There are few anime that have run as long as thePokémonanime has. With over 25 seasons and 1,200+ episodes, the originalPokémonanime starring Ash has had some incredible episodes throughout its run. But which ones are the best of the best?
Pokémonhas its fair share of stand-alone episodes, as well as episodes that represent the culmination of a story arc, and both varieties can be truly excellent. The best episodes feature exciting battles, touching character stories, and thrilling Pokémon encounters. Here are some of the best episodes from across the series' 25-year history.
20Splash, Dash, and Smash for the Crown! Slowking’s Crowning!
Pokémon Journeys, Episode #26
A rare episode ofPokémonthat’s split into two segments, this episode is perhaps the funniest in the entire series. The first segment focuses on a Magikarp splashing contest, which sees Goh’s giant Magikarp jump so high it effectively launches itself into orbit.
The second segment focuses on Ash and Goh as they reach an island of Slowking, and one of the Slowking’s Shellder crowns bites onto Ash’s head, giving him a strange British accent and causing bizarre behavior. Then Goh is afflicted by the Shellder, and the episode ends with an unexpected way to tie the two plots together.
This episode is just plain fun to watch for its sheer absurdity. There’s no predicting what will happen next, and it answers one of those weird questions thatPokémonfans have wondered about for years:what happens when a Shellder bites a human?
19Getting More Than You Battled For!
Pokémon Journeys, Episode #46
Ash and Goh set out for a mysterious island where a powerful energy signature is detected. Hoping that it’s Mew, they set out to reach the island’s inner sections and discover the source. However, it’s not Mew at all, but rather Mewtwo, who has taken to protecting the Pokémon on this island, many of which were abused by humans.
This episode reunites Ash with the Mewtwo he once met duringthe first movie,Mewtwo Strikes Back. While Ash doesn’t remember their encounter, Mewtwo still does, and is willing to humor Ash and Goh with a battle. For anyone with any memories of the first movie, it’s a delight to see Mewtwo again.
Journeysas a whole often brings back old plot points, and there are few occasions as exciting as the return of Mewtwo.
18The Crystal Onix
Pokémon the Original Series, Episode #87
The Orange Islands arc is one of the most inventive in thePokémonanime, as the creators of the anime were allowed to come up with original material that never appeared in the games, including rare forms of Pokémon. This is one such episode where a unique variant of Onix appears.
Ash and his friends meet a glassblower who’s been afflicted by artist’s block. He hopes that by capturing the Crystal Onix, he’ll regain his motivation, so they agree to help him search for it. They eventually track down the rare Pokémon, but the glassblower has a realization: just seeing Crystal Onix is enough, and he doesn’t need to catch it.
TheCrystal Onix episode is surprisingly deepin its approach to artist’s block, and is something that any creative person will be able to relate to.
17Time Warp Heals All Wounds
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, Episode #157
While traveling through Hoenn, Ash, May, Max, and Brock stop in a town, as May’s Pokémon egg seems close to hatching. There, May’s Squirtle runs off, leading her to chase it down to an abandoned train platform where an old woman is waiting. Her granddaughter explains that the old woman lost her husband some years ago, and waits there sometimes.
Meowth of Team Rocket was eavesdropping at the time, and both he and May are affected by the old woman’s story. May runs into Meowth, and they find a pendant on the ground belonging to the old woman, which suddenly sends them back in time. There, they change history, saving the old woman’s husband and then returning to the present.
The episode is one of the more fantastical ones, as no Pokémon are involved in their time travel; it just happens. It’s agood character episode for May and Meowth, a pair one rarely expects to see together.
16The Symbol Life
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, Episode #136
As Ash challenges the Kanto Battle Frontier, he comes face-to-face with Noland, a powerful trainer and one of the Frontier Brains he must defeat. In anticipation of this battle, Ash called for his Charizard to be returned to him, and worked hard to get back in sync. What Ash didn’t expect to see was Nolandusing a Legendary Pokémon.
The bulk of the battle focuses on Ash’s Charizard versus Noland’s Articuno. While Charizard has the type advantage, Articuno knows a Water-type move, allowing it to turn the tables. Charizard battles mightily, persevering through being frozen, and delivers a powerful Seismic Toss to end the battle in Ash’s favor.
This is notable as the first time a non-Legendary Pokémon defeats a Legendary in battle, and the fight is very exciting, especially for fans of Charizard.
15Electric Shock Showdown
Pokémon the Original Series, Episode #14
Ash goes to the Vermilion City Gym to get his third gym badge, but soon finds out that he’s in over his head, as Lt. Surge’s Raichu delivers intense attack after intense attack, eventually leaving Pikachu so beaten he has to be hospitalized. Ash begins to wonder if evolving his Pikachu into Raichu might be the right thing to do.
However, even in his weakened state, Pikachu rejects the offer of a Thunder Stone, stating (as translated by Meowth) that he wants to win as a Pikachu, using his own power. Ash respects this decision and comes up with a strategy to use Pikachu’s speed advantage over Raichu to win, which works flawlessly.
This is one of the most classic episodes of the series, and an essential one toPikachu’s character, explaining why he doesn’t want to evolve, something that will remain true for the rest of the series.
14Strategy with a Smile!
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, Episode #79
Ash’s former companion, May, returns to take part in the Wallace Cup, a Pokémon contest in which Dawn, Ash’s current companion, will also be competing. Dawn has been on a losing streak, and her confidence is low, but she sticks it out through the competition, performing surprisingly well, until it eventually comes down to Dawn vs. May in the finals.
The competition is well-matched, and things go back and forth until finally Dawn emerges triumphant, her confidence in her abilities restored. The group parts ways withMay in what turns out to be her last true appearancein the series.
While contest episodes are often unpopular with fans, this one gets major points for May’s return, and doubles as an important character episode for Dawn as well. If one is planning to watch a contest episode, make it this one.
13Snow Way Out!
Pokémon the Original Series, Special Episode
An unnumbered special episode, “Snow Way Out!” sees Ash lose track of Pikachu in a snowstorm and foolishly sets out to find him. While Ash finds Pikachu eventually, he can’t find his way back to Brock and Misty, and is forced to build a snow cavern. Ash does his best to keep Pikachu warm while waiting out the storm.
Ash begins to worry about his other Pokémon, and tries to warm their Poké balls. Instead, they call themselves out, with Charmander’s tail providing some light and heat. But Charmander can only keep it up for so long, and soon Ash and his Pokémon are left huddled together for warmth. The storm finally subsides, allowing Ash and his friends to be reunited.
‘Snow Way Out’ is overall a touching episode, showing how much Ash really does care for his Pokémon—and how much they care for him in return.
12Sword and Shield… The Legends Awaken!
Pokémon Journeys, Episode #45
This episode is the culmination of a 4-part story arc covering the “Darkest Day” storyline fromPokémonSwordandShield.Ash, battling Chairman Rose, manages a comeback when his Riolu evolves into Lucario, allowing him to defeat the misguided leader. Goh, meanwhile, takes down his secretary Oleana, with Raboot evolving into Cinderace.
From there, Ash and Goh run to back up Leon, who has been defeated by Eternatus. The two battle bravely and are soon joined by Zacian and Zamazenta, two other Legendary Pokémon, who help to defeat Eternatus, allowing Goh to throw a Poké Ball and catch it, to everyone’s surprise. Goh turns the ball over to Leon for safekeeping.
An exciting episode packed with Legendaries, evolutions, and a surprise capture, this is oneJourneysepisode that’s not to be missed.
11Charizard’s Burning Ambitions
Pokémon the Original Series, Episode #134
As Ash, Misty, and Brock travel the Johto region, they discover an area known as the Charicific Valley, where many wild Charizard live.Ash’s Charizardimmediately falls for a female Charizard named Charla, which belongs to a woman who looks after the valley by the name of Liza. Liza recognizes that Ash has had trouble with training Charizard.
Ash’s Charizard goes on to cause trouble and gets kicked out of the valley, causing Team Rocket to feel sorry for it. They set up a scheme designed to fail, so that Charizard might prove itself to the other Charizard. Now accepted by the group, Ash realizes that it might be better for Charizard to stay there and train under Liza.
It’s a tearful goodbye to one of Ash’s most iconic Pokémon, but it won’t be the last time fans see Charizard.
