"Lycanroc, show your crimson glare. Let's go!"
—Gladion
Japanese Title: Come Forth! The Red, Red Gaze of Lugarugan!!
Original Airdate: May 18, 2017
US Airdate: August 19, 2017
Ash runs in to Lillie's prodigal brother, Gladion, along with his Umbreon and Midnight Lycanroc. Seeing how powerful he is as a trainer, Ash undoubtedly wants to challenge him. But Team Rocket takes an interest in his Lycanroc.
This episode contains examples of the following tropes:
- Adaptation Displacement: No Type: Null yet.spoiler Gladion instead has a Midnight Lycanroc and an Umbreon, neither of which he has in the games.
- Canine Companion: Although Lycanroc is his primary fighter, Umbreon acts as this for Gladion, frequently seen accompanying him outside its Poké Ball.
- Curb-Stomp Battle: Lycanroc single-handedly beats Tupp, Rapp, and Zipp in the cold open. It then beats some random jabronis before Gladion meets Ash. Then, Gladion uses the Rockium Z-Move on Team Rocket, Continental Crush.
- Noodle Incident: In a flashback, we see a younger Gladion holding a fainted Eevee he had found. It's believed this is the Eevee that became his Umbreon.
- A Twinkle in the Sky: Really, it is invoked this time. Team Rocket blasts off from Continental Crush, then Bewear launches itself from some palm trees to catch them and fly off with them.
- The World Is Just Awesome: Team Rocket is overcome by seeing their first Alolan sunrise.Meowth: It feels like my charm's getting buff-waxed by the universe!
