Pokémon: Advanced Battle
Ash earns his final two Badges and secures 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. During the course of the tournament, Ash meets two Trainers who become his own Hoenn rivals and faces off against both of them. Upon returning to Kanto and reuniting with old friends,
Season 8 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Ash travels through many regions with his partner Pikachu on a quest to become a Pokémon Master and the greatest Pokémon trainer in the world.
- Ash faces tough Gym battles and challenges the various leagues.
- Ash is accompanied on his journey by new friends.
- May competes to earn Ribbons in order to participate in the Grand Festival.
Season overview
Ash earns his final two Badges and secures 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. During the course of the tournament, Ash meets two Trainers who become his own Hoenn rivals and faces off against both of them. Upon returning to Kanto and reuniting with old friends, Ash is recruited for a new challenge known as the Battle Frontier.
Episode Guide
Season 8 Progress Shield
Clamperl of Wisdom
Sep 9, 2004 · 23 min
Our heroes reconnect with an unlucky Spoink, and it's still having trouble holding onto its pearl!
The Relicanth Really Can
Sep 16, 2004 · 23 min
Ash and friends join a treasure hunter to explore the deep sea, but Team Rocket is right behind them!
The Evolutionary War
Sep 23, 2004 · 23 min
When a Gorebyss-versus-Huntail rivalry develops between two islands, our heroes must get to the bottom of it!
Training Wrecks
Sep 30, 2004 · 23 min
The residents of Muscle Island are dedicated to physical fitness-but can they keep up with Ash in a Pokémon battle?
Gaining Groudon (1)
Oct 7, 2004 · 23 min
After a rescue at sea, our heroes find themselves aboard Team Magma's submarine and learn more about the group's plan for world domination!
The Scuffle of Legends (2)
Oct 14, 2004 · 23 min
Team Aqua and Team Magma have awakened the ancient Legendary Pokémon Groudon and Kyogre! Can Ash and friends escape?
It's Still Rocket Roll to Me
Oct 21, 2004 · 23 min
A Team Rocket strike on Mossdeep City drags our heroes-plus the city's twin Gym Leaders-into a space-shuttle scheme!
Solid As a Solrock
Oct 28, 2004 · 23 min
Ash takes on the Mossdeep Gym, going up against two Gym Leaders at once!
Vanity Affair
Nov 4, 2004 · 23 min
After winning his seventh Gym badge, Ash can't stop bragging about his battle skills...until he runs into a member of the Elite Four!
Where's Armaldo?
Nov 11, 2004 · 23 min
In an island nature preserve, Ash and friends come face to face with several Pokémon thought to be extinct!
A Cacturne for the Worse
Nov 18, 2004 · 23 min
May competes in a Pokémon Contest, where another Coordinator tries to sabotage her performance!
Claydol Big and Tall
Nov 25, 2004 · 23 min
When our heroes discover an enormous Poké Ball on an island, Team Rocket's meddling unleashes an ancient destructive force!
Once in a Mawile
Dec 2, 2004 · 23 min
Ash and friends meet a talented Trainer who performs a ribbon dance with her Mawile...until Team Rocket gets in the way!
Beg, Burrow and Steal
Dec 9, 2004 · 23 min
To help a local researcher, our heroes explore a massive underground labyrinth created by a group of Trapinch...and get into some trouble along the way!
Absol-ute Disaster
Dec 16, 2004 · 23 min
An Absol appears to warn a village of danger, but the villagers think it's the one causing the trouble! Can our heroes clear up this misunderstanding?
Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snorunt
Dec 23, 2004 · 23 min
When a mischievous Snorunt steals Ash's hard-earned Gym badges, Ash chases after it-right into a raging snowstorm!
Do I Hear a Ralts?
Jan 6, 2005 · 23 min
Max finds an injured Ralts and tries to get it to a Pokémon Center, but its friends Gardevoir and Kirlia think our heroes are trying to steal it!
The Great Eight Fate! (1)
Jan 13, 2005 · 23 min
Ash gets ready for his final Gym battle in the Hoenn region: a Double Battle against Gym Leader Juan, who used to be a Pokémon Coordinator!
Eight Ain't Enough (2)
Jan 20, 2005 · 23 min
Ash and Juan battle it out in the Sootopolis Gym! Can Ash win his eighth Gym badge to qualify for the Hoenn League?
Showdown at Linoone!
Jan 27, 2005 · 23 min
When May discovers that two of her Poké Balls are missing, she naturally assumes it's Team Rocket! But the culprit could be someone else entirely...
Who, What, When, Where, Wynaut?
Feb 3, 2005 · 23 min
When Team Rocket interrupts a practice battle between May and her rival Drew, our heroes and their Pokémon have to sort out a big mix-up!
Date Expectations
Feb 10, 2005 · 23 min
Our heroes are delayed by a herd of Donphan on their way to Pacifidlog Town! Can May make it onto the ferry in time for her final Pokémon Contest?
Mean with Envy (1)
Feb 17, 2005 · 23 min
May enters the Pacifidlog Contest, where she goes up against rivals Joshua and Erica, plus a mysterious competitor known only as "The Jester"...
Pacifidlog Jam (2)
Feb 24, 2005 · 23 min
May competes against an unusual Meowth in the second round of the Pacifidlog Contest. Can she win the last ribbon she needs to qualify for the Grand Festival?
Berry, Berry Interesting
Mar 3, 2005 · 23 min
When our heroes stumble upon a wonderful berry harvest, May takes the opportunity to make some Pokéblocks for the Grand Festival, drawing the attention of a hungry Munchlax!
Less Is Morrison
Mar 10, 2005 · 23 min
Ash meets Morrison, another Trainer who's on his way to compete in the Hoenn League, and the two immediately become fierce rivals!
The Ribbon Cup Caper!
Mar 17, 2005 · 23 min
Aboard a luxury liner bound for Slateport City and the Grand Festival, our heroes must help Officer Jenny catch a master thief!
Satoshi and Haruka! Heated Battles in Hoenn!!
Mar 24, 2005 · 23 min
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 Festi
Hi Ho Silver Wind! (1)
Apr 7, 2005 · 23 min
On the first day of the Grand Festival, May runs into her deceitful rival Harley once more!
Deceit and Assist (2)
Apr 7, 2005 · 23 min
Ash meets a Coordinator whose ribbons have been stolen, and May listens to some bad advice before her first performance in the Grand Festival!
Rhapsody in Drew (3)
Apr 7, 2005 · 23 min
May is up against Harley in the second round of the Grand Festival! Can she triumph over his treacherous tactics?
Island Time
Apr 14, 2005 · 23 min
When our heroes win free tickets to Ever Grande City for the Hoenn League Championships, they're delighted-until it becomes clear this is another of Team Rocket's schemes!
Like a Meowth to a Flame
Apr 21, 2005 · 23 min
While training for the Hoenn League, Ash meets fellow Trainer Tyson and his Meowth in boots, and they discover that the ceremonial torch has been stolen!
Saved by the Beldum
Apr 28, 2005 · 23 min
Ash, Morrison, and Tyson register for the Hoenn League, and it appears that Tyson's Meowth has an unfortunate past...
From Brags to Riches
May 5, 2005 · 23 min
In the qualifying rounds, Ash faces a serious challenge: he has to win three matches in a row, and each match is a Double Battle!
Shocks and Bonds (1)
May 12, 2005 · 23 min
Ash has made it through the qualifying rounds, but now he faces an impressive Trainer named Katie in a full battle, where both of them will use all six of their Pokémon!
A Judgment Brawl (2)
May 19, 2005 · 23 min
Ash has fallen behind in his full battle against Katie! Can he recover and make it to the second round?
Choose It or Lose It! (3)
May 25, 2005 · 23 min
Ash faces his friend and rival Morrison in the second round of the Hoenn League!
At the End of the Fray (4)
Jun 16, 2005 · 23 min
Ash goes up against his rival Tyson in the quarterfinals of the Hoenn League!
The Scheme Team
Jun 23, 2005 · 23 min
The Hoenn League is over, and it's time for Ash to bid farewell to his traveling companions and head home-but he can't resist one more challenge from a Gym Leader along the way!
The Right Place and the Right Mime
Jun 30, 2005 · 23 min
Max and May come to visit Ash in Pallet Town, along with Misty and Brock, and they all make plans for another journey together-this time, to the Battle Frontier!
A Real Cleffa-Hanger
Jul 7, 2005 · 23 min
Our heroes stop for a picnic at the base of Mt. Moon, where they encounter the rarely seen Cleffa, Clefairy, and Clefable!
Numero Uno Articuno
Jul 21, 2005 · 23 min
On the way to Ash's first match at the Battle Frontier, our heroes see the Legendary Pokémon Articuno flying through a snowstorm!
The Symbol Life
Jul 28, 2005 · 23 min
Ash calls in his old friend Charizard to help in his battle against Frontier Brain Noland and his friend Articuno!
Hooked on Onix
Aug 4, 2005 · 23 min
Provoked by Team Rocket, hordes of Rock-type Pokémon attack our heroes on their way to the Battle Arena!
Rough, Tough Jigglypuff
Aug 11, 2005 · 23 min
Ash and friends fall into a trap set by a man who wants to catch a Jigglypuff for his daughter's birthday!
On Cloud Arcanine
Aug 18, 2005 · 23 min
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
Sitting Psyduck
Aug 25, 2005 · 23 min
Ash and friends rescue a sad Psyduck from a group of Fighting types, but they can't figure out how to cheer it up...
Hail to the Chef!
Sep 1, 2005 · 23 min
Our heroes and Team Rocket check out a new restaurant owned by two sisters who can't stop squabbling!
Caterpie's Big Dilemma
Sep 8, 2005 · 23 min
After a scientific experiment goes awry, Ash and friends try to track down a Caterpie that has grown to enormous proportions!
The Saffron Con
Sep 15, 2005 · 23 min
Our heroes are in Saffron City for May's first Pokémon Contest in the Kanto region-and her shady rival Harley is competing, too!
A Hurdle for Squirtle
Sep 22, 2005 · 23 min
The Saffron Pokémon Contest is under way! Can May win her first ribbon in the Kanto region?
Pasta La Vista!
Sep 29, 2005 · 23 min
Ash checks out the Fighting Dojo in Saffron City and ends up getting recruited as a new student!