The latest episodes of Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl 170 - Elite Four Kikuno! Kabarudon VS Dodaitose!! (四天王キクノ！カバルドンＶＳドダイトス！！) and Diamond & Pearl 171 - Togekiss Dances! The Princess' Pokémon Contest!! (トゲキッス舞う！王女さまのポケモンコンテスト！！) aired on Thursday in Japan as part of a 1 hour special.

Diamond & Pearl 170 - Elite Four Kikuno! Kabarudon VS Dodaitose!! (四天王キクノ！カバルドンＶＳドダイトス！！)

While heading to the Grand Festival at the Lakeside Resort, Satoshi and friends meet Yoshichi who instantly wanted to play with Pikachu after he saw it. After speaking for while, Satoshi and friends asked if he had any Pokémon of his own. He explained that he left his Magby at a Pokémon evolution shop. Suspicious of the shop, they returned to find that the owners had left and the shop was gone. With the help of Satoshi and his friends, Yoshichi was able to track down the thieves who ended up being Team Rocket. Satoshi and Hikari battled Team Rocket and were able to recover Magby's Poké ball. Kikuno is finally revealed and Satoshi battles her. Will Satoshi be able to defeat her?

Characters, Music and Pictures from this episode have been added to the episode guide. You can also comment and discuss this episode on the forum. Also be sure to rate this and other episodes in the episode guide.

Diamond & Pearl 171 - Togekiss Dances! The Princess' Pokémon Contest!! (トゲキッス舞う！王女さまのポケモンコンテスト！！)

The second episode that aired featured Princess Salvia who lives in a palace in Katakuri Town (カタクリタウン). She switched places with Hikari since they look almost the same and then participated in the Katakuri Town Pokémon Contest with her Togekiss. Will she win the Contest?

Characters and Pictures from this episode have been added to the episode guide. You can also comment and discuss this episode on the forum. Also be sure to rate this and other episodes in the episode guide.

A preview for some of the upcoming episodes was shown at the end of Thursday's special. It was announced that the Sinnoh Grand Festival will begin during DP 174 - The Grand Festival Begins! The Art of Flame and Ice!! (グランドフェスティバル開幕! 炎と氷のアート！！) on April 29th, 2010.


It was also announced that the Sinnoh League would begin sometime in July of 2010. An Imageboard thread with HD pictures from the preview is available by clicking here.

The DVD for last years Pikachu short that was shown on ANA Airlines has been announced. Pikachu's Great Sparkling Search! (ピカチュウのキラキラだいそうさく！) was shown on ANA flights between August 1st, 2009 and August 29th, 2009. The DVD will be released in Japan on June 18th, 2010 and it will retail for 2500yen. The DVD will also include the recently aired DP169 episode: Pokémon Ranger! Heatran Rescue Mission!! (ポケモンレンジャー！ ヒードラン救出作戦！！). The DVD also comes with a bonus gift, a 600×900mm 'Special Leisure Sheet' (スペシャルレジャーシー) featuring Giza Mimi Pichu, Pikachu and Pochama.

Synopsis

Summer! Everyone is full of energy today. Pikachu and friends play with their beach ball! Pikachu and Pochama are chasing and diving in a river when they drift over and see a metropolis. "Where are we?" they said, searching from the rooftops of the buildings. Suddenly, with a bang, jagged-eared Pichu and Muchul collide. The two argue in an angry mood. "Sparkling is gone! It was the present to give to Kireihana..." Besides, today is her birthday!? This is troublesome! We must hurry and search. Moreover, Nyarth-tachi are aiming too! Thus, the Great Sparkling Search begins!

The DVD has been added to our DVD Database. There you can find information about Pokémon DVD's from around the world.

Source: http://www.mediafactory.co.jp/pikakira/

The latest episode of Pokémon Sunday, Bye Bye Butterfree / Substitution Quiz / What will the children do when Robert changes places with the Kindergarten Teacher!? (バイバイバタフリー / いれかわりクイズ / 幼稚園の先生が突然ロバートに入れかわったら子どもたちはどうする！？), aired today in Japan.

Bye Bye Butterfree (ヤドンがヤドランになると) was this weeks repeat episode. The episode featured the departure of Satoshi's Butterfree as it was released and the two parted ways.

To promote the upcoming 1 hour special of Pocket Monsters Diamond and Pearl that is airing on April 1st, 2010 in Japan, the Pokémon Sunday crew decided to hold a Substitution Quiz in studio. They started off the show by playing the current opening theme for the series, The Greatest・Everyday!(サイコー・エブリディ！) sung by Akiyoshi Fumie (あきよしふみえ). Akiyama, who was sporting a new hair style, seemed to really enjoy the song and danced around a bit as it played. A preview for the upcoming episodes was then shown.


Robert visited a local kindergarten class where they switched places with the teacher. Yamamoto was the first to switch places with the teacher and when the kids opened their eyes they were able to identify him. Baba went next and hid behind a cardboard box. Two new kids were able to also identify Baba. Akiyama was the final member of Robert to switch with the teacher and the two girls ended up running out of the classroom, obviously to the dismay of Akiyama.

During the Pokémon Sunday News segment, Hikozaru reminded viewers of the currently available mission that can be downloaded off of Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. The Protect the Legendary Blue Orb! (でんせつのあおいたまをまもれ！) mission will be available for download until May 17th, 2010.


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For the final segment of the show, the Pokémon Game Arena, the cast played a mock TCG game where Pokémon types would be how they declared the winner as they showcased cards from the preview TCG sets as well as the upcoming TCG expansion Lost Link (ロストリンク). The set will be available starting April 16th, 2010. Below are screenshots of the cards that were revealed on the show.


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Mojanbo (モジャンボ)

Grass - HP110
Illustration: Hideaki Hakozaki
Retreat Cost: 4
Weakness: Fire x2
Resistance: Water -20
Card Number: 4/40

Kongpang (コンパン)

Grass - HP50
Illustration: Hideaki Hakozaki
Weakness: Fire x2
Retreat Cost: 1
Card Number: 1/40

Characters and Pictures from this episode have been added to the episode guide. You can also comment and discuss this episode on the forum. Also be sure to rate this and other episodes in the episode guide.

The official TV Tokyo website has posted a brief synopsis for the upcoming 1 hour Pocket Monsters Diamond and Pearl 170/171 special that will be airing on April 1st, 2010. It was announced that a new variant of Dotchi ~ Nyo? (ドッチ~ニョ？新バージョン登場！) will air during that broadcast. No further information regarding the variant was announced.

Source: http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/program/detail/19406_201004011900.html

The latest episodes of Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl 168 - Fly Shaymin! Beyond the Sky!! (飛べシェイミ！空の彼方へ！！) and Diamond & Pearl 169 - Pokémon Ranger! Heatran Rescue Mission!! (ポケモンレンジャー！ ヒードラン救出作戦！！) aired on Thursday in Japan as part of a 1 hour special.

Satoshi and friends encounter a girl floating in a boat and they help her out of the boat. Mai introduces herself and after stopping to feed their Pokémon, she reveals that she was hiding a Shaymin. Takeshi realizes Shaymin is injured and gives it some berries. Mai explains that she was being chased by Rocket Gang who shows up again and attempts to capture Shaymin again. Will Satoshi and friends be able to stop Rocket Gang once again?!

Characters and Pictures from this episode have been added to the episode guide. You can also comment and discuss this episode on the forum. Also be sure to rate this and other episodes in the episode guide.


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In the second episode that aired, Pokémon Ranger Natsuya is sent out on a mission to investigate the mysterious eruption in a volcano where he encounters a wild Heatran. He attempts to capture it but he looses his Capture Styler which Kojiro eventually finds. Natsuya managed to use the Ranger Sign for Feraligatr and the Feraligatr takes him to shore where Satoshi and his friends are camped out. Natsuya introduces himself and that he is a Pokémon Ranger on a mission. Satoshi and his friend decide to help him out but as usual Rocket Gang interferes. Will Natsuya be able to complete his mission by working together with Satoshi and his friends and be able to recover his Capture Styler and capture the wild Heatran?!

Characters and Pictures from this episode have been added to the episode guide. You can also comment and discuss this episode on the forum. Also be sure to rate this and other episodes in the episode guide.


During DP169, the Ranger Sign for Feraligatr was revealed and it can be used in the new game Pokémon Ranger: Paths of Light (ポケモンレンジャー　光の軌跡). This sign is not revealed anywhere in the game. Players must register the sign in the Ranger Sign database before it can be used.


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There will be no new episode of Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl airing in Japan next Thursday. A preview for the 1 hour special that will air on April 1st, 2010 was shown at the end of today's episodes. Above are a couple of pictures from the preview.

The latest episode of Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl 167- The Pokémon School at the Beach! (海辺のポケモンスクー！), aired on Thursday in Japan.

Hikari and friends have been asked to help out at a Pokémon School at the beach. Unfortunately there is a troublemaker in the mix that isn't too happy with the situation. Also, with Hikari perfect her new contest combination move?!

Characters and Pictures from this episode have been added to the episode guide. You can also comment and discuss this episode. Also be sure to rate this and other episodes in the episode guide.

The latest episode of Pokémon Sunday, Valley of Lizardon! Until the Day We Meet Again!! / Pokémon Ranger Special! Robert is Challenged to Capture the Smiles of 100 People on the Street! / Anime 'Pokémon Ranger: Paths of Light' (リザードンのたに！またあうひまで!! / ポケモンレンジャースペシャル！ ロバートが街に出て１００人の笑顔のキャプチャに挑戦！/ アニメ「ポケモンレンジャー　光の軌跡」), aired today in Japan.
A new theme for the rerun episodes, "Pokémon Farewell Stories", started this week. The first episode to be shown under this banner was the Johto episode 'Valley of Lizardon! Until the Day We Meet Again!!'. Satoshi and friends meet Sieg (ジーク), the caretaker of the Lizardon Valley. Satoshi decides to leave his Lizardon in her care for more training. A full synopsis of this episode is available in the episode guide.

Today's episode is a special dedicated to the new game Pokémon Ranger: Paths of Light (ポケモンレンジャー　光の軌跡) which was released in Japan on March 6th, 2010. The Pokémon Sunday crew start the episode off with Robert standing on a raised stage. The headquarters lights dim and Robert are seen with a large light on each of their butts. Each member of Robert takes turn mimicking the movements of a Ranger Sign using the light on their butt. The attempted to draw 'Purin' (プリン) but Red, Golgo and Shoko couldn't figure it out. Golgo decides to write 'Purin' (プリン) with the light on his butt and does it a bit slower than Robert did. After he finished drawing the name, Golgo still had his butt sticking out and he farts to the dismay of all the people around him.

Robert then took on the role of Pokémon Rangers, wearing ranger uniforms from the new game (with Baba in the female uniform). Joined by Lucario and the Guitar Pichu, played by stand-up comedian Yōku Hata (波田陽区), well known for his Guitar Samurai (ギター侍) persona, the ranger trio set out on their mission: capture the smiles of a 100 people.

While the Guitar Pichu himself proved quite adept at this task, the rangers eventually found they had to call in help. Using special Ranger Signs, they summoned comedians Raoh Watanabe (渡辺ラオウ), Zomahoun Rufin, Satomi and the comedy duo Double Colon (Wコロン) to help them out, eventually managing to reach the magic number.

Earlier this week, the children's television show Oha Suta (おはスタ) debuted the latest trailer for the 13th Pocket Monsters movie, The Ruler of Illusions Zoroark (幻影の覇者 ゾロアーク). The same trailer aired during Pokémon Sunday just after the live action segment finished. It can also be viewed on the official movie website.

A preview for the upcoming March 1 hour special of Pocket Monsters Diamond and Pearl was also shown. The preview shows Pokémon Ranger Natsuya, the main character from the Ranger shorts, starring in DP169. Below are a few pictures from the preview.


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In a continuation of last weeks 'Pokémon Ranger: Paths of Light' anime short special, the story continues with Natsuya capturing Ukulele Pichu. They head through the Teak Forest and arrive at a cave that is guarded by a Pokémon Napper. Pichu quickly shocks the girl allowing them to enter the cave.

Red Eye (レッドアイ) is attempting to take the Raikou Ranger Sign that is inscribed on a stone. Ukulele Pichu attempts to stop them but Red Eye sends his controlled Zugaidos at it which breaks its Ukulele in the process. Natsuya captures the Zugaidos to calm it down but not before Red Eye and the Pokémon Nappers leave with the Raikou Ranger Sign tablet. As they exit the cave, Red Eye and the Nappers are stopped by lightning and a loud roar as the special ends.

Pictures and characters from this episode have been added to the episode guide. You can can also comment and discuss this episode. Also be sure to rate this and other episodes in the episode guide.

The latest episode of Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl 166 - Takeoff! Nagisa Tower!! (発進！ナギサタワー！！), aired on Thursday in Japan.

Satoshi and his friends have finally arrived in Nagisa City and Satoshi has challenged Denji for his final Sinnoh League gym badge. During the battle the power goes out and it stops the match. Who or what is behind the power outage?

A new animation team animated this episode. Team Kato began animating the DP episodes starting at DP164 and it is now the third animation team to do the animation for the main series replacing Team Iguchi. Team Iguchi took over for Team OTA during the Ranger special in Advanced Generation.

Characters and Pictures from this episode have been added to the episode guide. You can also comment and discuss this episode. Also be sure to rate this and other episodes in the episode guide.

The latest episode of Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl 165 - Elite Four Oba and Gym Leader Denji! (四天王オーバとジムリーダー・デンジ！), aired on Thursday in Japan.

Satoshi and his friends have finally arrived in Nagisa City and they head to the Nagisa Gym for Satoshi final Sinnoh League gym battle. When they arrive at the gym, they find out why Shinji thought that having a badge from the Nagisa Gym was considered bad as there was a box of badges for trainers outside. Satoshi gets mad and begins banging on the doors of the gym demanding to have a battle. The Elite Four member Oba arrives and takes Satoshi and his friends to meet the Nagisa Gym Leader Denji. Why is Denji unwilling to battle trainers anymore and why is he giving out his badges without a battle?!

Characters and Pictures from this episode have been added to the episode guide. You can also comment and discuss this episode. Also be sure to rate this and other episodes in the episode guide.

The latest episode of Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl 164 - Pochama Gets Lost! (ポッチャマはぐれる！ ), aired on Thursday in Japan.

While enroute to compete at the Nagisa Gym for his final Sinnoh League badge, Satoshi and Fukamaru take some time to practice Draco Meteor. Draco Meteor keeps hitting Pochama and it makes Pochama mad and runs off. Will Hikari and friends find Pochama?

Characters and Pictures from this episode have been added to the episode guide. You can also comment and discuss this episode. Also be sure to rate this and other episodes in the episode guide.