YMMV / Pokemon S 25 E 53 The Rainbow And The Pokemon Master

• Catharsis Factor:
  • While the execution may be contentious, there's some undeniable relief in knowing that after so many years, Ash's story has finally, finally come to an end, no longer forced to suffer from endless Soft Reboots and abrupt personality shifts. Fans who stuck with the anime simply to see Ash's conclusion can rest at long last knowing he's still officially the strongest in the world, and the series allowed him to leave before anyone could take that away from him.
  • It's also very cathartic to see Ash finally reunite with Pidgeot after so long, even moreso knowing it actually rejoins his team. With that one simple scene, the anime's most infamous unkept promise has been fulfilled at last.
• Esoteric Happy Ending: Team Rocket's final reunion is framed in a positive light, as the three are just happy to be back together and chasing their dreams forever... even though that dream is very blatantly impossible, and in doing so the trio have effectively resigned themselves to an eternity of failure. When considering the alternative possibility of Team Rocket finally turning a new leaf or even helping to take down Giovanni, their lack of closure can get very frustrating very quickly.
• It's the Same, Now It Sucks!: Many on both sides of the Pacific weren't happy that the series ended with Ash still on another endless journey and Team Rocket endlessly pursuing him, as it's blatant adherence to the status quo for what was supposed to be their last episode didn't sit well.
• Unexpected Character: Pidgeot returning for the final episode was a massive shocker, seeing as it had been 25 years since Ash released it.