Pokemon anime reunites Ash & Gary one last time
26 years since we first saw Ash Ketchum in the Pokemon anime, his last episode reunites him with his original enemy, Gary Oak.
03rd Mar 2023 11:54
Images The Pokemon Company
Pokemon anime reunites Ash & Gary one last time
26 years since we first saw Ash Ketchum in the Pokemon anime, his last episode reunites him with his original enemy, Gary Oak.
03rd Mar 2023 11:54
Images The Pokemon Company
If you thought Charmander being abandoned, Stoutland dying, or Ash being turned to stone were tear-jerking moments of the Pokemon anime, that'll likely be nothing compared to the final episode featuring our hero.
For the past 26 years, we've gotten to laugh and cry with Ash Ketchum, and to this day, it's baffling he's never appeared in the games. Either way, he's far more interesting than the generic character of Red he's "loosely" based on.
We know Ash's final hurrah is on the way, with the last episode of Pokemon Ultimate Journeys: The Series being his last with the anime. The Pokemon Company is going all out with his series swansong, and as part of this trip down memory lane, the show's OG villain is back for more.
Gary is coming back to the Pokemon anime
The snot-nosed Gary Oak is making his comeback, as the final episode of Ultimate Journeys confirms the return of Ash's original rival. As the anime version of Blue from the games, Gary is basically a little sh*t who tries to best Ash at every turn.
According to Comicbook.com, Japanese TV guides have the synopsis for Ash's final episode, with March 24's "The Rainbow and the Pokémon Master" promising to be a fitting tribute to his tenure as the very best (like no one ever was).
The synopsis reads, "When Ash and Pikachu return to Pallet Town, they reunite with Gary who asks Ash the question: How much closer to becoming the Pokemon Master are you now that you've become the Champion?
"Becoming a Pokemon Master has been Ash's dream ever since he set off on his journey with Pikachu. Will Ash be able to find the answer to this question?" By the sounds of it, Gary will be making Ash question his credentials as a Pokemon Master, proving that he's just as antagonistic as ever.
Gary has appeared plenty in Ultimate Journeys, and these days, is remembered as Goh's Project Mew rival. Still, with him leaving Pallet town the same day as Ash all those years ago, things are coming full circle.
What happens in Ash's final episode of the Pokemon anime?
Much like Team Rocket, Gary has proved to be more of a nuisance to Ash than an actual threat. We already knew Jessie and James will have a big part to play in the episode, while Gary adds to the nostalgic throwbacks.
We're guessing we'll go back to Pallet Town, with possible returns from the likes of Ash's mum and Professor Oak, as well as more of Ash's forgotten 'Mon he's collected over the years. Either way, we know there are already plans for Ash to return someday.
We're hoping Gary gets one final battle with Ash, after all, it's been 11 years since Charizard bested Gary's Blastoise in the Silver Conference. We reckon Pikachu zapping Gary's Blastoise and the former foes walking into the sunset sounds like a great way to round things off.
About The Author
Tom Chapman
Tom is Trending News Editor at GGRecon, with an NCTJ qualification in Broadcast Journalism and over seven years of experience writing about film, gaming, and television. With bylines at IGN, Digital Spy, Den of Geek, and more, Tom’s love of horror means he's well-versed in all things Resident Evil, with aspirations to be the next Chris Redfield.
