After recently announcing their retirement from the franchise they helped make into a staple for all to witness, Ash and Pikachu walked into the sunset as the Pokémon team decided to retire their characters after giving us 25 rocking Pokémon seasons. This was a huge turning point in the series because having retired both Ash and Pikachu, they needed a new cast of characters to play as the protagonists. They found them in Liko and Roy, along with others to help them along the way. Not to mention, the new crew has their own Pikachu…who is known as Captain Pikachu.
What we all remember about the years that Ash and Pikachu gave us besides great adventures is the incredible music soundtracks throughout their journey. Today, we look at some of those great tracks that made us want to collect them all! Here are the top five theme songs from the series. Note: These are only the tracks used as the opening intro song throughout the 25 seasons of the animated television show. Also, these theme songs are from the English version of the show.
Pokémon Theme – Season 1
This is one of the reasons why everyone started to watch the television show series in the first place. Hands down, not only the very best theme song in the franchise but a very important one as well. The song was performed by Jason Paige, and it served as the opening theme for season one of the series. I remember when I first heard this song back in the day being extremely impressed by how hard-hitting it was while being a theme for a cartoon show aimed at kids and teens. Right out of the box, you knew that the theme song was going to be a memorable one. The way that the song begins immediately sucks the listener in. It also has a very nice rock vibe throughout the track.
Credit: Arcanine299
The song was successful enough to be brought back later in season 17, during the opening of the XY series. Just like the original, this remix version of the song was absolutely phenomenal as well. This version was done by Ben Dixon and The Sad Truth and had the same upbeat delivery as the first one did. It has a great “get down” aura to it. Also, the intro video to this version in season 17 was perfectly done. It featured Pokémon entering the battlefield and not backing down in their battles with various foes. Nicely done indeed.
Credit: DBKai
Stand Tall – Season 19
The entire XY series had some very good opening theme songs to add to the collection of soundtracks for the Pokémon franchise. The one used for season 19 is no different. Just like number one on this list, Stand Tall doesn’t waste any time attempting to drag the listener into its web of awesomeness. To me, this theme song has a certain “comeback” sensation to it. Like, when someone thinks that they have taken you down, they are shocked to find out that they in fact didn’t, and you are just getting warmed up. It also includes a very sweet guitar riff in it.
Credit: DBKai
This song is the ultimate never-give-up anthem when it comes to the first 25 seasons of the television show. And just like season 17’s XY opening intro, the season 19 one which involves the XYZ season also had a really nice intro to go with the track. It absolutely captured the three seasons of the XY series perfectly. Like, you just knew based on this theme and the opening intro that went with it that the final showdown was upon us. This theme was also done by Ben Dixon and The Sad Truth, the ones that did the remix version of the original song in season 17.
Pokémon Johto – Season 3
Talk about a very cute and fun theme song. Extremely upbeat and pleasant, this theme song is very catchy from start to end. It has the same message as the others do, in that, it wants the viewer to try hard to achieve in becoming a great Pokémon trainer. Just keep trying is the feeling that I get from this song. It is also laid back in its delivery. The opening intro that accompanies this theme makes it even more incredible. The Pokémon characters run around trying to achieve their individual greatness, and don’t let anything get in their way. Who can forget Misty winking at the camera while she and the rest of the gang run down the dirt path? The soundtrack is performed by the musical group Johto.
Credit: Pokémon – Topic
The Journey Starts Today – Season 23
I had to put this one on my list. I’ve noticed that the Journeys series switched from a harder rock sound like the previous seasons had, and went more into a Pop-ish vibe. I got into it, and I also liked the opening theme to season 25, With You. But, since I only have five selections…I went with The Journey Starts Today. The bubbly synergy of the track for season 23 makes me want to experience the final chapter (series-wise) of the adventures of Ash and Pikachu. On top of the change in the music genre that this song presents in the franchise, the concept of great lyrical inspiration stays intact. Listen to the words in this theme, and you can find a never-give-up attitude like the other themes before it. This theme song is done by Walk Off the Earth.
Credit: AleksAshXYZ
Pokémon World – Season 2
This theme song has a wonderful dance element to it. Once you hear, “We all live in a Pokémon World…” and “I want to be the greatest master of them all…” you will be singing those lines for the rest of the day. I like how this song has an interactive component to it where the song sounds like the band is interacting with the live audience listening to them. The theme song is performed by Russell Velázquez. Like all the other opening theme songs on this list, the intro video sequence that accompanies this theme song is perfectly done. It predominantly focuses on the battles between the different kinds of Pokémon.
Credit: EnigmaBarry
There are my five selections of the best Pokémon opening themes in the first 25 years of the show when Ash and Pikachu were the main protagonists of the franchise.
