Japanese Title: Emperor of Destruction Guzma!
Original Airdate: March 24, 2019
US Airdate: August 3, 2019
Professor Kukui announces the formation of the Alola Region's Pokémon League. However, the announcement gets the attention of Guzma, leader of Team Skull. Guzma, as it turns out, is familiar with Kukui, and so he makes to the Pokémon School to give a peace of his mind on the whole Pokémon League business.
This episode contains examples of the following tropes:
- Curbstomp Battle: Guzma delivers this to Team Rocket in no time at all. He and his Golisopod does this to Ash and Pikachu of all people as Golisopod tanks not only Pikachu electric attacks but also a Z-Move! Not to mention being poisoned from Poison Jab earlier in the battle. Had Emergency Exit not activated, Guzma would've won a straight fight against Ash.
- No-Nonsense Nemesis: Unlike the regular Team Skull grunts who are Harmless Villains that no-one takes seriously, Guzma on the other hand is anything but these who manages to freak out Kukui and utterly destroy Ash in a one-on-one fight.
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business: The normally laid-back Kukui tries not to let things get to him and he rarely shows seriousness toward anyone. Once Guzma appears, Kukui drops those traits and is dead-serious with Guzma all the time (even showing some fear toward him).
- Screw This, I'm Outta Here: Invoked. After Golisopod takes a heavy hit from Pikachu, it's Emergency Exit activates promptly ending the fight. Both Ash and Kukui call out Guzma for running away but Guzma says it was because his Golisopod just did not feel like battling against a weak opponent like Pikachu anymore. Note this is after Golisopod No-Sell Pikachu's electric attacks, Z-Move, and even poisoned it so at the time, Guzma is not really wrong.
