For nearly twenty years, over 900 episodes, Ash Ketchum has been on a journey to be the best, like no one ever was. The forever young Pokémon trainer has won over 50 gym badges, but has yet to win a traditional Pokémon league. All that looked set to change as Ash and his Greninja made their way to the finals of the Kalo League. There, the pride of Pallet Town faced off against his rival; Alain and his Mega Charizard. Renewed hope bloomed within the community as thoughts of our boy emerging victorious began to seep into our minds. Turn back now, if you don’t want this legendary battle ruined for you as there are spoilers after the jump.
Alas, t’was not meant to be. In an intense six-on-six battle over two episodes, Ash’s Greninja was embroiled in a climactic clash with Alain’s Mega Charizard. Both Pokémon built their energy for one final attack and launched at each other simultaneously. It was shonen anime at it’s finest and when the dust settled, only Charizard was left standing. Alain was declared Champion as a defeated Ash vowed to never give up. Its’ the classic Pokémon ending and one we should have been expected. Maybe it was the franchise’s twentieth anniversary or the success of Pokémon Go, but something had allowed us to dream again. Not even Jirachi can make all dreams come true.
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It wasn’t the outcome we’d hoped for, but the journey itself was breathtaking. Never had Ash come this far as a trainer and as a character which leaves the question of where he goes from here. Ash’s team has never been as powerful, yet it is inevitable the Greninja and co. will be abandoned in Professor Oak’s lab along with stalwart’s Charizard and Sceptile, two allies who could have turned the tide of this Pokémon battle. With Pokémon Sun and Moon radically changing the league format, who knows when Ash may get another chance at glory. His journey may continue, but we leave Kalos with a sense that we will never see their like again. It seems apt that the finals took place during the Olympics, even if our champion had to settle for the silver. Now, where’s my Gameboy?
