An Epic Defense Force! (Japanese: 映画対決!出撃イッシュ防衛隊!!, Hepburn: Movie Showdown! The Unova Defense Force Goes into Action!!) is the 34th episode of Pokémon: BW Rival Destinies.
Synopsis[]
After Ash and the gang arrive in Virbank City and Cilan gives them a rundown of the area’s history, they run into their filmmaking friend Luke and his Zorua! Thanks to winning a film festival with the movie our heroes helped him make (The Legend of the Pokémon Knight), Luke is there to attend a preview event for Pokéstar Studios, a theme park opening soon within the film studio lots.
Luke then announces that he is going to enter a filmmaking competition, and he asks for his friends’ help once again. Our heroes excitedly agree, especially Cilan—who is, after all, a Film Connoisseur! The script for Luke’s film An Epic Defense Force is quickly complete and production begins, using all sorts of film tricks and technology.
During the shooting, Luke sends Ash to find an extra prop in the warehouse, where he has an unusual encounter with a mysterious and elusive Pokémon that Team Rocket has been tracking. He rescues it from a collapsing shelf, but before he can figure out who that Pokémon is, it’s disappeared again...
At the showing, a film made by Luke’s rival Jules receives warm (but not rousing) applause. Then they show Luke’s film—at first, the audience gives no response at all, and Luke thinks they didn’t like his work. But the silence only lasts for a moment, and as the cheering grows and grows, Luke wins the competition!
As a reward, Luke gets to shoot another film that will be backed by Pokéstar Studios! He stays behind, while our heroes resume their journey to the Virbank City Gym and Ash’s next Gym battle![1]
Episode plot[]
The heroes came to Virbank City, where Ash will fight for his last badge. Cilan is also psyched to taste the creativity. Ash and Iris are baffled, so Cilan explains them Virbank City is the site where many movies have been filmed. Suddenly, Ash sees himself, but Iris recognizes that to be Zorua. Luke greets them and lets them know he is here for the preview movie. Cilan is pleased to hear that. Luke explains the PokéStar Studio has been made, with Cilan telling it is a theme park where the public can see how movies are made, even allowing them to create their own movies. Luke lets them know the movie they made, the story about the Pokémon Knight, even got scored for the Film Festival. Luke invites them to the PokéStar Studios, making Cilan overjoyed. Ash asks about his Gym Battle, though Cilan replies the Gym won't go anywhere.
They enter the studios and visit the Pokémon Walk of Fame, where Pokémon left their footprints into concrete. They see the posters for classical movies, most of them nominated for Pokémon Film Academy. Cilan explains these movies where filmed here, indoors and outdoors. They continue by seeing the clothes used for movies. Luke and Cilan are happy they visited these locations. Luke tells he will make a new movie, for all film directors invited to the PokéStar Studios can make a new movie here, and audience will vote for the best pictures award. The heroes decide to help Luke film the movie and are praised by Mr. Gold, PokéStar Studio's president. He is looking forward to see a young director, like Luke, entering the contest.
They visit the changing room, seeing many costumes. Luke tells all directors must use the same costumes, for it is their directing skills that are evaluated. As Ash and Iris eat burgers from one of the movies, Luke and Cilan have made the script and show Iris and Ash storyboards. The heroes are excited, but Jules, Luke's rival, and Krookodile appear, who thinks it is worthless cause. Jules claims he is the action expert, thrashing Luke's directing skills. Soon, the heroes are dressed. Ash, Pikachu and Pignite are protagonists, Cilan as the villain, who controls the Mech-Tyranitar and Iris, Axew and Zorua as supporting characters. Luke tells Cilan will also be the Mech-Tyranitar. Golett will be sound director, Leavanny in charge of costumes and Luke as the cameraman.
The first scene is where the Unova Defense Corps (Ash, Pignite and Pikachu) attack Tyranitar on the island. Luke tells Iris they will use the background and the giant fan to look as if they were flying. The scene begins, as Ash flies and has Pignite and Pikachu come out to attack Tyranitar. Next, the heroes' Pokémon are attacked, which ends the scene. Following is Iris, who cannot make herself cry for the scene. Cilan tells her to imagine she'll never see Axew again. Iris imagines that and starts crying. Later, Cilan uses the rod to make the UFO model float for the scene. Luke thinks there needs to be more action, so asks Ash to get a prop. Meanwhile, a Pokémon is trying to hide, though Team Rocket have to capture it.
Ash and Pikachu find the spaceship model, but heard something. The Pokémon tries to get out, but accidentally knocks some stuff over. The planks fall on it, but Ash manages to rescue the Pokémon. However, the Pokémon soon disappears. Luke films the scene, where the spaceship is hit by the UFO. After making some adjustments and lending voices, the heroes made the movie. Next day, the audience, including the heroes and Luke, watch other movies. Jules and Krookodile made the movie in which they use the ultimate weapon, which destroys the Tyranitar. The audience loves the movie, allowing Luke to be annoyed by Jules. Next movie is Luke's.
Ash rides the spaceship and has Pignite and Pikachu attack Tyranitar. However, Tyranitar, after getting hit, transformed into Mech-Tyranitar and blasted the spaceship. Ash, Pikachu and Pignite jumped off and saw Cilan in the UFO, who wants to control all Pokémon. The Unova Defense Corps landed and met the island princesses, who refused to leave the island, as they want to restore Golurk, who can combat Tyranitar. Cilan abducted the island Pokémon and destroyed Golurk's statue. Pikachu and Pignite fought back against Mech-Tyranitar, who attacked them back. It attacked the island princesses, though Golett intercepted and got hit instead.
The princesses dropped a tear at Golett's body, who evolved into Golurk and enlarged itself. Golurk clashed with Mech-Tyranitar and defeated it. Golurk rescued the island Pokémon from Cilan's UFO and destroyed the UFO itself. The princesses were pleased Golurk defended the island. Golurk restored its statue, then devolved to Golett. Ash felt it was the bond between princesses, the island Pokémon and Golett that saved the day. The movie ends and everyone is quiet. Luke thinks they didn't like it, but the audience claps, being very pleased with that movie. The audience selected Luke as the winner, who wins an award and the opportunity to direct a new movie, made by PokéStar Studios. Later, the heroes are inspired by Luke's awards and continue to pursue their own dreams. The heroes wave goodbye to Luke, while the Pokémon Ash encountered watches them leave, appearing to be blushing.
Debuts[]
Character[]
Pokémon[]
- Meloetta (Aria form)
- Krookodile
Trivia[]
- Who's That Pokémon?: Krookodile (US)
- The Mecha-Tyranitar from Pokémon Black 2 and Pokémon White 2 makes its appearance in the anime.
- At the beginning of Luke's film, Zorua appears and roars. This is a parody of the beginning of all M-G-M Studios movies, when a lion appears and roars twice.
- Also, Luke mentions the Pokémon Film Academy, which is the equivalent of Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (the one giving away Oscar awards).
- The concrete footprints are similar to the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- This marks Luke's last appearance in the anime to date.
Gallery[]
References[]
- ^ (n.d.) . "An Epic Defense Force! | Pokémon TV (pokemon.com)". From The Official Pokémon Website | Pokemon.com. Archived from the original on February 4, 2024.