On November 11, 2022, Ash Ketchum after 25 long years finally became the World Champion in the Pokémon World Coronation Series Masters Eight Tournament. The evergreen character first set out to achieve his dream of becoming the world’s greatest Pokémon trainer and to “catch ’em all” (of course) in 1997. The Pallet Town hero, since then, has come a long way.
Premiering in Japan makes history by finally delivering the long-sought dream of not just Ash Ketchum but Pokémon lovers all across the world in the latest episode of Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series.
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Ash Ketchum Becomes an Unstoppable Pokémon Champion
In the 25th season of Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series which premiered only recently in Japan, Ash Ketchum defeated Leon who is most famously known among video game fans as the Galar region champion of Pokémon Sword and Shield. The ultimate tournament to declare the one true champion among all the regional competitors finally came to a head in the final bout of the series tournament that witnessed individually supreme battles against trainers like Iris, Steven, Cynthia, and Lance.
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During the World Coronation Series Tournament, a few words could explain the fight that followed in the heat of the greatest Pokémons and trainers clashing. Pitted against Leon and his Charizard, Ash and his Pikachu finally won the battle finale that secured the place of the Pokémon trainer as the best in the land. The latter duo has had their fair share of battles throughout the 25 years of their journey together. However, this fight was a definitive marker of the long path it took for the world of Pokémon to finally declare its protagonistic hero as the world champion.
Ash Ketchum’s Journey Through the Years (1997-2022)
The 10-year-old Pallet Town hero, too big for his nondescript role in his hometown, set out to achieve his dream 25 years ago. Miraculously though, Ash Ketchum grew in experience though not in age. Throughout the years, the Pokémon hero fought in definitive battles, faced off innumerable times against the persistently evil and antagonistic Team Rocket — Jessie & James with their talking Pokémon Meowth, and traveled the expanse of the world finding allies in unexpected places, and treasuring the friendships along the way.
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However, the age-old battle to finally mark Ash Ketchum as the true victor compares to none of these accomplishments as fans go wild after their childhood hero finally claims his glory in the world of Pokémon.
After 25 years, Ash Ketchum is officially the World Champion 🏆 pic.twitter.com/na4ZEEVDZ2
— Culture Crave 🍿 (@CultureCrave) November 11, 2022
“I was there when he left pallet town, I told him one day he would be a champion. I don’t know what made me say it, I just told him.” pic.twitter.com/QjITW9B4S4
— Kevin (@kbeezy_24) November 11, 2022
— ■ c (@uzumakixoxo) November 11, 2022
He had a mission to become the very best & accomplished it 🥹
— Jordan Jones (@jordnjnes) November 11, 2022
He’s still 10 years old
— Mubarak ✗𝟶 (@Mubarak4xm) November 11, 2022
Ash Ketchum is “THE VERY BEST” now! 🙌🏽🥹 pic.twitter.com/x4UgOKy5VJ
— 𝙶𝚒𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚕𝚎✖️✖️// #SANDMANRENEWED⏳ (@giselleb1234) November 11, 2022
Kanto: Top 16,
Johto: Top 8,
Hoenn: Top 8
Sinnoh: Top 4,
Unova: Top 8,
Kalos: Runner-up
Alola: Champion.
AND NOW HE'S THE VERY BEST LIKE NO ONE EVER WAS. pic.twitter.com/73RtPqGNSC— Pokemon Coordinator Mary (@RibottoStudios) November 11, 2022
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With reactions pouring in from all around the world, there is nothing that equates to the feeling of a glorified battle to mark one’s place as a true victor and a champion. Although the 10-year-old has had his fair share of titles to claim, the latest one as the strongest among all the Pokémon League Champions has to be the ultimate notch on the belt.
As the journey continues into the future and with more battles to follow, the fans now only have to look onward and upward as the era of the ultimate Ash Ketchum and Pikachu supremacy begins its unopposed reign.
The first 12 episodes of Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series are now available to stream on Netflix.
Source: IGN
