Recaps

Red’s Blastoise overwhelmed Ash’s Melmetal with powerful attacks and won, leaving Ash down two Pokémon to zero. Ash prepared to send out his next Pokémon.

• Red had Blastoise use Blizzard, but Ash had Melmetal spin and use Double Iron Bash to push back the ice and create a metal tornado charged with Thunder Punch.
• Red ordered Hydro Cannon, and Blastoise’s combined water blasts tore through Melmetal’s tornado and sent Melmetal flying.
• Blastoise struck Melmetal with two Aura Spheres, then froze its Thunder Wave with Blizzard.
• Ash had Melmetal charge with Superpower, but Blastoise stopped it with two point-blank Aura Spheres and slammed it into the stadium wall.
• The referee declared Melmetal unable to battle, giving Blastoise its second win as Ash fell behind 0–2.

Ash's Charizard faced Red's Charizard and was badly outmatched despite fighting with all his strength. When Ash urged him to rise, Blaze ignited, and Charizard prepared one last Flare Blitz.

• Ash recalled Melmetal after Red's Blastoise knocked him out, then sent out Charizard as Red switched to his own Charizard.
• Ash's Charizard attacked with Thunder Punch and Aerial Ace, but Red's Charizard evaded him with Dragon Dance and wounded him with Dragon Claw.
• The two Charizard clashed with Dragon Claw, and Red's Charizard overpowered Ash's Charizard, leaving him with deep chest wounds.
• Ash's Charizard charged with Flare Blitz, but Red's Charizard outmaneuvered him and overwhelmed his flames, blasting him to the ground.
• Ash called for Charizard to get up, and Blaze erupted across Charizard's body as Ash ordered one last Flare Blitz.

Ash’s Charizard, Ash-Greninja, and Snorlax lost to Red’s Pokémon, leaving Pikachu as his final battler in a 0–5 match. Ash and Red resumed the battle with their Pikachu, and their first Quick Attack clash ended evenly, prompting Li Wei to recognize Ash’s Full-Power Pika form.

• Charizard’s Blaze flared as it launched a final Flare Blitz, but Red’s Charizard defeated it with Fire Blast, bringing the score to 0–3.
• Ash-Greninja lost to Red’s Venusaur, and Ash’s Snorlax lost to Red’s Snorlax, leaving Ash with only Pikachu.
• Ash sent out Pikachu against Red’s Pikachu as the scoreboard showed 0–5, while the crowd and Ash’s friends urged him on.
• Ash thanked Pikachu and promised they would finish the battle without regrets; Red and his Pikachu answered with their own resolve.
• The referee resumed the match, and both Pikachu used Quick Attack, colliding at the center of the field without either gaining the advantage.
• Li Wei recognized Ash’s Full-Power Pika form and told Blue to keep watching.

Ash’s Pikachu pushed Red’s Pikachu to a standstill before Ash used Gigantamax to turn the battle around. Red acknowledged their strength and prepared an Electrium Z move with his Pikachu, leaving the two sides poised for a final clash.

• Ash and Red’s Pikachu traded Thunderbolts, Electroweb, Iron Tail, Quick Attack, and Volt Tackle in an intense, nearly even battle.
• Ash’s Pikachu grew increasingly battered but kept fighting, drawing praise from the spectators and Karuna for his strength and bond with Ash.
• Red’s Pikachu feinted and landed a powerful Volt Tackle that sent Ash’s Pikachu tumbling and left him close to defeat.
• Ash’s Pikachu used Quick Attack to evade Red’s Pikachu’s finishing strike, and Ash activated Gigantamax.
• Red acknowledged Ash and Pikachu’s strength, then synchronized with his Pikachu and prepared an Electrium Z move for the final clash.

Ash and Pikachu lost the final battle to Red, but earned his approval and the respect of the crowd. As Ash vowed to keep pursuing his goal of becoming a Pokémon Master, he walked through the Competitor Tunnel and found someone waiting there.

• Ash and Red’s Pikachu unleashed their ultimate attacks, and Red’s Pikachu remained standing after the clash.
• The referee declared Red the winner after Ash’s Pikachu could no longer battle, leaving the final score at 6-0.
• Ash thanked Pikachu, and Red praised Ash, Pikachu, and Ash’s other Pokémon before accepting Ash’s promise to challenge him again.
• Professor Kukui, Professor Oak, Ash’s friends, and the other Champions praised Ash’s performance, while Blue had already left, satisfied with his student.
• Ash vowed to keep working toward becoming a Pokémon Master, then walked into the quiet Competitor Tunnel and found a figure waiting against the wall.

After his 6-0 loss to Red, Ash received a blunt review of his battling from Blue, which helped him understand the gap between them. Blue invited Ash to Pallet Town for a second phase of hellish training after the Master League, and Ash eagerly accepted.

• Blue found Ash in the Competitor Tunnel and told him that his fundamentals and tactical choices needed work.
• Blue analyzed Ash's battles with Sceptile, Melmetal, Greninja, and Snorlax, pointing out specific mistakes and praising Melmetal's Twister.
• Ash realized that Red's advantage lay not only in Pokémon strength but also in battle control and attention to detail.
• Blue told Ash to study recordings of Red's battles and announced that he would train Ash in Pallet Town after the Master League.
• Ash agreed to report to Pallet Town after taking a few days to rest, and vowed to grow stronger with Pikachu and his other Pokémon.

After Cynthia narrowly defeated Leon, she and Li Wei discussed the upcoming Master League semifinals and plans for the Jubilife Pokémon Theme Park. Cynthia said she planned to step down as Sinnoh Champion next year and agreed with Li Wei to marry around the time of the Lily of the Valley Conference.

• Cynthia defeated Leon 6-4 and advanced to the Master League semifinals, where she was set to face Red.
• Li Wei described his plan for a long-running Pokémon-themed season at the Jubilife Pokémon Theme Park, from mid-November to early March.
• Li Wei and Cynthia agreed that the Theme Park did not need more battle competitions and discussed Li Wei's goal of helping people understand Pokémon beyond battling.
• Cynthia told Li Wei she planned to challenge Roland next year and step down as Sinnoh Champion if Roland earned her approval.
• Li Wei and Cynthia agreed to plan their wedding around the Lily of the Valley Conference in July or August, depending on everyone's availability.

On the outskirts of Wyndon, Li Wei rallied his Pokémon before their semifinal against Blue, reminding them how much they had grown since last year’s narrow defeat. Darkrai arrived to encourage them and offer a spar, leaving Li Wei and his team more determined to win the tournament.

• Li Wei gathered Lucario, Zeraora, and the others to discuss their rematch with Blue and the progress they had made over the past year.
• Li Wei stressed that Blue would prepare tactics against them and urged the team to choose their lineup carefully and surprise him with unexpected moves.
• Hoopa’s golden ring opened, and Darkrai emerged, saying he had come to cheer them on and help them train.
• Darkrai challenged the team to spar, and Li Wei thanked him before urging everyone to continue training.
• Li Wei declared that they had to defeat Blue, win the tournament, and reach the highest stage, whether Red or Cynthia emerged from the other half of the bracket.

Darkrai, Giratina, and Hoopa helped Li Wei and his Pokémon train for their match against Blue by creating a chaotic battlefield and putting Dragapult through separate training in the Distortion World. After four hours, Li Wei had decided whom to send into battle, and the group prepared to rest before facing Blue the next day.

• Darkrai spread his Nightmare Domain across the courtyard, and Li Wei had Lucario and the others practice their moves and tactics under its mental interference.
• Giratina opened a passage to the Distortion World and took Dragapult inside for training, while Hoopa Unbound used its rings to launch and redirect attacks at Lucario and the others.
• Li Wei directed the Pokémon through the barrage, and their responses and teamwork improved as he assessed them for the match against Blue.
• After four hours, Li Wei called a halt to training, Darkrai withdrew the Nightmare Domain, and Dragapult returned from the Distortion World as Giratina promised to watch the match.
• Li Wei told everyone to rest, having settled on his battle lineup, and said they would show Blue how much they had grown.

Blue studied Li Wei’s Pokémon and battle tactics before facing him in the Master League semifinals. The chapter ended as Blue and Li Wei took their places in Wyndon Stadium and prepared to send out their first Pokémon.

• Blue analyzed footage of Li Wei’s team and concluded that Dragapult’s Shadow Force was too unpredictable to calculate, so he planned to rely on wide-area attacks and quick reflexes.
• Blue ran simulated battles against Li Wei’s lineup and remained confident that he could win on his way to defeating Red.
• Steven joined Jason as a commentator and described Blue as meticulous and Li Wei as unpredictable.
• Blue and Li Wei entered Wyndon Stadium to cheers as they met again in the Master League semifinals.
• The referee announced the rules, and Blue and Li Wei gripped their first Poké Balls as the match began.

Li Wei's Arcanine battled Blue's Golduck at Wyndon Stadium, breaking through psychic restraints and trading attacks with it. Arcanine feigned weakness to draw Blue into lowering his guard, then broke free and launched another Wild Charge.

• Li Wei and Blue sent out Arcanine and Golduck, and Blue opened with Hydro Pump to block Arcanine's approach.
• Arcanine used Extreme Speed to close in, but Golduck caught it with Psyshock before Arcanine broke free and charged with Wild Charge.
• Golduck blocked Wild Charge with Protect, then countered with Ice Beam, which Arcanine overwhelmed with Flare Blitz.
• Golduck restrained Arcanine with Psyshock and hit it with Hydro Pump while Blue tried to wear it down from range.
• Li Wei revealed that Arcanine had been feigning weakness, then ordered it to break free with Extreme Speed and attack with Wild Charge.

Li Wei’s Arcanine defeated Blue’s Golduck with Wild Charge, giving Li Wei the first point before Blue sent out Machamp. Li Wei switched in Sirfetch’d to face Machamp, and the next battle began with Machamp’s Thunder Punch.

• Arcanine broke through Golduck’s Psyshock and Protect with Wild Charge, knocking Golduck out and winning the match.
• Blue recalled Golduck and sent out Machamp, whose No Guard ability forced the battle into direct exchanges.
• Li Wei recalled his depleted Arcanine after it took a Dynamic Punch and sent out Sirfetch’d instead.
• Blue ordered Machamp to use Thunder Punch, and Machamp charged at Sirfetch’d with a strike honed by twenty years of training.

Li Wei's Sirfetch'd and Blue's Machamp fought a grueling No Guard battle, trading powerful attacks until Sirfetch'd used Final Gambit to erase Machamp's stamina advantage. They made one final clash, and Machamp fell first, leaving Sirfetch'd standing.

• Blue ordered Machamp to attack with Thunder Punch and Dynamic Punch, while Sirfetch'd redirected one blow and met the next head-on with Brutal Swing.
• Machamp used Earthquake and Stone Edge, but Sirfetch'd endured the attacks and struck back with Brave Bird.
• Machamp's relentless attacks wore Sirfetch'd down until Li Wei ordered Final Gambit, which brought Machamp's stamina advantage to an end.
• Li Wei and Blue ordered Sirfetch'd's Meteor Assault and Machamp's Dynamic Punch at the same time, and the Pokémon charged past each other in a final clash.
• Machamp collapsed first and became unable to battle, while Sirfetch'd remained standing.

Li Wei and Green drew after Sirfetch'd used Final Gambit to take down Machamp, leaving Green ahead 2-1. Green sent out Porygon2 against Diancie, and the battle continued with both Pokémon trading attacks as Porygon2 prepared Trick Room.

• Sirfetch'd used Final Gambit to defeat Machamp, and the referee declared both Pokémon unable to battle.
• Li Wei and Green recalled their fallen Pokémon, leaving the score at 2-1 in Green's favor.
• Green sent out Porygon2, while Li Wei chose Diancie for the next battle.
• Porygon2 used Sunny Day and Solar Beam, but Diancie survived and used Skill Swap to take Adaptability.
• Diancie and Porygon2 exchanged Moonblast, Tri Attack, Solar Beam, and Diamond Storm, with Diancie at a stamina disadvantage after taking the first Solar Beam.
• Green ordered Solar Beam followed by Trick Room, and Li Wei told Diancie to close in with Diamond Storm.

Li Wei’s Diancie defeated Blue’s Porygon2 by using Trick Room and Body Press, leaving Li Wei with a 3–1 lead. Blue sent out his powerful Rhyperior, and Li Wei prepared Melmetal to face it.

• Li Wei had Diancie use Diamond Storm to approach Porygon2, then exploited Trick Room’s reversed speed order to land a powerful Body Press.
• Diancie defeated Porygon2 but collapsed from exhaustion, and the referee declared it the winner.
• Blue recalled Porygon2 and sent out Rhyperior, whose mastery of Earth’s Secret Arts made it a formidable threat under Trick Room.
• Li Wei recognized Rhyperior’s strength and called Melmetal out to battle.

Li Wei’s Melmetal and Blue’s Rhyperior fought a brutal battle inside Trick Room, trading powerful attacks until both were near exhaustion. They prepared to decide the match with one final clash, but the chapter ended before its outcome was revealed.

• Li Wei sent out Melmetal to face Blue’s Rhyperior in Trick Room, where Melmetal gained the speed advantage.
• Rhyperior’s Earthquake and Melmetal’s High Horsepower clashed, shaking the field and ending their opening exchange in a draw.
• Rhyperior used Stone Edge, but Melmetal smashed through the rising stones with Double Iron Bash before the Pokémon collided with Hammer Arm and Heavy Slam.
• Melmetal’s Body Press and Rhyperior’s Hammer Arm landed together, and the two continued trading attacks as their injuries mounted and the stadium floor crumbled.
• With both Pokémon exhausted, Li Wei ordered Melmetal to use High Horsepower while Blue commanded Rhyperior to use Earthquake for the final blow.

Rhyperior and Melmetal exhausted themselves in a final clash that ended Trick Room and left both unable to battle. Li Wei sent out Arcanine against Blue’s Scizor, but Blue switched to Charizard, who pressured Arcanine from the air as the battle continued.

• Rhyperior and Melmetal collided with Earthquake and High Horsepower, destroying Trick Room and leaving both Pokémon unable to battle.
• Li Wei and Blue recalled their fallen Pokémon, and the battlefield was replaced.
• Li Wei sent out Arcanine while Blue sent out Scizor; Arcanine’s Intimidate lowered Scizor’s Attack.
• Arcanine attacked Scizor, but Scizor used U-turn to strike him and switch out for Blue’s Charizard.
• Blue ordered Charizard to attack from the air with Air Slash, Fire Blast, and Dragon Pulse as Arcanine countered with Wild Charge and Extreme Speed.

Li Wei’s Arcanine fought through Mega Charizard Y’s boosted attacks and used Precipice Blade to badly injure it before being knocked out. The score stood at 4-3, with Li Wei holding a numbers advantage while Blue’s Mega Charizard Y remained dangerous under Sunny Day.

• Arcanine chased Charizard with Extreme Speed and Wild Charge, wearing down its stamina while Charizard evaded and counterattacked.
• Blue Mega Evolved Charizard into Mega Charizard Y, whose Drought intensified the sunlight and empowered its attacks.
• Mega Charizard Y engulfed Arcanine with Scorching Sands and launched a powerful Fire Blast.
• Li Wei ordered Arcanine to use Precipice Blade, which struck Mega Charizard Y and severely injured it before Fire Blast knocked Arcanine out.
• The referee declared Mega Charizard Y the winner of the exchange, leaving the score at 4-3 with Li Wei’s three Pokémon against Blue’s Charizard and Scizor.

Li Wei sent out Zeraora to face Blue’s injured Mega Charizard Y, aiming to overcome the opponent that had stopped them the previous year. Zeraora weakened Charizard with Snarl and landed a series of close-range attacks, leaving Charizard in danger as the battle continued.

• Li Wei thanked his fainted Arcanine and sent out his fifth Pokémon, Zeraora.
• Blue and Li Wei acknowledged that they had prepared for this rematch after Zeraora’s loss to Mega Charizard Y the previous year.
• At the referee’s signal, Li Wei ordered Snarl, lowering Mega Charizard Y’s Special Attack.
• Zeraora turned into plasma lightning to dodge Scorching Sands and Fire Blast, then rushed Charizard with Wild Charge.
• Mega Charizard Y countered with Air Slash, but Zeraora evaded it and struck Charizard’s chest with Plasma Fists.

Zeraora defeated Blue’s Mega Charizard Y with a relentless combo, giving Li Wei a 5–3 lead. Li Wei and Blue sent out Metagross and Scizor for the final battle, and Li Wei prepared to use his Mega Glove as the match began.

• Zeraora trapped Mega Charizard Y with Electroweb, then knocked him out with Wild Charge and a final Plasma Fists combo.
• The referee declared Charizard unable to battle, putting Li Wei ahead 5–3 with only Blue’s Scizor remaining.
• Li Wei recalled the battered Zeraora and prepared his final Pokémon while Blue readied Scizor.
• Red and Cynthia left backstage for their competitors’ tunnels as the others speculated about Li Wei’s last Pokémon.
• Li Wei sent out Metagross and Blue sent out Scizor, and Li Wei pressed his hand against his Mega Glove as the battle began.

Li Wei defeated Blue in their Master League semifinal, avenging last year’s loss and advancing to the finals. Blue accepted the result, while Li Wei and Metagross celebrated their victory.

• Blue sent out his final Pokémon, Scizor, while Li Wei Mega Evolved Metagross for the final showdown.
• Scizor used Bullet Punch and Close Combat, but Mega Metagross endured both attacks with Iron Defense and increased his speed with Agility.
• Li Wei ordered Body Press, and Mega Metagross sent Scizor crashing into the stadium wall before finishing him with Hammer Arm.
• The referee declared Li Wei the winner, confirming his place in the Master League finals.
• Li Wei and Blue shook hands, and Blue acknowledged that Li Wei had been stronger this year.

Li Wei defeated Blue and reached the Master League final, where Cynthia faced Red. After recovering their Pokémon, Li Wei and Blue watched as Cynthia and Red battled to a 5-4 score, with Mega Garchomp charging Pikachu in the decisive clash.

• Li Wei beat Blue, then wished Cynthia luck as she prepared to face Red.
• Red and Blue briefly met backstage, while the others congratulated Li Wei on his victory.
• Li Wei and Blue took their Pokémon to the stadium Pokémon Center and watched Cynthia and Red's match.
• Cynthia's Pokémon traded victories with Red's, and Mega Garchomp defeated Charizard before the score reached 5-4 in Red's favor.
• Cynthia ordered Mega Garchomp to use Dragon Rush against Pikachu.

Red defeated Cynthia in the semifinal, setting up the championship match against Li Wei. After Cynthia resolved to return next year, Li Wei celebrated with his friends and planned special training before facing Red.

• Red's Pikachu defeated Cynthia's Mega Garchomp with Iron Tail, winning the match 6–4.
• Cynthia congratulated Red, accepted her loss, and said she would return next year.
• The league announced that Li Wei would face defending champion Red in the final at Wyndon Stadium two days later.
• Li Wei celebrated his semifinal victory with Brock, his Pokémon, and friends, while Blue and others dined with Professor Oak.
• Li Wei told Professor Kukui that he had mostly chosen his finalists and would train with Giratina, Darkrai, Regigigas, and Cynthia the next day.
• Li Wei considered Zeraora a strong counter to Red's Pikachu and believed his team could defeat Red after beating Blue.

Li Wei’s team prepared for the Master League finals by training against simulations of Red’s Pokémon. The next day, the packed Wyndon Stadium welcomed Red to the battlefield as the championship match was about to begin.

• Li Wei chose Lucario, Metagross, Zeraora, Arcanine, Diancie, and Dragapult for the finals and told Sirfetch'd to cheer them on.
• Li Wei and Cynthia organized practice battles, with Cynthia’s Garchomp imitating Charizard and Hoopa imitating Pikachu and Blastoise.
• Li Wei trained his team against the simulated attacks until four in the afternoon, then told them they would defeat Red and become a new legend.
• Jason and Lance welcomed the crowd to the finals at Wyndon Stadium and introduced Red as the defending Champion.
• Yellow, Blue, and Akin cheered as Red entered the stadium and walked to his position on the battlefield.

Li Wei and Red met as friends before the Master League finals began, then opened their six-Pokémon battle with Arcanine against Snorlax. Red’s Snorlax used Belly Drum to maximize its attack, and the chapter ended as it launched a Mega Punch at Arcanine.

• Li Wei entered Wyndon Stadium with Lucario as his friends and supporters cheered, while Red’s supporters gathered in the stands.
• Li Wei and Red shook hands at center field, showing their friendship before returning to their command platforms.
• The referee announced the six-Pokémon finals, and Li Wei and Red sent out Arcanine and Snorlax simultaneously.
• Red ordered Snorlax to use Belly Drum, sacrificing stamina to raise its attack to the limit.
• Li Wei’s Arcanine struck Snorlax with Extreme Speed and Flare Blitz, but Snorlax countered with Body Slam and then launched a Mega Punch.
• Li Wei ordered Arcanine to dodge the incoming Mega Punch with Extreme Speed.