Summary:

Rica Matsumoto (松本梨香) is once again singing the intro to this the second Japanese opening of the animated series. Rivals!, as the title suggests, is about the challenges of facing different rivals during Pokémon battles.

The opening starts off with a Poké ball opening to reveal the Pocket Monsters logo high in the sky with clouds in the background. Various Pokémon make appearances until the logo disappears and then transitions to Pikachu showing up and using his Thunderbolt as it zooms out to show the planet.

The next scene shows Ash and Pikachu battling Ritchie and Sparky as it transitions into 4-box's onscreen with Pokémon battles going on in them. A somber Ash is shown in an empty darkened stadium as the song states that he was disappointed that he lost the battle.

Ash looks down at the ground as Tracey, Misty, Delia and Professor Oak are the only ones there looking on. Ash raises his head, smiles and shakes Ritchie's hand. The sea appears and Ash and his friends are riding Lapras as they journey through the Orange Islands. Officer Jenny and Nurse Joy quickly zoom by them on a seadoo.

Giovanni, the leader of Team Rocket makes his appearance as he points towards the viewers. Jessie, James and Meowth also appear on their Magikarp submarine until a Gyarados appears and bats them away. A quick static scroll down shows some of Ash's rivals including: Gary, Samurai, Hiker, Duplica, Mandi, Jeanette Fisher, Giselle and A.J. The intro then transitions back to Ash and his friends on Lapras as the ride into the sunset.

Episodes: