Ash's Surprising Encounter: Unveiling His True First Mythical Pokémon Ally

Content: Ash's encounters with mythical Pokémon in the main Pokémon anime series are typically reserved for the movies, as they are considered rare and significant. However, ever since Ash caught Meltan in Alola, his travels in the main series have led him to meet several mythical Pokémon. While Meltan became an important companion, it was not actually the first mythical Pokémon that Ash befriended in the series.

During the Black and White era of the anime, towards the end of the first season, Ash comes across a peculiar Pokémon at the PokéStar Studios lot. He manages to save it from a falling piece of wood, but it disappears before he can properly interact with it. Continuing with his journey, Ash remains unaware that the Pokémon has taken an interest in him. It finally reveals itself at the beginning of the second season. This Pokémon is later identified as Meloetta, a mythical Pokémon from the Black and White games. It is later revealed that Team Rocket is attempting to capture this powerful Pokémon. In order to protect Meloetta, it joins Ash on his adventures for approximately twelve episodes.

Meloetta's Mythical Performance

Meloetta, a Mythical Pokémon featured in the anime series, stands out for not having a dedicated movie like other Mythicals from the Unova region such as Victini, Genesect, and Keldeo. However, Meloetta does make an appearance in a Pikachu short preceding the Keldeo movie in Japan. In the anime, Meloetta guards the Reveal Glass, an object capable of transforming Legendary Pokémon Tornadus, Thundurus, and Landorus into their Therian forms, which happens to be what Team Rocket desires. Team Rocket's leader, Giovanni, personally supervises the operation and is put in danger when he becomes possessed, causing chaos as the Legendary Pokémon battle each other. Meloetta ultimately calms them with its song and restores them to their original states, resolving the crisis.

While Pokémon that Ash and his friends encounter have joined them on their journeys before, Meloetta is particularly rare. Ash even engages in a battle with Meloetta at one point during this storyline, with the possibility of catching it, until their encounter is interrupted. Despite being timid, Meloetta develops a fondness for Ash, but his Oshawott also becomes infatuated with it. Meloetta has the opportunity to meet some of Ash's former friends, including Dawn, who reappears while traveling with him. Once Team Rocket is no longer pursuing Meloetta, it decides to return to its home in a secret village inhabited by descendants of the original owners of the Reveal Glass.

Including Meloetta in the group added an intriguing twist, instantly making the episodes featuring its presence more captivating. Although some might be disappointed that Meloetta did not share the spotlight with Ash in a Pokémon movie, utilizing the Mythical Pokémon in its pop-star persona and concept was likely a more fitting choice.