After over 20 years, over 1000 episodes, collecting over 40 badges and 88 different Pokemon, Ash and Pikachu finally win a Pokemon League (technically he’s won in the Orange League). Throughout the series Ash has failed to win any of the six previous leagues. He finished top 16 in the Indigo Plateau Conference, top 8 in the Silver Conference, top 8 in the Ever Grande Conference, top 4 in the Lily of the Valley Conference, top 8 in the Vertress Conference and he finished runner up in the Lumiose Conference. With a team of Pikachu, Rowlet, Lycanroc, Torracat and Melmetal, Ash defeated his “rival” Gladion in the Manalo Conference.

The accomplishment was the #1 trending topic on Twitter, being noted by CNN, the BBC, Complex and Business Insider. Many fans felt that Ash’s perseverance throughout the years, never giving up was a model for everyone. I complained last time Ash lost, wondering if he every was going to win one. I just realized that Ash has failed more than main characters in anime tend to. Generally, there’s a massive surge of power that manifests itself before the main hero loses, ensuring that they always win. Granted, Ash has had some of his Pokemon overcome near defeat to win plenty of times, but never in the league finals. Also, to be fair many of the protagonist in other anime would have died if they lost, Ash never faced such dangers.

This win has lead to speculation that the next series will feature someone other than Ash. While I’m fine if Ash moves on, I don’t think I can live without seeing Pikachu again. Ash’s Alolan Team shares similarities with his Hoenn and Kalos team’s, he caught two out of the three starter Pokemon, he didn’t catch any water Pokemon and this region is the first time he caught a steel type and a Mythical Pokemon (Meltan). With all Ash has accomplished he’s still along way from catch ’em all.