Recap
Ash and co. have finally reached Tobari City where the Tobari Gym awaits Ash's arrival. Suddenly, a blue sphere flies at Ash and co. They nearly dodge it in time. More spheres begin to fly out everywhere, and Ash suddenly realizes that it's a Pokémon attack, Aura Sphere. Ash and co. decide to find out where the attacks are coming from, so Ash leads the way behind a fence. One of the Aura Spheres blasts through the fence leaving an opening. Ash and co. take a look, and they see a Lucario. Ash looks up Lucario in his Pokédex. Lucario fires an Aura Sphere at its trainer, but the trainer kicks the attack right back at Lucario. Ash finds it amazing that Lucario's trainer is able to do that. Lucario's trainer wants Lucario to stop, but Lucario ignores her commands. It uses Bone Rush on its trainer, but the trainer dodges Lucario's attack. Lucario suddenly stops its attack. Dawn notices that Lucario is acting up in a weird way...
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Episode Notes
Pokémon Debuts: Lucario, Honchkrow (both outside of movies)
It is revealed in a flashback that Paul beat Maylene and has won the Cobble Badge. It is also revealed that his Murkrow has evolved into Honchkrow, he now has a Magmar, and he left his Electabuzz with Reggie.
Reggie has all of the Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, and Sinnoh Gym Badges, as well as 6 of the 7 Battle Frontier symbols.
Ash battles against Reggie and wins the battle.
This episode first aired in Japan one week after the release of Super Smash Bros. Brawl, which features Lucario as an unlockable playable character.
This episode aired in the US the same weekend as the premiere of Giratina and the Sky's Bouquet: Shaymin in Japan.
Rachael Lillis returns to dub the show as the voice of Maylene.
Cultural References
The Lucario of Lucario and the Mystery of Mew is referenced by Ash's enthusiasm on seeing Maylene's Lucario, Ash knowing some things about it, such as its name and its move, and Jessie offering a bar of chocolate to it.