As its name suggests, the Pokémon World Coronation Series is an anime-exclusive event held to determine the best Trainer in the world. It features every relevant Trainer from all regions, lamest to coolest, in the Pokémon world, including Gym Leaders, Elite Four members, and, of course, League Champions.

Currently, Ash Ketchum is among the Top 100 Trainers in the world. His recent victory against Iris, his former traveling companion and current Champion of Unova, raised him to number 99, the highest he’s ever been. There are still 98 Trainers on his path, but Ash has all the skills, tools, and advantages to win the event.

9 He’ll Get To Beat Those Who Beat Him Before

Many fans still resent some of Ash’s previous losses with two that stand out as the most egregious. The first one was his defeat against Tobias during the Lily of the Valley Conference in Sinnoh. Tobias used not one but two Pokémon that should be banned: a Mythical, Darkrai, and a Legendary, Latios. The fact that Ash actually managed to defeat both Pokémon made his loss even more painful.

The second one was his battle against Alain at the Kalos Lumiose Conference. Ash’s team in Kalos is arguably his best one ever, so to see such mighty Pokémon fall against a worthy but not overwhelming opponent was indeed terrible. The World Coronation Series is the perfect chance for Ash to face these two opponents again and win, giving him some much-needed vindication.

8 He’s Proving His Worth

The World Coronation Series is a big deal because it proves a Trainer’s worth to the entire world. It’s a who’s who of talented Trainers, and the victor cements their place in the annals of history.

Reputation is crucial in the Pokémon world. Trainers live and die by it, and Ash is no exception. The young Trainer traveled throughout eight regions, winning badges left and right and creating a name for himself. The World Coronation Series threw him into the spotlight, and Ash is living up to his reputation. Being among the Top 100 Trainers is already an impressive achievement, and Ash is only getting started.

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7 He Is Already A Pokémon League Champion

Despite being one for most of his journey, Ash is no longer the underdog. He isn’t the dark horse in the competition or the unknown one that no one bets on to win. As Alola’s reigning Champion, Ash is now famous in the Pokémon world. Most people know his name, and his reputation is only becoming more impressive.

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Ash has many people rooting for him, not only his friends and family but even casual fans of the event who admire his journey and achievements. Ash is finally enjoying the benefits of his past endeavors and using them to become an even better Trainer and champion.

6 He Has His Best Pokémon Team Since Kalos

As previously mentioned, the Kalos Pokémon rank as some of Ash’s best. Greninja, Hawlucha, Noivern, Goodra, Talonflame, and Pikachu perfectly represent Ash’s leadership and abilities as a Trainer. Many fans believed that Ash’s line-up would be impossible to match, let alone surpass, but Ash’s current team has the potential to do it.

First, Ash has an exceptionally strong fully-evolved Pseudo-Legendary, Dragonite. He also has one of the best Ghost-types in the franchise, Gengar, and two of Generation VIII’s best additions, Sirfetch’d and Dracovish. Perhaps most importantly, he has a Lucario, as well as his inseparable Pikachu. This team is well-rounded and strong, and Ash is taking full advantage of their power.

5 He Is The Most Mature He’s Ever Been

Throughout his journey, Ash experienced his fair share of losses. He always had strong showings in most contests he participated in but he never managed to win. And every time he lost, he handled it as best as he could. He always faced his defeats with as much dignity as possible.

Ash is now at his most mature than he has ever been in the past. He understands that winning isn’t everything and instead competes for the love of battling. It’s this drive, and the confidence and experience he’s accumulated over his travels around the Pokémon world, that will ultimately allow Ash to succeed in the Coronation series.

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4 Pikachu Is At The Peak Of Its Abilities

Without a doubt, Pikachu is Ash’s strongest Pokémon. They’ve been together since the start of his journey and are the best of friends. Ash takes Pikachu to every new region he goes to and trusts him more than any of his other Pokémon, even the ones that might seem bulkier or more intimidating.

Like his Trainer, Pikachu has gone through quite a journey. He was steadily improving before being inexplicably nerfed at the beginning of the Unova season. Since then, Pikachu began his way up again, and nowadays, he is at his absolute strongest. The World Coronation Series is the perfect event to showcase Pikachu’s improved strength, and Ash will not miss the opportunity to do so.

3 It Takes Him One Step Closer To His Ultimate Goal

Casual fans might ignore this about Ash, but his ultimate goal isn’t to become a Pokémon League Champion. Ash strives to be a Pokémon Master. What exactly is a Pokémon Master is still unknown because the Pokémon Company refuses to define the term.

Over the years, fans have come up with many theories to explain the term. However, one thing is clear, and that is that all of Ash’s triumphs are just steps on his way to becoming a Pokémon Master. Ash doesn’t chase glory or riches, but something more meaningful: a bond with Pokémon that eludes words. Becoming the Champion of the Pokémon League or even the entire world will be great, but it’s not Ash’s endgame. It’s just the icing on the cake.

2 It’s The Perfect Time For Him To Win

Many fans believe that the upcoming Pokémon Legends: Arceus might be a turning point for the venerable franchise. Many in the fandom have been very vocal for years about wanting the main series games to evolve past their now-classic formula.

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With the franchise adopting an entirely new premise and, possibly, some RPG elements, Generation IX might look very different. If this is indeed the case, those changes might translate to the anime. The plot might move away from the Gym-system towards an adventure-style storyline. And the perfect way to say goodbye to this previous narrative would be to have Ash winning the ultimate Pokémon competition.

1 It’s The Perfect Send-Off For The Character

Ash has been the protagonist of the Pokémon anime for twenty-three years now. He’s been on a seemingly eternal journey of growth without ever aging. Fans didn’t complain because Pokémon is a cartoon and because Ash still had some learning to do. However, Ash is now at his best. It’s time for him to use everything he learned and claim the ultimate victory.

For a while now, most fans have realized that this season might be Ash’s last. Everything seems to suggest that the anime’s new protagonist will be Goh, Ash’s ambitious and likable traveling companion. If this is indeed Ash’s last season, then that is all the more reason for him to go out on top. Winning the World Coronation Series would be the perfect ending for his story arc, and it wouldn’t feel forced, on the contrary. After twenty-three years, he deserves it.

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