Top 10 Iconic Pokemon Mega Evolution Scenes

Released in Japan in 2013, this short film led into “Pokémon the Movie: Genesect and the Legend Awakened.” In it, we see fan fav legendary Pokemon Mewtwo able to switch into its Mega Mewtwo Y form without a Key Stone as it battles against the villainous hunter Dirk. This introduction to Mewtwo’s mega form gave rise to speculation online that this was the fabled “Mewthree.” Over in the West, as the “Prologue” didn’t come out in the US until 2014, so their introduction to Mega Evolution would’ve likely been in the following Genesect flick, where Mega Mewtwo Y battled it out with the shiny insectoid

As soon as Ash took his first step into Kalos, we were already catching glimpses of Mega Evolution Pokemon waiting in the wings . In the next episode, Ash tried to calm a rampaging Garchomp on top of Lumiose Tower. However, Pikachu fell off it, causing Ash to dive after him. Seemingly looking like Ash and Pikachu were about to be brutally written out of the anime, a stunning fiery globe flew across and caught them with ease, conjured by Mega Blaziken. Sure, his trainer, the so-called Blaziken Mask, is a little cringe, but we’ll take any chance to see Blaziken strut their stuff.

Old school “Pokémon” fans will never recognize any human partners for Ash except Brock and Misty. After Ash and his Alohan crew take a trip to Kanto, we get to witness Brock take on Kiawe for a battle. During it, the Nurse Joy fan brought out his Steelix against Kiawe’s Turtonator, who has a slight advantage. However, Brock turned the contest on its head by Mega Evolving Steelix -- only after he took his top off dramatically -- giving him the win. Then it was time for Misty to fight Ash. She pulled out her Gyarados, and Mega Evolved it against Pikachu. Despite this, Ash used a Z-Move to win. On the plus side, at least Misty finally got her Mega Gyarados, and it’s always nice to see the OG ship demonstrate their skills. Shut up, you know it's true.

What’s better than one Mega Evolution? A legendary one. What’s better than that? How about 3 of them! In this bombastic smorgasbord of a movie, the titular mythical Pokémon has to fight its Shadow counterpart. With both possessing the ability to use their rings as portals, Hoopa calls upon Latios, Latias, and shiny Rayquaza for help. Shadow responds by summoning 6 legendaries, including Primal Groudon and Primal Kyogre, which feels like cheating. To beef up the power on their side, Latios, Latias, and Rayquaza all Mega Evolve. Nothing will ever be cooler than a Mega Evolved Rayquaza with a black and gold sheen.

When the Dynamaxing/Gigantamaxing gimmick was introduced, discussions erupted among fans about whether that or Mega Evolution was better. Well, this clash certainly proved one party right. During their World Coronation Series Ultra Class battle, Bea was down to her Machamp, while Ash had Lucario left. As the fighting specialist used Gigantamaxed her Pokémon, Ash switched things into high gear and Mega Evolved Lucario. The Aura Pokémon took so much damage in the battle. Yet, Lucario still managed to hold off Machamp’s signature G-Max move.. Seeing the opportunity to strike, it climbed up the vastly bigger Machamp and ended it then and there.

“Pokémon Origins” took the story from the video games “Pokémon Red and Blue” and made a delightful anime version of it. In the final episode, after Red’s Charizard defeated Blue’s Blastoise to become champion, he went off to "Catch ‘em All," leading him to Mewtwo. The battle didn’t initially go well as Mewtwo took out Red’s team, leaving him with only Charizard. When the fire lizard was thrown into its trainer, both plummeted into the water below. As hope seemed lost, Red and Charizard display their bond, igniting Mega Evolution. Now, with Mega Charizard X, they defeat Mewtwo, capture it, and do what Ash should have done since the first series!

While Mega Evolution is super cool and turns the Pokémon into powerhouses, the effect the change has on the creatures is often overlooked. After all, plenty of Pokédex entries mention the pain they experience. When Korrina gets her Lucario to Mega Evolve, it starts off fine. But then, like flicking a switch, Lucario goes full on savage and wipes out Pikachu. It ignores Korrina’s demands as it goes out of its way to try and permanently replace Pikachu as the true Pokemon mascot. While it would later learn to control its rage, this is a stand out demonstration that, in the right conditions, a Pokemon can be driven to kill.

While technically it’s Bond Phenomenon and not Mega Evolution, we essentially get two beloved Pokémon battling it out at their Mega best. Throughout the series, the unique relationship between Ash and Greninja causes the Frog-ninja to turn into Ash-Greninja, some kind of mental bond that the anime kinda pulls out of its ass…but is still awesome to behold. Taking on Sawyer in the semifinals of the Kalos League, both trainers trigger their Pokemon’s strongest forms for a final showdown. Despite Ash-Greninja having a type disadvantage, it puts up a hell of a fight. With help from the environment and its speed, Ash-Greninja releases a huge Water Shuriken, strong enough to shred through a Leaf Storm. As the dust from the impact settled, Ash-Greninja stood tall.

Not every Pokémon champion leaves a big impact. But Steven, with his passion for rocks, is something else. Throughout the Kalos series, the anime released Mega Evolution specials, which starred Alain trying to better his Mega Evolution skills and learn more about the phenomenon. In the second special, Steven is introduced. With the Charizard user obsessed with battling anyone with a Key Stone, he immediately challenged the Champion. After accepting, we got to see what a Shiny Metagross looks like in battle. Even with the type disadvantage, which made Alain cocky, Metagross was a force to be reckoned with. If it wasn’t for Lysandre interrupting, Steven might’ve won.

As one of the most popular Pokémon to walk the animated planet, whenever Charizard is on screen, it’s always a treat. But throw in an additional Charizard and mix in 2 different Mega Evolutions, and it’s amazing. The Kalos League’s Lumiose Conference played host to a battle between Trevor and Alain, both high-tier Charizard users. Both opened with their fire lizards, soon going up a level with Trevor’s Mega Charizard Y and Alain’s Mega Charizard X. The two behemoths went through a litany of moves, dodging and chipping away at each other's health. Though in the end, Charizard X and its superior drip won the day.


If you could give any Pokémon a Mega Evolution which doesn’t have one already, what would you pick? Nidoking? Flygon? Mew? Pachirisu? Let us know below!