The Pokemon anime's World Coronation Series has been a showcase of some of the strongest rivals Ash and friends have ever faced throughout the series' long run. Coupled with the newest series' theme of re-introducing Ash to past partners and opponents, the massive tournament's final act has seen each region's Champions duking it out. The quarterfinal round featured plenty of high-profile battles like Sinnoh champion Cynthia squaring off against Unova's Iris. Now, the dust has settled on the round-of-eight and the anime has officially revealed the two upcoming semi-final matchups.
The most recent arc of the Pokemon anime has encapsulated a season that has seen Ash re-unite with many of his past companions and opponents. Traveling partners like Lillie, Serena, and Dawn have featured frequently throughout the more than 100 episodes since Ash and Goh began their globe-trotting journey. The ongoing World Coronation Series arc has even seen cameos from smaller characters like Ash's Kanto League opponent Ritchie. Now, with the grand tournament down to its final four, the semi-finals is set to feature Ash facing down a familiar foe.
The recently aired 118th episode of Pokemon Journeys officially unveiled the two semi-final matches set to come next in the Masters Tournament. Following his victory against Hoenn's Steven Stone, Ash will square off against Sinnoh's legendary champion Cynthia for his own matchup. The other round-of-four matchup will pit Galar's champion Leon in a matchup against the Kalos champion Diantha, fresh off their victories against the tournament's only non-Champion quarterfinalist Alain and Johto champion Lance respectively.
Pokemon Journeys' World Coronation Series has featured plenty of high-powered Pokemon battles throughout the newest anime series' run. The tournament has played an overarching role in the progression of the newest season since the early episodes. Now, with the Masters Tournament ramping up into its final arc, many fans have already taken to predicting who will emerge as the champion. The semi-final matchup will see Ash, Pikachu, and his team have to topple Cynthia and her intimidating Garchomp if he wants to win the tournament.
The Masters Tournament comes as a culmination of a Pokemon season that has broken plenty of series traditions throughout its nearly three-year-long run in Japan. Journeys was Pokemon's first main-series anime to shed the franchise's traditional region-focused structure in favor of a globe-trotting story with Ash visiting several locales around the Pokemon world. With some of Pokemon's strongest trainers returning, the Masters Tournament's finale will be one Pokemon anime fans won't want to miss.
Source: ComicBook