JN048: Difference between revisions

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'''A Close Call... Practically!''' (Japanese: '''ほぼほぼピカチュウ危機一髪！''' ''A Close Call with Practically Pikachu!'') is the 48th episode of ''[[Pokémon Journeys: The Series]]'', and the 1,133rd episode of the [[Pokémon anime]]. It first aired in Japan on December 4, 2020 and is scheduled to air in the United States on March 5, 2021.

Official Blurb from Pokémon.com goes here, with source link-->

{{Ash}} and [[Goh]] have come to [[Castelia City]] to indulge in an all-you-can-eat tour as a part of Goh's prize for [[JN047|winning]] the [[Pokémon Eating Contest]]. Lying in wait, a [[List of Team Rocket's disguises|disguised]] {{TRT}} has set up a fake [[Casteliacone]] van in a bid to steal {{AP|Pikachu}}. {{MTR}} reveals his latest scheme to his teammates, they plan to switch the real Pikachu for a life-like mecha called "[[Team Rocket's mechas|Practically Pikachu]]". [[Jessie]] and [[James]] are impressed by Practically Pikachu's likeness, but quickly spot one flaw: it keeps saying "Hika" instead of "Pika". Meowth admits the [[cry]] was the only thing he couldn't replicate perfectly, hence the robot's name. Jessie sneers as she admits that Ash will be too dumb to notice the difference.

Ash and Goh finally arrive at the van window, so Team Rocket gets into their positions. Jessie takes the orders, giving the boys a vanilla-flavored ice cream each. She announces that it is the Casteliacone's anniversary today and offers them a special bonus to celebrate. Goh says that he prefers the plain vanilla. Ash falls for the trap, and gladly accepts the bonus offer, so several more scoops of pink ice cream and fruit are added to his cone. Sitting down on a park bench to enjoy their desserts, Ash decides to leave to wash his hand clean, leaving Pikachu in Goh's care. Team Rocket quickly enact their plan, placing Practically Pikachu besides Pikachu before making the swap. Unexpectedly, the two Pikachu run off and start playing together, making the situation confusing. Goh is distracted, meanwhile, by the fast-melting ice cream. Meowth and teammates try listening out for the difference in cries before snatching one of the Pikachu and riding off on a bicycle. While Ash returns, unsuspecting of anything amiss, {{TP|Goh|Cinderace}} and [[Ash's Lucario]] chase after Team Rocket after spotting Pikachu has been kidnapped. Meowth launches some sticky goop to slow them down, however, Lucario and Cinderace, who have been struggling to get along, find themselves stuck together by their wrists. The rubber-like goop helps the pair ricochet off several lights poles, before managing to rebound and rescue Pikachu.

Ash and Goh move on to their next [[Unova]] delicacy, {{p|Watchog}} buns; crunchy fried batter with mustard stripes on a stick. Lucario and Cinderace, meanwhile, find themselves at a dead-end with Team Rocket approaching in their Meowth balloon. Cinderace and Lucario try to go in opposite directions, which sparks an intense argument between the two. Meowth fires another goop bomb at them, though this only enables the pair to escape the alleyway, still with Pikachu in hand. The now-extended goop leads Lucario and Cinderace to bounce off several more poles across Castelia City. As Team Rocket try to survey the area from the skies, Lucario and Cinderace eventually crash straight into them, sending them all blasting off into the distance.

Ash and Goh continue to indulge in moor food, this time enjoying some {{p|Crustle}} cakes; alternating layers of chocolate sponge and cheesecake with sweet icing that resembles a Crustle's shell. Goh adds that there are also bite-sized {{p|Dwebble}} cakes. While the boys and Pikachu enjoy the cakes, they remain unaware that Lucario and Cinderace are in any danger. Ash jokes that the two have probably stuffed themselves full and cannot move.

Eventually crash-landing in another part of the city, Team Rocket summon the [[Rocket Prize Master]], receiving a {{p|Sawk}} and {{p|Throh}} to take on Lucario and Cinderace. Sawk makes the first move, attacking with a {{m|Low Sweep}}. Cinderace leaps up to avoid the blow, but Lucario instead takes the hit to the ankles. The pair, still attached at the wrists by the goop, are consequently battered away. James orders Throh use {{m|Circle Throw}}, tossing the pair. Lucario manages to get to its feet, but Cinderace cannot stop its momentum and crashes into its partner. The goop continues to cause havoc for Cinderace and Lucario, as neither can agree on a counter-tactic. Sawk and Throh deal more damage with {{m|Brick Break}} and {{m|Vital Throw}} attacks, respectively. As Jessie remarks that the two look pathetic while stuck together, Cinderace becomes inspired to collaborate with Lucario. Without much warning, it lassos Lucario around before throwing it towards Team Rocket. Lucario recovers from its dizziness and lands a {{m|Force Palm}} to knock out Sawk. Lucario follows suit, swinging Cinderace to build momentum, before Cinderace defeats Throh with a {{m|Blaze Kick}}. The goop has finally reached its optimum stretch and breaks away, leaving Cinderace and Lucario free of any restraint. Together, they launch a {{m|Pyro Ball}} and {{m|Aura Sphere}} combo to blast Team Rocket off. Lucario and Cinderace then turn to check on Pikachu, only to see that he is now missing. While blasting off, the Rocket trio notices that {{TP|Jessie|Wobbuffet}} nabbed Pikachu during the confrontation. Jessie is initially thrilled, until Pikachu calls out "Hikachu", revealing that it's actually the Practically Pikachu robot. Meowth remarks that the robot proved to be a great replica after all, much to the infuriation of his teammates as they blast off together.

Cinderace and Lucario rush back to the park in a panicked state. However, they are stunned to see Pikachu happily snacking besides Ash and Goh. As the pair collapse form shock, Ash believes they must be hungry, so Goh gives Cinderace a bag of snacks to enjoy. As Cinderace enjoys the food, it tries to get Lucario to try one for itself. Lucario is unimpressed when Cinderace pushes the snack into its face. It reacts in a rage and chases Cinderace down in retaliation. Ash and Goh remain unaware of Lucario and Cinderace's fiery rivalry, even remarking that the pair appear to get on well.

* {{Ash}} and [[Goh]] visit [[Unova]] again as a part of Goh's [[Pokémon Eating Contest]] [[JN047|prize]].

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* {{p|Pelipper}} ([[Team Rocket]]'s)

* When Team Rocket realizes that they stole their Practically Pikachu robot instead of Ash's Pikachu, Sawk and Throh are not seen blasting off with them.

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[[de:Hobohobo Pikachu Kikiippatsu!]]