Top 10 Pokemon Moments That Will Make You Cry

“Charmander - The Stray Pokemon”

As one of the most iconic creatures from the games, Charmander was always bound to have a big role in the TV series. When Ash first meets the Pokemon, it is waiting for its master who abandoned it. This immediately fills us with pity, but the truly heartbreaking moment comes later. Ash and friends see Charmander out in the rain, still waiting, even though the water will kill it if his flame goes out. Watching Ash try to convince the Pokemon to come in and seeing it refuse is sad because of how committed Charmander is. Knowing that Charmander eventually joins Ash is the silver lining!

“Just Waiting On a Friend”

In one of the stranger episodes of the series, Ash and company become trapped in a haunted house. There they encounter a Ninetails who refuses to let them leave and wants Brock to be its new trainer. They soon find out that the Pokémon is waiting for it’s master who died long ago. This is a strange but mournful moment in the show that highlights the deep connection between Pokémon and their trainers. Ninetails may he misunderstood in the episode but it’s loyalty to its trainer is clear and makes us weepy.

“Win, Lose or Drew!”

A great aspect of Ash’s travels in Hoenn was being able to see his companion, May, compete in her own way to become a better trainer. May had worked so hard to get to the contest finals and even though she almost wins, in the end, she loses. This was a great dramatic point in the show that teaches viewers about dealing with loss. Seeing May break down after the fight is hard to watch but also great to see her react so realistically. Seeing how her friends comfort her is reassuring and makes us tear up everytime.

“Time Warp Heals All Wounds”

Pokémon is known for having some other worldly plot devices in it and this episode is a great example. After hearing about the tragic story of a girl’s grandfather passing away in an accident before her grandmother could see him again, May and Meowth are transported back in time and try to change the past. In the process, they save the girls grandfather from dying and find that the entire town is better off afterwards. This moment is hugely emotional and makes us feel both sadness and happiness because being reunited with a previously deceased relative is something we all wish for.

“A Poached Ego”

Although Team Rocket are always trying to steal Ash’s Pikachu, they have become more than just villains in the show. Throughout the series, we have grown closer to them and understood them as characters more. In this saddening moment, Jessie and James force their Arbok and Weezing to flee from a poacher and join wild Pokemon. Clearly upset by this, the Pokemon reluctantly leave as Team Rocket desperately tries to hold the poacher and his powerful Pokemon off. The expressions of Arbok and Weezing as they leave are enough to make anyone cry.

“Go West Young Meowth”

Meowth has always been a rarity in the series because he is one of the few Pokémon that can speak the same language as humans. In this episode we find out that he learned to talk for love. Meowth has always seemed to have a deeper characterization than just being a bad guy and it’s great to see that explored. It’s hard not to relate to him, even just a little bit, after seeing what he has gone through. Sadly, seeing him getting turned down at the end makes things all the sadder. Hang in there Meowth!

“Bye Bye Butterfree”

This scene is known for its tear jerking parting between Ash and his Butterfree. Being the first Pokemon Ash caught in the wild, the two had a special connection. The moment is a great blend of music, visuals and heightened feelings from the characters. Bye Bye Butterfree showed the audience that not all of Ash’s Pokemon were going to stay with him forever. It also set out how Pokemon could deal with mature themes like separation and how friends may leave each other but still care. Ash wishing Butterfree well is the perfect bittersweet moment.

“Gotta Catch Ya Later!”

Even though she hasn’t been a main character on the Pokemon TV show for over a decade, Misty is still remembered as one of its most iconic characters. Her relationship with Ash was funny, difficult and endearing. So, when she and Ash finally part ways, the audience really feels it and its hard not to get emotional. During a montage of all their moments together, we really get to see how far they have come and how they have affected each other’s lives. Although Brock also ends up leaving temporarily as well, beyond anything else, this is just a great, wholesome moment that shows the power of friendship.

“One Journey Ends, Another Begins...”

In a more recent episode, Pokemon dealt with a topic it had often shied away from in recent years, death. Ash follows a Litten that he gave food to and finds that it has been feeding an elderly Stoutland. Over the course of the episode, the Stoutland eventually passes away and Litten’s reaction to losing its friend is very upsetting. As Litten stands in the rain, calling out for its friend, its easy to see why this makes most viewers cry. A beautiful moment about friendship and dealing with loss, this episode will long be remembered.

“Pikachu’s Goodbye”

The bond between Ash and Pikachu is one of the most beloved aspects of the TV series. In this season one episode, Pikachu finds a group of wild Pikachu and Ash, thinking it would make Pikachu happier, makes Pikachu stay with them. As Ash walks away from his Pokemon, we see a tear jerking montage of all the great moments the two have shared. This scene is a great example of the bond between trainer and Pokemon and also the drama between characters that fans love so much. Knowing that Pikachu and Ash are quickly reunited doesn’t make us any less watery eyed when we watch it!