Japanese Title: Satoshi VS Dande! The Road to the Strongest!!
Original Airdate: February 16, 2020
US Airdate: September 11, 2020
Following the World Coronation match that saw Galar Champion Leon crowned the victor, a Gigantamax Drednaw comes out of nowhere to threaten the stadium. When Ash's Pikachu ends up Gigantamaxing and fights off the Drednaw, Leon is impressed enough that he later accepts a friendly match with Ash.
- Achilles' Heel: Pikachu is a speed-based battler. After he Gigantamaxes, his mass increases so much that he can barely move; without one of his greatest advantages, he loses against Leon's Charizard, who has much more experience with this sort of battle.
- Curb Stomp Cushion: During Leon's match against Ash; Ash and Pikachu's inexperience with Dynamax aside, they hold their own reasonably well, enduring and landing several attacks, but ultimately Leon wins without ever seriously being pushed to his limits. While this is rather impressive considering Leon explicitly didn't hold back, it still goes to show that even as a Champion Ash still has room for improvement if he truly wants to be the very best.
- To Be a Master: Ash decides that he's going to enter the World Coronation Series to have a rematch against Leon.
- Throw the Dog a Bone: Almost every episode that involves Team Rockets ends with their mission being unsuccessful and them blasting off. This episode ends on a more positive note for them where they successfully complete their mission and shout proudly about it.
