Does Ash becoming Champion of the Orange League matter?

[SinnohEevee]

So Ash did win a League, the Orange League, but does it matter?
It's only in the anime.
You only need 4 Gym Badges.
I don't recall them having an E4.
It's never brought up in the anime, except during the Battle Frontier.

 

[owenpeterson]

Yes. it does matter. It proves that Ash IS capable of winning a league and becoming a champion. He just needs to win the big one and his life is complete.

 

[Hidden Mew]

It does matter because it was Ash's first huge accomplishment. It showed that he was a better trainer than he was at the beginning of the series and the battle against Drake was the first full battle shown in the anime too. I think fans tend to dismiss it because it is an anime only area and it wasn't a traditional League either compared to everything else, but I don't think that means that the victory is worthless.