And after 22 very long years, it looks like Ash Ketchum can finally relate to the lyrics of the song.
Ash has finally achieved his dream of becoming “the very best, that no one ever was” after enduring (and losing) countless of Pokemon battles by securing his first ever Pokemon League win.
According to CNET, in the most recent episode of ‘Pokemon Sun & Moon’, the sixth series of the anime, Pikachu’s trainer won the Alola region Pokemon League.
Only the Japanese version of the episode has aired, in case you're wondering why you didn't know about it earlier.
Naturally, fans went wild on Twitter after learning that Ash is now officially a Pokemon Master despite taking him over two decades to achieve that title.
Some even made memes out of his win. Take a look:
Well damn...
— Mike Mamon (@xPmnms) September 15, 2019
The kid finally did it.
Ash Ketchum became a Pokemon Champion after 20+ years! pic.twitter.com/LncVCvvnVy
Ash Ketchum has been a part of millions of lives & while many stop watching the Pokémon anime Ash continued to be a role model trainer for new generations. He's lost every Pokémon League to teach children it's ok to lose & today he finally won. What a day to be a Pokémon fan :) pic.twitter.com/Gzbf9j08N9
— Aero (@ActualAero) September 15, 2019
You're looking at ALOLA'S FIRST CHAMPION
— Sour (@Sourcastic25) September 15, 2019
ASH KETCHUM
YES THIS IS NOT A DREAM#anipoke pic.twitter.com/tyFSpgl6qI
Stan Lee didn't publish his first comic until he was 39.
— ? shirley j. 셜리 ? 화이팅!! ♡ ٩(ˊᗜˋ*)و✨ (@LionintheTrees) September 15, 2019
Vera Wang didn't enter the fashion industry until she was 40.
After 22 years, Ash Ketchum finally won the Pokémon League at the age of 32. Congratulations Ash ?
You're never too old to accomplish your dreams ? pic.twitter.com/M6CeG6pAE6
Same energy. #anipoke #サトシ優勝 #Pikachu pic.twitter.com/lDM6qAAK2p
— Shadao (@rex_shadao) September 15, 2019
I think what broke me the most about this episode was Ash’s face when he won. Pure shock. The entire stadium cheering for him, and he was speechless. THIS. WAS. EARNED. We THE FANS who have seen this 10 year old grow from a klutz to a legend. Im speechless too. #anipoke pic.twitter.com/ylhnn8dgcE
— That Ice Guy IS SCREAMING ABOUT CHAMPION ASH!!!! (@Frostsplash) September 15, 2019
“Did I win?”
— díєthєr ? (@dietherdadiz) September 16, 2019
YES YOU DID YOU FUNKY LITTLE POKÉMON MASTER :,) #anipoke #pokem #AshKetchum pic.twitter.com/be8pSoavoP
Well folks, if there anything this win taught us, it’s that to never give up on your dream, even if it takes some time and a lot of losing along the way because that’s how you eventually become a winner!
It’s hard to believe that the very Ash we all grew up with since 1997 can finally say that he’s a Pokemon Master, instead of dreaming of becoming one.
Congratulations, Ash Ketchum on the well-deserved, long-overdue win!