SM137

The Wisdom Not to Run! (Japanese: 無敗の帝王グズマ！ Undefeated Emperor Guzma!) is the 137th episode of Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon, and the 1,076th episode of the Pokémon animated series. It first aired in Japan on September 1, 2019, in the United Kingdom on January 3, 2020, and in the United States on January 4, 2020.
==Blurb==
In the second half of the Alola Pokémon League semifinals, Ash is battling Guzma, whose Golisopod had previously fled the match—resulting in the defeat of Guzma’s other partner, Scizor. With Golisopod back on the battlefield, Guzma begins reliving painful memories of past conflicts and his strained relationship with Professor Kukui. His frustration builds to a fever pitch, but it’s not enough to stop Ash and Pikachu from ruining his “undefeated” record and winning the match. After the battle, though, Plumeria and the Team Skull Grunts express admiration for his effort—giving him the strength to keep going despite his loss.
Next up are the finals: Ash versus Gladion!
==Plot==
Guzma remarks that his victory is still certain, brushing off 's poorly-timed . He orders Golisopod to use , and it s . Golisopod follows up with , though Torracat evades it despite being afflicted by the poison. Torracat uses as it latches onto Golisopod's arm and engulfs it in flames. Golisopod shakes Torracat off and kicks it away, inflicting a lot of damage and defeating it. Nanu declares Torracat to be unable to battle, and recalls it back to its to rest. Guzma is relieved, admitting under his breath that he was beginning to sweat.
Guzma is amused at Ash's next choice, , and recalls that Golisopod easily defeated him last time. Ash remains confident, declaring that the battle isn't over yet. Spurred on by his cheering s, Guzma boasts that he will win and starts off with Poison Jab, though Pikachu slides between Golisopod's legs to evade it. Golisopod counters an oncoming with and then slams him to the ground with Throat Chop. Hala and realize that Guzma, despite his potential, has not changed at all. Plumeria privately hopes that Guzma wins for the sake of the many grunts who felt like outcasts before they joined Team Skull.
Pikachu is able to continue battling, though Guzma urges Ash to accept his loss and move on. Ash refuses to give up, which irks Guzma, who has Golisopod use . Pikachu protects himself with before using , which Golisopod blocks with its claws. However, Ash predicted this and has Pikachu strike Golisopod's legs with Iron Tail, knocking it over, before using Thunderbolt to electrocute it in midair. Guzma becomes increasingly furious and recalls the overwhelming humiliation he felt every time he lost to Kukui during their practice matches. Upon seeing this, Plumeria comes to the realization that Guzma's claim of being undefeated is fake. She sees he is very much like his Golisopod, as both hide behind their armor and run away to avoid being hurt. Just then, Ash charges up his Z-Power Ring and Pikachu launches , but Golisopod manages to withstand the Z-Move, much to everyone's surprise.
Seeing Golisopod's refusal to run away anymore, Guzma is reinvigorated after reflecting on his past and left even more determined to test his limits. He orders Golisopod to use Pin Missile, which Pikachu evades with . Pikachu strikes back with Iron Tail, though Golisopod counters it using Liquidation. Pikachu fires Electroweb, though Golisopod shreds it with its sharp claws and uses Poison Jab. However, Pikachu evades it and uses Iron Tail, but that attack collides with Liquidation, which defeats Golisopod. Nanu declares Golisopod to be unable to battle and awards the victory to Ash, allowing him to advance to the finals. Ash looks at Guzma, who helps Golisopod up before recalling it to its Poké Ball. As Guzma prepares to leave the battlefield, Kukui stops him to say that he will be waiting for him in the next League. Guzma doesn't reply and continues walking away. Backstage, Guzma is greeted by Plumeria and his grunts backstage. He announces that the era of "undefeated" Guzma is over and orders everyone to go their separate ways. The grunts, however, are moved to tears, and Plumeria explains they were all inspired by his battle. She then assures Guzma that the grunts still want to follow him, as well as her own loyalty.
That evening, Ash's friends urge him to do his best in his finals match against . Meanwhile, at the docks, Gladion and his Pokémon stare at the sunset with anticipation. At the battlefield, Kukui wonders about the outcome of the finals match. Elsewhere, a swarm of walk along the seafloor and approach Manalo Stadium.
==Major events==
* wins his battle against Guzma, advancing to the finals to face .
* Guzma tries to disband Team Skull, but his choose to remain with him.
===Debuts===
====Pokémon debuts====
==Characters==
===Humans===
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* Nurse Joy (×4)
* 
* 
* Hala
* Nanu
* Hau
* Acerola
* 
* 
* Wicke
* 
* Ilima (flashback)
* Guzma
* Plumeria
* s
** Tupp
** Rapp
** Zipp
* Caster
* s
* Crowd
===Pokémon===
Who's That Pokémon?: (US and international), (Japan)
* ()
* ()
* ()
* (; )
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ('s; Sandy)
* ('s; Alolan form; Snowy)
* ()
* ()
* ()
* ('s; flashback)
* ()
* (; )
* ()
* ()
* (Ilima's; flashback)
* (Acerola's; ; Mimikins)
* (Guzma's)
* (Guzma's; flashback)
* (Trainer's)
* (Trainer's; flashback)
* (; multiple)
* (anime)
* 
==Trivia==
* Poké Problem: Who's the referee of the battle in today's episode?
** Host: Hala
** Choices: Hala (myself), Olivia, Nanu, Hapu
** Answer: Nanu
* An instrumental version of Aim to Be a Pokémon Master, and Notebook of the Heart were used as insert songs during 's against Guzma.
* With the exception of one-on-one battles, this episode marks the first time hasn't been defeated in a Pokémon League battle since Ash's match against at the Orange League.
* This marks the first time Ash has defeated a by himself without assistance.
* This is the last episode to feature the Alola design of Nurse Joy.
* , , , , and all narrate the preview for the next episode.
* A teaser for Pokémon Journeys: The Series is unveiled in this episode.
===Errors===
* During the Poké Problem extra scene, after Plumeria yells at the s to be quiet, disappears in the last frame of the shot.
* In the dub, Tupp's voice actor is switched to Zipp's during one scene.
===Dub edits===
* The Japanese text depicting 's name is edited out in the dub.
==In other languages==
137
Category:Pokémon League episodes
Category:Episodes written by Akemi Omode
Category:Episodes storyboarded and directed by Yūji Asada
Category:Episodes storyboarded by Yūji Asada
Category:Episodes directed by Yūji Asada
Category:Episodes animated by Masaaki Iwane
Category:Episodes animated by Izumi Shimura
Category:Episodes by multiple animation directors
Category:Episodes in which a Mythical Pokémon appears
Category:Episodes in which an alternately colored Pokémon appears
Category:Episodes focusing on Ash
Category:Episodes focusing on Team Skull
Category:Episodes which aired in the United Kingdom before the United States
de:Die Weisheit des Nichtwegrennens!
es:EP1080
fr:SL137
it:SL137
ja:SM編第137話
zh:宝可梦 太阳＆月亮 第137集