Pokémon: Advanced Challenge
A shadow hovers over Ash, May, and friends as they continue their journey through the Hoenn region, and it is not just that of Mt. Chimney, because both Team Magma and Team Aqua put plans into action with our heroes caught in the middle. When they are not foiling evil schemes, Ash and May chase their personal goals, with Ash battling for three more Gym Badges and May winning her first three Contest Ribbons. Along the
Season 7 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Ash begins his Pokémon journey on his 10th birthday with an unexpected Pikachu as his partner.
- Ash travels through many regions meeting new friends and facing new challenges on his quest to become a Pokémon Master and the greatest Pokémon trainer in the world.
- Ash faces tough Gym battles and challenges the various leagues while catching new Pokémon.
- Ash finds support along the way from companions such as Brock and Misty, as well as Pokémon companions including Bulbasaur and Squirtle.
Season overview
A shadow hovers over Ash, May, and friends as they continue their journey through the Hoenn region, and it is not just that of Mt. Chimney, because both Team Magma and Team Aqua put plans into action with our heroes caught in the middle. When they are not foiling evil schemes, Ash and May chase their personal goals, with Ash battling for three more Gym Badges and May winning her first three Contest Ribbons. Along the way, the group also gains new Pokémon like Torkoal and Bulbasaur, though the question remains whether these new additions could end up being too much for them to handle during their ongoing travels and challenges across the region.
Episode Guide
Season 7 Progress Shield
What You Seed Is What You Get
Sep 4, 2003 · 23 min
When Ash's Treecko and Corphish face Grovyle and Slugma in a double battle, Treecko turns the tables, learning to use Bullet Seed.
Love at First Flight
Sep 11, 2003 · 23 min
Our heroes discover a love story between two Trainers who star with their Pokémon in a local dance festival.
Let Bagons Be Bagons
Sep 18, 2003 · 23 min
A Trainer learns that Pokémon battling requires more than tactics and technology. Meanwhile, a Bagon dreams the impossible dream of taking flight.
The Princess and the Togepi (1)
Sep 25, 2003 · 23 min
An invitation to the Togepi Festival brings Misty to the Hoenn region, where she learns that a local kingdom bases its rule on the whims of passing Togepi.
A Togepi Mirage! (2)
Oct 2, 2003 · 23 min
Our heroes go up against an evil regent who would use Misty's Togepi to steal the throne from its rightful heir!
Candid Camerupt!
Oct 9, 2003 · 23 min
Ash, Brock, May, and Max must all work together to face the four members of a family of skilled Pokémon Trainers and their powerful Pokémon.
I Feel Skitty!
Oct 16, 2003 · 23 min
After her Skitty is exhausted by chasing its own tale, May entrusts it to a local aromatherapy house, where it recovers completely.
ZigZag Zangoose!
Oct 23, 2003 · 23 min
A young trainer gains confidence and strengthens his bond with his Zangoose, when he is forced to face Seviper in a less than fair battle.
Maxxed Out!
Oct 30, 2003 · 23 min
Max meets another young boy who shares his name, but differs greatly in personality. When this young and inexperienced new acquaintance goes off on his own, Ash and friends must tr
Pros and Con Artists (1)
Nov 6, 2003 · 23 min
As May prepares for her first contest, Ash faces another contestant in a pre-contest battle.
Come What May! (2)
Nov 13, 2003 · 23 min
May wins her first contest, finally earning a ribbon. Jessie of Team Rocket attempts to win by cheating, but is disqualified.
Cheer Pressure
Nov 20, 2003 · 23 min
Ash and friends meet an old friend who has since joined a Pokémon cheering squad. When they expose his squad for a fake, the trainer is inspired to start anew.
Game Winning Assist
Nov 27, 2003 · 23 min
When Team Rocket threatens an innocent family of ranchers, Ash and friends drive them away, with May's Eneko using Assist for the first time.
Fight for the Meteorite
Dec 4, 2003 · 23 min
When Team Aqua and Team Magma battle to gain a meteor on Mount chimney, Ash and friends must put an end to both of their dastardly plans.
Poetry Commotion!
Dec 11, 2003 · 23 min
No sooner has Ash begun an official battle with a novice gym leader, Flannery, than Team Rocket interrupts, postponing the battle for an extra day.
Going, Going, Yawn
Dec 18, 2003 · 23 min
Ash is battling for his fourth Hoenn region Gym badge! Can his Corphish defeat Flannery's team of Fire types?
Going for a Spinda
Dec 25, 2003 · 23 min
When rumors arise that a particular Spinda draws happiness to its trainer, Team Rocket quickly hatches a plan to steal this lucky Pokémon.
All Torkoal, No Play
Jan 8, 2004 · 23 min
Ash and friends struggle to pass through a valley guarded by territorial Steel Pokémon.
Manectric Charge
Jan 15, 2004 · 23 min
While Ash uses his Torkoal to battle the powerful Watson, May faces his assistant with her Skitty.
Delcatty Got Your Tongue
Jan 22, 2004 · 23 min
When May's Skitty is injured far from a Pokémon Center, a master in the art of Pokémon massage comes to the rescue!
Disaster of Disguise
Jan 29, 2004 · 23 min
When Ash and friends learn that a masked coordinator is attempting to compete in secret, they help the timid boy hide his identity.
Disguise Da Limit
Feb 5, 2004 · 23 min
At Vendanturf Town, the masked trainer makes a strong performance, but loses to May's Skitty, as May wins her second ribbon.
Take the Lombre Home
Feb 12, 2004 · 23 min
The people of a small village blame a local drought on the Pokémon Solrock, but it soon comes to light that the drought is in fact the work of Team Rocket.
True Blue Swablu
Feb 19, 2004 · 23 min
May feels a special duty to help a wounded Swablu return to its flock.
Gulpin It Down!
Feb 26, 2004 · 23 min
Mayhem ensues when Professor Oak inadvertently creates a gigantic Gulpin and Treecko in an effort to stop a Gulpin outbreak.
Exploud and Clear
Mar 4, 2004 · 23 min
Even as Ash's Treecko evolves in the course of battle, his opponent's Loudred does the same. Team Rocket couldn't have picked a worse time to attack.
Go Go Ludicolo!
Mar 11, 2004 · 23 min
Ash and friends must rely on Grovyle, Torkoal, and Corphish, as they approach Petalburg City.
A Double Dilemma
Mar 18, 2004 · 23 min
When May and Max's father, Norman, reaches near celebrity status, Team Rocket pretends to be a part of the family.
Love, Petalburg Style!
Mar 25, 2004 · 23 min
Rumors are spreading about Nurse Joy spending a little too much time with Norman, Max and May's father! What's going on?
Balance of Power
Apr 1, 2004 · 23 min
Ash has challenged Max and May's father, Norman, to a battle before—but this time, it's for a Gym badge!
A Six Pack Attack!
Apr 8, 2004 · 23 min
When Professor Oak makes a surprise appearance in Hoenn, bringing along Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle, Ash joins forces with them to battle Team Rocket.
The Bicker the Better
Apr 15, 2004 · 23 min
When Ash and May face a duo in a double Pokémon battle, a falling out between these two friends causes them to lose--but they soon resolve their differences.
Grass Hysteria!
Apr 22, 2004 · 23 min
When May accidentally enters a forbidden spot where only grass Pokémon live, she quickly befriends a friendly Bulbasaur.
Hokey Pokéballs
Apr 29, 2004 · 23 min
May lets her Bulbasaur out of its Pokéball and the curious Pokémon soon gets into trouble.
Whiscash and Ash
May 6, 2004 · 23 min
When a famed Whiscash swallows Ash's Gym badges, he teams up with a fisherman to try to reel it in!
Me, Myself and Time
May 13, 2004 · 23 min
Ash and Pikachu meet up with an aspiring archaeologist who leads them to an ancient and mystical site.
A Fan with a Plan
May 20, 2004 · 23 min
May prepares to enter her first contest open only to ribbon holders, but remains confident despite seeing the contest favorite and his powerful Masquerain.
Cruisin' for a Losin?
May 27, 2004 · 23 min
May decides to use Bulbasaur in the Rubello Town Contest. Will its lack of experience cost her a ribbon?
Pearls Are a Spoink's Best Friend
Jun 3, 2004 · 23 min
When a Spoink loses the pearl on its head, Ash and friends volunteer to help search for it.
That's Just Swellow
Jun 10, 2004 · 23 min
Ash, May, and Brock participate in a curious sporting event in which players use rings dangling from balloons to catch balls lying on the ground.
Take This House and Shuppet
Jun 17, 2004 · 23 min
Fights arise both between May and Max and amongst Team Rocket, as a Shuppet--a Pokémon that feeds on human anger--stirs them to conflict.
A Shroomish Skirmish
Jun 24, 2004 · 23 min
Team Rocket infuriates a Breloom, forcing not only themselves, but also Ash and friends to flee from its wrath.
Unfair-Weather Friends
Jul 1, 2004 · 23 min
Ash and friends learn of Groudon and Kyogre, when Team Magma is joined by a master of disguise.
Who's Flying Now?
Jul 8, 2004 · 23 min
Ash and friends meet up with the beautiful gym leader, Winona, at the Feather Carnival.
Sky High Gym Battle!
Jul 15, 2004 · 23 min
It's Swellow versus Swellow as Ash and Winona battle it out in the Fortree City Gym!
Lights, Camerupt, Action!
Jul 22, 2004 · 23 min
As the heroes continue onwards, they encounter a man pushing his Camerupt. After helping the man, the heroes are told the man, named Elijah, goes around villages and shows movies.
Crazy As a Lunatone
Jul 29, 2004 · 23 min
A group of conspiracy theorists known as the Pokémon Mystery Club pursues a Lunatone suspected to be behind a recent series of strange events.
The Garden of Eatin'
Aug 5, 2004 · 23 min
A troubled Snorlax wanders into a public park, creating no end of trouble.
A Scare to Remember
Aug 12, 2004 · 23 min
A fierce bout of amnesia causes Pikachu to join forces with Team Rocket!
Pokéblock, Stock, and Berry (1)
Aug 19, 2004 · 23 min
Before taking part in the Lilycove Coordinator Contest, May has time to study the art of Pokéblock preparation with a local master
Lessons in Lilycove (2)
Aug 26, 2004 · 23 min
The Lilycove Coordinator Contest is underway but things are not looking good for May--her Combusken's Fire Spin has spiraled out of control!
Judgment Day!
Sep 2, 2004 · 23 min
Hoping to get to Mossdeep Island, Ash and the gang are forced to take a detour.