The evolution of Musashi's Contests in DP

Update: 3/23/10 - Musashi's 4th ribbon. Scroll down to DP167: "The Pokemon Beach School!".

First of all, hooray for this group having over 50 members! But the reason I'm writing this blog is to talk about Musashi's Contest arc in Diamond and Pearl. The recent Contest episodes got me thinking about how much things have changed from the beginning of DP to now. So, I decided to watch every DP Contest episode thus far and compare. I'm not counting the unofficial Contest episode or DP146, since one isn't an official Contest and the other Musashi never participated in.  I'll be updating this list as the remaining Contests air. Pay careful attention how the appeal round changes over time.


DP011: Hikari!  Contest Debut!! - The debut of Candy Musalina! Things go well enough, but Kojiro and Nyasu focus on selling fake seals and don't even see her first appeal! After that they act very AG like, being Musashi's servants more than her friends.

Appeal: Muskippa shoots bullet seed at some lollipops, then uses bite on Musashi

DP026: Pokemon Contest!  The Sono'o Convention!! - Things go from bad to worse. Musashi goes to get her nails done so SHE can look nice in the Contest, and orders Kojiro and Nyasu to steal new Pokemon for her. When they fail she just yells at them.

DP027: "Decisive Battle!  Potchama vs. Pottaishi!!" - After Musashi loses she yells at Kojiro and Nyasu and the two of them just kind of sigh at her.

Appeal: Habunake uses wrap on Musashi.

DP049: Pokemon Contest!  The Yosuga Convention!! - The crap really hits the fan in this one. Musashi says Habunake and Dokucale aren't good enough, so she wants to use Manene instead. To top it off, Kojiro is very upset by this, Musashi yells, and Kojro and Nyasu look at her with terror.

Appeal: Musashi has Manene and Sabonea use tickle on her as she spins around.

DP061: "Pokemon Contest!  The Zui Convention!!" - We hit the bottom of the barrel in this episode. Musashi is going back to her old habits and wants Kojiro and Nyasu to fix the Contest so she can win, causing Kojiro and Nyasu to freak out because they never did. However, in a huge surprise to everyone, Musashi manages to win the ribbon on her own!

Appeal: Musashi has Dokucale use Whirlwind to fly her up in the air.

DP077: "Everyone's a Rival!  The Mikuri Cup!!" - Musashi learns she won the pervious Contest all on her own and gets very full of herself. She bombs in the appeal round very badly. Kojiro and Nyasu continue to act very fearful of her.

Appeal: Musashi has Sonansu use counter to bounce her up in the air.

DP095 - "Pokemon Contest!  The Kan'nagi Convention!!" -  Musashi takes a different approach in this one and decides to copy the gym leader Melissa by dressing as her. She acts very conceited as she waits for the results, as she has Kojiro give her a neck massage wile she drinks some beverage from a martini glass. She once again fails to make it pass the appeal round.

Appeal: Musashi uses Megayanma to fly her around in the air.

DP102: "The Yosuga Gym Match!  (Satoshi) vs. Melissa!!" - We saw very little of this Contest, but Musashi is able to win her second ribbon. She goes "back to basics" and doesn't try to copy anyone and instead just acts like herself. At the beginning of the episode Kojiro and Nyasu still aren't very supportive of her. However, before her appeal Kojiro cheers her on and accidentally uses her real name before correcting himself, just as he did in the Summer School episodes.

Appeal: Musashi has Megayanama use silver wind to gently blow the ribbons off of her hair.

DP114: "Pokemon Contest!  The Akebi Convention!!" - Musashi continues from last time and uses Megayanma once again. During the appeal she comments to Megayanma how gorgeous Megayanma is. Kojiro and Nyasu are starting to be much more supportive of her. After Musashi passes the appeal round, they happily hold hands and say that their cheering must have worked. In a surprising move, Musashi also smiles at Hikari's appeal.

Appeal: Musashi uses Megayanma's ability, Speed Boost, to fly her in circles in the air.

DP123: "Pokemon Contest - The Tatsunami Convention!!" - Musashi successfully figures out how to get inspiration from someone, and uses Urara's power up technique to have Manene perform a fun appeal. What's more important is that Kojiro happily lets Musashi use Manene and even says her third ribbon is counting on it. In the stands Kojiro, Nyasu, and Sonansu, wear their old ouendan outfits in support of Musashi. When the appeal starts, Musashi no longer waves to the audience when she comes out. After she passes the appeal round she doesn't even see the flowers Nyasu has for her, and instead praises Manene for being a genius.

Appeal: Musashi has Manene use a powered up Teeter Dance causing everyone in the Contest Hall (including herself) to dance.

DP161: "The Curtain Raises!  Pokemon Contest - The Asatsuki Convention!!" -  Before the Contest, Musashi said  "Now, let the Rocket-dan become one and make the best stage show ever!". Apparently, much training went on for this Contest and everyone helped. This Contest is the first time Musashi barely involves herself in an appeal.

Appeal: Musashi has Muskippa come out with Habunake's monster ball in its mouth. Musashi's plays a tune on an Arbok flute and Habunake come bursting out. The two of them then move in sync to the tune. Habunake then spins in the air while Muskippa shoots bullet seed at it, causing a firework type explosion. The appeal ends with Habunake coming down from the air and surrounding Musashi.

DP162: "Double Battle!  (Hikari) vs. Plusle and Minun!!" - Kojiro and Nyasu are disappointed that Musashi's new battle technique didn't work when they were both sure it would. Musashi is the most upset after any loss thus far, falling to her knees in horror. The trio cheer on Hikari to beat Urara, who had earlier defeated Musashi.

DP167: "The Pokemon Beach School!" - Momoan introduces Musashi as the "captivating, gorgeous lady". Musashi doesn't make any comment on that, and instead runs out on stage and releases Habunake. She's confident, shows determination and states that she'll get her fourth ribbon today. Nyasu says that she "shows a different kind of fighting spirit today" and Kojiro is certain Musashi will win her 4th ribbon.

This is the first Contest since it was revealed that there were only seven more to go, and it seems like Musashi has a renewed spirit surrounding her since she knows there's not much time left. This is reinforced when Musashi is revaled to have made it to the final round. She literally becomes fired up, as she says "I'll do this!" as flames surround her. Kojiro gets excited and says that "Musashi is on a roll today" and Nyasu is sure without a doubt that Musashi will win since she's made it this far.

Later when Musashi is revealed to have won the Contest, Momoan asks Ayako (who was filling in for Joi) what she thought. Ayako said "Habunake's Haze was beautiful  and I have no objections to the impact of Poison Tail either. It was perfect." I don't think anything better states how far Musashi has come than a Top coordinator saying her performance was perfect.

Appeal: The only thing known is that Musashi used a lightning bolt seal that made Habunake appear to have wings when it came out of its ball.