Mega Evolution is a major concept in PokemonShowcasing the bond between a trainer and their Pokemon by transforming into a more powerful state. Requiring that the trainer hold a keystone and the Pokémon hold a Mega Stone tailored to their species, Mega Evolution can only occur when there is great trust between trainer and Pokémon; Otherwise bad things can happen, such as the Pokemon going berserk.
Mega Evolution in the anime mostly features in Pokemon XY And Pokemon JourneysAnd is largely used only by the most skilled of trainers. It makes for a fantastic spectacle in tournaments and exhibition matches, as the Pokemon not only see a massive increase in power, but also transform temporarily into new forms. Most of the trainers in the Masters’ eight tournament of Pokemon Journeys They were proficient users of Mega Evolution, which shows how highly preferred the transformation can be. Here are 10 of the most skilled Mega Evolution users seen throughout the anime (besides Ash himself).
10
Corrina comes from a long line of Mega Evolution practitioners
First appearance: Pokemon XY“Mega Revelations!”
Corrina is a gym leader in the Kalos region whose family has closely guarded the secrets of Mega Evolution for centuries, as her ancestors were the first people to make Lucario Mega Evolve. Corrina continues in this tradition with her own Lucario, although when Ash first meets her, she has yet to Mega Evolve. Korrina struggles with Mega Evolution initially, as her Lucario goes berserk and lays a brutal beatdown on Ash’s Pikachu, far beyond the bounds of a normal battle.
However, Korrina and Lucario were able to work together to master this power, and at the time of Pokemon Journeys, Corrina is an experienced user of Mega Evolution who helps Ash and his Lucario to reach the state. Even though Corrina didn’t make it too far in the World Coronation Series, she’s still one of the most knowledgeable people about Mega Evolution.
9
Drasna’s elite skills took Altaria to the next level
First appearance: Pokemon Journeys“The future is now, thanks to strategy!”
Drasna is a member of the Kalos Elite Four, a master of Dragon-type Pokémon, and a practitioner of Mega Evolution. She managed to reach rank 12 in the World Coronation Series, which was one of the strongest trainers in the world. In her match with Ash, Drasna showed off her skills with Mega Evolution by Mega Evolving her Altaria as her second Pokemon. Ready to end Ash’s victory streak, Drasna pulled out all the stops with Altaria, tricking him with Altaria’s Type Change when it Mega Evolves.
Ash barely defeated Mega Altaria with Sirfetch’d, who disappeared soon after. While Ash eventually won the match, Drasna’s Mega Evolution nearly cost him the win, and would have sent Ash’s rank tumbling back down.
8
Blaziken Mask used Mega Evolution for good
First appearance: Pokemon XY“Lumiose City Chase!”
Blaziken Mask was the secret superhero identity of Meyer, Bonnie and Clemont’s father. His Mega Bubble was the first Mega Evolution to appear in the series, with Mega Bubble swooping in to save Ash after he jumped from Lumiose City’s Prism Tower in an attempt to save Pikachu from falling. He often used the power of Mega Evolution to perform heroic acts like this, joining Team Rocket and helping to defeat Team Flare when they launched their own evil plan.
Blaziken Mask was extremely skilled at commanding Mega Blaziken, and clearly trusted his trainer implicitly, willing to dive into dangerous situations at his command to save the innocent. While they rarely participated in direct Pokemon battles, Mega Blaziken clearly possessed a lot of power, and its speed was almost unmatched.
First appearance: Mega Evolution Special I
Of course, Mega Evolution isn’t used exclusively by the good guys; Lysandre, the secret leader of Team Fleur, researches Mega Evolution heavily, using Alain to learn more about the phenomenon and trace its origins. Lysandre is able to use Mega Evolution herself, Mega Evolving its Shiny Gyarados to battle against Ash and Alan, allowing it to take on as many as seven Pokemon at once. Despite being evil, Lysandre’s bond with Gyarados is quite strong.
Lysandre was eventually defeated by sheer numbers, as help was coming for Ash, causing Mega Gyarados to return to his usual form. Still, it’s clear that Lysandre’s skill with using Mega Evolved Pokemon was nearly unmatched at the time, and if there weren’t so many people standing against him, he might have succeeded.
6
Gurkinn possesses the ancient secrets of Mega Evolution
First appearance: Pokemon XY“Mega Revelations!”
Gurkin is Corrina’s grandfather, and is known as the “Mega Evolution Guru,” keeping the secrets of their family that Corrina will one day inherit. Like Corrina, he is a descendant of the first humans to use Mega Evolution. Gurkinn is one of the few trainers shown to be able to command multiple Mega Evolved PokemonHaving used both a Mega Lucario and a Mega Alakazam at different points in the series. As a guardian of the secrets of Mega Evolution, he saw it as his responsibility to test Ash’s skill and ensure that he was worthy of the power of Mega Evolution.
Gurkinn doesn’t seem to participate in Pokemon battles recreationally, but rather uses them as tests for Korrina and Ash, and presumably anyone else who might come seeking the power of Mega Evolution. As is the tradition in his family, his bond with his Lucario is exceptionally strong, and when Korrina’s Lucario is out of control, his Lucario steps in and puts a stop to his rampage.
5
Professor Sycamore researches Mega Evolution intensively
First appearance: Pokemon XY“Lumiose City Chase!”
Professor Sycamore is the local professor of the Kalos region, and a specialist in Mega Evolution. Unlike many Pokemon professors, Professor Sycamore occasionally battles, as this is one way to enhance his bond with his Garchomp, helping them get closer to unlocking the secrets of Mega Evolution. With Blaziken Mask’s guidance, Professor Sycamore was able to Mega Evolve his Garchomp for the first time, unlocking his immense power.
When Team Flare enacts their devious plan, Professor Sycamore and Mega Garchomp help Ash and friends out, fight against a Droddigon, and later with the Gym Leaders and Ash against Team Flare’s secret weapon, the Giant Rock.
4
Alain found dozens of Mega Evolved Pokemon
First appearance: Mega Evolution Special I
Alain was the protagonist of the Mega Evolution Special, which also entered the main series anime and became a rival for Ash. Alain’s goal was initially to fight against every kind of Mega Evolved Pokemon with his Mega Charizard XUse a Key Stone and Mega Stone provided to him by Lysandre for research purposes. Alain fought and defeated Ash at the Lumiose Conference, crowning him the victor of the Kalos League, just before Team Flair launched their attack. Alain eventually turned against Lysandre and worked with Ash, using his Mega Charizard’s power to stop their evil plans.
In Pokémon Journeys, Alain is shown to have reached the Masters’ Eight, thus becoming one of the strongest trainers in the world. Still, he was no match for the undefeated Leon, and lost in the first round. Alain’s return reveals that he has become an independent researcher of Mega Stones, putting his experience to work for science.
3
Stephen Stone performed the mega phenomenon
First appearance: Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire“A Hole Lotta Trouble”
Stephen Stone is the champion of the Hoenn region, and has been for some time. He is an experienced practitioner of Mega Evolution, most commonly with his Shiny Metagross. During the team flare crisis in Pokemon XYSteven used his Mega Metagross to fight against Lysandre’s Giant Rock. Steven also worked with Alain at various points, helping to uncover the mysteries of Mega Evolution, and continued performing his research even after Lysandre and Team Flare were defeated.
In the World Coronation Series, he was 3rd, securing him a place in the Masters’ eighth tournament. He was against Ash in the first round, and ultimately lost.
2
Cynthia’s Mega Skills nearly ruined Ash’s tournament dreams
First appearance: Pokemon Diamond and Pearl“Top-Down Training!”
Cynthia is the champion of the Sinnoh region, and achieved rank 2 in the World Coronation Series, making her the second-strongest trainer in the world after Leon. Cynthia’s main partner is Garchomp, and she uses her ability to Mega Evolve exclusively with this Garchomp. In her first round battle in the Masters’ eight tournament against Iris, Cynthia Mega Evolved her Garchomp, which allowed her to easily defeat Iris’ Haxorus. This sent her to the next round with Ash, where she ended up losing another tough battle.
Cynthia is well versed in other forms of power up Pokemon, such as Dynamax (which she used against Ash), but is primarily known to prefer Mega Evolution. Perhaps she could have defeated Ash if she opted to use Mega Evolution instead?
1
Diantha’s skill with Mega Evolution is second to none
First appearance: Pokemon XY“The Bonds of Evolution!”
Diantha is the champion of the Kalos region, and is probably the most skilled user of Mega Evolution in the series. While she was ranked 5th in the World Coronation Series, placing her below Steven and Cynthia, Dianthia has much more experience with Mega Evolution than either of them, as Kalos is the original home of Mega Evolution. Back during Pokemon XYStruggling against Team Fleur, Diantha led the Kalos Gym Leaders into battle, assisting Ash and Alan against Lysandre’s forces.
Diantha and her partner, Gardevoir, are said to be so in sync during Mega Evolution that they can communicate without issuing verbal commands; You only need to exchange a glance for Gardevoir to know what to do. This kind of bond and trust between trainer and Pokemon exemplifies what Mega Evolution is all about, ensuring that Diantha stands out as the most skilled Mega Evolution user in the Pokemon Anime.