Japanese Title: Touka Gym! VS Yarukimono!
Original Airdate: December 5, 2002
US Airdate: November 15, 2003
Torchic doesn't appreciate Max's preference for Treecko.
Ash and May arrive at Petalburg City, May's hometown, where he meets her parents, Norman and Caroline, and her little brother, Max. Ash rushes to the Petalburg Gym, which Norman leads, and quickly finds himself way over his head. When Team Rocket interrupts, they find the whole family to be more than they bargained for.
This episode contains examples of the following tropes:
- Accidental Misnaming: Max keeps referring Ash as "Alf".
- Adaptation Deviation: In the games, Norman's family lives in Littleroot Town, while Norman commutes to Petalburg City to run the gym. In the anime, Norman's family lives in Petalburg City.
- Bag of Spilling: Ash depositing his Pokémon except Pikachu at Oak's lab is given a Lampshade Hanging, where Norman commends him for wanting to have a fresh start.
- Berserk Button: Well, when Max said that he would prefer Treecko over Torchic, within earshot of the latter, how would you react?
- Continuity Nod: May's father is Norman, the Gym Leader for Petalburg City. In the games, Norman is the father of whichever Player Character is chosen, while the other is the child of Professor Birch.
- Face Palm: Ash has one when Norman and Caroline didn't hear his warning and they fell into a second pitfall.
- Failed a Spot Check: Chasing after Team Rocket, Max would check the ground for footprints, and May had to remind him that the Rockets took off in a balloon.
- Laser-Guided Karma: Max's disrespectful big mouth gets him a flurry of Pecks from Torchic each time he won't stop saying to its face how much he prefers Treecko. Ash himself can't help but grin the first time it happens, considering how Max has done nothing but mock him over his performance in the Silver Conference since they met.
- Remember the New Guy?: Max actually recognizes Ash when he first meets him, having watched his Silver Conference matches on TV.
- Running Gag: All in this episode alone, Max getting attacked by Torchic. The first time the little chicken meant it (Why? See Berserk Button), but the rest were accidental. We think.
- Tagalong Kid: Max decides to accompany Ash and May on their journey, with approval from their parents.
- Taught by Experience: Ash knows a Team Rocket trap(s) when he sees one, but he didn't get to warn his companions in time.
