Japanese Title: The Scorching Hikozaru!
Original Airdate: May 29, 2008
US Airdate: October 25, 2008
Ash and friends are busy training for his next gym battle, but his Gligar gets caught on a wind and ends up near Paul. Ash and Paul then get into a heated argument over their training styles and goals leading to Ash wanting to challenge Paul to another battle. Though Paul rejected his offer at first, it was Chimchar that managed to convince Paul to the battle.
This episode contains examples of the following tropes:
- Armor-Piercing Response: At one point during their argument, Paul criticizes Ash for competing in the Wallace Cup. Ash was then quick to counter by saying he was only doing to help out his Pokemon more. Ash then brings up that not only Paul did the same by entering the Hearthome Tag Tournament, but then reminded Paul that he was the one that said they can do anything they want. Even Paul hesitated for a second before admitting he did mention that.
- The Bus Came Back: Paul uses the Gliscor he caught from the episode "Riding the Winds of Change" in it's battle with Ash's Gligar. It completely decimates Ash's Gligar.
- Cooldown Hug: Ash manages to give one to Chimchar when it was going on a rampage while under the effects of Blaze. It took quite awhile but Ash finally managed to get through to Chimchar.
- Curb-Stomp Battle: Ash's Gligar stood no chance against Paul's Gliscor failing to land a hit on it and going down quickly to Guillotine.
- Fan of Underdog: Though they were ecstatic that Paul took down Ash's Gligar, Team Rocket showed they still had full support over Ash's Chimchar.
- Heroic Second Wind: After getting thrashed about by Paul's Ursaring, Blaze finally kicks in for Chimchar allowing it to take down Ursaring with one Flame Wheel. Unfortunately, this intense power boost causes Chimchar to lose control of itself attacking friend and foe alike.
- I Shall Taunt You:
- After defeating Ash's Gligar with his Gliscor, Paul mocks Ash saying that now it's the time to say that it's the trainer's fault for losing. Ash did not take this well.
- Following Ursaring using Secret Power, Paul further taunts Chimchar on questioning if it was really the Secret Power that has Chimchar frightened.
- No-Sell: Ash has his Gligar use Sand Attack on Paul's Gliscor attempting to blind it, but it had no effect at all. This is more likely due to the fact that Gliscor is evolved and is much more experienced as Sand Attack can still work on Flying-types in the games.
- Not Afraid of You Anymore: When Paul attempted to leave despite Ash challenging him to a battle, it was Chimchar that demands to battle him finally getting over his fear of abuse he gotten from Paul in the past. Even Paul smirked upon hearing this and decided to give Ash and Chimchar the battle they wanted.
- "Not So Different" Remark: Ash keeps trying to push this toward Paul saying that despite their differences in how they raise their Pokemon, they still have the same end goal of winning the Pokemon League and defeating Cynthia. Paul merely scoffs at this point.
- One-Hit Kill: Paul's Gliscor is able to use Guillotine to defeat Ash's Gligar in one hit.
- Also, after Blaze finally activated, Chimchar was able to take out Paul's Ursaring with one supercharged Flame Wheel.
- Pet the Dog: Though still a massive dick about it, Paul showed a little more respect towards Chimchar upon using Blaze again. He even decided to end their battle then and there due to Chimchar's rampage and will battle Ash again once he and Chimchar get a better control over Blaze.
- Power of Friendship: Brock suggests that Chimchar is doing its best to defeat Paul and has accessed its Blaze ability due to encouragement from Ash and the other Pokémon. This support was something Chimchar did not have while under Paul's ownership, which may explain why it couldn't activate its Blaze ability at that time.
- Rage Breaking Point: Whoo boy Ash has always been annoyed with Paul, but it was in this episode where Ash was legitimately pissed at him (to the point his fist can even be seen shaking implying he wanted to punch Paul). Even Brock, Dawn, and all of their Pokemon were frightened by seeing Ash this upset for the first time.
- Screw This, I'm Outta Here: Paul attempts to leave even when Ash is demanding a battle with him, but it was Chimchar yelling at Paul is what convinced him to stay and battle them.
- Unstoppable Rage: After activating Blaze and defeating Paul's Ursaring, Chimchar starts to go on a rampage even attempting to attack Ash and Paul and sets the forest on fire.
- Villain Takes an Interest: Paul was initially uninterested in battling Ash at this point. But once Chimchar stood up to Paul, Paul was immediately impressed at Chimchar’s resolve, followed by accepting Ash’s challenge, wanting to see Chimchar’s progress.
- Wham Episode: This episode gives us the first true taste of Chimchar's Blaze that Paul been seeking to draw out throughout the series. It is incredibly powerful allowing Chimchar to one-shot Ursaring, but it also sends Chimchar into a frenzy attacking everything and everyone in sight.
