Recaps

The search for Professor Mohn resumed across Alola and other regions, while a young Trainer in Galar wondered where he had seen Mohn before. Li Wei continued researching Hisui Goodra, and Ash and his classmates prepared to visit Malie City.

• The Aether Foundation publicized Mohn’s disappearance, and Lusamine enlisted Li Wei, Lance, the Investigator teams, and the Ultra Guardians to help search for him.
• A young Trainer in Galar recognized Mohn’s face as familiar and considered traveling to retrace his steps after hearing about Lusamine’s reward.
• Lillie and Gladion found no clues in Mohn’s room, but Lillie became convinced that Magearna was important.
• Li Wei reviewed his Hisui Goodra observation records with Principal Oak and Professor Oak, then planned to test their suggestions over the weekend.
• Professor Kukui announced that Ash and his classmates would spend two days in Malie City, where Ash and others eagerly planned to challenge its Kanto-style Gym.

Li Wei’s two Pokémon Eggs hatched into a male and a female Kubfu, bringing him the Pokémon he had long sought. After feeding the newly hatched pair, he shared a video with Blue, Steven, and Lance and told them he no longer needed their help finding Kubfu.

• Li Wei considered Principal Oak’s offer to teach at the Pokémon School whenever he visited Alola and decided he could make up his mind later.
• One of Li Wei’s Pokémon Eggs hatched into a male Kubfu, which he registered as a novice Fighting-type Pokémon.
• The second Egg hatched into a rare female Kubfu, and Li Wei fed both Kubfu Pokémon Food softened with Moomoo Milk.
• Li Wei recorded the Kubfu eating and sent the video to the Chat Group, telling Blue, Steven, and Lance that he had found two Kubfu.

Li Wei welcomed two newly hatched Kubfu into his family and introduced them to his Pokémon. Both Kubfu eagerly accepted Metagross's training plans, leaving Li Wei to watch as his team made the newcomers feel at home.

• Li Wei recalled how Kubfu lived alone in remote mountains and how little their parents cared for their young after hatching.
• Li Wei welcomed the male and female Kubfu, and Sirfetch'd greeted them as the Pokémon who had cared for their eggs.
• Lucario offered to help train the battle-loving Kubfu, while Zeraora, Diancie, Arcanine, and other Pokémon welcomed them.
• Metagross announced that it had already prepared training plans, and both Kubfu showed great interest despite Li Wei's doubts about starting so soon.

Li Wei and Cynthia welcomed two newborn Kubfu at the Seaside Villa in Kala'e Bay, and Li Wei considered how to train them and guide their future evolution. The Kubfu settled into their new beds eager for more challenges, and Li Wei planned to take them to the Pokémon Theme Park in a few days.

• Cynthia visited Li Wei to meet the two Kubfu, and he planned to leave their training to Metagross, Sirfetch'd, and Lucario.
• The Chat Group reacted to the rare hatchlings, and Green recommended basing their training on Pangoro's regimen.
• Li Wei considered evolving one Kubfu into Single Strike Style and the other into Rapid Strike Style, though he only had a Scroll of Darkness.
• Shaymin, Victini, and Hoopa invited the Kubfu to play, but the newborns were more interested in Sirfetch'd's leek sword and Lucario.
• Metagross and Diancie assembled special beds for the Kubfu, and Li Wei told them about the challenges awaiting them at his other home.

Li Wei brought two Kubfu to Pokémon School and taught Ash and the others about Fighting-type Pokémon and their care. The students began a practical lesson, dividing up to groom the Kubfu and prepare food for them.

• Li Wei introduced the male and female Kubfu to his class and explained Fighting-type strengths, weaknesses, and common species.
• Li Wei led the students to the newly renovated Pokémon Breeding classroom for a hands-on lesson.
• Ash and Kiawe chose to care for the male Kubfu, while Lana and Sophocles took the female; Mallow and Lillie prepared Pokémon Food.
• Kiawe taught Ash to brush the Kubfu's fur and check its claws, while Lillie advised Mallow to include meat because Kubfu were omnivores.

Li Wei’s students cared for the two Kubfu and fed them Mallow’s Poni White Radish burgers. Professor Kukui then announced that registration for the Alola League tournament had opened, with entry rules relaxed so anyone could compete.

• Kiawe guided Ash, Lana, and Sophocles as they bathed and cared for the Kubfu, while Mallow and Lillie prepared food for them.
• Mallow made giant Poni White Radish beef burgers, which both Kubfu eagerly ate, and Li Wei gave her full marks.
• Li Wei dismissed the class after praising the students’ care for the Kubfu.
• Professor Kukui announced that registration for the Pokémon League tournament was open and that anyone could enter despite not completing an Island Challenge or earning badges.
• Ash and the others eagerly decided to sign up for the tournament.

Professor Kukui and Li Wei discussed special training, Kukui’s secret identity, and Li Wei’s uncertain plans to keep teaching in Alola. After Kukui recalled seeing a Kubfu on Melemele Island, Li Wei suspected Kubfu and Urshifu would return.

• Professor Kukui arranged weekend special training, with Sophocles and Ash heading to Kiawe’s mountain and Lillie, Mallow, and Lana training at Lillie’s house.
• Professor Kukui told Li Wei that Faba had discovered he was the Masked Royal, but had kept the secret.
• Li Wei asked Professor Kukui whether he should continue teaching at the Pokémon School, and Kukui said he wanted him to stay in Alola.
• Professor Kukui said he wanted to raise a Kubfu but would not take one of Li Wei’s beloved Pokémon.
• Professor Kukui recalled seeing a Kubfu battling Bewear on Melemele Island as a child, and Li Wei predicted Kubfu and Urshifu would return.

Li Wei learned that Professor Kukui had once seen Bewear defeat a Kubfu that evolved into Single Strike Style Urshifu, and arranged to search for Bewear with him next week. Back in Jubilife City, Li Wei introduced the two newly hatched Kubfu to his family and Pokémon as he took them around the Park.

• Professor Kukui told Li Wei how Bewear had defeated Kubfu and then Single Strike Style Urshifu, and offered to help Li Wei search for Bewear next week.
• Li Wei returned to Jubilife City with Hoopa and learned from Leon that Cynthia and Mizuki had gone to a meeting about the Jubilife City festival.
• Li Wei introduced the two Kubfu to Leon and explained that they had hatched from Pokémon Eggs three days earlier.
• Li Wei took the Kubfu out to explore, while his other Pokémon split up to visit friends and prepare for performances.
• Officer Jenny and Arcanine greeted Li Wei, who introduced the Kubfu to Arcanine.

Li Wei brought two Kubfu through the Jubilife Pokémon Theme Park, where he ran into Officer Jenny, the park’s fossil Pokémon, and his old friend Dayou. He asked Dayou to teach the Kubfu fighting techniques, and Dayou agreed.

• Li Wei greeted Officer Jenny and her Arcanine while they patrolled the park.
• Two Aerodactyl and other fossil Pokémon welcomed Li Wei and the Kubfu near Swan Lake.
• Li Wei took the Kubfu on the little train, answering children’s questions about Pokémon along the way.
• Li Wei found Dayou training new recruits for the upcoming Rainforest area.
• Li Wei asked Dayou to teach the Kubfu fighting techniques, and Dayou agreed.

Li Wei arranged for Dayou to train the two Kubfu, with Incineroar helping teach them martial arts. The siblings began rigorous dojo training, where their different strengths started to show.

• Li Wei chose Dayou to train the Kubfu and planned for them to learn the Hardness Secret, the Softness Secret, and the secrets in the Scroll of Darkness.
• Dayou agreed to take the Kubfu as disciples and told Li Wei to bring them to the dojo the next morning.
• Dayou introduced Incineroar as the Kubfu's senior fellow disciple and began teaching them the horse stance.
• Incineroar corrected the Kubfu's stances as they practiced balance, dodging, running, jumping, and striking wooden posts.
• Dayou observed that the older brother was tenacious, while the younger sister had better aptitude for holding the stance.

Dayou, Incineroar, Lucario, and Sirfetch'd trained the two Kubfu in martial arts, the Softness Secret, and the Hardness Secret. The younger Kubfu surprised them by independently varying her attack rhythm, though neither sibling was close to defeating Sirfetch'd.

• Dayou taught the Kubfu that martial arts meant controlling power, protecting the weak, and surpassing themselves.
• Lucario trained the Kubfu in the Softness Secret, teaching them to redirect an opponent's force while also helping them develop their breathing.
• Sirfetch'd trained the Kubfu in the Hardness Secret through relentless sword-and-shield sparring, forcing them to face attacks head-on.
• The younger Kubfu began changing her attack rhythm on her own and nearly got close enough to touch Sirfetch'd.
• Dayou and Incineroar realized the younger Kubfu had figured out the rhythm changes without being taught, but Sirfetch'd remained far beyond the siblings' reach.

Li Wei continued preparing the two Kubfu for their eventual evolutions, while their intensive training pushed them toward the Veteran tier. After deciding which style suited each Kubfu, he sought a Water Scroll and learned that one would be auctioned in Porto Marinada.

• Dayou, Lucario, Sirfetch'd, and Metagross trained the Kubfu, who learned several moves and advanced from the beginner tier to the upper Elite tier in two weeks.
• Dayou prepared tougher conditioning exercises for the Kubfu, while Li Wei provided food, hot springs, and recovery care.
• Li Wei, Dayou, and Lucario concluded that the male Kubfu suited Single Strike Style and the female Kubfu suited Rapid Strike Style.
• Li Wei asked the Chat Group for help finding a Water Scroll, and Lorelei explained its connection to Kubfu and Urshifu.
• Steven found a Water Scroll listed for an auction in Porto Marinada and agreed to bid on it for Li Wei.

Steven won the unidentified Mega Stone and the Water Scroll at an auction in Porto Marinada, then sent both items to Li Wei through Hoopa. Li Wei recognized the Mega Stone and planned to pass it to Professor Sycamore for study.

• Steven won the unidentified Mega Stone for 9.5 million Pokémon Dollars and planned to have Professor Sycamore study it.
• Steven won the Water Scroll for seven million Pokémon Dollars after outbidding the other collectors.
• Li Wei transferred the payment to Steven and asked Hoopa to collect the Water Scroll.
• Steven handed Hoopa both the Water Scroll and the Mega Stone to deliver to Li Wei, asking him to pass the stone to Professor Sycamore.
• Li Wei received the Mega Stone and recognized which Pokémon it was for.

Li Wei sent Steven’s unidentified Evolution Stone to Professor Sycamore for testing, hinting that it held Ground- and Steel-type energy. After Blue won his match against Bruno, Li Wei discussed the upcoming Alola League opening at Manalo Stadium, where Professor Kukui had invited him and Cynthia.

• Li Wei and Cynthia recognized familiar energy in the unidentified Evolution Stone, and Li Wei arranged for Hoopa to deliver it to Professor Sycamore.
• Li Wei told Professor Sycamore that Steven had bought the stone and suggested testing Steelix and Excadrill as possible Pokémon that could use it.
• Blue defeated Bruno after a battle in which both Trainers sent out Machamp.
• Cynthia asked about the Alola Pokémon League, and Li Wei explained that Manalo Stadium was complete and Professor Kukui had invited them to its opening ceremony.
• Cynthia said she might attend despite having a Monday meeting, while Li Wei offered to represent them if she could not go.

Lillie showed Ash and her classmates the Magearna without a Soul-Heart that her father had left behind, and Sophocles agreed to study how to revive it. At Manalo Stadium, Professor Kukui officially opened the Alola League Conference and announced an exhibition match for the region’s first Champion.

• Lillie led Ash and the others to her father’s laboratory, where they found a Magearna missing its Soul-Heart.
• Lillie explained that Mohn had tried to revive Magearna and shared his research notes; Sophocles took them to study.
• Lillie said Mohn’s Zoroark had also disappeared, and that her older brother was searching for it.
• Lillie and the others watched the Manalo Stadium opening ceremony on television, where Professor Kukui appeared with Li Wei, Cynthia, and Alola’s representatives and Gym Leaders.
• Professor Kukui declared the Alola League Conference open at Manalo Stadium and announced a surprise exhibition match for Alola’s first Champion.

The Alola League announced that the Masked Royal would battle Alola’s first Champion, while Li Wei and Cynthia would commentate the finals. After the announcement energized Ash and his friends, Li Wei, Cynthia, and Lusamine traveled to Aether Paradise, where Li Wei offered to show Cynthia the Pokémon sanctuary.

• Professor Kukui announced that the Masked Royal would face Alola’s first Champion in a six-on-six battle and revealed that Li Wei and Cynthia would commentate the finals.
• Ash, Kiawe, Lana, Lillie, Sophocles, and Mallow grew excited about the League and decided to train toward using Z-Moves.
• Professor Kukui thanked Cynthia for accepting the commentator role, and Cynthia praised Alola’s enthusiasm for battling.
• Lusamine invited Li Wei and Cynthia to lunch at Aether Paradise and arranged a Jet Plane to take them there.
• After the Jet Plane landed, Li Wei offered to show Cynthia around Aether Paradise’s Pokémon sanctuary while the chefs prepared lunch.

Ash and his friends arrived at Manalo Stadium ahead of the Alola League, explored its facilities, and watched Li Wei test the battlefield’s safety. Hau arrived and greeted Ash, leaving the group ready for the tournament.

• Ash and his friends sailed to Manalo Stadium, where Lillie showed off her new look and offered to guide them around.
• Professor Kukui explained that registration would open that evening and sent the group to explore while he continued safety inspections.
• Ash, Kiawe, and Sophocles found Li Wei testing the battlefield with Lucario, Zeraora, Latios, and Latias.
• Li Wei finished the tests, and Ash, Kiawe, and Sophocles declared their determination to win the Alola League.
• Hau arrived with Hala, greeted Ash, and told Li Wei that he was a fan.

At Manalo Stadium, Lillie asked Li Wei how to awaken Magearna without its missing Soul-Heart. Li Wei proposed exploring whether emotion and the bond with Magearna could provide a solution, and promised to seek help from other experts.

• Li Wei tested Manalo Stadium's safety with Lucario and Zeraora while Ash, Hau, and their friends arrived early.
• Hau revealed that he had passed Hala's Grand Trial and showed off his evolved Decidueye, then noticed Meltan resembled Li Wei's Melmetal.
• Gladion had found Zoroark, told it that Mohn was alive, and gained its help in searching for him.
• Lillie explained that her attempts to activate Magearna had failed without its Soul-Heart and asked Li Wei for another approach.
• Li Wei wondered whether Magearna's bond and emotion could serve as a power source, then promised to consult Professor Oak, Red, Blue, and other experts.

Li Wei sought help investigating Magearna’s missing Soul-Heart and asked researchers and Team Rocket to look for ways to revive her. He gathered early opinions and leads, while several inquiries remained in progress.

• Li Wei told Lillie to investigate the Soul-Heart’s origins and consider bonds and emotions, then promised to ask researchers for advice.
• Li Wei contacted Clemont, who guessed the Soul-Heart was artificial and agreed to look into making an alternative energy source.
• Professor Oak told Li Wei that the Soul-Heart was likely artificial but might have incorporated a natural medium, and agreed to ask around.
• Matori confirmed the Soul-Heart was artificial, said its manufacturing technology had been lost, and began searching Team Rocket’s archives.
• Li Wei asked the Chat Group for leads, and Blue, Professor Oak, and Crystal said they were investigating.

Li Wei searched the Chat Group for information about Magearna’s Soul-Heart and learned that Diantha could provide one from the Battle Chateau. Diantha arranged to send the unlisted collectible to Alola for Lillie’s Magearna, leaving Li Wei waiting for the paperwork to be completed.

• Li Wei asked the Chat Group about Magearna’s Soul-Heart, and Blue, Crystal, Steven, Lance, and others searched for information without finding one.
• Diantha called Li Wei and revealed that the Battle Chateau held a complete Soul-Heart that was not listed in its catalog.
• Diantha offered to authorize the Soul-Heart’s transfer to Li Wei because Lillie’s Magearna needed it.
• Diantha explained that paperwork would take more than a week and promised to send the Soul-Heart safely to Alola.
• Li Wei accepted the gift and promised to give Diantha a Goomy after breeding a Hisui Goodra.

Li Wei told Lillie that Diantha had found a Magearna Soul-Heart for her, which would arrive in at least seven days. Ash and his friends registered for the Alola League tournament at Manalo Stadium, where Team Rocket also signed up.

• Li Wei told Lillie that Diantha would give her the Soul-Heart from the Battle Chateau, and Lillie was overjoyed.
• Li Wei said the Soul-Heart would take at least seven days to arrive, and Lillie thanked him and Diantha.
• Li Wei directed Ash and the others to register at the stadium Pokémon Center before sharing dinner.
• Ash, Kiawe, Sophocles, Lillie, Mallow, and Lana joined the long line of Trainers registering for the tournament.
• Jessie, James, and Meowth spotted Ash and declared their intention to beat him and win the championship.
• Ash and his friends completed their tournament registration.

The Alola League Manalo Conference opened at Manalo Stadium, where 186 competitors prepared to fight in Battle Royal preliminaries. Ash and his friends aimed to advance, while Guzma entered intending to defeat Professor Kukui’s League.

• Ash, Kiawe, Lillie, and Mallow arrived at Manalo Stadium and spotted competitors including Oluolu, Kahili, Acerola, and Ilima.
• Acerola told Ash she had signed up so she could battle him, while Guzma and Team Skull entered with plans to win the Conference and undermine Professor Kukui.
• Professor Kukui declared the Manalo Conference open, and Lusamine, Professor Burnet, and Wicke watched from a private suite.
• Commentator Ji Qiu introduced the preliminary referees and announced that 186 competitors would battle until only sixteen remained.
• Ash and his friends stacked their hands together and promised to give the preliminaries their all.

The Alola League’s round of 32 began, and Ash and his friends advanced to the top 16. Lana and Mallow were paired against each other in the next round, and they agreed to battle without regrets.

• Ash defeated Faba’s Hypno after Meltan grabbed the coin Hypno used to attack.
• Guzma, Ilima, Sophocles, Mallow, and Kiawe all won their round-of-32 matches and advanced.
• Lana defeated her opponent’s Quilava with Primarina and joined the others in the top 16.
• Lana and Mallow learned they would face each other in the round of 16 and promised to give the battle their all.
• Li Wei told the group to have their Pokémon treated before joining him for dinner.

Mallow and Lana battled in the Alola League, where Lana advanced after Primarina defeated Tsareena. Ash later defeated Guzma in the quarterfinals, and the chapter ended with the semifinals set for the next day.

• Li Wei decided to stay in Alola for the League and planned to invite Mallow, Lana, Kiawe, and the others to the Pokémon Theme Park during their vacation.
• Ash, Guzma, and Hau won their matches, while Guzma surprised the crowd by defeating Ilima.
• Lana used Primarina’s Sparkling Aria and Icy Wind to wear down Mallow’s Tsareena, then won after their Z-Moves clashed in a draw.
• Ash defeated Guzma after Golisopod’s Emergency Exit sent Scizor in front of Torracat’s Fire Blast and Pikachu knocked out Golisopod.
• Guzma decided to lead Team Skull down the right path, and the next day’s semifinals were set as Ash versus Kahili and Gladion versus Hapu.

Gladion defeated Hapu, setting up an Alola League final against Ash. As friends and Champions prepared to watch, Ash and Gladion left the story poised for their six-on-six match and the selection of Alola’s first Champion.

• Gladion used Silvally and Mohn's Zoroark to defeat Hapu and advance to the finals against Ash.
• Li Wei and Professor Kukui decided that Ash and Gladion would battle six-on-six in the final.
• Ash and Gladion promised to give the match their all, while Ash invited viewers across the Eevee Network to watch the livestream.
• Dawn, Brock, and members of the Chat Group prepared to watch Ash's match, and Crystal told Ash she was ready to board a plane to see him.
• The Chat Group discussed Ash's chance to become Alola's first Champion, while Blue considered traveling to the venue with Hoopa's help.