Episode 1 (Season 5) - Around the Whirlpool

In a scuffle with Team Rocket, Ash and friends are thrown from the ship bearing them to the Whirl Islands.  As powerful whirlpools draw them toward impending doom, a mysterious form under the sea shifts the powerful undertow, drawing them to safety.  Shortly thereafter, a Corsola comes skipping over the sea’s surface and guides the children back to a ship wherein awaits their old friend, Professor Elm.  They ride the ship to a bustling harbor in the first of the Whirl Islands.  There they learn of an upcoming competition in which Water Pokemon trainers will vie for the title of Whirl Island champion.

Episode 2 (Season 5) - Fly Me To The Moon

Our heroes discover an island on which the Pidgey population—long protected by environmental regulation and free from predators—has grown to unusually stout proportions and virtually abandoned any desire for flight. There Ash and friends find one Pidgey, however, in which the desire to soar through the heavens burns more fiercely than even in Pidgey from beyond this island. Anxious to see this Pidgey achieve its dreams, the young trainers join with the Pidgey’s trainer and follow the Pokemon in a jet-assisted hot air balloon, tracking its flight as the Pidgey climbs higher into the stratosphere than any Pokemon in history.

Episode 3 (Season 5) - Takin' It On The Chinchou!

On their way to the Whirl Cup competition, Ash and friends are fortunate enough to pass a small mountain village just as an annual Chinchou migration is about to occur. Long ago seismological forces had combined to lift the mountain out of the depths of the sea, bringing along with it the undersea nesting ground of these Chinchou. Guided by instinct, these sea Pokemon continue to lay eggs there even though the land is now above water. Ash and friends join a father and son appointed this year by the village to protect the Chinchou on their journey—and it’s a good thing these Pokemon Trainers were along because it turns out Team Rocket has designs on the migrating Chinchou as well.

Episode 4 (Season 5) - A Corsola Caper!

Just as Ash and friends arrive at a new island, their ears are met with cries for help. A family had built their house upon a Corsola nesting ground, and when a new, hyperactive Corsola arrived and frightened off the previous Corsola residents, the ground beneath the house weakened and the house was washed out to sea. The father and daughter who had been outside during the catastrophe now look on helplessly as another daughter—trapped inside the house—is washed out toward a large whirlpool. Ash and Misty call their Pokemon to action and manage to save the young girl, but this proves to be only the first challenge of the day. As Ash and friends set about recollecting the Corsola that had reinforced the foundation of this family’s home, Team Rocket soon arrives and attempts to steal not only the needed Corsola, but also collections of local artwork made from Corsola horns, which these Pokemon shed regularly. While assisting this local family, Misty waits not so patiently for an opportunity to catch the Corsola that had first driven the others away, and make it her own.

Episode 5 (Season 5) - Mantine Overboard!

Our heroes narrowly miss the ferry to Redrock Isle, but are fortunate enough to bump into a Pokemon researcher and a deep-sea diver who offers to carry them across the strait in her boat. En route they learn of a longstanding goal she is just now attempting to reach—her great-grandfather had made a valuable discovery, but been discredited when the find was lost in a shipwreck, the location of which she has only recently discovered. Excited by her tale, the young Pokemon Trainers decide to accompany her in a dive down to the ruined ship and witness as she recovers the article that will restore her great-grandfather’s honor in the scientific community. Their attempts to approach the sunken ship, however, are routed by an aggressive Mantine and a number of Remoraid. In order to take up her great-grandfather’s legacy, this researcher, with the help of Ash and friends, must first explain the strange defensive behavior of these Pokemon.

Episode 6 (Season 5) - Octillery The Outcast

After reaching the town where the preliminary round of the Whirl Cup is held, Ash and Misty enter and earn the two victories required to continue on to the finals. A friend they had met earlier is not as fortunate. When Misty tries to console him with promises of the next Whirl Cup to be held in three years, he remains depressed, saying that it was not lack of ability but the low spirits of his Octillery that had brought about his defeat. The Pokemon had been depressed ever since it evolved from a Remoraid and was subsequently spurned by its onetime Remoraid friends. If the boy cannot somehow mend these friendships between Pokemon that have now grown different in appearance, he doesn’t see any hopes of victory even in three years time. Ash and friends willingly lend their knowledge and enthusiasm to this problem of Pokemon sociology.

Episode 7 (Season 5) - Dueling Heroes

As the final round of the Whirl Cup begins, Ash and Misty must each face formidable opponents. Ash has his Kingler transferred from Oak’s lab in preparation, but when he and his Totodile begin their first battle, they must face an opponent with a powerful Kingdra. Misty also faces a challenging duel with an experienced opponent and his Qwilfish. Meanwhile, Team Rocket sets about stealing an ancient jewel used in a reward ceremony to be performed for the tournament’s victor.

Episode 8 (Season 5) - The Perfect Match!

Ash and Misty each emerge victorious from arduous bouts only to be paired against one another in the next round.  As these two square off, Team Rocket plots to steal the tournament’s prize using reverse psychology: they leave an anonymous tip with the local police force that the prize is in danger.  This tip, Jessie reasons, will lead to heightened security, which will in turn lead to overconfidence and carelessness, effectually making it easier for Jessie and James to sneak in and claim their prize.  With Ash already in strong position, Misty accidentally deploys Psyduck to face his Kingler.  In a surprise turn, however, Psyduck launches a Confuse attack that wins the match for Misty.  Ash takes his place in the stands and cheers for Misty as she begins her next round.  Meanwhile Team Rocket watches in shock as—contrary to Jessie’s plan—not only is the police presence at the event fortified, but the police show no sign of growing overconfident.

Episode 9 (Season 5) - Plant It Now... Diglett Later

A village of kind, elderly people prepares a great meal for Ash and friends, and in return requests that the Pokemon Trainers assist them in defending their village against a gang of marauders that invades the village every year and attempts to rustle their sizable herd of Diglett.  In explaining this to the children, the village’s elderly mayor loses his train of thought numerous times, leaving Ash and friends completely confused by his request, until an unlikely source offers some clarification.  The leader of the gang in question appears, succinctly restates the mayor’s explanation, promises to return the following day with his gang, and finally excuses himself politely.  A bit puzzled by this genteel marauder, Ash and friends nonetheless accept the mayor’s request and along with Team Rocket, whose insatiable appetites had brought them to the dinner as well, begin fortifying the town against attack.  When our heroes venture into the enemy camp, however, they learn that there is more to the marauders’ plot than meets the eye.

Episode 10 (Season 5) - Hi Ho Silver... Away!

Ash, Misty, and Brock run into a local shopkeeper who introduces them to one of her friends, a jewelry maker who tells them the legend of the fourth Whirl Island.  When they first encounter the jewelry maker they find that he and his Sandslash are very ill.  After Ash, Misty, and Brock help them to recover, they learn that the jewelry maker is in love with the shopkeeper and wants to propose.  As usual Team Rocket isn’t far behind and up to no good with a plan to try and steal all of the jewelry in the town.

Episode 11 (Season 5) - The Mystery Is History

While on their quest to locate a mysterious Pokemon, Ash, Misty, and Brock run into their old friends Richie, and his Pikachu, Sparky.  They also meet a young boy and his Lanturn, who has made friends with a baby Lugia.  Meanwhile, Butch and Cassidy of Team Rocket are hatching a plan to capture the baby Lugia in hopes of eventually catching its parent.  Jessie and James also try to catch the adult Lugia, but are unsuccessful.

Episode 12 (Season 5) - A Parent Trapped!

With the young Lugia in the possession of Butch and Cassidy, Ash and friends set about rescuing it while protecting its parent from itself.  The parent Lugia fights desperately to free its child—playing right into Team Rocket’s hands.  If Ash fails to win the Lugia’s trust and convince it not to oppose Team Rocket alone, it seems this Pokemon is fated to end up in captivity along with its child.

Episode 13 (Season 5) - A Promise is a Promise

Ash and friends do their best to free the captured Lugia from Team Rocket, but are eventually overwhelmed by a new technology that emotionally manipulates Pokemon, amplifying their rage and enhancing the power of their attacks.  This heightened power enables Butch and Cassidy to not only capture the parent Lugia, but to take captive Ash and friends as well.  A Team Rocket researcher insists that true power lies in fury, but Ash hopes to prove that trust between man and Pokemon holds the key to a greater power still, and to free himself and his friends in the process.

Episode 14 (Season 5) - Throw In The Noctowl

Ash phones Janina, and she says Sparkle is feeling much better, and everything is set for the match tomorrow. Unfortunatley, Ash and friends miss the ferry ride to Olivine City! He meets this old guy who says he has a plane and can fly them there. His name is Alexander but he likes to be called "Wings". He has a Noctowl, and tells a story. When it was once Hoothoot it was a great battler that evolved into Noctowl. Ever since then, Wings and Noctowl have helped rescue people and flown people on thier plane. A big storm is brewing up, and Team Rocket are in their Meowth balloon, and the storm is getting worse, so Wings decides to help them and brings them aboard!

Episode 15 (Season 5) - Nerves of Steelix

After an incident with Team Rocket and a giant Wobuffet robot, Ash goes to finally battle Jasmine in Olivine City. She uses a Magnemite and a Steelix. Pikachu beats Magnemite, but Steelix seems unstoppable.

Episode 16 (Season 5) - Bulbasaur... The Ambassador!

Ash gets a surprise request from Professor Oak: it seems to Pokemon in the Professor's laboratory have taken to fighting amongst themselves, all of the Professor's attempts to stop them ending in failure.  Knowing that Ash's Bulbasaur has much experience peacemaking between Pokemon, Professor Oak enlists this Pokemon's services.  Sure enough it isn't long after Bulbasaur's arrival that peace returns to the laboratory, but will the same endure even after Bulbasaur leaves?  If not, can Ash bear being separated at length from one of his oldest and best Pokemon friends?

Episode 17 (Season 5) - Espeon, Not Included

Our heroes meet up with an old friend, Sakura, and her Pokemon–an Espeon that evolved from her Eevee.  They lend a hand as Sakura and her sisters prepare for an upcoming dance competition, but meanwhile Team Rocket is hatching a plan to capture a Pokemon from Sakura and each of her sisters, collecting all of the evolved forms of Eevee to present to their boss.  When Sakura alone is left to face Team Rocket, she hopes she can prove her mettle once and for all, and gain her sisters' permission to embark upon a journey of her own.

Episode 18 (Season 5) - For Ho-Oh The Bell Tolls

When Ash, Misty, and Brock run to investigate a mysterious chorus of bells that spontaneously ring out, they chance to meet their old friend Morty and a Pokemon researcher of his acquaintance. Morty and the researcher discover that the sacred Crystal bells, which are said to ring when a legendary Ho-oh returns, are missing. Since the bells were also used to heal the Bug Pokemon living in that area, these Pokemon lash out against their human neighbors, covering the town with their webs. Ash and friends decide to get to the heart of things and, in the forest, find Team Rocket restrained by webs and hanging from a tree. Ash, Misty, Brock, Morty, and the researcher begin to battle with the Bug Pokemon. Just when it seems as if there is no hope an unsuspected ally appears.

Episode 19 (Season 5) - Extreme Pokemon!

On their way to Mahogany City, Ash, Misty, and Brock run into Gary and his Arcanine practicing for a meet.  Ash decides he wants to enter the meet but needs a sleigh, which he receives from a local Pokemon breeder. Team Rocket no sooner gets wind of the meet than do they begin sabotaging it, stealing Gary's Arcanine midway through the race and making off with some Pokemon eggs stored at the local breeding center.  After a short battle with Team Rocket, Arcanine is returned to Gary and Ash goes on to win the race, a trophy, and an unexpected gift from the Pokemon breeder.

Episode 20 (Season 5) - An Egg-Sighting Adventure

The egg—yet to hatch—that Ash had received from a grateful Pokemon breeder turns up missing. Ash and friends are fortunate, however, in that an Officer Jenny famous for her brilliant forensic work appears on the scene. As the investigation proceeds, however, the young Pokemon trainers begin to lose faith in this famous figure—it seems she is only able to correctly interpret clues after someone else (most often Ash, Misty, or Brock, in this case) have sorted things out for her. It seems that if the young trainers are to find the egg before it hatches, they will have to take over the investigation themselves.

Episode 21 (Season 5) - Hatching A Plan

At long last Ash's egg hatches, a Phampy emerging to finally put everyone's curiosity to rest.  Ash and friends' excitement is matched only by that of Jessie and James of Team Rocket, who see in the newly hatched Pokemon a chance to redeem themselves with Giovanni.  Full of youthful vigor, the Phampy quickly escapes Ash and goes off on its own, now pursued by both Team Rocket and Ash's party.  Ash and Pikachu finally set out together after this stray Pokemon and continue to be frustrated in attempt after attempt at its capture.

Episode 22 (Season 5) - Dues and Don'ts

As Jessie, James, and Meowth track Ash and friends, they commiserate over past failures and discuss how they are paired unfairly against these younger trainers with such a superior array of Pokemon. They no sooner decide anew to catch as many Pokemon as possible and strengthen their own forces than a Delibird shows up. After finally capturing it, they are disappointed to learn that the Pokemon already has a trainer—a Team Rocket scout, no less, who is using the Delibird to test the abilities of promising new talent. Sensing their natural aptitudes toward crime, the scout offers Jessie and James positions within Team Rocket. These two assert that they are already members, to which the scout replies by accessing their Team Rocket personnel files and proving that they have been expelled from the organization. Shocked, Jessie and James set desperately to garnering some success that will earn them reentry into their beloved Team Rocket.

Episode 23 (Season 5) - Just Waiting On A Friend

Our heroes are traveling over a mountain pass when inclement weather occasions a stay in a lodge located conveniently nearby.  Brock is very taken with the hospitable caretaker of the lodge and her Ninetales, but his friends grow increasingly suspicious of her as they notice, and unsuccessfully try to point out to Brock, vague warning signs—her being distant and distracted, her preoccupation with the past, her not reflecting in mirrors—that she is not in fact his dream girl.  Brock will have none of it, though, and eagerly accepts her proposal of marriage, even as the lodge itself grows increasingly sinister.

Episode 24 (Season 5) - Fit To Be Tyrogue

Ash and friends chance into a Tyrogue, nearly falling victim to a ploy it lays out in an attempt to make off with all of their Pokemon food. Just as they tie things up with the Tyrogue, they learn that it is in fact not wild, but owned by a devoted student of Chuck, the Cianwood Gym leader. This student, who prides himself for his martial arts ability, explains that he is now taking his Tyrogue to an exhaustive tournament in which Fighting type Pokemon vie for the title. Meanwhile, though, he is having a terrible time disciplining his mischievous Pokemon. As if to accent this complaint, an angry local arrives, exclaiming that Tyrogue has wrought havoc in town for the last time.

Episode 25 (Season 5) - Future Shock!

Ash and friends meet a Xatu, a Pokemon said to have the ability to see into the future, and the young girl whose job it is to watch over an entire flock of the same and interpret their strange predictions.  They meet her at a difficult time in her career, as the locals are just beginning to doubt the accuracy of these Pokemon’s predictions, which have guided their community for centuries.  The girl herself even finds her own faith waning, but when the Xatu forecast a cataclysm that would endanger all in the village, she must decide whether to trust in her Pokemon or to let age-old traditions fall by the wayside.

Episode 26 (Season 5) - Talkin' 'Bout an Evolution

Ash and friends discover a red Gyarados, unknowingly uncovering a plot by Team Rocket to control the secrets of Pokemon evolution.  To ensure their silence, Team Rocket attempts to capture the children, but is foiled by a member of an elite Pokemon defense organization, who releases the children with instructions to continue on their way and leave the dangerous job of ending this Team Rocket experiment to adults like himself.  Ash and friends assent at first, but before long, unable to ignore the compassion he feels for the red Gyarados that seemed to be in such pain, Ash decides to return and lend a hand.

Episode 27 (Season 5) - The Rage of Innocence

Before they can oppose Team Rocket’s evil plan to gain control of the Pokemon of the world, Ash and friends must escape from a Team Rocket holding pen.  With their Pokemon rendered unable to fight by a sinister Team Rocket technology, this would be an impossible task—impossible that is if Jessie and James had not been fortuitously chosen to watch over them.  When, sure enough, Jessie and James slip up, Ash and friends jump on the opportunity to escape.  Together with Lance and his Dragonite, they must not only stop Team Rocket from perfecting their Pokemon Evolution Inducement machine, but also somehow quell the rage of the red Gyarados, as it threatens to destroy a nearby town.

Episode 28 (Season 5) - As Cold as Pryce

Finally setting foot in Mahogany Town, Ash is anxious to set about winning his next badge.  When he finally locates the town gym leader, Pryce, he is surprised to recognize the man, having previously exchanged differing opinions on the proper nature of relationships between Pokemon and trainer.  The embittered gym leader maintains his position that Pokemon must be controlled rather than trusted, must remain servants and never friends.  When a natural catastrophe sends Ash and Pryce hurtling deep into the depths of the earth—and equally deep into the recesses of this gym leader’s mysterious past—the two confront the Piloswine that loyally served Pryce long ago.  In this lost Pokemon Ash recognizes the seed that might bring about a change of heart in Pryce.

Episode 29 (Season 5) - Nice Pryce, Baby!

Having earned Pryce’s respect and permission to face the trainer in a gym battle, Ash makes the unlikely choice of sending out Cyndaquil, a Fire Pokemon, to face his opponent on an Ice battlefield.  Fortunately, Ash’s strategy pans out as he leads the gym leader to lower his defenses, allowing Ash to take the first victory in a two-on-two match.  Next the gym leader sends out his trusty Piloswine, which immediately unleashes a Blizzard attack that completely alters the battlefield, allowing it to make quick work of Ash’s defending Pokemon.  With one victory each, the round enters sudden death with each trainer playing his oldest, most reliable Pokemon.  A seasoned duo, Ash and Pikachu may match the teamwork of the gym leader and his Piloswine, but will this be enough in a slippery ice arena that is second nature to Piloswine, but whereon Pikachu struggles even to stand?

Episode 30 (Season 5) - Whichever Way The Wind Blows

Hardly taking a second to relish his latest gym victory, Ash quickly sets course for the next gym in Blackthorn City.  It isn’t long, though, before a more immediate challenge confronts his small party.  As Ash and friends enter a clearing, they find large numbers of Vileplume and Bellossom preparing to battle.  With the help of his Bayleef, Ash is able to settle the disturbance, but afterwards learns from a researcher working in the area that this is a common occurrence.  The winds in this area, it seems, carry particulates from the Leaf and Sun Stones that cause Gloom to evolve into either Vileplume or Bellossom.  Depending on the wind’s direction, different amounts of either stone are scattered over the local Gloom, creating temporary surges in the populations of either of their possible evolutions.  Since there is no foreseeable end to this natural state of flux, Ash and friends must end this constant fight for supremacy by convincing these Pokemon to live in harmony despite this trick of the wind that puts one and then the other group in the advantaged position.