

In the United States, the first special aired on May 31, 2014, a week after the English debut of A Conspiracy to Conquer!. The fourth and final special aired on October 29, 2015, tying directly into the XY&Z arc of Pokémon the Series: XY. Subsequent episodes aired in Japan on a biyearly basis, with the second and third episodes focusing around Mega Rayquaza, the Primal forms of Groudon and Kyogre, and the origins of Mega Evolution in Hoenn. It focused on Alain's journey to different parts of Kalos to fight and defeat Trainers with Mega Pokémon, including Siebold of the Kalos Elite Four.

In Japan, the first special aired on April 3, 2014, a week after the Japanese debut of A PokéVision of Things to Come!. Other characters include Steven, the Hoenn League Champion, and Lysandre, a mysterious benefactor who has his own reasons for pursuing Mega Evolution. He is joined by Mairin, a beginning Trainer who started with her Chespin, nicknamed Chespie. The specials focus on an original protagonist and former assistant of Professor Sycamore, Alain, and his partner, a Mega Charizard X, and his quest to research and defeat every known Mega-Evolved Pokémon. Pokémon: Mega Evolution Special (Japanese: ポケットモンスターXY特別編 最強メガシンカ Pocket Monsters XY Special Episode: The Strongest Mega Evolution) is a series of four special episodes of Pokémon the Series: XY that are set during Ash's journey through Kalos. Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl.
