History YMMV / PokemonS1E39PikachusGoodbye

** Becomes a huge point of {{Irony}} many years later [[spoiler:where the final episodes of the anime ultimately have Ash and Pikachu both retire as the protagonists (while still traveling to parts unknown), essentially retiring Pikachu (with Captain Pikachu from ''Anime/PokemonHorizons'' taking his place).]]

** Becomes a huge point of {{Irony}} many years later [[spoiler:where the final episodes of the anime ultimately have Ash and Pikachu both retire as the protagonists (while still traveling to parts unknown.]]

** Becomes doubly so [[spoiler:when the final episode of ''Anime/AimToBeAPokemonMaster'' has Ash and Pikachu finally retire for good as the main protagonists of the entire series. In hindsight making the final episodes Ash's and Pikachu's Goodbye]].

* HarsherInHindsight: The line involving the Pikachu cheering Ash on when he gets to the Pokemon League becomes this considering his... "spotty" attempts until [[spoiler:Alola and then eventually the World Coronation Tournament]].

* SignatureScene: Pikachu returning to Ash, and the emotional hug that follows, is the most-remembered part of the episode.

** This becomes rather HarsherInHindsight, because after 25 long years of being stars of the Pokemon anime: [[spoiler:Ash and Pikachu will both be saying goodbye to the fans.]]

** This becomes a rather teary HilariousInHindsight, after 25 long years of being stars of the Pokemon anime: [[spoiler:Ash and Pikachu both will be saying goodbye to the fans.]]

** Ash nearly releasing Pikachu ends up almost becoming true. 25 long years later after the release of this episode both Ash and Pikachu will be saying goodbye together to the fans.

* HarsherInHindsight: The line involving the Pikachu cheering Ash on when he gets to the Pokemon League becomes this considering his... "spotty" attempts until Alola.

** This was, however, a realistic fear after the [[Recap/PokemonS1E38ElectricSoldierPorygon tragic events of four months prior.]] As it was a miracle enough the series wasn't cancelled entirely, there was a high chance they [[DistancedFromCurrentEvents wouldn't be allowed to keep using electric attacks.]] Thankfully, the only real change was Pikachu's attacks becoming far less visually intense.

--> '''Ash''': This is for the best... I guess.

** This is one of Creator/RicaMatsumoto saddest performances as Ash Ketchum. From Ash's moments of thinking that Pikachu would be better in the forest, to him shouting at Brock and Misty when they confront him about his decision, and when he tells Pikachu that he's leaving, all of which she delivers very well.

** This is one of Creator/RicaMatsumoto most saddest performances as Ash Ketchum. From Ash's moments of thinking that Pikachu would be better in the forest, to him shouting at Brock and Misty when they confront him about his decision, and when he tells Pikachu that he's leaving, all of which she delivers very well.

** This is one of Creator/RicaMatsumoto most saddest performances as Ash Ketchum. From Ash's moments of thinking that Pikachu would be better in the forest, to him shouting at his friends when they confront him about his decision, and when he tells Pikachu that he's leaving, all of which she delivers very well.

* HarsherInHindsight: The line involving the Pikachu cheering Ash on when he gets to the Pokemon League becomes this considering his... "spotty" attempts for 20+ years now.

* HarsherInHindsight: The line involving the Pikachu cheering Ash on when he gets to the Pokemon League becomes this considering his... "Spotty" attempts for 20+ years now.

* CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming: One of the biggest in the series. After attempting to leave Pikachu with its own kind, Ash finds that it wants to stay with him and the two are tearfully reunited. The triumphant music during the moment also helps.

Somehow, someday, we'd have to say goodbye.

Somehow, someday, we'd have to say goodbye.\\