View source for EP174

{{EpicodePrevNext|
prevcode=EP173 |
prevtitle=Wobbu-Palooza! |
nextcode=EP175 |
nexttitle=The Trouble With Snubbull |
series=Original series |
colorscheme=Johto | }}
{{EpisodeInfobox|
epcode=EP174 |
colorscheme=Johto |
title_en=Imitation Confrontation |
title_ja=めざせメタモンマスター！イミテふたたび！！ |
title_ja_trans=Aim to Be a Metamon Master! Imite, Once Again!! |
broadcast_jp=November 23, 2000 |
broadcast_us=October 27, 2001 |
screen=yes |
en_series=Johto League Champions |
en_op=[[Born to Be a Winner]] |
ja_op=[[OK!]] |
ja_ed=[[To My Best Friend|ぼくのベストフレンドへ]] |
olmteam=Team Ota |
scenario=冨岡淳広 |
storyboard=浅田裕二 |
director=浅田裕二 |
art=岩根雅明 |
morecredits=yes |
epstaffpage=EP171-EP180 |
footnotes=* {{filb-eppics|pm|176}}
}}
'''Imitation Confrontation''' (Japanese: '''めざせメタモンマスター！イミテふたたび！！''' ''Aim to Be a {{tt|Metamon|Ditto}} Master! {{tt|Imite|Duplica}}, Once Again!!'') is the 174th episode of the [[Pokémon anime]]. It was first broadcast in Japan on November 23, 2000 and in the United States on October 27, 2001. 

{{spoilers}}

==Blurb==
<!--http://www.pokemon.com/us/pokemon-episodes/04_17-imitation-confrontation/-->
<i>Stopping off at a Pokécenter, the gang looks around for Nurse Joy. Suddenly she appears with Chansey, but makes the confusing statement Nurse Joy is seeing a patient. Brock nears the Joy-look-alike and reveals it isn't Nurse Joy and Chansey at all, but Duplica and her Ditto! Our heroes find out the real Nurse Joy is checking on Duplica's newest Pokémon, Mini-dit. Though there's nothing wrong with Mini-dit, it retains it's pint size, even when Transforming into large Pokémon. Be sure to watch for a teeny Arbok, an undersized Ursaring and a wee Wobbuffet. Although it may be small, this puny Pokémon can sure pack a wallop!</i>

==Plot==
Continuing on their Pokémon journey, {{Ash}} and {{ashfr}} arrive at a [[Pokémon Center]]. They are curious as to why it appears nobody is there, until a {{TP|Nurse Joy|Chansey}} and an unusual-looking [[Nurse Joy]] appear. She tells them that she was doing a {{OBP|Pokémon|species}} examination. {{an|Brock}}, however, is suspicious, and calls out Nurse Joy as being an impostor. Congratulating him on seeing through the disguise, both Nurse Joy and Chansey reveal themselves to be [[Duplica]] and her {{TP|Duplica|Ditto}}. She explains that she is participating in a Pokémon acting competition, and will enter with her new {{p|Ditto}}, [[Mini-Dit]]. Meanwhile, {{TRT}}, spying on the Trainers from afar, recognize Duplica. They being formulating their plan to snatch her Ditto.

After completing its examination, everyone is outside playing. Brock asks Duplica why Mini-Dit was being examined. She decides to show visually why it was at the center. After {{m|Transform}}ing perfectly into {{AP|Pikachu}} and {{TP|Misty|Togepi}}, Mini-Dit then Transforms into [[Brock's Onix]]. However, its size is nowhere near that of an actual Onix; rather, it is closer to being the size of Pikachu and Togepi. Noticing this, Team Rocket decides to steal Mini-Dit as well. Ash then challenges Mini-Dit to a {{pkmn|battle}}.

Ash sends {{AP|Totodile}} up against Mini-Dit. It successfully Transforms into the {{type|Water}} and uses {{m|Scary Face}}. However, it ends up entertaining Totodile, who starts laughing at the move. It then uses {{m|Water Gun}} and hits Mini-Dit. Unfazed, Duplica commands Mini-Dit to use {{m|Hydro Pump}}. Unfortunately, as Totodile doesn't know that move, it didn't work. Out of nowhere, an explosion occurs in the Pokémon Center. Looking up, they see [[Jessie]] and [[James]] in the guise of Duplica and Ash on the Center's roof. While explaining their goal of stealing all the Center's Pokémon, {{MTR}} sneaks up and grabs Mini-Dit. The trio takes off into the Center, when suddenly Duplica realizes Mini-Dit is gone. After inspecting the Pokémon Center, they discover that Team Rocket's only goal was stealing Mini-Dit, as all the other Pokémon are safe.

After a successful escape, Team Rocket celebrates their successful capture. But before long, they're formulating their next scheme; Meowth decides to have Mini-Dit transform into a mini {{TP|Jessie|Arbok}}. He believes they'll trick somebody into trading them a rare Pokémon like {{p|Dragonite}}. They also decide to steal Mini-Dit back, and continue the scheme over and over again. While they plot, Ash and the others are having no luck in finding Mini-Dit and Team Rocket. Even {{AP|Noctowl}} and Ditto Transformed into Noctowl have helped. Just then, Nurse Joy appears and tells them a {{pkmn|Trainer}} told her about some suspicious-looking characters trying to sell a Mini-Arbok. When Ash and the others check it out, they find the trio trying to auction off Mini-Dit. Thanks to Meowth, the gang reveals themselves, and Mini-Dit is rescued.

Not wanting to lose Mini-Dit, Jessie sends out Arbok in an attempt to regain it. However, {{TP|Jessie|Wobbuffet}} appears instead. Duplica sends out both her Ditto. Ditto becomes Arbok, while Mini-Dit becomes Wobbuffet. Ditto attacks, but Jessie's Wobbuffet uses {{m|Counter}}. Likewise, Jessie's Arbok's {{m|Poison Sting}} is countered by Mini-Dit. While the battle rages, Meowth and James decide to steal Pikachu. James sends out {{TP|James|Weezing}}, but Duplica notices and has Ditto use {{m|Wrap}}. Ash then has Pikachu use {{m|Thunderbolt}}, which is countered by Wobbuffet. Having an idea, Duplica mocks Team Rocket for not attacking her stronger Mini-Dit. Jessie commands Arbok to {{m|Tackle}} it, but it is countered by Mini-Dit. James has Weezing use {{m|Sludge}}, but Mini-Dit counters with {{m|Mirror Coat}}. Duplica then explains to the trio that Mirror Coat counters special attacks. Now angrier than ever, Jessie commands Meowth to use {{m|Fury Swipes}}, but it is once again countered by Mini-Dit. Then both Ditto transform into Pikachu, and all three use {{m|Thunder}}, sending Team Rocket blasting off again.

Back at the Pokémon Center, Duplica puts on a show by having Mini-Dit transform into a miniature {{p|Ursaring}}. The gang tells Duplica that even though Mini-Dit doesn't grow bigger, it's still the same Pokémon only a bit special. Duplica tells Ash and the others that she plans to become the greatest performing, and names herself and her Pokémon Team Ditto. After Ash comments that Duplica can become a Ditto master, she reminds him that they never finished their battle. They both head outside, where it continues.

Elsewhere, Team Rocket is stuck in a tree. Jessie criticizes Wobbuffet for losing to a mini Pokémon.

==Major events==
* [[Duplica]] returns with a new {{p|Ditto}} named {{DL|Duplica|Mini-Dit}}.
* [[Ash's Totodile]] is revealed to know {{m|Scary Face}} and {{m|Tackle}} via Mini-Dit's {{m|Transform}}.
* [[Jessie's Wobbuffet]] is revealed to know {{m|Mirror Coat}} via Mini-Dit's Transform.
{{animeevents}}
===Debuts===
====Pokémon debuts====
=====TV episode debuts=====
* {{p|Dragonair}} (dub debut)

==Characters==
===Humans===
[[File:Dare da EP174.png|thumb|200px|right|{{tt|Dare da?|Who's That Pokémon?}}]]
* {{Ash}}
* {{an|Misty}}
* {{an|Brock}}
* [[Jessie]]
* [[James]]
* [[Duplica]]
* [[Nurse Joy]]
* Crowd

===Pokémon===
[[File:WTP EP174.png|thumb|200px|right|Who's That Pokémon?]]
[[Who's That Pokémon?]]: {{p|Ninetales}} ''(US and international)'', {{p|Ditto}} (Duplica's Ditto and Mini-Dit) ''(Japan)''

* {{p|Pikachu}} ({{OP|Ash|Pikachu}})
* {{p|Meowth}} ({{TRM}})
* {{p|Togepi}} ({{OP|Misty|Togepi}})
* {{p|Wobbuffet}} ({{OP|Jessie|Wobbuffet}})
* {{p|Totodile}} ({{OP|Ash|Totodile}})
* {{p|Noctowl}} ({{OP|Ash|Noctowl}})
* {{p|Onix}} ({{OP|Brock|Onix}})
* {{p|Arbok}} ({{OP|Jessie|Arbok}})
* {{p|Weezing}} ({{OP|James|Weezing}})
* {{p|Chansey}} ({{OP|Nurse Joy|Chansey}})
* {{p|Ditto}} ({{OP|Duplica|Ditto}})
* {{p|Ditto}} ([[Duplica]]'s; Mini-Dit)
* {{p|Spinarak}} (unnamed Trainer's)
* {{p|Mareep}} (unnamed Trainer's)
* {{p|Ursaring}} (unnamed Trainer's)

====Pokémon that appear via fantasy or poster====
* {{p|Clefairy}} (fantasy)
* {{p|Arcanine}} (fantasy)
* {{p|Omastar}} (fantasy)
* {{p|Dragonair}} (fantasy; dub debut)
* {{p|Dragonite}} (fantasy)
* {{p|Scizor}} (fantasy)
* {{p|Bellsprout}} (poster)
* {{p|Wooper}} (poster)
* {{p|Teddiursa}} (poster)
* {{p|Shuckle}} (poster)

==Trivia==
* In this episode, [[Duplica]] enters in a [[Double Battle]] with [[Jessie]], using her Ditto and Mini-Dit against Jessie's {{TP|Jessie|Arbok}} and {{TP|Jessie|Wobbuffet}}.
** Later, Ash and James join the battle, making it the second unofficial [[Triple Battle]] in the series. 
* This episode marks the first time in the anime that a Trainer commands a Pokémon to use {{m|Mirror Coat}}.
** However, Jessie's Wobbuffet has always used the appropriate counter for a given situation even though she only ever commanded it to use {{m|Counter}}.
* The Japanese title is a reference to the opening song ''[[Aim to Be a Pokémon Master]]''.
* In this episode, Mini-Dit uses {{m|Scary Face}} after {{m|transform}}ing into [[Ash's Totodile]], meaning that Totodile knows the move. However, Totodile itself isn't seen using the move until much later in the episode ''[[EP248|One Trick Phony!]]''.

===Errors===
[[File:Misty missing ponytail.png|thumb|200px|right|Misty's missing ponytail]]
* Misty's Togepi disappears when Team Rocket look in the window through their binoculars.
* Misty's ponytail disappears in one scene.
* When James's Weezing uses {{m|Sludge}}, Mini-Dit uses Mirror Coat and is able to reflect it. This is incorrect as Sludge is a {{type|Poison}} move (which relies on a Pokémon's {{Stat|Attack}} prior to [[Generation IV]]). The correct counter would be {{m|Counter}} since Counter is used against [[Physical move|physical attacks]] and Mirror Coat is used against [[Special move|special attacks]]. In Generation IV and beyond, however, since Sludge is itself a special attack, Mirror Coat would reflect it.
* After Meowth jumps on both Jessie's and James's heads the former's glasses disappear for a short while.
* When Mini-Dit transforms into Totodile it uses {{m|Tackle}}, implying that Totodile knows Tackle - a move it [[Anime move errors|cannot learn]] in the games.
* In the dub when Jessie and James are attempting to trade Mini-Dit (transformed into a miniature Arbok) Jessie refers to it as "Arbok the {{t|Rock}} Pokémon, now in pebble size." This is incorrect as Arbok is actually a {{type|Poison}} Pokémon.
* When Pikachu used {{m|Thunderbolt}}, {{m|Counter}} prevented it from doing damage. However, it should have been {{m|Mirror Coat}} instead of Counter.
* Brock's animation freezes after Duplica says she wants to be a Ditto master.

===Dub edits===
* The original airing of this episode on Hungama TV in {{pmin|India}} started the episode directly from the title card, skipping the part of the episode that comes before it.

==In other languages==
{{Epilang|color=DDDDDD|bordercolor=FFCB49
|zh_cmn={{tt|百變怪大師，與伊美蒂重逢|Ditto Master, Meeting Again with Duplica}}
|cs={{tt|Na velikosti nezáleží|Size does not matter}}
|de={{tt|Imitation Konfrontation|Imitation confrontation}}
|nl={{tt|Imitatie Confrontatie|Imitation Confrontation}}
|fi={{tt|Ulkonäkö voi pettää|Outlook can be deceiving}}
|fr_eu={{tt|Imitation, confrontation|Imitation, confrontation}}
|he=תחרות התחפושות{{tt|takharut hatakhposot|The costume contest}}
|it={{tt|Imitazioni|Imitations}}
|pt_br={{tt|Confronto entre Imitações|Confrontation among Imitations}}
|pt_eu={{tt|Confronto de Imitação|Imitation Confrontation}}
|es_la={{tt|¡Duelo de imitación!|Imitation duel!}}
|es_eu={{tt|Combate de imitaciones|Imitation combat}}
|pl={{tt|Mały wielki Pokémon|Small big Pokémon}}
|sv={{tt|Miniatyr-Pokémon|Miniature Pokémon}}
|hi=नक़ल के लिए भी अकल चाहिए! {{tt|''Nakal ke liye bhi Akal chahiye!''|Intelligence is required for Imitation also!}} {{tt|*|Hungama dub}}
}}

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{{EpicodePrevNext|
prevcode=EP173 |
prevtitle=Wobbu-Palooza! |
nextcode=EP175 |
nexttitle=Trouble With Snubbull |
series=Original series |
colorscheme=Johto | }}
{{Project Anime notice}}
[[Category:Original series episodes|174]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Atsuhiro Tomioka|174]]
[[Category:Episodes storyboarded and directed by Yūji Asada|174]]
[[Category:Episodes storyboarded by Yūji Asada|174]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Yūji Asada|174]]
[[Category:Episodes animated by Masaaki Iwane|174]]
[[Category:Episodes in which an alternately colored Pokémon appears|174]]

[[pt:EP174]]

[[de:Imitation, Konfrontation (Episode)]]
[[fr:EP174]]
[[ja:無印編第174話]]
[[pl:EP174]]
[[zh:EP175]]