ThePokémonanime starring Ash ran for 25 years, and over that long time there were inevitably some incredibly epic moments. From rousing victories to bold stands against evil, Ash had his time to shine with some regularity.
Being that Pokémon is largely an anime about battles, many of these most epic moments take the form of Pokémon battles, where everything from tournament titles to life or death struggles can be on the line. While things rarely get so serious as that, that doesn’t mean that these moments are any less epic. The best moments put the absurd power of Pokémon on display, be they Legendaries, Mega Evolved Pokémon, or just little old Pikachu. Here are 10 of the most epic Pokémon moments that are sure to get you pumped.
10Pikachu Destroys a Flock of Spearow
Pokémon Indigo League, Episode 1, “Pokémon - I Choose You!”
Those watchingPokémonfor the first time don’t have to wait long for their first awesome moment. After getting off to a rough start with their first meeting, Ash and Pikachu find themselves on the wrong end of a flock of Spearow, hot-tempered bird Pokémon who number in the hundreds. They attempt to flee, butAsh can’t get away from the Spearow fast enough. Fearing for Pikachu’s safety, Ash encourages Pikachu to get in his ball while he makes a stand.
Ash boldly challenges the Spearow, and right as they’re about to strike, Pikachu leaps up from behind Ash and unleashes his first real Thunder Shock, obliterating the entire flock of Spearow in a single blow, saving both himself and Ash and cementing the first steps of the incredible relationship the two will someday have.
9Ash’s First Big Win Was a Slugfest
Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Islands, Episode 112, “Enter the Dragonite”
WhenAsh challenged the Orange Leagueafter his disappointing loss in the Indigo League, he managed to make it all the way to the final challenge: a battle against the Supreme Gym Leader, Drake. In a 6 versus 6 battle, Ash gets off to a fantastic start, taking out 5 of Drake’s Pokémon while only losing two of his own. However, Drake’s last Pokémon, a Dragonite, is absurdly powerful, knowing a wide range of attacks that help to cover any potential weaknesses. One by one, Charizard, Squirtle, and Tauros are all defeated, showing Dragonite’s power.
Ash sends out Pikachu last, who already had some damage from an earlier fight with Ditto.Pikachu manages to land on Dragonite’s head and deliver a point-blank Thunder, which wears Dragonite down. With both barely standing, Dragonite falls first, securing Ash his first major victory over the Orange League.
8Ash Reunites the “Gang of Four” For One Last Battle
Pokémon: Ruby and Sapphire, Episode 190, “Pace - the Final Frontier!”
As Ash prepares to challenge the Pyramid King, Brandon, he takes the time to gather up his most loyal Pokémon for the first time in hundreds of episodes: Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Charizard, and Pikachu. Brandon establishes that it will be a 4 versus 4 battle, and the fighting begins. Charizard unfortunately goes down quickly, but the others pick up the slack, until it all comes down to Pikachu versus Brandon’s Regice, a Legendary Pokémon.
Pikachu is frozen solid, but is able to burst through the ice with a powerful Thunderbolt, which paralyzes Regice.Pikachu gets in some powerful hits, and thanks to expert-tier dodging, Pikachu manages to avoid Regice’s most dangerous attack, knocking it out and winning the day for Ash.
7A Battle of Mega Proportions
Pokémon XY, episode 128, “A Riveting Rivalry!”
In the semifinals of the Kalos League tournament, Ash battled his rival Sawyer, with their Pokémon each battling to a draw. It comes down to Ash’s Greninja versus Sawyer’s Sceptile, and Sawyer chooses to Mega Evolve his Sceptile, increasing its power dramatically. Already at a type disadvantage, Ash gets Greninja to unlockits mysterious Ash-Greninja transformation, bringing its power up on par with that of Mega Sceptile.
The battle is fierce, with the two Pokémon exchanging powerful blows, and even Ash is able to get a super effective hit in with Greninja’s Aerial Ace.Ash goes all out, ordering Greninja to toss a massive Water Shuriken, which Sawyer scrambles to block. It’s too late, however, and while part of the attack is blocked, Sceptile is taken out, moving Ash on to the final round of the Kalos League.
6Kalos' Gym Leaders To the Rescue
Pokémon XY, Episode 135, “Rocking Kalos Defenses!”
When the Kalos League is disrupted by Lysandre and Team Flare, who are on an apocalyptic mission to destroy the world, it comes down to Ash and a handful of others to take a stand. Lysandre is a formidable opponent, however, and winds up unleashing a dangerous being known asthe Giant Rock, associated with Mega Evolution, which goes on to carve a swath of destruction through the region. Ash is struggling to defeat such a massive creature, and it looks like all hope of stopping it may be lost.
That’s when the Kalos League’s Gym Leaders (and champion Diantha) appear,finally allowing these powerful trainers to take a stand against the evil in their region. Their arrival is an incredibly epic moment, and while they only manage to hold it back for a moment, it’s long enough for everyone to regroup and put together their final strategy, and it reassures Ash that he’s not alone.
5The First 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt Rocks Lusamine
Pokémon Sun & Moon, Episode 54, “10,000,000 Reasons to Fight!”
After Lillie’s mother Lusamine is dragged into Ultra Space by the Ultra Beast Nihilego, Ash and friends go in after to rescue her, but Lusamine has fused with the beast, clouding her mind. She sends out her Pokémon to stop them, gradually peeling the group apart until only Ash remains.Gladion and Lillie, who manage to catch up, distract Lusamine while Ash attempts to use a Z-move, but soon discovers that his Electrium Z has transformed into a Pikashunium Z.Pikachu dons Ash’s lost hat, and the pair iniate their most powerful attack ever.
Ash and Pikachu perform the Z-move, 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt, and a rainbow barrage of bolts rains down on the fused Lusamine, knocking out Nihilego and allowing Lillie and Gladion to separate their mother and finally put an end to this nightmare.
4Ash Defeats the Island Guardian’s Ultimate Move
Pokémon Sun & Moon, Episode 144, “From Z to Shining Z!”
After winning the Alola League championship,Ash goes up against Professor Kukui, and manages to defeat most of Kukui’s Pokémon. But when Kukui attempts to draw his last Poké Ball, Tapu Koko steps in, demanding to fight Ash under Kukui’s command. It even gives Kukui the Tapunium Z-crystal, allowing Kukui to use the move Guardian of Alola. Ash’s Electrium Z once again turns into a Pikashunium Z, but this time for good, and the two powerful moves prepare to clash.
Pikachu launches the 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt, which eventually starts to overpower even the Legendary Pokémon’s ultimate technique. Ash and Pikachu are left physically exhausted, but when the dust settles, Tapu Koko is defeated, signaling Ash’s triumph even over the might of what some might call a god.
3Ash Proves Chimchar’s Worth to Paul
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, Episode 188, “Battling a Thaw in Relations!”
Early inDiamond and Pearl, Ash took in a Chimchar that was disownedby his jerk rival, Paul. Ash raised Chimchar with great care, until it finally evolved into its final form, Infernape. When Ash was set to battle Paul in the Sinnoh League tournament, it eventually came down to Ash’s Infernape versus Paul’s Electivire, putting a lot more emotion behind this match than a standard league battle. Infernape had something to prove, and prove it he did.
When it looked like Infernape was down for the count, Paul began taunting it, angering Infernape and giving it the strength to get back up.Infernape’s ability, Blaze, kicked in, granting it untold power for one final attack, clashing with Paul’s Electivire with everything he’s got. Infernape’s Flare Blitz emerged victorious, and Paul was not only defeated, but humiliated by the Pokémon he had once abandoned.
2Ash Finally Bests Gary
Pokémon Gold and Silver, Episode 270, “Can’t Beat the Heat!”
Ash’s original rival, Gary, was quite the jerk as well, often insulting Ash when they crossed paths and laughing at Ash’s failures. Ash never quite seemed to measure up to Gary, but eventually the two were put against one another in the Silver Conference. Ash went into this battle deciding not to use Pikachu, an extreme rarity. It was a hard-fought six versus six match, and it all eventually came down toAsh’s Charizard versus Gary’s Blastoise.
Despite being at a major type disadvantage, Ash was able to come up with a clever strategy, superheating the ground so that Blastoise’s water would evaporate, creating a cloud of steam that Blastoise couldn’t see through.Charizard grabs onto Blastoise and delivers an epic Seismic Toss, crashing into the ground and taking out Gary’s Blastoise, leaving Ash’s rival speechless for once.
1Ash’s World Championship Match Was His Most Epic Moment Ever
Pokémon Journeys, Episode 132, “Partners in Time!”
Ash’s final match in the Masters' Eight tournament againstthe undefeated champion Leonwas full of epic moments, but by far the final match between Charizard and Pikachu was the best. Each on their last Pokémon and with all their special abilities having been used, it looks as if Pikachu might not have the stamina to win. Pikachu collapses momentarily, and sees visions of all of Ash’s other Pokémon cheering him on. Pikachu summons the strength to get back up and lets out a massive wave of electrical power, ready for one last attack to decide it all.
Leon accepts the challenge and has Charizard charge forward, and the two Pokémon clash in a literal head-to-head battle, each overflowing with power. The animation in this moment is absolutely incredible, and everything in the entire series has come down to this moment. Pikachu’s victory is confirmed afterwards in the Pokémon Center, finally taking down Leon’s undefeated Charizard and claiming the World Champion title for Ash. As Ash’s crowning achievement was obtained in an unbelievably epic way, there’s no doubt that this isPokémon’s most hyped moment of all time.
Pokémon
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Pokémon follows Ash Ketchum on his journey to become a Pokémon Master, accompanied by his loyal Pikachu. Released in 1997, the series explores Ash’s travels through various regions, where he encounters new friends and challenges, underscoring the themes of adventure and teamwork.
