Japanese Title: Explosive Evolution! Goukazaru!!!!
Original Airdate: February 11, 2010
US Airdate: July 10, 2010
I think your rage broke, Monferno.
Ash is headed to Sunyshore City to get his eighth badge. Barry and Paul, however, already have all eight badges. Both want a piece of Ash. But Team Rocket wants all three. Monferno will need to get past his Blaze-induced rage and rise to the occasion one more time.
This episode contains examples of the following tropes:
- 11th-Hour Superpower: Monferno’s blaze is activated and then it evolved into Infernape.
- A Day in the Limelight: Another one for Monferno, and his evolution to Infernape.
- Big Damn Heroes: When it looks as though Team Rocket is about to win and escape with everybody’s Pokémon, Monferno shows up and frees Ash from Team Rocket’s bubble.
- Big "NO!": When Paul’s Electabuzz’s protect is broken, and is about to be crushed, Paul delivers this.
- Character Development: Paul is notably more mature in this episode. When Ash notices Paul, and vice-versa, instead of Paul making a scene or belittling Ash, he simply minds his own business, and walks away. While Paul personally disliking Ash hasn’t changed, Paul’s outright antagonism from before has diminished considerably. Paul’s also fairly polite to Barry, politely declining his challenge, and only gets annoyed when Barry acts entitled. Even then, despite Paul being annoyed, he calmly explains his reasoning for refusing, and suggests Barry battle Ash instead.
- Diving Save: The moment Monferno gains control of himself, Electabuzz's Protect fails, dropping the cage holding Pikachu, Piplup, and Barry's Empoleon. He does Flame Wheel to replace the failed Protect, and next thing you see, the evolved Infernape is safely holding the cage.
- Everyone Has Standards: Paul dislikes Ash and his friends, but he didn’t want anything bad to happen to him. So he uses his Electabuzz to save Ash and co’s Pokémon from harm.
- Paul’s also visibly worried when Monferno sets Ash ablaze.
- Foreshadowing: Whereas Barry considers the Sunnyshore Gym to be the best, Paul angrily declares it “not legit”. It’s later revealed that Volkner is just giving out badges due to his slump, so Barry is happy about the easy badge while Paul is disappointed he doesn’t get a battle.
- "I Know You're in There Somewhere" Fight: After Blaze activated, Monferno went into a state of rage but hearing Ash's words calmed it down and was able to control it, which led it to evolve into its final evolution.
- Pet the Dog: When Ash’s and his friends’ Pokémon are in danger, Paul and his Electabuzz goes out of their way to try and protect them. When Electabuzz’s protect is broken, Paul lets out a * Big "NO!"
- Reformed, but Not Tamed: Much like Lake Acuity, Paul still shows to be outwardly cold, but not exactly downright hostile either. He’s still fairly cold and uninterested in friendship, but is a little more respectful and even shows a little more care in this episode.
- You Have GOT to Be Kidding Me!: Downplayed. Paul is notably frustrated that the Chimchar he failed to train evolved all the way to Infernape under Ash. However, Paul also notably commended its evolution, and looked forward to their next battle.
