Recaps

Ash’s newly evolved Torracat lost to Kukui’s Incineroar but earned its recognition as a rival. At the Battle Tower, Li Wei’s Pupitar evolved into an exceptionally large, powerful Tyranitar, which won its match and received a clean bill of health.

• Ash’s Torracat lost to Kukui’s Incineroar after their final attacks collided, and Kukui declared them rivals.
• Li Wei’s Pupitar evolved into Tyranitar during his Battle Tower match against Kongye.
• Li Wei’s Tyranitar defeated Kongye’s Ursaluna with Dark Pulse, winning the battle after Kongye’s six Pokémon were knocked out.
• Li Wei sent Tyranitar into further Master Class battles to help it consolidate its newly gained strength.
• Dayou and Li Wei’s Pokémon congratulated Tyranitar, and Li Wei took it to the Pokémon Center for an examination.
• Nurse Joy measured Tyranitar at 2.78 meters and 329 kilograms, confirming that it was exceptionally healthy.

Li Wei brought Tyranitar to Professor Rowan’s institute, where measurements confirmed that Tyranitar and his Mega Evolution were record-breaking in size and weight. After testing revealed that Tyranitar was still faster than average, Li Wei discussed his upbringing and potential before leaving for more Battle Tower matches.

• Li Wei brought Tyranitar to the Rowan Research Institute, where Professor Rowan, Yuzao, and Drake measured him at 2.78 meters tall and 329 kilograms.
• Tyranitar devoured a bowl of Li Wei’s Pokéblocks, and Li Wei explained that abundant food and resources had helped him grow so large.
• Li Wei Mega Evolved Tyranitar, and the institute measured Mega Tyranitar at 3.52 meters tall and 525 kilograms.
• Professor Rowan and the others tested Tyranitar’s speed and found that he was faster than the average Tyranitar despite his enormous size.
• Li Wei discussed Tyranitar’s talent and upbringing with Professor Rowan, then left to battle at the Battle Tower.

After mastering Berry knowledge and making Super Rich Poffins, Dawn officially graduated from Li Wei’s lessons and prepared to travel to Galar to pursue Pokémon Contests. The chapter ended with the Theme Park staff celebrating her graduation and sending her off with advice.

• Cynthia continued researching Hisui Goodra ruins while balancing her Champion duties and Master League matches.
• Li Wei tasted Dawn’s Super Rich Poffin and declared that she had officially graduated as his apprentice.
• Li Wei told Dawn and Shiyin that Mallow, a skilled Pokémon Curry cook from his Alola Pokémon School, would soon become their junior apprentice.
• Dawn chose Galar as her next travel destination, and Li Wei told her to pack and leave on her own.
• At dinner, Li Wei confirmed Dawn’s graduation, and the staff celebrated while Leon and Wen Hui reminded her to travel safely and bring her Pokémon.

Li Wei brought Nurse Joy to the hospital after she fell seriously ill, leaving Ash and his friends in charge of the Pokémon Center for their work experience. After recovering, Nurse Joy returned to help them handle a smelly Garbodor.

• Ash introduced Poipole to Kiawe and the others at the Pokémon Center, while Li Wei noticed Nurse Joy was missing.
• Nurse Joy arrived with a high fever, but agreed to go to the hospital after Li Wei and the others persuaded her to rest.
• Li Wei took Nurse Joy to the hospital, while Ash and his friends used Rotom’s copied work guide to care for Pokémon at the Center.
• Ash and his friends successfully cared for Tauros and Alolan Exeggutor, but struggled when a smelly Garbodor arrived.
• After her IV infusion, Nurse Joy recovered and returned to explain that Garbodor had a toxic-fluid blockage, then asked Li Wei for help.

Sophocles discovered a metal Pokémon buried in Melemele Island’s Bamboo Grove and believed it was Starship Kaguya. After the Aether Foundation identified it as the Ultra Beast Celesteela, Lusamine asked Ash and his friends to move it somewhere clear before it launched and set the grove ablaze.

• Sophocles found a strange, metal object while camping and wondered if it was Starship Kaguya, while Tapu Koko appeared after sensing Ultra Aura.
• Sophocles told Ash and his friends about his discovery, and the group went to the Bamboo Grove and began digging up the object.
• The excavation caused the Ultra Aura readings to rise, and the Aether Foundation detected that the group had found an Ultra Beast.
• Lusamine called Lillie and explained that the Pokémon was Celesteela, which had come through an Ultra Wormhole two hundred years earlier and was ready to return.
• Lusamine warned that Celesteela’s launch could start a wildfire, so she asked the group to take it somewhere without vegetation; Sophocles agreed.

Li Wei and the others built a launchpad so Sophocles could send Celesteela back through an Ultra Wormhole. The next day, Li Wei shopped for ingredients and Berries in Hau'oli City ahead of Cynthia's dinner visit.

• Li Wei arrived at the bamboo grove, and Sophocles caught Celesteela with a Beast Ball.
• Li Wei directed Ash, Mallow, Lana, and Lillie to build a launchpad around Celesteela's thrusters using their Pokémon's moves.
• Celesteela launched into the sky, and Latios carried Sophocles up so he could say goodbye before it entered an Ultra Wormhole.
• Li Wei took everyone home, then went shopping in Hau'oli City for Berries and seafood for dinner with Cynthia.
• Li Wei visited Grandma's Berry stall and borrowed her handcart again.

Li Wei learned about the Alola Bread Carnival and considered entering despite his limited bread-making experience, then discussed inviting Xiao Meng to compete. He also supported a market vendor and her son, and the chapter ended with Li Wei and Cynthia discussing the festival over dinner.

• Li Wei noticed a poster for the Alola Bread Carnival and learned that this year's bread had to be suitable for both people and Pokémon.
• Li Wei gave the fried-rice vendor's son bread and Sugar Figures, bought five servings of fried rice for Arcanine, and asked when the boy could start school.
• Li Wei told the boy's mother that he might no longer be teaching at the Pokémon School by the time her son was old enough to attend.
• Li Wei cooked a seafood feast for Cynthia and told her about the Alola Bread Carnival.
• Li Wei said he might ask Xiao Meng to enter the carnival, and Cynthia encouraged him to invite her if she was interested.

Li Wei, Arcanine, and their friends visited the Alola Bread Festival Carnival, where Mallow entered her sweet and tangy jam bread. Mallow won the festival, and she celebrated with Steenee.

• Li Wei brought Arcanine and the others to the carnival, where visitors sampled free bread and cast votes for their favorites.
• Mallow prepared jam from Mago Berries, Payapa Berries, and Persim Berries, and its fragrance drew a crowd to her stall.
• Mallow served her freshly baked jam bread, which Li Wei, Ash, Professor Kukui, Professor Burnet, and the others praised.
• The judges tasted Mallow's bread, and the host announced her as the carnival champion.
• Mallow hugged Steenee and celebrated their win.

Li Wei learned from Lance how Giovanni framed Nanu with fabricated evidence, driving him to leave the International Police. Nanu remained on Ula'ula Island as its Island Kahuna and police officer, choosing to keep protecting the island rather than return to the organization.

• Li Wei and Professor Kukui brought Ash and the others to Ula'ula Island for outdoor lessons, where Ash planned to take the Island Kahuna's trial.
• After hearing that Nanu had served in the International Police, Li Wei called Lance to ask about his past.
• Lance explained that Giovanni fabricated evidence making it appear Nanu had leaked police intelligence, creating a crisis of trust within the International Police.
• Nanu left the International Police but refused to join Team Rocket, returning to Ula'ula Island and later becoming its Island Kahuna.
• Lance said the truth eventually came out, but Nanu declined to return, choosing to protect Ula'ula Island and its people.

Li Wei and the group arrived on Ula'ula Island to visit its Steel- and Ghost-type Gyms, explore Po Town, and learn about Ultra Beasts and Legendary Pokémon. In the library, Acerola showed them an ancient account of the Blinding One, and Lillie began recounting the legend of Alola’s creation.

• Sophocles introduced Ula'ula Island and its two Gyms, and Li Wei planned visits to the Hokulani Gym, the Twilight Gym, Ash’s island trial, and the Ruins of Abundance.
• Acerola greeted Li Wei and the others in Po Town, then offered to help Ash find Nanu for his island trial.
• Li Wei and Professor Kukui took the group to Po Town’s library to study ancient texts about Ultra Beasts and Legendary Pokémon.
• Acerola brought out an ancient book whose illustration showed Solgaleo, Lunala, and the Blinding One.
• Lillie began telling the group the legend that three radiant Pokémon brought light to the dark Alola Region.

Ash and the others visited the Twilight Gym in Po Town, where Acerola challenged them to Gym battles. Kiawe earned a Badge and Pikachu defeated Palossand, but Ash’s battle with Sableye ended with Lycanroc’s mane dirtied, putting it at risk of going berserk.

• Lillie shared what she had learned about the Blinding One, and Acerola said Nanu suspected it might be an Ultra Beast.
• Acerola took Li Wei and the others to lunch, then invited them to challenge her Gym at two.
• Kiawe defeated Acerola’s Drifloon and Drifblim with Marowak and Turtonator, while Mallow, Sophocles, Lillie, and Lana each narrowly lost their battles.
• Ash used Pikachu’s Iron Tail to overcome Acerola’s Palossand despite its immunity to Electric-, Normal-, and Fighting-type moves.
• Ash switched to Lycanroc (Dusk Form) against Sableye, which used Scary Face and kicked up dust that dirtied Lycanroc’s mane.

Ash lost to Acerola at the Twilight Gym after Lycanroc became confused when its mane was dirtied, forcing Ash to confront a weakness he had neglected. Nanu refused Ash’s request for a grand trial and told him to train until he could control Lycanroc’s power; Ash then resolved to work on the problem with help from his friends.

• Acerola used Sableye to scatter dust over Lycanroc’s mane, causing Lycanroc to become confused and attack wildly.
• Sableye struck Lycanroc with Shadow Claw, and the referee declared Acerola the winner.
• Nanu appeared at the Gym, rejected Ash’s request for a grand trial, and told him to train until he could control his Pokémon and overcome its weakness.
• Ash decided to train with Lycanroc and challenge Nanu again, while Kiawe, Sophocles, Professor Kukui, and the others offered to help.
• Professor Kukui and Acerola arranged for Acerola to guide the group on their upcoming trip to Haina Desert and the Ruins of Abundance.

Li Wei’s group crossed Haina Desert to reach the Ruins of Abundance, where Ash and Kiawe climbed the steep mountainside to meet Tapu Bulu. The group arrived at the summit and saw the true splendor of the ruins.

• Li Wei and Professor Kukui changed the itinerary and rented Mudsdale to cross Haina Desert with the group.
• Li Wei explained that Hoopa came from the desert city of Dahara City as the group traveled through the sandstorm to the Ruins of Abundance.
• Acerola told Ash that Tapu Bulu waited atop the mountain, so Ash would have to climb to receive special training; Kiawe chose to join him.
• Ash and Kiawe raced up the near-vertical mountainside, overtook the Pokémon ahead of them, and collapsed at the summit.
• Zeraora, Lucario, Pikachu, and Poipole reached the summit, where the group saw the Ruins of Abundance in all their splendor.

Ash and the others visited the Ruins of Abundance, where Tapu Bulu restored the group’s energy and helped Rowlet learn Razor Leaf. After Tapu Bulu triggered Lycanroc’s frenzy, Ash calmed it by recalling their shared memories, and Tapu Bulu began training them in battle.

• Ash and the others arrived at the Ruins of Abundance and found Tapu Bulu asleep beside a lake.
• Tapu Bulu grew a Sitrus Berry tree and spread life energy that refreshed the group and helped Rowlet learn Razor Leaf.
• Tapu Bulu shoved Lycanroc into the mud, causing it to lose control and attack indiscriminately.
• Ash calmed Lycanroc by reminding it of their shared experiences, and Lycanroc regained its senses.
• Tapu Bulu challenged Ash and Lycanroc to battle, and the two began training against it.

Ash and his Pokémon completed special training with Tapu Bulu at the Ruins of Abundance, and Ash gained Tapu Bulu’s approval. Nanu agreed to give Ash another trial the next day, but demanded that Ash defeat three of his Pokémon using only Lycanroc.

• Lycanroc used a newly mastered Stone Edge against Tapu Bulu, which approved of Ash and ended their special training.
• Li Wei, Lillie, Mallow, Kiawe, and the others trained at the Ruins of Abundance, and Tapu Bulu joined them for lunch after tasting Li Wei’s Poffins and Pokéblocks.
• Mallow’s Steenee made the greatest gains during the group’s afternoon training, and Li Wei gave Tapu Bulu his remaining treats before they left.
• Acerola, Li Wei, and Professor Kukui persuaded Nanu to accept Ash’s challenge for the following day.
• Nanu demanded that Ash use only Lycanroc and defeat all three of Nanu’s Pokémon at the trial grounds in Po Town.

Ash and Lycanroc battled Nanu’s three Pokémon in Ula'ula Island’s final trial, overcoming Lycanroc’s rage and fatigue with help from Ash and Tapu Bulu. Lycanroc faced Nanu’s Alolan Persian and remained ready to continue the fight.

• Acerola announced that Ash could use only Lycanroc against Nanu’s three Pokémon in succession.
• Lycanroc defeated Nanu’s Krookodile with Brick Break and beat Sableye with Counter after enduring its attacks.
• Tapu Bulu dropped two blessed Sitrus Berries for Lycanroc, and Nanu allowed Ash to feed them to it.
• Nanu sent out Alolan Persian, whose Taunt triggered Lycanroc’s rage, but Ash calmed Lycanroc by reminding it of their promise.
• Lycanroc attacked with Stone Edge, took Persian’s Night Slash, and quickly got back to its feet.

Ash defeated Nanu’s Persian in the Ula’ula Island trial and received Lycanroc Z. At Hokulani Observatory, Li Wei asked director Molayne to join the Alola Region’s proposed Elite Four.

• Ash’s Lycanroc defeated Persian with a three-hit aerial combo, winning Ash the Island Kahuna’s trial.
• Nanu gave Ash a Lycanroc Z-Crystal and congratulated him on passing the trial.
• Acerola escorted Ash and the others to the station before they traveled to Hokulani Observatory.
• Molayne introduced himself as the observatory’s director and Sophocles’s older cousin, while Sophocles offered to show the visitors around.
• Li Wei invited Molayne to join the Alola Region’s Elite Four alongside Kahili and Acerola, and Molayne was surprised by the offer.

At Hokulani Observatory, Molayne accepted Li Wei and Professor Kukui’s invitation to join Alola’s Elite Four, then brought everyone to Meteor Hill to observe Minior. As the Minior vanished into starlight, Sophocles recovered memories of a Minior he had befriended as a child, and a third Rayquaza appeared in the sky.

• Molayne accepted the invitation to join the Elite Four while remaining at Hokulani Observatory, and declined to compete for Champion.
• Li Wei, Professor Kukui, Molayne, Sophocles, Ash, and the others went to Meteor Hill to watch Minior fall and reveal their colorful cores.
• Molayne explained that Minior formed heavy shells from space dust and that their lives ended soon after they landed.
• The Minior began turning into starlight, and Sophocles remembered how one he had befriended as a child had disappeared before him.
• Hoopa, Victini, Latios, and Latias followed the fading Minior as a green Rayquaza rose into the sky alongside them.

As Ash advanced in the Alola Region’s Master League, Li Wei and Cynthia watched the Melemele Island fireworks and discussed Cynthia’s discoveries about ancient Hisui. The festival seemed to end with a Tapu Koko firework, but an unexpected second round appeared in the sky.

• Ash climbed from fifth to fourth in the Master League rankings and continued preparing for the Alola League and Knockout Round.
• Li Wei and Cynthia watched the fireworks from their home in Kala'e Bay and discussed Cynthia’s upcoming return to her work in Hisui.
• Cynthia told Li Wei that an excavation had uncovered tablets depicting Origin Forme Dialga and Origin Forme Palkia, along with a damaged stele corroborating earlier inscriptions.
• Li Wei considered visiting Giratina in the Distortion World after Cynthia left, while remaining in Alola because the Necrozma problem was unresolved and Ultra Beasts were appearing more often.
• Ash, Kiawe, Sophocles, Lillie, and the others watched the fireworks at the beach, where a second round began after the Tapu Koko firework appeared to end the show.

Ash and the Ultra Guardians responded to Xurkitree and Blacephalon, two Ultra Beasts whose performance contest disrupted the area near the Pokémon School. While Li Wei taught a breeding class on caring for Grass-type Pokémon, Ash and the others distracted the Ultra Beasts and began their capture attempt.

• Ash and his friends recalled seeing a Pokémon that could remove its head at the fireworks festival, and Komala's bell signaled another Ultra Beast sighting.
• Lusamine identified Xurkitree as an electricity-feeding Ultra Beast on nearby power lines, and the Ultra Guardians set out to capture it.
• Li Wei taught the older students about raising Grass-type Pokémon, reviewing their needs for light, food, and warmth.
• Lusamine revealed that the head-throwing Pokémon was Blacephalon, and Ash and his friends found it performing alongside Xurkitree.
• Ash used attacks from more than a dozen Pokémon to draw the Ultra Beasts' attention, and Mallow and Lillie threw their Beast Balls.

At the Pokémon School, Li Wei taught a lesson on raising Grass-type starter Pokémon while Lillie and Mallow completed Ultra catches. In Hau'oli City, Molly and her Ribombee met Ash and the others, and Molly agreed to paint Poipole before meeting Li Wei and his Pokémon.

• Li Wei taught senior students about raising Bulbasaur, Chikorita, Treecko, and Turtwig, then shared that he would post the lesson notes in the group chat.
• Lillie caught Xurkitree and Mallow caught Blacephalon, earning praise from Lusamine, Wicke, and Professor Burnet.
• Ash, Professor Kukui, and Professor Burnet met Molly, whose Ribombee sensed that Poipole loved her painting and helped Molly understand its feelings.
• Molly agreed to paint Poipole the next day, and she planned to paint Ash and the others first because they had inspired her family-themed work.
• Professor Burnet told Li Wei about Molly, and he and Diancie and the others agreed to sit for her paintings, preferably at his place.

Mina visited Ash and the others in Hau'oli City, where Poipole painted the Blinding One and revealed its deep love for its Alolan family. Later, Mina arrived at Li Wei's villa to paint his Pokémon, awed by the many Pokémon gathered there as Cynthia welcomed her inside.

• Ash brought Kiawe, Lillie, and the others to meet Mina and see her paintings, including her new portrait of Ash and Professor Kukui as family.
• Poipole drew its familiar symbol, which Ribombee translated as meaning it loved its family most of all.
• Mina helped Poipole paint the Blinding One and told Ash that Poipole seemed happy while painting but might be carrying a heavy mission; Ash promised to help it.
• Ash arranged for Mina to paint Diancie and the others at Li Wei's house that weekend, and Mina agreed to come.
• Mina arrived at Li Wei's seaside villa, where she saw his Pokémon playing, resting, and sparring before Cynthia welcomed her inside.

Molly began painting Li Wei, Cynthia, Diancie, and their Pokémon as a family, capturing their natural closeness at their home in Kala'e Bay. Ash and his friends visited while she worked, and Molly expected to finish the painting the next day.

• Molly proposed painting Li Wei, Cynthia, and their Pokémon together, with family as the theme, and Li Wei agreed to include Darkrai.
• Molly arranged Li Wei, Cynthia, Diancie, and the Pokémon for a group portrait, then let them relax after memorizing their poses.
• Molly painted the bonds between the group while the Pokémon played and Cynthia read nearby.
• Ash, Lillie, and the others arrived, quietly watched Molly paint, and then went inside so they would not disturb her.
• Li Wei invited Mallow, Lillie, and Lana to help make lunch while Ash and the others played games and spent time with the Pokémon.
• Molly painted throughout the day and said she would be able to finish the next day.

Molly declined job offers from Li Wei and Cynthia so she could keep improving her painting and travel for inspiration. At Pokémon School, the Ultra Guardians encountered Stakataka, and Ash promised Poipole he would send it home after Stakataka returned through an Ultra Wormhole.

• Molly showed Li Wei and Cynthia her oil painting, then declined their offers of work to continue traveling and painting.
• Lusamine informed the Ultra Guardians that Stakataka had appeared on Pokémon School's rear field.
• Ash and the others failed to capture Stakataka because every stone block in its body had eyes and could move independently.
• Li Wei explained that Stakataka had arrived by accident and told the group to reassure it they could send it home.
• Ash asked Poipole to communicate with Stakataka, and Stakataka agreed to return through an Ultra Wormhole.
• As Stakataka departed, Ash promised the envious Poipole that he would send it home too.

Ash and his friends rested their Pokémon at Pokémon Paradise Resort while Li Wei met Steven to plan Pokémon HeartGold and Pokémon SoulSilver. The chapter ended with the two raising a toast to the games’ success.

• Lusamine gave Ash and his friends tickets to Pokémon Paradise Resort, where they relaxed with their Pokémon and Ride Pokémon.
• Li Wei returned to Jubilife Pokémon Theme Park and invited Steven to discuss a new Pokémon game.
• Li Wei presented his plan for HeartGold and SoulSilver, set in Johto and featuring Akin, Silver, Blue, Ho-Oh, and Lugia.
• Li Wei and Steven discussed the games’ story, gameplay, technology, and promotion before raising a toast to their success.