Japanese Title: Oliva's Forest
Original Airdate: June 16, 2023
UK Airdate: January 15, 2024 (special airing)
US Airdate: March 7, 2024
Liko and Roy go to Arboliva's forest in order to find the black Rayquaza, with Mollie joining them. However, they don't find the Rayquaza but a giant Arboliva that has an ancient Poké Ball.
This episode contains examples of the following tropes:
- A Day in the Limelight: Mollie gets a significant amount of focus in the episode as she accompanies Liko and Roy, including her history being revealed.
- Ambiguously Related: Given her similar appearance, sharing the same voice actors in both the English and Japanese dubs, and having a Chansey as a partner, it's strongly implied that Mollie is related to the numerous Nurse Joys in the franchise.
- Attack Its Weak Point: Roy uses Fuecoco's Stomping Tantrum to trip up the giant Arboliva underfoot, knocking it to the ground.
- Bait-and-Switch: It seems like Liko had put two and two together that Dot and Nidothing are the same person, but Liko assumes that Dot is just a passionate Nidothing fan.
- Because You Were Nice to Me: The Paldean Wooper is able to get Arboliva to stop attacking Liko and Roy because the Rising Volt Tacklers had helped to treat its injuries.
- The Cameo: Nemona and her Pawmo briefly appear to guide Liko, Roy, and Mollie to the forest where Brassius spotted Rayquaza.
- Chekhov's Gun: Sprigatito finds some Oran Berries in the forest, so Liko picks some. Having them on hand is crucial towards the recovery of a Paldean Wooper, who was forced from its home by a forest fire and dried up.
- Didn't Think This Through: Subverted. Roy was about to use Fuecoco's Ember attack on Arboliva, but Liko gets him to stop by pointing out he'll start another fire.
- Foreshadowing:
- While talking with Mollie, Liko admits that she doesn't have any goal she wants to pursue just yet. Mollie does express gratitude that Liko's not under a lot of pressure, but this lack of a goal will come back to haunt Liko in the coming episodes.
- The Rotom Phone lines are down throughout the episode, making communication impossible. Almost as if something were interfering with the signal...
- The Great Fire: A massive forest fire occurs a few days prior to the episode, and takes out a good chunk of the forest in the process. Arboliva is quite displeased because the wild Pokémon had been displaced, and can't survive on their own.
- Hypocritical Humor: Murdock calls Friede a worrywart when he can't get in contact with Liko's mom, but it gets turned right back at him when he can't get in touch with Dot. Friede promptly lampshades it.
- Mythology Gag:
- Liko erroneously assumes Dot is just a Nidothing super-fan rather than being the genuine article, despite the obvious clues. Ash would frequently fall for Team Rocket's piss-poor disguises nearly every time.
- A Fletching, Skidoo, Smoliv, Shroomish, Cacnea, and Hopip are amongst the wild species in the forest. All of them can be found in Paldea.
- Nerves of Steel: Mollie stays completely focused on helping Wooper when Arboliva attacks.
- Poisonous Person: Paldean Wooper is part Poison Type, and the Pokédex entry describes it as having a poisonous coating on its skin. When Liko touches it, it gives her minor burns on her hands.
- Poor Communication Kills: A group of wild Grass Pokémon attack Liko, thinking she was going to hurt the Paldean Wooper. When they bring it to the giant Arboliva, the massive Pokémon attacks the Rising Volt Tacklers, assuming they hurt its charge. Luckily, said Wooper is able to calm down its protector.
- The Reveal: Mollie was trained her entire life to be a Pokémon Doctor, and was originally working in a Pokémon Center, but quit because she couldn't stand idly by and let the wild Pokémon go untreated.
- That's No Moon: The group decides to meet under a giant tree. It turns out that "tree" is really a giant Arboliva.
- Underground Monkey: Paldean Wooper makes its debut in the anime, and trades the Johotnian Wooper's Water Typing for Poison.
- We Need a Distraction: Liko and Roy attack Arboliva to buy Mollie time to treat Wooper.
- Wham Shot: As Roy climbs up the giant "tree", it emerges to become a giant Arboliva—and there's another ancient Poké Ball around its neck.
