Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire, also sometimes known asAdvanced Generationafter the Japanese title, was the first series to follow the original series after its conclusion. It shook up the series' cast, replacing Misty with new character May, a young trainer native to Hoenn just starting her journey, as well as adding her younger brother, Max, who was too young to be a trainer himself.
This era of thePokémonanime is severely underrated due to being sandwiched between the ever-popular original series, which maintains a heavy grasp on nostalgia, andDiamond and Pearl, which many fans believe to be a contender for the bestPokémonseries to date. However,theRuby and Sapphireera of the anime has its share of fans,who often cite May’s journey from beginner who barely likes Pokémon to a top-tier coordinator as one of the better written arcs in the franchise. Here are 10 of the best episodes from this era ofPokémon, which should easily prove it worthy of more respect.
10Tree’s a Crowd
Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire, episode #7
While traveling early on in their journey, Ash and friends encounter a group of Treecko who live in a dilapidated tree.There seems to be some dispute among the Treecko, as most want to find a new tree to live in, while one angrily insists that they must stay and help the tree. Ash and Pikachu watch as Treecko does its best to care for the tree, bringing it water, but to no avail. That’s when Team Rocket strikes, attempting to steal all the Treecko. The Treecko and Pikachu are able to repel Team Rocket, and as the old tree finally falls down, Ash catches the defiant Treecko.
It also shows a rare example of how Pokémon aging isn’t related to evolution, with a very old Treecko as the leader of the group.
The episode establishes the character of Ash’s Treecko, which would go on to become one of his most essential Pokémon throughout theRuby and Sapphireera.It’s a compelling origin for Treecko, who would remain a bit moody long after being caught by Ash. It also shows a rare example of how Pokémon aging isn’t related to evolution, with a very old Treecko as the leader of the group.
9Let Bagons Be Bagons
Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire, episode #43
As Ash and friends travel, they encounter a Bagon falling from the sky. The Bagon belongs to a girl named Michelle, and is practicing flying for its evolution.Ash decides to aid Bagon in evolving by battling it, butTeam Rocket strikeusing a jetpack, and attempt to steal Bagon. Bagon, however, is thrilled to fly with the jetpack, and when Team Rocket try to get away with Pikachu, Bagon and Treecko team up, using the jetpack to chase down Team Rocket and defeat them. In the end, Bagon does evolve into Shelgon, moving it one step closer to flying.
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The episode is a good example of the typicalPokémonformula, focusing on Bagon’s dreams of flight.The emphasis on living one’s dreams is a good moral, plus it stars one of the more popular evolutionary lines of the Hoenn dex in Bagon.
8Do I Hear A Ralts?
Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire, episode #109
While traveling, Max finds a sick Ralts in the nearby brush. Realizing it needs to be taken to a Pokémon Center, the group begins rushing that way, until Team Rocket attacks.Max goes on ahead with Ralts as the others hold off Team Rocket, but Ralts is getting sicker by the minute, and soon can’t travel at all. At that point, a Gardevoir and Kirlia appear, thinking that Max is trying to steal Ralts like Team Rocket. Max is able to convince them of his good will, and they get Ralts to the Pokémon Center, where it recovers just fine. Max and Ralts are forced to part ways, but Max promises to return for it some day.
One of the best episodes focusing on Max, it quickly establishes a close relationship between him and Ralts, and had he been old enough, he likely would’ve caught it. Alas, it instead results in a tearful goodbye, withMax proving that he’s already matured greatly since the start of this journey.
7Battling The Enemy Within
Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire, episode #178
While exploring some strange ruins, Ash is saved by a man named Brandon, who owns the Legendary Pokémon Regirock.Ash learns a Ho-Oh maybe nearby and gets too excited, touching a cursed object and becoming possessed by the ancient spirit of an evil king. Brandon challenges the possessed Ash, but this evil king doesn’t fight fairly, collapsing the ceiling onto Brandon’s Regirock and hiding behind the referee to avoid being hit.
Brandon still defeats him easily, and in a moment of clarity, Ash asks Pikachu to zap him, which releases the evil king’s spirit and frees Ash from the curse.
This episode is well known for spawning the “Evil Ash” meme, as Ash makes some ridiculous faces while possessed.It’s highly entertaining to watch Ash be evil, and gives a taste of what Brandon, Ash’s final adversary in this arc, is truly capable of.
6Time Warp Heals All Wounds
Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire, episode #157
May runs off after her Squirtle, ending up at an empty train station, where an old woman is waiting.Her granddaughter tells her a regretful story of the past, how the old woman’s husband left town for work, only to die in a tragic accident before they could see one another again. Later, they discover an old locket belonging to the woman, which transports May (and Meowth) through time. May and Meowth work together to change fate, saving the old woman’s husband’s life. Returning to the present, May discovers her Pokémon Egg hatching into an Eevee!
A rare episode where a member of Team Rocket works willingly with the heroes, it tells a classic time travel story well. It does raise some crazy implications about what else May and Meowth might’ve changed, however…
5A Hole Lotta Trouble
Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire, episode #22
While traveling, Ash and co. encounter a large cave system, but are soon trapped by Team Rocket.However, Team Rocket’s trap causes the cave floor to collapse, and everyone is separated as they fall into different tunnels, causing the two groups to be intermixed. Forced to work together by circumstance, they wander the caves, looking for a way out. Ash, James, and Brock encounter a group of angry Aron, while Max, Meowth, and Pikachu discover an underground waterfall that may lead out. As the Aron continue to cause a disruption, the group encounters Steven Stone, who fends off the Aron, and then Team Rocket, too.
The episode also introduces Steven, who will go on to be a much more important character in later seasons of the anime.
Another good episode whereTeam Rocket is forced to work with the heroes, it shows a different side of the trio, as they’re often easier to work with alone than as a group. The episode also introduces Steven, who will go on to be a much more important character in later seasons of the anime.
4The Scuffle of Legends
Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire, episode #98
The second half of a two-parter, this episode sees Team Aqua’s plans come to fruition as Archie takes possession of the Red Orb and gains control over Kyogre.Pikachu, meanwhile, is unexpectedly fused with the Blue Orb, granting him the overwhelming power of a Legendary Pokémon. Ash’s group teams up with Lance, who had been investigating Teams Aqua and Magma, and works to put a stop to Kyogre using Groudon and Pikachu. Pikachu and Ash nearly drown, but are saved by Kyogre, who has calmed down now that it is no longer controlled by the orb.
The major appeal of this episode is seeing Kyogre and Groudon going at it in animated form, although their actual confrontation is quite abbreviated. It’s also cool to see Pikachu wielding such tremendous power, and the return of Lance is always welcome.
3Solid as a Solrock
Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire, episode #100
Up for his next gym badge, Ash challenges twin gym leaders Tate and Liza, who want to have a double battle.Ash uses Pikachu and Swellow against their Solrock and Lunatone, giving him a disadvantage off the bat. However, Tate and Liza are lacking in teamwork, and keep interfering with each other’s strategies. Team Rocket disrupts the battle and destroys the gym, but Pikachu and Swellow take them out. With the gym destroyed, they agree to finish their battle outside. Ash pulls off a crazy strategy of attacking the clouds with Thunder, causing them to rain down lightning bolts and supercharge Pikachu and Swellow, giving him the edge he needs to win.
Infamous for Ash’s insane plan,this episode is worth watching if only for the memes that this “Thunder Armor” plan generated. It’s one of the more amusing gym battles in the Hoenn era, even ifAsh’s win broke the rules and is the result of pure deus ex machina.
2The Symbol Life
Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire, episode #136
Up for his first battle at the Battle Frontier,Ash trains with Charizard, who has returned from the Charicific Valley better trained than ever before. His opponent, Noland, possesses a Legendary Pokémon in the form of Articuno, so it will be a tough battle.As the battle is about to begin, Team Rocket fall into the stadium and are quickly dispatched.Charizard has a tough time with Articuno, which knows a Water-type attack, but Charizard hangs in there, despite a frozen wing. Charizard melts the ice and goes in for a Seismic Toss, finally defeating Articuno and securing Ash his first Frontier Symbol.
The episode is noteworthy for beingthe very first time a non-Legendary Pokémon defeated a Legendary in the anime,and the battle is suitably exciting. It’s always good to see Ash with Charizard once again, proving that their relationship is as strong as ever.
1Pace - The Final Frontier!
Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire, episode #190
The second half of a two-part battle, Ash is in a difficult position in his battle with Pyramid King Brandon, as Charizard has already been defeated.Ash is able to come back and defeat Brandon’s Dusclops, while Squirtle takes down Ninjask. Brandon’s Solrock comes out next, defeating Squirtle and being taken down in a double knockout with Bulbasaur. That leaves Brandon’s ace, the Legendary Regice, up against Pikachu. Pikachu has a difficult time at first, with Regice freezing it, then healing with Rest. Ash and Pikachu manage a comeback, however, and knowing what’s coming, are able to avoid being frozen again and strike one last time, securing victory.
The battle between Ash and Brandon is often consideredone of the best battles in the entirePokémonanime, so it’s little wonder that it managed to be the best episode ofRuby and Sapphire. Ash really had to fight hard to earn this one, and there’s no deus ex machina to be seen here. Ash is rewarded with an offer to become a Frontier Brain like Brandon, but turns it down. Seeing Ash fight so hard, and be rewarded in proportion to his efforts, makes this undoubtedly the best episode ofPokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire.
Pokémon
Cast
Pokémon follows Ash Ketchum on his journey to become a Pokémon Master, accompanied by his loyal Pikachu. Released in 1997, the series explores Ash’s travels through various regions, where he encounters new friends and challenges, underscoring the themes of adventure and teamwork.
