A fairly popular opinion among fans of thePokémonanime is that Ash was at his very best during theDiamond and Pearlera of the anime. Ash had a solid team, an amazing rival who pushed him to his limits, quality companions to keep him company, and the knowledge and experience to take himself to the top.
Pokémon Diamond and Pearloriginally ran from April 2007 to February 2011 in the US, and was the third series, following the original series (which covers Kanto and Johto) andRuby and Sapphire(Hoenn).It saw Ash continuing his travels with Brock,while meeting up with a new female companion just starting out her journey in Dawn. The series is remembered for having some of the best long-running storylines of the entire anime, such as Ash’s relationship with Chimchar and his rivalry with Chimchar’s former owner, Paul. These 10 episodes are among the best inDiamond and Pearl’s run, proving why it’s such a fan favorite series.
10Malice In Wonderland!
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl,episode #43
While traveling, Ash and friends are caught in the rain, and flee to a nearby Pokémon Center, where a Nurse Joy has been dying to meet Brock. Soon, she’s joined by an equally infatuated Officer Jenny, and Ash and Dawn find themselves lured by visions ofCynthia, champion of the Sinnoh region, and Dawn’s mother Johanna, a top-tier coordinator. Even Team Rocket find exactly what they’re looking for in the form of a free all-you-can-eat buffet.
Brock is the first to be awakened by Croagunk’s Poison Jab, revealing that they’re trapped in an illusion created by a Mismagius. Brock is enchanted once again, but remains aware the illusions aren’t real, and conveys that to his companions, whose dreams suddenly crumble.The episode provides some valuable insight into what our heroes truly desire, and is generally just a fun dream-sequence episode.
9Mutiny in the Bounty!
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl,episode #20
This episode introduces one of the most dangerous and serious villains thePokémonanime has ever seen:Pokémon Hunter J. Ash and friends encounter this thief as she’s stealing a Gardevoir from an innocent trainer, and when Ash and Pikachu step in, they find themselves outmatched. Pikachu is stolen, and when Team Rocket steps in, Meowth is stolen as well. Forced to work together, Ash and Team Rocket work with Officer Jenny to catch up to Hunter J and confront her once more.
The episode is just the first appearance of J, who would go on to become a recurring villain for much of the rest of the series.Hunter J was a far more serious threat than Team Rocket, equipped with a gun which could turn Pokémon into statues, making them trivial to steal.
8Noodles! Roamin' Off!
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl,episode #117
In this Team Rocket-focused episode, Jessie, James, and Meowth meet a man named Christopher, who happens to have been a former Team Rocket trainee who joined about the same time they did. Christopher developed an interest in making noodles after a trip to a noodle bar with Jessie and James, and credits them withhelping him to leave Team Rocket. He offers Meowth a job, which the other two scoff at. After failing to capture Pikachu again, Meowth leaves the team to join Christopher, while Jessie leaves to become a top Coordinator.
Can Team Rocket come together again?
While it’s far from the only episode where Team Rocket seemingly breaks up,this makes for an excellent character episode for Jessie, James, and especially Meowth,as the trio realize how much they actually mean to one another.
7A Grand Fight for Winning!
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl,episode #177
This episode sees Dawn challenging the Sinnoh Grand Festival after completing her goal of obtaining five contest ribbons, needed to enter the festival.Dawn has made it to the final round of the competition, and finds herself up against her long-time rival, Zoey.Dawn uses Piplup and her recently acquired Togekiss against Zoey’s Glameow and Gallade, but the contest starts to go sideways as Togekiss’s inexperience causes panic. Dawn battles on valiantly, but will it be enough to win?
As the culmination ofDawn’s journey through Pokémon Contests, this is a very important episode for Dawn’s character.Because Zoey has been Dawn’s rival for many episodes, there’s a lot at stake in the contest battle, with more than just the title of Top Coordinator on the line. Dawn’s relationship with her mother in this episode is quite sweet as well, providing the kind of support she needs.
6Smells Like Team Spirit!
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl,episode #52
This episode sees Ash forced to work together with his rival, Paul, who has just abandoned his Chimchar for underperforming. Ash agrees to take Chimchar as his Pokémon, but he’s still forced to team up with Paul for the rest of the tag-battle tournament. Brock and Dawn are competing as well, also teamed up with other trainers, meaning Ash will have to face his friends before claiming victory. With such different priorities and training styles, is it even possible for Ash and Paul to win the tournament together?
Working together doesn’t help Ash and Paul to see things from one another’s perspectives, but instead deepens their rivalry, making their next challenge one to remember.
This is a major episode forDiamond and Pearl, as it sees Ash obtain his Chimchar from Paul, and demonstratesthe cruelty of Paul’s training technique.Working together doesn’t help Ash and Paul to see things from one another’s perspectives, but instead deepens their rivalry, making their next challenge one to remember.
5Memories are Made of Bliss!
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl,episode #191
The final episode ofDiamond and Pearlsays goodbye to both Dawn and Brock, with the latter finally parting ways from Ash after over 600 episodes together. The episode’s plot itself isn’t anything particularly novel; as the friends relax at Dawn’s house before parting ways, they have their Pokémon stolen from them by Team Rocket, and soon send the trio blasting off like always. Ash, Dawn, and Brock make promises for the future, with Brock revealing hisnew plan to become a Pokémon Doctor.
The episode is noteworthy not just for being Brock’s last appearance as a companion until thePokémon: Aim to Be a Pokémon Masterminiseries, but also for drawing an end to the story so far.Pokémon Black and Whitewould be something of a soft reboot, with all new characters except for Ash and Pikachu, and Ash’s character is somewhat reset. It’s the end of an era, for sure.
4Strategy with a Smile!
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl,episode #79
This episode is the culmination of the Wallace Cup story arc, which sawRuby and Sapphire’s May return to challenge Dawn for the title in the final round. Dawn has been on a painful losing streak, but her performance in the Wallace Cup has brought her to the final round. Up against May, Dawn has her work cut out for her, and the two friends of Ash put on a dazzling display as they battled it out for the Aqua Ribbon.
Given that May and Dawn both specialize in Pokémon Contests, it felt almost inevitable that the two characters would come into conflict sooner or later.It’s great to see May again, and both trainers give the competition their all, creating a fantastic show.The entire Wallace Cup arc, which lasts 5 episodes, is considered among the best runs of episodes inDiamond and Pearl, and is well worth a watch.
3The Battle Finale of Legend!
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl,episode #152
The climax of the long-running Team Galactic story arc, this episode sees Dialga and Palkia captured by the Red Chain, and forced to do Cyrus’s bidding. Ash and friends start out kidnapped by Team Galactic, but soon Cynthia, Looker, and Team Rocket come to disrupt Team Galactic’s plans, giving them a chance to escape. They’re able to break Azelf, Uxie, and Mesprit free of Team Galactic’s control, but will they be able to save Dialga and Palkia in time tostop Team Galactic’s evil plan?
This is the third episode of a three-part arc revolving around Team Galactic’s ultimate plan, and sees the Team Galactic conflict come to a head.As this adapts key plot points from theDiamondandPearlgames, it’s an exciting episode to watch, particularly for those who’ve played the games.
2Evolving Strategies!
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl,episode #132
This episode sees Ash and Paul’s rivalry heat up in one of the few full battles in the series that isn’t part of a tournament. On the shores of Lake Acuity, Ash and Paul battle it out, both intending to prove their own means of training to be superior. The battle goes back and forth, with Ash’s Chimchar evolving into Monferno as the fight continues, but it’s not enough, and Ash suffersone of his worst losses in the entire history of thePokémonanime.
Ash’s loss here gives his quest to defeat Paul much more meaning than it had previously, as it’s no longer just a casual rivalry, but a condemnation of Ash’s skills as a trainer.
It’s a major character moment for Ash, and it takes him some time to recover his confidence after this devastating loss, especially to someone like Paul. Ash’s loss here gives his quest to defeat Paul much more meaning than it had previously, as it’s no longer just a casual rivalry, but a condemnation of Ash’s skills as a trainer.
1Battling a Thaw in Relations!
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl,episode #188
The third part of Ash and Paul’s three-partbattle in the Sinnoh League championship, this episode is the ultimate challenge for Ash, and by far his most important battle in the entireDiamond and Pearlseries.Ash initially has the upper hand, but it all comes down to Ash’s Infernape versus Paul’s Electivire. Having once been Paul’s Pokémon, Infernape has everything to prove in this battle. In revenge for his loss at Lake Acuity, Ash battles brilliantly, and manages to defeat his greatest rival.
The episode represents the pinnacle of Infernape’s character arc, finally proving to Paul that it’s powerful. But Infernape doesn’t need Paul’s approval anymore, and Paul is forced to admit that Ash is actually a talented trainer after all. The two develop a mutual respect, and Paul’s cruelty towards his Pokémon finally begins to give way, showing that he too has grown. This battle is without a doubt the peak ofPokémon Diamond and Pearl, and helps to show just why this series is such a fan favorite.
Pokémon
Cast
Pokémon follows Ash Ketchum on his journey to become a Pokémon Master, accompanied by his loyal Pikachu. Released in 1997, the series explores Ash’s travels through various regions, where he encounters new friends and challenges, underscoring the themes of adventure and teamwork.
