Ash Ketchum makes history after defeating Sinnoh champion Cynthia in ‘Pokémon Journeys’

September 19, 2022

Ash Ketchum has achieved a new milestone in the anime “Pokémon Journeys” by defeating the legendary Sinnoh champion, Cynthia.

Ash and Cynthia were participants in the Masters 8 tournament, a world championship of the strongest trainers Pokémon trainerse, including No. 1 ranked Galar champion Leon, Kalos champion Diantha, Hoenn champion Steven, Unova champion Iris, Johto champion Lance and Ash’s rival from Kalos, Alain.

Ash reached champion status when he finally won a league after 20 years in “Pokémon the Series: Sun and Moon – Ultra Legends.”

The stand off between the two icons saw them going all out in a six versus six battle. Ash stuck to his “Pokémon Journeys” team, which consisted of Pikachu, Gengar, Dracovish, Sirfetch’d, Dragonite and Lucario. Meanwhile, Cynthia used Spiritomb, Roserade, Milotic, Gastrodon, Togekiss and her ace, Garchomp, all of which have composed her in-game teams as well.

Ash and Cynthia duked it out over the course of three episodes. The final bout was between Cynthia’s signature Garchomp and Ash’s Lucario, which he mega evolved for the match. In the Masters 8 tournament, each trainer is allowed to use one of the following battle mechanics per match: Z-Moves, mega evolution or dynamax. Cynthia opted to dynamax her Togekiss earlier in the battle.

Lucario took down the previously undefeated Garchomp and catapulted Ash into the finals against Leon.

Netizens reacted to the crowning achievement of the protagonist, who is now ranked the second strongest trainer in the anime.

“The battle that we’ve waited over a decade to see has finally ended,” one Twitter user wrote. “Our boy Ash finally defeated the undefeated Sinnoh Champion Cynthia. Congratulations Champion.”

“Ash vs Cynthia has been something fans have wanted for 10+ years so it is legitimately impressive how well it managed to live up to the hype,” wrote another.

Only time will tell if Ash will defeat Leon and if he will venture into the Paldea region of the upcoming “Pokémon: Scarlet and Violet” games.

Last month, real life Pokémon players gathered at the world championships in London to square off in the trading card games and video games.

Feature Image via ZeraVoltage

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