Recaps

Cynthia proposed recruiting Trainers worldwide to study Ursaluna and uncover how Bloodmoon Ursaluna came to exist, while the League provided Peat Blocks and a reward. In the group chat, she shared the confirmed evolution method and Li Wei outlined how to battle with Ursaluna.

• Cynthia explained that using a Peat Block on a full-moon night evolved Ursaring into Ursaluna, but researchers still did not know how Bloodmoon Ursaluna formed.
• Cynthia proposed publicizing the differences between the two forms and creating a reward fund so Trainers could observe Ursaluna during their travels.
• Professor Rowan and Professor Carolina approved Cynthia's plan, and Cynthia asked them to prepare an Ursaluna database and arrange Peat Blocks through League channels.
• Li Wei agreed with the plan and encouraged Cynthia to involve Red and Green through the group chat.
• Cynthia shared the discovery with the group, where Li Wei and Red discussed Ursaluna's Guts, Flame Orb, and Facade strategy.

Li Wei, Steven, and other contestants began Melemele Island’s Pokémon Pancake Relay Race, which tested Trainers and Pokémon across three legs. As the contestants reached the uphill cart-pulling section, Li Wei struggled to haul Arcanine in a cart too small for it.

• Blue set up a stall selling Johto specialties while the Team Rocket Trio entered the race.
• Kyle explained the race rules, and Noya, Li Wei, and Steven shared their goals before the start.
• Ash led the opening run as contestants crossed obstacles, with Sophocles falling from a balance beam.
• Li Wei, Akin, and Kiawe struggled to pull their oversized Pokémon uphill in their carts.
• Dawn pulled Piplup uphill ahead of Steven and Aron, while Yellow caught up with Li Wei and Pikachu.

Li Wei, Akin, and Kiawe used their Pokémon’s fire attacks to propel their carts up the relay race’s steep second stage. Arcanine then used its speed to overtake the leaders and win the Pancake Relay Race, leaving Steven curious about how the pancakes had stayed steady.

• Li Wei realized too late that the second stage required him to pull Arcanine’s cart up a slope, while Akin and Kiawe also struggled with their Pokémon.
• Li Wei had Arcanine use Flamethrower as a booster, and Akin and Kiawe followed his example with Typhlosion and Turtonator.
• The three contestants used bursts of flame to get their carts up the slope and reach the final stage behind the leaders.
• Arcanine raced past Komala, Aron, and both Pikachu to catch up with Noya’s Alolan Raichu.
• Li Wei and Arcanine crossed the finish line first, and Li Wei explained to Steven that Arcanine’s broad back and mane kept the pancakes stable.

Li Wei, Brock, Dawn, Yellow, and Mallow competed in Hau'oli City's Pokémon Flavored Pancake-Making Competition. Li Wei won with a layered pancake, while Mallow placed third and Brock second.

• Dawn, Yellow, Brock, Mallow, and Li Wei prepared berry pancakes for the competition as friends and Pokémon cheered them on.
• Brock used coconut wood berry powder and Pewter City mineral salt to make a sweet-and-salty pancake that impressed the spectators.
• Mallow made tropical-fruit pancakes with Thunder Berry powder, while Li Wei crafted three layers with distinct textures and flavors.
• The judges awarded third place to Mallow and second place to Brock.
• Li Wei won the competition and accepted a gold medal and premium cookware.

Li Wei donated his year’s supply of Poffins to an orphanage in Hau'oli City and hosted a meal at Aina's Kitchen after the Mallow Competition. As the gathering ended, Li Wei planned to give his Pokémon two days of rest and fun after their intense training.

• Li Wei accepted the Flavor Poffin and arranged for the year's supply of Poffins to be delivered weekly to an orphanage in Hau'oli City.
• Li Wei invited Steven, Akin, Yellow, and the others to eat at Aina's Kitchen, where Mallow welcomed them and Brock offered to help in the kitchen.
• Dawn asked to hold Ash's Litten, but it snuggled against Yellow instead; Yellow then placed it on Dawn's lap while Ash let her hold the sleeping Rowlet.
• Lillie explained that she had a Pokémon Egg but became frightened whenever she touched a Pokémon, and Yellow said she could not read human memories to discover why.
• Steven praised Professor Kukui's work for Alola, and the group enjoyed Mallow's food together.
• Li Wei said he planned to take his Pokémon around Alola during their next two days off so they could relax after training hard.

Ash and Professor Kukui followed Rockruff to Clawmark Hill, where wild Pokémon gathered for voluntary battles. After Rockruff lost to Magmar, Ash decided to train it, and they took it home to recover before training began the next day.

• Ash told his classmates that Rockruff had returned injured for two days, and Li Wei suspected it had been battling before suggesting they follow it.
• Li Wei taught the class about Water-type Pokémon and Popplio's evolutions.
• That night, Ash and Professor Kukui followed Rockruff to Clawmark Hill and discovered a wild Pokémon battle venue organized by two Lycanroc.
• Rockruff battled Magmar, lost, and headed home after Professor Kukui stopped Ash from interfering.
• Ash offered to give Rockruff special training, and Professor Kukui agreed to begin after treating its injuries.
• The next day, Ash trained Rockruff near Kala'e Bay using exercises like Li Wei's baffling training.

Ash trained Rockruff to learn Accelerock through shared practice, while Li Wei and Diancie helped Rockruff draw on Rock-type energy. Rockruff later defeated the Magmar that had once beaten it, proving Ash’s unusual training had worked.

• Ash imitated Rockruff’s movements while training it on the beach, drawing amused reactions from Li Wei and the others.
• Li Wei brought Diancie to teach Rockruff how to draw on Rock-type energy.
• Ash and Rockruff practiced together for several days, repeating stances and sprints whenever Rockruff failed.
• At Clawmark Hill, Rockruff faced Magmar again and used Accelerock with Rock-type power to defeat it.
• Mallow, Lillie, Kiawe, Professor Kukui, and Li Wei praised Ash and Rockruff’s achievement, and Li Wei called Ash the Person of Bonds.

Ash caught Rockruff after earning its approval, while Li Wei and the others watched Cynthia announce the discovery of Ursaluna and a possible Bloodmoon Ursaluna. The research institute planned a program to help selected Trainers evolve their Ursaring and study Ursaluna across different regions.

• Professor Kukui told Ash that Rockruff approved of him, and Ash caught Rockruff as his partner.
• Li Wei and the Pokémon gathered at home to watch Cynthia's livestream from a press conference in Eterna City.
• Cynthia announced that researchers had confirmed Ursaluna, an evolved form of Ursaring, and explained that it required Hisui land, a Peat Block, and a full moon.
• Cynthia revealed that ruins and records described Bloodmoon Ursaluna, though researchers had not confirmed whether it was an evolution of Ursaluna.
• Cynthia announced a joint research program offering selected Trainers Peat Blocks to evolve their Ursaring in exchange for traveling with Ursaluna and cooperating with the Pokémon League.

Lillie and Principal Oak's Pokémon Eggs hatched at the Pokémon School, revealing an Alolan Vulpix and a Fire-type Vulpix. Lillie named her Alolan Vulpix Snowy and, after struggling to touch it, accepted Oak's challenge to a Vulpix breeding contest judged by Li Wei.

• The students discussed Ursaluna and whether Ash might catch an Ursaring before Li Wei began a lesson on protecting Pokémon ecosystems.
• Lillie's egg and Principal Oak's egg began glowing, and both hatched in front of the class.
• Pokédex Rotom identified Lillie's Alolan Vulpix and Oak's Fire-type Vulpix.
• Lillie named her Alolan Vulpix Snowy, but fear made her pull her hand away before she could touch it.
• Li Wei encouraged Lillie to bond with Snowy gradually, and Principal Oak proposed a breeding contest between their Vulpix.
• Lillie accepted Oak's challenge and asked Li Wei to judge the contest.

Li Wei reached Grandmaster Tier in Pokéblock Crafting and discovered he could make Rainbow Perfect Pokéblocks with rare Berries. He successfully produced his first batch, which radiated pure life energy.

• Li Wei advanced his Pokéblock Crafting to Grandmaster Tier and learned its proficiency could keep increasing without limit.
• Li Wei asked Hoopa to gather one of each rare Berry so he could attempt to make Rainbow Perfect Pokéblocks.
• Li Wei sensed the Berries’ inner life energy and carefully blended several rare varieties.
• Li Wei’s mixture emitted seven-colored light and formed crystal-clear Rainbow Perfect Pokéblocks.

Li Wei unveiled Rainbow Perfect Pokéblocks, astonishing his family, friends, and Pokémon with their beauty and rumored ability to awaken a Pokémon’s potential and nourish its life essence. After explaining that he had made more than the twelve on the tray, he shared them among the eager Pokémon.

• Li Wei gathered his family, Cynthia, and the Theme Park’s core members to reveal something hidden beneath a velvet cloth.
• Li Wei unveiled twelve radiant Rainbow Perfect Pokéblocks, prompting amazement from the humans and hungry excitement from the Pokémon.
• Old Master Lian recognized the blocks and explained that ancient texts said they could awaken a Pokémon’s potential, nourish its life essence, and possibly bring good luck.
• Cynthia asked why Li Wei had made only twelve, and Li Wei revealed that he had prepared more.
• Li Wei tossed the Pokéblocks to Arcanine, Hoopa, and the other Pokémon, telling them there was enough for everyone and not to fight.

Li Wei kept his Rainbow Perfect Pokéblocks private from the Pokémon League but shared them with the Chat Group, then returned to Alola and learned that Lillie had begun overcoming her fear of Pokémon. He attended a meeting to establish the Alola League, where the participants began discussing its framework.

• Li Wei made more Rainbow Perfect Pokéblocks and shared a video of them with the Chat Group, where Wallace described their potential effect.
• Mallow told Li Wei that Lillie had picked up Snowy to protect it from Team Skull, and Ash had driven off the punks.
• Li Wei explained that the Alola League was preparing an Investigator team and left to attend a meeting about establishing the League.
• Professor Kukui opened the meeting with the Island Kahunas, Hapu, and representatives from other regions to discuss how Alola's traditions could fit into the League's framework.
• The Kanto representative recommended adopting a hierarchy with a League chairman, Champion, Elite Four, and supporting departments.

Li Wei helped the regional representatives and Alola’s leaders agree on a plan to establish the Alola League without immediately appointing a Champion or Elite Four. Mr. Hala became interim chairman, and the chapter ended with preparations underway for Alola’s first League Conference and Gyms.

• Nanu and Hala argued that Alola should choose its Champion and Elite Four through its own League Conference rather than appointing Island Kahunas to those roles.
• Li Wei proposed leaving the Champion and Elite Four positions vacant while creating a league chairman position to oversee the league’s early development.
• Olivia supported the plan, and representatives from Sinnoh, Hoenn, Unova, Johto, and Kalos offered assistance with the league’s facilities, training, broadcasting, and safety systems.
• The representatives agreed that Hala would serve as interim chairman and that Alola’s first official League Conference would select its first Champion.
• The group decided to establish Gyms for the May Master League Points Tournament while keeping the island trials as an alternative path to League Conference qualification.
• Hala bowed and invited everyone to work together to build an Alola League suited to the region.

Li Wei and Professor Kukui discussed Alola’s preparations for the Master League and the need to establish four official Gyms quickly. Li Wei agreed to help find and assess suitable Gym Leaders, and planned to ask Lance for assistance.

• Professor Kukui told Li Wei that Alola’s Island Kahunas and Trainers were not yet prepared to compete at the level of other regions.
• Professor Kukui showed Li Wei that many outside Trainers had registered to represent Alola, and explained that the competition could spur local Trainers to improve.
• Professor Kukui asked Li Wei to help select four Alolan Gym Leaders who were not Island Kahunas before the Master League began.
• Li Wei agreed to assess candidates and said he would look for them within five days, while also trying to invite Lance to help.
• Li Wei explained that Gym Leaders needed to guide novice Trainers, not merely demonstrate strength, and Professor Kukui began searching for candidates.

Li Wei and Lance evaluated eight candidates for Alola’s Gym Leader positions through mock battles, assessing their battling fundamentals and ability to guide challengers. Kahili and Acerola impressed them, and the chapter ended as Li Wei arranged for his students, including Ash, to challenge the candidates as novice Trainers.

• Li Wei and Lance explained that the Gym Leader trials would test the candidates’ tactics, Pokémon training, and ability to help challengers grow.
• Li Wei’s shiny Haxorus and Lance’s Dragonite exposed weaknesses in several candidates’ one-dimensional battling styles.
• Kahili battled Lance with Braviary, Skarmory, and Altaria, and Lance praised her strategy despite winning through superior strength.
• Acerola demonstrated strong Pokémon and a troublesome Drifblim strategy using Will-O-Wisp and Hex.
• Li Wei invited Kiawe, Sophocles, Lillie, Lana, Mallow, and Ash to act as novice Gym challengers, then told the candidates to battle them.

Professor Kukui, Li Wei, and Lance assessed prospective Gym Leaders through mock battles with the Pokémon School students. Molayne accepted the Steel-type Gym Leader position, while the search for a suitable candidate on Poni Island remained open.

• Kahili defeated Kiawe’s Turtonator with Oricorio (Pom-Pom Style) and advised Kiawe on strategies suited to Turtonator.
• Lillie’s Snowy lost its battle, and Lance rated the opposing prospective Leader as average for poor attention to the novice Trainer and emotional instability.
• Molayne defeated Sophocles’s Togedemaru with Skarmory and offered him battle advice, earning Lance’s approval as a Gym Leader candidate.
• Acerola defeated Ash’s Rockruff with Froslass and earned Lance’s approval.
• Lance asked Molayne whether his observatory duties would interfere with Gym work, and Molayne accepted the Steel-type Gym Leader position on Ula'ula Island.
• Professor Kukui said he had another candidate in mind for the vacant Gym on Poni Island.

Li Wei and Lance selected Molayne, Acerola, Kahili, and Hapu as the Alola Gym Leaders, then joined Professor Kukui and the others at Aina’s Kitchen to try Mallow’s recovered Mirage Alolan Cream Stew. The group enjoyed the seasonal dish and prepared for a battle afterward.

• Li Wei and Lance chose Molayne, Acerola, and Kahili as Gym Leader candidates and planned to recruit Hapu for Poni Island’s temporary position.
• Li Wei invited Lance and Professor Kukui to Aina’s Kitchen, where Ash, Lillie, and the others were gathered.
• Mallow’s father explained that Mallow’s brother Ulu had found and copied the lost Mirage Alolan Cream Stew recipe.
• Mallow and Steenee served the stew, which contained Golden Nectar and gave diners a tingling sensation; Li Wei praised its flavor but noted a slight burnt taste.
• Mallow revealed that she had previously tried using Pikachu’s Thunderbolt instead of Golden Nectar, zapping everyone, before Ash helped her find the real ingredient.
• The group enjoyed the stew and then got ready for a battle.

At Aina's Kitchen, Ash challenged Lance to a battle and Pikachu defeated Lance's Dragonite with Gigavolt Havoc. Lance congratulated Ash on his victory, and Ash celebrated with Pikachu.

• At Aina's Kitchen, Ash challenged Lance to a Pokémon battle, and Lance accepted.
• Lance sent out his Dragonite while Ash chose Pikachu, and Li Wei refereed the informal match.
• Pikachu paralyzed Dragonite with Nuzzle and struck it with Thunderbolt, but Dragonite countered with Fire Punch and prepared Hyper Beam.
• Ash and Pikachu used the Electrium Z move Gigavolt Havoc, overpowering Dragonite's Hyper Beam and knocking Dragonite out.
• Li Wei declared Pikachu the winner, and Lance congratulated Ash on his victory.

Ash and Pikachu trained with Sophocles and reached 100% synchronization, drawing Tapu Koko’s attention. Tapu Koko appeared at the Pokémon School courtyard, where Ash accepted its challenge to battle.

• After Ash said he would challenge Tapu Koko, Lance left to have Dragonite treated and returned to Kanto later.
• Sophocles invited Ash to his lab to train for a battle against Tapu Koko, while Ash insisted he would use only Pikachu.
• Sophocles explained that Ash and Pikachu had trained on a hamster wheel, where their synchronization reached 100% before an explosion.
• Pikachu and Togedemaru ran outside when Tapu Koko arrived, and Li Wei led the others to the courtyard.
• Tapu Koko agreed to battle Pikachu, Ash accepted, and Li Wei took the referee’s position.

Tapu Koko challenged Ash and Pikachu to another battle at the Pokémon School, pushing them to unleash a more powerful Gigavolt Havoc. After Tapu Koko saved them from a fall, Li Wei realized that Ash’s coming encounters with Cosmog and the Ultra Beasts were drawing near.

• Tapu Koko appeared at the Pokémon School, and Ash accepted its challenge with Pikachu as Li Wei refereed.
• Tapu Koko used Electric Terrain, Nature’s Madness, and Thunderbolt to overwhelm Pikachu, but Ash’s encouragement helped Pikachu get back up.
• Ash and Pikachu synchronized with their Z-Ring and Electrium Z and unleashed a powerful Gigavolt Havoc that blasted Tapu Koko through several trees.
• Pikachu was sent over the school’s steep slope during the close-range exchange, and Ash jumped after it before Tapu Koko safely caught them both.
• Tapu Koko returned Ash and Pikachu to the school grounds and flew away, while Ash vowed to challenge it again after they grew stronger.
• Li Wei thought that there was not much time left before Cosmog and the Ultra Beasts from Ultra Space appeared before Ash.

Li Wei returned to Jubilife Pokémon Theme Park to livestream battles against Master Tier challengers at the Battle Tower. Lucario and Zeraora each defeated Aaron’s Pokémon, and the challenge continued.

• Li Wei returned to the Theme Park, where his Pokémon trained by battling challengers at the Battle Tower.
• Li Wei opened a livestream and faced Aaron from Aspertia City in the Unova Region.
• Lucario defeated Aaron’s Mienshao with a single Aura Sphere.
• Zeraora defeated Aaron’s Aegislash after dodging its attacks and breaking through its defenses with Plasma Fists.
• The referee asked Aaron to send out his next Pokémon.

Li Wei swept Longzo and Ramon before facing Iris, the newly crowned Unova Champion, in a six-on-six battle. Iris’s Haxorus gained a Dragon Dance boost, but Lucario used Metal Sound to disrupt its Dragon Claw as their match began.

• Li Wei’s Metagross defeated Longzo’s Tyranitar, and Li Wei swept Longzo’s team 6-0.
• Li Wei sent out Diancie against Ramon’s Hydreigon and swept Ramon’s team 6-0.
• Iris arrived as Li Wei’s final opponent, and the two began their six-on-six battle after congratulating and greeting each other.
• Iris sent out her Champion-level Haxorus, while Li Wei chose Lucario.
• Haxorus completed Dragon Dance despite taking an Aura Sphere, then Lucario’s Metal Sound disrupted Dragon Claw and let Lucario dodge.

Li Wei continued his Battle Tower match against Iris, defeating her Haxorus, Hydreigon, and then preparing to face her Lapras with Arcanine. The chapter ended as Iris opened the matchup by ordering Lapras to use Hydro Pump.

• Li Wei used Bone Club to vault Lucario over Haxorus's Earthquake, then Lucario defeated Haxorus with Aura Sphere.
• Zeraora dodged Hydreigon's attacks and knocked it out with Thunderbolt after trading blows at close range.
• Li Wei sent out Arcanine as Iris chose Lapras, prompting Dawn to worry about the Water-type advantage.
• Iris ordered Lapras to use Hydro Pump against Arcanine.

Li Wei’s Pokémon overwhelmed Iris’s team, bringing the score to 5–0 before Aggron and Melmetal began a fierce contest of strength. Melmetal endured Aggron’s Head Smash and threw it to the ground with Superpower, leaving the match’s final outcome unresolved.

• Li Wei’s Arcanine defeated Iris’s Lapras with Flare Blitz, and Dayou noted that Arcanine had not even used the Sword of the Vale.
• Metagross and Diancie defeated Iris’s Excadrill and Salamence, putting Li Wei ahead 5–0.
• Iris sent out Aggron, while Li Wei answered with Melmetal for a head-on battle between the two steel Pokémon.
• Aggron and Melmetal clashed with Double-Edge and Double Iron Bash, then triggered simultaneous Earthquakes that shook the Battle Tower.
• Aggron struck Melmetal with Head Smash, but Melmetal held its ground and hurled Aggron down with Superpower.

Li Wei defeated Iris six to zero at Jubilife Pokémon Theme Park, then praised her growth as Unova Champion. Iris revealed that she had come to Sinnoh to evolve her Ursaring into Ursaluna on the next full moon, and she prepared to perform the ceremony at Moonview Hills.

• Li Wei's Melmetal defeated Iris's Aggron with Double Iron Bash, giving him a six-to-zero victory and ending his five matches that day without a Pokémon fainting.
• Iris congratulated Li Wei after the battle and said she had learned a lot from their match.
• Ash and his friends watched the livestream at Aina's Kitchen, where Ash said Iris was his friend and suggested inviting her to Alola.
• Li Wei and Cynthia praised Iris's improvement, and Iris explained that training with Alder, Drayden, and her grandmother had helped her shoulder the responsibility of being Champion.
• Iris said she had come to evolve her Ursaring into Ursaluna, and Cynthia told her they had prepared a Peat Block.
• Li Wei told Iris to perform the evolution ceremony at Moonview Hills on the next full moon, and Iris said she wanted to visit Alola and battle Ash.