Pokémon Journeys is easily the most ambitious Pokémon anime so far. Ash and his research partner, Goh, travel the entire world in pursuit of their goals where they gain not only new experiences, but reconnect with familiar faces that lead to near-limitless potential for storytelling.
As with every Pokémon series, Journeys has had its ups and downs, but the highlights are truly something special. At its best, Journeys serves as a something of a tribute to the Pokémon franchise as a whole – characters from all across its vast history are celebrated over the course of the series, and often reach a greater sense of closure than anything from the anime before.
10 Episode 125 Completes An Extremely Anticipated Battle
Ash has a long, well established history with the fan favorite Champion of Sinnoh, Cynthia. Between their close friendship and Cynthia's iconic status, their battle in the Masters Eight semifinals marks one of the most important clashes in Pokémon.
Cynthia more than lives up to her reputation as one of the world's greatest Trainers, pushing Ash to the absolute limit with her surprise use of Dynamax and her notoriously fearsome Garchomp. Even if there are missed opportunities regarding Ash's team, it's hard not to feel satisfied watching him finally defeat her.
9 Episode 12 Sets Up Ash's Biggest Goal
Episode 12 introduces the most prestigious goal Ash has ever received: the World Coronation Series. This global battle competition sets Ash off on a quest to become the strongest Trainer in the world, and its debut episode establishes everything needed to get excited about this subplot.
The episode's main event is the Championship battle between Leon and Lance. It's not only a thrilling battle in its own right, it includes past references for longtime viewers to appreciate, as well as new twists such as Lance's access to Dynamax. The battle sets the stage perfectly for Ash's eventual rise to the top.
8 Episode 2 Offers A Promising Start
It's important to make a good first impression at the very start of a new series. The first episode of Journeys serves as a prologue for Pikachu and Goh, so it's up to the second episode to really get the ball rolling.
The first meeting between Ash and Goh is quite literally legendary, as they take a beautiful ride across Kanto on top of Lugia. One of the biggest appeals in Journeys is showing the vast wonders of the Pokémon world, and its second episode achieves that with flying colors.
7 Episode 21 Connects Riolu To Ash's Aura
Lucario is one of the most popular Pokémon in the franchise, and was naturally one of the biggest requests to join Ash's team. Much to fans' delight, Ash finally catches a Riolu in episode 21 of Journeys, and it's hard to imagine a more satisfying debut for this soon-to-be top dog.
Riolu's headstrong personality is established very well in its first appearance, but the biggest surprise was the episode remembering Ash's connection to aura, which was first established in the Lucario & the Mystery of Mew movie. This exceptionally clever nod to Ash's past works wonders in establishing the growing bond between Ash and Riolu.
6 Episode 18 Gives Ash An Excellent First Battle
Journeys got off to a somewhat slow start with Ash's goal. It wasn't until episode 12 that the World Coronation Series was established, in contrast to most series setting Ash's quest up right from the beginning. It then took another six episodes for him to actually enter the competition himself.
Fortunately, episode 18 more than makes up for this. It features a fantastic battle against Visquez and many nostalgic nods to Ash's Vermilion Gym battle, which gets his battle run off to a great start. It's also one of the few episodes that really takes advantage of Vermilion City, the main setting of the series.
5 Episode 77 Is Pure Tactical Action
Ash's battle with Volkner is one of the simplest, yet most effective episodes of Journeys. Even compared to other World Coronation Series battles, this one has no B-plot or underlying story involved. It's simply an all-out, highly strategic battle between two powerful Ultra Class Trainers.
Episode 77 marks the first three-on-three battle in Journeys, which is a welcome return to form for the anime. The whole thing a pure action fest from start to finish, which hearkens back to the days of Ash's Gym battles and is just an all-around blast to watch.
4 Episode 114 Is A Massive Blast From The Past
Episode 114 had some hefty expectations to live up to. Paul is Ash's greatest rival and one of the most complex characters in the series, so his return to the anime was not going to be judged lightly. To top it off, the episode had to balance time between Paul and Ash's old Pokémon, who help train up his current team for the Masters Eight.
Fortunately, the episode handled almost everything in a satisfactory way. Paul's improved attitude and strength are both on full display, serving as Ash's final test in battle and training him up for the best of the best. Ash's Pokémon also get plenty of nostalgic, heartwarming moments, especially Infernape, the defining Pokémon of Ash and Paul's relationship.
3 Episode 111 Perfectly Wraps Up Lillie's Story
Episode 111 is one of the most unique and special experiences in Journeys. Unlike most episodes, the plot has very little to do with Ash, Goh, or Chloe. Instead, it focuses almost entirely on Lillie and her family, who finally track down her missing father, Mohn, in the final unresolved subplot from Sun & Moon.
Episode 111 shows how masterfully the series can resolve previous characters' stories. The episode concludes everything about Lillie in a beautiful manner, from her father's lost memories to her past trauma involving the Ultra Beasts, and her whole family shares in an amazingly well-earned happy ending.
2 Episode 112 Is The True Finale To Alola
Continuing off of Ash and Lillie's reunion, episode 112 has both of them make a triumphant return to Alola. The cast celebrates their return with a huge party and a special event: a Battle Royal made to commemorate Ash, Alola's first Champion.
Episode 112 is less an episode of Journeys and more a final conclusion to Sun & Moon. Every plot thread from Alola has finally been wrapped up, and Ash's Champion title is given the weight it truly deserves, giving him the chance to truly bask in his achievements and influence.
1 Episode 132 Brings Ash's Entire Journey Full Circle
Ash's ultimate battle with Leon comes to a head in its fourth and final part, and Episode 132 goes nothing short of above and beyond. Ash becoming the World Champion is an astounding feat on its own, but one element in particular gives Ash's win even more meaning than that.
Episode 132 doesn't just conclude Ash's journey to become the best, it makes sure everything about his past is there supporting him for it. With all of Ash's companions watching and every Pokémon he's owned lending their power to Pikachu, Episode 132 of Journeys is truly a one of kind experience.