SM132

Imitation Is the Sincerest Form of Strategy! (Japanese: ジュナイパーを攻略せよ！ Overcome !) is the 132nd episode of Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon, and the 1,071st episode of the Pokémon animated series. It first aired in Japan on July 28, 2019 and in the United States on November 30, 2019.
==Blurb==
Rowlet is determined to battle Decidueye in Ash’s Alola Pokémon League quarterfinals match against Hau, but first it needs some additional training. And just in the nick of time, Toucannon and its flock arrive to teach Rowlet a new move! Meanwhile, at Manalo Stadium, Gladion and his Lycanroc defeat James and Mareanie…and then Ash is up next! Rowlet enters the battlefield dressed in a Decidueye costume, which ends up becoming a decoy against the real Decidueye’s Sinister Arrow Raid attack! With Rowlet still standing, how will the rest of the match play out?
==Plot==
 arrives at Melemele Island and informs Toucannon's flock that is competing in a tough match against a , prompting Toucannon, , and several to leave for Manalo Stadium. Meanwhile, is already with and Rowlet, who is hoping to overcome Hau's Decidueye. Though Ash's friends advise 's attacks would be more effective against Decidueye, Ash is insistent on choosing Rowlet and declares that he has no secret plan in mind. quickly supports the tactic after seeing Rowlet's enthusiasm, though the others have their doubts. Ash decides to keep training with Rowlet while everyone else goes to watch 's match.
While fuming over her loss against James in the previous round, Jessie demands he win or else before handing him the Z-Power Ring to ensure his victory. Soon, James and Gladion enter the battlefield as Caster introduces the latter to the audience. James calls out for a pep talk; Mareanie agrees to do her best and fulfill James's personal goal of battling the . After Hapu calls for the second round match to begin, James makes the first move, but Gladion's Lycanroc easily evades the oncoming .
Meanwhile, Rowlet falls asleep again during Ash's training session. suggests Rowlet should learn a new move for a counter-strategy. Rowlet soon wakes up as its foster family arrives to lend a hand. After Rowlet informs Toucannon of its concerns for its upcoming match, Toucannon shows its technique. Rotom adds that the move would be ideal against Hau's Decidueye, as Feather Dance weakens an opponent's attack. With that, Ash and Rowlet begin to try to master Feather Dance.
Elsewhere, Mareanie manages to stand up, though she is exhausted. As Lycanroc increases its attack power with , James decides to use a Z-Move and performs with Mareanie. Gladion counters with his own Z-Move, , with Lycanroc hurling a giant boulder directly at Mareanie's black hole. In the crowd, Nanu recalls how Ash used the same strategy during their grand trial match. The two Z-Moves cancel each other out, and Gladion has Lycanroc follow up with , winning the round. A dejected James walks backstage and is confronted by Jessie, though instead of receiving a scolding, she rewards his efforts with a can of . adds that they will just think of another way to conquer Alola, and Jessie declares that Team Rocket only looks to the future. James is greatly relieved, as is Mareanie, who goes on to poison him in admiration.
Later, Rotom interrupts Ash's training session to inform him that Gladion won his match and that his match is about to begin. The Trumbeak and Pikipek return in time to deliver Rowlet a special gift, a Decidueye-styled cloak meant to encourage it to win. The flock leaves, while Ash returns to the stadium. Backstage, Hau declares his hopes to defeat Ash and prove himself as a strong Trainer. Ash shares his sentiments, also admitting that he wants to win the entire Manalo Conference. The two are called over to the battlefield; Hau runs off first, while Ash takes a moment to call out his Pokémon from their s so they can cheer him and Rowlet on. Ash's friends are relieved to see Ash made it to his match, though they are concerned about how his training went. Meanwhile, Toucannon's flock perches themselves on the stadium rooftop to watch the battle.
Nanu begins the match, and Hau orders Decidueye to use . Rowlet dodges it before launching , though Decidueye batters the Everstone away with . Ash decides to use his Z-Move early, but Decidueye simply flies upwards and evades . Hau reveals he did his research and calls Ash's tactic predictable. Decidueye then shoots a arrow, pinning Rowlet to the battlefield and allowing Hau to use his own Z-Move, . The attack hits its target, but Rowlet is revealed to have used its cloak as a makeshift . Seeing as the match is yet to be won, Hau confidently declares that his next move won't miss.
==Major events==
* Ash's Rowlet begins to learn with the help of its foster family.
* defeats James, advancing to the semifinals.
* begins his second round against Hau.
* Hau is revealed to have obtained a Decidium Z.
===Debuts===
====Pokémon debuts====
==Characters==
===Humans===
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* Jessie
* James
* (the Masked Royal in a fantasy)
* 
* 
* Hala
* Olivia
* Nanu
* Hapu
* 
* Wicke
* 
* Hau
* Caster
* s
* Crowd
===Pokémon===
Who's That Pokémon?: (US and international), (Japan)
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ()
* (; )
* ()
* ()
* ('s; Sandy)
* ('s; Alolan form; Snowy)
* ()
* ()
* ()
* (; )
* (Hau's)
* (Trainer's)
* (Trainer's)
* (Trainer's)
* (Trainer's)
* (Trainer's)
* (; multiple)
* ()
* ()
* (anime)
* ()
==Trivia==
* Poké Problem: Who was 's special training partner in today's episode?
** Host: 
** Choices: , , , 
** Answer: Toucannon
* The English dub title of this episode is a pun on the saying "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery".
* Nanu and Hala narrate the preview for the next episode.
===Errors===
===Dub edits===
* The Japanese texts depicting and 's names are edited out in the dub.
==In other languages==
132
Category:Pokémon League episodes
Category:Episodes written by Akemi Omode
Category:Episodes storyboarded by Kaori Higuchi
Category:Episodes directed by Junya Koshiba
Category:Episodes animated by Hiromi Sakai
Category:Episodes animated by Yoshitaka Yanagihara
Category:Episodes by multiple animation directors
Category:Episodes in which a Mythical Pokémon appears
Category:Episodes in which a main character's Pokémon learns a new move
Category:Episodes in which an alternately colored Pokémon appears
Category:Episodes focusing on Ash
de:Nachahmung ist die schönste Strategie!
es:EP1075
fr:SL132
it:SL132
ja:SM編第132話
zh:宝可梦 太阳＆月亮 第132集