Ash vs. Leon in Pokemon Journeys

Guide to the Pokemon World Coronation Series Masters Tournament

By Steven Rondina

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Aug 13, 2022

Reading time: 3 min

Pokemon Journeys is likely about to conclude with an event unlike anything seen before, with the World Coronation Series Masters Tournament bringing together the likes of Steven, Cynthia, and Leon. 

Each Pokemon generation has its own anime series and the finales range from unceremonious to epic. Pokemon Journeys, the series attached to Sword and Shield and the eighth generation, is set to go out with a bang.

Recent series like XY and Sun and Moon generally had an intense focus on their respective regions. Journeys has a much broader focus, bringing in Ash’s former partners and rivals from over the years.

That theme is enduring right up to the very end. The World Coronation Series in Pokemon Journeys is bringing together the Masters 8 for the biggest tournament in Pokemon history. Here’s what you need to know about the Pokemon Masters Tournament including the trainers and bracket.

What is the World Coronation Series in Pokemon Journeys?

The World Coronation Series is a ranking system for trainers that was introduced in Pokemon Journeys. Many of the biggest names in all of Pokemon are registered participants, but this concept wasn’t introduced until Pokemon Journeys.

Trainers are ranked based on their results against other participants, with a long list of gym leaders, elite four members, and other major characters all included. Because Ash wasn’t a member of the World Coronation Series, he had to work his way up to the top throughout the series. He rockets to the top by defeating a number of prominent characters including Unovan champion Iris, Sinnoh gym leader Volkner, and Galarian up-and-comer Marnie.

Ash manages to work his way into the top eight of the World Coronation Series, dubbed the Masters 8, which gains him entry into the Masters Tournament.

Warning: Spoilers ahead for the Pokemon Journeys series.

Who is in the Pokemon Journeys Masters Tournament?

The World Coronation Series Masters Tournament in Pokemon Journeys features eight elite trainers, who are ranked as follows:

  1. Leon
  2. Cynthia
  3. Steven
  4. Lance
  5. Diantha
  6. Alain
  7. Iris
  8. Ash

The Masters Tournament in Pokemon Journeys is notable for a number of reasons. First and foremost is the fact that it brings together many of the most prominent names in the series. Many of these characters have been among the most protected in the series, rarely being made to look weak. 

On top of the big names involved, it also ropes all of the battle gimmicks together for the first time ever. Mega evolution, Z-moves, and Gigantamax will all face off against one another.

World Coronation Series Masters Tournament Bracket in Pokemon Journeys

The bracket for the World Coronation Series Masters Tournament was revealed at the start of the event. The eight trainers were put in a straightforward, single-elimination bracket to decide a winner.

World Coronation Series Masters Tournament bracket

The opening matches include:

  • Leon vs. Alain
  • Lance vs. Diantha
  • Cynthia vs. Iris
  • Steven vs. Ash

This guarantees several interesting matchups will unfold. As of this writing, all four quarterfinal matches are done and two hotly anticipated matches are penned in for the semifinals. The outcome of the tournament carries huge stakes for the Pokemon series as a whole, with multiple seemingly undefeatable characters set to take a loss and a possible reboot of the series if Ash can finally become a Pokemon master.

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