"That voice. So soothing."
—Team Rocket, happening upon a real Chimecho
Japanese Title: Hiwamaki City's Feather Carnival!!
Original Airdate: July 8, 2004
US Airdate: June 25, 2005
Even Chimecho's Pokémon Speak has therapeutic characteristics that Team Rocket desperately needed.
Ash arrives at Fortree City, only to find that its Gym Leader, Winona, is out leading the Feather Carnival, a festival for Flying-type Pokémon. Although Team Rocket sets its sights on her Skarmory, James becomes wistful as the carnival reminds him of a chance he once had to get a Chimecho, leaving him vulnerable once more to the dreaded Magikarp Salesman.
This episode contains examples of the following tropes:
- Continuity Nod: The first time Team Rocket zaps Swellow with electricity, it's able to power through and keep going, continuing the trend it started as a Taillow of being resistant to electric attacks. It takes them zapping it a second time at full blast to stun it long enough to capture it.
- Missed Him by That Much: Just as Jessie and Meowth conclude that James will never see another Chimecho again, as they had their eyes closed and were too distracted eating, a Chimecho literary passes by them.
- Mythology Gag:
- James pining for Chimecho lampshades the fact that in RSE, Chimecho is a very rare encounter.
- This is the 358th episode of the anime when specials are not counted. Chimecho's dex number in the games is 358.
- Red Herring: Winona is in possession of a huge Skarmory, and Ash wonders if Winona will use it in their gym battle. Skarmory will not only be The Unfought, but Winona's ace is actually a shiny Swellow.
- Shout-Out: To the Journey song "Who's Crying Now".
- Throw the Dog a Bone: The Magikarp Salesman returns, selling James the Pokémon he wanted to have ever since he was a child: Chimecho. The "Chimecho" turns out to be fake, but James winds up getting an actual Chimecho anyway.
