Twenty-five years later, eternal 10-year-old Ash Ketchum has finally become the best Pokémon trainer in the world.
A key moment for Ash took place in the latest episode of Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series, which premiered in Japan today.In it, Ash’s Pikachu defeats Charizard, which belongs to Leon. Game fans will remember him as the champion of the Galar region from Pokemon Sword and Shield.
Their fight was the final match of the Pokémon World Coronation Series Masters Eight Tournament, which pits champions from multiple regions against each other, including Cynthia, Iris, Stephen, and Lance. By defeating Leon, Ash effectively proves himself to be the strongest of all the Pokémon League his champions, and in the original 1997 episode 1 of his series he left Palette Town. I have completed the dream that I first tried to achieve when I was born.
This is a particular problem for Ash, who has historically struggled in tournaments like this. In fact, he wasn’t able to become the Pokémon League champion until 2019. His losing streak ended when he defeated Gladio at the Manalo Conference and became Alola’s champion.
Before that, however, Ashe lost the championship multiple times, all the way back to his first run in the Indigo League arc, where he remained in the top 16.
So what’s next for our hero? Well, with a new Pokémon game coming out next week, it’s definitely possible to see Ash finally head to the Pardea region and take on that league. Although he had expressed, considering how far behind he is now with the total number of Pokemon pushing 1000, this seems an unlikely feat for him to accomplish.
Congrats, Ash. You are an inspiration to all of us.
Rebekah Valentine is a news reporter for IGN. you can find her on her twitter @duck valentine.
