Ash Ketchum went to school. That was the pitch. For fans who had spent two decades watching a 10-year-old wander through forests and battle gym leaders in a rigid, predictable loop, the shift to the Pokémon Sun and Moon TV show felt like a punch to the gut. The art style changed. The tone went from "shonen adventure" to "slice-of-life comedy." People hated it at first. I remember the forums melting down over Ash’s "mustache" (those weird cheek marks) and the lack of a traditional travel plot.
But then something weird happened. We actually watched it.
The Alola region wasn't just another backdrop for badge collecting. It was a lived-in world. It turns out that by staying in one place, the writers finally had the breathing room to give Ash—and his Pokémon—actual personalities beyond just "brave" and "determined." If you haven't revisited the Pokémon Sun and Moon TV show lately, you’re missing out on the most emotionally resonant and technically fluid era of the entire franchise. It is, quite frankly, the best the show has ever been.
The Art Style Controversy That Wasn't
Let’s address the elephant in the room: the animation. Fans lost their minds when the sharp, jagged lines of XY&Z were replaced by the rounded, loose designs of Alola. It looked "childish."
Here is the truth. The simplified character designs were a tactical choice.
By stripping away the complex line work that made every frame a struggle to animate, the team at OLM (the studio behind the series) unlocked a level of fluid motion we hadn't seen since the movies. Because the lines were simpler, the animators could stretch, squash, and distort the characters. This led to some of the most expressive facial acting in anime history.
Think back to Ash’s Rowlet. In any other season, Rowlet would have been a static bird sitting on a shoulder. In the Pokémon Sun and Moon TV show, Rowlet is a comedy icon. Its constant sleeping, its obsession with its backpack, and its bizarre physical gags were only possible because the art style allowed for that level of "squishy" animation. The battles benefited too. When Ash’s Lycanroc uses Continental Crush, the sense of scale and impact is visceral. It doesn't look like a series of still frames; it looks like a high-budget feature film.
Alola as a Character, Not a Map
In previous seasons, the "world" was just a series of roads between cities. You’d have a forest episode, a cave episode, and then a city episode. Rinse and repeat.
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Alola changed the formula. Because Ash was enrolled in the Pokémon School on Melemele Island, he had a home base. He had a room at Professor Kukui’s house. He had a consistent group of friends—Lillie, Mallow, Lana, Sophocles, and Kiawe—who didn't just disappear after ten minutes of screen time.
This permanence allowed for deep lore. We learned about the Tapu guardians not as legendary "bosses" to be caught, but as local deities with temperaments and histories. We saw how the people of Alola coexist with Pokémon in a way that feels more like a community and less like a blood sport. Mallow’s family restaurant isn't just a setting; it’s a hub where characters grow.
And then there’s the trauma.
The Lillie and Lusamine Arc
If you want to talk about why the Pokémon Sun and Moon TV show matters, you have to talk about Lillie. Her character arc regarding her fear of touching Pokémon is one of the most sophisticated depictions of psychological trauma in a "kids' show."
It wasn't just a gimmick. It was rooted in family dysfunction. The introduction of the Aether Foundation and her mother, Lusamine, brought a level of stakes that felt personal rather than global. Sure, the world was at risk from Ultra Beasts, but the real story was a daughter trying to reach a mother who had lost her way.
The show handled this with surprising grace. It didn't rush the "cure." Lillie’s progress was slow, agonizing, and realistic. When she finally touches Snowy (her Alolan Vulpix), it feels earned. It’s a victory more significant than any gym badge because it represents internal growth.
Let's Talk About Stoutland (The Episode That Broke Us)
We need to talk about Episode 21, "One Journey Ends, Another Begins..."
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Death is a taboo subject in Pokémon. Usually, if a Pokémon "leaves," it’s released into the wild or sent to Professor Oak’s lab. Not here. The Pokémon Sun and Moon TV show did something incredibly brave: it depicted the death of a Pokémon from old age.
Litten’s mentor, an elderly Stoutland, spends the episode coughing and weakening. Ash doesn't try to catch it or "fix" it with a Full Restore. He realizes what’s happening. When Stoutland finally passes away, and the final leaf falls from the tree, the show doesn't look away. The imagery of the empty couch and the rainy Alolan streets is devastating. It taught a generation of young viewers about grief and the cycle of life in a way that was respectful and hauntingly beautiful. No other Pokémon season has had the guts to go there.
The Pokémon League Revolution
For twenty years, the Pokémon League was a predictable tournament. Ash would make it to the Top 16, or the Semi-finals, and then lose to some guy with a legendary Pokémon (looking at you, Tobias).
The Alola League was different.
First, anyone could enter. This meant we got meaningful matches between friends. Kiawe vs. Gladion wasn't just a battle; it was a clash of philosophies. Ash vs. Guzma was a deconstruction of what it means to be a "trainer." Guzma, the leader of Team Skull, represents everyone who felt rejected by the formal "system" of Pokémon battling. He’s a tragic figure, and the Pokémon Sun and Moon TV show gives him a redemption arc that feels honest.
And then, the big one. Ash actually won.
After 22 years of waiting, Ash Ketchum became a Regional Champion. The fact that it happened in Alola—a place where he found a family, not just a trophy—made it hit harder. It wasn't about being the "strongest"; it was about the bond he shared with his team. When he used the 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt with Pikachu to finish the exhibition match against Professor Kukui, it felt like the ultimate payoff for two decades of fandom.
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Why the Comedy Works
Don't get it twisted; this show is hilarious.
The "faces" Ash makes are legendary. The writers leaned into the absurdity of the Pokémon world. James from Team Rocket becomes a competitive Z-Ring user. Meowth falls in love with an Alolan Meowth who is a total manipulator. The show isn't afraid to be weird.
This humor serves a purpose. It makes the world feel vibrant. In the Pokémon Sun and Moon TV show, Pokémon aren't just tools for battle; they are agents of chaos. Whether it’s Bewear literally sprinting across the ocean to kidnap Team Rocket or Rowlet accidentally swallowing an Everstone, the comedy keeps the pacing tight. You’re laughing one minute and crying the next. That’s the Alola magic.
Addressing the Common Misconceptions
Some people still claim the show is "too soft."
I disagree. The Ultra Beast arc features some of the most terrifying imagery in the series. Nihilego is a parasitic horror. Guzzlord is a literal world-eater. The stakes are high; they just aren't always high. By having "down days" where the characters just go shopping or have a race on the beach, the moments of high action feel more impactful.
Another gripe is the Z-Moves. People say they’re "cheap wins." In reality, Z-Moves are a brilliant narrative device. They require "syncing" with a Pokémon. It’s a physical manifestation of the bond between trainer and partner. It’s much more thematic than Mega Evolution, which often felt like a simple power-up.
How to Watch the Series Today
If you’re looking to dive back in, don't try to power through all 140+ episodes in a weekend.
The Pokémon Sun and Moon TV show is best enjoyed like a vacation. Watch a few episodes, get to know the class, and let the atmosphere wash over you. If you’re a completionist, pay attention to the background. This is one of the few Pokémon series where characters in the background are actually doing things. You’ll see characters from previous episodes walking through the market or Pokémon interacting in the trees.
Actionable Steps for the Ultimate Alola Experience
- Prioritize the "Lillie" Arc: If you’re short on time, focus on the episodes involving the Aether Foundation (Episodes 44-55). It’s the tightest storytelling in the show.
- Watch the Japanese Version if Possible: While the dub is fine, the Japanese score (by Shinji Miyazaki) uses incredible orchestral arrangements of the game music that elevate the emotional scenes.
- Pay Attention to Team Rocket: This is the best iteration of the trio. Their "base" in the forest and their relationship with Mareanie and Mimikyu is genuinely touching. They feel less like villains and more like a struggling family.
- Don't Skip the "Fillers": In Alola, there is no such thing as filler. An episode about a baseball game or a play is often where the best character beats happen.
- Analyze the Z-Move Choreography: Look at how the dances correlate to the Pokémon's movements. It’s a masterclass in rhythmic animation.
The Pokémon Sun and Moon TV show didn't just change the rules; it ignored them to build something better. It proved that Ash Ketchum didn't need to be a "cool" action hero to be a great character. He just needed to be a kid who loved Pokémon. Alola gave him a home, and in doing so, it gave us the most human story the franchise has ever told. It’s time to stop comparing it to XY&Z and start appreciating it for the vibrant, emotional masterpiece it is.