The progression of the Pokemon Journeys has seen Ash and his newest partner Goh traveling all over the world of Pokemon visiting 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 many fan-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.While Pokemon Journeys has 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, Journeys had stood out for its region-hopping narrative giving the newest Pokemon anime a wholly unique feel to its predecessors. Ash has reunited with old friends and Pokemon as well as seeing plenty of familiar locations throughout Journeys' 100-plus episodes and an upcoming episode will see Ash and Goh pay a visit to the tropical Alola region.A recent leak of a summary for Pokemon 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 with many of his former traveling companions and Pokemon school 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 time Pokemon Journeys has visited the island archipelago region originally from Pokemon Sun and Moon since 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 the Pokemon franchise with Pokemon GO adding Gen 7 Pokemon to the popular mobile game earlier this year.
While the Pokemon anime will soon make a return to a fan-favorite region from the franchise's past, Pokemon has already made waves throughout the year with more major events to come soon. Along with the previously-mentioned addition of Alolan Pokemon to Pokemon GO, The Pokemon Company released Pokemon Legends: Arceus in January to massive success, and officially announced the franchise's ninth generation games Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, with release dates set for late 2022. While the anime pays homage to Pokemon's history, the games will soon look to move the franchise into a new era.