Japanese Title: A Beautiful Curry Battle! The Dance of Lalantes!!
Original Airdate: July 27, 2017
US Airdate: October 14, 2017
That's no bug. But Ash has a Pokémon that can take it on either way.
Ash wants to take on Olivia's Grand Trial. First, he has to prove his worth by preparing special meal that requires a rare ingredient only found in the Lush Jungle. That ingredient, however, is protected by a rather large and peculiar bug. Ash and Mallow will need to team up to take on another new challenge.
This episode contains examples of the following tropes:
- Adapted Out: The Lurantis's Trumbeak ally isn't present.
- Chekhov's Gun: One of the ingredients Olivia needs is the Revival Herb.
- Hoist by His Own Petard: Castform's Sunny Day makes Weather Ball a powerful Fire move, and allows the grass-type Totem Lurantis a healing and attack boost. One problem: being a Fire type, it also boosts Litten's attacks, which Lurantis is at a type disadvantage to.
- If It Tastes Bad, It Must Be Good for You: Ash and Mallow use the Revival Herb on Castform and Totem Lurantis after the battle, and Litten dug in to Mallow's stash for a taste as well. Castform and Litten hate it.note But Lurantis doesn't seem to mind it.note
- Lost Food Grievance: Totem Lurantis attacks the heroes after Pikachu eats a berry from its food stash. Subverted when it turns out the battle was set up by Olivia.
- Mean Character, Nice Actor: As it turns out the Totem Lurantis and Castform were assigned by Olivia to battle Ash. After they are defeated and revived by Ash, they prove quite docile, even posing for a picture for Rotom.
- More than Meets the Eye: Fomantis and Lurantis sure look like Bug-types. They are actually Grass-types.
- Red Herring: In the past two Akala trials Lana and Kiawe were the ones to get the corresponding Z-Crystals. This episode loosely adapts the Lush Jungle trial but instead of Mallow obtaining a Z-Crystal it went to Ash.
- So Much for Stealth: Double subverted. As Ash and Mallow are trying to sneak past a group of sleeping Fomantis, Ash steps on a dry twig; fortunately it fails to wake them up. Then they encounter a Parasect, whose spores cause them both to have a sneezing fit. While it almost wakes some Fomantis up, it still seems like they'll get past safely... until Ash slips on some mud and falls comically on his head, causing Mallow to laugh at him - and awakening the entire group, which proceeds to mass attack them.
- Took a Level in Badass: Litten beats Totem Lurantis with its first Breakneck Blitz. Ash also wins the Grassium Z.
- Vitriolic Best Buds: Kiawe is left playing peace keeper after Turtonator and Marowak once again start bickering.
