My 25 best Pokemon anime moments

April 1, 2022, marks the 25th anniversary of the Pokemon anime series as on this day, the very first episode of the Pokemon TV series aired on TV Tokyo. The episode where Satoshi (Ash) first met Pikachu and began their journey. For eight regions and over a thousand episodes later, their bonding is stronger than time itself. In honor of such an occasion, now is the time to jot down my top 25 best Pokemon anime moments.

HOLD IT! May contain the s-words so please binge-watch the entire series first!

Pokemon Journeys

25) Ash is so pumped up for the showdown against Celadon Gym Leader Erika. The problem is, he got kicked out because he felt disgusted over the pricey perfume, which turned out it was made from the gym itself. This is the episode where Ash turned himself into Ashley.

24) Iris's Emolga became part of Team Rocket? A certain episode from Adventures in Unova and Beyond saw our lovable Electric-and-Flying-Type Pokemon end up being with the bad guys. Turns out, this Emolga's pretending to be with them just so it can patch things up with Iris.

23) A Diamond and Pearl episode saw Ash, Brock, and Dawn end up in a middle of a mysterious place where all of their dreams come true. Turns out, this little dream they're in is a trap set up by a Ghost-type Pokemon named Mismagius. With Ash and Dawn trapped in their whims, Brock and his Croagunk are trying to snap them out of it. With the gang back from their senses, they team up to defeat Mismagius.

22) Ash's first and only Shiny Pokemon caught in the TV series is a Noctowl and a certain episode of The Johto Journeys saw the gang encounter a Noctowl with a different color. Having struggled to break through its hypnosis, Ash and the gang pulled all the stops to capture this elusive Noctowl.

21) Escaped from the sunken S.S. Anne but got wiped out by a Gyarados, Ash and his pals, including Team Rocket, got their Pokemon pals separated on a mysterious island...inhabited by giant Pokemon. Struggling to get together, the group settles their differences and works together to reunite with their respective human friends. It wasn't easy...but it's downright hilarious.

20) The episode where Ash said goodbye to his Butterfree is the saddest moment in Pokemon anime history as after saving a flock of Butterfree from the clutches of Team Rocket, Ash bid his Pokemon friend goodbye as his Butterfree is flying happily with the flock.

19) The secret origin of Meowth's uncovered in a Pokemon episode where we get to learn more about how Meowth talked. Following his heartbreak with a female Meowth named Meowsie, our least-lovable feline went through greater heights and began learning how to talk in a human language. This is the Meowth everybody loves to hate.

18) When Ash got sick, Clemont and Bonnie set off to find some medicine for Ash, and a Pikachu trainer is challenging Ash, what would Serena do? Pretend to be Ash! How hard can it be?!

17) The moment where Ash told his Charizard to go is by no means one of the most heartbreaking moments in Pokemon anime history.

16) The Pokemon Journeys episode where Goh's Magikarp enters the contest for the highest splash done by a Magikarp is by no means the most hilarious moment. Where does Goh's Magikarp head to after a spectacular Splash...no one knows? Oh wait, it ended up on the island of Slowpoke where Ash and Goh got their heads stuck by Slowking's Shellder. That splash is out of this world...literally.

15) Following her heartbreaking defeat at her Pokemon Contest debut, Serena vowed to her Pokemon friends to do better. This is where we get to see Serena's new look from the end of a certain XY episode.

14) The Cosplay Pikachu episode from Kalos Quest is proof we all love Pikachu, no matter the look. The episode saw Ash and friends fulfill a director's dream to create the perfect movie starring none other than Pikachu. This is where different versions of Cosplay Pikachu came in.

13) The beginning of the legend. Ash's encounter with Pikachu from the first Pokemon anime episode signaled the start of his dream. Normally, Ash would have picked one of the starters but because he arrived late, he got none until Pikachu came and an electric shock from Pikachu is a welcoming treat for Ash. The two struggle to get to know each other but after one mishap after another, well, this is the start of the legend. The story of Ash and Pikachu has begun.

12) The showdown between Ash and the rest of Kalos against Team Flare boss Lysandre reached its climax and the episode showcased Zygarde in its Complete Form. Unleashing its Core Enforcer attack, Lysandre's reign of terror is finally over and the Kalos region is saved.

11) The final episode of the Advanced saga saw the contest showdown between Ash's Sceptile and May's Blaziken end in a draw. After an explosive battle, Ash bids farewell to May and returns to Pallet Town. His little homecoming got interrupted when he was challenged by Gary. After Ash's Pikachu got knocked out by Gary's Electivire, it's a clear sign that Ash's prepared for his Sinnoh adventure.

10) Having lost to Vermillion Gym Leader Lt. Surge's Raichu, Ash has a choice. Will he evolve his Pikachu to a Raichu with the Thunder Stone and risk losing the Pikachu he loved? As a matter of fact, Ash's Pikachu wanted to stay like this and Ash agreed. Relying on Pikachu's strength, it appears the lesser one has trumped the greater one. Ash's Pikachu defeated Lt. Surge's Raichu.

9) The Pokemon School's having a stage play with Lillie the star of the play. The problem is, Team Rocket crashes the show, and with the change of plans, Ash and the gang are putting a hilarious twist on their stage play to save the day. Too many references involved.

8) Ultra Guardians vs. Necrozma. The ultra showdown determines the fate of the Alola Region. As the whole Alola unites to feed Necrozma, Ash and Gladion team up with Solgaleo and Lunala to finish it with the legends' Z-moves Searing Sunraze Smash and Menacing Moonraze Maelstrom. Peace has been restored in the Alola region but with every day saved comes a bittersweet farewell as Ash bids farewell to Poipole as it returns to its homeworld.

7) Sinnoh Pokemon League. Ash's Infernape vs. Paul's Electivire. One of the most memorable battles in Pokemon anime history. Just as we thought Ash's Infernape is defeated, all that taunting from Paul and Electivire caused Ash's Infernape to unleash its true power. With a final Flare Blitz gambit from Ash's Infernape, Paul's Electivire is down and Ash and Infernape won.

6) The showdown between Team Rocket's Mimikyu and Ash's Pikachu in the abandoned mart is the most intense Sun and Moon moment. When Team Rocket's Mimikyu unleashes the Z-move, Let's Snuggle Forever, we might think this could spell the end of Ash's Pikachu but thankfully, Ash's Pikachu learned Electroweb in the nick of time, giving Ash's Pikachu the opportunity to use 10,000,000-Volt Thunderbolt to defeat Mimikyu.

5) The showdown against Eternatus is by no means one of the coolest moments in Pokemon anime history. With Ash's Riolu evolving into Lucario during a battle against Chairman Rose and Goh's Raboot evolving into Cinderace, the two boys face off against the wrath of Eternatus. With help from the legendary Zacian and Zamazenta, Goh and Ash succeeded in capturing the biggest threat of all.

4) The end of the XY saga saw Ash bid farewell to Clemont, Bonnie, and Serena. The memorable moment before Ash's Kalos adventure ended is what Serena did to Ash. Whatever she did to Ash before saying goodbye to him...there are no words to describe it.

3) The showdown between Ash's Greninja and Alain's Mega Charizard X in the final round of the Kalos Pokemon League is what the fans called a close call. Both sides unleashed their finishing blows and in the end...victory goes to Alain.

2) The showdown between Ash and Gladion in the Alolan Pokemon League finals has reached its thrilling climax as both of their Lycanrocs unleashed everything in an all-or-nothing battle to decide who will be Alola's first champion. The fighting was fierce but thanks to Ash's Lycanroc's Counter, Ash miraculously defeated Gladion to become the champion of the Alola region.

and the best Pokemon moment is...

1) The penultimate episode of the Sun and Moon saga brings the explosive finale to the ultimate showdown between Ash and Professor Kukui. With the legendary Tapu Koko fighting on the professor's behalf, it became what is known to be the true final battle. With their Z-Rings regained power thanks to Tapu Koko, the two unleashed a Z-Move finale with the Professor unleashing Tapu Koko's Guardian of Alola and Ash's Pikachu using 10,000,000-volt Thunderbolt. After an explosive Z-move finish, Ash and Pikachu won!

Happy 25th anniversary to the Pokemon TV series! As Ash and Goh's Pokemon journeys near its climax, will Ash conquer the World Coronation Series and defeat Leon? Will Goh accomplish the toughest Project Mew mission in the hopes of catching Mew? Will Chloe become the best Pokemon contest coordinator with the help of her Eevee? Only time will tell but with new and returning faces coming full circle, the climax of their Pokemon journeys will be...legendary.