Just like in the games, Pokemon evolve in the anime. The problem is, evolution in the anime works just a bit differently. For one, the whole concept of levels is a bit iffy and probably non-existent in the anime's universe, so it's safe to assume that evolution is not as quantitative as it is in the games. It relies much more heavily on intangible factors.

As such, it doesn't happen as often. But when it does, it's a big deal one way or another. For the Pokemon of the anime's protagonists, evolution isn't just powering up; it's a step in the right direction. It's a sign of maturity and overcoming something. These moments of Pokemon evolving have proven to be iconic moments in the anime, thanks to the growth they showed to get to that point of evolving.

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Updated April 22, 2022 by Kyle Laurel: The evolution just doesn't stop! So many Pokemon deserve mentions here for how they evolved and how that affected their battling capabilities and relationships with their Trainers. With Ash's current Journeys roster essentially reaching their fullest potential, here's a definitive, somewhat final list of Pokemon evolutions - all fifteen of them!

15 Ash's Quilava

Ash's Quilava from the Pokemon anime

Ash made the honestly overdue choice to bring back old Pokemon for his jab at the Sinnoh League. Of the first batch of Pokemon that returned, it was his Cyndaquil that stood out the most.

After finding itself cornered by a Team Rocket mecha, Cyndaquil got help from Ash and a few of his other older Pokemon to stop it. None of that worked, but just as Team Rocket got hold of Cyndaquil, it evolved into Quilava. Not only that, but it learned Eruption on the spot, and used it to blast off Team Rocket for the umpteenth time. This gets points for paying homage to Ash's older Pokemon and showing that they still have room to grow.

14 Ash's Gliscor

Ash's Gliscor flying at night in the Pokemon Diamond Pearl Anime

Ash's Gligar didn't fare well after losing badly to Paul's Gliscor. That didn't help when, in the middle of some much needed move training, it was captured by Team Rocket along with Ash. However, with a bit of hands-on help from Ash, it managed to escape. Then, Team Rocket reappeared with their gigantic Gliscor-shaped rig.

In the middle of the ruckus, Ash and Gligar fell into a deep canyon before Ash threw Gligar a Razor Fang that Gary gave him. It instantly evolved, saved Ash from his fall, and later saved the day by slicing Team Rocket's gigantic mecha balloon in half with one Steel Wing. Surely, Gliscor's confidence issues were a thing of the past.

13 Ash's Lucario

Ash Lucario Pokemon Pikachu Anime Journeys

This was long overdue, but better late than never, right? Ever since the eighth Pokemon movie, Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, Ash had an unbreakable link with Lucario. That aura connection was seen as incredible potential just waiting to be tapped. It didn't help that several Trainers Ash faced had one of their own, seemingly just to tease the fact that Ash didn't have one yet.

It was a big moment, then, when Ash finally got a Riolu egg that even sensed its aura. It was an even bigger moment when it evolved into Lucario and, like clockwork, used its aura to tell Ash it had learned Aura Sphere.

12 Ash's Charizard

Charizard Sleeping, Pokemon Anime

The moment Charmeleon evolved into Charizard, Ash was immediately introduced to one of his most powerful Pokemon ever and the very many problems that would come with taking care of him.

In fact, the whole reason for him evolving was out of brash and bitter pride, wanting to one up an Aerodactyl after it knocked him down and captured Ash. Charizard immediately flew towards Aerodactyl and gave it a fresh-off-the-grill Flamethrower, not even trying to avoid hitting Ash. This was a new chapter of Ash and Charizard's relationship, with the former trying desperately to assert some authority to the latter, who had kept its habit of disobeying orders and was now this big, flaming-hot dragon-like creature, to no avail.

11 Ash's Greninja

Ash Greninja Battle Bond Ability Pokemon Anime XYZ Transformation

Fittingly enough in an episode where Ash and his gang run into a ninja village, Ash's Frogadier evolved into Greninja. Just in time, too, as the other ninjas' Greninja found themselves in a rut during an important battle.

Of course, what made this moment stand out was getting a glimpse of the Ash-Greninja form. It was just that — a glimpse — but it was extraordinary enough that Ash found himself amazed by what he saw. It wasn't mentioned again until the very end of the episode when the village ninjas talked about witnessing the return of an ancient ninja hero. There would obviously be more to come from that phenomenon, but fans knew at that moment that something special was happening.

10 Serena's Sylveon

Fairy Type Pokemon Sylveon

Pokemon with friendship evolutions and the like give the anime quite a bit of room for interpretation, so to speak, but the way it was executed with Serena's Sylveon deserves some love. As an Eevee, she was quite shy despite showing interest in dancing and performing. With the help of her bond with Serena, though, she managed to evolve, finally spreading her wings (ribbons, really) and carrying her Trainer and Ash through a double battle at Monsieur Pierre's dance party.

For brownie points, Serena seemed to be in a particular mood to impress Ash that day, and having one of her Pokemon carry them through a battle certainly helps.

9 Ash's Sirfetch'd

pokemon journeys sirfetch'd vs gallade farfetch'd

The latest of Ash's Pokemon to evolve, Sirfetch'd had kept its pride and determination since it was an untapped but feisty Farfetch'd. Its initial goal of becoming a Leek Master was admirable, but also caused some early friction with Ash.

It wasn't until a training course with Wikstrom that Ash and Farfetch'd truly found common ground as fellow competitors. All they had learned came to a head during Ash's World Coronation Series battle against Rinto, when Farfetch'd had its leek cut off by Gallade. Farfetch'd stood its ground, using the cut-off part of its leek as a shield, and won the battle, evolving into Sirfetch'd in the process.

8 Ash's Goodra

Ash cheering with his Goodra and Pikachu in the Pokemon XY Anime Cheering

Ash's Goomy had a traumatic experience prior to capture, losing its home to multiple Pokemon that attacked it. Even as a Sliggoo, it found itself going back to that memory when it found itself in the middle of a fire along with Ash, Serena, Pikachu, and Team Rocket.

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Fortunately, it managed to take a gigantic step in overcoming that trauma by using Rain Dance to stop the fires, which just so happened to trigger its full evolution into Goodra. It even managed to learn Dragon Pulse on the spot (which will be a bit of a theme), and used it to blast off Team Rocket and later defeat Tierno in a double battle.

7 Lana's Primarina

Lana Primarina Stars Sparkling Aria Pokemon Sun Moon Anime

As seen so far, Ash's Pokemon are getting a lot of the spotlight, with Serena being the only non-Ash character to appear up to this point. Fortunately, the circumstances of Lana's Brionne's evolution into a Primarina are one-in-a-million.

It certainly helps this evolution's case that Ash and Lana had a chance encounter with Kyogre, the god of the seas. Kyogre was pulling Lana and her fishing rod into the depths of the ocean, and it took Brionne evolving for it to catch up. Right afterwards, the fully evolved Water-type starter perfectly executed Lana's plan to calm down Kyogre by singing its signature song as soon as Kyogre dove up. Yes, Primarina literally calmed down a Legendary Pokemon.

6 Ash's Infernape

Monferno Uncontrollable Blaze Angry Mad Powerful Pokemon Diamond Pearl Ash Anime

Ash's Monferno was a problem, in more ways than one. It was incredibly powerful, but it had so much pent-up negative emotion that it would go berserk the moment it activated its Blaze ability.

That was hard to deal with in a situation where a Team Rocket mecha was falling onto a bunch of the gang's Pokemon. It took some calming words from Ash, but in an instant moment of clarity, it managed to use its energy to evolve into Infernape. It carried the falling mecha onto its shoulders, saving everyone under it. It had taken the right step to gaining more control over Blaze; in front of Paul, no less.

5 Ash's Noivern

Noivern vs Zapdos, Pokemon XY Anime

Another Legendary Pokemon encounter, another evolution. Of course, there's more to it than that, but it's hard to mention Ash's Noivern's evolution without pointing out that it went toe-to-toe with Zapdos in the process.

Of course, to be a Noivern, you have to first be a Noibat, and Ash's wasn't much prior to evolving, merely being used as navigation help for that particular episode. Then, after a deadly encounter with the Legendary thunder bird leaves an unconscious Hawlucha falling out of the sky, Noibat goes out of its way to save its mentor, evolving to pick up speed. Noivern would then battle Zapdos, then save it from Team Rocket, both with the help of its newly learned Boomburst.

4 Misty's Togetic

pokemon anime advanced generation

Misty's Togepi was a baby in every sense of the word for most of its runtime, so to see it protect its Trainer and several other Togepi to the point of its evolution is quite a sight. Ultimately, though, seeing Togepi turn into a Togetic was bittersweet when all was said and done.

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The many Togepi at the raided Togepi Paradise chose Misty's to be their protector, casting mysterious power onto it to trigger its evolution. With the help of Misty's Gyarados, the Togepi Paradise was saved, but Togetic wanted to take on the responsibility of being its protector for the meantime, forcing Misty and the fans to say goodbye to one of the show's most memorable Pokemon.

3 Ash's Lycanroc

All Forms Formes Lycanroc Howling, Ash, Gladion, Olivia, Dusk Midday Midnight Pokemon Sun Moon Anime

After getting severely injured thanks to an encounter with Tapu Lele and later falling off a cliff, Ash's Rockruff was carried by each of Gladion and Olivia's Lycanroc to the Akala Island Guardian's ruins. Tapu Lele eventually healed Rockruff with its Draining Kiss, just in time to catch a green flash from the ensuing sunset. With it, it evolved into a brand spanking new Dusk Form Lycanroc and, in all its golden-fur glory, howled along with the other two Lycanroc.

This is the first moment on here to truly come from a place of weakness, and, from a cinematic perspective, is arguably the best executed evolution in the anime.

2 Ash's Talonflame

Pokemon Attack On Titan talonflame

Yet. Another. Legendary bird encounter. And this one really mattered, as if it weren't for the circumstances of Talonflame's evolution, Ash and several others would have been in real, life-threatening danger.

Moltres was the culprit this time. After Fletchinder tried to fight it, it attacked Ash and Trevor on sight with a gigantic oncoming Flamethrower that probably would've killed them. Though it was seemingly already knocked down, Fletchinder flew between them and evolved, taking on the Flamethrower and getting into a rematch with Moltres, also learning Brave Bird along the way. While it lost again, Moltres was impressed by it and Ash's general bravery and left them be.

1 Ash's Incineroar

Ash Incineroar Evolve From Torracat Pokemon Sun Moon Anime Exhibition Match vs Kukui

This was more than an evolution; this was a culmination of a journey that started with incredible hardship and ended with it defeating arguably the strongest non-Legendary Pokemon in all of Alola.

After joining Ash's Team, Litten eventually took on the goal of beating the Masked Royal's Incineroar. As a Torracat, it finally got to in the exhibition battle, against who was now revealed to be Professor Kukui. It took two tries at it, but after an epic collision of Inferno Overdrive Z-Moves, it got the win, and used all of its energy to evolve. Incineroar truly left it all on the battlefield, and went out of that battle in a blaze of glory.

NEXT: Ash Is This Close To Finally Becoming A Pokemon Master