The latest episode of Pocket Monsters Best Wishes 18 - Yaguruma Forest! Kurumiru and Arti!! (タマゴからかえったあばれん坊！) aired on Thursday in Japan.

En-route to Hiun City, Satoshi and friends decide travel through the Yaguruma Forest. Suddenly a wild Kurumiru attacks Pikachu!

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.

Satoshi's Zuruggu (サトシのズルッグ) Event

The 17th episode of Pocket Monsters Best Wishes featured the hatching of Satoshi's egg and Zuruggu joining Satoshi's team. To celebrate this event, players of the Japanese versions of Pokémon Black and White have the opportunity to download Satoshi's Zuruggu (サトシのズルッグ) off of Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. Satoshi's Zuruggu has been added to our event database.

The official sites news release stated that this event would start on January 28th, 2011 and go until February 10th, 2011 [2011年1月28日（金）～2月10日（木）] but the event was activated right after Pocket Monsters Best Wishes 18 aired.

C-Gear Wallpapers (Cギアスキン) - Hikari's Pochama & Takeshi's Gureggru

To celebrate the February 2nd, 2011 Pocket Monsters Diamond and Pearl Anime Special, a C-Gear skin of Hikari's Pochama and Takeshi's Gureggru were posted to help promote the special. Players of the Japanese version of Pokémon Black and White can login to the Pokémon Global Link website and go to the customization page which will now allow them to select these two new C-Gear skins. We have also added a C-Gear (Cギア) page to keep track of all the released C-Gear Wallpapers.

Cartoon Network has uploaded a few images that reveal the English dub names for the two new main characters that will be appearing in the new animated series Pokémon: Black & White which begins on February 12th, 2011. Dent (デント) will be known as Cilan while Iris (アイリス) will retain her Japanese name.


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The Pokémon Company International has published a press release indicating their plans for the upcoming year. Merchandise related to the new Pokémon: Black and White franchise will be released throughout the year. The Pokémon: Black and White anime will also premiere on February 12th, 2011 at 9am as two episodes will be shown. Below is the full press release.

Press Release

Pokémon Plans Blockbuster Year With Extensive Offerings Tied to Release of Pokemon Black Version and Pokemon White Version Video Games. National Mall Tour, New Animated Series, Feature-Length Film, Trading Card Game Expansion, and Toy Line, Competitive Gaming Tournaments and an All-Encompassing Marketing Program Highlight Landmark Year for Entertainment Franchise.

Pokémon™, one of the most successful entertainment properties in the world and the second-largest video game franchise of all-time, is celebrating a blockbuster year in 2011. Led by the release of the Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version video games for the Nintendo DS™ family of systems, The Pokémon Company International will roll out an all-new animated television series and feature-length film. A brand-new trading card game (TCG) expansion, Pokémon TCG: Black & White, and merchandise, including an innovative new toy line, round out an exciting year of offerings from the company. A comprehensive, multi-million dollar marketing campaign supports the brand's initiatives, in addition to video game marketing from Nintendo of America Inc. This multi-pronged strategy will thrust Pokémon into the spotlight across its many entertainment offerings.

Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version launches in the U.S. on March 6th as one of the most anticipated video game releases of the year, introducing players to a brand-new world with more than 150 never-before-seen Pokémon featured in an all new adventure. The games' release in Japan last September shattered all existing sales records in that country, making them the fastest-selling Nintendo DS games in history with 5 million units sold (Famitsu, Jan. 2011).

"The release of Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version gives us the opportunity to launch brand-new entertainment that our existing and new fans will love," said J.C. Smith, director of Consumer Marketing for The Pokémon Company International. "Every major pillar of the brand -- including video games, TV animation, feature films, and the Pokémon Trading Card Game -- will see exciting changes throughout the year."

Pokémon kicks off the year with a new animated series and full-length feature film set to air on Cartoon Network, Pokémon's national broadcast partner. The year's animation entertainment begins with the film debut of Pokémon -- Zoroark: Master of Illusions on February 5th at 7:00 p.m., to be followed just one week later by the special premiere of two episodes of the new animated series -- Pokémon: Black and White -- on February 12th beginning at 9:00 a.m., starring an entirely new cast of Pokémon characters who join Ash and Pikachu on their continuing adventures.

In April, Pokémon will launch the Pokémon Trading Card Game: Black & White expansion, an all-new set of Pokémon TCG cards featuring new Pokémon, Trainers, and environments inspired by the video games. Pokémon TCG collectors and players will discover new expansions of Pokémon TCG: Black & White throughout the year. This latest installment of the TCG will add to a franchise that boasts more than 15 billion cards sold in over 60 countries.

The franchise's year will be kick-started by an extensive, multi-million dollar marketing campaign beginning with the nationwide Pokémon Black Version & White Version Tour, arriving at major malls beginning February 5th. The tour will hit 14 key markets over a seven-week schedule offering fans a first-look at the new video games and a slate of activities designed to heighten awareness and create a groundswell of anticipation around the franchise. The itinerary will include immersive Pokémon Black Version and Pokémon White Version video game demonstrations, free screenings of the new Pokémon movie, Pokémon -- Zoroark: Master of Illusions, photo opportunities with Pokémon characters, and various games and prize-winning opportunities for fans. A Pokémon Center store offering a variety of merchandise will also be on-site.

The Pokémon Company International will extend its grassroots marketing strategy with special character distributions throughout the year for the Pokémon video games at select retailers across the country. These character distributions offer Pokémon video game players the chance to receive, via Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection, specific Pokémon that will not be available through regular gameplay.

Pokémon fans interested in playing the new video games and trading card game competitively can do so through Play! Pokémon events. These gaming tournaments, held throughout North America, Europe and Asia, culminate in the highly anticipated Pokémon World Championships in San Diego, California in August 2011, which hosts thousands of Pokémon players from around the world.

At retail, all-new Pokémon licensed merchandise is slated to roll-out throughout 2011, including a full line-up of toys from JAKKS Pacific. JAKKS plans to launch an all new Skill & Action line of toys for older kids which allows them to "Catch," "Train," & "Battle" their Pokémon in unique, interactive and competitive toy-based experiences. JAKKS will also launch new collectible figures and plush featuring all-new Pokémon characters, playsets that emulate the new region, and "Trainer" role play items inspired by the TV animation series.

Pokémon Smash Episode 16, The Great Starter Pokémon Panic!! / The New Quiz Caravan Game 'Dotekkotsu's Focus Blast Relay Quiz' Starts! / Information on the Anime-related Present for 'Pokémon BW'! (はじ めてのポケモンで大パニック！！ / クイズキャラバンで新競技「ドテッコツのきあいだまリレークイズ」がスタート！ / アニメに関連した「ポケモンBW」へのプレゼント情報！), aired on Sunday in Japan.

The episode begins with Golgo, Shoko, and Robert having a Minezumi Quiz as they all looked around like a Minezumi to find something hidden. They all looked around and eventually found a picture drawn by Akiyama on Yamamoto's back.

Golgo introduces this weeks rerun episode as part of the Pokémon Library and Shoko announces this weeks theme, (ウソは ついちゃダメ!). This weeks rerun episode was The Great Starter Pokémon Panic!! (はじめてのポケモンで大パニック！！) from the Advanced Generation series. A full summary of that episode is available in the episode guide. Red said the go-to line 'OK! Pokémon Library!' to start the repeat episode.

After the repeat episode, the International Division girls showed up. Professor Red had setup a new game called Kibago's Message Relay Quiz (キバゴ伝言リレークイズ). The game was played by each player on the team closing their eyes and ears until their turn. Each of them had a Kibago like tusk mouth bit that went in their mouth's and they were required to say a line and then pass that line down to the end. The team that got the messaged passed down the line the best was the winner. Shoko and the International Girls were the first team to go.

The first message was: Zoroark and Mijumaru are Shopping (ゾロアークとミジュマルのショッピング). Shoko passed the message onto Hana okay and then Hana passed the message onto Maria fine. Maria then had a hard time talking with the bit in her mouth and Misaki couldn't understand a word she was saying. After a few attempts, Misaki believed she understood what Maria had said and Professor Red wanted to see if the message that was passed along matched the original one he gave to Shoko-tan. Misaki said: Director Zoroark and Kokekokkokkokko (ゾロアーク部長とコケコッコッコッコ). The team blames Maria for the problem they had.


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Next up was the Adventure Division and Golgo. Their message was: Gamageroge and Waruvial's Duet (ガマゲロゲとワルビアルのデュエット). Golgo seems to understand Baba and Akiyama also seemed to understand Golgo. When it was time for Akiyama to tell the message to Yamamoto, Yamamoto couldn't understand a think Akiyama was saying. Professor Red then asked Yamamoto what the message was and he said: Gamageroge just got out of the bath (ガマゲロゲとふろあがりおやこに）. The blame went to Akiyama for the failure.


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The 3rd Quiz Caravan then began with TIM and the International Division. This week they visited Saitama Prefecture, Kawaguchi City, Tokyo Township, Elementary School (埼玉県　川口市立 東京郷小学校). They were greeted by a group of grade 1 and grade 6 students.

Golgo states that this quiz would be based on Pokémon Black and White. The first batch of questions would be answered in a Yes - White (O) or No - Black (X) format and the teams would all have to decide which was the right answer and stand on the appropriate side of the line if they didn't want to get eliminated from the quiz.


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Below are the questions that were asked:

#	Question	Answer
1	Pokémon Smash! - Is Golgo the president? (私は「ゴルゴ社長」である)?	(X) No - Chief Golgo is his title not President Golgo. (ゴルゴ社長じゃなくてゴルゴ所長) Spoiler: Click to show!
2	Anime - Does Satoshi's Tsutarja know "Grass Mixer" (サトシのツタージャは「グラスミキサー」を遣きえる)?	(X) No - It knows: Leaf Storm, Vine Whip, Leaf Blade and Attract　（「リーフブレード」「つるのムチ」「リーフストーム」「メロメロ」）. Shootie's Tsutarja knows Grass Mixer. Spoiler: Click to show!
3	Game - Is the shopping mall at Route 9 named "Route Nine" (９番道路にあるショッピングモールの名前は「ルートナイン」である)?	(X) No - R9 (アールナイン) Spoiler: Click to show!
4	Card Game - Are there 10 types of basic energy cards in total (基本エネルギーカードは全部で１０種類ある)?	(X) No - There are 8 basic energy types: Grass, Fire, Water, Lightning, Psychic, Fighting, Darkness, Metal. Spoiler: Click to show!
5	Game - Does the Gorgeous Ball makes a captured Pokémon quickly grow friendly? (The English name of the ball is "Luxury Ball") (ゴージャスボールはつかまえたポケモンがなつきやすかなる)	(O) Yes. (はい) Spoiler: Click to show!
6	Pokémon Smash! - Is Director Shoko-tan's belt buckle shaped like a scallsword (しょこたん部長のベルトのバックルはホタチの形である)?	(O) Yes. (はい) Spoiler: Click to show!
7	Game - In Raimon City, is the main character given a bicycle from the Pokémon Day Care Man (ライモンシティで主人公にじてんしゃをくれるのは「ポケモンそだてやのおじさん」である)?	(O) Yes. (はい) Spoiler: Click to show!

No one got question 6 right about Shoko-tan's belt, so they continued the quiz anyhow. The next section of the Caravan Quiz was a new event: Dotekkotsu's Focus Blast Relay Quiz (ドテッコツのきあいだまリレークイズ). Players were split into teams of three and each of them had a steel I-bar that they had to hold up like Dotekkotsu. A ball would roll down through the I-bar and would be passed on to the next person. The person that passed it would then move to the end of the line until they reached the finish line 30 meters away. Before setting off, the players would have to count the number of specific Pokémon on a board which were mixed up with a lot of other Pokémon to make it harder. The first team to correctly tell the number of Pokémon on the board after successfully completing the ball relay without dropping the ball was declared the winner. After being eliminated early in the first quiz round, the International Division girls redeamed themselves and ended up winning this challenge.

The next segment featured a '4 Legged Quiz' (３人４脚ばらまきクイズ) where teams of 3 had their legs tied up and they were sent out to find a specific Pokémon card based on type or information that was called out. Players would have to know the correct Pokémon types for the cards that were distributed throughout the school grounds and then return back to Red and Golgo.


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During the Marketing Department segment, Shoko-tan announced a new Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection download event for Pokémon Black and White. The 17th episode of Pocket Monsters Best Wishes featured the hatching of Satoshi's egg hatching, making Zuruggu Satoshi's latest Pokémon. To celebrate this event, players of the Japanese versions of Pokémon Black and White have the opportunity to download Satoshi's Zuruggu (サトシのズルッグ) from January 28th, 2011 until February 10th, 2011. Below is the full information.

Pokémon	Info
Zuruggu (ズルッグ)	Level: 1
	OT: Satoshi (サトシ)
	ID: 01281
	Poké ball: Cherish Ball
	Held Item: Muscle Band
	Move 1: Leer (にらみつける)
	Move 2: Headbutt (ずつき)
	Move 3: Low Kick (けたぐり)
	Move 4: Hi Jump Kick (とびひざげり)

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 long awaited Arceus and the Jewel of Life DVD will finally be released in North America on February 1st, 2011, a few days before the 13th movie airs on Cartoon Network. Also released that day will be the manga adaption of the movie. Below is the press release.

Press Release

San Francisco, CA, January 12, 2011 – Viz Media, LLC (Viz Media), one of the entertainment industry's most innovative and comprehensive publishing, animation and licensing companies, is proud to announce the release of POKÉMON™: ARCEUS AND THE JEWEL OF LIFE on DVD and in a manga adaption on February 1st (both under the VIZ Kids imprint). The feature film DVD is rated ‘A’ for All Ages with a MSRP of $19.97 U.S. / $28.99 CAN; the manga adaptation is rated ‘A’ for All Ages, with a MSRP of $7.99 U.S. / $9.99 CAN.

Long ago, Arceus created the Jewel of Life from fragments of its awesome power. Humans used the Jewel of Life to turn Michina Town from a barren wasteland to a lush and thriving city. But when it was time for the Jewel of Life to be returned, Arceus was betrayed, and vowed to one day get revenge.

Now Arceus has returned– enraged, vengeful, and seemingly unstoppable! Not even the combined might of Dialga, Palkia, and Giratina can stop Arceus from devastating the land.

But there's hope. Ash, Pikachu and their new friend Sheena may have discovered the only way to make things right. Their journey will be both dangerous and uncertain: will there be time to return the Jewel of Life before Arceus enacts vengeance on the world

“POKÉMON is a timeless favorite that continues to capture the imagination of fans of all ages,” says Brian Ige, Senior Director, Animation. “This latest adventure concludes the struggle between Dialga, Palkia and Giratina for the balance between time, space, and beyond. With a dynamic blend of action, emotional themes, new characters and familiar faces, POKÉMON: ARCEUS AND THE JEWEL OF LIFE movie and manga are sure to become hits!”

For more information on POKÉMON: ARCEUS AND THE JEWEL OF LIFE, please visit www.PokemonArceus.com. For more information on Viz Media's POKÉMON manga and anime titles, please visit www.VIZ.com/Pokemon/.

The latest episode of Pocket Monsters Best Wishes 17 - The Roughneck Who Came From An Egg! (タマゴからかえったあばれん坊！) aired on Thursday in Japan.

En-route to Hiun City, Satoshi and friends decide to take a break when suddenly his egg begins to glow. Will Satoshi's egg finally hatch and what will it hatch into?!

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 Pokémon HeartGold & SoulSilver website posted a news article for the Ash's Pikachu event at Toys"R"Us later this month in which it announced the title of the new season of the English dub. The 14th English dubbed season will be called "Pokémon: Black & White", the same name as the games. The Japanese and Taiwanese versions of the same series are called "Best Wishes (ベストウイッシュ)". The title 'Best Wishes' is a double pun in Japanese.

Press Release

Ash and his partner Pikachu have been through thick and thin together in their adventures on TV and in the Pokémon movies. Now, they prepare to go on all-new adventures in the latest TV season, Pokémon: Black & White! Follow Ash, Pikachu, and a brand-new cast of characters as they discover never-before-seen Pokémon throughout the Unova region.

Source: http://www.pokemongoldsilver.com/us/#/news/ashspikachu/

Pokémon Smash Episode 15, Takeshi & Satoshi! Defend Nibi Gym in a Tag Battle!! / The Legendary Pokémon 'Reshiram' and 'Zekrom' Appear in a Card Game Battle!? / Announcing the New Move for Victini, Which Will Appear in the Movie! (タケシ＆サトシ！　タッグバトルでニビジムを守れ！！ / ポケモンカードバトルに伝説のポケモン「レシラム」「ゼクロム」が登場！？／映画に登場するビクティニの新しいワザを公開！), aired on Sunday in Japan.

The episode begins with Golgo, Shoko, and Robert wondering where Professor Red was as he hadn't showed up yet. Just then, Professor Red runs in and greets everyone. Professor Red had a deck of Pokémon Trading Cards and he is excited to learn about the game.

Golgo introduces this weeks rerun episode as part of the Pokémon Library and Akiyama announces this weeks theme, Cannot win with Power alone! (パワーだけでは勝てなう！). This weeks rerun episode was Takeshi & Satoshi! Defend Nibi Gym in a Tag Battle!! (タケシ＆サトシ！　タッグバトルでニビジムを守れ！！) from the Advanced Generation series. A full summary of that episode is available in the episode guide. Red said the go-to line 'OK! Pokémon Library!' to start the repeat episode.

After the repeat episode, the International girls arrive and say they will be going out to do a task dealing with the Pokémon Card Game. Robert from the Adventure Division quickly take exception to that as they believe that's what the Adventure Division is for. Hana takes exception to their complaining and tells them to "Shut up!". Yamamoto then announces they will be doing a Pokémon Card Battle using the latest BW set.


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The teams were the same as the last card battle. Hana, Misaki, and Yamamoto were on one team and Maria, Baba, and Akiyama were on the other team. The International Group and Adventure Group meet up with Teacher Takashima (タカシマ先生) who was once again their teacher for this segment of the show.

This time Teacher Takashima lets them design their deck the way they wanted before the battle. At first Maria's team had 12 Pokémon and only 3 energy cards. He then points out that some of the cards they had chosen had attacks like Enbuoh's (エンブオー) Flare Drive (フレアドライブ) that required 4 energy cards to use. He then looked at Hana's selections and noticed her team had a better Pokémon card to energy card ratio but they didn't have enough Fire energy cards to use Reshiram's (レシラム) Blue Fire (あおいほのお) move which requires at least 2 fire energy.


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Both teams took Teacher Takashima's advice and rebuilt their decks. Maria's team went from 3 energy cards to 9 but reduced the Pokémon cards from 12 to 6. Hana's team added a couple more Fire energy. They each shuffled their decks and placed them on the large mat. Hana's team went first and the first card they picked up was Reshiram (レシラム BC 013/053). Hana states in English: "It's a good one!" and they put it on their bench. They also attach a Fire energy to Yamamoto Mijumaru (ミジュマル WC 011/053) who is their currently active battle Pokémon.


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Hana attached a Grass Energy to Akiyama Monmen (モンメン BC 004/053) giving it enough energy to use Cotton Guard (コットンガード) which deals 10 damage. Akiyama got a cotton ball and a tissue to tickle Yamamoto's nose to imitate the move. Hana then picked up a water energy and gave it to Yamamoto Mijumaru giving him enough energy to use Shell Blade (シェルブレード) which does 20 damage plus 20 more damage if a coin flip is heads. Hana flipped the coin and got head. Yamamoto hit Akiyama with a stuffed pillow that looked like a shell dealing Akiyama Monmen 40 damage but only 10 damage points counted due to Monmen's resistance to water attacks and a -10 modifier from using Cotton Guard.

Maria's team picked up a Lightning Energy card and gave it to Baba Zekrom (ゼクロム WC 020/053). Maria also evolved Akiyama into Erufuun (エルフーン BC 005/053). They used Helping Hand (てだすけ) which allows them to choose 1 Basic Energy card from their deck and attach it to their Benched Pokémon. They chose a Lightning Energy card and applied it to Zekrom. Hana picked up Futachimaru (フタチマル WC 012/053) and evolved Yamamoto and said it was one of their 'Best Card's. Yamamoto uses Aqua Tail (アクアテール) which does 30 damage plus 10 more damage for each heads they flip. Hana rolled a heads and Yamamoto hit Akiyama with a tail attached to his back that was drenched with water but it only dealt 20 damage in the end. Maria decided to switch Akiyama and Baba and applied another Lightning Energy.


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Maria instructed Baba to use Zekrom's Lightning Strike (らいげき) attack which deals 120 damage to the opponent and 40 damage to itself. Baba touched Yamamoto's nose while holding an electric conductor and it shocked Yamamoto to simulate the Lightning Strike attack. That knocked out Yamamoto's Futachimaru (フタチマル WC 012/053) and gave Maria's team the win.

As announced earlier in the week on the official Pocket Monsters movie website, Shoko-tan announced the full title for the 14th Pocket Monsters movie. Victini and the Dark Hero - Zekrom (ビクティニと黒き英雄ゼクロム) will debut in Japanese theaters on July 16th, 2011. To celebrate the new movie, a Victini that knows the move V-Generate (Ｖジェネレート) will be distributed. Full distribution details have yet to be announced.


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During the Marketing Divisions segment, Elite Four (四天王) member Gima (ギーマ) was unveiled along with his Pokémon: Zuruzukin (ズルズキン), Waruvial (ワルビアル), Kirikizan (キリキザン) and Lepardas (レパルダス). Shoko-tan also revealed the legendary Pokémon: Cobalon (コバルオン), Terrakion (テラキオン), and Virizion (ビリジオン).


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 Japanese Pokémon website has announced a new Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection download event for Pokémon Black and White. The 17th episode of Pocket Monsters Best Wishes will feature the hatching of Satoshi's egg hatching, making Zuruggu Satoshi's latest Pokémon. To celebrate this event, players of the Japanese versions of Pokémon Black and White have the opportunity to download Satoshi's Zuruggu (サトシのズルッグ) from January 28th, 2011 until February 10th, 2011. Below is the full information.

Pokémon	Info
Zuruggu (ズルッグ)	Level: 1
	OT: Satoshi (サトシ)
	ID: 01281
	Poké ball: Cherish Ball
	Held Item: Muscle Band

C-Gear Wallpapers

To celebrate the upcoming 1 hour Pocket Monsters Diamond and Pearl Special, it was also announced that from January 27th, 2011 until March 30th, 2011, players of the Japanese versions of Pokémon Black and White have the opportunity to download special C-Gear wallpapers featuring Hikari's Pochama and Takeshi's Gureggru.


Sources: http://www.4gamer.net/games/104/G010490/20110114001/ and http://www.pokemon-sp.jp/news-sp/2011/01/0114_01.html

The latest episode of Pocket Monsters Best Wishes 16 - Rematch at Shippo Gym! New Move Explosion!! (再戦シッポウジム！新技炸裂!!) aired on Thursday in Japan.

After having lost his first battle with Aloe, Satoshi decides that he should train with Don George to increase his Pokémon strength and speed for their upcoming rematch battle with Aloe. Will the training prove to be enough to give Satoshi his second badge in the Isshu region?

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.