In a brightly lit room, Tony plugged in his Bluetooth headset, quietly enjoying the familiar melody.
After listening to the song in silence, Tony looked up at the ceiling. His eyes, as dark as black gemstones, reflected a trace of nostalgia.
"It's been 25 years... Ash finally won the championship. That final battle at Gongmen Stadium ignited the whole world!"
The night before, as the 132nd episode of the latest Pokémon animation Pokémon Journeys aired, a topic titled [Pokémon: Ash Wins Two Consecutive Championships] became a trending topic on Weibo, garnering over 74 million views by evening.
25 Years of Memories
Twenty-five years ago, Ren Jihe and Sakura Kyoto TV Station produced the animation Pokémon to promote the game series. This animation became the starting point of Pokémon memories for many.
In the show, the protagonist Ash Ketchum loudly declared the night before embarking on his journey:
"I want to announce to all Pokémon in the world that the strongest Pokémon Trainer, no, the Pokémon Master... that's me!"
From then on, Ash, affectionately called "stupid" by audiences and players alike, embarked on a journey to pursue his dream—a pursuit that spanned 25 years.
Unlike the games, where players could reload save files and try again, Ash in the animation had no such luxury. A single loss in the League meant elimination, and he had to start over in the next region.
For more than a decade, the best result Ash achieved was reaching the top four, a feat arranged by the screenwriters. If Ash were a real person, he would have likely given up long ago.
But as the protagonist of an ongoing series, Ash had no choice but to move forward.
Triumphs and Setbacks
In 2016, Pokémon XYZ premiered, boasting the best animation quality, character design, and Pokémon roster to date. Many believed Ash had his best shot at winning.
However, the production team decided to give the championship to Alain, a rival aiding a villainous organization. This decision sparked outrage among fans.
Under pressure, the production team made amends in Pokémon Sun and Moon, where Ash finally won his first League championship after 22 years. Yet, the victory was met with skepticism. The League in that season required no gym badges, and even Team Rocket participated, leading fans to question its legitimacy.
Fast forward to Pokémon Journeys, where the story introduced Goh, a character who could capture Pokémon without battles and even legendary Pokémon with ease. Fans labeled him "One Ball Superman," and the series became one of the most criticized in the franchise's history.
Redemption
Despite the controversies, the series redeemed itself with the Pokémon World Championships, where Ash competed against champions from every region. The budget for these episodes was significantly higher, delivering breathtaking animation and epic battles.
Ash ultimately faced Leon, the undefeated champion of Galar, in the finals. With the strongest rival and the highest stakes, fans around the world watched as Ash finally claimed the title of Pokémon World Champion.
After 25 years of perseverance, Ash fulfilled his dream, sparking celebrations among Pokémon fans worldwide.
A New Beginning
Tony, a content creator, stayed up all night making videos celebrating Ash's victory. As he smiled at his screen, ready to upload his work, a mysterious string of text appeared:
[Video through Pokémon World. Each time you watch a video, you can earn a cash reward based on audience feedback.]
"Watching videos... earns cash rewards?" Tony was stunned.
But as realization dawned, the corners of his mouth curled into a sly smile.
"This video will explode, not just on the internet, but across the entire Pokémon world!"
Pokémon World Reaction
In regions across the Pokémon world—Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, and beyond—massive green screens appeared in open spaces.
At the Galar Region's Palace Gate Stadium, the screens lit up, ready to broadcast a new chapter in Pokémon history...
And so, a new adventure began.
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