“Anything Is Possible”: Twitter Celebrates Ash Ketchum’s First Pokémon League Win, 22 Years In
We knew it was his destiny.
22 years in the making, Pokémon‘s perpetual 10-year-old protagonist Ash Ketchum has finally beat out champions in a league to become a Pokémon Master. We knew it was his destiny.
Since 1997, Ash has been hustling hard to be the very best like no one ever was, travelling across the land, searching far and wide — but with each season of the long-running anime, he’s never won a Pokémon league.
Until now: in the latest episode of the Sun And Moon leg of the series, Ash took out the Aloha league, prompting a flurry of support and amazement online, beginning with the series’ composer Junichi Masuda.
おめでとう！
Congratulations!— 増田順一@GAME FREAK inc. (@Junichi_Masuda) September 15, 2019
Once word got out (assumedly most people aware of the 22-year journey aren’t watching the anime), the congratulations washed in.
I think what broke me the most about this episode was Ash’s face when he won. Pure shock. The entire stadium cheering for him, and he was speechless. THIS. WAS. EARNED. We THE FANS who have seen this 10 year old grow from a klutz to a legend. Im speechless too. #anipoke pic.twitter.com/ylhnn8dgcE
— That Ice Guy IS SCREAMING ABOUT CHAMPION ASH!!!! (@Frostsplash) September 15, 2019
Ash Ketchum has been a part of millions of lives & while many stop watching the Pokémon anime Ash continued to be a role model trainer for new generations. He's lost every Pokémon League to teach children it's ok to lose & today he finally won. What a day to be a Pokémon fan :) pic.twitter.com/Gzbf9j08N9
— Aero (@ActualAero) September 15, 2019
More than 20 years of traveling far and wide.
More than 20 years of Pokémon training+battling.
In more than 20 years and 1000+ eps, his courage pulled through, his destiny was fulfilled, and finally became the very best.Congratulations, Pokémon League Champion Ash Ketchum. pic.twitter.com/n0WmRXhDep
— TSF EV (@Alpha_Eevee) September 15, 2019
Some fans are pointing out that Ash has technically won before — he took out the Orange Island’s in the show’s second season, and Battle Frontier in season nine.
tfw everyone forgot that Ash won the Orange Island league pic.twitter.com/ei4T11vgwt
— 🍃Bulbasaur Propaganda🍃 (@BulbaGanda) September 15, 2019
But pedants, God bless, have reminded us that neither, as per the canon, qualify as leagues. The Frontier was a challenge, and the tropical Orange Island is not a region, and therefore not eligible to be a league. Still, an argument wages on.
I made this 😂 #Pokemon pic.twitter.com/AZStrucae1
— Erika Harlacher (@ErikaHarlacher) September 15, 2019
Which was bigger? LeBron coming back 3-1 against the Warriors or Ash Ketchum winning his first Pokemon league after a 22 year drought? pic.twitter.com/aU3BM9Kvhl
— Troydan (@Troydan) September 15, 2019
Today is historic, a sporting achievement up there with the greats. We celebrate Ash’s achievements, and hope this means the curse of being a perpetual 10-year-old can be lifted.
If you’re feeling nostalgic, our ranking of every Pokémon film that ever was can help you make an educated nostalgic watch, otherwise the impending Pokémon Sword & Shield arrive November 20 on the Nintendo Switch.