It’s been two decades of struggle for Pokémon trainer Ash Ketchum. Despite his best efforts, the perpetual ten-year-old has never achieved his ultimate dream of becoming a Pokémon Master. But all of that has finally changed. In the most recent episode of Pokémon the Series: Sun and Moon, Ash wins the championship competition of the Alola League at long last. This moment finally gives the franchise’s main character an official Pokémon League tournament win. “Good things come to those who wait” is an old saying that turned out to be true in this instance. But man… what a wait.
The episode has thus far only aired in Japan, but news travels fast. And fans all over the world are expressing their excitement and disbelief at Ash’s long awaited win all over social media.
It took Ash Ketchum 20 years and countless series to win the Pokémon league but he finally did it. Never stop chasing your dreams! Never give up! Anything is posssiiiiible!!!! pic.twitter.com/PdKtdvaZ6f
— Khaled Abdallah (@khaled74) September 15, 2019
Well damn…
The kid finally did it.
Ash Ketchum became a Pokemon Champion after 20+ years! pic.twitter.com/LncVCvvnVy
— Mike Mamon (@xPmnms) 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
If Ash can win a Pokémon Leauge after 22 years then anything is possible damn it. pic.twitter.com/wwhx59EdzV
— VA’s Best Sneakerhead??? (@NateCarps) September 16, 2019
ASH WON THE POKÉMON LEAGUE OMG MY CHILDHOOD pic.twitter.com/b5JBVA45Up
— ?? (@ucancallmewilla) September 16, 2019
This is how hard work pays off. Never stop believing in yourself people.
My man Ash Ketchum has finally become a Pokémon master. pic.twitter.com/sPJ3Pfhsbw
— Rao (@CasualRao) September 16, 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
But the most important mention of all came from original Ash voice actor Veronica Taylor, who tweeted out her congratulations to the character from his “younger self.” And that’s the sound of every ’90s kid across the globe as their hearts melt.
MY HEART https://t.co/WpD33zPnI4
— Joe Donley (@ShadupJoe) September 15, 2019
This win isn’t without controversy however; the Sun and Moon series (along with their respective games) haven’t been as well received by some longtime fans of the franchise due to the massive breaks in tradition that have formed the foundation of the series for the past 20 years. But nevertheless, Ash has, for the most part, been the underdog. Or at the very least drawn that way. He’s someone that can be rooted for universally because he’s simply a kid with a dream and he works towards accomplishing it with the help of his Pokemon and the friends he makes along the way.
Here’s hoping it’s not 2040 before Ash wins his next championship. Maybe by that time he’ll have hit puberty?
Images: The Pokémon Company