Flint Lights The Fire (633)

[NES]

Eh not so bad, it was lame how Volkner just doesn't care about the gym anymore and just gives badges away!

At least we finally saw Ash battle another E4, this time Flint's Infernape, and you can see how broken these guys are in the show. It's a good thing though, they are an elite after all... Ash's pokemon got an awful beating, mostly Pikachu.

I like the preview, we will get finally Grotle to evolve and Luxray .

[Umbilical Noose]

You know... I find Aqua Jet, Volt Tackle, Brave Bird and Flare Blitz rather similar attacks. Their way of attacking is the same but with a different element. I'd be really disappointed if Ash's Infernape doesn't learn it. It'd be cool if his team manages to fully have those type of attacks.

Aqua Jet is not a recoil damage move. It is a increased priority move. May's Blaziken learned two fire types moves in one episode so Infernape can do the same and learn both Flare Blitz and Blast Burn.

I think he means that all of them have the Pokemon wrapping themselves in an "elemental" aura of sorts before attacking their opponent. I can see that similarity. I like Infernape's Flare Blitz just because it's like the exact opposite of Aqua Jet.

They were totally different. Flare Blitz looked like the fire phase of Brave Bird while Aqua Jet is completely different move where the user retain its body color while it is attacking.
This make me wonder why didn't they made Wood Hammer look like a green Volt Tackle.

Sounds like a brilliant episode.
I have a question in mind.

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/4...helitefour.jpg

This flashback occured in both episodes where Aaron debuted and Lucian debuted where they were coloured.
Did this flashback occur in this episode with Flints original colour,
because this was the only reason why i always thought all elite members will show up at some point... if it didnt maybe Bertha will be scrapped. lol just conclusions.

I don't think they have revealed that Flint is a E4 till now. I don't know Japanese but they didn't used Four heavenly kings phrase for Flint.

I disagree because at least Cynthia's Garchomp actually flinched or appeared to take damage, heck Paul brought it to it's knees, and yet apparently Flint's Infernape appears to be stronger than Cynthia's Garchomp.

Maybe because Torterra used Giga Drain on Garchomp. But they surely made it look like Flint's Infernape is better than Cynthia's Garchomp. I guess they will show how Cynthia will deal with it in Seashore Episode.

I have one query though. While battling E4 where does all of Ash's strategies go? He could have tried Counter Shield as all Pokemon he chose know how to perform it. He had three Pokemon who had type advantage over Infernape but still he chose one which make me think that he might not just choose Gible in upcoming gym battle.

[KibaLG8]

Aqua Jet is not a recoil damage move. It is a increased priority move. May's Blaziken learned two fire types moves in one episode so Infernape can do the same and learn both Flare Blitz and Blast Burn.



They were totally different. Flare Blitz looked like the fire phase of Brave Bird while Aqua Jet is completely different move where the user retain its body color while it is attacking.
This make me wonder why didn't they made Wood Hammer look like a green Volt Tackle.



I don't think they have revealed that Flint is a E4 till now. I don't know Japanese but they didn't used Four heavenly kings phrase for Flint.



Maybe because Torterra used Giga Drain on Garchomp. But they surely made it look like Flint's Infernape is better than Cynthia's Garchomp. I guess they will show how Cynthia will deal with it in Seashore Episode.

I have one query though. While battling E4 where does all of Ash's strategies go? He could have tried Counter Shield as all Pokemon he chose know how to perform it. He had three Pokemon who had type advantage over Infernape but still he chose one which make me think that he might not just choose Gible in upcoming gym battle.

But that was upon evolution. It's been 2 episodes since Infernape evolved. I doubt it will get 2 moves in one episode.

[shac]

I won't complain about Flare-blitz's animation. i know it's a bit out there kinda presentation, but at least it remained true to what it supposed to be like - 'cloak the user in flames followed by a tackle'.
And I also won't complain about Ash's choice of pokemon. Buizel comes with an advantage. Infernape vs. Infernape is for pure entertainment. And I guess Ash must have realised after those two battles that Flint is a tough cookie. So it was only right thing to do to send pikachu. That little rat had the only chance to stand in front of that monkey power-level wise, I guess. Besides Volkner hasn't got a staravia, has he? How else was Ash suppose to waken up the battling spirit in him?? :P

Can someone confirm if it was revealed to the gang that Flint is an E4?

[SOS! Its Not Healthy..]

I found this summary yesterday that was written by heerosferret. She posted on bulbagarden.

http://sunyshore.com/volkner_anime.shtml

It cleared out some things I was wondering about, and from what it turns out, Flint was mentioned that he was in the Elite 4. It was from the story that Flint and the bartender guy were telling Ash and everyone.

[Ash-kid]

I found this summary yesterday that was written by heerosferret. She posted on bulbagarden.

http://sunyshore.com/volkner_anime.shtml

It cleared out some things I was wondering about, and from what it turns out, Flint was mentioned that he was in the Elite 4. It was from the story that Flint and the bartender guy were telling Ash and everyone.

I don't know if what they wrote there is true. I just know that Flint is the E4 member of Sinnoh.

anyone watching this epsidoe and knows Japanese can tell us I'll thank him very much, because I don't think that Ash fought against Flint without knowing he was an E4 member.

[ZgonDuck]

I disagree because at least Cynthia's Garchomp actually flinched or appeared to take damage, heck Paul brought it to it's knees, and yet apparently Flint's Infernape appears to be stronger than Cynthia's Garchomp.

Cynthia's Garchomp used Giga Impact, and couldn't move afterwords. That's the only reason Paul's Torterra was able to bring it to its knee, it was supposed to show off Giga Impact's weakness.

Ash used Buizel, but it lacked the experience to do anything to Infernape, and the anime has shown us type advantage isn't everything. Ash's Infernape just evolved, has beaten nothing, and again, lacked the experience. Did you see how it used Mach Punch fast and furiously while Flint's Infernape easily dodged them and then used a more powerful and precise Mach Punch?

And Pikachu was at competitive at least, but again, however long Ash and Pikachu have been traveling together is nothing compared to the decade(s?) Infernape and Flint have been together and the strength they've gained.

[dman_dustin]

Cynthia's Garchomp used Giga Impact, and couldn't move afterwords. That's the only reason Paul's Torterra was able to bring it to its knee, it was supposed to show off Giga Impact's weakness.

The only problem is that Garchomp was shown to be in pain (as in making a face), and besides Ash attacked Infernape the same way but as I said Infernape just stood there, not once did it seem affected at all. The quick attacks, nope, the thunderbolt that directly hit Infernape, nothing, Infernape wasn't affected at all. Even if it stood there, it could've at least appeared to be bracing itself against the pain (you know closing your eyes and enduring through the pain).

Ash used Buizel, but it lacked the experience to do anything to Infernape, and the anime has shown us type advantage isn't everything. Ash's Infernape just evolved, has beaten nothing, and again, lacked the experience. Did you see how it used Mach Punch fast and furiously while Flint's Infernape easily dodged them and then used a more powerful and precise Mach Punch?

Yeah but still compared to Pikachu, Buizel and Infernape should have lasted longer, OHKO is unrealistic, two hit knock outs would've been more realistic. After all look at all the damage Pikachu took, and yet it took less damage in the full battle and still lost. And the only reason Buizel and Infernape lost so easily is because of that darn Pikachu plot.

And Pikachu was at competitive at least, but again, however long Ash and Pikachu have been traveling together is nothing compared to the decade(s?) Infernape and Flint have been together and the strength they've gained.

And yet Cynthia is superior to him and Bertha, despite appearing to be a younger age (at least with Bertha, Flint could be older or the same age as Cynthia, although he looks older).

Look I'm not saying Ash should have one, I'm just saying that Infernape should have taken some damage. one flinch is all I ask, and if there was supposed to be an Elite 4 arc for winning the league, Ash wouldn't be able to go very far, he might be able to take 1 Elite Four Pokemon but that's it (and it would require his top six most experienced Pokemon to do so). Compared to what we saw, Ash has no chance, even with reserves, as someone said even Charizard wouldn't have fared better, especially since Infernape knows thunderpunch.

And the League wouldn't give Ash so much experience that it would close the gap.

Edit: At least Agatha's Gengar appeared to take damage.

[Ciccone]

They were totally different. Flare Blitz looked like the fire phase of Brave Bird while Aqua Jet is completely different move where the user retain its body color while it is attacking.
This make me wonder why didn't they made Wood Hammer look like a green Volt Tackle.

Again, I'm talking about it's overall similarity in the sense that both moves "cloak" the users in an elemental aura (Fire for Flare Blitz and Water for Aqua Jet. We weren't talking about it's overall effects, just the way it looks.

Anyway time for my standard review now that I've seen the episode in HD and everything was crystal clear. I loved Sunyshore in the anime. It's more high-tech than I thought it'd be. Apart from the solar panels, they even had moving sidewalks. The city reminded me of LaRousse City from the seventh Pokemon movie. Even the gym was run by robots, there was the one at the door that handled trainers, the cleaning robot that took away James' bootlecap, and the referee robot during the battle.

Loved that the Sunyshore Tower looked like the Tower of the Sun, I guess they decided it was prefect since Sunyshore is sunny. I thought Volkner looked prefectly depressed when he appeared especially when he was starring out the window into the ocean. His Raichu is so cute too, almost makes me wish Ash's Pikachu would evolve. The scene at the restaurant was intense, seeing as Ash was upset about Volkner and Flint told them the story about their childhood.

The battle itself was much more intense that I thought. It was almost like a Gym Battle although Flint's Infernape seemed unbeatable. Kinda sad to see all of Buizel's training go to waste. It was only able to use three or so moves before being knocked out. Infernape versus Infernape was a yawn. Pikachu versus Infernape was the best part since Volkner saw himself in Ash. That seemed to be enough to make him accept the battle. Nice animation too, and I loved that Oracion was used as the background music once. Overall, a 9/10.

[Blaziryu]

This episode was hot!! And I'm not saying that because of Flint's Inferape. Well... maybe I am. Anyway, I actually enjoy it. It was cool seeing Ash battle Flint. I'm just disappointed that he was able to cause Flint's Inferape some damage even when he was using Pikachu. Volkner's hair color should've been brighter than it was. I'm looking forward for the next episode.

[Juputoru]

I don't know if what they wrote there is true. I just know that Flint is the E4 member of Sinnoh.

anyone watching this epsidoe and knows Japanese can tell us I'll thank him very much, because I don't think that Ash fought against Flint without knowing he was an E4 member.

I'm 99.9% certain Flint mentioned the word "Shitennou"(Four Heavenly Kings, AKA "Elite Four") when he introduced himself to Ash. I'm surprised it took this long for other people to confirm that, honestly.

Look I'm not saying Ash should have one, I'm just saying that Infernape should have taken some damage. one flinch is all I ask, and if there was supposed to be an Elite 4 arc for winning the league, Ash wouldn't be able to go very far, he might be able to take 1 Elite Four Pokemon but that's it (and it would require his top six most experienced Pokemon to do so). Compared to what we saw, Ash has no chance, even with reserves, as someone said even Charizard wouldn't have fared better, especially since Infernape knows thunderpunch.

I don't quite get how people are ASSUMING that his current team is exactly as strong as his revserves. I'd assume that he'd bring out the best of the best for an E4 arc instead of using whatever he happened to have on him, as he's done in every other fight he's had against an Elite Four member.

There's also the whole "the power of Ash's Pokemon changes at the drop of a hat if the writers think it makes the scene more dramatic" thing. Having Ash losing terribly to Flint but never giving up worked right into their dramatic flashbacks of Volkner never giving up against Houndoom, but having Ash do better against the E4 would be more dramatic in a theoretical Elite 4 Arc. See also:Pikachu's hilarious fluctuations in power throughout each region.

[Umbilical Noose]

Again, I'm talking about it's overall similarity in the sense that both moves "cloak" the users in an elemental aura (Fire for Flare Blitz and Water for Aqua Jet. We weren't talking about it's overall effects, just the way it looks.

I was talking about the look too. Flare Blitz looks similar to Brave Bird or Volt Tackle. The user becomes cloaked in energy and we see the outline of user's body but in Aqua Jet's case the user gets cloaked in water(u can call it energy) but retain its body color.

But they surely didn't worked on Flare Blitz animation. As I said earlier, they just made it look like the fire phase of Brave Bird.

[BlueDragonfangirl]

I loved the episode a lot.
The battles, the flashbacks. It was very cute.
Though, yah the city did remind me of the one from 7th movie hmm. I give this episode a 9. I loved how they compared to Ash and the way Pikachu didn't give up and gave his all, wow. One of my favorites this series.

[Ash-kid]

I'm 99.9% certain Flint mentioned the word "Shitennou"(Four Heavenly Kings, AKA "Elite Four") when he introduced himself to Ash. I'm surprised it took this long for other people to confirm that, honestly.

Well if so Ash probably knew that Flint is an E4 member. At least this time he wasn't arrogant like he was in the last few times against the Elite 4.

But they surely didn't worked on Flare Blitz animation. As I said earlier, they just made it look like the fire phase of Brave Bird.

I didn't like it.
Apparently they didn't want to invest. It is very similar to Flame Wheel but how Quilava is using this move.

[uber gon]

Wonder if those gym inspectors have been officially retconned out? I think some official other than Flint would be worried about Volkner just giving away badges.

[Corzola]

Interesting ep. First the hilarious Ash trying to get into the gym only being lifted away by a robot! The main battle them, well that Buizel would get beaten up in no time was a no- brainer. Infernape x2 was good but come on, we all knew how it would go. Pikachu vs. Infernape - okey that was a good fight. The flashbacks were good, I like when they show peoples life prior to meeting Ash, they do have lifes and background stories. That approch was handeld great in the pre AG seasons, faded a bit during AG but seems to have returned in full force in DP.

[Ludi-Cola]

^I wondered about that too uber gon. Maybe Sunnyshore has a robot gym overseer (they have robots for everything else there) and Volkner programmed it to give him a passing grade? But I like to believe that Flint cares more about Volkner's wellbeing than anyone else and took it upon himself to try and renew Volkner's battling spirit and make the Gym back to its old standard.

[randomspot555]

Now, I know exactly zero Japanese, but from reading some of Dogasu's backpack, the tone it's spoken in makes a lot in the meaning in the words.

I found Volkner being depressed similar to Paul, at least in tone. His voice was, for the most part, very soft and nonchalant. He's not a jerk, he just doesn't care. I thought it came across perfectly when he called Flint "Mr. Elite Four." That kind of said, to me, that on top of not having any decent challengers, Volkner feels abandoned by his best friend. He hides this by throwing himself into his work. And since his job as Gym Leader isn't providing him with work, he goes to technology.

That being said, I could be completely wrong and someone who knows the language can correct me.

Elite 4 battles have been done very well. Trainers that are still...well, training, shouldn't stand a chance.

After seeing Close Combat on Flint's Infernape, I would not mind Ash's learning that move (Mach Punch seems to not have priority in the anime, so it's basically a weaker version of Close Combat). Though Flamethrower just isn't cuttng it, and Flame Wheel basically seems to backfire all the time. It needs something strong that can hit from a distance. Overheat? Fire Blast? Blast Burn?

It was a nice little twist that Master was the poacher. I didn't catch that the first time I viewed this episode.

Also, on why Buziel used Ice Punch. Ice moves ALWAYS seem to freeze the opponent in the anime. So even if it's not effective, it's still useful.

[Skull-Kid]

Loved the episode. Not too hard to guess why.

I felt that Ash didn't really have much of a chance as I don't remember him getting a single effective hit which seems unfair to me. Nice twist with Master and the poacher.

It would have been cool to see Buck in the episode too.

[Geodude]

It was a nice little twist that Master was the poacher. I didn't catch that the first time I viewed this episode.

I didn't either, and I was surprised to find it out on my second viewing too.

And yes, Ash knew Flint was an E4 member as soon as he appeared. He introduced himself as Flint of the Elite Four.