Pokémon Season 8

Season 8

Ash earns his final two Badges and secures himself a spot in the Hoenn League Championships, while May comes dangerously close to not getting her final Ribbon—setting the stage for epic showdowns with both of her rivals in the Grand Festival. Ash meets two Trainers that become his own Hoenn rivals, facing off against both of them during the course of the tournament. Upon returning to Kanto and reuniting with old friends, Ash is recruited for a new challenge—the Battle Frontier!

Air date: 2004-09-09

Episodes: 53

Episodes

E1: Clamperl of Wisdom

The kids are heading to Maisie Island on a ferry when they spot a Spoink floating on a log. They quickly realize it's the same Spoink they helped before. When they save it and bring it aboard, it trips, dropping its pearl overboard. Ash's Pokémon go looking for the pearl with no luck. When they arrive on the island, they meet a scientist named Isaiah who is doing research on Clamperl and their pearls—which end up as Spoink pearls. The jewel of his collection is a rare blue pearl. Team Rocket sneaks in and tries to steal the blue pearl, only to be beaten out by Spoink stealing it first. Everyone goes looking for the little Psychic-type Pokémon. Meanwhile, the blue pearl accidentally gets switched with the pink pearl from a wild Clamperl. When this fact is discovered, everyone goes looking for the Clamperl and Team Rocket steals it away.

Air date: 2004-09-09 • ★ 5

E2: The Relicanth Really Can

The heroes encounter a man named Adam who's searching for treasure. They decide to accompany him to find an old ship, which is told to have lots of treasure on it. Just as they take the submarine down, they also encounter Team Rocket, who is also determined to take the treasure, which is connected to the Relicanth Adam saw earlier.

Air date: 2004-09-16 • ★ 5

E3: The Evolutionary War

The heroes come to the A-B-C Islands, where they meet up with Professor Birch. The Professor wants to study more about Clamperl's evolutions, Huntail and Gorebyss. They also accompany two children, who are angry at each other, for they want to evolve Clamperl that goes against their principles. Birch, however, finds something that can settle the trouble, and give Team Rocket a new opportunity at stealing Pokémon.

Air date: 2004-09-23 • ★ 5

E4: Training Wrecks

Since they have to wait for the boat to Mossdeep City, the heroes spend some time with other trainers, who want to get physically fit for the battles. While Brock, May, Max, even Team Rocket exercise, Ash has a Double Battle with the coach, Rocky, who shows how much his Pokémon can be in sync.

Air date: 2004-09-30 • ★ 5

E5: Gaining Groudon (1)

Due to a twist of fate, the heroes get captured by Team Magma and face their leader, Maxie. After Maxie explained his goals, Team Aqua's Shelly frees Kyogre and reports to her leader. In a moment of confusion, Pikachu takes the Blue Orb, which gets absorbed into him. Just as the heroes try to escape, Ash gets captured, while Team Aqua's leader starts controlling Kyogre. However, an unexpected help arrives, a man whom Ash and Brock have met before.

Air date: 2004-10-07 • ★ 5

E6: The Scuffle of Legends (2)

Team Aqua has gained control over Kyogre and prepares to unleash its powers over the world's water levels. A Blue Orb-possessed Pikachu releases Groudon from its entrapment and the two prepare to take on Kyogre in a battle to end all battles. Will Groudon and Kyogre destroy the world with their legendary battle or will Lance, Ash and his friends be able to stop the world's imminent destruction?

Air date: 2004-10-14 • ★ 5

E7: It's Still Rocket Roll to Me!

The heroes arrive in Mossdeep City, but learn the Gym Leader Ash wants to battle is at the Mossdeep Research Center. Once they arrive there, the heroes meet up with Tate and Liza, who just had a battle. Learning these two are duo of Gym Leaders, Ash is surprised he has to fight them in a Double Battle. While spending some more time at the space center, Max and Tate go to a space shuttle, only to encounter Team Rocket, who wants to steal the space shuttle.

Air date: 2004-10-21 • ★ 5

E8: Solid as a Solrock

Once again, the time has come. Ash will have a double battle against the terrific twins, Tate and Liza. As the battle begins, he sees they don't get along very well and the battle could be an easy win for him. That is, until Team Rocket interferes and snatches Lunatone and Solrock. After thwarting their latest plot, Rachel suggest that Ash and Liza and Tate continue their battle, even though the Gym is destroyed they could have it on the cliff. As the rematch begins, Liza and Tate are more in-sync than ever. Will Ash be able to beat them this time? The answer might shock you.

Air date: 2004-10-28 • ★ 5

E9: Vanity Affair

After battling a trainer, Ash, as well as his friends, meet Drake of the Elite Four. Drake is impressed by Ash's skills and invites the heroes to his boat, where Ash will have a battle with him. Just as everyone sees Drake doesn't do much, the latter makes his counterattack and shows Ash where he went wrong.

Air date: 2004-11-04 • ★ 5

E10: Where's Armaldo?

Arriving on an island, Max encounters a Cradily, an ancient Pokémon that is supposed to be extinct. His friends do not believe him, so Max goes to search for it and finds a building. Ash, May and Brock eventually find a woman and are surprised to see the Cradily Max spoke about. They go to the lab, where they also find an Anorith, which evolves into an Armaldo. Team Rocket barges in and after failing to catch Armaldo, who goes on a rampage.

Air date: 2004-11-11 • ★ 5

E11: A Cacturne for the Worse

As the heroes sail to May's next Contest, May finds a boy named Harley. She speaks to him a bit and meets his Cacturne and eats his cookies. Harley is annoyed at the girl, who becomes his rival that he wants to crush. During the Contest, Harley gives May some false advice, which May accepts, only to find out Harley tricked her. Just as she faces Harley, he uses another trick up his sleeve to deceive May even more, wanting her to be defeated.

Air date: 2004-11-18 • ★ 5

E12: Claydol Big and Tall

Continuing their journey across Izabe Island, Ash and friends run into an old man who tells them the legend of the giant Claydol. When Team Rocket hears the legend, they unleash the Claydol that's going on a rampage.

Air date: 2004-11-25 • ★ 5

E13: Once in a Mawile

While on their journey across Izabe Island, Ash and his friends meet a girl named Samantha, who performs her ribbon dance in various towns, and her Mawile, who develops a crush on Brock's Lombre. In the next town, Team Rocket takes Mawile, but ends up taking Lombre by mistake. Now Ash and his friends must save Lombre and Samantha's show.

Air date: 2004-12-02 • ★ 5

E14: Beg, Burrow and Steal

While traveling on Izabe Island, Ash and his friends end up above a Trapinch Labyrinth. They meet up with two people named Elisa and Hal, two of the reserve rangers. After a Team Rocket encounter, they all end up inside of the labyrinth. Will they find a way to get out of this situation?

Air date: 2004-12-09 • ★ 5

E15: Absol-ute Disaster!

Still traveling towards Sootopolis City, Ash and friends arrive in a town where the people hate Absol. They blame Absol for all of the troubles that have in their small town. Ash and friends decide to help a kid named Nicky find his missing brother Gordon, who went to solve the mystery of the appearing Absol, as well as try to solve the mystery of the Pokémon themselves.

Air date: 2004-12-16 • ★ 5

E16: Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snorunt!

Still heading for Cerosi Town and the ferry to Sootopolis City, Ash and his friends stop at a Pokémon Center to stay warm as a blizzard approaches. At the Center, a wild Snorunt steals all 7 of Ash’s Badges. Will he be able to get them back or will he have to train all over again?

Air date: 2004-12-23 • ★ 5

E17: Do I Hear a Ralts?

Continuing across Izabe Island, Max finds a sick Ralts. Brock is unable to fully cure it and they must bring it to the Pokémon Center. However, Team Rocket wants to capture the Ralts. Ash, May, and Brock battle Team Rocket while Max rushes to the Pokémon Center as quick as can. However, he must get there before it is too late, and has to deal with Team Rocket again and also Kirlia and Gardevoir.

Air date: 2005-01-06 • ★ 5

E18: The Great Eight Fate!

The final battle is approaching, Gym Battle that is. Ash and co. arrive in Sootopolis City, home of Ash's final Gym Battle. There they meet Juan, who is not only the Gym Leader but a Grand Festival winner as well. Does Ash have what it takes to beat an accomplished trainer like Juan?

Air date: 2005-01-13 • ★ 5

E19: Eight Ain't Enough

The final battle for Ash's final badge continues as he has managed to beat Juan's Sealeo and Seaking. Now he must contend with the rest of his Pokémon, like Luvdisc who used Sweet Kiss to confuse Grovyle. With three Pokémon left against Juan's three, will Ash be able to win his final badge or will he be washed away with the tide?

Air date: 2005-01-20 • ★ 5

E20: Showdown at Linoone

While waiting to eat lunch in the woods, a Linoone comes by and steals two of May's Poké Balls. They find out that the Linoone belongs to a boy named Kimmy. Kimmy helps the heroes get the Poké Balls back before Team Rocket gets a hold of them and Linoone.

Air date: 2005-01-27 • ★ 5

E21: Who, What, When, Where, Wynaut?

On the way to Pacifidlog Town, Ash and his friends run into Drew. May challenges him to a practice battle, but they get interrupted by Team Rocket. However, Team Rocket's sub gets sucked into a whirlpool and everybody winds up getting separated on the mysterious Mirage Island. Now, Ash, Max, and Brock must find Drew and May.

Air date: 2005-02-03 • ★ 5

E22: Date Expectations

On their way to Pacifidlog Town, the boat Ash and his friends are riding breaks down, forcing them to make a pit stop on Donto Island. It is currently the Donphan mating season, which they end up being separated from each other. May now has to make the ultimate decision: stay to find Max and miss the final contest before the Grand Festival, or leave alone for Pacifidlog Island trusting that Ash will find Max and come to the Contest for the next morning.

Air date: 2005-02-10 • ★ 7

E23: Mean with Envy

After showing up in Pacifidlog Town, May prepares for the upcoming Contest, the one that she's determine to get her final Ribbon to qualify into the Grand Festival. When Skitty chases after an Aipom, May runs into two Coordinators named Joshua and Erika, who are entering the Contest as well. May and Erika don't get along to a good start. At the contest, May, Joshua, Erika, and the Jester (Jessie in another disguise) all make it to the next round.

Air date: 2005-02-17 • ★ 5

E24: Pacifidlog Jam

With qualification for the Grand Festival hanging on the line, May is more determined then ever to win the contest to win her final Ribbon. First, Erika faces Jessie and Meowth and the latte somehow uses Transform. When the judges find out the truth, they get disqualified. Then May faces off against Joshua and after some battles, she pulls off a win. Erika finally apologizes to May and together the two have a great battle. After a lucky Fire Spin from Assist, May and Skitty won and the former qualifies for the Grand Festival.

Air date: 2005-02-24 • ★ 5

E25: Berry, Berry Interesting

On their way to the Grand Festival, the gang stops on an island filled with Berries. May decides to make Pokéblocks, but no one except a wild Munchlax likes it. When Munchlax is blamed of eating everyone's Pokéblocks, May decides to prove them wrong and capture Munchlax.

Air date: 2005-03-03 • ★ 5

E26: Less is Morrison

As Ash is training, he faces a new rival, Morrison, who tries to challenge Ash in any way possible. After having a number of challenges, Ash's Pikachu and Morrison's Beldum get captured. In order to rescue them, Morrison and Ash team up to battle Team Rocket by themselves.

Air date: 2005-03-10 • ★ 5

E27: The Ribbon Cup Caper!

While taking a boat to Slateport City, the heroes encounter Officer Jenny, who warns them of Brodie, an ex-Team Magma member, who came to steal an object of great importance.

Air date: 2005-03-17 • ★ 5

E28: Satoshi and Haruka! Heated Battles in Hoenn!!

This is a clipshow Unaired outside of Japan of Satoshi's (Ash's) gym battles and Haruka's (May's) contest battles. The heroes are still on the boat looking towards the Grand Festival. Ash remembers all of his Hoenn Gym Battles with Roxanne, Norman, Brawly, Juan, Tate and Lisa, while May remembers her Contests with Drew, Grace, Kelly, Harley, Erica and Savannah.

Air date: 2005-03-24 • ★ 1

E29: Hi Ho Silver Wind!

May has arrived in Slateport City for the Grand Festival. Her mother, Caroline, has come to cheer her on, and her friends sent notes to wish her luck. With 247 competitors in the preliminary matches and only 64 slots in the main competition round, May will need more than just luck—especially when Drew and Harley are among the competitors, too! Harley is friendly towards May, but her friends are suspicious of the advice he gives her. Meanwhile, Team Rocket has dressed James up as Norman and offers free counseling sessions. When Trainers show up, their Pokémon are stolen! Harley sees this and drags May off to see "Norman." When she and her friends see the false Norman, Team Rocket's number is up. With Team Rocket's plan foiled, it's back to the competition. May uses Silver Wind just as Harley suggested, and it works great. She advances to the next round along with Harley and Drew. But Drew is still skeptical of Harley's motives as they prepare for the main competition.

Air date: 2005-04-07 • ★ 5

E30: Deceit and Assist

May continues to take Harley's advice as she advances in the tournament. Drew, however, has his suspicions about Harley and continues to monitor him. Meanwhile, Ash and Max join forces with Officer Jenny to help a Coordinator, Anthony, whose ribbons and contest pass have been stolen.

Air date: 2005-04-07 • ★ 5

E31: Rhapsody in Drew

May faces Harley, her dreadful rival, who aims to take revenge on her. However, May has collected a lot of experience from his previous battles, and uses her tactics to counter Harley. As she wins this battle, she ends up facing her other rival, Drew, in the quarterfinals. Much to her surprise, he sends out a Pokémon he trained just for the Grand Festival.

Air date: 2005-04-07 • ★ 5

E32: Island Time

Tricked into another of Team Rocket's schemes, the heroes are stranded on an island. They encounter Robin, a former salesman, who was saved by a Wailmer. Like the heroes, Robin, too, wishes to get off the island, but due to the constant whirlpools, he is barred from doing so. With the inevitable teamwork between the heroes and the villains, Team Rocket plan on another sabotage attempt to take the ship everyone is building and snatch the Pokémon at it.

Air date: 2005-04-14 • ★ 5

E33: Like a Meowth to a Flame

The heroes arrive at Ever Grande City, the site of the Hoenn League. On May's request, they go around town for a noodle shop, but end up getting assaulted by a group of Murkrow. In that moment, a Meowth, wearing a hat and boots, attacks the Murkrow and disperses them. Its trainer, Tyson, greets the group, and adds that he is also a participant of the League. Moreover, he is also a torchbearer of the Moltres flame, which Team Rocket intends on stealing.

Air date: 2005-04-21 • ★ 5

E34: Saved by the Beldum

Ash's new friend and rival arrives just in time to register for the Championships. Although, Tyson's Meowth has a strong showing as it displays uncharacteristic rage, even attacking its opponent after the battle.

Air date: 2005-04-28 • ★ 5

E35: From Brags to Riches

The preliminaries are over and now the Hoenn League Championships begin in earnest. The qualifying round is all double battles and Ash goes to watch Morrison's match against muscleman Gavin.

Air date: 2005-05-05 • ★ 5

E36: Shocks and Bonds

Ash begins his third battle in the qualifying round of the Hoenn League Championships and knows he's up for a challenge. After getting three victorious in the qualifying round, Ash and his new friends ascend to the victory tournament. In his first victory tournament match, Ash goes up against a trainer famous for her keen strategy.

Air date: 2005-05-12 • ★ 5

E37: A Judgment Brawl

Ash struggles against an opponent whose strategy is a marked contrast to his straightforward style and tries to throw her off with Corphish, one of his spunkiest Pokémon.

Air date: 2005-05-19 • ★ 5

E38: Choose It or Lose It!

Ash faces his off against newfound friend and rival, Morrison. However, Ash knows how to put friendship aside in battle while Morrison does not and the less experienced trainer is hesitating to battle against him. Will Morrison pull himself together and gives his all against Ash or will the match end in his favor.

Air date: 2005-05-25 • ★ 5

E39: At the End of the Fray

With the Hoenn League still underway, Ash and Tyson battle it out to decide which one of them will move on to the final four. Since Glalie and Sceptile are already knocked out of the competition, who will get the upper hand?

Air date: 2005-06-16 • ★ 7

E40: The Scheme Team

On his way home to Pallet Town after saying goodbye to his friends, Ash meets Scott, Leader of the Battle Frontier. After losing to Elite Four member Agatha, Scott tells Ash about the Battle Frontier. The latter agrees to take the challenge but first he must deal with Team Rocket and return to Pallet Town. After coming home, Ash meets up with his old traveling friend Misty.

Air date: 2005-06-23 • ★ 7

E41: The Right Place and the Right Mime

Ash and May prepare for the challenge ahead of them in the Kanto region. May left two of her Pokémon with her parents at Petalburg City in Hoenn. However, before their new adventure, Team Rocket shows up to steal all of Ash's Pokémon and the group must fight to stop their dastardly plan. After stopping Team Rocket plans, May leaves one of her Pokémon with Professor Oak but a Squirtle chooses her as its Trainer and accepts it to her team. Ash also leaves two of his Pokémon he caught in Hoenn with Professor Oak as well but one of his from the lab decides to accompany him on his new journey.

Air date: 2005-06-30 • ★ 7

E42: A Real Cleffa-Hanger

Ash and his friends set out for Mt. Moon, home to the Cleffa family of Pokémon. However, the young Trainers are surprised when they spot a lone, distraught Cleffa.

Air date: 2005-07-07 • ★ 7

E43: Numero Uno Articuno

The Battle Factory is Ash's next destination—if he can find it, that is. He and his friends have become lost, but they see snow and an Articuno flying overhead, followed by a plane in distress. The group winds up at a Pokémon Center, where Scott gives them a ride to the Battle Factory. There they meet Noland, who's not just the Factory Head but also a bit of a mechanical mastermind, and the pilot of the plane they saw last night. Ash can pick which of Noland's Pokémon he wants to battle. Noland has befriended an Articuno whom he helped once, and he takes Max and Pikachu up in his plane to fly with the Legendary Pokémon. Team Rocket wants Articuno for themselves, and they show up in their own plane to steal it. It's no match for Articuno, who quickly sends them on their way. Impressed, Ash decides he wants to battle Articuno. What's more, he wants to battle it with Charizard! It looks like this is shaping up to be quite a match...

Air date: 2005-07-21 • ★ 6.3

E44: The Symbol Life

After surprising everyone by choosing to face the Legendary Pokémon Articuno in his first Battle Frontier battle, Ash calls upon an old friend to battle it as he plans to use fire against ice. Will Ash be victorious in his first Battle Frontier battle.

Air date: 2005-07-28 • ★ 6.3

E45: Hooked on Onix

On their way to the Battle Arena, Ash and his friends take a break to rest. When they run out of water, Ash, May, and Brock go to look for some while Max stays and feeds the Pokémon. When Munchlax eats everyone's food, a battle ensues, which angers some nearby Geodude who, in return, attack the Pokémon. Pikachu, Corphish, Phanpy, Squirtle and Munchlax get separated from the group. Meanwhile, Team Rocket convinces an Onix, who is the king of the Rock Pokémon, that Ash and the others are evil and Onix sends its Rock-type army to capture them. Unknown to the Rock-types, Team Rocket wanted to use them to help steal Pikachu and the other Pokémon.

Air date: 2005-08-04 • ★ 5

E46: Rough, Tough Jigglypuff

Ash and his friends meet a man that is trying to catch a Jigglypuff for his daughter's birthday. However, this Jigglypuff has proven to be the toughest one in the universe.

Air date: 2005-08-11 • ★ 5

E47: On Cloud Arcanine

On their way to the Battle Arena, Ash and friends stop by a cake shop, but the line for it is long. They see an Arcanine come running by, and May decides to catch it. However, Drew returns and he also wants to capture it.

Air date: 2005-08-18 • ★ 5

E48: Sitting Psyduck

Ash and friends save a morose Psyduck from a group of fighting-type Pokémon, Machoke, Machamp and Machop, that are pursuing it. Meanwhile, Team Rocket decides that the Psyduck would make a perfect gift for their boss.

Air date: 2005-08-25 • ★ 7

E49: Hail to the Chef!

Ash and friends visit a restaurant that has been split in two by feuding sisters. The gang tries to get the two sisters to reconcile and work together as a team.

Air date: 2005-09-01 • ★ 5

E50: Caterpie's Big Dilemma

Team Rocket attacks an inventor's laboratory, startling his Caterpie into eating an experimental substance that enlarges it to dreadful proportions. However, the situation gets worse when Caterpie evolves into Metapod and then again into Butterfree.

Air date: 2005-09-08 • ★ 5

E51: The Saffron Con

Prior to her first Pokémon Contest in the Kanto region, May learns of several new rules designed to make contests and battles more strategically challenging. Also, Max and May are dubious from a warm greeting they receive from Harley.

Air date: 2005-09-15 • ★ 5

E52: A Hurdle for Squirtle

The Saffron City Pokémon Contest begins and with May eager to win her first ever Kanto ribbon, she chooses to enter with her Squirtle. However, May's enemy and rival Harley is determined to make sure that she does not triumph.

Air date: 2005-09-22 • ★ 5

E53: Pasta La Vista!

Ash and his friends meet the owner of a Pokémon Dojo but they discover he's in a feud with his son. Can Ash and his friends help end the feud between them.

Air date: 2005-09-29 • ★ 5