The BEST episodes of Pokémon season 5
Every episode of Pokémon season 5, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Pokémon season 5!
A young boy named Ash Ketchum embarks on a journey to become a "Pokemon Master" with his first Pokemon, Pikachu. Joining him on his travels are Brock, a girl-obsessed Rock Pokemon Trainer, and Misty, a tomboyish Water Pokemon Trainer who may have a crush on him. Ash and Co. end up traveling through various regions, including Kanto, the Orange Islands, and Johto, and then enter the Pokemon League competitions there. Along the way, they run into many confrontations with Jessie, James, and Meowth, a trio of Pokemon thieves who are apart of an evil organization called "Team Rocket". But everytime Team Rocket try to do their evil deeds, they fail thanks to Ash and his Pokemon.
#1 - Johto Photo Finish
Season 5 - Episode 63 - Aired 10/31/2002
Our hero is at the end of a tough battle with Harrison at the Johto League Silver Conference. The winner of this battle will go on to the semi-finals. Each trainer has battled hard and is down to their last Pokémon. Ash is using Charizard. Harrison is also using a high level fire type called Blaziken. Charizard flies up with Blaziken and is in position for a powerful Seismic Toss. After the impact, however, both Pokémon are standing! As Charizard tossed Blaziken down, Blaziken had directed a Flame Thrower attack towards the ground to propel it back up, softening the blow of the impact! Both Pokémon battle well, and it seems like neither will give in, but, in the end, Charizard faints. Harrison continues on into the semi-finals, but is defeated in the next round. After his battle, he tells Ash all about Hoenn and the amazing Pokémon there. As the Silver Conference comes to a close and the gang prepares to leave for Vermillion City, Gary makes a surprising announcement – he's giving up battling. He's decided to become a Pokémon Researcher.
Watch Now:Amazon
#2 - The Ties that Bind
Season 5 - Episode 60 - Aired 10/10/2002
Ash is about to take on his long time rival, Gary Oak, in the next battle of the Johto League Silver Conference, and he's determined to do everything he can to win. He stays up all night researching strategies and trying to learn more about Gary's Pokémon. Gary has a lot of strong Pokémon, and he trains many different types, so Ash has to pick his team carefully. Gary starts out with Nidoqueen, and Ash uses Tauros. Gary wins the first round, but Ash takes the second. It's going to be a very close match! In round three, it's Ash's Heracross versus Gary's Blastoise.
Watch Now:Amazon
#3 - A Parent Trapped!
Season 5 - Episode 12 - Aired 10/25/2001
With the young Lugia in the possession of Butch and Cassidy, Ash and friends set about rescuing it while protecting its parent from itself. The parent Lugia fights desperately to free its child-playing right into Team Rocket's hands. If Ash fails to win the Lugia's trust and convince it not to oppose Team Rocket alone, it seems this Pokemon is fated to end up in captivity along with its child.
Watch Now:Amazon
#4 - Playing With Fire!
Season 5 - Episode 62 - Aired 10/24/2002
Ash is battling Harrison from Hoenn at the Johto League Silver Conference. Pikachu is very excited to be battling. It's a close match the whole way through, but one by one Harrison knocks out Totodile, Snorlax, and Noctowl. Ash cleverly guides Bayleef through a rough battle with Harrison's Houndoom. Houndoom is a fire type Pokémon so it has the advantage, but Ash had Bayleef use its Vine Whip attack to close Houndoom's mouth. In the end, Bayleef is able to knock out Houndoom! But Bayleef is no match for Harrison's last Pokémon. Harrison's sixth Pokémon is one that Ash has never seen before – Blaziken. It's a fire type Pokémon and it's at a really high level. Ash has saved Charizard for last.
#5 - Can't Beat the Heat!
Season 5 - Episode 61 - Aired 10/17/2002
Our hero is in the middle of the first match of the championship tournament at the Johto League Silver Conference. His opponent is his long time rival – Gary Oak. Each trainer is down one Pokémon, with five to go. Gary's Blastoise is very strong and knocks out Ash's Heracross. Ash isn't surprised – that Blastoise was the Squirtle that Gary got when he first started out as a trainer! Gary recalls Blastoise and the battle continues. Finally, each trainer is down to their last Pokémon. Gary has saved Blastoise till the end – and Ash calls out Charizard! Blastoise has the advantage because it's a Water Type, but Ash is very clever. He uses Charizard's Flame Thrower attack to scorch the battle field, trapping Blastoise. Blastoise uses Hydro Pump to cool off the field, but it backfires. The field becomes all steamy and no one can see. Charizard finishes off the battle with a Seismic Toss. Ash is thrilled to have finally defeated his rival – but his next opponent will be Harrison from Hoenn.
#6 - Gotta Catch Ya Later!
Season 5 - Episode 64 - Aired 11/7/2002
With the Johto League Silver Conference behind them, Ash, Brock and Misty head back to Viridian City to relax. Their vacation is cut short when Misty receives an urgent call beckoning her back to Cerulean City to run the gym while her sisters cruise the world. Brock, too, realizes that has things he has to do. After a teary goodbye, Ash returns home to Pallet Town – but soon grows restless for adventure. When his former rival Gary takes off on a new journey, leaving behind all of his Pokémon except Blastoise, Ash starts thinking about his next journey.
#7 - Some Like It Hot!
Season 5 - Episode 31 - Aired 3/14/2002
Ash, Misty, and Brock encounter a gigantic Magcargo that refuse to step aside and let a traveller pass. When Misty's Water tactics fail to move the stubborn Fire Pokémon, a passing trainer taunts her, declaring that Fire Pokémon, his specialty, are far superior to Water. Their rivalry escalates into a full-on Pokémon battle.
#8 - Hocus Pokémon
Season 5 - Episode 32 - Aired 3/21/2002
Ash, Brock, and Misty meet up with a witch named Lily. She is seeking ingredients to conduct a spell to make humans more friendly with Pokemon. The one last ingredient she needs is tears of an Aipom, and the group fights Team Rocket to get an Aipom. Lily then conducts the spell, turning Ash into a Pikachu!
#9 - As Clear as Crystal
Season 5 - Episode 33 - Aired 3/28/2002
When Pikachu is left exhausted in battle, the gang meets a trainer who guides them to a secret, yet legendary lake that somehow serves to restore energy to the Electric Pokémon that live along its banks.
#10 - Same Old Song and Dance
Season 5 - Episode 34 - Aired 4/11/2002
In the midst of their travels, Ash and friends meet up with a young girl who, along with her two Igglybuff assistants, stars in her own musical variety television program. Our heroes are content to sit back and enjoy the show, but unfortunately Team Rocket has other plans in mind.
#11 - Enlighten Up!
Season 5 - Episode 35 - Aired 4/18/2002
Ash, Misty and Brock stop by a lake where they meet with Team Rocket. As they're about to battle each other, a Slowpoke with a flag comes and sits on a rock fishing. This lady comes and says the Slowpoke is looking for "enlightment". She offers everyone to take to Slowpoke Temple to learn this. There's a giant gold statue of a Slowpoke. They go through tests, such as having to concentrate so hard they won't move or else they'll be hit by sticks(!). The next is cleaning the temple, which Ash and Team Rocket compete in. Jesse and James go off to steal the statue, and Meowth distracts Ash by fishing with him. The same Slowpoke is fishing much better than Ash and friends, because the pokemon know they won't be captured. The gold statue is stolen by Jesse and James, but Slowpoke evolves into Slowbro and defeats them. Ash and friends head off, while Team Rocket stay at the temple, this time to truthfully learn enlightment.
#12 - Will the Real Oak Please Stand Up?
Season 5 - Episode 36 - Aired 4/25/2002
Ash, Brock, and Misty, on their adventure to the way to the Johto League, they stop to rest in a small town, and learn that Prof. Oak and Mary are doing an outdoor show in Maroon Town, a nearby town. They go there, and as usual, Team Rocket pop up and they impersonate Prof. Oak and Mary. A standoff to prove the real Prof. Oak is held, and the real Oak was, fortunately, picked, and Team Rocket get foiled.
#13 - Wish Upon a Star Shape
Season 5 - Episode 37 - Aired 5/2/2002
The gang is relaxing in a field when a Cleffa lands on Phanpy, the gang then witness a flying saucer which crashes into a mountain. The Pokemon Myserty Club (PMC, Ken and Mary) appear to get the Cleffa and interrupt Team Rocket's plan to capture the Cleffa as well. While both Pokemon escape into the forest, PMC, Rocket and Ash all search for them. Ash, Misty and Brock stumble upon the Clefairy rocket ship which needs to be repaired. As PMC and Rocket fight using their machines, the Clefairy steal their machine parts for repair. As the ship leaves, Cleffa evolves into Clefairy and leaves a sad Phanpy behind. Meanwhile, PMC examine crop circles being created by Snorlax.
#14 - Outrageous Fortunes
Season 5 - Episode 38 - Aired 5/9/2002
On meeting up with a proud Pokémon trainer who dares all comers to face his Poliwrath, Misty and Ash quickly rise to the challenge. Misty, in particular, encourages her Poliwhirl to watch closely as it may someday evolve into a Poliwrath. As is often the case, the battle isn't long over before this challenger and Ash and Misty have become fast friends. Meanwhile, Team Rocket, having furtively observed this battle and been convinced that the Poliwrath is a match even for Pikachu, decide to first capture it and then use it to capture Pikachu. Unfortunately, this logic does not hold as they find capturing a Pokemon stronger than Pikachu even more difficult than simply capturing Pikachu. A surprise is in store for Misty, as her Poliwhirl evolves not into a Poliwrath, but into another Pokemon altogether.
#15 - One Trick Phony!
Season 5 - Episode 39 - Aired 5/16/2002
After defeating a girl who has a Smoochum, Ash is determined to beat Clair, as he is getting close to Blackthorn City. Seeing that Ash just can't get enough battling, the trainer suggests as she leaves that he give a local Pokémon battle park a try.
#16 - I Politoed Ya So!
Season 5 - Episode 40 - Aired 5/23/2002
When Ash, Misty, and Brock pause for a picnic by a lake, Politoed wanders off and is mistaken by another trainer for her own Politoed.
#17 - Fangs for Nothin'
Season 5 - Episode 43 - Aired 6/13/2002
Team Rocket steals the Dragon Fang as Ash begins his battle for the final Johto badge with Clair. Then TR gets Dragonite on their side to help them escape.
#18 - Better Eight Than Never
Season 5 - Episode 45 - Aired 6/27/2002
Ash's battle with Claire begins right away and Ash uses Snorlax, Pikachu and Charizard. Meanwhile, Team Rocket dig underground to get back the Dragon Fang but end up meeting Charla. Ash wins his 8th gym badge and is allowed to enter the Johto League as Leeza, Charla and Ash's Charizard fly off.
#19 - Why? Wynaut!
Season 5 - Episode 46 - Aired 7/4/2002
Ash plans to go to Newbarktown to register for the Johto Silver Conference now that he has all 8 badges even though the Silver Conference is in 3 months. Team Rocket has plans of their own, they decide to steal Ash's badges for money or to enter the Conference themselves. They are successful in stealing his badges and run away with them. Meanwhile, Wobbuffet meets a Wynaut in the woods who steals the badges from Team Rocket. When Ash realizes his loss of badges he goes through the list of the gym leaders he fought to get them.Team Rocket think a Wooper stole the badges, so they try to find one. While Ash tries on his own to try to find the badges. Noctowl and Bayleef find Wynaut and the badges and some berries he has in a box. But when Team Rocket find Bayleef with the badges, they attack Bayleaf and escape with the badges. Claire comes in with Dragonair to chase the Rocket balloon. When Ash gets his badges back he realizes he's missing his Rising badge, Wynaut appears holding the badge. He hands it to Bayleef and escapes without Ash seeing him.Now that Ash has all 8 badges, Claire tells Ash the directions to Newbarktown to register for the Johto League Silver Conference.
#20 - Just Add Water
Season 5 - Episode 47 - Aired 7/11/2002
On the road back to New Bark Town, Ash and friends stop for a rest near the ocean. There they spot a sign advertising a synchronized Pokémon swimming event. Close behind is Team Rocket, who quickly hatch a plan to steal all of the Pokémon from the swimming show.
#21 - Lapras of Luxury
Season 5 - Episode 48 - Aired 7/18/2002
Ash and friends return to New Bark Town, but before Ash is able to register for the Johto League Championship, Professor Elm sends him on an errand to retrieve a Pokémon egg from a nearby marine Pokémon laboratory. At the laboratory, Ash and friends meet up with a young researcher who uses the supersonic waves from a Lanturn to detect the singing voices of traveling Lapras.
#22 - Hatch Me if You Can
Season 5 - Episode 49 - Aired 7/25/2002
Ash receives an egg from Prof. Elm, and as the egg hatches into a Larvitar, Ash must help the shy pokemon find its parents. Unfortunately, Team Rocket has their eye on this rare pokemon.
#23 - Entei at Your Own Risk
Season 5 - Episode 50 - Aired 8/1/2002
On their way to Mount Silver, the gang come across a hot spring and meet Nelson who is looking for an Entei. Ash, Misty and Brock decide to release their Pokemon for them to enjoy the hot springs and hot sand. Team Rocket appear pretending to be researchers in order to steal Larvitar. After escaping from Rocket's truck, Nelson and his Misdreavous meet Ash again.Nelson wants to battle Ash, so Ash sends out Phanpy first. While battling, TR steal Misdreavous after they find out how powerful she is. Rocket then steal all the wild Pokemon in the hot spring as well as Brock's Pinco. When Brock chases after it, Pineco evolves into Forretress. After Rocket over-powers their machine, it causes the hot spring to get out of control. But then, Entei's flamethrower saves the spring and blasts TR away. Nelson then tries to catch Entei, but it uses roar to escape.
#24 - A Crowning Achievement
Season 5 - Episode 51 - Aired 8/8/2002
Brock leads Ash and Misty toward a beautiful lake he has read about in his guidebook, but when they arrive at its supposed location, they find nothing but a dried-up stream, surrounded by a number of thirsty Slowpoke. Ash and friends spot a Sumo Crown, but are stopped from approaching it by a young girl and her Slowpoke. The girl explains that she and her Slowpoke are researching legends surrounding the Slowpoke and a supposed Slowking.
#25 - Here's Lookin' At You, Elekid
Season 5 - Episode 52 - Aired 8/15/2002
While the gang looks for Larvitar's mother, they run into Casey, to see that her Bayleef has evolved into Meganium. It seems that Casey is after a wild Elekid who is a very good tricker. The group decides to help her find it. Meanwhile, James trades his Victreebell for a Weppinbell and it evolves.