Recaps

Li Wei defeated Iris six to zero in the Master League’s opening match at Hammerlocke Stadium. Iris left the Competitor Tunnel determined to grow stronger, and Li Wei encouraged her by telling her that the future was hers.

• Nessa predicted Li Wei would win as Li Wei and Iris prepared for the Master League’s opening match.
• Iris’s Salamence fell to Li Wei’s Alolan Ninetales, and Sirfetch'd defeated her Aggron.
• Li Wei’s Zeraora knocked out Iris’s Lapras, then Silver Metagross defeated her Hydreigon.
• Iris Dynamaxed Dragonite, but Li Wei Mega Evolved Diancie and defeated it after its Dynamax ended.
• Mega Diancie defeated Iris’s Haxorus, completing Li Wei’s six-to-zero victory.
• Iris told Li Wei she would keep working to get stronger, and Li Wei encouraged her by saying the future was hers.

Red defeated Professor Kukui 6-1, and Blue defeated Diantha by the same score as the tournament’s headline matches showcased their strength. Leon and Lorelei’s battle remained unresolved as their Gigantamax Pokémon clashed in a storm of ice and fire.

• Professor Kukui battled Red with Incineroar, then sent out his remaining Pokémon as Red defeated them one by one.
• Professor Kukui’s Kommo-o nearly turned the match around against Snorlax, but Red switched in Pikachu, which finished Kommo-o and secured Red’s 6-1 victory.
• Blue defeated Diantha 6-1 after Mega Blastoise knocked out her Mega Gardevoir with Rain Dance and Water Pulse.
• Leon and Lorelei battled as Lorelei set up Aurora Veil and Leon used Trick Room amid frequent switches.
• Lorelei Gigantamaxed Lapras and Leon Gigantamaxed Charizard, then their G-Max Resonance and G-Max Wildfire collided, filling the field with steam as the match’s outcome remained unknown.

Ash faced Wallace in the final match of the first round, sending out Melmetal against Wallace's Walrein. Melmetal broke through Walrein's Yawn and Blizzard, but Wallace prepared Sheer Cold as Melmetal closed in.

• Leon defeated Lorelei after their Gigantamax Pokémon knocked each other out, leaving Leon the match winner, 6-3.
• Cynthia defeated Raihan, Steven defeated Roland, and Mustard narrowly defeated Lance after their battle reached 5-5.
• Ash spoke with Lance before heading into his match against Wallace, while the other competitors discussed Ash's varied battle options and Wallace's Mega Evolution-capable Pokémon.
• Ash and Wallace began their match with Melmetal and Walrein, respectively.
• Ash had Melmetal use Double Iron Bash and Thunder Punch to burst Walrein's Yawn bubble before it could reach him.
• Wallace had Walrein use Blizzard to slow Melmetal, then prepared Sheer Cold as Melmetal pushed close.

Ash defeated Wallace’s Walrein with Melmetal, then sent Pidgeot against Ludicolo as Wallace used Rain Dance to boost its speed and Surf. Pidgeot charged into the towering wave with U-turn and vanished inside it, leaving the battle unresolved.

• Wallace’s Walrein attacked Melmetal with Sheer Cold, but Ash had Melmetal use Earthquake to raise rocks that blocked most of the beam.
• Melmetal struck Walrein with a super-effective Thunder Punch, and the referee declared Walrein unable to battle.
• Wallace sent out Ludicolo, and Ash chose Pidgeot for the next round.
• Wallace used Rain Dance to activate Ludicolo’s Swift Swim, then had it attack Pidgeot with a rain-boosted Surf.
• Ash ordered Pidgeot to use U-turn and charge into the wave, and Pidgeot disappeared inside the wall of water.

Ash used Pidgeot’s U-turn to bring Greninja into the rain, and the two fought Wallace’s Ludicolo in a close battle. Greninja transformed into Ash-Greninja and defeated Ludicolo with a surprise Aerial Ace, leaving Ash the victor.

• Ash used Pidgeot’s U-turn to strike Ludicolo and switch Greninja into the rainy battlefield.
• Greninja dodged Ludicolo’s attacks, used Ice Beam to freeze its Surf, and closed in on its opponent.
• Ash and Greninja’s bond activated, transforming Greninja into Ash-Greninja.
• Ash-Greninja and Ludicolo raised opposing Surf waves, then Greninja broke through the waves with Aerial Ace as Ludicolo struck it with Focus Blast.
• Ludicolo was knocked out, and the referee declared Greninja the winner.

Ash’s Greninja defeated Wallace’s Ludicolo, but Wallace’s Starmie used Thunder in the final moments of the rain to knock Greninja out. With Ash still leading 2-1, he prepared his next Pokémon while saving Pikachu for Wallace’s Milotic.

• Greninja defeated Ludicolo, and Wallace praised Ash’s tactical victory before sending out Starmie.
• Wallace used Starmie’s spinning movement and Signal Beam to keep Greninja at a distance while the rain began to fade.
• Ash had Greninja raise Surf, and Wallace timed Starmie’s Thunder to strike through the water just before the rain ended.
• Greninja lost his bond form and was ruled unable to battle, narrowing Ash’s lead to 2-1.
• Ash held Pikachu back to save its strength for Milotic and sent out another Pokémon against Starmie.

Ash's Sceptile defeated Wallace's Starmie in a risky close-range comeback at Hammerlocke Stadium. Sceptile was badly injured, leaving Ash with a 3-1 lead but one Pokémon effectively out of the battle.

• Ash recalled Greninja and sent out Sceptile to face Wallace's Starmie.
• Starmie trapped Sceptile with Psychic and struck it with super-effective Signal Beam, but Sceptile endured the damage and used Swords Dance.
• Ash spotted that Starmie had to stop moving to fire Signal Beam and ordered Sceptile to charge at the right moment.
• Sceptile dodged the beam at close range and struck Starmie repeatedly with a boosted Dual-Blade Style Leaf Blade.
• The referee declared Starmie unable to battle, and Ash recalled the badly injured Sceptile as the score became 3-1.

Ash’s Snorlax endured Sharpedo’s rapid attacks before breaking through its Hydro Pump with Heavy Slam and following up with Thunder Punch. Snorlax’s sliding technique put Sharpedo in danger, but the battle’s outcome was not shown.

• Wallace recalled Starmie and praised Ash for identifying the weakness in Starmie’s Waltz.
• Wallace sent out Sharpedo while Ash chose Snorlax, which appeared hungry.
• Sharpedo used its speed and Speed Boost to land repeated attacks, while Snorlax endured the damage and recovered with Rest.
• Wallace ordered Sharpedo to use Hydro Pump, and Ash sent Snorlax charging through it with Heavy Slam to crash into Sharpedo.
• Ash ordered Thunder Punch, and Snorlax slid across the wet field to pursue Sharpedo and land two hits despite its attempt to dodge with Aqua Jet.

Ash’s Snorlax defeated Sharpedo with a surprising belly slide and Thunder Punches, extending Ash’s lead over Wallace. Wallace brought Milotic back to summon rain, then sent out Swampert and Mega Evolved it, leaving Pidgeot facing the newly empowered Water-type.

• Snorlax slid across the wet field and knocked out Sharpedo with two Thunder Punches, giving Ash a 4-1 lead.
• Wallace praised Ash’s unpredictable battling, while Ash recalled the exhausted Snorlax and called out Pidgeot.
• Wallace sent out Milotic, and Milotic used Rain Dance to cover the stadium in heavy rain.
• Ash ordered Pidgeot to use Hurricane, but Wallace recalled Milotic and sent out Swampert.
• Wallace Mega Evolved Swampert, whose Swift Swim ability activated in the rain.

Wallace's rain-boosted Mega Swampert defeated Pidgeot and threatened to sweep Ash's team, but Ash sent out his injured Melmetal and used its spinning liquid-metal body to counter Swampert. Melmetal's improvised barrage began landing icy, heavy blows, leaving the battle unresolved.

• Wallace used Rain Dance and Mega Evolved Swampert, which defeated Pidgeot with Ice Beam and Focus Blast.
• The score narrowed to 4-2 as Ash's allies considered how rain-soaked ground might let Pikachu damage Swampert with Electric-type moves.
• Ash sent out his injured Melmetal and ordered it to spin, creating a metal tornado that deflected Swampert's Ice Beam.
• Ash commanded Melmetal to attack with Double Iron Bash and Ice Punch, overwhelming Swampert's defenses and slowing it with icy blows.

Ash used Pikachu to exploit rainwater and puddles to defeat Wallace’s Mega Swampert, despite its speed and Ground-type resistance to Electric attacks. Wallace’s final Pokémon was left to face Ash as the battle continued.

• Wallace exploited Melmetal’s injured shoulder and uneven spin with Earth Power, then defeated it with Focus Blast.
• Ash sent Pikachu onto the field against Mega Swampert, which retained its Swift Swim speed advantage in the rain.
• Ash directed Pikachu through deep puddles to obscure Swampert’s vision and lure it into freezing the water.
• Pikachu spread Electroweb across the wet ground, then used Thunderbolt to conduct electricity through Swampert’s rain-soaked body.
• Pikachu struck the stunned Swampert with Iron Tail, knocking it out and ending its Mega Evolution.

Ash defeated Wallace to win his first-round Master League match, then the round-two draw paired the 1-0 and 0-1 competitors. The chapter ended with the challengers preparing for their next battles, including Cynthia’s younger sister Roland facing Raihan.

• Ash used Pikachu’s 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt to defeat Wallace’s Milotic and enter the 1-0 group.
• The draw paired Li Wei with Leon, Red with Steven, Blue with Cynthia, and Ash with Mustard in the 1-0 group.
• Li Wei felt more confident about facing Leon, while Leon welcomed their rematch.
• The 0-1 group draw paired Iris with Lance, Professor Kukui with Diantha, Lorelei with Wallace, and Raihan with Roland.
• Cynthia encouraged Roland to do her best against Raihan and warned her about his Gigantamax Duraludon.

Li Wei encouraged Roland to prepare for her crucial match while the group gathered for dinner to celebrate Ash’s victory. Ash’s friends cheered him on before his next battle against Master Mustard, and Gladion’s family hoped he would eventually compete in the Master League.

• Mallow told Li Wei she would skip cooking practice because Lusamine had invited everyone to dinner, and Li Wei encouraged Roland to study Raihan for their match.
• Professor Oak said he wanted to discuss Dynamax research with Professor Magnolia, while Blue stayed focused on the Master League.
• At dinner, Mallow and the others laughed at Ash’s belly-slide tactic against Wallace, then discussed Ash’s upcoming match against Master Mustard.
• Lillie, Mallow, Kiawe, Sophocles, and Lana toasted Ash and offered to help him study Mustard after dinner.
• Professor Mohn said Gladion had set out to gain experience with his Zoroark, and Ash and Kiawe promised to compete in the Master League and settle who was stronger.

Lance defeated Iris in their Dragon-type battle at Hammerlocke Stadium, leaving her 0-2 and one loss away from elimination. In the Competitor Tunnel, he encouraged her to keep fighting, while Professor Kukui and Diantha headed toward their next battles.

• Lance opened with Gyarados against Iris's Hydreigon, and Gyarados defeated it to win the first point.
• Druddigon and Aerodactyl knocked each other out, then Iris's Salamence defeated Gyarados before Lance's Dragonite defeated Salamence.
• Iris's Dragonite faced Lance's Mega Dragonite, which endured her Dragon-type Z-Move and won the showdown.
• Mega Dragonite took Lapras down with Thunder Punch, and Salamence defeated Iris's Aggron with Fire Blast.
• Iris's Haxorus defeated one of Lance's Pokémon, but Lance's Hydreigon finished off the exhausted Haxorus and secured his victory.
• Lance comforted Iris in the Competitor Tunnel and urged her not to lose heart as Professor Kukui and Diantha continued toward their command platforms.

Professor Kukui and Champion Diantha fought a close battle in Hammerlocke Stadium, where Diantha’s Mega Gardevoir defeated Kukui’s exhausted Incineroar. The match left the contest tied 1-1, and Kukui promised to win his next match.

• Winona noted that Incineroar had defeated Diantha’s Goodra with Malicious Moonsault, while Diantha still had Gardevoir’s Mega Evolution.
• Diantha Mega Evolved Gardevoir and sent it against Kukui’s worn-out Incineroar.
• Mega Gardevoir overwhelmed Incineroar’s Darkest Lariat with Moonblast, then knocked it out with Dazzling Gleam.
• The referee declared Diantha the winner, tying the contest at 1-1.
• Kukui thanked Incineroar, shook hands with Diantha, and promised Burnet that he would win his next match.

Lorelei and Wallace battled with their final Pokémon, Lapras and Milotic, in a heated showdown at Hammerlocke Stadium. Lorelei’s Gigantamax Lapras survived Wallace’s Hydro Vortex and gained the advantage, but both Pokémon remained standing as the chapter ended with matching Ice Beam attacks.

• Wallace used Aqua Ring to restore Milotic, while Lorelei ordered Lapras to attack with Ice Beam.
• Wallace unleashed the Waterium Z-Move Hydro Vortex, and Lorelei Dynamaxed Lapras to meet the attack head-on.
• Gigantamax Lapras endured Hydro Vortex and countered with G-Max Resonance, damaging Milotic and surrounding the field with auroral light.
• Wallace used Coil and Aqua Ring to help Milotic withstand Lapras’s Max Moves throughout all three Dynamax turns.
• After Dynamax ended, Lorelei and Wallace each ordered their Pokémon to use Ice Beam for a final attack.

Lorelei defeated Wallace, and Roland beat Raihan as the tournament advanced to its 1-0 bracket. Li Wei then faced Leon again, with Arcanine and Cinderace opening their match as Arcanine gained the early advantage.

• Lapras's Ice Beam overwhelmed Milotic's Ice Beam, allowing Lorelei to defeat Wallace.
• Roland defeated Raihan, leaving him in the 0-2 bracket while she advanced to 1-1.
• The announcer introduced the highly anticipated rematch between Li Wei and Leon.
• Li Wei and Leon sent out Arcanine and Cinderace, respectively, to begin their battle.
• Arcanine evaded Cinderace's Double Kick with Extreme Speed and counterattacked before using Flamethrower.

Li Wei's Arcanine overwhelmed Leon's Cinderace and Inteleon with its immense power and stamina, forcing Leon to switch Pokémon and fight defensively. The chapter left Inteleon reeling from Earthquake as Li Wei ordered another Precipice Blade.

• Arcanine used Earthquake to knock Cinderace down, then threatened it with Precipice Blade.
• Leon had Cinderace use U-turn at the last moment and sent out Inteleon.
• Inteleon struck Arcanine's shoulder with Snipe Shot, but Arcanine barely reacted to the attack.
• Leon ordered repeated Snipe Shots at the same spot, while Arcanine used Extreme Speed to weave through them and close the distance.
• Arcanine used Earthquake beneath Inteleon, disrupting its attacks, and Li Wei called for Precipice Blade.

Li Wei’s Arcanine defeated Leon’s Inteleon despite its type disadvantage, and Leon sent out Dragapult to continue the battle. Their Dragapult clashed evenly until Li Wei’s Dragapult used its Giratina-trained Shadow Force to evade Phantom Force and strike from behind.

• Li Wei’s Arcanine defeated Inteleon with Precipice Blade, and the referee declared it unable to battle.
• Leon praised Arcanine, recalled Inteleon, and sent out Dragapult as Li Wei brought out his own Dragapult.
• The two Dragapult matched each other with Dragon Darts, Shadow Ball, and Draco Meteor.
• Leon’s Dragapult vanished with Phantom Force, but Li Wei ordered Shadow Force, which his Dragapult had honed while training with Giratina in the Distortion World.
• Li Wei’s Dragapult evaded the ambush and emerged behind Leon’s Dragapult, striking it in the back.

Li Wei defeated Leon more easily than the year before, while Red beat Steven and Blue narrowly defeated Cynthia. Ash surprised the crowd by reaching a final one-on-one against Mustard’s Urshifu, with his Pikachu still battling for a place in the 2-0 group.

• Li Wei’s Dragapult defeated Leon’s Dragapult with a powerful Dragon Darts attack, and Leon sent out Mr. Rime.
• Li Wei’s Sirfetch’d, Lucario, Arcanine, and Mega Diancie defeated Leon’s remaining Pokémon, including Gigantamax Charizard.
• Red defeated Steven, and Blue beat Cynthia by a score of 6-5 after a close exchange between Machamp and Garchomp.
• Ash and Mustard battled down to their final Pokémon, Pikachu and Urshifu, without either using a battle gimmick.
• The crowd cheered as Ash’s Pikachu faced Mustard’s Urshifu in the deciding matchup.

Ash and Pikachu faced Mustard and Urshifu in a Gigantamax showdown at Hammerlocke Stadium. Pikachu defeated Urshifu, earning Ash the victory, and Mustard thanked them for the battle.

• Ash and Mustard agreed to settle their fight with their strongest forms, and Pikachu and Urshifu Gigantamaxed.
• Mustard ordered Urshifu to use G-Max One Blow, while Ash countered with Pikachu’s G-Max Volt Crash.
• The two attacks clashed evenly until Pikachu’s power overwhelmed Urshifu’s fist and staggered him.
• Ash followed up with Max Lightning, knocking Urshifu out of Gigantamax and leaving him unable to battle.
• The referee declared Ash the winner, and Ash embraced Pikachu while Mustard thanked them for the match.

The Master League draw paired Li Wei with Ash in a top-eight advancement match, while Iris and Raihan were eliminated and Professor Kukui advanced. Li Wei and Ash began their battle with Zeraora and an unusually powerful Pikachu facing off at speed.

• The draw matched Li Wei against Ash, Red against Blue, and set the remaining group matchups.
• Iris lost to Wallace and was eliminated, while Professor Kukui defeated Raihan and advanced to the 1-2 group.
• Li Wei and Ash entered Hammerlocke Stadium for their long-awaited rematch, which Ash approached with intense determination.
• Ash sent out Pikachu, and Li Wei chose Zeraora to meet it.
• Pikachu and Zeraora clashed in a high-speed opening exchange, and Li Wei realized Pikachu was fighting at full power.

Ash’s Pikachu lost to Li Wei’s Zeraora after their Steel-type Z-Move failed to knock it out. Ash sent out Lycanroc next, choosing to battle with his Alola lineup to show Li Wei how much his Pokémon had grown.

• Pikachu and Zeraora traded fast attacks before Ash used Corkscrew Crash.
• Zeraora endured Pikachu’s Z-Move and knocked Pikachu out with a powerful Plasma Fists.
• Ash praised Pikachu, then returned to the battlefield and sent out Dusk Form Lycanroc.
• Li Wei recognized Ash’s choice of Alola Pokémon, while Blue and the others understood Ash wanted to show their growth.

Ash’s Lycanroc challenged Li Wei’s Diancie, but Diancie used Trick Room to reverse the speed advantage and defeated Lycanroc. Ash sent out Melmetal next, and Li Wei recalled Diancie while Trick Room remained active.

• Ash sent out Lycanroc, and Li Wei chose Diancie.
• Diancie activated Trick Room, letting her evade Lycanroc’s Stone Edge and attack with Moonblast and Earth Power.
• Ash ordered Lycanroc to charge with Counter, but Diancie’s Diamond Storm overwhelmed it and knocked it out.
• Ash praised Lycanroc, declared he would not give up, and sent out Melmetal.
• Li Wei recalled Diancie as Melmetal entered the field, with Trick Room still active.

Li Wei defeated Ash 6-0 in their Hammerlocke Stadium match, with Ash's Melmetal putting up a close fight before falling to Li Wei's. Ash accepted the result, satisfied that he had shown how much his Pokémon had grown.

• Ash sent out Melmetal as Trick Room neared its end, and Li Wei answered with his own Melmetal.
• The two Melmetal battled evenly with heavy attacks until Trick Room dissipated and they collided in a final clash.
• Ash's Melmetal fell, while Li Wei's Melmetal remained standing and won the matchup.
• Ash's Rowlet and Incineroar were quickly defeated, leaving Cameran Palace's Lucario as his final Pokémon.
• Li Wei's Lucario overpowered Cameran Palace's Lucario, and the match ended with Li Wei winning 6-0.
• Ash was not too disheartened, since he had wanted to showcase his Pokémon's recent growth.