Japanese Title: Ultra Beast Clash! The Great Crackling Rumble Operation!!
Original Airdate: June 7, 2018
US Airdate: TBD
The Ultra Guardians face their toughest challenge yet when Xurkitree and Blacephalon appear at the same time and begin to battle each other. Can the heroes overcome two unusually strong Ultra Beasts at the same time?
This episode contains examples of the following tropes:
- Buffy Speak: When the group encounters the battle between Blacephalon & Xurkitree, Ash asks what's going on. Lana answers, "Boom boom, bang bang, I'd say."
- Non-Fatal Explosions: As Ash and Sophocles distract Xurkitree with their Pokémon's electric attacks, Kiawe, Lana, Mallow, and Lillie move in to catch Xurkitree, but then, Blacephalon's head gets in their way and they get caught in the resulting explosion, but all that happened to them were Funny Afros and getting covered in soot.
- Shock and Awe: Xurkitree is an Electric-type and uses its electricity to make a light show during its performance battle with Blacephalon.
- Shout-Out: Ash and Kiawe make faces reminiscent of Popuko and Pipimi. Particularly notable as the anime referenced the Pokemon games in its first episode.
- Took a Level in Badass: Lycanroc masters the Lycanium Z Z-move, Splintered Stormshards.
- Your Head A-Splode: Blacephalon's main method of attack, though it can regenerate said head.
