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| Season | Pokémon DP: Galactic Battles (Season 12) · The snowbound road north arc (DP118–DP125) |
| Episode | Season 12, episode 14 · English episode 581 · Japanese episode 585 · Bulbapedia code DP118 |
| English title | Pursuing a Lofty Goal! |
| Japanese title | ポケリンガ！天空大決戦！！ Pokeringa! Tenkū Daikessen!! — “PokéRinger! Big Decisive Sky Battle!!” |
| First aired (Japan) | 12 March 2009 · TV Tokyo |
| First aired (US) | 8 August 2009 · Cartoon Network |
| Screenplay | Shōji Yonemura |
| Opening / ending (Japan) | Hai Tatchi! (High Touch!) – Satoshi (Rica Matsumoto) & Hikari (Megumi Toyoguchi) · Ashita wa Kitto (Surely Tomorrow) – Kanako |
| English opening | Battle Cry – (Stand Up!), Version 1 – Erin Bowman |
| Previous episode | Noodles! Roamin’ Off! (DP117) |
| Next episode | Trials and Adulations! (DP119) |
Plot episodeStaravia evolves into StaraptorAsh beats Paul
Pursuing a Lofty Goal! is the 14th episode of Pokémon DP: Galactic Battles, the twelfth season of the Pokémon anime, and the 581st episode of the English dub overall (Japanese episode 585, Bulbapedia code DP118). It first aired in Japan on 12 March 2009 and in the United States on 8 August 2009. It falls within the season’s The snowbound road north stretch (EP118–EP125).
Synopsis
Ash beats Paul for the first time when Staravia evolves into Staraptor in the final of the Squallville PokéRinger competition. Ash enters with Staravia, while Dawn cannot because none of her Pokémon fly, and James enters in disguise with Jessie’s Yanmega. Staravia wins its first round against Taylor’s Skarmory with an Aerial Ace timed to a gust.
Paul arrives and enters with Honchkrow, whose critical hit knocks out four-time champion Provo’s Dragonite in a single blow, and James’s Yanmega loses after he misreads the wind. In the final, Staravia struggles against Honchkrow’s speed until it glows, evolves into Staraptor and learns Close Combat.
Staraptor knocks the ring onto the goal with its wing to win, and Ash receives a plaque and a mountain of Pokémon food, which Dawn’s Mamoswine eats in one sitting. Paul leaves without congratulating him, and when Ash gloats, Paul dismisses him. Ash looks ahead to his Gym battle in Snowpoint City.
Major Events
- Staravia evolves into Staraptor and learns Close Combat. The Squallville PokéRinger
- Ash beats Paul for the first time
- Paul’s Honchkrow knocks out the champion’s Dragonite in one blow
- James enters in disguise with Yanmega
- Parallels That’s Just Swellow!
Captures and evolutions
Staravia → Staraptor#0398 · Ash · in the PokéRinger final against Paul
Trivia
- The English title plays on a lofty goal, for an aerial race whose goal hangs high above the ground.
- The screenplay is by Shōji Yonemura.
- This is a plot episode: it advances the Sinnoh storyline.
Changes in the English Dub
- An instrumental Advance Adventure
Part of our Pokémon DP: Galactic Battles guide. Browse every season of the Pokémon anime.