Sweet, sweet vindication. No matter what you think of Ash Ketchum, the boy clearly tries hard – and this time it paid off. For the first time in 22 years of airing for the Pokemon anime, Ash has won a Pokemon League.
Just like in the games, the Alolan Pokemon League is newly formed, and Ash and his friends are one of the first competitors. The final showdown was between Ash and Gladion, with Ash working alongside Melmetal, Lycanroc (Dusk Form), and Pikachu against Gladion’s Silvally, Zoroark, and Lycanroc (Midnight Form).
At the end, Ash himself was shocked, and didn’t take in the fact at first. But it’s true – Ash is now officially Pokemon Champion in the Alolan region.
Here are Ash’s previous results in past league tournaments:
Kanto – Eighth-finals
Johto – Quarterfinals
Hoenn – Quarterfinals
Sinnoh – Semifinals
Unova – Quarterfinals
Kalos – Second place
The result of the Alolan tournament is surprising, yet not really – the next anime that was confirmed early this month seems to be taking place in another continuity altogether, and will span every region visited in the games so far from what we know. But either way, congrats, Ash! You made it.
