Of all the series that thePokémonanime has had over the years, the one most held up by fans as the best is without a doubtXY. Just what makes theXYseries such a fan favorite, and which episodes make it a top-tier addition to the franchise?
Pokémon XYis the sixth-generation series, aligning with the gamesPokémon XandPokémon Y. It not only stars Ash and Pikachu, but features Clemont, a gym leader in the Kalos region, his younger sister Bonnie, and a female companion just starting out on her journey, Serena. The series gave Ash a more mature look, and took a heavier focus on battling than most previous series in the franchise, making it popular with fans.XYalso introduced popular concepts like Mega Evolution to the anime, as well as introducing the mysterious Bond Phenomenon for Ash’s Greninja.
10Calling from Beyond the Aura!
Pokémon XY, episode #33
While traveling with Kalosian Gym Leader Korrina, in the hopes of helping her tomaster Mega Evolution with her Lucario, the group gets split up, separated into Ash, Bonnie, Lucario, and Serena on one side and Clemont, Korrina, and Pikachu on the other.Clemont’s group comes under attack from Team Rocket, who have enhanced their Pokémon with mechanical augmentations and easily defeat them. The two groups meet up, and Korrina attempts to Mega Evolve Lucario. Lucario begins to lose control, but manages to hang on long enough to send Team Rocket packing.
This episode is part of a longer arc where Ash and friends travel with Korrina, and learn about Mega Evolution and the importance of the bond between trainer and Pokémon. It’s the first inkling that Korrina may be able to master Mega Evolution after all, and it adds an interesting factor to an otherwise common plot.
9A Riveting Rivalry!
Pokémon XY, episode #128
In the semifinals of the Kalos League, Ash is up against his rival from the region, Sawyer. Sawyer is the analytical sort, and has prepared a special strategy just for Ash using his Aegislash. Aegislash is able to change forms when attacked, preventing Pikachu from doing damage, and is busy clear-cutting the battlefield so that Pikachu has nowhere to hide.Ash devises a clever strategy, stopping Aegislash’s ability to transform and taking it out. That’s when the battle moves on to Greninja vs. Sceptile, and both take on their special transformations, Ash-Greninja and Mega Sceptile, battling it out to the finish.
One ofAsh’s most exciting matches in the Kalos League, Ash puts his strategizing to good use to defeat Aegislash, and manages to overcome a type disadvantage with Greninja to win, sending him on to the final round.
8The Tiny Caretaker!
Pokémon XY, episode #87
Team Rocket attempts to steal a Tyrunt from a fossil research lab, but the Tyrunt soon escapes their balloon and winds up near Ash’s encampment. Bonnie wakes up and helps free the Tyrunt, which became stuck, and the group try to figure out how this rare Pokémon came to be here.Bonnie begins babying the Tyrunt, caring for it and attempting to teach it.Team Rocket try again to steal Tyrunt, taking Bonnie with it, but Bonnie has earned Tyrunt’s trust, and together they’re able to escape. Tyrunt even evolves into Tyrantrum, but it must return home to the lab, leading to a tearful goodbye.
This is a great character episode for Bonnie, showing how she has what it takes to grow into a great trainer some day. Tyrunt is a great Pokémon to focus on as well, making for an unusual pairing that works surprisingly well on screen.
7All Eyes on the Future!
Pokémon XY, episode #93
Ash challenges Olympia for his eighth and final Kalos Gym badge. She battles with a pair of Meowstic, who have a complicated combo attack that seems nearly unbeatable. Ash has Pikachu help him out by counting the amount of time that elapses between the use of Future Sight and the attack hitting, allowing him to carefully avoid the attack. Battling with Talonflame and Frogadier, Ash is able to turn Olympia’s strategy against her, and soon emerges victorious, earning himself the Psychic Badge.
Often praised asone of Ash’s best gym battles ever, this episode sees Ash really applying some strategy and careful thinking to his fight, something that’s not always guaranteed in a gym battle. The battle is very visually striking as well due to the unique environment of the gym, making for an action-packed episode that’s pleasing to look at.
6The Moment of Lumiose Truth!
Pokémon XY, episode #67
As Ash prepares to earn his fifth gym badge, he’s up against Clemont, his traveling partner who also happens to be the leader of Lumiose Gym. Clemont had left the group temporarily to prepare for Ash’s challenge, and now it’s time to see what the two are capable of. The battle begins with Pikachu vs. Bunnelby, with Pikachu emerging victorious. Then Clemont uses a Heliolisk, to which Ash responds by sending out Goodra. Goodra is too slow, so Ash switches to Hawlucha and outmaneuvers Heliolisk. Against Clemont’s last Pokémon, Luxray, Pikachu is defeated, but Goodra comes in clutch and wins!
This is the first time that Ash has had to challenge a gym leader who was alsoone of his companions since Mistyin the original series, so the battle between Ash and Clemont was highly anticipated. Clemont put on a good show, making sure Ash had to prove himself in order to earn his badge.
5Down to the Fiery Finish!
Pokémon XY, episode #131
This episode covers the end ofAsh’s Kalos League finals match against Alain.They go back and forth, defeating each other’s Pokémon, until it finally comes down to Ash-Greninja versus Alain’s Mega Charizard X. While Ash has the type advantage, the nature of the Ash-Greninja transformation, which causes Ash to experience the pain that Greninja feels, makes it tough for Ash to finish the battle. He stays in the fight, outmaneuvering Charizard, but ultimately it comes down to one final Blast Burn and Water Shuriken. Greninja is knocked out, making Alain the champion of the Kalos League.
While Ash may lose the battle, it’s still a phenomenal fight that’s absolutely worth watching for any Pokémon fan. It definitely hurts to see Ash come so close only to lose at the last moment, but Ash’s performance is still quite admirable.
4Battling at Full Volume!
Pokémon XY, episode #115
A trainer with a Pikachu is looking to take on other trainers with Pikachu, and Team Rocket points this fellow in the direction of Ash.However, Ash is feeling ill, so Serena opts to take his place, dressing like Ash and commanding Pikachu in battle. Team Rocket uses this opportunity to swipe both Pikachu, forcing Serena and her opponent to fight back. Team Rocket outs Serena as pretending to be Ash, but they’re ultimately defeated. The Pikachu trainer is a bit annoyed, but with Ash feeling better, they all agree to a new battle–after a little lunch, that is.
This is a fun episode that sees Serena dressing as and impersonating Ash, so it’s interesting to see Ash as she sees him.Pokémonhas more than its fair share of cross-dressing episodes, but this one stands out for having the girl dress as a male character, rather than the other way around.
3A Festival of Decisions!
Pokémon XY, episode #100
The second of a two-parter,Ash and friends have been brought into a ninja villagejust in time to witness a coup attempt. Ash and co. side with the original leadership, and fight back against the usurpers.While battling against the rogue ninja, Ash’s Frogadier evolves into Greninja, and uses a mysterious transformation for the first time. Ash and the ninjas are able to put down the rebellion, and it seems that Ash’s Greninja’s new transformation has been prophesied long ago…
Another action-filled episode, it marks an extremely exciting evolution, as well as the beginning of the Ash-Greninja arc, a mystery that would run through the rest of the series. At last, Ash had a unique ability to call his own, and his tremendous willpower would be put to use directly in battle.
2Seeing the Forest for the Trees!
Pokémon XY, episode #121
After losing a gym battle fairly badly, Ash takes off to the woods for some time alone, and it’s soon revealed that Greninja left the Pokémon Center to go look for him.Serena also decides to go out and search for Ash, but when she finally finds him, the two get into a fight.Ash decides to return and apologize, but gets lost. He takes shelter in a cave alongside some wild Pokémon, and tries to rescue some more for the cold, only to get into trouble and needa rescue from Greninja. Ash eventually finds his way back and apologizes, ready to try again.
This episode goes to show that even good old Ash Ketchum can get frustrated by a loss. There are some great character moments in here for both Ash and Serena, and this episode also helps to resolidify Ash’s bond with Greninja, who can now use the Ash-Greninja form perfectly.
1Forming a More Perfect Union!
Pokémon XY, episode #136
At the height of the Kalos League, Team Flare launched an evil plan to take over the world. Ash, Alain, and the gym leaders, and even champions like Diantha and Steven Stone, strike back against Team Flare andtheir Giant Rock, a mysterious being driven to destroy the world. Squishy, the Zygarde Core which had been traveling with Ash and Bonnie all this time, manages to transform into Zygarde’s Complete Forme, which launches a powerful attack that not only destroys the Giant Rock, but seemingly kills Team Flare’s leader, Lysandre. The sun rises over Kalos, finally revealing that the nightmare is over.
The climax of the entireXYZseason, this episode sees a number of plot points come to a head. It’s the end of a five-episode arc following the League tournament, and involves nearly every named character in the series. While there are a few episodes after this, this really represents the culmination ofXY, and that’s why it’s undoubtedly the bestPokémon XYepisode ever.
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Pokémon follows Ash Ketchum on his journey to become a Pokémon Master, accompanied by his loyal Pikachu. Released in 1997, the series explores Ash’s travels through various regions, where he encounters new friends and challenges, underscoring the themes of adventure and teamwork.
