Pokémon: Black and White Is So Underrated, And I've Got the Episodes on Hand to Prove It

Pokémon Black and White is one of the least popular eras within the Pokémon anime, with fans decrying both Ash and his companions during this time frame. However, that doesn't mean you should write the series off entirely--there are still some great episodes in there that any fan can enjoy.

Pokémon Black and White ran from September 2010 to September 2013 in Japan, and followed on from the exceptionally popular Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, which had left Ash at the peak of his skill. Black and White opted to start Ash over from the beginning again in Unova, which proved to be unpopular with fans. Despite this, though, the Black and White anime did have some interesting ideas, and a few storylines that are absolutely worth watching for any Pokémon fan. Here are the best episodes and story arcs from the Black and White era of Pokémon.

10 Meowth's Scrafty Tactics!

Pokémon Black and White, episode #43

One of the most interesting ideas that Pokémon Black and White had during its run was to have Meowth “kicked out” of Team Rocket, and leave him traveling with Ash and friends for a run of several episodes. This is the first episode in which Meowth is traveling with Ash, and he comes in handy immediately by helping to translate a hostage situation involving the Pokémon Scrafty and Iris’ Axew.

This glimpse at what a good Meowth would be like is certainly interesting, and Meowth would travel with them for several episodes following this, making for a unique run of episodes. While Meowth obviously ends up going back to Team Rocket, Black and White’s tendency to mix things up from the status quo had some fans wondering if Meowth’s heel-face turn might actually be for good.

9 Crisis From the Underground Up!

Pokémon Black and White, episode #47

This episode reveals Meowth’s deception, as he’s been ingratiating himself to Ash and friends as part of a scheme to steal their Pokémon. Team Rocket empties the vault at the Pokémon Center, then attempts to use the underground subway system to escape Nimbasa City with their ill-gotten goods. Cilan, however, is very knowledgeable about the underground, and together with the Subway bosses Ingo and Emmet, they work to stop Team Rocket and retrieve their Pokémon from Team Rocket’s mysterious “ghost train.”

This is arguably Team Rocket at their most diabolical. Black and White attempted to rehab Team Rocket’s image and make them intimidating villains again, and this long-term plot was just one example of how the series made Jessie and James dangerous once more. This is a two-parter, so it’s recommended to watch episode #48 as well to finish out the story arc.

8 All for the Love of Meloetta!

Pokémon Black and White, episode #85

After getting his eighth gym badge, Ash finds out the tournament won’t be for several months. While in town trying a frozen treat, Ash and friends run into Sinnoh’s champion, Cynthia, who has a quick battle with Iris before inviting the entire group back to her villain in Undella Town. However, on their way they discover an injured Meloetta, who is fleeing from Team Rocket. They help care for it, and it secretly follows them on their way to Undella Town. Meanwhile, Dawn is revealed to be waiting for Ash in Undella Town.

This episode sees the return of Cynthia and Dawn, with Dawn being Ash’s previous companion, and Cynthia being a major character in the Sinnoh region. It serves as a prelude to the Pokémon World Tournament Junior Cup arc, beginning in episode #90, which will see Ash, Cilan, Iris, and Dawn competing alongside some of Ash’s rivals.

7 Unova's Survival Crisis!

Pokémon Black and White, episode #97

The culmination of the Meloetta arc sees Team Rocket capturing Meloetta and using a recording of her song to expose an ancient artifact, the Reveal Glass, which transforms Landorus, Thundurus, and Tornadus into their Therian formes, while also giving Team Rocket’s Giovanni control over them. Giovanni begins to lose himself, however, and his desire for conquest transforms into a drive for destruction. Can Giovanni be stopped before the entire Unova region suffers?

This is another two-parter, together with episode #96, “Meloetta and the Undersea Temple.” It’s the only time where Giovanni and Ash come face to face in the entire main series, not counting the special Mewtwo Returns. Giovanni’s dark turn towards destruction is notable even for his character, shaking the Team Rocket leader to his core after the fact. Jessie and James actually play a critical role in stopping him, saving his life as well.

6 Drayden Versus Iris: Past, Present, and Future!

Pokémon Black and White, episode #101

Iris is challenged by the gym leader Drayden, so the group heads to Opelucid City so that Iris can have her battle. Iris gets cold feet as they arrive in town, however, and splits from the group to clear her head. It’s revealed that Iris was a student at a school here, which was run by Drayden, but had trouble fitting in with the other students due to her upbringing. Iris eventually finds her strength and challenges Drayden, only to lose. Still, she’s proven how much she’s grown since leaving school, and earns Drayden’s blessing.

This is an important backstory episode for Iris, explaining her relationship with Drayden, a fellow Dragon trainer who acts as her counterpart in the Black and White games. Drayden sees a lot of promise in Iris as a trainer, and his faith in her ability would eventually be reflected in Iris' champion status in Pokémon Journeys.

Pokémon Black and White, episode #59

While on a mission to collect revival herbs for gym leader Clay, Ash and friends head to an island where the herbs can be found. As they arrive, the island comes under attack from Tornadus and Thundurus, and it becomes apparent that this is Team Rocket’s doing. The only way to stop the two from fighting is to call upon Landorus, so Ash and friends set about attempting to summon Landorus.

Another two-parter, paired with episode #60, this is the first appearance of the trio of Thundurus, Tornadus, and Landorus. It certainly isn’t your typical errand before a gym battle, and Ash and friends find out how powerful these Legendary Pokémon are soon enough. The storyline plays out a lot like a Pokémon movie in episode form, with the fate of the islands at stake.

4 The Battle Club and Tepig's Choice!

Pokémon Black and White, episode #4

Ash and friends visit a battle club early in their journey, but Ash’s attempt to battle there is shut down when a security alarm indicates a break-in. Ash helps to locate the intruder, and is shocked to see that it’s a starving Tepig, with its mouth tied shut by a trainer who abandoned it. Ash helps Tepig and feeds it, earning its trust. But Team Rocket were also intruding, and soon attempt to steal Pikachu. Tepig helps get Pikachu back, and wants to be caught by Ash, so Ash makes Tepig his Pokémon!

While it clearly takes after Charmander and Chimchar’s introductory episodes, this is still quite a good episode, showing the darker side of Pokémon training. It also goes a long way towards proving that despite the changes in this series, Ash is still ultimately Ash at heart.

3 The Fires of a Red-Hot Reunion!

Pokémon Black and White, episode #116

An episode made especially for long-time fans, Ash recounts to his friends (and N) about his Charmander and everything they went through together, ultimately prompting Ash to make an exchange so that Charizard can rejoin Ash’s team. Ash’s Charizard immediately strikes up a rivalry against Iris’s Dragonite, and the two Pokémon go at it until they’ve earned one another’s respect. Charizard ends up staying for the last chapter of Ash’s journey in Unova, reuniting them for the first time in hundreds of episodes.

This episode reanimates some classic scenes as Ash retells his history with his Charizard, intending to show N how powerful the relationship between people and Pokémon can truly be. It’s rare for Ash to call upon one of his past Pokémon like this, so fans should enjoy the return of Ash’s Charizard for the rarity that it is.

2 Ash and N: A Clash of Ideals!

Pokémon Black and White, episode #120

Ash, N, and friends are traveling together in search of the White Ruins, and are brought there by Professor Cedric Juniper’s assistant. However, while there, Cedric discovers the Light Stone, an item said to be the Legendary Pokémon Reshiram in another form. N is defensive of the Light Stone, fearing Cedric intends to use it improperly, but soon Ash and N become trapped underground. As the group tries to rescue Ash and N, Team Plasma makes their appearance, and a fight breaks out for the Light Stone.

This marks the beginning of the climax for the N arc, and sees Ash and N discussing their differing philosophies towards Pokémon as they wait to be rescued. It’s an interesting discussion that should have any Pokémon fan thinking hard about the relationship between humans and Pokémon, and does the fan-favorite character of N some degree of justice.

1 What Lies Beyond Truth and Ideals!

Pokémon Black and White, episode #122

Ash and N’s confrontation with Team Plasma comes to a head as they seize the Light Stone and use it to call upon Reshiram. Team Plasma’s Colress uses a device to mind control the Pokémon present, leaving the heroes bound and helpless. Axew, who evaded detection, helps Cilan and Iris escape. Team Rocket joins forces with Looker to put a stop to Team Plasma’s activities. When Ash appears, Colress attempts to use his device on Pikachu, but is unable to control Pikachu due to his bond with Ash. Pikachu frees Reshiram from Team Plasma’s control, and N must calm it down to prevent disaster.

The N arc comes to a head here, with N finally realizing that Pokémon can benefit from human interaction, and vice versa. It leads to the defeat and arrest of Team Plasma, and a new level of friendship with Ash. For these reasons, this is almost certainly the best episode of Pokémon Black and White.