Pokémon Anime: 10 Best Hoenn Episodes

Pokémon has delighted fans for decades, and the Hoenn region, featured in the sixth and seventh seasons (Pokémon: Advanced and Pokémon: Advanced Challenge), is no exception. In this saga, Ash Ketchum embarks on a new adventure with aspiring Pokémon Coordinator May, exploring the diverse Hoenn region and facing off against powerful Gym Leaders.

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Along the way, they encounter a host of unique Pokémon and develop lasting friendships. From intense battles to emotional farewells, the Hoenn region offers unforgettable episodes that have left a lasting impact on the hearts of Pokémon fans. Let’s explore the best episodes from this beloved chapter in the Pokémon anime.

10 Get the Show on the Road!

In Get the Show on the Road!, Ash arrives in the Hoenn region eager to start a new journey. He meets May, a beginner Pokémon Trainer unsure about her path. As May struggles to choose her first Pokémon, Ash helps her navigate the challenges.

After accidentally freeing the three starter Pokémon from Professor Birch’s lab, they team up to retrieve them. May chooses Torchic as her partner, while Ash gets Pikachu back. This marks the beginning of their shared adventure, filled with exciting challenges and memorable experiences.

9 A Poached Ego!

In A Poached Ego!, Ash, Brock, and May continue their journey through Hoenn. They come across a Pokémon poacher named Rico, who is capturing Ekans and Koffing for profit. Team Rocket’s Jessie, James, and Meowth, still pursuing Ash and his friends, become involved when they discover Rico’s actions.

Feeling a strong connection to the captured Pokémon, Jessie and James recall their own cute companions, Ekans and Koffing, which evolved into Arbok and Weezing. They secretly decide to save the captured Pokémon from Rico in a dangerous battle.

8 Tree’s a Crowd

In Tree’s a Crowd, Ash encounters a stubborn Treecko defending its tree home from a flock of aggressive Taillow. Ash and his friends help Treecko protect the tree, admiring its tenacity and determination. As the group faces the Taillow, Treecko displays its impressive battling skills, earning Ash’s admiration.

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When the tree ultimately collapses, Treecko joins Ash on his journey. Ash captures Treecko, marking his first Pokémon catch in the Hoenn region and strengthening his team for the challenges that lay ahead in his quest to become a Pokémon Master.

7 A Hole Lotta Trouble

In A Hole Lotta Trouble, Ash and his friends are separated from their Pokémon after falling into a series of underground tunnels. While the trainers navigate the maze-like caverns to reunite with their Pokémon, Team Rocket also falls into the tunnels, hatching another plan to capture Pikachu.

Meanwhile, the lost Pokémon work together to escape the underground labyrinth, showcasing their teamwork and problem-solving skills. Finally, the trainers and their Pokémon reunite, successfully thwarting Team Rocket’s scheme and showcasing the trust between trainers and their Pokémon.

6 Gone Corphishin’

In Gone Corphishin’, Ash and his friends continue their journey through the Hoenn region. Ash is eager to catch a new Pokémon for his team, and he hears about a powerful Water-type Pokémon, Corphish, living nearby.

Throughout the episode, Ash and his friends have several encounters with the feisty Corphish, but it continually eludes capture. The group decides to camp near a river, where they set up fishing lines to catch the elusive Corphish. At the same time, Team Rocket spies on them, planning to capture Pikachu as usual.

5 Win, Lose or Drew!

In Win, Lose or Drew!, May participates in her first Pokémon Contest, eager to prove her skills. During the beauty contest, she faces her rival Drew, a talented and experienced competitor. Despite giving her best effort, May ultimately loses to Drew, who goes on to win the contest.

Although disappointed, May learns valuable lessons about grace, sportsmanship, and the importance of hard work. This humbling experience drives her to improve her skills, fueling her determination to become a top Pokémon Coordinator and setting the stage for future showdowns with Drew.

4 Let Bagons Be Bagons

In Let Bagons Be Bagons, Ash, and his friends encounter a group of Bagon, a Dragon-type Pokémon, living in a mountainous area. However, they discover that the Bagon has problems as they struggle to evolve into their final form, Salamence.

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The group meets a boy named Morrison, who encourages them to catch their own Bagon and train them. Brock comes up with a rigorous training plan, and everyone works hard to help their Bagon evolve. Ultimately, they evolve the Bagon into the second stage, Shelgon.

3 Delcatty Got Your Tongue

In Delcatty Got Your Tongue, Ash, and his friends meet a young girl named Kimmy, who is upset and searching for her missing Skitty. She explains that her Skitty was taken by Team Rocket, who mistook it for a valuable Delcatty.

Team Rocket makes plans to sell the Skitty to the highest bidder. However, they soon realize that the Skitty is not a Delcatty and attempt to release it. However, Skitty refuses to leave Team Rocket, and they ultimately decide to keep it as their own.

2 Gulpin It Down

In Gulpin It Down, Ash and his friends come across a group of Gulpin, a small, blob-like Pokémon, eating everything in sight, including the town’s food supply. The group meets a scientist named Professor Jacuzzi, who is studying the Gulpin’s eating habits.

He reveals that the Gulpin are overeating because they are trying to store energy for their upcoming evolution into Swalot, a more powerful and larger Pokémon. Ash and his team work together to stop the Gulpin’s rampage before it’s too late.

1 The Garden of Eatin’

In The Garden of Eatin’, Ash and his friends visit Banana Slakoth Garden but find the trees bare due to a Snorlax eating all the bananas. Ash decides to catch the Snorlax, but Pikachu’s attacks have no effect.

Professor Oak advises them to use a Pokémon that can’t be put to sleep, so Marcel helps them evolve a Slakoth into a Vigoroth. The Vigoroth battles and challenges Snorlax to a battle. After an intense battle, Vigoroth wins, and Marcel turns Snorlax into a relaxation chamber centerpiece.

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