JN068

Advice to Goh! (Japanese: ゴウにライバル！？ミュウへの道！！ A Rival for !? The Road to Mew!!) is the 68th episode of Pokémon Journeys: The Series, and the 1,153rd episode of the Pokémon animated series. It first aired in Japan on May 28, 2021, in Canada on October 23, 2021, in South Africa on December 14, 2021, in the United Kingdom on January 5, 2022, and in the United States on January 21, 2022.
==Blurb==
Our heroes are visiting Professor Oak, where Goh learns about Project Mew and decides he’s not interested. Professor Oak keeps most of Ash’s Pokémon at his lab, but Infernape is missing, and our heroes go out looking for it. Along the way, they run into Ash’s old friend and rival, Gary, who gives Goh quite a hard time. With Gary’s help, the boys eventually find Infernape bellowing a challenge to the Legendary Pokémon Moltres—who accepts! After the battle, Gary claims a fallen feather as part of his research for Project Mew, and Goh decides he wants to join up after all. Could this have been Gary’s plan all along?
==Plot==
 and Goh have traveled to Ash's hometown of to visit Professor Oak's Laboratory, where himself happily welcomes them. Ash asks Goh if this is his first time here, but Goh tells him that he was here at a Pokémon Camp when he was six. He also remarks how they were held back due to someone being late. Ash figures that the person must've overslept, which makes him and Professor Oak both realize that the person they're speaking of was actually Ash himself.
Goh goes on to tell how the Pokémon Camp was also where he had seen , which had inspired his dream of every in the on his path to the Mythical Pokémon. Professor Oak compliments Goh's dream and asks how many Pokémon he's caught so far. In response, Goh shows him a list of his Pokémon from his Rotom Phone. Professor Oak is impressed, especially noting how Goh has managed to catch a . As such, he decides to tell Goh about Project Mew, a research team that's currently recruiting members in order to find Mew. Goh, however, refuses the offer to join, since he doesn't like working in a team. Professor Oak is surprised, but also respects Goh's choice, before turning to Ash and telling him that are waiting for him.
Ash rushes outside to greet , , and many of his other Pokémon, who are just as happy to see him again as he is to see them. Professor Oak, however, mentions that has been absent for a few days now, and neither he nor has been able to find him. Goh asks if Infernape was acting oddly before he disappeared, and Professor Oak describes how he did have some s with Ash's other types before that. Ash wonders if he was , but regardless, he and Goh decide to go look for him.
While looking for Infernape, Goh spots a and decides to catch it, since he's already failed to catch one once. However, Pidgeotto escapes from the thrown and Ash and Goh straight into an . Goh tries to catch it as well, but yet again, is met with failure. Onix prepares to attack them, but is struck by a from a before it can do so, driving it off. Ash recognizes the Blastoise, and sure enough, steps out from behind it. Ash is happy to see Gary again, but also wonders what he's doing here, since the last time he saw him, he was doing Pokémon research in Sinnoh. Gary explains that these days, he's doing research around the world, and something turned up that made him come to Kanto.
Goh introduces himself to Gary, while Ash explains to Goh that Gary is his childhood friend and longtime rival, as well as the grandson of Professor Oak. Gary says he had heard of Ash having a new buddy, and wanted to see how good he was as a Pokémon Trainer, claiming that Goh would have to be at least as good of a Trainer as he is to qualify as a buddy for Ash. Goh is irritated by Gary's behavior, but Ash assures Goh that Gary used to say the same kind of things to him, too. He then changes the subject and asks Gary why he came to Kanto in the first place. Gary explains that he's in search of the Legendary Pokémon , which he has predicted to appear in a valley a short distance away. Ash, in return, explains that he and Goh are looking for his Infernape, which Gary remembers from the Sinnoh League battles he's seen. After hearing of Infernape's battles against Ash's other Fire types, Gary figures Infernape could be headed to the same valley as he is, so Ash and Goh tag along with him.
Goh is barely able to keep up with Ash and Gary, but eventually, they all arrive at the valley. Gary explains that the valley was formed by flowing magma, which explains why Moltres would show up there. In addition, the local flowers have bloomed early, which is a result of Moltres bringing an early spring to wherever it goes. Using these pieces of information, Gary had been able to figure out Moltres would appear here, but now he also has a new piece of evidence: Ash's Infernape. He's seen him training before at Oak's Laboratory, so it'd make sense for him to wish to challenge a Legendary Fire type to grow stronger. And if he truly is here, it means he's been able to sense Moltres's presence. Just then, they hear Infernape's cry as he calls out for Moltres from a nearby tree. Spotting his Trainer, Infernape jumps over to Ash and happily greets him. The happy reunion has barely enough time to conclude before Gary tells them to look up, revealing that Moltres has responded to Infernape's call and arrived.
Ash agrees to fight by Infernape's side and tells him to use . However, the Fire-type move is easily absorbed by Moltres, who responds by encircling Infernape in a . Infernape is able to escape from the fiery vortex with , but his fails to make contact, while his is overpowered by Moltres's . Gary joins the battle by sending out Blastoise, who scores a direct hit on Moltres with Hydro Pump. Blastoise is then also trapped in a Fire Spin, but it manages to escape from it with a . While its subsequent is dodged, its lands a hit, dealing damage on the Legendary bird Pokémon. Suddenly, Moltres's wing and tail flames grow bigger and brighter, which Gary recognizes as the move . Blastoise attacks and scores a hit with Hydro Pump, but Burn Up still goes off, dealing lots of damage on Blastoise. Ash asks what Burn Up does, and Gary explains that it causes the user to lose its Fire typing.
Moltres next attacks with , which quickly overpowers Blastoise's Rapid Spin counterattack and defeats it. Goh also joins in and sends out , but Moltres easily dodges its and uses Air Slash. Before Cinderace can be hit, Ash and Gary quickly call forth and , who counterattack with and , respectively. The attacks manage to break through Air Slash and strike Moltres, dealing even more damage to it and causing it to fly away. Gary, however, says they don't need to chase after it, since the burning feather it dropped upon departing is exactly what he had come for in the first place, placing it inside of a glass jar. Goh, meanwhile, is dismayed to notice that he failed to record any footage of the battle. A appears, and Gary places the jar containing the Moltres feather inside the bag it's carrying, after which the flies off.
Back at Professor Oak's Laboratory, Professor Oak is surprised to hear what had happened. Ash says that battling with Moltres was fun, but then notices Gary being further away, talking with someone on his Rotom Phone. Professor Oak reveals that Gary is taking part in Project Mew, and finding the Moltres feather was apparently his Trial Mission. Upon the feather's authenticity being verified, Gary receives a token on his phone. Ash asks what the token is for, and Gary explains that they are received for completing Trial Missions. Gary then turns to Goh, saying that he made a wise choice in deciding not to join Project Mew with his current Trainer level. As Gary prepares to leave, Ash asks him what he'll be doing next. Gary says he'll be researching everything related to Pokémon, which includes researching Mew, which is said to contain the genes of every Pokémon. He understands his goal might seem impossible, but he's not giving up on it.
Watching Gary walk away, Goh declares that he'll join Project Mew after all. Professor Oak is happy about this decision and tells Goh that Gary's provocations were likely intended to lead him to this very choice. Goh admits that Gary completely beat him, but swears to try harder so it won't happen again.
==Major events==
* and Goh visit Pallet Town.
* tells Ash and Goh about Project Mew, a research project aiming to find .
* Professor Oak recommends Goh for Project Mew, but Goh turns him down.
* Goh tries and fails to a and an .
** In the process, Goh fails to catch a Pidgeotto for the second time.
* returns, with Goh meeting him for the first time.
* Gary is revealed to have obtained a Rotom Phone and be taking part in Project Mew.
* Ash, Goh, and Gary battle a .
* Gary clears a Trial Mission and earns a Project Mew token.
* Goh changes his mind and accepts Professor Oak's recommendation.
===Debuts===
====Humans====
* Danika (on phone)
====Pokémon debuts====
==Characters==
===Humans===
* 
* (fantasy)
* Goh
* 
* 
* Paul (flashback)
* Chloe (flashback)
* Danika (on phone)
* Gary's cheerleaders (flashback)
* Citizens (flashback)
* Crowd (flashback)
===Pokémon===
Who's That Pokémon?: 
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* (; ×30)
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* (; fantasy)
* (; fantasy)
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; Alolan form; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (formerly ; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* ()
* (; image on Pokédex)
* (; image on Pokédex)
* ()
* ()
* ('s; Rotom Phone)
* (; flashback)
* (Professor Cerise's; Rotom Phone; ×2)
* (Project Mew's)
* (; flashback)
* 
* 
* 
==Trivia==
* Get Inspired! Let's Solve a Poké Riddle!!: 
* This episode marks 's first physical appearance in the since The Battle Finale of Legend!, 535 episodes earlier.
* Although the synopsis is about Ash meeting his Pokémon in the episode, there were some notable absences:
** is 's only Kanto Pokémon residing at Professor Oak's Laboratory not to appear in this episode.
** is Ash's only Johto Pokémon residing at Professor Oak's Laboratory to not appear in this episode.
** is Ash's only Hoenn Pokémon to appear in this episode.
** is the only one of Ash's Pokémon residing at Professor Oak's Laboratory to not appear in this episode.
** Ash's Kalos team residing at Professor Oak's Laboratory are the only ones to have the entirety of its regional roster appear in this episode.
* This episode marks the first physical appearance of several of Ash's Pokémon after long absences:
** , who last appeared in An Old Family Blend!, 505 episodes earlier.
** , who last appeared in League Unleashed!, 504 episodes earlier.
** , who last appeared in Casting a Paul on Barry!, 503 episodes earlier.
** , who last appeared in Working on a Right Move!, 502 episodes earlier.
** , who last appeared in The Semi-Final Frontier!, 498 episodes earlier.
** and , both of whom last appeared in The Brockster Is In!, 497 episodes earlier.
** , , , and , all of whom last appeared in The Dream Continues!, 354 episodes earlier.
* This is the first episode where is mentioned since The Dream Continues!, 354 episodes and over seven years earlier.
* Gary undergoes his second outfit change in this episode, now wearing 's outfit from .
* This is the first time:
** Charizard doesn't burn Ash with upon reuniting with him.
** Any of Ash's Kalos Pokémon are seen residing at Oak's Laboratory.
** Any of Ash's Unova and Kalos Pokémon have appeared outside of the series they were initially caught in.
** Any of Ash's Sinnoh Pokémon physically appear outside of the series they were initially caught in.
** Ash has battled alongside a Pokémon he left at Oak's Laboratory since The Semi-Final Frontier!, 498 episodes ago.
* This episode marks the first physical appearance of a Moltres in the animated series since A Legendary Photo Op!, 268 episodes earlier.
* This episode features the following flashbacks, which have all been remade to match the style introduced in Pokémon Journeys: The Series:
** Ash and Gary's encounter in front of Oak's Laboratory in Pokémon - I Choose You!.
** Ash and Gary's battle in the Silver Conference, as well as their talk at the lakefront, in Can't Beat the Heat!.
** Ash and Paul's battle in the Lily of the Valley Conference in Battling a Thaw in Relations!.
* Ash's Infernape is confirmed to be male in this episode, as Gary refers to him using a male pronoun in the Japanese version.
* Ash, Goh, , Chloe, , and narrate the preview for the next episode.
* Music from I Choose You! is used as background music.
* In the English dub, Gary can be heard whistling the tune of the first dub opening while Goh questions who he thinks he is.
* Tsuguo Mogami and Kenta Miyake replaces a late Unshō Ishizuka's voice roles as Gary's Blastoise and , respectively.
* All the previous English dub voice actors of Ash's Pokémon residing at Professor Oak's Laboratory reprise their roles in this episode, with the exception of Alex Haynes as Ash's Talonflame, who had since left the series towards the end of Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon. Zeno Robinson replaced Alex Haynes's voice role as Ash's Talonflame staring with this episode.
===Errors===
* In the dub, Professor Oak refers to Tracey as a female.
===Dub edits===
* The Japanese text depicting Professor Oak's Laboratory's name is edited out.
==In other languages==
068
Category:Episodes written by Shōji Yonemura
Category:Episodes storyboarded by Noriaki Saitō
Category:Episodes directed by Yoshitaka Makino
Category:Episodes animated by Rei Yamazaki
Category:Episodes animated by Yoshitaka Yanagihara
Category:Episodes by multiple animation directors
Category:Episodes in which a Legendary Pokémon appears
Category:Episodes focusing on Goh
Category:Episodes focusing on Gary
Category:Project Mew episodes
Category:Episodes which aired in Canada before the United States
Category:Episodes which aired in South Africa before the United States
Category:Episodes which aired in the United Kingdom before the United States
de:Gohs Entscheidung!
es:EP1157
fr:LV068
it:EP068
ja:新無印編第68話
zh:宝可梦 旅途 第68集