The Pokemon Anime starring Ash ran for 25 years, and in that long time there were inevitably some incredibly epic moments. From thrilling victories to boldly standing up to evil, Ash has had his time to shine with a certain rightness.
Being that Pokemon is largely an anime about battles, many of the most epic moments take the form of Pokemon battles, where everything from tournament titles to life or death struggles can be on the line. While things rarely get as serious as that, that doesn’t mean the moments are any less epic. The best moments put the wild power of Pokemon on display, be it Legendaries, Mega Evolved Pokemon, or just plain old Pikachu. Here are 10 of the most epic Pokemon moments that are sure to get you pumped.
10
Pikachu destroys a flock of Spearow
Pokemon Indigo LeagueEpisode 1, “Pokémon – I Pick You!”
The watching Pokemon For the first time do not 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 Spirow, hot-tempered bird Pokemon that number in the hundreds. They attempt to escape, but Ash can’t get away from Spyro fast enough. Fearing for Pikachu’s safety, Ash encourages Pikachu to get into his ball while he makes a rock.
Ash challenges Spyro, and just as they are about to strike, Pikachu jumps up from behind Ash and unleashes his first real thunder shock.Wipe out the entire flock of Spirov in one fell swoop, saving both yourself and Ash and cementing the first steps of the incredible relationship that the two will one day have.
9
Ash’s first big win was a slugfest
Pokemon: Adventures in the Orange IslandsEpisode 112, “Enter the Dragonite”
When Ash challenged the Orange League after 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 vs 6 battle, Ash gets off to a fantastic start, taking 5 of Drake’s Pokemon while only losing two of his own. However, Drake’s last Pokemon, a Dragonite, is absurdly strong, having a wide range of attacks that help cover any potential weaknesses. One by one, Charizard, Squirtle and Tauros were all defeated, showing the power of Dragonite.
Ash sends out Pikachu last, who already has some damage from an earlier fight with Ditto. Pikachu manages to land on Dragonite’s head and deliver a hollow thunderbolt, which carries Dragonite down.. With both barely standing, Dragonite falls first, securing Ash his first major victory over the Orange League.
8
Ash reunites the “Gang of Four” for one last battle
Pokemon: Ruby and SapphireEpisode 190, “Pass – The Final Frontier!”
As Ash prepares to challenge the Pyramid King, Brandon, he takes the time to collect 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 on 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 Pokemon.
Pikachu is frozen solid, but is able to burst through the ice with a powerful thunderbolt, which paralyzes Regise. Pikachu takes some powerful hits, and thanks to expert ray dodging, Pikachu manages to avoid Regice’s most dangerous attackKnocking it out and winning the day for Ash.
7
A battle of mega proportions
Pokemon XYEpisode 128, “A Riveting Rivalry!”
In the semi-finals 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 unlock his mysterious Ash-Greninja transformation, bringing his power up on par with that of Mega Sceptile.
The battle is fierce, with the two Pokemon exchanging powerful blows, and even Ash is able to land a super effective hit with Greninja’s aerial mouse. Ash goes all out, ordering Grenija to throw a massive water shuriken, which Sawyer scrambles to block.. It’s too late though, and while part of the attack is blocked, Sceptile is taken out, moving Ash to the final round of the Kalos League.
6
Kalos’ gym leader to the rescue
Pokemon XYEpisode 135, “Rocking Kalos Defenses!”
When the Kalos League is disrupted by Lysandre and Team Fleur, 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 as the Giant Rock, associated with Mega Evolution, which proceeds to cut a swath of destruction through the area. 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 the powerful trainers to take a stand against the evil in their area. Their arrival is an incredibly epic moment, and while they’re only able 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.
5
The first 10,000,000 volt Thunderbolt Rocks Lusamine
Pokemon Sun and MoonEpisode 54, “10,000,000 Reasons to Fight!”
After Lily’s mother Lusamine is dragged into Ultra Space by the Ultra Beast Nihiligo, Ash and friends go in after to save her, but Lusamine has fused with the beast, clouding her mind. She sends her Pokemon to stop them, gradually peeling the group apart until only Ash remains. Gladion and Lily, 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 Picchonium Z. Pikachu takes Ash’s lost hat, and the pair begin 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 Nihiligo and allowing Lily and Gladion to separate their mother and finally put an end to the nightmare.
4
Ash defeats the final move of the island guardian
Pokemon Sun and MoonEpisode 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 Pokemon. But when Kukui tries 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 turns into a Pixunium Z again, 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 Pokemon’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 power of what some might call a god.
3
Ash proves to be of great value for money
Pokemon Diamond and PearlEpisode 188, “Battling a Thaw in Relations!”
Early in Diamond and pearlAsh took in a chimchar that was rejected by his prank rival, Paul. Ash raised Chimchar with great care until it finally evolved into its final form, Infernape. When Ash was set to fight Paul in the Sinnoh League tournament, it eventually came down to Ash’s Infernape versus Paul’s Electivire, putting a lot more emotion behind the match than a normal league battle. Infernape has something to prove, and prove it he has.
When it looked like Infernape was down for the count, Paul started taunting it, angering Infernape and giving it the strength to get back up. Infernape’s ability, Blaze, kicked in, giving it untold power for one final attackClashing with Paul’s Electivire with everything he’s got. Infernape’s Flare Blitz emerges victorious, and Paul is not only defeated, but humiliated by the Pokemon he once abandoned.
2
Ash finally bests Gary
Pokemon Gold and SilverEpisode 270, “Can’t Beat the Heat!”
Ash’s original rival, Gary, was also quite the jerk, often insulting Ash when they crossed paths and laughing at Ash’s failures. Ash never seemed to get along with Gary, but eventually the two were pitted against each other in the Silver Conference. Ash went into the battle deciding not to use Pikachu, an extreme rarity. It was a hard-fought six-on-six match, and it all eventually came down to Ash’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 BlastoiseLeaving it sometimes without a language, it is a competitor.
1
Ash’s World Championship Match was his most epic moment ever
Pokemon JourneysEpisode 132, “Partners in Time!”
Ash’s final match in the Masters’ eight tournament against the undefeated champion Leon was full of epic moments, but by far the final match between Charizard and Pikachu was the best. Each on their last Pokemon and with all their special abilities, it looks like Pikachu may not have the stamina to win. Pikachu collapses momentarily, and sees visions of all of Ash’s other Pokemon cheering him on. Pikachu summons the strength to get back up and unleash a massive wave of electrical power, ready for one last attack to end it all.
Leon accepts the challenge and Charizard charges 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 is down to this moment. Pikachu’s victory was confirmed afterwards at the Pokemon Center, finally taking down Leon’s undefeated Charizard and claiming the World Champion title for Ash. As Ash’s crowning achievement was achieved in incredibly epic fashion, there is no doubt that it is Pokemons most hyped moment of all time.