Japanese Title: Poni Island Research Project! Search for the Island King!!
Original Airdate: January 13, 2019
US Airdate: May 4, 2019
The students of the Pokémon School go to Poni Island to do research, but find that the relatively primitive island doesn't even have a Kahuna. They split off on different assignments, beginning several journeys of destiny. But after all this time, are they finally getting too close to Team Skull?
This episode contains examples of the following tropes:
- Continuity Nod: The magnetic field at Vast Poni Canyon is mentioned, as Sophocles plans on getting Charjabug to evolve at Poni.
- Early-Bird Cameo: We don't see much of her, but we finally get our first new member of Team Skull since the usual mooks: Admin Plumeria. She appears at the end, but quickly takes the mooks away with her.
- Never Say "Die": It is stated that Hapu's grandfather retired as the Island Kahuna due to ill health.
- Nice Job Breaking It, Hero: Ash and Mallow try to harvest some veggies on Ancient Poni Path, not realizing they were on Hapu's farm. Being a Ground-type specialist, she ends up fainting Pikachu with her Golurk and High Horsepower.
