Pokémon The Series Season 19 is the finale of Ash, Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie’s adventure in the Kalos region. With one more badge between him and the Kalos League, the Pokémon Showcase wrapping up, and everyone’s Pokémon reaching their max potential, there isn’t much left in the series to do besides go for the win wherever the characters can. But Pokémon XYZ has one more trick up its sleeve, which not even the games managed to pull off.
Pokémon Season 19, Pokémon XYZ, introduces the legendary Zygarde and expands the Team Flare plot to its absolute limit before exploding in a fantastic climax. The season finale builds on cliffhangers from Season 18 and shows that Ash is more than just a regular Pokémon Trainer, but a true hero in the world of Pokémon, too.
10 Bonnie Discovers the Rarest Pokémon in Kalos
Pokémon The Series XYZ, Episode 01: "From A to Z!"
On the way to Snowbelle City, the location of Ash’s final gym badge, the crew finds a small green Pokémon hiding in Bonnie’s bag. This Pokémon, whom they name Squishy, becomes Bonnie’s friend, and the crew has to protect the Pokémon from the arrival of Team Flare, who are trying to capture Squishy as part of something called Operation Z. This is the first time Ash and his friends encountered Team Flare. With Sawyer, Ash’s season rival, they defeat Team Flare. Still, the episode ends with many teases for the season to come.
Introducing fans to Squishy, a piece of Zygarde, a Pokémon which was unexplored in the series until the recent announcement of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, is an excellent tease of the rest of the season’s main plot. Tying that Pokémon to Team Flare motivates the cast to be as involved as possible in stopping Team Flare in the future. This episode sets up many ways for the season to go and delivers on every one.
9 Serena's Eevee Evolves Into the New Eeveelution: Sylveon
Pokémon The Series XYZ, Episode 12: "Party Dancecapades!"
Serena is invited to a Pokémon Showcase dance party, and while she wants to ask Ash to further her crush, she gets pressured to ask a nervous Clemont. This episode has an adorable moment where Ash and everyone must dress in more regal outfits, even Pikachu, who must wear a blue bowtie. The ballroom has all of the classic shenanigans one would expect from an episode like this, like Ash being uncomfortable wearing such a formal outfit, or Serena trying to find the courage to hang out with Ash despite everything seemingly getting in her way to stop her.
The real event happens at a Tag Battle, where the participants are randomly chosen and forced to compete. Ash and Serena are paired up against Miette, Serena’s rival, and James from Team Rocket. Ash uses his Pikachu, Serena uses Eevee, Miette uses Slurpuff, and James chooses Inkay. It’s a tight and tense battle, but Serena is the weakest contender. She instead tries to comfort Eevee with a show of genuine affection, causing the Pokémon to evolve into Sylveon, marking the first time a main character has used a Fairy-type Pokémon, and with Sylveon’s power, she can get the win. The affection and trust Serena places in her Pokémon in this cute episode remind fans why she will eventually be the Kalos Queen.
8 Ash Has a Rematch Against Wulfric for the Eighth Badge
Pokémon The Series XYZ, Episode 29: "A Real Icebreaker!"
After a breakthrough, Ash is back to challenge the Snowbelle City Gym. At first, his Pikachu and Talonflame take down Wulfric’s Bergmite and Avalugg, but in the end, the only Pokémon left standing are Ash’s Greninja and Wulfric’s Abomasnow. The two evolve into their most potent forms, Ash-Greninja and Mega Abomasnow.
Ash-Greninja and Mega Abomasnow launch into an intense battle with fantastic animation. Neither Pokémon backs down despite taking massive blows. Still, in a move just like his Sinnoh days, Ash tells his Ash-Greninja to use his frozen kunais as skates on the icy battlefield, giving it enhanced mobility and the ability to dodge Wulfric’s attacks before hitting it with a giant Water Shuriken and Aerial Ace, finishing the fight. Ash wins the Iceberg Badge, finally showcasing how he has earned serious trust in his Pokémon, especially his Greninja and Battle Bond.
7 Ash & Alain Engage in Their First Battle
Pokémon The Series XYZ, Episode 23: "The Synchronicity Test!"
In trying to discover the Battle Bond technique between Ash and Greninja, Clemont uses «Clembot Mini» but comes up empty. Then, Alain and his Charizard arrive until Alain and his Charizard arrive. Alain was the protagonist of the «Mega Evolution» specials, and now he’s fully crossovered with Ash and his team. Ash and Alain face off in battle with Noivern and Metang, creating a quick spectacle that shows Ash and Alain’s strength. But the real showcase is Ash and Greninja against Alain and his Charizard.
Ash and his Greninja manage to give a good challenge, but Ash faints from the Ash-Greninja Battle Bond that breaks out mid-battle with Alain. The battle is called off, but Ash is now even more determined to figure out how to control the Ash-Greninja form. At the end of the episode, the series teases Alain’s alliance with Team Flare, teasing how Alain is an ally of the villainous team. Despite being allies, they’ll potentially be antagonists, and Alain will soon be as an important rival for Ash.
6 Ash Faces Rival Sawyer in the Semifinals of the Kalos League
Pokémon The Series XYZ, Episode 34: "Analysis Versus Passion!"
The battle that’s been teased up since Sawyer’s introduction is finally underway as Ash and Sawyer enter the battlefield in the Kalos Semifinals. Both are determined to win and have a team of powerful Pokémon, with Ash having his strongest team possible. The anime is at its best whenever it enters a Full Battle, a six-on-six match.
Every Pokémon is giving its all with stunning animation and battle strategy. While Sawyer wants to rely heavily on strategy and an analytical style, Ash challenges him with full passion and fiery tactics. The episode ends on a perfect cliffhanger, with Aegislash chasing down Ash’s Pikachu through the cover of the forest. When fans watch the next episode of this two-parter, the battle kicks into gear with some of Ash and Sawyer’s strongest Pokémon.
5 Everyone Is Here to Defend Kalos Against Zygarde
Pokémon The Series XYZ, Episode 42: "Rocking Kalos Defenses!"
While Team Flare seems defeated for now and Lysandre was beaten to a standstill, the mysterious Giant Rock begins to resemble Zygarde and heads toward the Anistar Sundial to search for more energy. Doing so would cause an explosion that would destroy the world. To combat this, everyone arrives — from the Gym Leaders, to Diantha, Professor Sycamore, and Team Rocket — to stop the Giant Rock.
The arrival of heroes from across Kalos brings the fans to tears. It’s a truly inspiring moment as every aspect and character of the anime comes together to set up the grand finale, which rewards fans who have stuck with the series from the very start. The series even has a great moment where Olympia congratulates Ash for controlling the power Greninja accesses through the Bond Phenomenon, making the anime-only Pokémon so strong it was even banned in the games.
4 Ash & Sawyer's Battle Ends in a Stunning Conclusion
Pokémon The Series XYZ, Episode 35: "A Riveting Rivalry!"
Continuing after Episode 34, Pokémon The Series XYZ Episode 35 continues Ash and Sawyer’s battle. After a double draw with Ash’s Noivern, Sawyer’s Salamence, and then Ash’s Goodra and Sawyer’s Slurpuff, all the Pokémon left are Sawyer’s Sceptile and Ash’s Greninja. Because of this, both Pokémon unleash their ultimate forms, Mega Sceptile and Ash-Greninja. This is a great battle and one of the best of Pokémon XYZ.
The final battle between Ash and Sawyer is climactic, and it’s even better when Ash-Greninja wins, moving Ash to the finals. Putting Ash in the finals made fans feel like, for the first time, Ash could win a Pokémon League, especially against Alain. Sawyer proved himself to be a great battler and especially helped show that Pokémon battles aren’t all about strategy but about the passion and trust one has for their Pokémon — a lesson Sawyer needed to learn, giving a perfect ending to their rivalry.
3 Ash vs. Alain Is 1 of the Best Fights in Pokémon XYZ
Pokémon The Series XYZ, Episode 37: "Finals Not for the Faint-Hearted!"
Marking the first time in Ash’s League history that he’s gotten to the finals, Ash faces Alain in the Kalos League with one of his strongest teams yet. Ash is fighting against a rival who has just as much skill and personality, for once, rather than a stranger who appears, or one of the worst of Ash’s rivals, like in Unova. Instead, Alain has been built up as an actual competent challenger for Ash, with an actual drive to win.
Ash and Alain trade blow after blow and knockout after knockout. Pikachu even takes down Alain’s Metagross, one of his strongest Pokémon. The highlight of this two-parter is what happens afterward as Ash-Greninja and Alain’s Mega Charizard face off against each other. Unfortunately, the battle ends with Alain winning despite Ash having the type advantage. Still, the anime goes all out with the battle, using fascinating moments like Pikachu using Thunderbolt while on top of Metagross. This is also Alain’s first smile, which is fitting considering how Ash can bring joy to every battle he’s in.
2 Ash Leaves the Kalos Region & Has an Emotional Moment With Serena
Pokémon The Series XYZ, Episode 47: "Till We Compete Again!"
At the Lumiose airport, Ash tells his family he’ll be returning to Kanto by the afternoon, meaning it’s time for the group to separate. These are always big heartbreakers, as even the cast is now trying to get comfortable with the fact that they’re leaving each other — especially Bonnie, who can’t understand why everyone has to go. However, in a show of maturity, Bonnie reflects that she understands why Ash and Serena have to leave Kalos. To achieve their dreams, Ash has to go back to Kanto, Serena has to go to Hoenn, and Bonnie knows that saying goodbye is just a part of that journey to achieve their dreams.
It’s heartbreaking as all the Pokémon and friends say goodbye to each other. Serena is the first to depart, and she thanks everyone for helping her on her first journey. In the series’ first real hint at a romance, Serena gives Ash an off-screen kiss, thanking him for everything he’s done. The season ends with Ash and Pikachu reflecting on their journey in Pallet Town and are incredibly excited about their future. The season does a great job of showing that while something may be over, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t matter or that it’s forever.
1 Ash Saves the Kalos Region in Pokémon XYZ's Finale
Pokémon The Series XYZ, Episode 43: "Forming a More Perfect Union!"
In the finale against the Giant Rock and Team Flare battle, Ash and an assembly of powerful Pokémon and Trainers, including Kalos Gym Leaders and two Champions, work together to end Lysandre once and for all. This is as serious as the series has gotten, and Pokémon XYZ really ups the stakes by presenting an end-of-the-world scenario. The series even presents the Zygarde Complete Form to battle the Giant Rock. In the end, Ash and Alain order a combined attack against Lysandre, putting an end to the villain.
Concluding the five-part Team Flare arc and presenting Ash as an ultimate hero is a perfect way to cap off this season. Squishy and Z2 leave, sharing a fond farewell with their friends, and Ash, Alain, and the others look upon the world they saved — a fitting conclusion for the series that really knew how to make Pokémon legendary.
