10 Best Animated Pokémon Diamond and Pearl Episodes, Ranked (2025)

The Pokémon anime is one of the most popular and longest-running series of all time. The show regularly builds on itself and consistently improves both its art style and animation. One of the more popular early seasons with higher quality is the Diamond and Pearl section of the anime. With fantastic episodes like Pachirisu's introduction, the season builds on the action of earlier seasons with a much smoother quality.

The Diamond and Pearl season of the show is nostalgic for many fans. Like the era of games it derives from, the Pokémon anime received an influx of new viewers. Furthermore, older fans of the show also loved this new edition. Although Pokémon Diamond and Pearl improves the anime in many ways, some of its episodes feature better animation than others.

10 This Episode is the Perfect Introduction to the Sinnoh Region

Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl, Episode 1

After The Battle Frontier, many fans were excited about the anime continuing. However, many viewers were surprised to see a large increase in quality between the seasons. Furthermore, many fans were shocked to see the fan-favorite Brock return once again. While the animation changes are not instantly noticeable, many Pokémon attacks receive a significant upgrade.

The animation upgrade is most notable in examples like Piplup's Bubble Beam. The attack stands out on the screen and feels more dynamic than attacks from previous seasons. Several other attacks, like Swift, follow suit with this slightly more CGI style. This works to enhance the already amazing, but slightly static, battles and make them more dynamic looking.

9 Dawn Catches Pachirisu in This Energetic Episode

Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl, Episode 19

Just like most of Ash's companions, Dawn is just beginning her Pokémon journey. In an early episode of Diamond and Pearl, Dawn meets a Pachirisu and quickly attempts to add it to her team. The episode is truly electrifying with both Pikachu and Pachirisu's high-voltage attacks taking turns stealing the spotlights. Overall, the animators take great care to make Pachirisu's electricity look noticeably distinct.

This episode is a great example of how the series introduces new characters while building on existing ones. The Pokémon team went to great lengths to distinguish Pachirisu's personality and attacks from the main protagonist's. This demonstrates the large amount of thought that went into designing Dawn and her Pokémon team. Like many of Dawn's team members, Pachirisu's development mirrors her own throughout the series.

8 Ash Obliviously Meets an Important Trainer

Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl, Episode 31

While Ash and his friends are exploring the Eterna Forest, they meet a mysterious stranger who also has a Turtwig. The animators expertly highlight Turtwig's abnormal speed and demonstrate that it is much faster than the average Turtwig. While they also say this fact, the stranger's Turtwig is even faster than Ash's Staravia, a huge abnormality.

Overall, this episode expertly tackles a difficult task, a battle between two of the same Pokémon. Nevertheless, the episode flawlessly makes both Ash's Turtwig and the strangers slightly distinct. Furthermore, Ash would later learn that the stranger was the second Gym Leader. This explains why her Turtwig is so freakishly strong.

7 A Direct and More Efficient Team Rocket Rival Appears

Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl, Episode 20

Hunter J is an evil Pokémon thief who sells valuable Pokémon for profit. She is the perfect example of how Team Rocket could be truly fearsome if they were slightly competent. Her method of capture, trapping Pokémon in a bronze stasis, is the highlight of the episode. The scene where Meowth transitions to and from stasis is a perfect example of this.

The animators make the stasis effect truly stand out even against some of the other unique capture methods in the series. Furthermore, it highlights Hunter J's more unique qualities. She easily demonstrates that she is more efficient than Team Rocket, yet she is also outsmarted by Ash and his friends. In conclusion, this episode proves that Team Rocket might be more capable than they appear and demonstrates so in a dynamic way.

6 Ash Defeats Roark's Powerful Pokémon With Unique Strategy

Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl, Episode 18

See Also

How The Pokemon Anime Art and Animation Has Changed Over The YearsPokémon Brilliant Diamond ART Book and Pokémon Shining Pearl ART Book

To finally defeat Roark the gym leader, Ash develops several interesting strategies. While these strategies are heavily outside the Pokémon norms, they are entertaining to watch. Furthermore, they make the battles much more fascinating than they would originally be. Ash once again proves that his unorthodox strategy is enough to defeat even the most skilled Gym Leaders.

This battle is a perfect example of how the Diamond and Pearl battles feature more compelling duels than in previous seasons. Pikachu dodging both Onix and Rampardos is a wonderfully animated example of Ash's unique strategy. Although the episode breaks many of the existing Pokémon rules, it is still entertaining.

5 Staravia's Aerial Antics Make This Episode Memorable

Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl, Episode 13

Ash's Starly is one of his most popular Pokémon from the season. Starly regularly works to improve themselves to help Ash and the rest of the team. In one of the most epic moments in Diamond and Pearl, Starly evolves while performing the Aerial Ace attack. Not only is this moment amazingly wholesome, but a masterclass in animation.

This episode fantastically demonstrates Ash's bond with the Pokémon and the battles the new series is capable of producing. Aerial battles are a great way for animators to add more fluidity to a fight. Furthermore, the Pokémon's inability to perform the Aerial Ace attack before this heavily adds to the already palpable tension. Ash is incredibly impressed with Staravia, and he continues to be a staple of his Sinnoh team.

4 Paul Aggressively Pushes Chimchar Past His Limits

Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl, Episode 50

Paul is Ash's biggest foil throughout Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. They consistently bicker both physically and verbally over how to raise their Pokémon. Nevertheless, Chimchar's fire-type attacks are a pinnacle of animation. In particular, his flame wheel against the Zangoose elevates this already emotional episode.

At the end of the emotional episode, Paul chooses to abandon Chimchar. Fortunately, Ash sees this and requests that Chimchar join him and his team. Chimchar goes on to be one of Ash's most-used and most popular Pokémon in the region. Like Dawn's Pachirisu, Chimchar's growth mirrors Ash's development as a trainer.

3 Ash Someone Who Loves Pikachu's As Much As Him

Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl, Episode 24

During his Sinnoh journeys, Ash eventually discovers someone who loves Pikachu as much as he does. Unfortunately, she loses her companion, and Ash's Pikachu pretends to be hers for a time. She discovers this fairly quickly but continues to go along with it to humor her granddaughter. Eventually, her new Raichu returns and demonstrates one of the most amazing Thunderbolt attacks in Sinnoh.

Furthermore, the scene in which Sugar attacks Team Rocket is expertly choreographed. Sugar uses their new abilities to make quick work of Team Rocket. The Raichu and its trainer reunite in a truly heartwarming moment. This episode also demonstrates that Pikachu still has room to grow and develop his already impressive electric abilities.

2 Paul and Ash Receive Direct Training From Cynthia

Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl, Episode 40

Cynthia is without a doubt the most powerful trainer in Sinnoh. She is the champion of the Sinnoh League. She first meets both Ash and Paul while investigating Dialga and Palkia. She has a battle with Paul that is both captivating and embarrassing for her challenger. She manages to defeat almost all of Paul's Pokémon with her Garchomp.

She uses this episode to prove once and for all why she was made champion. Garchomp's power is demonstrated through the battle's wonderful choreography. Furthermore, fans were elated to see Paul lose so handily. This episode is another great example of Diamond and Pearl's extensive animation upgrade. Overall, it is only outdone by one slightly more emotional instance.

1 Chimchar Finally Joins a Trainer Who Treats Him Well

Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl, Episode 51

After Chimchar joins Ash's team, he instantly becomes happier. Furthermore, this amazing episode features not one, but two iconic battles. Ash battles and defeats both Dawn and Brock in Double Battles. However, he does so with Paul's help. Despite their inability to work together, they have two of the greatest battles of early Pokémon Diamond and Pearl.

Ash shows Paul how capable Chimchar truly is, while Paul shows Ash that power is still important. His Elekid even evolves into an Electivire to help secure victory. This emotional episode is the brilliant beginning of one of Ash's greatest Pokémon friendships. Despite Paul's arrogant comments, Ash praises Chimchar for his performance during the duel.

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Pokémon

TV-PG

Action

Adventure

Animation

Ash Ketchum, his yellow pet Pikachu, and his human friends explore a world of powerful creatures.

Release Date

March 7, 1992

Creator(s)

Naoko Takeuchi

Cast

Rica Matsumoto, Mayumi Iizuka, Yūji Ueda, Tomokazu Seki, Kaori Suzuki, Fushigi Yamada, Megumi Toyoguchi

Main Genre

Adventure

Seasons

25

Studio

Creator

Writers

Takeshi Shudo, Junki Takegami, Atsuhiro Tomioka, Aya Matsui, Shoji Yonemura, Dai Saito

Network

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

Streaming Service(s)

Hulu, Netflix

Franchise(s)

Pokemon

Directors

Kunihiko Yuyama, Daiki Tomiyasu, Jun Owada, Saori Den

Producers

Takemoto Mori, Tsunekazu Ishihara, Keisuke Iwata

Character(s)

Pikachu (voice), Satoshi (voice), Aipom (voice), Pichu Younger Brother (voice), Self, Pichu Older Brother (voice), Kasumi (voice), Gou (voice), Narrator (voice), Serena (voice), Haruka (voice), Shigeru Oak (voice), Dent (voice), Citron (voice), Eureka (voice), Iris (voice), Hikari (voice), Maamame (voice), Mao (voice), Suiren (voice), Kaki (voice), Wanpachi (voice)

YouTube Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTrmW_CCWE8