Ash's friends
Ash Ketchum, while he started his journey alone, has had many people join his party as he traveled through the different regions. Each new region he travels in also features one of his companions leaving and another one joining him shortly afterward. (in Japan, the group is known as Satoshi-tachi).
Misty (EP002-EP273, AG044-AG045, AG132-AG134, MoMP)
Misty joined Ash in EP002, traveling with him because she wanted him to replace her bike, which was destroyed by his Pikachu. She would continuously travel with him until EP273, when she returned to Cerulean City nearly full-time to lead her family's gym, though she briefly traveled to Hoenn and met up with Ash's Advanced Generation group, and again to "escort" her back home.
Pokémon captures, hatchings, evolutions, trades, releases
| Pre-series | Kanto | Orange Archipelago | Johto | Hoenn/Battle Frontier (Kanto) | Sinnoh |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goldeen, Staryu, Starmie | Horsea (C), Psyduck (C), Togepi (H) | Poliwag (C) | Corsola (C), Poliwhirl (E), Politoed (E) | Togetic (E, R), Gyarados (C), Luvdisc (C), Azurill (H) | Unknown |
Brock (EP005-EP083, EP115-EP273, AG004-AG191, DP002-present)
Brock first joined Ash in EP005 after Ash battled him in the Pewter City gym. After his father Flint offered to take over the duties of gym leader, Brock followed Ash through Kanto, leaving briefly from EP083 to EP115 to work for Professor Ivy. After EP115, Brock returned to be with Ash and Misty until EP273, though he, unlike Misty, would return shortly, in AG004, sticking with Ash until the end of the series. He would again return in DP002, and is currently traversing Sinnoh with Ash as of the latest Japanese episode.
Pokémon captures, hatchings, evolutions, trades, releases
| Pre-series | Kanto | Orange Archipelago | Johto | Hoenn/Battle Frontier | Sinnoh |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onix, Geodude | Zubat (C), Vulpix (C) | Not present | Pineco (C), Forretress (E), Vulpix (R), Golbat (E), Crobat (E) | Mudkip (C), Lotad (C), Lombre (E), Ludicolo (E), Marshtomp (E), Bonsly (C), Steelix (E) | Croagunk (C), Sudowoodo (E), Happiny (H) |
Tracey (EP084-EP115)
After Brock left, Ash's traveling group was again down to two, as it had been for the first five episodes of Kanto. However, this would not last very long, as in EP084, Tracey essentially invited himself along for the rest of the Orange Islands saga. Traveling with Ash, he wished to attain his ultimate goal of meeting Professor Oak, which he did when Ash returned to Kanto in EP115. After this, he remained in Pallet Town as one of Oak's assistants.
Pokémon captures, hatchings, evolutions, trades, releases
| Pre-series | Kanto | Orange Archipelago | Johto | Hoenn/Battle Frontier | Sinnoh |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venonat, Marill | Not present | Scyther (C) | Not present | Egg (C, R) | Unknown |
May (AG001-AG191, DP076-DP079)
Ash may have traveled to Hoenn alone, however, shortly after his arrival he met May, a young girl who desired to travel around the world and a fellow trainer who was just starting her journey. Though she initially did not care for Pokémon battles, she eventually found Pokémon contests, in which she competed in both Hoenn and Kanto. May traveled with Ash through the entire Advanced Generation saga, from AG001 to AG191.
Pokémon captures, hatchings, evolutions, trades, releases
| Pre-series | Kanto, Orange Archipelago, Johto | Hoenn/Battle Frontier | Johto | Sinnoh |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| None | Not present | Torchic (C), Wurmple (C), Silcoon (E), Beautifly (E), Skitty (C), Bulbasaur (C), Combusken (E), Munchlax (C), Squirtle (C), Eevee (H), Blaziken (E) | Wartortle (E), Ivysaur (E) Venusaur (E) | Glaceon (E) |
Max (AG003-AG191, DP076-DP079)
Max is May's younger brother. He did not have any Pokémon of his own because he was too young, but he often befriended certain Pokémon. He traveled with the group from AG003 until AG191, when he went home to Petalburg City.
Dawn (DP001-present)
Like his journey into Hoenn, Ash ventured to Sinnoh alone, where, in DP003, he would meet Dawn. From that point, after saving Ash's Pikachu and having her bike fried in a similar way to May's and Misty's, Dawn would travel with Ash and Brock through Sinnoh, which she is currently doing as of the most recent Japanese episode.
Pokémon captures, hatchings, evolutions, trades, releases
| Pre-series | Kanto, Orange Archipelago, Johto, Hoenn/Battle Frontier | Sinnoh |
|---|---|---|
| None | Not present | Piplup (C), Buneary (C), Pachirisu (C, R, C), Buizel (C, T), Aipom (T), Ambipom (E) Swinub (C) |