While searching for Pikachu, Ash and Brock run into a new rival named Paul, who challenges Ash to a battle, but Ash can't compete without Pikachu; Dawn and Piplup meet Ash and Brock, and together they try to rescue Pikachu from Team Rocket.

The episode was rated 7.43 from 46 votes.

Continuing on their way to Hearthome City, Ash and his friends take a side trip to get an upgrade for Dawn's Poketch. Unfortunately, they ended up getting trapped in a dangerous maze, courtesy of Team Rocket.

The episode was rated 7.44 from 25 votes.

On the way to Floaroma Town, Ash and the others hear some screaming nearby. At a house, a Pokémon hunter named J has just captured a girl named Melodi and kidnapped her Gardevoir and she quickly flees the scene. Ash gives chase to her, and tries to battle her, only to have Pikachu frozen in stone and stolen just like Gardevoir. They decide to help Officer Jenny and try to help capture J, but eventually she also gets Meowth as well! Before she can take off, Ash, Jessie, and James sneak under her vehicle and follow her to her secret flying base. Now, the reluctant allies must work together to get back their Pokémon from J's clutches.

The episode was rated 7.45 from 33 votes.

The quest for the Enchanted Honey concludes when the gang arrives at Amber Castle, which is the home to a hive of Combee and their leader, Queen Vespiquen.

The episode was rated 7.46 from 28 votes.

As our Heroes continue towards Hearthome City, Ash reunites with his old friend and rival, Gary Oak. However, they have to work together in order to save a rare Shieldon from the evil clutches of Pokémon Hunter J.

The episode was rated 7.48 from 25 votes.

Ash, Dawn and Brock discover a lost Hippopotas and set off to return it to its herd. However, they have to fend off Team Rocket's attacks and the Hippopotas' sleep-inducing ability to succeed in their quest.

The episode was rated 7.48 from 25 votes.

Ash and Dawn suffer defeat in a tag battle against two gifted Pokémon trainers dubbed "The Champ Twins". However, Team Rocket steals the twins' Croconaw and Quilava before they can get a rematch.

The episode was rated 7.48 from 27 votes.

The time has come again. Ash is now ready for his Gym Battle with Gardenia, and this time, it's official. Knowing what to expect from her after their last battle, will Ash be able to prune Gardenia's team, or will his team be pushing up daisies?

The episode was rated 7.54 from 26 votes.

The day of the Floaroma Pokémon Contest has arrived as Dawn, her childhood friend Kenny, and a disguised Jessie are among the Coordinators vying for the prestigious Floaroma ribbon.

The episode was rated 7.56 from 32 votes.

Ash returns to Oreburgh Gym, ready to challenge Roark again. As the battle starts, Ash quickly surprises everyone when Pikachu manages to take down Onix. As the second battle begins, Ash pits Aipom against Geodude. After a long struggle, Ash manages to beat Geodude, and loses Pikachu and Aipom before the real test begins, defeating Roark's newly evolved Rampardos.

The episode was rated 7.59 from 32 votes.

While heading to the first stop on their journey, Pikachu is captured by Team Rocket and Ash and co. are not far behind. After their balloon popped Team Rocket found Pikachu protected by a Turtwig. When Ash and co. find Pikachu with Turtwig its caretaker, a kindly old lady by the name of Clara, invited them over for lunch. Turns out she's a Pokémon Caretaker and Turtwig (like Bulbasaur before it) is her bodyguard but it really likes Ash. Will Ash accept Turtwig?

The episode was rated 7.67 from 39 votes.

Paul's abuse on Chimchar becomes dangerous to its health and causes it to collapse from exhausted during training. However, despite everyone's protest and waring to let Chimchar rest, Pauls enters it into the second day of the Hearthome City Tag Battle anyway. The harrowing battle leads to a fateful decision for Chimchar.

The episode was rated 7.70 from 23 votes.

While Ash and co. are at a Pokémon Center and watch a battle between Cynthia the Sinnoh League Champion and Lucian, member of the Sinnoh's Elite Four, they hear that Cynthia is nearby. When they finally meet her, Paul appears and challenges her to a six-on-six full battle. Cynthia agrees and the battle starts. Will Paul be able to win against Cynthia and her strongest Pokémon, Garchomp?

The episode was rated 7.74 from 27 votes.

After Paul dominated the Oreburgh Gym, Ash had to think about what Pokémon he could use. Naturally he chose Turtwig, Aipom and Pikachu to go up against Roark's Rock-type Pokémon. Will this strategy work, or will history for Ash repeat itself?

The episode was rated 7.77 from 31 votes.

As the Jubilife contest continues, Ash, Dawn, Zoey and Jessilina (aka Jessie) pass with flying colors. But the tension mounds and pressure is really put on Dawn. Will she manage to win her very first contest, or will Zoey manage to win it all?

The episode was rated 7.87 from 39 votes.