Best Champion Debut?

[LuxrayOfTheWild]

By now, we have met every single one of the Champions from the games. Out of all the Champions we have seen in the Pokemon Anime? Personally, I thought Cynthia's debut was the best for a Champion. We saw her on TV wrecking Lucian, but after, we not only get to see her interest in mythology...And taking forever to decide on an ice cream flavor, but we get to see her completely DESTROY Paul's team in the most satisfying curb stomp battle ever. She showed how strong she is in a few minutes and she did not disappoint.

Which Champion, including Gary/Blue and Iris, do you think had the best introduction?

 

[Arceus the Dragon]

Gary and Iris are not champions in the anime though. I like Cynthia's appearance though. She was handled quite well and defeat Paul with his powerhouses.

 

[TyphoonStrom]

I personally liked dianthas. Her introduction helping ashs and freinds split a cake was quite chaming, and fleshed out her character in a very short amount of time.

It was also nice of ash to finally have a proper battle against a champion after lol, alders pathetic show.

His enthurisaim challenging her was quite welcome as well. Since it was very bizarre why ash never even attempted to battle cynthia at any point in DP or BW.

 

[Zexy]

I have to go with Cynthia. No one else was shown defeating an Elite Four and win a Full Battle with just one Pokemon.

 

[Gengarzilla]

As underwhelming as she is as a Champion, I have to agree with Strom on Diantha's debut. Not long after demolishing a challenger who was mentioned to have won a tournament in Brackish Town last year, we then saw her going out of her way, even donning a disguise, just to try some local desserts. I found that a charming callback to Cynthia's out of battle indecisiveness and apparent fondness for ice cream.

Oh yeah, then she completely takes Ash and Pikachu to town during their battle. Without Mega Evolution. The tale of how she once got separated from Gardevoir was interesting too. It's such a shame that she got hit with the dreaded Worf Effect in the next episode we see her...

 

[TyphoonStrom]

In my opinion, champions were poorly written prior to xy. Cynthia sweeping Paul who had 5? or so badges at that point was rediculous, along with tanking a 4x blizzard.

Then there was flint who swept ashs entire team sort of pikachu despite him having 7 badges at that point. Hell even pikachu only tanked more then 1 hit for the sake of volkners plot.

It kinda undermines the protaganist growth when you're aware half way through the series that it won't be enough, even if they won the league.

 

[DracoMan]

I liked Lance's debut, which had him infiltrating Team Rocket so that he could wreck their plans at Lake Rage. Nice to see him fighting bad guys in both the games and the anime.

 

[Pokémon Trainer Emily]

I liked Diantha's and Iris's appearances best (why did they take away Iris's champion/gym leader title?).

 

[LuxrayOfTheWild]

I liked Diantha's and Iris's appearances best (why did they take away Iris's champion/gym leader title?).

Well at the end, Drayden did say he'd make her his apprentice and she would become a gym leader. I still count her though since she IS The Opelucid Gym Leader in White and the Champion in Black and White 2.

 

[Lillie]

Gary and Iris are not champions in the anime though. I like Cynthia's appearance though. She was handled quite well and defeat Paul with his powerhouses.

I agree. I thought it was a nice way to introduce the champion, especially with how strong they portrayed her when she battled and swept Paul's team.

 

[Muur]

Chynthia was shown to be the most badass really. Lance was out of place in Hoenn, Steven was a COTD in his region, Wallace was just a coordination (Said to be a former champ) and Diantha... I don't like her in the games but eh, she's a fair enough champ n the show, she's not too bad.

 

[Almonds]

Diantha. And Steven if we don't count his AG appearance as a 'Champion' debut. His real debut as the 'Champion' was in the Mega Evolution specials, and I certainly liked how they started it with Steven and Alain's battle of megas.