There are many memorable and wonderful episodes featured in the Pokémon series. From every awesome Gym Battle to the fun and colorful Contest-related episodes, it can be hard for fans to choose which episodes they want to rewatch, especially with each new region in the Pokémon world being explored, as well as the protagonists meeting new Pokémon.
However, there are several episodes that are much more rewatchable because they provide great insights, have memorable battles, or show the culmination of great rivalries and other epic battles. From the premiere episode forging Ash and Pikachu's unforgettable bond to Dawn taking down Jessie in the Grand Festival semifinals, these episodes are worth rewatching.
10 The Very First Episode, "Pokémon - I Choose You!" Is Worth Rewatching Over & Over
Even though the animation quality of the series' first episode is not as great as later episodes and seasons, the first episode is worth watching for any fan, both old and new. Not only does it cover how Ash and Pikachu first met, as well as the beginning of Ash's journey as a Pokémon trainer, but it also covers how Ash and Pikachu went from despising each other to developing one of the closest bonds in the entire series.
It was heartwarming when Ash tried to protect Pikachu from a flock of Spearow, risking his life in the process, and Pikachu then saved him by shocking all the Spearow.
9 "Training Daze" Covered How Jessie, James, & Meowth First Met
"Training Daze" was an episode featured in the spin-off series Pokémon Chronicles, which covered side characters from the same series that Ash came from. This episode covered exactly how Jessie, James, and Meowth became the iconic Team Rocket trio that fans love to see blast off.
Though all three of them did not get along at first, they managed to work together as a team during a test against Butch and Cassidy. Both teams failed to finish the task, but since Jessie, James, and Meowth got the furthest in completing it, they were declared new field agents.
8 "Lost Leader Strategy!" Showed That Even Gym Leaders Can Have Insecurities
Many Gym Leaders can often be confident in themselves, but Maylene showed the opposite in "Lost Leader Strategy!" After losing to Paul, who taunted her for being the weakest of the Gym Leaders he faced so far, Maylene almost completely quit being a Gym Leader entirely. However, Dawn managed to talk her out of it and the two even vowed to battle each other in the following episode.
This episode was memorable to fans because it showed that even Gym Leaders sometimes struggle with being great trainers themselves and having the confidence to get out there and battle. It was also nice to see Dawn take up the role of encouraging others rather than Ash or Brock for a change.
7 "The Battle Of The Badge" Foreshadowed Mewtwo's Appearance In The First Movie
Before the first movie was released, "The Battle Of The Badge" gave a sneak peek of Mewtwo after it beat Gary Oak's Pokémon in a battle at the Viridian Gym. However, Ash ended up facing Jessie and James as Gym leaders after Giovanni had to leave at the last minute to send Mewtwo on an emergency mission. This resulted in Ash facing Jessie in a deadly battle.
Every time their Pokémon took damage, the trainers themselves would also take damage through being given electric shocks. This was a nightmarish episode for some fans to watch, especially considering that the electric shocks were highly dangerous, but Ash thankfully emerged victorious and alive, earning his Earth badge in the process.
6 "The Climb to Be the Very Best!" Had Ash Battling The Undefeatable Champion
Ash battled Leon after challenging him to a battle. Even though Ash easily lost, due to Pikachu being extremely new to Dynamaxing while Leon and Charizard had plenty of battle experience and knew how to use Dynamaxing properly, it was still a fun and memorable battle to many viewers.
It also showed that even though Ash was the Alolan Champion by this episode, he still had a long way to go before becoming one of the best. Considering how much potential Leon saw in Ash to become even better, one can anticipate these two trainers having a rematch in the future.
5 "Coming Full-Festival Circle!" Had Dawn Battling Jessie In The Grand Festival's Semifinals
Dawn and Jessie both participated in the Pokémon Contest Grand Festival and made it to the semifinals. This led Dawn and Jessie to battle each other, with their dreams as Coordinators on the line. Even though Jessie eventually lost to Dawn in the battle, with Dawn's Buneary and Cyndaquil winning over Jessie's Seviper and Carnivine, viewers will be impressed by how much both of them grow as Coordinators.
Unfortunately for some fans, Jessie gave up on being a Pokémon Coordinator after Dawn lost in the finals during the next episode.
4 "Electric Shock Showdown" Had Ash's Pikachu Winning Against Surge's Raichu
Pikachu initially lost in its battle against Lieutenant Surge's Raichu at the Vermillion Gym in "Electric Shock Showdown." This led Ash to contemplate whether it would be easier to win Gym Battles and get stronger if he made Pikachu evolve with the Thunder Stone. However, he and Pikachu eventually decided against it and ended up challenging Surge to a rematch.
Despite Raichu being physically stronger than Pikachu, Pikachu was much faster and used its speed to its advantage. This resulted in Pikachu knocking out Raichu with a Quick Attack before the other could hit it with a Take Down attack.
3 "Holy Matrimony!" Revealed Why James Ran Away From Home
"Holy Matrimony!" revealed James' backstory. He ran away from home to avoid marrying his fiancée, Jessebelle. However, his parents had supposedly died and if he did not marry Jessebelle in twenty-four hours, all of the property, including their mansion, would go to charity.
James was incensed after finding out that his parents' deaths were a hoax and they were just trying to get him to marry Jessebelle once and for all. It also did not help that Jessebelle was still being a horrible person towards both James and one of the Pokémon he left at the mansion, a Growlithe nicknamed Growlie. However, James managed to eventually escape from his fiancée a second time with the rest of Team Rocket, much to Jessie and Meowth's joy.
2 "Fiery Surprises!" Had Ash & Kukui Face Off In Epic Showdown, Only For Tapu Koko To Interrupt
"Fiery Surprises!" was one of the highlights of Ash's time in Alola, since he had to fight Professor Kukui himself to become the Alolan Champion. This episode would have concluded Ash and Kukui's fight, if not for Tapu Koko interrupting at the last second and deciding to fight Ash himself.
Not only did this shock fans, as they assumed from watching the past two episodes that Ash would just beat Kukui and become Alola's first Champion then and there, but it was also surprising to see a Legendary Pokémon straight-up approach Ash for a battle.
1 "Battling A Thaw In Relations!" Concluded Ash & Paul's Epic Rivalry
Ash and Paul rarely got along as rivals and as people, during Ash's time in Sinnoh. However, both of them grew to respect each other as trainers despite their different strategies for success in "Battling A Thaw In Relations!" This episode was the epic conclusion to their shared rivalry, and Ash emerged victorious over Paul after both their Pokémon gave all their effort in battling each other.
Not only did this episode show the culmination of how both Ash and Paul grew as trainers, but it also showed how they grew as people.