After twenty-two years of traveling the land and searching far and wide, Ash Ketchum has finally won his first Pokémon League Championship after six previous attempts the over his two-decade journey.
Our hero experienced many losses and near-victories before his monumental victory in the Alola region during episode 139 of Pokemon Sun & Moon.
Since the anime first premiered on September 8th, 1998 in the US (and on April 1st, 1997 in Japan), Ash has had an unyielding desire to become a Pokémon Master, fighting desperately for the title. It started with his first attempt at the Indigo League in Kanto in 1999 when he challenged his hometown rival Gary Oak and won. Ash then made it into the top 16, but ultimately lost to trainer Ritchie when his Charizard refused to fight.
In the second season, Ash travels the Orange Islands, where he secures a minor victory with Pikachu in the Orange Island League against Drake’s Dragonite. However, Ash’s long-standing rivalry with Gary leads to him rushing back to the Johto League. There, Ash beats Gary again in the Silver Conference. He gets into the top 8 this time, but eventually loses to a new trainer.
Ash’s third attempt occurs in 2005 at the Hoenn League, where he gets into the top 8 again. However, he loses to a new rival, Tyson, who goes on to win the championship.
By 2010, Ash has traveled a long way and makes a 4th attempt to become a Pokémon Master. This time, he goes t the Sinnoh League at the Lily of the Valley Conference. He’s pitted against several rivals, most notably Paul, but Ash emerges as the victor and is closer to the championship than ever before. However, seeing him defeated by Tobias is devasting. This loss places Ash in the top 4.
Ash gets into the top 8 again in Unova and battles through the Kalos League and comes up short of the top 2 before competing in the Manalo Conference in Alola. This conference is the longest one in the series with an epic roster that includes past rivals. It was an all-out battle royale that boiled down to the battle between Gladion and Ash. In the end, Ash claims the title of Pokémon Master.
Now that he’s finally achieved victory, we have to wonder whether this the end for Pokémon Master Ash Ketchum. There are rumors of the series continuing without its eternal child hero, so it might just be time for him to enjoy the fruits of his labor.
