Pokémon the Series: XYZ Episode 26

👀 SPOILER-FREE SUMMARY

A rivalry spotlight episode that delivers exactly what Pokémon XYZ does best—competitive battles grounded in genuine character growth. Ash reunites with Sawyer, now sporting a full set of eight Gym badges, and the two immediately channel their mutual respect into a three-on-three battle. Expect dynamic fight choreography with strategic depth, as both trainers demonstrate how far they've come since their earlier encounters. The tone strikes a satisfying balance between high-energy combat and quieter beats of reflection, exploring what it really means to understand your Pokémon as partners rather than just tools. This is a character-driven battle episode through and through—less about spectacle for its own sake and more about measuring progress. The friendly rivalry between Ash and Sawyer gives the stakes emotional weight without resorting to melodrama.