Comparing the New Latias in the Pokémon Anime: Is it Similar to the Fifth Movie?

The latest episodes of Ash's Pokémon journey have aired, featuring a remarkable encounter with a Legendary Pokémon. As Ash tended to a wounded Latias, fans have been wondering if this Pokémon is the same as the one from the fifth Pokémon movie, Pokémon Heroes: Latios and Latias, where Latias and its partner, Latios, played a prominent role.

In the movie, Ash comes across a girl who is being pursued by two members of Team Rocket. However, it turns out that the girl is an illusion created by Latias, which is what the criminals are truly after. As the movie progresses, Ash develops a close bond with this Latias, to the point where it appears to have developed feelings for him. The Latias and Latios in the movie possessed extraordinary abilities not typically seen in these Pokémon, such as the ability to take on a human form and become invisible.

The New Latias Is Related to Pokémon Heroes

In the first episode of To Be a Pokémon Master, Ash discovers an injured Latias that crashed into a pond in the forest. He rescues it from the water and tries to attend to its injuries. However, when Latias wakes up, it tries to remove its bandages and escape, only to be attacked by Team Rocket who wants to steal it. Both Ash and Latias get sucked into Team Rocket's machine, and Latias is surprised by Ash's determination to protect it. Fortunately, Pikachu uses a thunderbolt to free them, and Ash ends up riding Latias. After dealing with Team Rocket, Latias initially appears to leave but is later shown secretly observing Ash from a distance and eventually decides to follow him.

Throughout most of the miniseries, Latias continues to accompany Ash and eventually asks for his assistance in rescuing its partner, Latios. Ash successfully saves both Latias and Latios from a Pokémon Hunter, allowing them to return to their home. The series ultimately confirms that this Latias and Latios are connected to the Pokémon Heroes movie in the episode "Ash and Latios," where they are shown returning to Alto Mare, the city featured in the film. Although this Latias doesn't seem to recognize Ash like the one in the movie, it is likely that the Latias and Latios seen here are the baby Latias and Latios shown at the end of the movie.

The Pokémon Heroes movie is highly beloved by fans and signifies the end of an era, being the last film to feature Ash, Misty, and Brock. Incorporating elements from the movie into Ash's final storyline is a logical choice, as it connects to the last time these three characters were united. Additionally, the storyline effectively demonstrates Ash's growth since the film, as he was able to effortlessly earn the trust of Latias and Latios. This further enhances the final episodes as a heartfelt tribute to dedicated Pokémon enthusiasts, exemplifying how a long-running series should conclude.

Editor's P/S

As an enthusiastic fan of the Pokémon anime, I am thrilled to see the return of Latias in the latest miniseries, To Be a Pokémon Master. The Latias in this series shares many similarities with the Latias from the fifth Pokémon movie, Pokémon Heroes: Latios and Latias. Both Latias are shown to be kind and compassionate, and they both have a strong desire to protect their loved ones. Additionally, both Latias have the ability to take on a human form and become invisible.

I believe that the inclusion of Latias in the miniseries is a nod to the beloved fifth movie. It is a way for the Pokémon anime to pay tribute to its past and to give fans a chance to see one of their favorite Pokémon again. I am excited to see what role Latias will play in the miniseries and how she will help Ash on his journey.