Mega Evolution is a key concept in Pokémonrepresents the bond between a trainer and their Pokémon by transforming into a more powerful form. Requiring the trainer to hold a Key Stone and the Pokémon to hold a Mega Stone specifically designed for its species, Mega Evolution can only occur when there is great trust between the trainer and the Pokémon; otherwise, bad things can happen, such as the Pokémon going berserk.
Mega Evolution in the anime primarily appears in Pokémon XY and Pokémon Journeys, and is mostly used by only the most skilled trainers. It makes for a great spectacle in tournaments and exhibition battles, as Pokémon not only see a significant increase in power, but also temporarily transform into new forms. Most of the trainers in Pokémon Journeys' Masters' Eight tournament are proficient users of Mega Evolution, showing how popular this transformation is. Here are the 10 most skilled Mega Evolution users seen throughout the anime (besides Ash himself).
10 Korrina comes from a long lineage of Mega Evolution practitioners
First appearance: Pokémon XY, “Mega Revelations!”
Korrina is a Gym Leader in the Kalos region, whose family has kept Mega Evolution a secret for centuries, as her ancestors were the first to be able to Mega Evolve Lucario. Korrina continues this tradition with her own Lucario, although when Ash first meets her, she has not yet Mega Evolved. Korrina struggles with Mega Evolution at first, as her Lucario goes berserk and brutally defeats Ash's Pikachu, far beyond the boundaries of a normal battle.
However, Korrina and Lucario were able to work together to master this power, and by the time of Pokémon Journeys, Korrina is an experienced Mega Evolution user who helps Ash and Lucario achieve their Mega Evolution status.. Although Korrina did not advance far in the World Coronation Series, she is still one of the most knowledgeable people about Mega Evolution.
9 Drasna's Elite Skills That Take Altaria to the Next Level
First appearance: Pokémon 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 has reached the highest level of Level 12 in the World Coronation Series, marking her as one of the strongest Trainers in the world. During her battle with Ash, Drasna demonstrated her skill with Mega Evolution by Mega Evolving her Altaria as her second Pokémon. Drasna was determined to end Ash's winning streak and went all out with Altaria, tricking him by changing Altaria's type when it Mega Evolved..
Ash had a hard time defeating Mega Altaria with Sirfetch'd, who fainted shortly after. Although Ash eventually won the match, Drasna's Mega Evolution almost cost him the victory, and would cause Ash's ranking to drop.
8 Blaziken Mask Uses Mega Evolution for Good
First appearance: Pokémon XY, “Lumiose City Pursuit!”
Blaziken Mask is the secret superhero identity of Bonnie and Clemont's father, Meyer. His Mega Blaziken was the first Mega Evolution to appear in the series, with Mega Blaziken swooping in to save Ash after he jumped off Lumiose City's Prism Tower in an attempt to save Pikachu from falling. He has used the power of his Mega Evolution to perform heroic acts like this frequently, occasionally fighting Team Rocket and helping defeat Team Flare when they unleash their own evil plans.
Blaziken Mask is extremely proficient at commanding Mega Blaziken, and it clearly trusts its trainer completely, willing to rush into dangerous situations at his command to save innocent people. Although it rarely participates in direct Pokémon battles, Mega Blaziken clearly possesses great strength and its speed is nearly unmatched.
First appearance: Mega Evolution Special I
Of course, Mega Evolution isn't just used by the good guys; Lysandre, the secret leader of Team Flare, has researched Mega Evolution extensively, using Alain to learn more about the phenomenon and track down its origins. Lysandre is capable of using Mega Evolution for himself, Mega Evolves its Shiny Gyarados to battle Ash and Alain, allowing it to battle up to seven Pokémon at once. Despite their cruelty, the relationship between Lysandre and Gyarados is quite strong.
Lysandre was eventually defeated by overwhelming numbers, with Ash's continued help returning Mega Gyarados to its normal form. However, it was clear that Lysandre's skill with Mega Evolved Pokémon was almost unparalleled at the time, and if not for so many people opposing him, he might have succeeded.
6 Gurkinn possesses the ancient secrets of Mega Evolution
First appearance: Pokémon XY, “Mega Revelations!”
Gurkinn is Korrina's grandfather, and is known as the “Mega Evolution Guru”, holding the family secrets that Korrina will one day inherit. Like Korrina, he is a descendant of the first humans to use Mega Evolution. Gurkinn is one of the few trainers shown to be capable of commanding multiple Mega Evolved Pokémon.has used both Mega Lucario and Mega Alakazam at various points in the series. As the secret guardian of Mega Evolution, he sees it as his responsibility to test Ash's skills and ensure that he is worthy of the power of Mega Evolution.
Gurkinn doesn't seem to engage in Pokémon battles for fun, but rather uses them as tests for Korrina and Ash, and perhaps anyone else who might come along, in search of the power of Mega Evolution. As is tradition in his family, his bond with his Lucario is extremely strong, and when Korrina's Lucario goes out of control, his Lucario steps in and stops its rampage.
5 Professor Sycamore's Deep Research on Mega Evolution
First appearance: Pokémon XY, “Lumiose City Pursuit!”
Professor Sycamore is the local professor of the Kalos region and an expert on Mega Evolution. Unlike many other Pokémon Professors, Professor Sycamore occasionally battles, as it is a way to strengthen his bond with Garchomp, bringing them closer to unlocking the mysteries of Mega Evolution. With the guidance of Blaziken Mask, Professor Sycamore was able to Mega Evolve his Garchomp for the first time, unlocking its immense power..
As Team Flare carries out their devious plan, Professor Sycamore and Mega Garchomp help Ash and friends fight against Druddigon, and later side with the Gym Leaders and Ash against Team Flare's secret weapon, Giant Rock.
4 Alain has encountered dozens of Mega Evolved Pokemon
First appearance: Mega Evolution Special I
Alain is the main character in the special version of Mega Evolution, who also appears in the main anime series and becomes Ash's rival. Alain's original goal was to battle every type of Mega Evolved Pokemon with his Mega Charizard X.using the Key Stone and Mega Stone provided to him by Lysandre for research purposes. Alain fought and defeated Ash during the Lumiose Conference, crowning him the winner of the Kalos League, just before Team Flare launched their attack. Alain eventually turned against Lysandre and teamed up with Ash, using the power of Mega Charizard to stop their evil plans.
In Pokémon Journeys, Alain is said to have reached Masters' Eight, and thus become one of the strongest Trainers in the world. However, he was no match for the undefeated Leon, and lost in the first round. Alain's return shows that he has become an independent researcher of Mega Stones, putting his experience into scientific work.
3 Steven Stone has studied the Mega phenomenon thoroughly.
First Appearance: Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, “A Hole Lotta Trouble”
Steven Stone is the Champion of the Hoenn region and has been for quite some time. He is an experienced practitioner of Mega Evolution, most commonly using Shiny Metagross. During the Team Flare crisis in Pokémon XY, Steven used his Mega Metagross to fight Lysandre's Giant Rock.Steven also worked with Alain at various points, helping uncover the mysteries of Mega Evolution, and continued to do his research even after Lysandre and Team Flare were defeated.
In the World Coronation Series, he placed 3rd, securing him a spot in the Masters' Eight tournament. He played Ash in the first round and eventually lost.
2 Cynthia's Superhuman Skills Almost Ruined Ash's Dream of Entering the Tournament
First appearance: Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, “Top-Down Training!”
Cynthia is the Champion of the Sinnoh region, and ranked 2nd 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 the Mega Evolve ability exclusive to this Garchomp. During her first round battle in the Masters' Eight tournament with Iris, Cynthia Mega Evolved her Garchomp, allowing her to easily defeat Iris' HaxorusThis put her in the next round against Ash, where she eventually lost after a tough battle.
Cynthia is proficient in other forms of Pokémon power-ups, such as Dynamax (which she used against Ash), but is mostly known for her preference for Mega Evolution. Perhaps she could have beaten Ash if she had chosen to use Mega Evolution instead?
1 Diantha's Mega Evolution skill is unparalleled
First appearance: Pokémon XY, “The Bonds of Evolution!”
Diantha is the Champion of the Kalos region, and quite possibly the most proficient user of Mega Evolution in the series. Although she was ranked 5th in the World Coronation Series, behind Steven and Cynthia, Dianthia has more experience with Mega Evolution than either of them, as Kalos is the original home of Mega Evolution. Back in Pokémon XY's war with Team Flare, Diantha led the Kalos Gym Leaders into battle, assisting Ash and Alain against Lysandre's forces.
Diantha and her partner, Gardevoir, were said to be so synchronized during Mega Evolution that they could communicate without verbal commands.; with just one glance, Gardevoir knows what to do. This bond and trust between trainer and Pokémon exemplifies what Mega Evolution is all about, ensuring that Diantha stands out as the most skilled Mega Evolution user. in Pokémon cartoon.