When it comes to Ash's Pokémon companions, Iris is often singled out as being one of Ash's least popular. However, to dismiss Iris entirely because of fandom opinions would be a mistake, and these 10 episodes show why.

Iris is a young girl from the Unova region, who comes from a little-known place called the Village of Dragons. She dreams of being a Dragon-type Pokémon master, with her affinity for a single type making her somewhat similar to Misty. Iris and Ash often had a strained relationship, with the two arguing somewhat frequently, but when the chips were down, they always had each other's back. While Iris sometimes struggled with having a relevant role to play in the story, she eventually found a rival, and began working towards her own goals. Iris rose to heights that no other companion of Ash has, and that's worth acknowledging.

10 Crisis at Ferroseed Research!

Pokémon Black and White, episode #81

While traveling, Ash, Iris, and Cilan visit a Ferroseed Research Institute along with Iris’s rival, Georgia. The Ferroseed are being studied for a moss they produce, which is said to increase a Pokémon’s abilities. However, an experiment goes awry, and suddenly the Ferroseed produce way too much moss, threatening to take over the city as other Pokémon fall ill. The group becomes separated, and Iris is stuck with Georgia’s Vanilluxe. Together, they discover that Ice-type moves can destroy the moss, and so Iris is forced to work with Vanilluxe (and Georgia) to save the day.

This is a solid episode forcing Iris to work with her rival, whom she normally doesn’t get along so well with. Iris and Axew are a bit scared of Ice-types, so it takes some courage for her to work with Vanilluxe, making it a good character episode for Iris.

9 A Pokemon Of A Different Color!

Pokémon Black and White, episode #136

While traveling the Decolore Islands near Unova, Ash, Iris, and Cilan meet up with Clair, a Dragon-type trainer and Gym Leader from the Johto region. She and Iris hit it off quickly, and they learn that Clair is here hunting a Shiny Druddigon. They agree to help her look for it, but first they’ll need to find Clair’s Dragonite, which soon gets into a fight with Iris’ Dragonite. Team Rocket intervenes, causing the Druddigon to go into a rage. Clair is able to calm it down, reminding Iris of her own encounter with a Druddigon. Clair is able to catch Druddigon, and the two go their separate ways.

Aside from an exciting appearance by a Shiny Pokémon, this episode also reveals a bit more of Iris’ past, and sets her up for an interesting relationship with Clair, which will pay off later in a special episode.

8 Thrash Of The Titans!

Pokémon Journeys, Episode #65

As Ash battles his way through the World Coronation Series, he receives an invitation from Iris, who has now become champion of the Unova League. She wants to challenge him in an official WCS battle, so Ash travels to Opelucid City to have a battle. Iris has grown a lot, and her partner Axew has now evolved all the way into a Haxorus. Ash chooses to battle Iris on her own , using his Dragonite and Dracovish, and manages to come out on top. Ash’s rank rises to 99, putting him in the Ultra Class and one step closer to the tournament.

This episode marks Iris’ first appearance in the anime in several hundred episodes, so it’s great to see how she’s grown in the time since. More so than any other companion of Ash, Iris has developed immensely since parting ways, and this battle proves it.

7 Best Wishes Until We Meet Again!

Pokémon Black and White, episode #141

In one of Black and White’s final episodes, Ash, Iris, and Cilan are on a ship to the Kanto region, which comes under attack by Team Rocket. Managing to net Pikachu and a great many other Pokémon, Team Rocket seems to be succeeding, but Ash and friends have other plans. They work together to escape from the room in which they’re trapped, then take the fight to Team Rocket, sending them packing. Upon arriving in Kanto, the group realize that they’re finally going their separate ways, and so Ash is forced to say goodbye to Iris and Cilan.

It’s one last hurrah for the Unova gang, allowing them to save the day and put a stop to Team Rocket’s thievery. The episode is full of flashbacks to important moments, emphasizing how much Ash and Iris and Cilan have been through together.

6 A Village Homecoming!

Pokémon Black and White, episode #100

As Ash and friends head towards the Vertress Conference, they make a pitstop in Iris’ hometown, the Village of Dragons. Iris meets a friend raising two Zweilous, and introduces her Dragonite to the people of town. Iris attempts to convince her friend of the value in journeying, but she refuses to consider it, believing her goal of Pokémon Breeder is better served in one place. There’s a commotion outside, and one of the Zweilous has evolved and begun rampaging in confusion. Iris carefully approaches the raging Pokémon and manages to calm it, proving how much she’s grown as a trainer.

This episode offers a lot of insight into Iris’ past, and demonstrates just how much she’s actually changed since ing up with Ash. Iris proves she has a special connection with Dragon-type Pokémon, and is able to save the day as a result.

5 The Lonely Deino!

Pokémon Black and White, episode #56

While taking a break, Ash and friends have their picnic disrupted by three Deino, which turn out to be from a nearby Pokémon daycare. The attendant its to having little experience with Dragon-types, and so Iris volunteers to help. One Deino is sad and refusing to eat, so Iris works with it to figure out what’s wrong. The other two Deino are retrieved by their trainers, but the sad Deino remains for several more days, and it and Iris grow close. Right as it seems it might’ve been abandoned, Deino’s trainer returns, and Iris hands it over. It’s sad, but Iris is just glad to see Deino happy.

Many fans wish Iris had been able to keep this Deino, as she and it built up a good rapport quickly. It’s just another piece of evidence at how intuitively Iris is able to understand Dragon-type Pokémon, and shows that she has a real talent for training them.

4 Iris And The Rogue Dragonite!

Pokémon Black and White, episode #89

A battle between a Hydreigon and a Dragonite heats up, leading to the Dragonite being defeated by a lucky hit, causing it to crash into a power plant below. Ash, Iris, and Cilan are recruited by Officer Jenny to help deal with the wild Dragonite’s presumed rampage, but Iris is suspicious. As the three make it inside the power plant, they find Dragonite angry and hiding. Iris is able to talk Dragonite down, while Officer Jenny prepares an assault, thinking she needs to save Iris. Instead, Iris explains Dragonite’s damage to the power plant was accidental. Iris catches Dragonite, and they move on to the next adventure.

Another episode showcasing Iris’ ability to communicate effectively with wild Pokémon, reinforcing her skill. Dragonite is a major addition to Iris’ team, and would continue to appear in many episodes, helping to build their relationship further.

3 Iris And Excadrill Against The Dragon Buster!

Pokémon Black and White, episode #33

On the way to Nimbasa City, Iris is challenged by a “Dragon Buster,” a trainer who specializes in taking down Dragon-type Pokémon. This trainer, Georgia, easily defeats Iris’ Axew, and demands another Pokémon to challenge her. Iris’ only other Pokémon is Excadrill, however, and it refuses to fight. Confessing her problems with having Excadrill obey her, Ash and Cilan help Iris learn to connect with it, and she trains all night with Excadrill to solidify their connection. The next day, she has a rematch with Georgia, and is able to end it in a draw, showing she’s already made progress against her new rival.

This is Iris’ introduction to her rival, Georgia, and while their rivalry never quite reaches the heights of some other rivals in the Pokémon anime, it’s a good addition to Iris’ journey to have a rival of her own. It’s a substantial moment of growth for Iris as well, as getting Excadrill to obey took Iris realizing how she’d let it down.

2 Drayden Versus Iris: Past, Present, And Future!

Pokémon Black and White, episode #101

After stopping in the Village of Dragons, Iris was challenged by her former mentor, Drayden, to a gym battle. She initially is reluctant to appear, but eventually does. Fans learn that Iris once attended an academy in Opelucid City, but fled the school after getting yelled at by Drayden. This is her first time back since, so she has some things to apologize for. She proves how much she’s grown to Drayden over a battle, and even though she loses, she earns his respect. Drayden even reveals that he’s considering her as his successor someday!

This is one of the first big clues as to the potential which Iris possesses, and that potential is finally seen in Pokémon Journeys, where she battles as a champion. It’s a big step for Iris both as a trainer and as a character, making this an important episode for Iris’ growth.

1 The Fiery Road to Mastership!

Pokémon Journeys, Episode #117

Having made it all the way to the Masters’ Eight tournament, Iris finds herself up against the Sinnoh region’s intimidating champion, Cynthia, who also uses Dragon-type Pokémon. Cynthia and Iris are close, having met during the series. Iris’ Excadrill is up first against Cynthia’s Gastrodon, and pulls out a lucky win. Cynthia sends out Milotic, which defeats Excadrill and then Iris’ Dragonite. Iris calls upon her Haxorus, which defeats Milotic and ends up battling Cynthia’s Garchomp. With a Mega Evolution, Garchomp emerges victorious, sending Iris home. She wishes Ash luck, and goes to the stands to cheer for him in the next match.

Iris puts on a performance worthy of a champion, but ultimately Cynthia’s experience is too much to defeat. This episode features Iris battling at the highest skill level she’s shown throughout the series, showing the kind of trainer she would grow to become after traveling with Ash. For that reason, it’s without a doubt the greatest Iris-focused episode in all of Pokémon.