The progression of thePokemon Journeyshas seen Ash and his newest partner Goh traveling all over the world ofPokemonvisiting not only the franchise’s newest main region in Galar, but all the past regions from Kanto to Kalos and more. The series has brought back manyfan-favorite characters like Serena, Dawn, and many of Ash’s other former traveling partners as the two Pokemon trainers have traversed the world of the franchise. Now, one of Ash’s next adventures will see the franchise return to one of its most recent regions for the first time since last year.WhilePokemon Journeyshas featured plenty of nods to the franchise’s last major generation with Ash and Goh traveling through the Galar region and meeting popular characters like Bea, Marnie, and Raihan,Journeyshad stood out for its region-hopping narrative giving the newestPokemonanime a wholly unique feel to its predecessors. Ash has reunited with old friends and Pokemon as well as seeing plenty of familiar locations throughoutJourneys' 100-plus episodes and an upcoming episode will see Ash and Goh pay a visit to the tropical Alola region.RELATED:Marnie Will Soon Be Making Pokemon Anime DebutA recent leak of a summary forPokemon Journeys' 112th episode presents the episode title, “Triumphant Return! The Alola Champion!” as well as a synopsis for the adventure to come. Ash will reunite withmany of his former traveling companions and Pokemonschool friends from the Alola region as they compete in a four-way battle, with Ash seeing particular notoriety for his status as a former Alolan champion. The summary also suggests the region’s Professor Kukui will also take part in the “battle royale” with the episode set to air later this month on May 27.
The return to the Alola region will be the first timePokemon Journeyshas visited the island archipelago region originally fromPokemon Sun and Moonsince mid-last year with the episode “Fully Powered! The Alola Desert Island Race!!” The anime’s return to the Gen 7 region comes just a few months after Alola was in the spotlight for another major part of thePokemonfranchise withPokemon GOadding Gen 7 Pokemonto the popular mobile game earlier this year.
While thePokemonanime will soon make a return to a fan-favorite region from the franchise’s past,Pokemonhas already made waves throughout the year with more major events to come soon. Along with the previously-mentioned addition of Alolan Pokemon toPokemon GO, The Pokemon Company releasedPokemon Legends: Arceusin January to massive success, and officially announced the franchise’sninth generation gamesPokemon Scarlet and Violet, with release dates set for late 2022. While the anime pays homage toPokemon’s history, the games will soon look to move the franchise into a new era.
