When it comes to Pokémonthe elusive and powerful Legendary Pokémon stand out, both for their strength and their importance to the lore of the Pokémon world. Although encounters with Legendary Pokémon have become more plentiful over the years, it was still a huge event when one appeared before Ash Ketchum and his friends.
Many of the anime’s biggest episodes feature Legendary Pokémon flexing their power, but Legendaries have also appeared in more low-key episodes, especially in later series. The best episodes featuring Legendary Pokémon tend to be the culmination of ongoing story arcs rather than stand-alone episodes, so subsequent episodes can best be viewed as part of their proper story arcs. Still, even without the additional context, many of these episodes are full of epic battles and tremendously strong Pokémon, and are worth watching for fans of these Legendary Pokémon.
10
Team Rocket captures Lugia
Episode: Pokémon Gold and Silver“A promise is a promise”
One of the first appearances of a Legendary Pokémon relevant to the plot of a story arc is this one, relatively late in Ash’s adventure in Johto. In this episode, mother and baby Lugia appear, captured by Team Rocket, who use a new machine that amplifies a Pokémon’s power by making it furious.. Ash and friends have also been taken and must work together to free themselves and Lugia. Once Lugia is free, terror will fall upon Team Rocket to save their son.
The episode is noteworthy for a few reasons. Of course, this is a rare example of breeding a Legendary Pokémon, something that isn’t possible in games. It’s also a different Lugia from the second film, establishing that Legendary Pokémon are definitely not unique. Plus, it’s a fun story arc where Team Rocket’s broader organization becomes threatening.
9
Charizard defeats Articuno
Episode: Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire“The Symbol of Life”
This episode marks the beginning of Ash’s conquest of the Battle Frontier in Kanto, and he’s ready for an incredible first match as Frontier Brain Noland is using the Legendary Pokémon Articuno. Ash opts to use his Charizard, which returned from training in Charicific Valley, but quickly discovers that Articuno is prepared to deal with Fire types. It’s an epic battle between the two flying Pokémon, but Ash eventually emerges victorious, earning his first Frontier Token.
This marks the first time that a Legendary Pokémon has been defeated by a non-Legendary, a huge achievement for Ash and Charizard. Ash would go on to battle other Legendary Pokémon here in Battle Frontier, and those matchups are exciting too, but there’s something about that first victory over a Legendary that makes this episode special.
8
Kyogre and Groudon face each other
Episode: Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire“The Fight of Legends”
Part 2 of two parts, this episode finally features Kyogre and Groudon fighting, as Team Aqua launches their plan to increase the size of the oceans. With Archie possessed by the Red Orb, however, he begins to go mad with the power and threatens to destroy everything. Pikachu is also possessed by the Blue Orb, granting it the power of a Legendary Pokémon. Pikachu and Groudon team up and manage to push Kyogre back. The Orbs’ power is interrupted, however, and Groudon and Kyogre stop fighting.
This episode is the culmination of the Team Aqua and Magma subplot that ran for much of the Hoenn season. While Groudon and Kyogre’s battle could have been a little more exciting, it’s really cool to see Pikachu wield the power of a Legendary. The episode also introduces Lance and his Red Gyarados, which is a fun bit of continuity.
7
Team Rocket almost destroys Unova
Episode: Pokémon Black and White“Unova Survival Crisis!”
Team Rocket once again attempts to use Legendary Pokémon to aid in their conquest plans, but things go wrong very quickly. After picking up the Mythical Meloetta that was traveling with Ash, Giovanni and Team Rocket are able to access an artifact known as Reveal Glass, giving them control over the Legendary Pokémon Tornadus, Thundurus, and Landorus.. Much like Archie, however, the Reveal Glass begins to affect Giovanni’s mind, pushing him towards destruction.
This is another culmination of a long story arc, but it doesn’t need much context to be appreciated. Jessie, James, and Meowth inadvertently save the day here when trying to rescue Giovanni, which is a fun twist. Even Giovanni seems a little disturbed by how far he’s gone, and retreats without conflict when he comes to his senses, leaving Meloetta to calm the furious Legendaries.
6
Nebby evolves into Solgaleo
Episode: Pokémon Sun and Moon“Revealing the things of the legend!”
Ash has been watching over a mysterious Pokémon nicknamed Nebby for some time and takes it to the Altar of the Sun in hopes of finding the Legendary Pokémon Solgaleo and Lunala, who could help them recover Lillie’s lost mother, Lusamine. Ash will have a surprise, as he already finds the Guardians of the Legendary Island there, who perform a ritual that causes Nebby to evolve – into the same Solgaleo they were looking for.
This episode requires a little more context from the surrounding episodes than most on this list, but seeing Nebby evolve after all the time Ash has spent with him is very exciting. The episode features many Legendary Pokémon, with a cameo from Lunala as well. This episode mostly sets up the actual climax of the arc, but is only noteworthy for Nebby’s evolution.
5
A battle against the strongest legendary
Episode: Pokémon Journeys“Sword and Shield… The Awakening of Legends!”
President Rose has summoned the dangerous Pokémon Eternatus in an attempt to ensure that Galar has all the energy it needs for the future, but, unsurprisingly, Eternatus quickly spirals out of control. Ash defeats Rose in battle using his newly evolved Lucario, and then he and Goh help Leon battle Eternatus. Eternatus takes on his Eternamax form, the strongest Legendary of all time, and when things look bleak, Zacian and Zamazenta appear to help defeat Eternatus and save the Galar region.. Goh even manages to catch him!
This episode is the climax of a 4-part storyline covering Darkest Day Sword and Shield games, featuring the Legendary Pokémon from those games. Some fans dislike the plot for allowing Goh to capture such a powerful Pokémon, but as he wisely hands it over to Leon for protection, this hardly seems like a problem.
4
Team Galactic almost succeeded
Episode: Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, “The Battle Finale of Legend!”
The climax of the Team Galactic arc sees Dialga and Palkia fall under their control. Aided by Cynthia and Looker, Ash and his friends attempt to put an end to Team Galactic’s plot to create a new universe. They manage to free the Lake Guardians, Azelf, Uxie and Mesprit, each of them teaming up with one of our heroes. Using the power of the Legendaries, Ash and friends manage to break the chains controlling Dialga and Palkia, freeing the incarnations of time and space. Cyrus disappears alone into his new universe, but Team Galactic is utterly defeated.
Featuring many legendary Pokémon, this episode is an exciting conclusion to the Team Galactic arc, mirroring the games. The presence of fan-favorite characters like Cynthia and Looker certainly helps and highlights the strengths of Ash, Brock, and Dawn’s characters, aligning them with the Lake Guardians.
3
A Legendary Pokémon Gift
Episode: Pokémon Sun and Moon“Memories in the Mist!”
This episode is quite different from many on this list, as the Legendary Pokémon is not the focal point of the episode. Instead, this is a character episode focused on Mallow, who discovers that Tapu Fini has the ability to create a mist that allows people to speak to the dead once again. Mallow, whose mother passed away when she was young, is initially reluctant to get involved, but soon finds herself face to face with her mother again. After the fog clears, Mallow discovers a Shaymin, a Mythical Pokémon that appears to those who are grateful, which she befriends.
It can be a surprisingly emotional episode and is related to one of the saddest episodes of Pokémon ever, with the appearance of the Stoutland who once looked after Ash’s Litten. Mallow’s Shaymin is never officially captured, but becomes a recurring figure throughout the rest of the film. Sun and Moon.
2
Ash fights Tapu Koko at full strength
Episode: Pokémon Sun and Moon“From Z to Z brilliant!”
After Ash becomes Alola’s champion, he faces Professor Kukui in an exhibition match. When Kukui is down to his last Pokémon, Tapu Koko intervenes, insisting that he fight Ash with it.. Tapu Koko even grants Professor Kukui temporary use of her Z-Move, Guardian of Alola. Faced with immense power, Ash and Pikachu use their own Z-Move and manage to dominate Tapu Koko, ensuring their reputation as new champions.
This is obviously an important moment for Ash, and for those who watched all Sun and MoonAsh finally conquering Tapu Koko is a victory that has been a long time coming. After all, much of the series is about earning Tapu Koko’s respect, and Ash finally manages to impress the Legendary Pokémon. The fight also gets pretty crazy, as the two Z-Moves clash, and it acts as the effective climax of the entire series.
1
Zygarde completely destroys the enemy
Episode: Pokémon XY“Forming a More Perfect Union!”
The peak of it all XY anime is the final battle with Team Flare, which lasts for several episodes. This marks the final episode of the battle and sees the Kalos Gym Leaders working together with Ash, Alain, and others to defeat Lysandre’s Giant Rock creature. Ash is more fearless here, putting himself at great risk to take down Lysandre. After having traveled with the Zygarde core called Squishy, Ash’s companion Bonnie is able to help him achieve his final form, Zygarde Complete, which destroys the rock and Lysandre with its powerful move, Core Enforcer.
The entire story arc is as epic as the Pokémon anime has had enough, and this conclusion is incredibly exciting. Seeing Zygarde in its full form using such a massive amount of power gives the often overlooked Legendary its due respect. This is also one of the few times where a villain is explicitly killed, as Zygarde causes Lysandre to fall in an explosion, sealing his fate. For these reasons, this is certainly the Pokémon the best episode of the anime with a Legendary Pokémon and one of the best of all time.