SM138

(Japanese: 決勝戦！最強ライバル対決！！ The Finals! The Strongest Rival Showdown!!) is the 138th episode of the, and the 1,077th episode of the Pokémon anime. It first aired in Japan on September 8, 2019.

Major events

 * ,, and Mimey arrive at Manalo Stadium to watch 's in the Manalo Conference finals.
 * The arrive at Manalo Stadium and reunite with Ash's.
 * The wild Meltan combine with Ash's Meltan, causing it to evolve into and learn.
 * Ash begins his battle with in the finals.

Humans

 * Jessie
 * James
 * Professor Burnet
 * Wicke
 * Hala
 * Olivia
 * Nanu
 * Hapu
 * Mohn (flashback)
 * Hau (flashback)
 * Guzma (flashback)
 * Professor Burnet
 * Wicke
 * Hala
 * Olivia
 * Nanu
 * Hapu
 * Mohn (flashback)
 * Hau (flashback)
 * Guzma (flashback)
 * Mohn (flashback)
 * Hau (flashback)
 * Guzma (flashback)

Pokémon

 * (evolves)
 * (newly evolved; debut)
 * ('s; Sandy)
 * (Ride Pokémon)
 * (Alola Form)
 * ('s; Alola Form; Snowy)
 * (flashback)
 * ('s; Mimey)
 * ('s)
 * ('s; flashback)
 * (Hau's; flashback)
 * (Guzma's; flashback)
 * (Trainer's)
 * (multiple; evolve)
 * ('s; Alola Form; Snowy)
 * (flashback)
 * ('s; Mimey)
 * ('s)
 * ('s; flashback)
 * (Hau's; flashback)
 * (Guzma's; flashback)
 * (Trainer's)
 * (multiple; evolve)
 * ('s)
 * ('s; flashback)
 * (Hau's; flashback)
 * (Guzma's; flashback)
 * (Trainer's)
 * (multiple; evolve)
 * (multiple; evolve)
 * (multiple; evolve)

Trivia

 * Poké Problem: One of will evolve in today's episode. Which one is it?
 * Host:
 * Choices:, , ,
 * Answer: Meltan
 * As of this episode, all of the have made an appearance in the main series.
 * This is the first time since the Silver Conference, 17 years and 808 episodes ago, that and  have come to see Ash battle in a  in person.
 * This marks the first time in the anime where a move is being seen given a name.
 * This is the first episode to show multiple VS screens during a single battle.
 * The ending animation is updated to include Ash's Melmetal.
 * Jīkyō narrates the preview for the next episode.