The Pokémon anime typically treats evolution as an important plot device. However, like any plot device, the concept of evolution is sometimes misused throughout the series. In fact, some of Ash’s most popular Pokémon have a tendency to evolve too late, or not at all. One perfect example of this evolution error is with Ash’s Cyndaquil. Ash’s Cyndaquil evolves six seasons after its introduction into the Johto region.

Although Ash struggles with many concepts of being a Pokémon trainer, his Pokémon not evolving technically isn’t his fault. Unlike in the games, there is no level set for Pokémon to evolve in the anime. Later seasons of the anime would force Ash’s Pokémon to evolve to avoid fan criticism, like with Ash’s Meltmetal. While many of Ash’s various Pokémon are beloved, some of them evolve much too late for their transformations to be considered remotely useful.

10

It’s a Shame Ash’s Beloved Bayleef Never Evolves Into a Meganium

Pokémon: Johto League Champions, Season 4, Episode 42, “Current Events”

Ash’s Chikorita is his most iconic Johto Pokémon without question. Yet, Chikorita doesn’t evolve until the second to last Johto season. By this time, Ash is already mostly done collecting Gym Badges and Bayleef doesn’t serve much purpose aside from being beloved by fans. However, Bayleef does put in its fair share of work compared to some other late transformations. Bayleef is pivotal in many of Johto’s important final battles.

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Bayleef is even on the amazing team he uses to defeat his rival, Gary. He also uses Bayleef to defeat Harrison’s powerful Houndoom. While these feats are impressive, it can only be imagined what Bayleef would’ve accomplished had it evolved earlier. It’s possible Ash could’ve even had a Meganium, which would fix many fans’ critique of Ash not having a fully evolved Johto starter.

9

Grovyle’s Evolution Into Sceptile Goes Almost Unnoticed

Pokémon: Battle Frontier, Season 9, Episode 16, “Odd Pokémon Out”

To many fans, Ash’s Sceptile remains one of his most renowned Pokémon. However, many fans remember the fan-favorite Hoenn starter more as a Grovyle than a Sceptile. This is because Grovyle doesn’t actually evolve until the Battle Frontier. Yet, once it evolves, it rarely loses a battle in the anime. Ash even relies on his Sceptile once again during the Lily of the Valley Conference.

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Ash is still growing as a Pokémon formidable trainer in the Hoenn region, wracking up the wins he needs to become a master.

Sceptile is one of the few reasons Ash defeats any of Tobias’ Legendary Pokémon. Yet, it’s possible Sceptile could have accomplished even more impressive feats had it evolved earlier. While evolution isn’t everything, Sceptile’s battling ability could have saved Ash from some embarrassing losses. The Hoenn Grass-Type remains permanently affixed to many older fans’ attachment to the early series. Thankfully, Sceptile makes up for his late evolution with his later appearances.

8

Ash’s Torterra Is Beloved but Could’ve Been Introduced Earlier In the Anime

Pokémon: DP Sinnoh League Victors, Season 13, Episode 9, “The Fleeing Tower of Sunyshore”

More often than not, Ash seems to have a tumultuous relationship with his Grass-Type Pokémon. Usually, Grass-Types seem to evolve late, if they can fully evolve at all. Although Ash’s Torterra evolves at an opportune moment and helps save Sunyshore tower from Team Rocket, there are a plethora of instances where Ash could’ve used Torterra earlier in the anime. With Torterra’s intensive defense, Ash probably would’ve fared better in his Lake Acuity match against Paul.

While Torterra’s usefulness cannot be understated. The anime makes it seem like Torterra only evolves because Ash’s Sinnoh Journey is close to an end. If given more screen time, Torterra could’ve become one of Ash’s more popular Pokémon, like Sceptile. However, Torterra and Ash, by extension, are limited by their inability to evolve until much later than their initial transformation into Grotle.

7

Tepig’s Evolution Into Pignite Doesn’t Make a Lasting Impression

Pokémon: BW Rival Destinies, Season 15, Episode 29, “Evolution by Fire!”

One of the main criticisms of Pokémon Black and White is it returns to many of the anime’s biggest mistakes. One of the largest of these is again the evolution issue. Almost none of Ash’s Pokémon evolve, and the ones that do evolve too late to do anything important. However, Pignite’s evolution and revenge against its former trainer is by far the most interesting part of the season. Yet, this moment would’ve been even cooler if Ash’s Tepig had already evolved and became Emboar.

The moment is one of the most popular in the Black and White saga, it comes much too late. While Pignite would serve Ash well throughout the rest of Unova, many fans wished it would’ve evolved again. Not every Pokémon needs to evolve, but almost none of Ash’s Unova Pokémon get close to their final form. Whether this is an intentional choice, it is certainly an unpopular practice among fans.

6

Ash’s Pidgeot Receives Zero Screen-Time Because of Its Late Evolution

Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Islands, Season 2, Episode 27, “Pallet Party Panic”

Ash’s Pidgeotto would evolve only to be seen again in flashbacks. Despite Ash promising to return to his Pidgeot, he never would and left it to defend the other Pidgey and Pidgeotto. While this is probably for the best, it removed one of Ash’s fully-evolved Pokémon from his roster. Although some fans thought Pidgeot would never return, it makes a small cameo in the penultimate episode of Ash’s journey.

Although Pidgeot does eventually return, this is frustrating since fans will likely never see it used. Ash ends his journey in the episode after he asks Pidgeot to once again join his team. This cements the fact that the audience isn’t likely to see Ash Ketchum return to the anime world soon. However, Ash always has a slim chance of returning with both Pikachu and Pidgeot by his side.

5

Phanpy Becomes Donphan To Assist Ash In the Battle Frontier

Pokémon: Battle Frontier, Season 9, Episode 9, “Reversing the Charges”

Some of Ash’s Pokémon evolve so late they evolve in completely different regions than they originated in. One of the most prevalent examples of this is Ash’s Phanpy. Although one of the most popular Pokémon in the Johto anime, Phanpy doesn’t evolve until the last season of the Hoenn region. Like many Pokémon who evolve late, Phanpy only evolves to defeat Team Rocket.

Without Team Rocket’s intervention, Phanpy might’ve never reached its full potential. Although Ash uses Donphan to some success in the Battle Frontier, it’s clear that Donphan would’ve been a powerhouse in the Johto region. Maybe Ash’s fight with Harrison would’ve gone differently had Ash had Donphan to use instead of Noctowl. While iconic, Noctowl couldn’t perform against Harrison’s Steelix.

Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon – Ultra Legends, Season 22, Episode 46, “Final Rivals!”

It’s not surprising Meltan is heavily highlighted in the anime, given its complex origins. However, what is surprising is that Ash’s Meltan doesn’t evolve until Alola is almost over. In fact, Meltan only evolves in the Alolan Pokémon League Finals, in one of the last possible instances for it to transform. Yet, even this surprising evolution is not enough for Melmetal to defeat Gladion’s Silvally.

Surprisingly, Meltan is not the only one of Ash’s Pokémon to evolve in the finals. However, Melmetal still technically gets the chance to battle its opponent. Even though it may not have won its battle, it puts up an interesting fight against Gladion’s Legendary Pokémon. Thankfully, Silvally isn’t completely overpowered and Pikachu takes it out later in the duel.

3

Ash’s Cyndaquil Evolves Six Anime Seasons Too Late

Pokémon: DP Sinnoh League Victors, Season 13, Episode 25, “An Old Family Blend!”

Ash’s Cyndaquil easily incites many fans’ evolution-based anger. Not only does Cyndaquil evolve six seasons after its original introduction, but it also only evolves to send Team Rocket away. This makes Quilava’s evolution similar to Donphan’s in almost every way. Yet, Quilava has become the focal point of more hate because of its status as a starter Pokémon. The Cyndaquil evolution line is probably the most popular of the Johto starters.

Quilava serves no purpose in the anime other than wasted potential. Its late evolution into Quilava only further cemented that Ash would never have a Typhlosion on his team. Many fans were devastated to see their favorite Pokémon so close, yet so far out of reach. Quilava does its best to help Ash where it can in the Lily of the Valley Conference.

2

Krokorok Evolves In The Last Possible Moment in the Unova Region

Pokémon: BW Rival Destinies, Season 15, Episode 44, “Ash, Iris and Trip: Then There Were Three!”

Ash and his Krookodile have had a hectic relationship since Ash met them as a Sandile. In fact, the Pokémon does not officially join Ash’s team until it evolves into a Krokorok. Krokorok’s evolution into Krookodile proves to be less useful than initially thought when it loses to Trip in the same episode it evolves in. Unfortunately, the writers wouldn’t let Ash succeed against his Unova rival until the very end of their time together.

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Although Krookodile defeats Iris’ Dragonite, its evolution is marred by its loss against Trip. While Krookodile becomes one of Ash’s biggest Unova assets, many fans believe the Pokémon could have evolved earlier had it joined Ash’s team during an earlier episode. Fans were still fortunate enough to see Krookodile battle several times before it was permanently removed from the anime.

1

Ash’s Torracat Evolves Into Incineroar After Defeating His Fully-Evolved Opponent

Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon – Ultra Legends, Season 22, Episode 51, “Fiery Surprises!”

Ash’s Torracat’s evolution is one of the most frustrating parts of the Alola saga. Torracat does not evolve until the last possible moment, after it has defeated Professor Kukui’s fearsome Incineroar. This means there are almost no official instances of Ash’s Incineroar being used in battle. While many fans had hoped Torracat might evolve before the battle, the anime goes in a different narrative direction.

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To get to the Manalo Conference, Ash had to overcome four different grand trials against four very capable Island Kahunas.

Since Incineroar is one of the most popular Alolan Pokémon, Litten’s evolution was teased throughout the anime. However, the anime attempted to subvert expectations by prolonging Torracat’s evolution. This subversion definitely surprised fans, but they didn’t react well. Many members of the audience have been left forever disappointedTorr to see so little of Ash’s Incineroar.

Pokémon

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1997 – 2022

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TV Tokyo, TV Osaka, TV Aichi, TVh, TVQ, TSC

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