Recaps

Li Wei witnessed Iris’s Ursaring evolve into Ursaluna beneath the full moon, then returned to Alola and taught his students about Z-Crystals. The class noticed that the Electrium Z on his tray looked different from Ash’s, leaving them wondering why.

• Iris’s Ursaring evolved into Ursaluna under the moonlight as Li Wei, Hoopa, Victini, and Meloetta watched.
• Iris thanked Cynthia and embraced her newly evolved Ursaluna.
• Li Wei returned to Alola, where he heard reports of a mysterious, powerful Trainer with a Midnight Form Lycanroc and an Umbreon.
• Li Wei began a lesson by showing the students eighteen Type Z-Crystals he had collected during the Island Challenge.
• Sophocles and the others noticed that the Electrium Z on Li Wei’s tray looked different from Ash’s, though Ash said he had used his own that morning.

Li Wei taught the Pokémon School class how Z-Moves worked and explained how a Trainer’s bond with a Pokémon shaped their power. Professor Kukui announced that Alola’s four Gyms would open the next day, and Ash and his classmates prepared for real Gym challenges before Pikachu noticed a crowd after school.

• Li Wei explained Z-Move synchronization and showed the class Ash and Pikachu’s perfect 100% synchronization rate.
• Li Wei told the class that a strong bond could make Z-Moves powerful enough to produce unforeseen miracles.
• Professor Kukui announced that Molayne, Acerola, Hapu, and Kahili would open Alola’s four Gyms to challengers the next day.
• Li Wei agreed to attend the opening ceremonies, and Professor Kukui planned to take Ash and the others on an outdoor lesson to challenge the Gyms.
• Professor Kukui announced the upcoming Gym battles, and Kiawe, Ash, and the others cheered.
• Ash helped Professor Kukui shop after school, while Pikachu noticed a gathered crowd.

Ash met Gladion, Lillie’s long-missing older brother, after watching him win a battle in Hau'oli City. Gladion left without returning home, but Ash’s Z-Ring and connection to Tapu Koko made him eager to battle Ash another time.

• Ash and Pikachu watched Gladion defeat a Blastoise with his Midnight Form Lycanroc and then challenged him to a battle.
• Gladion recognized Ash from his League performances, but Lillie arrived and revealed that Gladion was her brother.
• Lillie introduced Gladion to Snowy, and Gladion was surprised that she could touch Pokémon again.
• Ash pursued Gladion and revealed that Tapu Koko had given him his Z-Ring, deepening Gladion’s interest in battling him.
• Lillie and James asked Gladion to come home, but he said it was not time yet and walked away with Lycanroc.

After Gladion left, Ash learned more about his brother from Lillie and grew more eager to battle him. The next day, Ash challenged Kahili at Hau'oli City's new Horizon Gym, where he was forced onto the defensive before finding a way to counter Altaria's aerial control.

• Lillie invited Ash to her house, where she explained that Gladion had left six months earlier and that she did not know why he had changed.
• Ash told Lillie that Gladion still seemed gentle, remembering how warmly he had looked at Snowy and how he had asked Lillie to care for it.
• Ash, Lillie, and Professor Kukui's other students attended the opening of the Horizon Gym, where Kahili welcomed the crowd and Ash became its first challenger.
• Kahili sent out Altaria, whose ranged attacks and altitude advantage put Ash and Pikachu on the defensive.
• Ash ordered Pikachu to use the arena walls as he searched for a way to reach Altaria.

Ash earned the Navigation Badge by defeating Kahili, while Kiawe and the other students lost their Gym challenges. Li Wei advised Kiawe to teach Turtonator Sunny Day, and the challengers went to treat their injured Pokémon before training again.

• Ash used Pikachu’s rebounding Quick Attack and Iron Tail to defeat Kahili’s Altaria and earn the Navigation Badge.
• Kiawe’s Turtonator struggled against Pelipper’s rain-boosted attacks and lost despite using its Z-Move, Inferno Overdrive.
• Li Wei advised Kiawe to teach Turtonator Sunny Day, then told him to return after treating its injuries.
• Mallow, Lillie, Sophocles, and Lana each challenged Kahili and lost, while Ash encouraged them to train and try again.
• Kiawe and the other challengers took their injured Pokémon for treatment, and Professor Kukui celebrated their enthusiasm for battling.

Ash met Gladion for a battle at Kala'e Bay, where Gladion's Midnight Form Lycanroc overwhelmed Ash's Rockruff. The match ended when the others accidentally interrupted it, and Ash left determined to win their next battle.

• Gladion sent Umbreon to deliver Ash a note challenging him to battle at the eastern beach of Kala'e Bay after sunset.
• Ash hurried to the beach, where Gladion chose Midnight Form Lycanroc to face Ash's Rockruff.
• Lycanroc used Stone Edge, Counter, and Crunch to defeat Rockruff's attacks and send it reeling.
• Sophocles, Kiawe, Mallow, Lillie, and the others were discovered hiding nearby after Togedemaru and Crabominable stumbled into the battle.
• Gladion ended the match, praised Rockruff's eyes, and left despite Lillie's calls; Ash declared he would win next time.

Lillie felt sad that Gladion seemed to be avoiding her, but Ash reassured her, and she agreed to go camping with her friends. At Pokémon School, Li Wei began teaching Kiawe and Turtonator to use Sunny Day by assigning them three materials to collect for training.

• Lillie worried that Gladion was avoiding her, but Ash said Gladion was doing well, and Lillie resolved to find out what was going on.
• Mallow invited Ash, Lillie, and Lana to go camping together that weekend and said she would cook Pokémon Curry.
• After losing to Kahili's Pelipper, Kiawe asked Li Wei to teach him and Turtonator Sunny Day.
• Li Wei demonstrated Arcanine's Sunny Day and explained that Turtonator needed to guide its Fire-type energy into resonance with the sun.
• Li Wei tasked Kiawe with collecting a shed leaf from a Sunkern, coal from a Torkoal, and mane fur from a Litleo, and Sophocles and the others offered to help.

Li Wei taught Mallow to prepare Pokémon Curry, and she made a delicious pot that earned praise from her taste testers. He judged it Milcery class and encouraged her to keep improving as a cook.

• Li Wei gave Mallow a private cooking lesson, teaching her how to select Berries, manage the curry’s consistency, and control the heat.
• Mallow added dried Honey flower stamens to the curry and finished cooking it with Li Wei’s guidance.
• Ash, Professor Kukui, and the Pokémon taste testers arrived and praised Mallow’s curry after trying it.
• Li Wei rated the curry Milcery class, noted ways Mallow could refine its flavor and texture, and encouraged her cooking talent.

Kiawe mastered Sunny Day with Turtonator under Li Wei’s guidance and set out to challenge Kahili again at the Horizon Gym. Li Wei returned to his Battle Tower duties while Ash and the others went to watch Kiawe’s rematch.

• Mallow’s Pokémon Curry earned unanimous praise, and Li Wei considered taking her on as an apprentice because of her cooking talent.
• Kiawe brought Li Wei the requested materials, and Li Wei guided him and Turtonator through practice until they successfully used Sunny Day.
• Li Wei advised Kiawe to use Sunny Day, Solar Beam, and Rock-type moves against Kahili’s Pelipper.
• Kiawe and Turtonator headed to the Horizon Gym, and Ash, Mallow, Lillie, and Lana followed to cheer them on.
• Kiawe asked Kahili for another battle, and Kahili agreed, noting that he seemed ready this time.

Kiawe defeated Kahili’s Pelipper and earned the Horizon Badge after mastering Sunny Day with Turtonator. Back at Jubilife Pokémon Theme Park, Li Wei began another livestream and showed viewers the growing Torterra family, including Pikachu riding on a Torterra’s back.

• Kiawe used Turtonator’s Sunny Day to dispel Pelipper’s rain and strengthen his battle strategy.
• Turtonator trapped Pelipper with Rock Tomb and Stone Edge, then knocked it out with Solar Beam, earning Kiawe the Horizon Badge from Kahili.
• Kiawe credited Teacher Li Wei for teaching him, and Ash and the others congratulated him.
• Li Wei started another livestream at Jubilife Pokémon Theme Park, where viewers spotted the growing Torterra family.
• Li Wei explained that Pichu had evolved into Pikachu through its friendship with Torterra.

Li Wei livestreamed from Jubilife Pokémon Theme Park, shared facts about Pokémon, and announced two games developed with Steven that would launch on May 1. He ended the stream after viewers grew excited to play Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen.

• Li Wei explained that Pokémon sometimes evolved through friendship with other Pokémon and cited research reports as evidence.
• Li Wei proposed building a sports field so Pokémon could play baseball, soccer, or basketball at the theme park.
• Li Wei announced that Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen would launch on May 1, with different main storylines.
• Li Wei revealed that the games would feature Red, Blue, Giovanni, and other major characters, voiced by the real people.
• Ash, Kiawe, and their companions watched the livestream and agreed to buy the games and play together.

Ash and his friends enjoyed a camping trip in Morelull Forest, where Mallow prepared Copperajah-rank Pokémon Curry. That evening, Cynthia called Li Wei to report a discovery in the Eterna City ruins connected to Kubfu, and he set off to meet her.

• Litten helped Lillie light the campfire, while Alolan Vulpix accidentally froze the cooking pot before Turtonator thawed it.
• Mallow served spicy and sweet sausage Pokémon Curry that ranked at Copperajah level, impressing Ash and the others.
• Lillie revealed she had cooked far more rice than needed, and the group planned to use leftovers for fish porridge.
• Lana told a forest legend about travelers leaving as skin and bones, but the others dismissed it as a joke.
• Cynthia called Li Wei from the History Museum in Eterna City and told him that a new ruin discovery was related to Kubfu.
• Li Wei agreed to come and flew to Eterna City with Latios.

Li Wei joined Cynthia and the researchers at the Hisuian Goodra ruins in Eterna City, where he found faint signs of life inside two fossilized eggs and used his Power of Overcoming to strengthen their chances of revival. The team also uncovered a mural depicting Kubfu and its Urshifu forms, leaving the ruins’ historical connections and secrets to investigate further.

• Li Wei arrived at the excavation site with Latios and met Cynthia, Professor Rowan, Professor Carolina, Doctor Lin'en, and Vera.
• Cynthia explained that Lucario had sensed faint signs of life in two fossilized eggs, and Li Wei confirmed their signals with his Power of Overcoming.
• Li Wei nurtured the eggs’ faint life signs and judged that both might be revived with specialized technology.
• Doctor Lin'en revealed a mural depicting Kubfu training and evolving into Single Strike Style and Rapid Strike Style Urshifu.
• Li Wei suggested Kubfu might not have originated in Galar and proposed stabilizing the eggs before investigating the ruins further.

Li Wei, Cynthia, and the researchers discovered that the Kubfu murals predated the Hisui Goodra’s use of the ruins, and that the fossilized eggs might be connected to the ancient tradition depicted there. After twenty-four hours, the eggs were successfully revived, though their species remained unknown.

• Doctor Lin'en presented evidence that the Kubfu murals were far older than the Hisui Goodra traces in the ruins.
• Li Wei proposed that the eggs found near the murals might date to the same ancient period and be connected to Kubfu or Urshifu.
• Doctor Lin'en reported that preliminary analysis suggested the eggs’ interiors were extremely ancient, while their precise age remained uncertain.
• The revival machine restored the fossils into two intact Pokémon Eggs with black-and-white patterned shells and stable vital signs.
• Li Wei sensed two powerful, steady flames of life inside the revived eggs, while Professor Carolina and Professor Rowan said their species could not be confirmed until they hatched.

Li Wei cared for the two revived Pokémon Eggs in Eterna City before returning to Alola to investigate the Morelull that had drained Ash and the others. He arrived at Morelull Forest with his Pokémon and began searching for the aggressive creatures.

• Li Wei and Cynthia placed the two healthy, likely Kubfu Eggs in incubators, and Li Wei agreed to care for them until they hatched.
• Ash and the others were drained by aggressive Morelull during a camping trip, while Lillie avoided the attack by using Max Repel; they reported the incident to Officer Jenny and contacted Li Wei.
• Li Wei told Lillie to keep everyone in a safe, open, well-lit area and promised to handle the threat after returning to Alola.
• The next day, Li Wei entered Morelull Forest with Lucario, Arcanine, Metagross, and Melmetal to search for the Morelull using Aura and his Power of Overcoming.

Li Wei caught the aggressive Morelull that attacked Ash and handed it over to Officer Jenny before returning home to care for two mysterious Pokémon Eggs. Meanwhile, research at the Eterna City ruins strengthened the theory that Hisui Goodra was Dragon- and Steel-type and revealed signs that it lived in organized colonies.

• Li Wei used Latios to restrain the attacking Morelull, caught it, and turned it over to Officer Jenny for safe relocation or containment.
• Li Wei asked Hoopa, Victini, and Shaymin to care for two Pokémon Eggs at home, which he expected to hatch in two to three months.
• Professor Rowan analyzed minerals, water, and scales from the Eterna City ruins and concluded that Hisui Goodra was likely Dragon- and Steel-type.
• Professor Rowan proposed recreating Hisui Goodra's evolution by exposing Goomy and Sliggoo to mineral-rich food, water, and conditions.
• Professor Carolina and Doctor Lin'en found that the ruins' nest layout and connecting passages indicated that Hisui Goodra lived in organized families or colonies.

Professor Rowan’s team established a three-site project to investigate whether Goomy and Sliggoo could evolve into Hisui Goodra, with Jubilife Pokémon Theme Park chosen for its mineral-rich water and Legendary resources. Li Wei agreed to host the park’s breeding site and began construction, leaving the habitat under development as the Pokémon game’s release approached.

• Professor Rowan’s team selected Mt. Coronet, Iron Island, and Jubilife Pokémon Theme Park to test different conditions for Hisui Goodra’s evolution.
• Cynthia proposed Li Wei’s park because Jirachi’s Millennium Comet meteorite, Arceus’s Iron Plate, and Splash Plate-infused water could create an ideal breeding environment.
• Li Wei agreed to host the project and told Cynthia he would prepare a site when he returned from Alola.
• Li Wei designed a wetland beside the Hot Spring Wellness Center and called Matori to bring Rainbow Group’s workers, Pokémon, machinery, and ecological engineers.
• Li Wei began construction with the engineers, directing them to shape varied terrain and channel the energized water into streams and wetlands.

Li Wei began building a mineral-rich wetland and surrounding habitat to support Goomy and encourage Steel-type evolution. As Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen prepared to launch, the Chat Group discussed their price and Blue offered to buy Silver a copy.

• Li Wei directed the engineers to build waterways, enrich the soil with minerals, and plant moisture-tolerant grass and Hisui-region wetland vegetation.
• Li Wei marked a central area for Metal Coats, Composite Metal, and Liquid Alloy, while planning to keep Arceus's Iron Plate at home beside Jirachi's meteorite.
• Li Wei told the Chat Group that Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen would launch the next day, and Steven revealed he had paid for news coverage in Hoenn.
• Li Wei announced the games would cost 6,600 Pokéyen with a twenty-percent launch discount, and he showed Blue that other major games cost more.
• Silver offered to buy Blue a copy, but Blue said she would buy her own and get one for Silver, prompting the others to jokingly ask her for copies too.

Li Wei and Steven launched Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen to enormous worldwide attention, and players across the Pokémon world eagerly explored the games. In Alola, Ash and his classmates compared their playthroughs and choices.

• Cynthia, Steven, Diantha, Red, Blue, and other famous Trainers promoted Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen on IS, drawing huge crowds when the games launched.
• Players praised the games' two distinct story routes, polished Kanto setting, and discounted price, while Eevee Network videos quickly filled the trending charts.
• Ash, Kiawe, Sophocles, Mallow, Lana, and Lillie discussed their games during breaks at Pokémon School.
• Ash chose FireRed and also bought LeafGreen because Blue was his master, while Sophocles preferred Blue's route and praised the strategic gameplay.
• Mallow focused on cooking and gathering Berries, Lillie filled out the Pokédex, and Kiawe trained Charmander into Charmeleon.
• Ash revealed that he had used a hidden trick to start with Pikachu, but admitted that the first Gym was difficult.

Li Wei and Steven learned that Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen had set first-day sales and peak concurrent-player records, confirming the game’s enormous success. They celebrated the result, discussed bonuses and future projects, and Li Wei shared the news with Cynthia.

• Steven told Li Wei that Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen had sold 7.16 million copies in its first twenty-four hours and reached 1.2 million peak concurrent players.
• Steven said the game had broken both platform records and received overwhelmingly positive attention online.
• Li Wei and Steven discussed developing a follow-up, maintaining the game, and sharing bonuses with the team.
• Li Wei accepted Steven’s proposal to pay him in Pokéblocks and later shared the game’s success with Cynthia.

Professor Kukui and Li Wei announced the establishment of the Alola Pokémon League and its entry into the Master League as an independent division. Ash became eager to compete in Alola’s Points Tournament, while the region prepared for its first League Conference in September.

• Professor Kukui announced that the Alola Pokémon League had been officially established, with Hala serving as acting chairman.
• Li Wei announced that Alola would join the Master League and begin its Points Tournament on May 10, with three spots in the Top 32 Knockout Round.
• Ash and Pikachu grew excited about competing in the Alola division after Blue had encouraged Ash to enter through Alola.
• Professor Kukui announced that the Alola League Conference would begin in September and explained that entrants needed approval from an Island Kahuna or two badges.
• Kiawe declared that he intended to win the League Conference, while Ash was the only Pokémon School student eligible for the Master League.

Ash and his friends prepared for the newly announced Alola League, while Li Wei streamed a fresh Pokémon FireRed playthrough and defeated Brock. The chapter ended with Li Wei earning the Boulder Badge after Charmeleon won a difficult battle against Onix.

• Ash, Kiawe, Lana, Mallow, and Lillie discussed their goals for the Master League and the first Alola League Conference, while Professor Kukui encouraged them to compete.
• Li Wei reviewed genuine player suggestions for the successful FireRed and LeafGreen games and considered the story for his next game.
• Li Wei signed up for the Master League and noted the leading competitors from several regions, including Cynthia and Roland in Sinnoh and Leon and Mustard in Galar.
• Li Wei restarted Pokémon FireRed, chose Charmander, and streamed his progress to a rapidly growing audience.
• Li Wei shared breeding advice as he played, defeated his rival Blue, and used Charmeleon to beat Brock's Onix and earn a badge.

Li Wei ended his FireRed livestream by announcing he would represent Alola in the Master League, then prepared with his Pokémon and the Pokémon School students for five days of outdoor lessons on Akala Island. The chapter left the students wondering whether a special lecturer would join them.

• Li Wei showed viewers hints about the Pokémon League and Masters Tournament, announced he would compete for Alola, and ended his livestream at Mt. Moon.
• Li Wei discussed Goomy conservation plans and the crowded Alola Master League with his Pokémon as they prepared to travel.
• Li Wei and Professor Kukui told Ash and the other students they would take five days of outdoor lessons on Akala Island, where Island Kahuna Olivia would meet them.
• Kiawe told the students about Olivia and the Wela Volcano Festival, while Li Wei recalled meeting Olivia and kept his amusement to himself.
• Mallow asked whether there would be a special lecturer, and Li Wei answered, "Take a guess?"

Li Wei and the students visited Paniola Ranch on Akala Island for an outdoor lesson hosted by Olivia. As the students began a Stoutland treasure hunt, Lillie hesitated to climb onto her Stoutland, while Kiawe uncovered two fossils.

• Olivia welcomed Li Wei, Professor Kukui, and the students to Akala Island and warmly greeted their Pokémon.
• Olivia and Professor Kukui drove the group to Paniola Ranch while Li Wei’s Pokémon raced alongside the cars.
• Olivia gave the students handmade accessories and explained that their lesson would be a Stoutland treasure hunt.
• Ash and the other students set off to search for buried treasures, while Lillie hesitated despite Professor Kukui’s encouragement.
• The students mostly found colored shards, while Kiawe dug up a Cranidos fossil and an Archen fossil.

Ash and the others finished their Paniola Ranch search, where Lana found a Z Crystal and Lillie overcame her fear of riding Stoutland. The next day, Li Wei and the group visited the Wela Volcano Festival, where they enjoyed its attractions and celebrated Alolan culture.

• Ash and Stoutland found gemstone fragments, Mallow and Stoutland found a Lansat Berry, and Sophocles and Stoutland uncovered a meteorite fragment.
• Lana and Stoutland found a high-quality Z Crystal, which Olivia promised to polish and set into a Z-Ring for Lana.
• Lillie overcame her fear and climbed onto Stoutland with encouragement from Li Wei and Lucario.
• Li Wei, Professor Kukui, and the others went to Wela Volcano for the festival, where Kiawe recalled seeing Tapu Lele heal him there.
• Li Wei enjoyed the festival with Lucario and his Pokémon, handing out game tokens while Arcanine posed for pictures with children.