PM2023 20 - Press Release
Kabu, the Gym Leader of Engine Stadium, appeared in episode 20, Kabu-san's Battle Training. The official Japanese Anipoke Twitter account posted an interview with Hiroki from the press release about the role on August 25th, 2023.

A comment from Hiroki Tochi, the voice of Kabu:
This is my first time appearing in the Pokémon anime ever since I played Achroma in Pocket Monsters Best Wishes Season 2: Episode N. This time I'm going to play Kabu, a character whose lines of advice for Liko and Roy I feel really make an impression on you. Kabu is so skilled as a Pokémon Trainer he's able to serve as a Gym Leader, and I felt like his words are based on his own past experiences. I found him a very appealing person, and I love the way he has a huge smile on his face when he praises someone.

I feel that one of the things that makes Pokémon so much fun is how you can feel Pokémon and Trainers grow through battle, and I think episode 20 really gets that charm across as it shows the challenges both Liko and Nyahoja with their unreqruited feelings, and Roy and Hogator with their presumably somewhat stronger bonds, will have to face. I hope you'll look forward to the episode itself as well as Kabu-san's debut.

【カブ役・東地宏樹さんコメント】
アニメ「ポケットモンスター ベストウイッシュ シーズン2 エピソードN」でアクロマ役として一度出演させていただいた以来のアニポケ出演でした。今回はカブ役でアニメに参加させていただきましたが、リコとロイに対してアドバイスをする彼のセリフはとても印象的でした。ジムリーダーを務めるほどポケモントレーナーとしての実力があるカブの言葉は、かつての自分の“経験”を踏まえて伝えているのだと感じましたし、褒めるときは破顔しているところなんかも素敵で、とても魅力にあふれる人だなと思いました。

バトルを通して、ポケモンとトレーナーの成長を感じられるところも「ポケモン」の楽しさのひとつだと思うのですが、リコとニャオハの気持ちのすれ違いや、彼女たちよりもうまく絆を結んでいるであろうロイとホゲータにも課題が見えたり、第20話はそんな「ポケットモンスター」の醍醐味を感じられる回になったと思います。カブさんの登場とあわせて、楽しみにしていただけたらと思います。

The official Japanese Anime PR Twitter account posted facial expressions production artwork on August 29th, 2023. The picture featured Galar region Gym Leader Kabu.

We present facial expressions of Galar region Gym Leader Kabu, who appeared in the Pokémon anime August 25th! Kabu is a Gym Leader from the video games Pocket Monsters Sword/Shield. Keep an eye on him to see just how passionate he'll be!

Kabu: Gym Leader of Engine Stadium and a native of the Houen region. Figuring that this means he might know something about Rayquaza, the Legendary Pokémon from the Houen region, Liko and Roy go to ask him about it, but...?!

8/25放送のアニポケに登場した、ガラル地方のジムリーダー・カブの表情イラストを公開
ゲーム「ポケットモンスター ソード・シールド」に登場する
ジムリーダーのカブ
どんなアツい活躍を見せるのか、ご注目ください！

The official Japanese Anime PR Twitter account posted a wallpaper on September 1st, 2023 by #もじゃクッキー @mojacookie.

Anipoke Wallpaper Calendar
Every month we bring you a wallpaper calendar by mojacookie!
September's theme is Autumn Sports!
Liko and Roy get fit with Kabu-san, who appeared in today's episode 20!
Let's get through the hot month of September!

アニポケ 壁紙カレンダー
毎月、もじゃクッキーさんによる壁紙カレンダーをお届け
9月のテーマは、スポーツの秋
本日放送の第20話に登場するカブさん と一緒にリコとロイたちも体力づくり
9月もアツく乗り切っていきましょう！

On September 1st, 2023, the official Japanese AniPoke Twitter account and the official Japanese Pokémon Twitter account reminded that this episode was available to watch on the official Japanese YouTube channel. The video was region locked to Japan only. It was available from September 1st, 2023 to September 8th, 2023. This episode was specifically labeled as a missed-program webcast (見逃し配信).

The episode was also available on the TV Tokyo YouTube channel and the Official Corocoro Channel and were labeled as limited-time delivery (期間限定配信). The TV Tokyo version included the series trailer at the end of the episode where as the Corocoro version had beginning and ending bumpers promoting Corocoro.

AniPoke Episode 20 Kabu-san's Battle Training
What did you think?
Keep on learning and training until the day you die!
Both Nyahoja and Hogator worked hard at their training, taking the advice of the experienced Kabu-san!
Don't miss it, watch it for sure!
It will be available for 1 week from today

アニポケ 第20話「カブさんのバトル修行」
いかがでしたか？
人生死ぬまで修行、学び続けよう
経験豊富なカブさん のアドバイスを受けて、ニャオハもホゲータ もトレーニングを頑張りました！
見逃し配信、絶対に見てね
公開期間は本日より1週間

CoroCoro Comic's Official website posted an article about this episode just before the original airing on September 1st, 2023.


Anipoke is just around the corner! Life is learning and training until the day you die!


Broadcasting every week from 6:55 pm! The anime "Pocket Monsters" will start airing soon! In this article, we'll introduce you to the Pokémon and characters that will appear in today's episode, as well as comments from the voice actors and director, and other information you won't find anywhere else!

The member of the Rising Volt Tacklers are stranded in Engine City because the train to the old castle where Liko's grandmother, Diana, is located is out of service. Liko and Roy are free to go on their own until the train starts running, when they encounter the Gym Leader, Kabu, at the Battle Café! Roy quickly tries to ask him about Black Rayquaza, but......


▲ Kabu stopped by the Cafe during his run. He seems to be admired by everyone in town!


▲ Kabu is from the Hoenn region. He might know about the Legendary Pokémon Rayquaza which is also from the Hoenn region!?


▲ Roy wants him to hear the story, but Kabu returns to running. Is he too fast to catch up to!!?

Liko and Roy follow Kabu to Engine Stadium. Roy talks to Kabu about the Black Rayquaza, the ancient Monster Ball, and his feelings for it. Liko also shares her feelings with Kabu. Kabu is so moved by Liko and Roy's passionate feelings that he takes over their training!!


▲ Roy expresses his passionate feelings towards getting the Black Rayquaza.


▲ It seems that Kabu knows something about the Black Rayquaza!?

Like a burning flame, he is a man who is always on fire, always aiming higher. Engine Stadium Gym Leader Kabu's Fire training begins now!!!!


▲ Kabu specializes in Fire-type Pokémon. What is his special training......!?


▲ Hogator releasing an Ember. You can see something that looks like a scoreboard on the side.......


▲ That's a lot of Hitomoshi!? They look like they are running away!?

The rest of the program will air today at 6:55 pm! Don't miss out on Kabu's fiery training!

【アニポケまであとちょっと！】人生 死ぬまで修行 学び続けよう!! ジムリーダー・カブ、炎の修行を見よ!!
人生 死ぬまで修行 学び続けよう!!ジムリーダー・カブ、炎の修行を見よ!!
毎週金曜よる6時55分から放送中！
アニメ「ポケットモンスター」まもなく放送スタート!!
この記事はアニメ放送前に、今日の放送回に登場するポケモンやキャラクターの紹介、声優さんや監督からのコメントなどなど、ほかでは聞けないアニポケ情報をお届けするコーナーだ!!
ライジングボルテッカーズのメンバーたちは、リコのおばあちゃん・ダイアナがいるという古城へと向かう電車が運休中のためエンジンシティで足止めを食らっていた。電車が動くまで自由行動のリコとロイは、前回バトルカフェでジムリーダーのカブと遭遇する！　ロイはさっそく黒いレックウザのことを聞こうとするが……。
▲ランニングの途中でカフェに立ち寄ったというカブさん。町のみんなに信頼されている様子！
▲実はカブさんの出身はホウエン地方。同じくホウエン地方の伝説のポケモン・レックウザのことを知っているかも!?
▲話を聞こうとするロイだったが、カブさんはランニングに戻ってしまう。追いつこうにも速すぎる!!?
カブを追いエンジンスタジアムに辿りついたリコとロイ。ロイは黒いレックウザ、そしていにしえのモンスターボールのこと、そしてその想いをカブにぶつける。リコもまた、自分の想いをカブに話す。リコとロイの熱い想いに心を打たれたカブは2人のトレーニングを買って出るのだった!!
▲黒いレックウザをゲットしたいという熱い想いをぶつけるロイ。
▲どうやらカブさんは黒いレックウザに心当たりがある様子!?
燃えさかる炎のように常に上を目指す、いつまでも燃える男。エンジンスタジアムジムリーダー・カブの炎の修行が、今はじまる!!!!
▲カブさんと言えばほのおタイプのポケモン。彼の特訓とは……!?
▲ひのこを放つホゲータ。何やらスコアボードらしきものが見えるが……。
▲これは大量のヒトモシ!?　逃げ回っているように見えるが一体!?
続きは今日よる6時55分からの放送で！　カブさんの炎のように熱い修行の行方を見逃すな!!

The official Japanese Anime PR Twitter account posted a behind-the-scenes look at the making of this Anipoke episode with a production artwork piece on August 31st, 2023. The picture featured Kabu.

An original drawing of Kabu from episode 20.
Kabu is the passionate, strong and experienced Gym Leader of Engine Stadium, beloved by the citizens!

第20話より、カブさん の原画をご紹介
アツくて強くて経験豊富！
街の人からも愛される、エンジンスタジアムのジムリーダーです