Eternal 10-year-old Pokémon protagonist Ash Ketchum has become the top Pokémon trainer in the world after 25 long years. The newly minted world champion reached his ultimate goal during the latest episode of Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series, which will air in English at a later date.  

The Ultimate Journeys episode features Ash and Pikachu mustering a convincing win at the Masters Eight Tournament of the Pokémon World Coronation Series. Ash’s team is put to the ultimate test in intense matchups with highly skilled Pokémon trainers around the world. 

Ash’s historic win at the Pokémon World Coronation Series has been a 25-year culmination of adventures that began when the first season of the long-running anime franchise debuted on April 1, 1997. 

In 2019, Ash previously became the first official Pokémon League Champion of the Alola region at the Manalo Conference, which served as the setting for Pokémon Sun and Moon. That ended a separate championship drought of 22 years.

Based on the video game franchise of the same name, Pokémon has inspired multiple anime seasons, spinoffs, web series, manga, animated feature films, merchandise, and many more media. 

Tributes poured in on social media congratulating Ash on his overdue accomplishment. 

He’s done it! Ash has become a World Champion! 🏆🎉 pic.twitter.com/a2jPb8pym3

— Pokémon (@Pokemon) November 11, 2022

After 25 years, Ash Ketchum has finally become the world’s greatest Pokémon trainer. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/LP2sPBBE3L

— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) November 11, 2022

Breaking: After 25 years, 10-year-old Ash Ketchum is now the Pokémon world champion.

Ketchum becomes the world’s top trainer after winning the Masters Eight Tournament. pic.twitter.com/eFylTz1yv0

— SportsNation (@SportsNation) November 11, 2022

Veronica Taylor — the original English language dub actress for Ash — offered her congratulations on Twitter. 

Congrats Ash and team! No one achieves greatness alone. It takes courage, focus, skills, and great family and friends to support and inspire. This win is a great reminder to go for your goals and be there for one another. In this, we all win. #BeYourBest #Pokemon25 #OriginalAsh https://t.co/tjtXAZTTl5

— Veronica Taylor (@TheVeronicaT) November 11, 2022

Current Ash Ketchum English voice actress Sarah Natochenny was also happy to hear of Ash’s win and expressed excitement for voicing him in the episode in the future. 

I can’t wait to share the English dub of this episode of Pokémon with the world. What an absolute honor to be voicing Ash Ketchum as he becomes a world champion 🥹🙌❤️

He really is the very best
Like no one ever was 😎 https://t.co/pDw0PJLkYK

— Sarah Natochenny (@sarahnatochenny) November 11, 2022

Taking the day to process Ash Ketchum becoming a world champion after 25 years of tenacity.

What an icon. Never give up on your dreams. Act with love and selflessness. Be the best, the very best. I love voicing this kid so much.

Pokémon for life. pic.twitter.com/meXKaE3UVJ

— Sarah Natochenny (@sarahnatochenny) November 12, 2022

Puerto Rican reggaetón rapper and singer Bad Bunny also offered praise for Ash in a Spanish tweet.  

Felicidades a Ash Ketchum en esa gran victoria. Nosotros los que estamos desde el principio sabemos lo mucho que costó 🙌🏻

— ☀️🌊❤️ (@sanbenito) November 11, 2022

Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series is currently available to stream on Netflix in the U.S. The streaming service describes the series as: 

Pokémon Trainer Ash Ketchum has a new plan: see the world! But first, he and his partner Pikachu are headed to the opening of the Cerise Laboratory, a research facility dedicated to uncovering the mysteries of Pokémon in every region. Ash meets Goh, another boy with boundless curiosity about Pokémon, and both are overjoyed when Professor Cerise asks them to become official research fellows. With Ash as determined as ever to become a Pokémon Master, and Goh aiming to catch one of every Pokémon (including the Mythical Mew), our heroes are in for adventure and excitement as they explore the wide world of Pokémon!

Source: Variety, Official Pokémon Twitter