Ash Ketchum
From The Character Database
| “ | I CHOOSE YOU!
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„ |
| ― Ash |
Ash Ketchum (Japanese: サトシ Satoshi) is the central protagonist of Pokémon the Series and the main character in several manga adaptations, including The Electric Tale of Pikachu, Ash & Pikachu, and Pocket Monsters Diamond & Pearl.
Hailing from Pallet Town, Ash is a determined Pokémon Trainer striving to become a Pokémon Master. His journey began with a Pikachu, which he received from Professor Oak after arriving late to claim a traditional starter Pokémon. Throughout his adventures across the Pokémon world, he has traveled alongside numerous close friends. In Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon, he achieves a historic milestone by becoming the first Champion of the Alola region's Pokémon League. Later, in Pokémon Journeys: The Series, he ascends to the title of Monarch and World Champion in the Pokémon World Coronation Series.
His Japanese name honors Satoshi Tajiri, the creator of the Pokémon franchise, while his English surname is a playful nod to the iconic catchphrase, "Gotta catch 'em all!"
| Names | Ash Ketchum, Satoshi (サトシ) |
| Gender | Male ♂ |
| Race | Human |
| Occupation | Pokémon Trainer, Orange League Champion, Alola League Champion, Pokémon World Champion, Monarch |
| Origin | Pokémon the Series: The Beginning (Japanese: ポケットモンスター Pocket Monsters) Episode 1: Pokémon - I Choose You! (Japanese: ポケモン！きみにきめた！ Pokémon! I Choose You!) April 1, 1997 |
| Alignment | Heroic |
| Age | 10 |
| Height | 140 cm (4ft 7in) |
| Weight | 43.1 kg (95lbs) (6.78 st) |
| Created By | Takeshi Shudo (首藤剛志)
Kunihiko Yuyama (湯山邦彦) Atsuko Nishida (西田 敦子) (design) |
| Personality Type | ESFP, 3w2 (Enneagram) |
| Voice Actors |  Japanese: Rica Matsumoto 松本梨香 , Hana Takeda 武田華 (age 6; JN001)
Raquel Rosmaninho (DP053-present, M10-M23)
Gustavo Nader (M06 unreleased original recordings) Alex Minei (some loops on BW051) Charles Emmanuel (S19-S22, M19-M22) Matheus Perissé (S23-present, M23-present, M06-M07 second dub) Danilo Diniz (M06 third dub)
منى مجذوب Mona Majzoub (EP106-EP209) Unknown voice actress (EP263-AG092) Unknown voice actor (M04-M07) رنا الرفاعي Rana Al Rifai (M22, JN001-JN147 and The Arceus Chronicles)
Анна Левченко Anna Levchenko (EP005-EP105) Марина Тарасова Marina Tarasova (M01-M03) Ирина Поладько Irina Poladko (DP001-DP052) Марина Бакина Marina Bakina (DP053-DP104; M11) Лариса Некипелова Larisa Nekipelova (AG001-AG192, DP105-present; M08-M10, M12-present)
Veronika Neugebauer (EP158-DP104) Felix Mayer (SM001-present)
이선호 Lee Seon-Ho (Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire-present, M06-M19, M22, redubbed movies)
李明幸 Li Míngxìng (EP082-EP116) 汪世瑋 Wāng Shìwěi (EP260-present) 張晔 Ye Zhang (M22)
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Appearance
Ash Ketchum is a young Pokémon Trainer with a signature look that evolves throughout the series but maintains key elements. He has spiky black hair and brown eyes, often depicted with a confident and determined expression. His skin tone is light, and he is of short stature, around 140 cm (4'7").
Ash's outfit changes with each Pokémon series, but he consistently wears a cap, a short-sleeved or sleeveless jacket over a t-shirt, fingerless gloves, jeans or cargo pants, and sneakers. His cap is a defining feature, often featuring a stylized Poké Ball or a league emblem. He usually wears a backpack to carry his essentials and a Pokédex.
In the original series, Ash's attire includes a blue and white jacket with yellow trim, a green Poké Ball cap, light blue jeans, and green fingerless gloves. As the series progresses, his outfits adapt to the regions he explores, incorporating different color schemes and designs while maintaining his signature look.
Personality
Ash is an only child who lived with his mother, Delia, until he set off on his Pokémon journey at the age of ten. From the very first episode, his ultimate goal has been to become the world's greatest Pokémon Master. Throughout the series, his defining traits—his unwavering determination and deep passion for training Pokémon—have remained constant. Above all, Ash is incredibly selfless, often going to great lengths to earn a Pokémon’s trust, understand those in distress, and help them however he can. His fairness and strong moral compass reflect his inherently kind-hearted nature.
Ash possesses a deep sense of justice, especially when it comes to Pokémon. If a Pokémon is in danger, he will do everything possible to protect it, even if he has no prior connection to it. If a Pokémon is causing trouble, he seeks to stop it while also trying to understand its struggles. More often than not, these situations stem from unresolved problems—whether with the Pokémon itself, its Trainer, or its environment—and Ash never hesitates to step in and help. On multiple occasions, including Lumiose City Pursuit! and The Road Most Traveled!, he has risked his own life to save Pokémon. When humans, such as Team Rocket, poachers, or thieves, are the source of trouble, Ash is resolute in stopping them.
Despite his encounters with various villainous teams, Ash maintains an optimistic and somewhat naive outlook, a quality his companions tend to share. He is quick to praise others and has unwavering faith in both his Pokémon and his friends. Ash always sees the best in people unless given a strong reason not to. For example, he rarely questions Team Rocket’s conveniently timed "helpful" appearances until it’s too late. Likewise, he consistently praises Clemont’s inventions, despite their high failure rate, and admires Cilan’s many hobbies. He fully supports his friends' dreams without a hint of doubt, likely due to his own ambitious goal. This encouragement extends to Pokémon as well—whether they belong to him or not, he pushes them to do their best and has even helped train wild Pokémon.
In the original series, while Ash was eager to battle, he was rarely seen training his Pokémon independently. However, from Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire onward, he is shown actively refining strategies, practicing moves, and engaging in training battles with his friends. He embraces both victories and defeats as learning opportunities. After winning his Gym battle against Winona in Sky High Gym Battle!, he was inspired by her Pokémon’s powerful Aerial Ace and decided to teach it to his Swellow. Similarly, after losing to Clayton in Short and To the Punch!, he trained his Buizel in a technique used by Clayton’s Mr. Mime. Ash firmly believes that every experience, win or lose, contributes to his and his Pokémon’s growth.
Early in the series, Ash exhibited an inferiority complex and personal pride, likely fueled by his rivalry with Gary. He had a tendency to boast when on a winning streak and became easily angered when personally insulted, as seen in The Path to the Pokémon League. He also sometimes complained about fair battle strategies, such as Giselle’s Cubone using its bone as a weapon in The School of Hard Knocks or Blaine utilizing lava in Volcanic Panic. His frustration reached its peak after losing to Ritchie in the Indigo League—he sulked in his room, upset not only by his Charizard’s disobedience but also by Team Rocket’s interference that weakened his team before the match. However, after seeing Ritchie accept his own loss as a learning experience in Friends to the End, Ash matured and became more accepting of defeats. Over time, he outgrew his earlier arrogance and now takes constructive criticism in stride, though he still becomes defensive if his Pokémon are insulted.
One of Ash’s most intense rivalries was with Paul during his journey through the Sinnoh region. Unlike Ash, who firmly believed in the bond between Trainer and Pokémon, Paul valued only strength, dismissing the idea of forming emotional connections as a weakness. Because of this stark contrast, Ash’s goal in Sinnoh extended beyond winning the Sinnoh League—he was determined to prove to Paul that trust and friendship with Pokémon were just as important as power. After a long and arduous journey, Ash finally achieved this when he defeated Paul at the Lily of the Valley Conference. In that moment, Paul acknowledged Ash as both a worthy rival and a Trainer deserving of respect.
Throughout the series, especially during the Johto League arc, Ash often befriends people who challenge and inspire him to become a better Trainer. Although he is independent, he has relied on the support of his friends, particularly Brock, whose guidance has been invaluable. While Pikachu is undoubtedly his closest companion, Ash has come to view his human friends in the same light, as seen when he called Misty and Brock his "best friends" in Gotta Catch Ya Later! and later used the same term for May and Max in Battling the Enemy Within.
Ash has evolved significantly as a Trainer, particularly in terms of skill and strategy, yet his core traits—his enthusiasm, impulsiveness, and determination—have remained constant. His loyalty to his friends, family, and Pokémon is unwavering. A key part of Ash’s strength lies in his ability to recognize and nurture the hidden potential of each Pokémon. This deep bond is evident in The Unbeatable Lightness of Seeing!, when he immediately identified which Pokémon had placed specific prints on a banner meant for him. Ash also employs unconventional strategies to overcome strong opponents, such as using Pikachu’s speed to outmaneuver larger foes or having Charizard overheat the battlefield to weaken Gary’s Blastoise before launching a decisive close-range attack. He prefers to let Pokémon develop naturally rather than forcing them to evolve, as demonstrated by his treatment of Gligar in Fighting Fear with Fear!—while he celebrates their evolution, he always leaves the choice up to them.
Physically, Ash is remarkably fit for a ten-year-old, with impressive stamina that allows him to travel long distances across various terrains. His endurance is exceptional, as seen when he withstands direct attacks from powerful Pokémon and recovers quickly. He is also quite agile, capable of keeping pace with Iris—who grew up swinging through treetops—and has sharp reflexes, often dodging attacks or catching falling objects at the last moment. His resilience and willpower are among his greatest strengths, enabling him to persevere in battles even under overwhelming odds. Additionally, Ash has demonstrated considerable physical strength, being able to lift heavy Pokémon such as Larvitar and Hippopotas.
When it comes to romance, Ash is notoriously oblivious. Throughout the series, he has only shown open interest in a girl once, and nothing came of it. Despite several female characters displaying clear affection for him, he remains largely unaware, a fact that his friends have frequently pointed out. Even when witnessing others' romantic situations, Ash rarely notices unless someone explicitly draws his attention to it. His approach to Pokémon romance is similarly straightforward—while his friends might suggest improving appearance or charm, Ash’s advice is usually to grow stronger. However, he does understand the concept of marriage, as seen in The Professors’ New Adventure, when he enthusiastically helped organize Professor Kukui and Professor Burnet’s wedding.
Early in his journey, Ash was driven by a desire to surpass Gary in capturing more Pokémon, though he never succeeded. Over time, he shifted his focus to understanding each Pokémon’s unique abilities. His eventual victory over Gary at the Silver Conference marked a turning point in his maturity as both a Trainer and a person. This growth is also reflected in his evolving attitude toward Pokémon. When a Mankey stole his hat in Primeape Goes Bananas, Ash was furious, chasing it down relentlessly. Years later, when Aipom did the same in Slaking Kong, he was far more composed, simply remarking that he felt strange without it. However, once Aipom became his Pokémon and continued stealing his hat, he resumed his exasperated chases, likely out of frustration that she hadn’t learned her lesson.
Having traveled extensively across the Pokémon world, Ash has participated in multiple Pokémon League Conferences and continues to learn more about Pokémon with each adventure. He has also formed unique connections with several Legendary and Mythical Pokémon, many of whom played pivotal roles in the movies. In The Power of One (English dub), he was even identified as "The Chosen One," destined to restore balance to the world when it was thrown into chaos.
Ash possesses unique abilities, including the rare power to sense and utilize Aura. He is said to share the same Aura as Sir Aaron, a legendary hero, and is theoretically capable of manipulating it in a similar way. Because of this, he formed a deep connection with Sir Aaron’s Lucario. However, rather than training to master his Aura abilities, Ash chose to focus on his journey as a Pokémon Trainer. In The Keystone Pops!, he was also compared to an ancient Aura Guardian who had a partner Pikachu. Later, in Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! Part 1 and Part 2, Ash used Aura again to locate a lost Riolu and read its mind, though this time, he merely sensed the Aura rather than actively controlling it. In Caring for a Mystery!, an unhatched Riolu reacted to Ash’s Aura, allowing him to sense the Egg’s response and find it.
Ash also has the ability to use Bond Phenomenon, a rare power that strengthens the connection between a Trainer and their Pokémon. After obtaining a Key Stone, his Aura abilities became significantly stronger, allowing him and his Lucario to sense each other from great distances. Following training with Greninja, Ash and Lucario further refined their synchronization, enabling Lucario to amplify its Aura Sphere to massive proportions by drawing energy from the Auras of its allies.
Though battling remains his greatest passion, Ash is always eager to explore new experiences with his Pokémon. He has participated in Pokémon Contests, PokéRinger tournaments, a fashion show, a cosplay convention, and various other competitions. He holds Contest Passes for both the Sinnoh and Hoenn regions. Ash also keeps several sentimental items with him, including half of a broken Poké Ball—the other half belonging to Gary Oak as a symbol of their friendly rivalry—Misty’s special lure, which she gifted him, and half of the Terracotta Medal he received after his Contest Battle with May ended in a draw.
Ash’s father has never been introduced in the series, but it is implied that he was once a Pokémon Trainer who began his journey in Pallet Town and is still alive. The original series confirmed that Ash also has a grandfather, whose son followed in his footsteps. In an interview, storyboard artist Masamitsu Hidaka stated that Ash’s father is a Trainer on his own journey and may or may not be revealed, depending on whether it serves Ash’s growth as a Trainer. Alternatively, Takeshi Shudō’s novelization suggests that Ash’s father left home immediately after Ash was born and never returned. Since he never registered his name in the official Pokémon Trainer database, his whereabouts remain unknown.
During his time in Alola, Ash’s family dynamic expanded with Professor Kukui and Professor Burnet. In The Shape of Love to Come!, Mina painted a family portrait that included Ash, and Lana referred to the Professors as his "Alolan family," a sentiment Ash seemed to accept. Later, in That New Old Gang of Mine!, Ash gained an Alolan younger brother when Kukui and Burnet’s son, Lei, was born.
After becoming the Champion of the Alola region, Ash earned celebrity status there, as seen in All Out, All of the Time! and Helping the Hometown Hero!. His recognition grew even further when he won the World Coronation Series and was crowned Monarch, making him a well-known figure across multiple regions, as shown in A Squad’s Worth of Passion!.
Biography
Ash grew up in Pallet Town in the Kanto region, raised by his mother, Delia, while his father spent most of his time traveling. During his childhood, he met Professor Oak and his grandson, Gary Oak, who would later become his rival.
In Seeing the Forest for the Trees!, Ash recalled an early experience that sparked his dream of becoming a Pokémon Trainer. While exploring the forest in search of Pokémon, he got lost but stumbled upon a group of wild Pokémon caught in the rain. Wanting to help them, he led them to shelter inside a tree trunk. The happiness he felt in that moment strengthened his desire to one day become a Pokémon Trainer.
At the age of six, Ash was thrilled to learn that Professor Oak would be hosting a Pokémon Summer Camp. Excited by the opportunity, he begged his mother to let him attend. Seeing his enthusiasm, Delia signed him up but warned that he would have to get himself there on time, as she had other responsibilities that day. Unfortunately, Ash accidentally broke his alarm clock in his sleep and overslept, causing him to miss the camp.
Later, he had another chance to attend one of Professor Oak’s Pokémon Summer Camps. During this camp, another camper, Serena, got lost in the forest and injured her leg after being startled by a Poliwag. While searching for the same Poliwag, Ash found Serena, wrapped a handkerchief around her wounded knee for support, and helped her back to safety.
As shown in Lights, Camerupt, Action!, Ash and Gary were once friends and even went to the movies together. However, their relationship became more competitive over time. In The Ties That Bind, Ash reminisced about the day before they began their Pokémon journeys. While fishing, both he and Gary hooked onto an old, rusty Poké Ball at the same time. Unable to agree on who should keep it, they ended up breaking it in half, each taking one piece as a symbol of their rivalry.
Pokémon the Series: The Beginning
In Pokémon - I Choose You!, Ash began his journey at the age of 10 as a determined but impulsive and inexperienced Pokémon Trainer. After oversleeping on the day he was supposed to receive his first Pokémon, he was left with no choice but to take a stubborn Pikachu from Professor Oak. Initially, Pikachu refused to obey him, but after witnessing Ash risk his own safety to protect it, the two formed a deep, unbreakable bond—one that would shape Ash's journey for years to come.
In Pokémon Emergency!, Ash met Misty, who angrily confronted him after he wrecked her bike while trying to save Pikachu. Later in Showdown in Pewter City, Misty revealed that she was following Ash until he paid her back for the bike. Meanwhile, Team Rocket, after witnessing Pikachu's power, made it their mission to steal it.
Ash caught his first Pokémon, a Caterpie, in Ash Catches a Pokémon, followed by a Pidgeotto the next day.
Determined to compete in the Pokémon League, Ash set out to earn Gym Badges across the Kanto region. His first challenge came in Showdown in Pewter City, where he battled Brock, the Pewter Gym Leader. Ash was quickly defeated in their first match, but in the rematch, he came close to victory before Brock’s younger siblings intervened. Impressed by Ash’s compassion toward Pokémon and with the return of his estranged father, Flint, Brock decided to leave Pewter City to pursue his dream of becoming the world’s best Pokémon Breeder, gifting Ash the Boulder Badge.
In The Water Flowers of Cerulean City, Ash arrived at the Cerulean Gym, only to discover that Misty was one of its Gym Leaders. Their battle was interrupted when Team Rocket tried to steal the Gym’s Pokémon, but after Pikachu saved the day with a Thunderbolt, Misty’s sisters awarded Ash the Cascade Badge. Misty continued traveling with Ash, pursuing her own dream of becoming the world's greatest Water Pokémon Master.
Ash eventually obtained all three of Kanto’s first partner Pokémon. In Bulbasaur and the Hidden Village, he encountered a protective Bulbasaur in a hidden village. Initially distrustful, Bulbasaur warmed up to Ash after he rescued an Oddish from Team Rocket. Agreeing to join Ash if he could defeat it in battle, Bulbasaur was added to his team after losing to Pikachu. In Charmander – The Stray Pokémon, Ash and his friends found a Charmander abandoned in the rain by its former Trainer, Damian. While Brock carried Charmander to the Pokémon Center, Ash shielded its tail flame with his coat to keep it lit. After Charmander saved Pikachu from Team Rocket, it chose to join Ash. In Here Comes the Squirtle Squad, Ash encountered a group of Squirtle that had been abandoned by their Trainers and formed a misfit gang. Tricked by Team Rocket into capturing Pikachu, they later turned against the villains and were nearly caught in an explosion. Ash returned to rescue their leader, who was so moved by his kindness that it decided to join his team. The rest of the Squirtle Squad stayed behind with Officer Jenny to become firefighters.
Despite his progress, Ash often found himself lagging behind his childhood rival, Gary Oak. In Mystery at the Lighthouse, Professor Oak reminded Ash of the gap between them, revealing that while Ash had only caught seven Pokémon at the time, Gary had already captured 45.
In Island of the Giant Pokémon, Ash and his friends were swept away onto Pokémon Land, located on the Island of the Giant Pokémon, after a group of Gyarados created a cyclone using Dragon Rage. During the chaos, four of Ash's Pokémon, including Pikachu, went missing. However, they managed to reunite with him by the next day. Ash and his friends then took a ferry back to the mainland, traveling from Tentacool & Tentacruel to The Ghost of Maiden's Peak.
Many of Ash’s early Gym Badges in Kanto were awarded out of gratitude rather than earned through traditional victories. Of the first five Badges he received, only the Thunder Badge from Lt. Surge in Electric Shock Showdown was won in battle.
Ash’s struggles intensified when his Charmander evolved into Charmeleon and later Charizard, becoming too powerful and disobedient. Charizard refused to listen to Ash until he could prove himself as a worthy Trainer.
Despite these challenges, Ash’s perseverance paid off. After earning all eight Kanto Gym Badges, he entered the Indigo Plateau Conference, making it to the fifth round—one round further than Gary—before finishing in the Top 16. His journey ended when Charizard refused to battle, costing him the match.
Following his defeat in the Indigo League, Professor Oak sent Ash to Valencia Island in the Orange Islands to retrieve the GS Ball from Professor Ivy. While there, Ash learned about the Orange Crew, an elite group of Trainers similar to Gym Leaders, who oversaw the Orange League. When Brock decided to stay behind to assist Professor Ivy, Ash and Misty gained a new traveling companion, Tracey Sketchit, an enthusiastic Pokémon Watcher.
Ash, Misty, and Tracey traveled across the Orange Islands on the back of a lost Lapras, which Ash caught and temporarily added to his team. He successfully defeated all four members of the Orange Crew before taking on their Supreme Gym Leader, Drake. By defeating Drake, Ash won the Orange League, earned the title of Honored Trainer, and secured a place in the Orange League Hall of Fame. Before leaving the region, he reunited Lapras with its pod and released it back into the wild.
Upon returning to Pallet Town, Ash discovered that Brock had come back after an unexplained incident that left him unwilling to even hear Professor Ivy’s name. Tracey chose to stay at Professor Oak’s Laboratory as an assistant, while Brock rejoined Ash and Misty. Not long after, Ash had a rematch with Gary and was soundly defeated, learning that his rival had been rigorously training for the Silver Conference in Johto.
Gold and Silver
Excited by the chance to encounter new Pokémon and face Gary again, Ash and his friends set off for the Johto region, aiming to earn eight Gym Badges and compete in the Johto League. Much like their travels through Kanto, Ash, Misty, and Brock made an impact on the people and Pokémon they met along the way, including Kurt, to whom Ash delivered the GS Ball.
In The Grass Route, Ash competed in the Grass Tournament with Bulbasaur but lost in the final round to Ephraim's Skiploom. Later, he and Misty both participated in the Whirl Cup, where Ash placed in the Top 16 before being eliminated in a two-on-two battle against Misty, who lost in the following round. Ash and his old friend Ritchie later teamed up to rescue Silver, a young Lugia, and its parent from Team Rocket’s clutches.
Throughout Johto, Ash occasionally crossed paths with Gary. While they remained rivals, Gary began to show Ash more respect as a Trainer. Ash’s growth became increasingly evident as he focused more on his Pokémon and less on his own ambitions. After collecting all eight Johto Badges, he entered the Silver Conference, where he and Gary finally faced off in a Full Battle. Though it was a close match, Ash achieved his first-ever victory over his longtime rival, marking a major turning point in his Pokémon journey. Following their battle, the two parted on good terms, putting their past animosity behind them and recognizing each other as equals.
Ash’s travels through Kanto and Johto concluded when Brock and Misty each received messages calling them home, forcing the trio to go their separate ways.
Ruby and Sapphire
After learning about the Hoenn region from Harrison, the Trainer who eliminated him in the Silver Conference, Ash decided to travel there, this time bringing only Pikachu. In Hoenn, he met May and her younger brother Max, children of Petalburg Gym Leader Norman, who soon joined him on his journey. Not long after they left Petalburg City, Brock rejoined the group after saving them from a flock of enraged Taillow. From then on, Ash traveled with one old friend and two new companions, continuing his quest for Gym Badges. As May set her sights on becoming a Top Coordinator, Ash supported her dream while remaining focused on his own goals.
During their time in Hoenn, Ash and his friends became entangled in the conflict between Team Aqua and Team Magma. The crisis reached its peak when Pikachu became possessed by Groudon. With unexpected help from Team Rocket, they managed to prevent a disaster and save the region.
While Ash had no major recurring rival in Hoenn, he developed friendly rivalries with several Trainers, including Morrison, a competitive and energetic Trainer similar to Ash. As in previous leagues, Ash did not win the Ever Grande Conference, ultimately losing to Tyson, who went on to become the champion.
After parting ways with May, Max, and Brock, Ash returned to Pallet Town. While passing through Viridian City, he met Scott and Agatha and learned about the Battle Frontier in Kanto. Eager for a new challenge, Ash decided to take on the Battle Frontier and was pleased to find that Brock, May, and Max would be joining him again. After a series of intense battles, he defeated all seven Frontier Brains and was offered the chance to become a Frontier Brain himself. However, he declined the offer, choosing instead to continue his journey as a Pokémon Trainer.
Diamond and Pearl
After Ash’s victory in the Battle Frontier, May set her sights on Pokémon Contests in the Johto region and departed for her new journey, while Max returned home to Petalburg City in Hoenn. Soon after, Ash reunited with his old rival, Gary, now a Pokémon researcher, and learned about a newly discovered region filled with unfamiliar Pokémon. Eager for a fresh challenge, Ash set off for the Sinnoh region to earn its Gym Badges. As before, he initially traveled with only Pikachu, but his Aipom, unwilling to be left behind, secretly followed him onto the ship. While Brock did not accompany Ash right away, they reunited in Sinnoh and continued traveling together, much like in their previous adventures. This time, they were joined by Dawn, an aspiring Pokémon Coordinator. Ash supported Dawn’s dream of becoming a Top Coordinator, watching all of her Contests with enthusiasm and even cheering her on in costume alongside her Pokémon. In return, Dawn encouraged Ash during his Gym battles, sometimes dressing up as a cheerleader to boost his morale.
During his journey through Sinnoh, Ash developed an intense rivalry with a Trainer named Paul. Unlike Ash, who believed in raising Pokémon with kindness and patience, Paul was cold, ruthless, and only kept Pokémon that met his high expectations. Their clashing philosophies led to frequent conflicts, with Paul consistently belittling Ash’s approach to training. Their rivalry escalated after they partnered in a Tag Battle Tournament, during which Paul abandoned his Chimchar for failing to meet his standards. Ash, determined to prove Paul wrong, took Chimchar under his wing and trained it with care, vowing to help it reach its full potential.
Despite Ash’s confidence, Paul often emerged victorious in their battles due to his powerful team, built from only the strongest Pokémon he could find. This culminated in a crushing Full Battle defeat for Ash at Lake Acuity, where he only managed to knock out two of Paul’s Pokémon. It was the most devastating loss of Ash’s career at that point, forcing him to acknowledge the need for a more cautious and strategic approach against Paul in the future.
While in Sinnoh, Ash entered two Pokémon Contests—one in Jubilife City and another in the Wallace Cup, following Wallace’s recommendation. He also competed in the Hearthome Collection fashion show, finishing in third place and earning the Unique Award for his creativity.
As their travels continued, Ash and his friends became entangled in Sinnoh’s legendary myths. He was personally chosen by Azelf of the lake guardians, leading him, alongside Cynthia, Looker, and Team Rocket, into battles against Pokémon Hunter J and the villainous Team Galactic. Their efforts ultimately thwarted Cyrus’s ambitions, preventing a catastrophe in the Sinnoh region.
With all eight Gym Badges in hand, Ash entered the Lily of the Valley Conference. He advanced to the Top 4, where he finally defeated Paul in an intense Full Battle. The victory was especially meaningful as Ash’s Infernape, formerly Paul’s abandoned Chimchar, landed the finishing blow, proving that Ash’s method of training through care and friendship was just as effective as Paul’s strict and selective approach. The battle earned Ash his rival’s long-overdue respect, bringing their rivalry to a satisfying conclusion.
Ash’s next challenge came in the form of Tobias, an unstoppable Trainer known for using a Darkrai that had single-handedly defeated every opponent before Ash. Though Ash ultimately lost, he became the only known Trainer to take down Tobias’s Darkrai, reinforcing his bond with his Pokémon despite the loss.
After the Sinnoh League, Ash, Dawn, and Brock parted ways. Brock, inspired by his experiences, decided not to join Ash on his next adventure, instead choosing to pursue a new dream of becoming a Pokémon doctor.
Best Wishes!
Shortly after returning home from Sinnoh, Ash embarked on a trip to the Unova region with Delia and Professor Oak. After losing a battle to Trip and witnessing the immense power of the Legendary Pokémon Zekrom, Ash became eager to explore Unova, meet new Pokémon, and make new friends. As he had done in Hoenn, he traveled with only Pikachu by his side.
Early in his journey, Ash met Iris, a free-spirited girl with dreams of becoming a Dragon Master and a potential successor to the Opelucid Gym. He also encountered Cilan, one of the Striaton Gym Leaders and an aspiring Pokémon Connoisseur. After impressing them with his encounter with Zekrom and a battle against Cilan for the Trio Badge, the three decided to travel together. Alongside his quest for Gym Badges, Ash also competed in several Unova tournaments, including the Club Battle, Clubsplosion, and Pokémon World Tournament Junior Cup. Though he performed well, he did not win any of the competitions, finishing as the runner-up in two of them. Despite these setbacks, Ash remained supportive and was happy to see his friends achieve victories of their own.
As they journeyed across Unova, Ash and his friends once again found themselves entangled in Team Rocket's latest scheme—this time orchestrated directly by Giovanni. Team Rocket sought to use Meloetta, a Pokémon that Ash had befriended, to awaken and control the powerful Forces of Nature. With the help of Cynthia and Ridley, Ash and his friends managed to thwart their plans, preventing a catastrophe.
After collecting all eight Unova Gym Badges, Ash entered the Vertress Conference, where he faced off against both new and familiar rivals. In the preliminary round, he finally defeated Trip in a one-on-one battle, concluding their rivalry. He later bested his friend and rival, Stephan, before facing Cameron, where he was ultimately eliminated in the Top 8.
Following the tournament, Ash and his friends explored newly discovered ruins uncovered by Professor Juniper’s father, Cedric Juniper. Along the way, they met a mysterious young man named N and soon became involved in the sinister plots of Ghetsis, Colress, and Team Plasma, who sought to harness Reshiram’s power to take over the world. Teaming up with Looker, the Team Rocket trio, Cedric Juniper, N, and his companions Anthea and Concordia, Ash and his friends successfully foiled Team Plasma’s plans, preventing another major disaster.
As their journey neared its end, Ash, Iris, and Cilan took a scenic route back to Kanto by traveling through the Decolore Islands aboard a series of luxury liners. Along the way, Ash met Alexa, a Pokémon Journalist who introduced him to the Kalos region. Once they finally reached Kanto, Ash parted ways with Iris and Cilan, who set off in different directions to pursue their own dreams.
X and Y
After a brief stop in Pallet Town, where he left his Pokémon with Professor Oak except for Pikachu, Ash traveled to the Kalos region alongside Alexa. Their journey began in Lumiose City, where Ash parted ways with the journalist and attempted to challenge the Lumiose Gym at Prism Tower. However, the Gym’s security system, later revealed to be the Clembot, forcibly ejected him for not having any Kalos Badges. He was rescued by Clemont and his younger sister, Bonnie.
Shortly afterward, Ash brought an injured Froakie to Professor Sycamore, who introduced him to his research on a special phenomenon called Mega Evolution. With the help of Pikachu and Froakie, Ash managed to calm down Sycamore’s enraged Garchomp, which was attacking Lumiose City. During the incident, Ash witnessed Mega Evolution for the first time when a Mega Blaziken saved him and Pikachu from falling off Prism Tower. After the event, Froakie allowed itself to be caught by Ash, and Clemont and Bonnie decided to travel with him.
Ash earned his first Kalos Badge, the Bug Badge, by defeating Santalune Gym Leader Viola. Shortly afterward, Serena joined the group, having remembered Ash from their childhood when he once helped her. Though he didn’t initially recall their encounter, the two became close as they traveled together. Later, Ash and Serena discovered that Clemont was the Lumiose Gym Leader but had been exiled from his own Gym by Clembot. With their help, Clemont reclaimed his Gym, and he and Ash promised to battle once Ash had earned four Kalos Badges, even though Clembot’s original requirement was no longer necessary.
Throughout their travels, the group frequently encountered the young ninja Sanpei, whose guidance helped Froakie grow stronger, eventually evolving into Frogadier and later Greninja. Ash also briefly traveled with Shalour Gym Leader Korrina to learn more about Mega Evolution and Mega Stones.
During Professor Sycamore’s Pokémon Summer Camp, Ash and his friends met Shauna, Tierno, and Trevor, forming a friendly rivalry. Ash primarily competed against Trevor and Tierno, while Serena and Shauna pursued Pokémon Showcases.
As the journey continued, Ash caught a lost and timid Goomy, which he raised into Sliggoo and later evolved into a powerful Goodra. After winning his fourth Gym Badge, he finally faced Clemont in their promised Gym Battle and emerged victorious with Goodra’s help, earning his fifth Badge. Later, the group arrived at Goodra’s old home and discovered that a Florges and her allies had taken control of the wetlands. After working together to drive out Team Rocket and resolve the conflict, Ash decided to release Goodra so it could protect the swamp and its Pokémon inhabitants.
Shortly after, Ash arrived in Laverre City to challenge the Gym and encountered a new rival, Sawyer, a novice Trainer from Hoenn. Meanwhile, he continued supporting Serena’s journey to become Kalos Queen, encouraging her even when she suffered setbacks, reminding her that losing is simply another step toward victory.
As Ash and his friends continued their journey, they arrived in Anistar City, where they met Gym Leader Olympia alongside Professor Sycamore. Olympia revealed insights into Frogadier’s past as a Froakie before it met Ash and provided a glimpse into the futures of Ash, his friends, Sycamore, Team Rocket, and even himself—hinting at their vital roles in Kalos's destiny. Ash then challenged Olympia to a Double Battle, emerging victorious with Frogadier and Talonflame.
Shortly after, the group encountered a mysterious Pokémon, which Bonnie nicknamed Squishy. They soon discovered that Team Flare was relentlessly pursuing it, prompting them to take it under their protection. Later, they became involved in a conflict in Sanpei’s hometown, where Frogadier evolved into Greninja and unlocked Bond Phenomenon for the first time. During another battle against Team Flare in Terminus Cave, Ash learned that this transformation came at a cost—while he could share Greninja’s senses, he also experienced its pain.
Ash later met Alain, who was intrigued by Greninja’s Bond Phenomenon and requested a battle. Despite putting up a strong fight, Ash ultimately lost. Determined to master Greninja’s new form, he trained rigorously and eventually faced Alain again in a rematch, as well as a battle against Champion Diantha. During the battle with Diantha, Greninja fully transformed into Ash-Greninja, but Ash collapsed from exhaustion, revealing their inability to control the transformation.
Ash's struggles continued when he lost a rematch against Sawyer, with Greninja failing to transform. His confidence took another hit after a crushing defeat against Snowbelle Gym Leader Wulfric, where his team was unable to take down Avalugg. Disturbed by Greninja’s injuries and blaming himself for the loss, Ash became deeply discouraged and wandered into the Winding Woods alone. Following an emotional argument with Serena, he regained his determination. Reuniting with Greninja, they perfected the Bond Phenomenon while rescuing a wild Spewpa. With their new mastery, Ash defeated Wulfric in a rematch, earning his final Kalos Gym Badge and qualifying for the Lumiose Conference.
Back in Lumiose City, Ash entered the Conference, achieving multiple victories and having Goodra rejoin his team for the semifinals. After an intense battle, he triumphed over Sawyer, reaching the finals of a Pokémon League for the first time, where he would face Alain. The night before the match, he and his friends learned more about the Ash-Greninja transformation.
In the finals, Ash and Alain engaged in a fierce battle that ultimately came down to Ash-Greninja against Alain’s Mega Charizard X. After a heated exchange, Greninja was defeated, making Ash the runner-up of the Lumiose Conference. Despite the loss, he showed great sportsmanship by shaking Alain’s hand in respect.
During the closing ceremony, Team Flare launched their final operation, using the blue Zygarde Core, Z2, to unleash massive roots that ravaged Lumiose City. Ash and his Pokémon were abducted and taken to Prism Tower, where Lysandre attempted to control them using Team Flare’s Mega Evolution energy ray to harness the power of Bond Phenomenon. However, Ash resisted the machine’s influence upon hearing Pikachu’s voice, and Greninja followed suit. Encouraging Alain to fight back, Ash and Greninja broke free and battled Lysandre, ultimately defeating him.
As the crisis escalated, Ash and his allies regrouped to combat the Giant Rock. With everyone’s combined efforts, Chespie was rescued, and Squishy and Z2 destroyed the massive entity before departing.
Afterward, Ash helped Alain and Serena resolve their lingering concerns before saying farewell to his rivals. He returned Goodra to the wetlands and later encountered Xerosic, one of Team Flare’s scientists. Alongside his friends, Ash thwarted Xerosic’s final scheme, leading to his arrest. Shortly after, Squishy and Z2 requested Greninja’s help in eradicating the lingering negative energy left by Team Flare’s actions. Recognizing the importance of this mission, Ash bid farewell to Greninja as it departed with the Zygarde.
With his journey in Kalos coming to an end, Ash and his friends returned to Lumiose City, where they parted ways. Serena departed for Hoenn, while Ash said his goodbyes to Clemont and Bonnie before heading back to Pallet Town.
Sun and Moon
Ash traveled to the Alola region with his mother, Delia, after Mimey won a lottery trip. Before leaving, Ash entrusted his Kalos Pokémon to Professor Oak, who also gave him and Delia a Pokémon Egg to deliver to his cousin, Samson Oak. While on Melemele Island, Ash stumbled upon the Pokémon School, where he met Lana, Lillie, Mallow, Kiawe, Sophocles, Samson, and Professor Kukui. There, he learned about Z-Rings and Z-Moves. He soon encountered Tapu Koko, the guardian deity of Melemele Island, who gifted him a Z-Ring and an Electrium Z. Inspired by these new discoveries, Ash decided to stay in Alola, enrolling in the school and living with Professor Kukui to learn more about Z-Moves.
Later, Tapu Koko challenged Ash and Pikachu to a battle. During the fight, Ash’s Electrium Z shattered after using Gigavolt Havoc against Tapu Koko. Determined to prove himself, Ash embarked on the island challenge to obtain new Z-Crystals and strengthen his skills.
While on Melemele Island, Ash caught several Pokémon, including Rowlet, Rockruff, and Litten. He also earned a Normalium Z after defeating Totem Gumshoos and later won a new Electrium Z from Tapu Koko after emerging victorious in his grand trial battle against Kahuna Hala. Along the way, Ash formed a friendly rivalry with Lillie’s brother, Gladion. Continuing his trials, he obtained a Grassium Z and Rockium Z on Akala Island. During a school field trip to Kanto, he briefly reunited with Brock, Misty, and some of his old Pokémon.
One day, Ash was entrusted with a Cosmog by Solgaleo and Lunala, having seen them in a dream. Lillie affectionately named it Nebby, and the mischievous Pokémon frequently caused trouble by teleporting people at random. However, disaster struck when Faba kidnapped Nebby while Ash was momentarily distracted. Upon discovering this, Ash and Lillie sought help from Gladion and Lusamine. When they confronted Faba, they found that he had forced Nebby to summon a Nihilego from an Ultra Wormhole. Nihilego proceeded to abduct Lusamine, retreating back through the wormhole. The incident triggered Nebby’s evolution into Cosmoem.
Ash, his classmates, and Gladion then witnessed the guardian deities aid Nebby’s further evolution into Solgaleo. As part of this transformation, Solgaleo upgraded Ash’s Z-Ring into a Z-Power Ring. Nebby also granted Ash a Solganium Z, which allowed him to use Solgaleo’s Z-Move, Searing Sunraze Smash, to open an Ultra Wormhole. Riding on Nebby’s back, the group ventured into Ultra Space, where Ash’s Electrium Z temporarily transformed into a Pikashunium Z. Using this power, Ash and Pikachu unleashed a 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt, defeating Nihilego long enough for Lillie and Gladion to rescue their mother. The Pikashunium Z then reverted to an Electrium Z, and the group safely returned Lusamine to the Altar of the Sunne.
Following the ordeal, Ash attended Professor Kukui and Burnet’s wedding reception. During the celebration, he and his friends were invited to join the Ultra Guardians, an Ultra Beast response task force, which they all accepted. On their first mission, the Ultra Guardians were tasked with capturing a Buzzwole that had emerged from an Ultra Wormhole. They tracked it to Mahalo Trail, where Ash noticed it was more interested in flexing than fighting. Taking advantage of this, he and Kiawe distracted it long enough for Ash to throw a Beast Ball, successfully capturing it. Later, Buzzwole was released in Melemele Meadow, where Professor Burnet temporarily opened another wormhole, allowing it to return home.
Later, Ash encountered a Poipole that developed an unusual attachment to Pikachu. It was soon confirmed to be an Ultra Beast, and Ash was granted permission to capture it. However, Poipole initially treated the catching process as a game, repeatedly evading capture. After Ash helped it understand what was happening, Poipole willingly allowed itself to be caught and remained with the group until they could locate its Ultra Wormhole and return it home.
Ash attempted to take on the Ula'ula Island challenge but was rejected by Kahuna Nanu, who put him through an unexpected "pre-trial" battle that he ultimately lost. Determined to prove himself, Ash stayed on the island and trained under Tapu Bulu. This training allowed him to officially participate in the challenge, where he faced Jessie's Mimikyu, which had recently acquired a Mimikium Z. Ash narrowly won the battle thanks to Pikachu learning Electroweb and once again using 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt. For the grand trial, Ash faced Nanu in a three-on-one battle in the kahuna’s favor but emerged victorious, earning a Lycanium Z.
As leader of the Ultra Guardians, Ash led an investigation into mysterious dark clouds that had appeared over Alola, draining all adults of their energy and motivation. The source of the disturbance was revealed to be Necrozma, which was in pursuit of Lunala. This led to a massive battle in which Nebby joined the fight. Necrozma proceeded to possess first Lunala and then Nebby, transforming into Dawn Wings and Dusk Mane Necrozma, respectively. The Ultra Guardians pursued Necrozma into Poipole’s world, where they learned that restoring Necrozma’s true form was the only way to free Nebby. After Ash and Gladion obtained new Z-Crystals for Nebby and Lunala, they worked alongside their Pokémon, the people of Alola, and Poipole’s friends to share their Z-Power with Necrozma. This energy allowed Necrozma to release Nebby, after which Ash and Nebby used Searing Sunraze Smash, while Gladion and Lunala unleashed Menacing Moonraze Maelstrom. The combined attacks restored Necrozma’s light, transforming it into Ultra Necrozma. With their mission complete, the Ultra Guardians returned to Alola through an Ultra Wormhole. Before departing, Ash bid farewell to Poipole, who chose to stay behind in its homeworld.
Later, Ash and his classmates traveled to Poni Island for their school research projects. Ash's project was to participate in a grand trial battle. In A Grand Debut!, he challenged the newly appointed kahuna, Hapu, in a one-on-one battle and won. As a reward, he let Pikachu choose their prize, leading to him receiving a Steelium Z.
Following his victory, Ash entered the first-ever Manalo Conference alongside his classmates. He advanced to the semifinals, where he faced Team Skull Boss Guzma. After a hard-fought battle, Ash defeated Guzma and moved on to the finals to face Gladion. The night before their match, Ash's Meltan fused with a group of fellow Meltan, evolving into Melmetal. Ash used Melmetal as his first Pokémon in the finals, and the battle eventually came down to a showdown between both Trainers’ Lycanroc. In the end, Ash's Lycanroc emerged victorious, making him the first-ever Alola League Champion.
As the newly crowned champion, Ash earned the right to participate in an exhibition match against the Masked Royal. However, before the match could conclude, a Guzzlord invasion interrupted the event, revealing that the Masked Royal was actually Professor Kukui. With his identity exposed, Kukui decided to battle Ash as himself in a Full Battle, which Ash eagerly accepted. During the match, Ash's Torracat finally defeated its longtime rival, Kukui's Incineroar, and evolved into an Incineroar itself. Just as Kukui was about to send out his final Pokémon, Tapu Koko appeared and took its place. With Ash down to his last Pokémon, Pikachu, Tapu Koko granted Kukui a Tapunium Z, while Ash’s Electrium Z once again transformed into a Pikashunium Z. Both Pokémon unleashed their signature Z-Moves, but Pikachu's attack proved stronger, securing Ash the victory.
With the Manalo Conference concluded, Ash found himself uncertain about his next steps. However, after hearing Olivia emphasize the importance of experiencing the "outside world," he decided to embark on a journey beyond Alola. After bidding farewell to his classmates, Kukui, and Burnet, he boarded a plane back to Kanto, leaving all of his Pokémon—except Pikachu—under the care of the two professors.
Journeys
Some time after returning to Kanto, Ash accompanied Professor Oak to the opening of the new Cerise Laboratory in Vermilion City. During the ceremony, the lab’s head, Professor Cerise, announced that a rare Pokémon would soon appear at the local port. Eager to see it, Ash rushed to the location and discovered that the rare Pokémon was a Lugia. There, he also met a boy named Goh, and the two unexpectedly ended up riding on Lugia’s back as it soared across Kanto. Upon returning to the Cerise Laboratory, Professor Cerise was impressed by the data they had gathered on Lugia and invited them to become his research assistants. Both accepted, receiving a room at the lab, while Delia left Mimey there to look after Ash.
Later, Ash and Goh traveled to the Galar region to watch the World Coronation Series finals, where they witnessed Galar’s undefeated Champion, Leon, claim victory and officially become the Monarch, the world's strongest Trainer. Inspired, Ash set his sights on battling Leon. However, before he could challenge him, a Gigantamax Drednaw went on a rampage, forcing Ash and Goh to intervene. During the battle, Pikachu unexpectedly Gigantamaxed, gaining enough power to defeat Drednaw. Impressed by Ash’s performance, Leon accepted his challenge to a battle. Though Ash ultimately lost, Leon gifted him a Dynamax Band, and Ash resolved to enter the World Coronation Series, aiming to climb the ranks and challenge Leon again.
Ash quickly built up a winning streak in the World Coronation Series, eventually reaching the Great Class after defeating Korrina. However, his momentum came to a halt when he faced Bea, a Fighting-type Gym Leader from Galar and a fellow contender aiming to defeat Leon. In their two-on-two battle at the Fighting Dojo, Ash failed to defeat any of Bea’s Pokémon, struggling particularly against her Grapploct and its Octolock technique. This crushing loss shattered Ash’s confidence, leading to a losing streak that caused him to drop back into the Normal Class. Depressed, he struggled to regain his motivation until Goh gave him an encouraging speech, snapping him out of his slump. With renewed determination, Ash fought his way back into the Great Class and challenged Bea to a rematch at the Cianwood Gym, this time managing to battle her to a draw.
One night, Ash's Dynamax Band began glowing. Upon learning that Pokémon were Dynamaxing in Galar outside of designated Power Spots, Ash and Goh traveled there to investigate. While exploring the Slumbering Weald, they got separated—Ash encountered Zacian, while Goh met Zamazenta. Later, Ash reunited with Leon and assisted him in containing the rampaging Dynamax Pokémon across Galar. During their efforts, they encountered Chairman Rose and Oleana, who invited Ash to dine and stay at Rose Tower. The next day, as Ash set off to reunite with Goh, Eternatus emerged from the Hammerlocke Energy Plant, triggering the Darkest Day. Ash rushed to Hammerlocke Stadium, where he faced Chairman Rose in battle and defeated him with his newly evolved Lucario. Reuniting with Goh, the two worked together to stop Eternatus after Leon failed to subdue it. With the aid of Zacian and Zamazenta, they successfully defeated Eternatus and sealed it away, bringing the Darkest Day to an end.
Following his rematch with Bea, Ash entered another winning streak, steadily climbing the ranks. One day, he received a letter from Iris challenging him to a World Coronation Series battle. Accepting the invitation, Ash was surprised to learn that Iris had succeeded Alder as Unova’s Champion. In their intense battle, Ash emerged victorious, advancing to the Ultra Class. His first Ultra Class match pitted him against Volkner, whom he successfully defeated. After the battle, Volkner informed Ash that Cynthia was also competing in the World Coronation Series and had already climbed her way into the Master Class.
Knowing that he would face increasingly powerful opponents in the Ultra and Master Classes, Ash sought Korrina’s help in unlocking Lucario’s Mega Evolution. With the Mega Glove she provided, he traveled to Mega Island and successfully obtained a Lucarionite. Just as he returned, he received word that Bea would be his next Ultra Class opponent. Determined to settle their rivalry, Ash traveled to Stow-on-Side, where he used his newly acquired Mega Lucario to defeat Bea’s Gigantamax Machamp, securing his long-awaited victory against her.
Following his battle with Bea, Ash turned to Allister for assistance in unlocking Gengar’s Gigantamax potential. Thanks to the Max Soup Allister prepared, Gengar gained the ability to Gigantamax, a power that would later prove invaluable.
As Ash continued to win, his reputation as Kanto’s rising star grew, and his upcoming Ultra Class battle against Drasna of the Kalos Elite Four became a major media event. Before the battle, Ash reunited with Clemont and Bonnie, training with them to prepare. When the time came, Ash managed to defeat Drasna, reaching the very top of the Ultra Class. His next challenge was an entrance battle against Raihan, the lowest-ranked member of the Master Class. Before facing him, Ash briefly reunited with Greninja in Kalos, where he trained Lucario’s Aura alongside it. Feeling prepared, Ash traveled to Galar to face Raihan, Leon’s longtime rival. The battle was intense, forcing Ash to use Gengar’s Gigantamax rather than Lucario’s Mega Evolution to counter Raihan’s weather-based strategies. Despite the challenge, Ash emerged victorious, earning his place in the Master Class alongside the reigning regional Champions and Alain.
During a visit to the Crown Tundra, Ash reunited with Lillie and her family just as they finally found Lillie’s missing father, Mohn. He accompanied them back to Alola, where he was warmly welcomed by his friends and former classmates. To celebrate the return of Alola’s Champion, a special Battle Royal was held, during which the entire region rallied behind Ash, cheering him on as their representative in the Masters Eight Tournament.
Following intense training with his Pokémon at Professor Oak’s lab and a sparring session with Paul, Ash returned to Galar to compete in the Masters Eight Tournament. There, he reunited with Iris, Alain, and the other regional Champions. His first opponent was Hoenn’s Champion, Steven. After watching the other quarterfinal battles, Ash and Steven faced off, with Ash ultimately securing victory using 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt, advancing him to the semifinals against Cynthia. Before their battle, Ash witnessed Leon’s dominant performance against Diantha, where he easily secured a spot in the finals. When Ash’s battle with Cynthia began, she took an early lead, but he gradually evened the playing field. In the end, his Mega Lucario secured the win, setting the stage for his long-anticipated battle with Leon.
At the start of the finals, Leon shocked everyone by allowing Ash to use all three of Mega Evolution, Dynamax, and Z-Moves, an offer Ash eagerly accepted. During the climactic battle, Eternatus suddenly appeared above Wyndon Stadium, granting both Trainers an extra Dynamax usage. The final showdown came down to Pikachu versus Leon’s undefeated Charizard. In a dramatic finish, Pikachu emerged victorious, making Ash the new Monarch and fulfilling his dream of defeating Leon.
Following his historic victory, Ash announced his decision to embark on a new journey alone, continuing his quest to become a Pokémon Master. After leaving the Cerise Laboratory, he and Goh amicably parted ways, each setting off to pursue their dreams.
Shortly after, Ash encountered an injured wild Latias and nursed her back to health while protecting her from Team Rocket. Grateful but still wary, Latias began secretly following him. Along his travels, Ash reunited with Misty and Brock, who decided to join him once more. Together, they continued helping Pokémon in need and reconnected with old friends, including Cilan, the Squirtle Squad, and his Lapras. Eventually, Latias revealed herself and requested Ash’s help in rescuing a Latios from a Pokémon hunter. After successfully saving Latios, Latias departed with him, though Latios remained distrustful of humans.
Following this adventure, Ash returned to Pallet Town, where he reunited with Tracey and his Pidgeot, who rejoined his party. During a conversation with Gary, he was asked how close he felt to becoming a Pokémon Master now that he had become the Monarch. Reflecting on the question, Ash realized that to him, a Pokémon Master is someone who can befriend any Pokémon. Since he had failed to earn Latios’s trust, he acknowledged that his journey was not yet over. With that, Ash resolved to continue traveling and set off with Pikachu once more, ready for his next adventure.
Powers and Statistics
Tier: 9-B | High 7-A | Low 6-B, higher with Absorbed Electricity or Combo Moves, High 6-A with Blue Orb | Low 5-B, higher with Ash-Greninja | 4-B, higher with Z-Moves | 2-B, likely 2-A, higher with Mega Evolution, Z-Moves, or Dynamax
Key: By Himself | Pokémon Team (Original Series) | Pokémon Team (Advance Generation - Best Wishes) | Pokémon Team (XY) | Pokémon Team (Sun and Moon) | Pokémon Team (Journeys)
Powers and Abilities: Superhuman Physical Characteristics, Sealing and Summoning (Via Poké Balls), Extensive Knowledge on Pokémon, Aura, Healing (Can heal people with his aura), Extrasensory Perception (Sensed his Riolu from a distance with his aura. Gains similar senses with the Bond Phenomenon), Non-Physical Interaction (Able to interact with ghosts with his aura), Social Influencing (Has influenced many of his traveling companions, causing them to adopt mindsets similar to his, most recently shown with Lillie and Goh), Transformation (With Mega Evolution), Damage Boost (With Z-Moves), Dynamax, Resistance to Electricity Manipulation (Has survived being electrocuted numerous times with little issue), Mind Manipulation (Overcame Lysandre's attempts to control his and Greninja's minds), and Cold Temperatures (Survived in a temperature so cold that his tear froze before it hit the ground) | Varies with the Pokémon
Attack Potency: Wall level+ (Ran with and tossed a log much larger than himself several meters with ease. Took down steel bars with a tackle. Comparable to other Trainers, such as Jessie or James[Statistics Values 1]) | Large Mountain level+ (Fought and matched several well-trained, fully-evolved Pokemon such as Drake's Dragonite, Gary's Blastoise, and Harrison's Blaziken[Statistics Values 2]) | Small Country level (Capable of defeating trained Legendary Pokemon such as Brandon's Regice and Tobias' Latios, the former of whom can damage Regigigas. Later fought off the Forces of Nature relatively early into his Unova journey [Statistics Values 3]), Small Country level+ with Absorbed Electricity (Absorbed Therian Form Thundurus’ power, which is at least comparable to Pikachu's own. Ash’s Pikachu used this electricity to create an Electro Ball significantly larger than what it could create normally[Statistics Values 4]) or Combo Moves (Ash’s Pikachu one-shot Trip’s Serperior, who can harm it, with a combination of Electro Ball and Iron Tail. It also defeated Tobias’ Latios with a combination of Volt Tackle and Iron Tail [Statistics Values 5]), Multi-Continent level with Blue Orb (Upon absorbing the Blue Orb, Ash’s Pikachu gained power over Groudon and could cancel out an attack from Kyogre[Statistics Values 6]) | Small Planet level (Not much weaker than Ash-Greninja. Fought Lysandre's Pyroar and Mega Gyarados, who could fight Alain's Mega Charizard X[Statistics Values 7]), higher with Ash-Greninja (Fought and matched Alain's Mega Charizard X, which can match 50% Zygarde, who should be 1/2 as strong as Complete Zygarde, who is capable of destroying the Megalith that was stated to be able to destroy the world[Statistics Values 8]) | Solar System level (Fought and matched Tapu Koko, who could damage Base Necrozma[Statistics Values 9]), higher with Z-Moves (Overpowered Guzzlord with a combined Gigavolt Havoc on two occasions. One-shot Mother Beast Lusamine and overpowered Tapu Koko's Guardian of Alola Z-Move to defeat it with 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt) | Multiverse level, likely Multiverse level+ (Fought and defeated Cynthia in the Masters Tournament Semifinals, whose Garchomp could cancel out Palkia's Spacial Rend. Fought and defeated Leon, who is stronger than Cynthia, in the Masters Tournament Finals), higher with Mega Evolution, Z-Moves, or Dynamax (All three power-ups provide major boosts to his Pokemon's power. His Pikachu's 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt heavily damaged Steven's Mega Metagross despite not fully connecting and matched Leon's Gigantamax Charizard's G-Max Wildfire. His Mega Lucario defeated both Cynthia's Dynamax Togekiss and her weakened Garchomp, the former of whom gave his Pikachu trouble in its base form. His Gigantamax Gengar overpowered and defeated Leon's Inteleon. His Gigantamax Pikachu one-shot Leon's Gigantamax Cinderace)
Speed: Superhuman (Ran so fast that his speed let him walk up walls. Comparable to, if not superior to Goh[Statistics Values 10]) with Massively FTL+ to Infinite reactions (Can dodge and react to attacks from several Pokémon of this caliber, such as the Creation Trio, the Lake Guardians, Tapu Koko, Zygarde, and Necrozma) | FTL (Kept up with teams of fully-evolved Pokemon, such as those belonging to Drake, Gary, and Harrison[Statistics Values 11]), higher with Agility or Quick Attack (Both of these moves temporarily raise the user's speed) | At least FTL (Kept up with the likes of Brandon's Regice, Tobias' Latios, and the Forces of Nature[Statistics Values 12]), higher with Blue Orb (Comparable to Groudon), even higher with Quick Attack (Quick Attack temporarily raises the user's speed) | At least Massively FTL+, likely Infinite (Should not be much slower than Ash-Greninja. Kept up with Lysandre's Pokémon[Statistics Values 13]), higher with Quick Attack (Quick Attack temporarily raises the user's speed), far higher with Ash-Greninja (Kept up with Alain's Mega Charizard X, who kept up with 50% Zygarde[Statistics Values 14]) | At least Massively FTL+, likely Infinite (Kept up with Silvally and Tapu Koko[Statistics Values 15]), higher with Quick Attack (Quick Attack temporarily raises the user's speed) | At least Massively FTL+, likely Infinite (Faster than before. Kept up with a Heatran that was amplified by the Flame Plate, the Lake Guardians, and Cynthia's and Leon's teams[Statistics Values 16]), higher with Quick Attack and Bullet Punch (Both of these moves temporarily raise the user's speed), far higher with Mega Evolution or Dynamax (Faster than before)
Lifting Strength: Class 5 (Lifted a Cosmoem, which weighs 999.9 kg, in both hands without any visible effort, meaning he could carry much more than that with effort[Statistics Values 17]) | Class M (Commands a team capable of fighting fully evolved Pokémon, making them at least comparable to Brock's Happiny[Statistics Values 18]) | Class T (His Snorlax was able to defeat a Machamp[Statistics Values 19]), Class Z with Blue Orb (Comparable to Groudon[Statistics Values 20]) | At least Class Z, likely far higher (Not much weaker than Ash-Greninja[Statistics Values 21]), higher with Ash-Greninja (Clashed with Alain's Mega Charizard X[Statistics Values 22]) | At least Class Z, likely far higher (Clashed with the likes of Silvally and Tapu Koko[Statistics Values 23]) | At least Class Z, likely far higher (Stronger than before[Statistics Values 24]), higher with Mega Evolution or Dynamax (Stronger than before)
Striking Strength: Wall level+ (Jumped hundreds of feet in the air, climbed up a tree and then used it to impulse himself and make a big jump) | Large Mountain level+ (Traded blows with Drake's, Gary's, and Harrison's teams) | Small Country level (Traded blows with the likes of Regice, Latios, and the Forces of Nature), Small Country level+ with Absorbed Electricity (Comparable to its Attack Power) or Combo Moves (Comparable to its Attack Power. One-shot Trip’s Serperior. Defeated Tobias’ Latios), Multi-Continent level with Blue Orb (Comparable to Groudon) | Small Planet level (Not much weaker than Ash-Greninja), higher with Ash-Greninja (Traded blows with Alain's Mega Charizard X) | Solar System level (Traded blows with Gladion's Silvally and Tapu Koko), higher with Z-Moves (Stronger than before) | Multiverse level, likely Multiverse level+ (Comparable to their Attack Power), higher with Mega Evolution, Z-Moves, or Dynamax (Stronger than before)
Durability: Unknown (Has survived giant explosions and lightning bolts head on. Tanked a large amount of attacks from Pikachu and many of his other Pokemon such as Charizard. However, he's also been hurt by the likes of a wild Riolu and other Pokemon of a similar level, making his durability inconsistent) | Large Mountain level+ (Took hits from Drake's, Gary's, and Harrison's teams) | Small Country level (Took hits from Regice, Latios, and the Forces of Nature), Multi-Continent level with Blue Orb (Comparable to Groudon) | Small Planet level (Not much weaker than Ash-Greninja. Took hits from Lysandre's Mega Gyarados), higher with Ash-Greninja (Took hits from Alain's Mega Charizard X) | Solar System level (Took hits from Gladion's Silvally and Tapu Koko) | Multiverse level, likely Multiverse level+ (Took hits from Cynthia's and Leon's teams), higher with Mega Evolution or Dynamax (More durable than before)
Range: Standard Melee Range | Standard Melee Range with physical attacks; Hundreds of Meters to Kilometers with ranged attacks
Stamina: Peak Human (Sprinted from daylight to sunset without stopping and didn't show any signs of exhaustion afterwards) | Superhuman (On several occasions, Ash's team managed to keep fighting and even win battles despite fatigue and heavy damage. In Hoenn, Ash's Pokémon could keep fighting numerous waves of Trainers' Pokémon and easily defeat them, even through fatigue. In addition, Ash's Pikachu could shock itself awake after briefly losing consciousness, enabling it to fight beyond its limits)
Standard Equipment: His Pokémon, Pokédex, and Poké Balls, Z-Power Ring, Mega Glove, and Dynamax Band
- Pokémon Teams:
Ash's Team in Every Series
Pikachu
Pokémon Team (Original Series)
Kanto (Gen 1)
Butterfree, Pidgeotto, Bulbasaur, Charizard, Squirtle, Lapras, Snorlax and Tauros
Butterfree
Pidgeotto
Bulbasaur
Charizard
Squirtle
Lapras
Snorlax
Tauros
Johto (Gen 2)
Bayleef, Cyndaquil, Totodile, Noctowl, Phanpy, Larvitar, and Heracross
Bayleef
Cyndaquil
Totodile
Noctowl
Phanpy
Larvitar
Heracross
Pokémon Team (Advance Generation - Best Wishes)
Hoenn (Gen 3)
Swellow, Sceptile, Corphish, Torkoal, and Glalie
Swellow
Sceptile
Corphish
Torkoal
Glalie
Sinnoh (Gen 4)
Staraptor, Torterra, Buizel, Infernape, Gliscor and Gible
Staraptor
Torterra
Buizel
Infernape
Gliscor
Gible
Unova (Gen 5)
Unfezant, Oshawott, Pignite, Snivy, Scraggy, Leavanny, Boldore, Palpitoad, and Krokoodile
Unfezant
Oshawott
Pignite
Snivy
Scraggy
Leavanny
Boldore
Palpitoad
Krokoodile
Pokémon Team (XY)
Kalos (Gen 6)
Greninja, Talonflame, Hawlucha, Noivern, and Goodra
Greninja
Talonflame
Hawlucha
Noivern
Goodra
Pokémon Team (Sun and Moon)
Alola (Gen 7)
Rowlet, Incineroar, Lycanroc, Naganadel, and Melmetal
Rowlet
Incineroar
Lycanroc
Naganadel
Melmetal
Pokémon Team (Journeys)
No Specific Region (Gen 8)
Gengar, Dragonite, Lucario, Sirfetch'd, and Dracovish
Gengar
Dragonite
Lucario
Sirfetch'd
Dracovish
Intelligence: Average normally, Extraordinary Genius in battle (While ordinarily a 10-year-old boy, Ash has shown his ingenuity in battles time and time again, creating complex strategies [such as having Pikachu stand on the ground with Iron Tail and move rapidly to generate shock waves from its sheer velocity to mitigate Bea's Hawlucha's Sky Attack] on the fly and admitting to having done no prior planning. His battle intelligence is such that a complex supercomputer exploded upon attempting to comprehend his battle data, having failed to do so)
Weaknesses: When using the Ash-Greninja transformation, Ash will feel all the pain Greninja does, meaning that injuring or killing it will have the same effect on Ash | Varies depending on the Pokémon
Note 1: Ash's Pokemon's tiers are based on at the end of a journey.
Note 2: When using Ash for a Versus Match, please specify which team of Pokémon he is using.
Trivia
- Ash was designed by Atsuko Nishida.
- His height is approximately 140 cm (4'7").
- In the original series, Ash’s hat closely resembled Red’s from Pokémon Red and Green before undergoing several changes to reach its final design.
- Ash originally intended to choose Squirtle as his first Pokémon, but it had already been taken by another Trainer who arrived on time.
- Ash is the first and, so far, only Trainer in the animated series to:
- Be a Champion in a region he is not originally from.
- Have access to Z-Moves, Dynamax/Gigantamax, and Mega Evolution simultaneously.
- Use more than one of these mechanics in a single battle.
- Win two of the same Gym Badge, having earned a Rain Badge from both Juan and Wallace.
- He is also the only Champion in the animated series to own a Mythical Pokémon.
- Ash has never caught another Electric-type Pokémon besides Pikachu.
- He has never officially owned a Pokémon that is exclusively female.
- While he temporarily owned Solgaleo, a Legendary Pokémon, he never officially caught one in a Poké Ball.
- Ash has caught at least one starter Pokémon from every region he has visited, except for Galar.
- He has caught at least one Flying-type Pokémon in every series, making it the most common type among his non-temporary Pokémon, with twelve in total.
- As of A Chilling Curse!, Ash has caught at least one Pokémon of all eighteen types (including those that were retroactively assigned the Fairy type).
- As of Battling Turned Up to Eleven!, he has used at least one move of every type.
- All of Ash’s Grass-type Pokémon belong to a three-stage evolutionary line.
- His favorite move is Thunderbolt, as he revealed in Climbing the Walls!.
- Despite at least a year being implied to have passed between A Goldenrod Opportunity and Best Wishes Until We Meet Again!, Ash is still considered 10 years old in promotional materials and recent episodes like Sleuths for Truth!.
- Pokémon Journeys: The Series creative supervisor Kunihiko Yuyama stated in an interview that Ash does not age because the series takes place in an endless early summer.
- In Adventures in Voice Acting, Veronica Taylor revealed that Ash was originally named "Casey" during auditions, a name later given to a recurring Johto character.
- Ash has demonstrated artistic skills, as shown in Up Close and Personable!, where he drew a Dewgong—though his drawing was criticized by Angie.
- He is an adept climber, as seen in episodes like Enter Iris and Axew!, Climbing the Walls, and Some Kind of Laziness!. Misty once remarked that he "climbs like a Mankey," while Brock called him a "human Aipom" in Lucario and the Mystery of Mew.
- Ash has lost at least once to every Normal-type Gym Leader he has faced. Among them, Cheren is the only one he has never defeated.
- The Orange Archipelago is the only region where Ash did not lose any official Gym battles.
- In Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon, he did not lose any official trials, although he was defeated by Nanu in an unofficial match.
- Since Watt's with Wattson?, Ash has not won a Gym Badge in the same episode he met the Gym Leader.
- If counting only Trainer battles, Ash’s longest winning streak lasted 87 episodes, from his loss to Rinto in Trials of a Budding Master! to his loss to Misty in A Fated Face-Off!.
- If all battles are considered, his longest unbeaten streak lasted 70 episodes, from Battles in the Sky! to A Meeting of Two Journeys!, ending when all of his Pokémon were defeated in a Raid Battle against Articuno in Battling in the Freezing Raid!.
- Ash has defeated more regional Champions on-screen than any other Trainer in the animated series, having bested Iris, Steven, Cynthia, and Leon.
- He also defeated Wallace, the former Hoenn Champion.
- In every series, Ash has shared at least one Pokémon from the same evolutionary line as one of his rivals.
- Time After Time! and The Mew from Here! are the only main series episodes where Ash does not appear.
- In promotional materials for the Manalo Conference, Ash was given the title of (Japanese: ゼンリョクチャレンジャ) Full-Force Challenger.
- National Ash Ketchum Day is celebrated annually on September 15, marking the anniversary of his first Pokémon League Conference victory. The tradition began in 2020, one year after his Alola League win.
- In Pokémon: Twilight Wings episode Letter, a Trainer resembling Ash can be seen at the entrance to Wyndon Stadium with a Pikachu.
- Though Ash is no longer the main protagonist in Pokémon Horizons: The Series, Pokémon Company International’s Senior Marketing Director, Andy Gose, has stated that Ash remains part of the Pokémon world and has not ruled out future appearances.
- Ash Ketchum is based on Red, his in-game counterpart. The name "Ash" is also one of the preset name choices for Red in Pokémon Red, Yellow, FireRed, and LeafGreen; for Blue (the rival) in Pokémon Blue (international) and LeafGreen; and for Ethan in Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver.
- In Pokémon Yellow, several elements were inspired by the animated series. The player character, Red, starts with a Pikachu, mirroring Ash's iconic first Pokémon. Additionally, Red obtains the Kanto starter trio under similar circumstances to Ash—receiving Bulbasaur from a girl resembling Melanie, Charmander from a boy resembling Damian, and Squirtle from an Officer Jenny.
- In the Spanish version of Pokémon X and Y, a male Rising Star on Route 21 states that his Pokémon is named "Ash Ketchum."
- In the Special Demo Version of Pokémon Sun and Moon, the player (Sun) receives an unsigned letter from someone strongly implied to be Ash. This letter comes with a Greninja, with "Ash" listed as its Original Trainer. Like in the anime, this Greninja possesses the Battle Bond ability, allowing it to transform into Ash-Greninja.
- In Pokémon Sun, Moon, Ultra Sun, and Ultra Moon, a photo of Ash and Pikachu is visible in the back room of the abandoned Thrifty Megamart.
- Various event distributions have featured Pokémon based on Ash's team. Aside from the aforementioned Greninja, Pikachu wearing Ash's different hats (up to Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon) were made available in Pokémon Sun and Moon. Later games introduced Pikachu wearing hats from I Choose You! and Pokémon Journeys: The Series.
Ash in the Pokémon Trading Card Game
- Despite his prominence in the Pokémon franchise, Ash has made surprisingly few appearances in the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG), especially when compared to Team Rocket's main antagonists, who have received more cards. Most cards related to Ash focus on his Pokémon rather than Ash himself.
- The first of these was a jumbo promo card featuring Pikachu and the Pichu Brothers, released as a tie-in to Pikachu and Pichu. The first standard-sized card was Ash's Treecko, which depicted Ash as a mirage in the artwork. Ash's Torkoal was later released in the Movie Commemoration VS Pack: Sky-Splitting Deoxys deck kit, coinciding with the release of Destiny Deoxys.
- During the Diamond & Pearl era, the depiction of Ash's Pokémon changed. Instead of being labeled with Ash's name, they were rebranded as "Pokémon M"—a category of Pokémon SP released in the Movie Commemoration Random Pack to promote Arceus and the Jewel of Life. Among these were Pikachu Pokémon M and Staraptor Pokémon M, both of which featured Ash in their card art. Additionally, Pikachu Pokémon M LV.X was released as a DPt-P Promotional card.
- Ash-themed cards became more prominent in later TCG sets. In the Black & White era, a promotional Pidove was distributed as part of the Secret Egg event, which tied the card to Ash's Pidove. The XY series introduced Ash-Greninja EX, based on Ash-Greninja’s anime-exclusive transformation in Pokémon the Series: XYZ.
- In the Sun & Moon era, Ash saw his most extensive representation in the TCG. The Ash vs Team Rocket Deck Kit featured an entire half-deck dedicated to Ash’s Pokémon, showcasing their adventures in Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon. This set included Ash's Pikachu GX, alongside an Ash-themed Supporter card, Ash's Friendship. The card allows players to draw two cards, or four if Ash’s Pikachu GX is in play. Ash appears in the artwork of multiple cards in this set, including Ash's Litten.
- Ash's Pikachu was printed seven more times in the Sun & Moon era as SM Black Star Promos, each featuring one of his various hats from across the anime, tying into the movie I Choose You! These cards were also released in English.
- Lastly, another Ash’s Pikachu card was printed as an SM Black Star Promo, based on Mewtwo Strikes Back—Evolution. While this card was released in English, the Japanese version uniquely included Ash in its artwork.
Theme
Statistic Values
- ↑ 0.004 Tons
- ↑ 3.18 Gigatons
- ↑ 2.65 Teratons
- ↑ 5.3 Teratons
- ↑ 5.3 Teratons
- ↑ 216.31 Petatons
- ↑ Somewhat below 29.72 Zettatons
- ↑ 29.72 Zettatons
- ↑ 10.9 KiloFoe
- ↑ 23.18 m/s
- ↑ 1.17c
- ↑ 1.17c
- ↑ Somewhat below 1.073e+9c
- ↑ 1.073e+9c
- ↑ 1.073e+9c
- ↑ 1.073e+9c
- ↑ 1000 Kg
- ↑ 37489344.423 Kg
- ↑ 8.193e+12 Kg
- ↑ 2.03751915e+22 Kg
- ↑ Somewhat below 2.03751915e+22 Kg
- ↑ 2.03751915e+22 Kg
- ↑ 2.03751915e+22 Kg
- ↑ 2.03751915e+22 Kg
