Pokémon: 'Celebrate 1,000 Episodes of Pokémon the Series!'

I still remember the first episode at the end of which Ho-oh was flying in the background before Pokémon Gold & Silver were even announced.

☆ NintendObs Weekly – Monday, April 23, 2018 – Sunday, April 29, 2018.

Pokémon the Series

Celebrate 1,000 Episodes of Pokémon the Series!

To commemorate Disney XD’s airing of the landmark 1,000th episode, we’re looking back at some of Ash’s most memorable moments on Pokémon TV.

April 23, 2018

Saturday, April 28, 2018, marks a major milestone for Pokémon the Series, as Disney XD airs the 1,000th episode of the beloved animated adventures of Ash and his partner Pikachu. It’s hard to believe that this iconic duo has been exploring the world of Pokémon for 1,000 episodes now. During that time, they’ve made many friends, fought many difficult battles, and seen many new and amazing Pokémon.

Of course, any journey as epic as Ash’s is bound to be filled with its fair share of ups and downs. To commemorate this momentous occasion, we’ve scoured all 1,000 episodes of Pokémon the Series and collected some of Ash’s most thrilling triumphs as well as some of his most dramatic tribulations. You can relive these defining moments yourself on Pokémon TV right here on Pokemon.com or on the Pokémon TV mobile app.

Triumphs

Few Pokémon Trainers have as much heart and dedication as Ash Ketchum. During the past 1,000 episodes of Pokémon the Series, he and Pikachu have given their all in their quest to be the very best. As a result, Ash has racked up lots of accomplishments, each one reinforcing his drive to continue pushing forward.

Sometimes these victories come in the form of Ash bonding with his Pokémon, such as when Pikachu makes the important decision to not evolve into Raichu (“Electric Shock Showdown”). Other important breakthroughs occur when Ash’s rebellious Charizard finally begins obeying his commands (“Charizard Chills”) and when Ash and Greninja master the Ash-Greninja transformation (“Seeing the Forest for the Trees!”).

Despite all those touching moments, we can’t ignore Ash’s triumphs in Pokémon battles! He confronts his longtime rival, Gary Oak, in the Johto League’s Silver Conference (“The Ties that Bind” and “Can’t Beat the Heat”) and takes on the challenging Battle Frontier in Kanto (“Gathering the Gang of Four” and “Pace—The Final Frontier”). In another memorable battle, Ash challenges three Gym Leaders to claim his first badge in Unova. One of those defeated Gym Leaders, Cilan, even joins Ash on his continuing adventures (“Triple Leaders, Team Threats!” and “Dreams by the Yard Full!”).

Tribulations

Triumphs wouldn’t seem nearly as triumphant, however, without some disappointing moments to strike a contrast—and during the past 1,000 episodes, Ash has faced his fair share. Sometimes these low moments come when Ash says goodbye to one of his Pokémon friends. Who can forget the emotional moment when Ash considers letting Pikachu join a group of wild Pikachu (“Pikachu’s Goodbye”)? And who doesn’t shed a tear when Ash says heartfelt farewells to his beloved Butterfree (“Bye Bye Butterfree”) and Charizard (“Charizard’s Burning Ambitions”)?

Then there are the times when Ash fails to best his opponents in battle. One of his earliest major defeats occurs during the Indigo League in Kanto, where he is unable to defeat Ritchie (“Friend and Foe Alike”). Many episodes later, Ash has a tense confrontation with Giovanni, the Boss of Team Rocket, and it doesn’t end well for our hero (“Meloetta and the Undersea Temple!”). Then, despite Ash’s best efforts during the Kalos League finals, he and Greninja lose to Alain (“Finals Not for the Faint-Hearted!” and “Down to the Fiery Finish!”). Finally, in Alola, Ash and Pikachu suffer an embarrassing loss when Jessie’s Mimikyu and James’s Mareanie get the best of them in battle (“The Sun, the Scare, the Secret Lair!”).

Of course, these are just a fraction of the many triumphs and tribulations Ash has experienced during the 1,000-episode run of Pokémon the Series, and you can be sure that there will be plenty more to come! Keep up with the continuing adventures of Ash, Pikachu, and all their friends right here on Pokemon.com or on the Pokémon TV mobile app.

— Pokémon News
Source: Pokémon.