Pokemon BrainDump/Rants

BEST ANIPOKE EPISODES OF ALL TIME

[pls note, these are just my opinions! if you have different ideas, tell me in the comments!]

1. partners in time!* - apart from having the best graphics out of any episode EVER, we got cameos for all his traveling companions, and all his old pokemon! not to mention, its the episode when he finally became the best in the world.

2. island of the giant pokemon!* - team rocket being ICONIC aside? the pokemon actually got to TALK! and seeing the team dynamic between team rocket's pokemon and ash's pokemon was something new, and just so satisfying to see. also, damn, we got TRANSLATIONS FOR WHAT THE POKEMON WERE SAYING.

3. sword and shield; legends awaken! - we finally got an actual villain backstory for once. besides, seeing ash bonding with leon was pretty cute. but most importantly... TWO ICONIC EVOLUTION SCENES. raboot's evolution into cinderace was already epic enough, but riolu's evolution into Lucario is, in my opinion, the best in the whole franchise.

4. whittle while you work! - ash finally achieving his 14 year dream of defeating the sinnoh champion. Cynthia is my favourite regional champion, and ash's Lucario was my favourite one of his aces, so it just makes this a pretty big personal favourite. besides, Lucario v garchomp was EPIC. just an all-out slugfest to try deprive the opponent of that last bit of HP.

5. thank you alola! the journey continues! - the best episode to end season of all time. hints at the future to show the journey isn't over, and gives us probarbly some of the most emotion-heavy goodbyes of all time

6. coming apart at the dreams! - the team flare arc in general was just really memorable, but this episode in particular really took it to the next level. between alain redeeming himself and just the overall narrative, it really did a great job of setting the stage for the final confrontation.

7. gathering the gang of four! - the battle frontier was one of my favourite arcs of all time, but this episode really stood out. it was just nostalgia to the max, and seeing ash's kanto starters together again was something we've al been waiting for, and it did not disappoint. despite the episode not really following any kind of plotline, it was just feel-good and really remind you what pokemon is all about; reaching your goals together!

8. saving the world from ruins! - the battle scene was just epic, not to mention the writing for this episode was just on-point. I would have been happy if this was the team galactic arc finale. also, seeing ash interacting with another member of the Lucario line was just awesome, even if it wasn't as intense as some others.

9. mutiny in the bounty! - the team rocket trio care about each other, and this episode proves it. not to mention, it's just a pretty memorable debut for DP's most notorious hunter.

10. can't beat the heat! - finally beating his long-time rival, and having his most iconic ace do it! PLUS, having gary and ash start being friends again was so satisfying. this whole episode was the definition of satisfying

11. first alola catch, ketchum-style! - two iconic sun and moon catches; in the same episode!

12. a poached ego! - team rocket cares about their pokemon, and this episode proved it. it was absolutely heartbreaking.

13. catching the aura of fate! - despite ash-Lucario mega-evolution arc being kinda disappointing, this episode 100% redeemed it. this was Lucario's real growth arc and seeing another one of ash's old aces was great.

14. when regions collide! - brock and misty showing up with flippin' megas! besides, alola seems like the perfect reigon for misty. the battle scenes rocked, and seeing ash get a rematch with misty after 20 years was great.

15. an electrifying rage! - the xy series's best evolution scene, if you ask me.

16. star night, star flight! - THE QUEEN IS BACK!!!

17. battle of the badge! - best gym battle of kanto. (along with blaine)

18. the homecoming crown! - aureliashipping; the episode. maybe im being biased tho, tehe. seriously aureliashipping aside, finally seeing lillie's family reunite with mohn was great. and the lillie-nihalgeo thing is essentially canon now

19. charmander the stray pokemon - the OG abandoned pokemon episode. no one will ever forget this episode. one thing we're ignoring is, this episode brought the concept of death to pokemon. one of the heavier episodes, but it was executed stunningly.

20. caring for a mystery! - bro, ash finally got a riolu! seeing the connection start before she even hatched was absolutely amazing. this episode hit me HARD. it had absolutely beautiful graphics, and ash's monologue was so... I don't even know how to put it, but it almost made me cry. maybe i'm being biased, but this episode ROCKED.

21. for ho-oh the bells toll! - one word; ho-oh.

22. charizard chills! - ash's monologue to Charizard hit HARD, and seeing them bond again was so... just... overdue. better late then never, though, and ash's efforts were rewarded with Charizard's friendship at the end of the episode, which was great to see.

23. helping the hometown hero! - TRUE end to the alola league. seeing how alola loves their champion was adorable.

24. bulbasaur's mysterious garden! - finally, our angsty boi got an episode! the bonding between Bulbasaur and ash as SO CUTE and also their was some seriously entertaining TR action, which is always a plus.

HONOURABLE MENTIONS: snow way out! the symbol of life! a team-on-team tussle! attack of the prehistoric pokemon! electric shock showdown! the spectral express! haunter vs kadabra! mimikyu unmasked! top-down training!-holy matrimony! origins of mega evolution! making battles in the sand! cutting the ties that bind! flash of the titans!