User:Hikaru Wazana/Ash's rivals

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Ash's rivals

Note: This page is under development, feel free to increase it in some detail.

During the course of the anime, many characters have appeared in opposition to Ash. Similar to games in virtually every region Ash meets a new rival and battle it several times during the course of the region. Often an anime establishes three types of rivals in these areas:

Main rival: The primary rival of a series, and usually remain undefeated against Ash in traditional battles up until the major tournament of the series. During the first few series, many of them had antagonistic relationships with Ash; however, starting with Pokémon the Series: XY, they became more friendly in nature.

Secondary rival: A character who is not the main rival of a series, but nonetheless develops a competitive rivalry with Ash during the course of it which are generally friendly in nature. While Ash usually maintains an edge against them in battle, they may be able to defeat him on occasion.

League rival: A character who first meets Ash at some point after the latter has fulfilled the requirements to compete in a Pokémon League Conference, which is usually either during or shortly before the beginning of the arc. These rivals are the most likely to eliminate Ash from the tournament.

Gallery

     
Ash and Gary's rivalry in the original series
(Indigo and Johto League sagas)
Ash and Ritchie's rivalry in the original series
(Kanto saga)
Ash and Morrison's rivalry in the
Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire
     
Ash and Paul's rivalry in the
Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl
Ash and Stephan's rivalry in the
Pokémon the Series: Black & White
Ash and Sawyer's rivalry in the
Pokémon the Series: XY
   
Ash and Gladion's rivalry in the
Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon
Ash and Bea's rivalry in
Pokémon Journeys: The Series.

In the anime

Original series


Gary Oak

 
Gary
Main article: Gary Oak

Gary was Ash's first rival in the anime. Gary is the grandson of Professor Oak and began his journey along with his Squirtle,

Pokémon
Gary Oak
Hometown: Pallet Town
Episodes Present
EP001, EP063, EP065, EP121, EP171, SS015, AG192, DP045, M01
Method Kanto Johto Post-Johto Sinnoh Galar
Gift  
Caught       
Unknown     
   
   
  
  
 
Evolved       


Note: As of Showdown at the Po-ké Corral, Gary has more than 200 Pokémon in his collection including more than one of the same species.

Ritchie

 
Ritchie
Main article: Ritchie


Pokémon
Ritchie
Hometown: Frodomar City (dub only)
Episodes Present
EP220-EP222
Method Pre-series Post-Kanto
Evolved  
Unknown          


Harrison

 
Harrison
Main article: Harrison


Pokémon
Harrison
Hometown: Littleroot Town
Episodes Present
EP265-EP272
Method Pre-series Johto
Gift Pokémon  
Evolved   
Unknown      
Caught  


Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire

Continuing with Ash's journey through the Hoenn region, Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire never established a recurring rival for Ash, instead Ash clashed with a few characters occasionally. However, with a few episodes left before the Ever Grande Conference competition begins, Ash and his friends meet Morrison, a Trainer who begins a friendship and a brief rivalry with Ash.

Morrison

Main article: Morrison
 
Morrison

Morrison first appeared in Less is Morrison,

Pokémon
Morrison
Hometown: Verdanturf Town
Episodes Present
AG118, AG126-AG132, JN118
Method Pre-series Hoenn
Unknown      
   
Evolved  


Tyson

Main article: Tyson
 
Tyson


Pokémon
Tyson
Hometown: Mauville City
Episodes Present
AG125-AG132, JN118
Method Pre-series Hoenn
Caught  
Unknown      
  


Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl

Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl

Paul

Main article: Paul
 
Paul

Paul is an experienced Trainer from Veilstone City. Much of his rivalry with Ash was due to a disagreement over which Pokémon training method was correct. While Paul would focus on strengthening his Pokémon through heavy training sessions, Ash believed that developing a bond with his Pokémon was the best way to achieve good results. This caused many confusing arguments between them throughout the series.

Paul is also the original Trainer of Ash's Infernape, who was released when it was a Chimchar after failing to meet Paul's expectations during the Hearthome City Tag Battle Competition.

Despite his first Pokémon being a Turtwig, which evolved into a Torterra before its introduction, Paul's main Pokémon is an Electivire that he trained since it was an Elekid and was used in the last battle against Ash in the Lily of the Valley Conference.

Pokémon
Paul
Hometown: Veilstone City
Episodes Present
DP002-DP003, DP006, DP015-DP016, DP040, DP046, DP050-DP052, DP064, DP067, DP074, DP077-DP078,
DP081, DP100, DP118, DP127-DP128, DP131-DP132, DP155, DP163, DP182- DP189 , JN114 JN117, JN118
Method Kanto/Johto/Hoenn Pre-series Sinnoh Pokémon Journeys: The Series
Gift  
Caught           (×3)
    
 
Evolved        
   
Given Away  
Released  (×3)   
Unknown    
  
   


Nando

 
Nando
Main article: Nando


Pokémon

Conway

Main article: Conway
 
Conway


Pokémon
Conway
Hometown: Unknown
Episodes Present
DP050-DP052, DP088-DP091, DP182-DP185
Method Pre-series
Unknown     
     


Barry

Main article: Barry
 
Barry


Pokémon
Barry
Hometown: Twinleaf Town
Episodes Present
DP101-DP103, DP110-DP111, DP140-DP141, DP157, DP163, DP182-DP189
Method Pre-series
Caught  
Unknown      
   


Pokémon the Series: Black & White

Similar to the original series (in the Kanto region, specifically) is the first time that Ash's rival is mainly a beginner trainer. From Minccino-Neat and Tidy!, is also introduced one of these two rivals presents in games Black and White.

Trip

Main article: Trip
 
Trip

Trip is the main rival of Best Wishes, despite being a rookie trainer, he defeats Ash's Pikachu in his first battle, much of this is due to the effect caused by Zekrom into Pikachu.

He battles Ash again in A Rival Battle for Club Champ! in a battle 5×5, he lost only two Pokémon into battle and win several Ash's Pokémon with one blow.

He reappears again in the arc in the town of Castellia.

Trip is a fan of Alder, which he watched a Pokémon battle when he was younger and had contact with his idol, which inspired him to train hard and strong following with the intention of facing his idol.

Pokémon
Trip
Hometown: Nuvema Town
Episodes Present
BW001, BW010, BW022, BW031, BW039-BW040, BW052, BW070-BW072, BW090-BW093, BW103-BW104
Method Unova
Given  
Caught        
Evolved     


Bianca

 
Bianca
Main article: Bianca

Bianca is a beginner trainer who first appeared in Minccino-Neat and Tidy!, she is sent by Professor Juniper to deliver a badge case to Ash. She quickly becomes friends with the characters and joins the group in Emolga the Irresistible!, later she made an attempt to capture one wild Emolga and leaves the group in the next episode to try to win more badges.

She reappears in the arc of Club Battle's tournament, as one of the participants, but is defeated in his first match. She appears again in several episodes during the Ash's journey in Unova region.


Pokémon
Bianca
Hometown: Nuvema Town
Episodes Present
BW013, BW024-BW025, BW037, BW039-BW042, BW049, BW062-BW063, BW070-BW073, BW103-BW108
Method Unova
Caught    
Evolved     
Given  
Trade  
Traded  


Stephan

Main article: Stephan
 
Stephan

Stephan is a trainer Ash and his friends meet during the trip to find Nimbasa City. His main Pokémon is a Zebstrika that first appeared as a Blitzle. He reappears in the arc of the Club Battle's tournament, as one of the participants.

Stephan proves to be itself a powerful Trainer who thanks to his hard training and dedication to their Pokémon can win the Clubsplosion tournament after defeating powerful trainers including the former champion of competition.

Pokémon
Stephan
Hometown: Unknown
Episodes Present
BW032, BW039-BW042, BW069-BW073, BW103-BW108
Method Unova
Unknown    
Evolved  


Cameron

 
Cameron
Main article: Cameron (Unova)

Cameron has made his first appearance in Goodbye, Junior Cup - Hello Adventure!, trying to participate in the World Tournament Junior Cup. However, he arrives late for the competition, after he reunites with Ash and his friends again when they took their leave to Dawn believing he had the necessary requirements to participate in the Pokémon League. In The Road to Humilau! he battled Marlon in a Gym battle.

His main Pokémon is a Riolu that usually follows him outide its Pokéball.

Pokémon
Cameron
Hometown: Unknown
Episodes Present
BW093-BW094, BW103-BW108
Method Pre-series Unova
Unknown       
Evolved  


Virgil

 
Virgil
Main article: Virgil

Virgil is a rescue worker, a job which he carries out together with his father Jeff and his older brother Davey. He owns an Eevee and all of its evolutions. He intends to enter the Unova League, making him another one of Ash's many rivals.

Pokémon
Virgil
Hometown: Unknown
Episodes Present
BW102-BW108
Method Unova
Caught   (×7)
Evolved              
Unknown  *

|}


Pokémon the Series: XY

Initially, Tierno was Ash's primary rival for the first part of the XY series, with Trevor serving as a minor secondary rival. During the second part of his Kalos journey, however, Ash struck up serious rivalries with Alain and Sawyer. Alain wished to test the unique power of Ash and his Greninja, while Sawyer looked up to Ash and made it his goal to surpass him.

Alain

 
Alain
Main article: Alain

Alain was a former pupil of Professor Sycamore, after deciding to follow his own path, Alain met Team Flare and in turn, Lysandre who gave him the mission to gather the greatest possible amount of energy generated by Mega Evolution, this made him challenge various Trainers around the Kalos region. In one of these battles, he met Ash, with whom he began a fierce rivalry, after battling in the Kalos League, Alain discovered the true intentions of Team Flare and with the help of Ash and his friends put an end to Lysandre's plans.

Alain is an extremely powerful Trainer, which earned him victory in the Lumiose Conference and in Pokémon Journeys: The Series, a place among the eight best Trainers in the world.

Pokémon
Alain
Hometown: Unknown
Episodes Present
SS029-SS035, M17, XY068, XY094, XY106, XY107, XY116, M19, XY123, XY068, XY125-present
Method Kalos Pokémon Journeys: The Series
Given  
Evolved      
Mega Evolved  *  *
Unknown    
  
  

Tierno

 
Tierno in the anime
Main article: Tierno (anime)

Tierno debuted in Summer of Discovery!, as one of the participants of the Pokémon Summer Camp, during his journey through the Kalos region, Tierno battled Ash a few times and with a friendly rivalry between the two, Tierno was eliminated from the Lumiose Conference competition battling the young Trainer Sawyer.

Pokémon
Tierno
Hometown: Santalune City
Episodes Present
XY039-XY042, XY065, XY090, XY112, XY113, XY125-present
Method Kalos
Given  
Caught      
 
Evolved    



Sawyer

Main article: Sawyer

Sawyer was a rookie Trainer originally from the Hoenn region who met Ash in A Fashionable Battle! , very dedicated to overcoming Ash, Sawyer managed to gather enough experience to be able to face Ash and during his campaign in the Lumiose Conference he manages to battle on equal terms with his rival. Later, Sawyer joined the other Trainers to try to stop Team Flare's plans and later went on a new journey with his idol, Steven Stone.

Pokémon
Sawyer
Hometown:
Unknown
First joined in
Kalos
Episodes traveled with Ash
XY073-XY075
Method Pre-series Kalos
Given  
Unknown       
Evolved    
   
Mega Evolved  


Sun & Moon series

Gladion

Main article: Gladion (anime)

Gladion is Lillie's older brother, and Ash's rival in Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon. In Revealing the Stuff of Legend!, Gladion and Lillie reunited with Ash and the rest of Lillie's friends, and joined forces to rescue Lusamine, who had been abducted by a Nihilego.

In Filling the Light with Darkness!, it was revealed that Gladion had joined the Ultra Guardians as its seventh member. Together with Ash and his classmates, they traveled to Poipole's home world in Ultra Space, and were able to restore light to Necrozma.

Pokémon
Gladion
Hometown: unknown
Occupation: Pokémon Trainer
First joined in: Alola
Episodes traveled with Ash
SM052-SM054, SM087-SM090, JN111-JN112
Method Pre-debut Sun & Moon Journeys
Caught      
Evolved    
Unknown   



Hau

 
Hau
Pokémon
Leon
Hometown: Unknown
Episodes Present
SS029-SS035, M17, XY068, XY094, XY106, XY107, XY116, M19, XY123, XY068, XY125-present
Method Pre-series Galar
Given    
Evolved    
Gigantamaxed    
Escaped  
Unknown     

Pokémon Journeys: The Series


Leon

Main article: Leon (anime)

Leon is the current Champion of the Galar region and the reigning Monarch of the World Coronation Series. Leon initially joined Ash and traveled to various locations to stop the Darkest Day, and would once again join him for a training session in the Wild Area.

Pokémon
Leon
Hometown: Postwick
Occupation: Pokémon Trainer, Champion, Monarch
First joined in: Galar
Episodes traveled with Ash
JN042-JN044, JN100
Method Pre-debut Journeys
Adopted  
Evolved   
Given  
Released  
Unknown      



Raihan

 
Raihan
Main article: Raihan


Pokémon

Bea

 
Bea
Main article: Bea

Bea is one of the Gym Leaders in Stow-on-Side, a specialist in the Fighting-type, Bea managed to defeat Ash in the first battle very easily and was Ash's first obstacle on his way to the top of the World Coronation Series. Despite a threatening and imposing posture, she was shown to be quite friendly and later had a tough battle with Ash when they were in the Ultra Class in Battle Three With Bea! and A Battle of Mega Versus Max!.

Pokémon
Bea
Hometown: Stow-on-Side
Episodes Present
JN034,JN039, JN065,JN077, JN085 - JN086, JN092, JN130, JN136
Method Pre-series
On hand     
     
Gigantamaxed  
Other


World Coronation Series participants

 
TBA


In the movies

Rafe

 
Rafe
Main article: Rafe

Rafe is one of the main characters in Destiny Deoxys, much like other rivals, he acts in rude way to Ash. Them face off in a Tag Battle in Battle Tower of Larousse City, where he is victorious.

During the crisis in the city, he and Ash put their differences aside and join to help the city.


Pokémon

Rafe
Hometown: South City
Episodes Present
M07
Method Pre-series
Unknown  


Cross

In the manga

 
Rafe

The Electric Tale of Pikachu


Ash & Pikachu

 
Rafe


Pokémon Journeys: The Series

 
Bea and Ash rivalry in Pokémon Journeys: The Series


Trivia

  • Gary, Paul and Alain notably are the only ones Ash's rivals that appeared in a movie in person: Gary appears in a flashback of his fight against Giovanni and Mewtwo in the first movie and Paul walking into a location appears similar statues of Dialga and Palkia present in the city of Solaceon during the credits in the thirteenth movie.
    • However, most rivals of Ash in the Sinnoh and Unova region appear in static images during the credits of the thirteenth film.

See also