In The Pokémon Ranch, it is revealed that Piplup hatched off screen and was sent to Hayley's Ranch. Piplup spends its time chasing a Sudowoodo down with Bubble Beam. Rosa tried to stop it, but it attacked her as if not recognizing her.
In Ranch Hand, Piplup befriends Rosa's newly hatched Phione, playing with it. When Kidd is trying to escape, it wakes up and notices, causing Kidd's Hypno to put it back to sleep. This caused Phione to wake up. Later, it is revealed that Piplup followed after Kidd as she escaped.
In Collision on the Mountain, Piplup traverses Mt. Coronet to follow Kidd to retrieve the stolen Pokémon. It runs into Ian and his Piplup, dragging the two along with it. They are reunited with Wyatt and Rosa, as Piplup goes with them. Piplup attacks Belmondo's Magnezone, but is easily defeated and ensnared by Belmondo's Joltik.
In Collision with Past Ideals, Piplup teams up with its parents to fend off a horde of Ninjask. Rosa defends Piplup when it is targeted by Goone's Scizor. Piplup evolves into Prinplup following this, learning Quash to slow down the Ninjask horde. The three penguin Pokémon fend off the Ninjask until they are defeated by Kay's Viserion. Prinplup then helps in defeating Goone's Scizor.
In Collision with the Enemy, Prinplup assists with challenging Grings Kodai. It charges at his Zoroark, but is blasted back and defeated easily.
In New Moon Shines on the Collector, Prinplup was chosen to help fight off Lawrence's Wishiwashi. It uses Quash to slow it down so it could be trapped by Piplup's Whirlpool. Prinplup then joined the other Pokémon in unleashing a barrage of attacks on Wishiwashi, forcing it to flee.
