Pokémon: Ash is finally the World Champion after 25 years

After 25 long years, Ash Ketchum of Pallet Town, Kanto is finally the Pokémon World Champion.

For two and a half decades, fans have watched the Pokémon trainer train, and learn, and grow on his quest to be the very best that no one ever was. But after far too many crushing defeats - at one point even coming so close we all thought it was finally going to happen for real - we learned to let go of the dream.

How foolish we were. This morning, Pokémon Company confirmed the news we've waited 25 years to hear. In the conclusion of the latest episode of Pokémon Ultimate Journeys, Ash took on champion Leon in a battle for the ultimate title.

Despite some nasty knocks, and one unfortunate interruption from an angry Legendary Pokémon, our boy from Pallet Town came out on top in the Masters Eight Tournament of the Pokémon World Coronation Series.

Ash went into battle with an incredible team of fan favourites, including Dragonite, Gengar, Lucario, Sirfetch’d, and Dracovish. But it was, of course, his trusty Pikachu who took out Leon's Charizard to claim the win.

While Ash has recently earned a championship title before (he was the Alola region's first ever Pokémon League winner), this victory makes him the world champ. In other words, he is finally the Pokémon Master he vowed to become all the way back in 1997. I could almost cry.

• PS1 Beloved RPG Remaster Leaks Confirming Return After 25 Years
• Pokémon: Ash is finally leaving the series after 25 years
• Pokémon Emerald Seaglass Is The Best Pokémon Game We’ve Had in Years
• PS2 Nostalgia is Alive, Logo Rotate Hits the Spot 25 Years Later