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Reflecting on 20 Years of Pokémon anime!

Check out Kostas’ review of the anime as we relive the last 20 years!

Johto

When Ash returned from the Orange Islands, he had a battle with Gary’s Eevee. Ash used Pikachu, but lost regardless. Gary decided to go to the Johto Region and Professor Oak asked Ash to go to Azalea Town so he can give the GS Ball to Kurt. Ash, Brock, and Misty decided to go while Tracey decided to stay in Pallet Town and help Professor Oak.

Pokémon caught by Ash

Episode 119, A Sappy Ending: After defeating Team Rocket, Heracross decided to follow Ash and join him!

Ash and Chikorita!

Episode 126, The Chikorita Rescue: Ash was having a battle with a wild Chikorita, but he decided to go to the Pokémon Center because Chikorita was injured. After defeating Team Rocket, Ash caught Chikorita!

Episode 141, Good ‘Quil Hunting: A Cyndaquil protected Ash from Team Rocket. Ash caught it, although he had to battle another trainer for it.

Episode 151, The Totodile Duel: Ash and Misty wanted to catch a Totodile they saw. Both Ash and Misty threw their Lure Balls, but they’re unable to determine whose Lure Ball caught it. They battled each other and Ash won so he kept Totodile.

Totodile’s debut!

Episode 154, Fowl Play: Despite the fact that the Pokémon anime showed some different coloured Pokémon in the Kanto and Orange Islands, this is the first episode where a shiny Pokémon appeared. It was a Noctowl, and Ash couldn’t miss the opportunity to catch it.

Episode 230, Hatching a Plan: Ash’s egg hatched into a Phanpy and Ash caught it! The egg was given to Ash in episode 228, “Extreme Pokémon”.

Pokémon evolved

The only Pokémon of Ash that evolved was Chikorita in Episode 129, “Current Events”. It evolved into Bayleef when it was trapped in a cage by Team Rocket.

Important moments

Ash after leaving his Charizard!

Ash was using Charizard in battles too often, and Misty told him that this was unfair because he was using it even against young, unexperienced trainers. Later, they arrived in the Charcific Valley, a place with many Charizard who live there. Ash’s Charizard was the weaker and smaller  of the Charizard. After their visit, Charizard defeated Team Rocket in a battle, and Ash told it to stay here to train.

On their way to Goldenrod City, Ash and his friends learned about the annual Fire and Rescue Grand Prix. It’s a fire-fighting contest for both Pokémon and trainers. Squirtle met with his old Squirtle Squad and Ash decided to let Squirtle stay with them.

Best Battles

Clair’s Dragonair after Charizard defeated it!

Episode 254, Better Eight Than Never. Ash had a battle against Clair for his 8th Gym Badge. Clair started with Kingdra and Ash with Snorlax. Snorlax actually defeated Kingdra with just one Ice Punch, after getting hit with many attacks of Kingdra. Clair sent out Gyarados who beat Snorlax but Ash defeated it with Pikachu. Clair’s Dragonair, easily defeated Pikachu but Charizard won with a combination of Fire Spin and Seismic Toss!

Episode 269 and 270, “The Ties That Bind!” and “Can’t Beat the Heat!”. It was time for Ash and Gary to fight in the Johto League. Gary got an early lead when his Nidoqueen defeated Tauros with a Hyper Beam. Next, after enduring Fire Blast and Flamethower, Ash’s Herracross won against Magmar with a Megahorn! Gary’s next Pokémon was Blastoise and defeated Heracross with just one Hydro Pump.

Ash’s Charizard against Gary’s Blastoise!

After this, Blastoise defeated Bayleef too with a Bite attack. Gary switched to Arcanine, who was defeated by Ash’s Snorlax by Hyper Beam. However, this wasn’t the only Pokémon Snorlax defeated. It won against Nidoqueen with an Ice Punch too! Gary’s next Pokémon was Scizor who defeated Muk with Metal Claw. Ash’s only Pokémon remaining was Charizard who defeated Scizor with Flamethrower and Golem with just one Dragon Rage! Gary’s final Pokémon was Blastoise, who had the advantage based on Pokémon types. However, Charizard got close to Blastoise and finished it with a Seismic Toss.

League Position: Top 8