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| Season | Pokémon the Series: XY Kalos Quest (Season 18) · Goomy & the Coumarine Gym arc (XY055–XY059) |
| Episode | Season 18, episode 11 · English episode 854 · Japanese episode 859 · Bulbapedia code XY059 |
| English title | Under the Pledging Tree! |
| Japanese title | サトシとセレナ初デート！？ 誓いの樹とプレゼント！！ Satoshi to Serena Hatsu Dēto!? Chikai no Ki to Purezento!! — “Satoshi and Serena’s First Date!? The Tree of Promises and the Presents!!” |
| First aired (Japan) | 5 February 2015 · TV Tokyo |
| First aired (US) | 18 April 2015 · Cartoon Network |
| Screenplay | Akemi Omode |
| Opening / ending (Japan) | Getta Banban (Mad-Paced Getter) – Tomohisa Sako · Doridori (DreamDream) – Shōko Nakagawa |
| English opening | Be a Hero – Ben Dixon and The Sad Truth |
| Who’s That Pokémon? | Dunsparce (US) |
| Previous episode | The Green, Green Grass Types of Home! (XY058) |
| Next episode | A Showcase Debut! (XY060) |
Filler / stand-alone episodeAsh gives Serena a ribbonPledging Tree festival
Under the Pledging Tree! is the 11th episode of Pokémon the Series: XY Kalos Quest, the eighteenth season of the Pokémon anime, and the 854th episode of the English dub overall (Japanese episode 859, Bulbapedia code XY059). It first aired in Japan on 5 February 2015 and in the United States on 18 April 2015. It falls within the season’s Goomy & the Coumarine Gym stretch (EP55–EP59).
Synopsis
During Coumarine City’s festival of gift-giving beneath the Pledging Tree, Ash and Serena go shopping together for presents for their Pokémon, foil Team Rocket’s theft of every gift, and end the night with Ash giving Serena a blue ribbon. Ramos explains the custom: each year at sunset Trainers gather under the giant tree, which grew from a seed planted by a wanderer and his Skiddo who founded the city, and give presents to their Pokémon. Clemont stays at the Pokémon Center to build his gift, and Bonnie offers to look after everyone’s Pokémon, so Ash and Serena set off shopping alone. Serena is nervous because it feels like a date, but they enjoy themselves, even as Ash keeps reaching for absurd items, such as a Macho Brace, a Rocky Helmet and a Substitute doll, and Serena explains why each would fail.
Eventually Ash goes off on his own, promising to meet her at the monorail station. Team Rocket plan to steal every present along with the Pokémon. At the Center Bonnie struggles to keep order, lining the Pokémon up for brushing, fetching water for Goomy and breaking up another squabble between Pancham and Chespin. At the station Ash, still empty-handed, is greeted as the millionth visitor and awarded a long blue ribbon. On the ride back Serena asks what he would want as a present, since his Pokémon are so much like him, and the idea sends him running into the forest. He spots a Dunsparce and tries to catch it, but he has no Poké Balls with him, so he shrugs it off and keeps searching, returning later with a huge sack.
As Ramos opens the ceremony, a giant vacuum starts sucking up the presents. Frogadier’s Water Pulse knocks Team Rocket out of the tree, Pikachu’s Iron Tail cuts the hose before they can vacuum up the Pokémon too, Frogadier blocks Shadow Ball, Bunnelby’s Mud Shot stops Psybeam, and Flamethrower, Thunderbolt and Pin Missile blast the trio away. The gifts are exchanged: a pink ribbon for Fennekin and special sunglasses for Pancham, a handmade music box for Clemont’s Pokémon, a group portrait drawn by Bonnie, and a mountain of Berries from Ash. Even Team Rocket and Nurse Joy give presents. One last package under the tree is for Serena: a beautiful Showcase dress from her mother, and she calls home to thank her. As fireworks burst behind the tree, Ash gives Serena the blue ribbon to thank her for her help, and she promises to treasure it.
Major Events
- The Pledging Tree. Ash and Serena shop for presents at Coumarine City’s festival
- Grace sends Serena a Showcase dress
- Ash gives Serena a blue ribbon
- Without Poké Balls, Ash cannot catch a Dunsparce
Trivia
- The screenplay is by Akemi Omode.
- This is a stand-alone episode: it can be skipped without losing the thread of the Kalos story.
Changes in the English Dub
- The English title card focuses on Ash, read by Ash
- Clemont’s music box plays the Eevee & Friends theme
Part of our Pokémon the Series: XY Kalos Quest guide. Browse every season of the Pokémon anime.