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| Season | Pokémon: Advanced Battle (Season 8) · The Ever Grande Conference arc (AG124–AG131) |
| Episode | Season 8, episode 33 · English episode 398 · Japanese episode 402 · Bulbapedia code AG126 |
| English title | Saved by the Beldum |
| Japanese title | 予備選スタート！マサムネ登場！！ Yobisen Sutāto! Masamune Tōjō!! — “Start the Preliminaries! Masamune Appears!!” |
| First aired (Japan) | 28 April 2005 · TV Tokyo |
| First aired (US) | 11 March 2006 · Kids’ WB |
| Screenplay | Masashi Sogo |
| Opening / ending (Japan) | Pokémon Symphonic Medley – Pokémon Symphonic Orchestra · GLORY DAY ~Kagayaku Sono Hi~ (That Shining Day) – GARDEN |
| English opening | Unbeatable – David Rolfe |
| Pokémon Trainer’s Choice | What does Tentacool evolve into? (Octillery / Tentacruel / Remoraid) → Tentacruel |
| Previous episode | Like a Meowth to a Flame (AG125) |
| Next episode | From Brags to Riches (AG127) |
Plot episodeConference preliminariesBeldum evolves into Metang
Saved by the Beldum is the 33rd episode of Pokémon: Advanced Battle, the eighth season of the Pokémon anime, and the 398th episode of the English dub overall (Japanese episode 402, Bulbapedia code AG126). It first aired in Japan on 28 April 2005 and in the United States on 11 March 2006. It falls within the season’s The Ever Grande Conference stretch (EP124–EP131).
Synopsis
On the eve of the Ever Grande Conference, Glalie’s training Ice Beam accidentally hits Morrison, who shows off his newly won eighth Badge and his full team: Growlithe, Gligar, Swampert, Steelix, Girafarig and his partner Beldum. Ash and Morrison race into the woods and straight into a Team Rocket pit, and Tyson’s Meowth arrives to blast Team Rocket’s Meowth and the trio away with Iron Tail, though it leaves in an agitated mood. Brock then reminds Morrison that he has not actually registered, and Morrison sprints to the Pokémon Center and signs up with five minutes to spare. The preliminaries are single battles, watched on television by Misty, Tracey, Professor Oak and Delia in Pallet Town and by Norman and Caroline in Petalburg City.
Morrison’s Beldum faces Jump’s Electabuzz, which blocks its early Take Downs with Protect and strikes back with Thunder Punch, Quick Attack and Thunderbolt. In the middle of the battle, glowing with light, Morrison’s partner evolves into Metang, freezes Electabuzz in mid-air with Confusion and wins with Take Down. Next, Tyson’s Meowth charges Vivica’s Persian before Tyson can even give an order, trading Slash, Double Team and Iron Tail against Fury Swipes, Water Pulse, Shadow Ball and Dig. It wins by sending a Thunderbolt through the ground to hit Persian as it burrows, then keeps attacking even after the referee’s call until Tyson recalls it, leaving Ash and his friends puzzled by its hostility toward Persian and by the way it ignores its Trainer’s commands.
Tyson explains that he found Meowth injured in a snowy forest after a Persian had beaten it, nursed its damaged legs and gave it the boots it still wears. Team Rocket’s Meowth, who has his own painful history with Persian, bursts into tears at the story. Ash’s preliminary pits Pikachu against Gilbert’s Hitmonlee; Pikachu dodges its kicks and lures it into slamming its knee against the stadium wall, takes a Mega Kick, and wins with Iron Tail. With Ash, Morrison and Tyson all through, Ash is given the honour of lighting the torch to close the preliminary round. The episode is the 400th of the animated series by Bulbapedia’s numbering, and it sets up the Double Battle qualifiers that follow, in which three straight wins are needed to reach the Victory Tournament.
Major Events
- Ever Grande Conference preliminaries. Pikachu beats Gilbert’s Hitmonlee
- Morrison’s Beldum evolves into Metang
- The story of Tyson’s Meowth
- The 400th episode by Bulbapedia’s alternate numbering
- Metang debuts
Pokémon making their anime debut
Metang#0375 · AG126
Captures and evolutions
- Beldum → Metang#0375 · Morrison · mid-battle
Trivia
- The English title plays on "saved by the bell".
- The screenplay is by Masashi Sogo.
- This is a plot episode: it advances the Hoenn storyline.
Changes in the English Dub
- Mega Kick hit on Pikachu covered by an impact animation
- Instrumental Advance Adventure and music from Mewtwo Strikes Back
Part of our Pokémon: Advanced Battle guide. Browse every season of the Pokémon anime.