch'd}}; {{rf|Galarian|Form}})

* There are 915 episodes between [[Chuck]]'s first appearance in ''[[EP209|Machoke, Machoke Man!]]'' and this one, which is the longest time between a particular [[human]] character's first and second physical appearances within the {{pkmn|anime}}.

* This marks the first instance Ash having a [[rematch]] against someone and it ending in a draw.

* [[Professor Cerise]], Ash, [[Goh]], and Pikachu narrate the preview for the [[JN040|next episode]].

* When {{AP|Pikachu}} uses {{m|Iron Tail}} to counter a {{m|Gyro Ball}} from [[Bea]]'s {{p|Hitmontop}}, Pikachu's body disappears for a split-second during the animation.