The Pokémon The anime starring Ash has been on the air for 25 years, and during that long run there have certainly been some pretty epic moments. From resounding victories to bold stands against evil, Ash has had his time to shine on a regular basis.
Since Pokémon is primarily an anime about battles, many of its most epic moments take the form of Pokémon battles, where everything from a league championship title to a fight to the death can be at stake. While things rarely get quite this serious, that doesn't mean these moments are any less epic. The best moments showcase the absurd power of Pokémon, whether they're Legendary Pokémon, Mega Evolved Pokémon, or just plain old Pikachu. Here are 10 of the most epic Pokémon moments that are sure to get you hyped.
10 Pikachu destroys a flock of Spearow
Pokémon Indigo League, Episode 1, “Pokémon – I Choose You!”
First-time Pokémon viewers don't have to wait long for their first big moment. After a rocky start with their first meeting, Ash and Pikachu find themselves on the wrong end of a flock of Spearow, short-tempered bird Pokémon that number in the hundreds. They try to run away, but Ash can't get away from the Spearow fast enough. Fearing for Pikachu's safety, Ash encourages Pikachu to hide in his ball while he fights back.
Ash boldly challenges the Spearow, and just as they are about to attack, Pikachu jumps up from behind Ash and unleashes his first real Thunder Shock.wiped out the entire Spearow swarm with a single blow, saving both him and Ash and cementing the first steps of the incredible relationship the two would later have.
9 Ash's First Big Victory Was a Fierce Battle
Pokémon: Adventure in the Orange Islands, Episode 112, “Dragonite Enters”
When Ash challenged the Orange League after his disappointing loss in the Indigo League, he struggled to get to the final test: a battle with the Supreme Gym Leader, Drake. In a 6v6 battle, Ash got off to a great start, taking out 5 of Drake's Pokémon while only losing 2 of his own. However, Drake's final Pokémon, a Dragonite, was absurdly powerful, knowing a variety of attacks that masked any potential weaknesses. One by one, Charizard, Squirtle, and Tauros were defeated, demonstrating the power of Dragonite.
Ash sends Pikachu out last, having taken some damage from his previous battle with Ditto. Pikachu manages to land on Dragonite's head and delivers a direct Thunder, exhausting Dragonite.. With both barely able to stand, Dragonite fell first, giving Ash his first major victory against the Orange League.
8 Ash reunites the “Gang of Four” for the final battle
Pokémon: Ruby and Sapphire, Episode 190, “Pace – The Final Frontier!”
As Ash prepares to challenge the Pyramid King, Brandon, he takes the time to gather his most loyal Pokémon for the first time in hundreds of episodes: Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Charizard, and Pikachu. Brandon sets it up as a 4-on-4 battle, and the battle begins. Unfortunately, Charizard is quickly taken out, but the others catch up, until all that's left is Pikachu against Brandon's Regice, a Legendary Pokémon.
Pikachu was frozen but was still able to break the ice with a powerful Thunderbolt attack, paralyzing Regice. Pikachu unleashes some powerful attacks, and thanks to his expert dodging skills, Pikachu manages to avoid Regice's most dangerous attack.Defeat your opponents and win for Ash.
7 A Battle of Mega Proportions
Pokémon XY, Episode 128, “An Exciting Competition!”
In the semi-finals of the Kalos League, Ash fought his rival Sawyer, with their Pokémon tied. The match was between Ash's Greninja and Sawyer's Sceptile, with Sawyer choosing to Mega Evolve his Sceptile, giving it a significant power boost. Already at a type disadvantage, Ash made Greninja unlock the mysterious Ash-Greninja transformation, bringing its power to parity with Mega Sceptile.
The battle was fierce, as the two Pokémon traded powerful attacks, and even Ash was able to land an extremely effective blow with Greninja's Aerial Ace. Ash orders Greninja to throw a giant water Shuriken, but Sawyer manages to block it.. However, it was too late, and although part of the attack was blocked, Sceptile was taken down, sending Ash to the finals of the Kalos League.
6 Kalos Gym Leaders Come to the Rescue
Pokémon XY, Episode 135, “A Great Defense in Kalos!”
When the Kalos League is sabotaged by Lysandre and Team Flare, who are on a doomsday mission to destroy the world, Ash and a few others must step in. However, Lysandre is a formidable opponent, and eventually unleashes a dangerous creature known as Giant Rock, which is linked to Mega Evolution, which continues to create a land of destruction across the region. Ash struggles to defeat such a giant creature, and it seems that all hope of stopping it may be lost.
That's when the Kalos League gym leaders (and champion Diantha) show up, finally allowing these powerful trainers to stand up against the evil in their region. Their appearance was an incredibly epic moment, and although they were only able to hold it off for a moment, it was long enough for everyone to regroup and come up with a final strategy, and it reassured Ash that he wasn't alone.
5 The First 10,000,000 Volt Lightning Shakes Lusamine
Pokémon Sun & Moon, Episode 54, “10,000,000 Reasons to Fight!”
After Lillie's mother Lusamine is pulled into Ultra Space by the Ultra Beast Nihilego, Ash and his friends go in after her to rescue her, but Lusamine has merged with the beast, clouding her mind. She sends out her Pokémon to stop them, gradually splitting the group until only Ash remains. Gladion and Lillie, 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 Pikashunium Z. Pikachu puts on Ash's lost hat and the two launch their most powerful attack yet.
Ash and Pikachu perform the Z-move, 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt, and a barrage of rainbow lightning strikes the merged Lusamine, knocking out Nihilego and allowing Lillie and Gladion to separate their mother and finally end this nightmare.
4 Ash defeats Island Guardian's ultimate
Pokémon Sun & Moon, Episode 144, “From Z to Shining Z!”
After winning the Alola League, Ash confronts Professor Kukui and defeats most of Kukui's Pokémon. But as Kukui tries to draw his last Poké Ball, Tapu Koko steps in, demanding to battle 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 once again transforms into Pikashunium Z, but this time permanently, and the two powerful moves prepare to collide.
Pikachu unleashes a 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt, finally starting to overpower even the Legendary Pokémon's ultimate move.. Ash and Pikachu are exhausted, but when the dust settles, Tapu Koko is defeated, marking Ash's victory over even the power of a god.
3 Ash proves Chimchar's worth to Paul
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, Episode 188, “Overcoming the Thaw in Relationships!”
At the beginning of Diamond and Pearl, Ash adopted a Chimchar that was rejected by his bitter rival, Paul. Ash raised Chimchar with great care, until it eventually evolved into its final form, Infernape. When Ash prepared to battle Paul in the Sinnoh League tournament, it ended up pitting Ash's Infernape against Paul's Electivire, making the match more emotional than a typical league match. Infernape had something to prove, and he did.
When it seemed that Infernape was defeated, Paul began taunting it, angering Infernape and giving it the strength to stand up. Infernape's Blaze ability kicks in, giving it unparalleled power for its final attack.clashed with Paul's Electivire with everything he had. Infernape's Flare Blitz won, and Paul was not only defeated but humiliated by the very Pokémon he had once abandoned.
2 Ash Finally Defeated Gary
Pokémon Gold and Silver, Episode 270, “Can't Take the Heat!”
Ash's initial rival, Gary, was also quite the jerk, constantly insulting Ash when they met and laughing at Ash's failures. Ash never seemed to be a match for Gary, but the two were eventually paired against each other at the Silver Conference. Ash went into this battle deciding not to use Pikachu, which was extremely rare. It was a tough six-on-six match, and in the end it all came down to Ash's Charizard versus Gary's Blastoise.
Despite being at a huge disadvantage in terms of type, Ash is able to come up with a clever strategy, heating the ground so that Blastoise's water evaporates, creating a cloud of steam that Blastoise cannot see through. Charizard grabs Blastoise and unleashes an epic Seismic Toss, slamming into the ground and knocking out Gary's Blastoise.leaving Ash's opponent speechless once again.
1 Ash's World Championship Match Was the Most Epic Moment Ever
Pokémon Journeys, Episode 132, “Companions in Time!”
Ash's final match in the Masters' Eight tournament against the undefeated champion Leon was filled with epic moments, but the final match between Charizard and Pikachu was the best. Each had their final Pokémon, and with all their special abilities used, it looked like Pikachu might not have enough stamina to win. Pikachu collapsed for a moment, and saw a vision of all of Ash's other Pokémon cheering him on. Pikachu summoned the strength to stand up and unleashed a massive wave of electric energy, ready for one final attack to decide it all.
Leon accepts the challenge and commands Charizard to charge forward, and the two Pokémon clash in a true head-to-head battle, each Pokémon at full power.. The animation in this moment is amazing, and everything in the entire series has been building up to this moment. Pikachu's victory is confirmed later at the Pokémon Center, finally taking down Leon's unbeatable Charizard and clinching the title of World Champion for Ash. Since Ash's crowning achievement was achieved in such an epic way, there's no doubt that this is The most anticipated Pokémon moment of all time.