Ash Ketchum: Difference between revisions

In ''[[EP001|Pokémon - I Choose You!]]'', Ash began his journey at the age of 10 as a warm-hearted and well-intentioned but stubborn, rash, and amateur [[Pokémon Trainer]]. He was forced to accept a [[Obedience|stubborn]] {{AP|Pikachu}} from Professor Oak as his [[starter Pokémon]] because he woke up late on the day he was set to get his first Pokémon. He was determined to achieve his goal and when Pikachu saw that he was willing to compromise his own safety to keep it safe, the two of them formed an [[Friendship|extremely strong bond]] that has been noticed and remarked upon by many characters in the anime. This unbreakable friendship would set his course for the future.

In ''Showdown in Pewter City'', Ash decided to compete in the [[Indigo League|Pokémon League]] regional championships by earning [[Badge]]s from [[Gym Leader]]s across the [[Kanto]] region. Ash fought {{an|Brock}}, the {{gy|Pewter}} Gym Leader, in a [[Pokémon battle]] and lost easily. During his [[rematch]], Ash nearly defeated Brock, but refused to give the final blow due to the intervention of Brock's {{brocksib|younger siblings}}. Touched by Ash's kindness to Pokémon and with the return of his estranged father, {{ka|Flint}}, Brock decided to go with Ash and pursue his dream of being the world's best {{tc|Pokémon Breeder}}, and gave Ash the {{Badge|Boulder}}.

Following Ash's defeat in the Indigo League, Professor Oak asked him to travel to [[Valencia Island]] in the [[Orange Archipelago]] to retrieve the [[GS Ball]] from a [[Pokémon Professor]] named {{prof|Ivy}}. While in the Orange Archipelago, Ash learned of the Orange Crew, an elite group of Trainers not unlike Gym Leaders, that provided challenges for Trainers to overcome in the [[Orange League]]. After Brock decided to stay with Professor Ivy and help her with her work, Ash and Misty were joined by an enthusiastic [[Pokémon watcher]] named [[Tracey Sketchit]]. Ash, Misty, and Tracey traversed the Orange Islands on the back of a lost {{AP|Lapras}}. Ash caught the Lapras during this time. He eventually defeated the four members of the Orange Crew and finally won the Orange League by triumphing over the [[Orange Crew Supreme Gym Leader]], {{OBP|Drake|Orange League}}. Before leaving the Orange Archipelago, Ash managed to find his Lapras's pod and [[release]]d it back into the wild. Upon returning to Pallet Town, Ash discovered that Brock had returned due to some unknown incident that left the aspiring Pokémon Breeder in dread of even hearing Professor Ivy's name. Meanwhile, Tracey stayed at [[Professor Oak's laboratory]] as Professor Oak's assistant, and Brock rejoined Ash and Misty. After his victory in the Orange League, Ash encountered Gary again, and after being defeated in a one-on-one battle, he learned that his rival had been training hard in order to participate in the [[Silver Conference]] in [[Johto]].

While Ash had no major recurring rival in Hoenn, he did encounter certain Trainers multiple times and formed friendly rivalries with them. One such friend was [[Morrison]], who was very similar to and just as competitive as Ash and was first introduced close to the end of the group's travels in Hoenn. Just like the Indigo Plateau and Silver Conferences, Ash did not win the [[Ever Grande Conference]], but he came very close before losing to {{ho|Tyson}}, who went on to win the tournament. After parting ways with May, Max, and Brock, Ash returned to Pallet Town. As he passed through [[Viridian City]] on his way back home, he met [[Scott]] and [[Agatha]] and learned about the {{Gdis|Battle Frontier|III}} in Kanto. He decided to take on the Battle Frontier and was surprised but happy to learn that Brock, May, and Max would join him on this adventure as well. Eventually, Ash conquered the seven [[Frontier Brain]]s and was offered the opportunity to become a Frontier Brain himself, but declined in favor of continuing his Pokémon journey.

Following Ash's victory over the Battle Frontier, May set her sights on [[Pokémon Contest]]s in the Johto region and traveled there while Max returned home to Petalburg City in Hoenn. After encountering and battling his old rival, Gary (who has now become a Pokémon researcher), and learning of a new region with new Pokémon, Ash decided to leave for the [[Sinnoh]] region to earn the Gym Badges available there. Like before, he took only Pikachu with him at first, but brought his {{AP|Aipom}} along when she snuck onto the ship Ash was leaving on. While Brock did not directly accompany Ash to Sinnoh, he did meet with him while there and travelled with him through Sinnoh like he had for Kanto, Johto, and Hoenn. This time, they were accompanied by another aspiring [[Pokémon Coordinator]] named {{an|Dawn}}. Ash enthusiastically supported Dawn in her endeavors to become a Top Coordinator. Unlike May, he watched all of Dawn's Contests without being distracted by the need to train. Just as he supported Dawn in her Contests, she supported him in his Gym battles. She would even go as far as dressing up as a cheerleader with her Pokémon sometimes and cheer for him.

While traveling through Sinnoh, Ash formed a heated rivalry with a Trainer named [[Paul]]. Throughout Ash's journey, Paul would constantly put him down and the two often argued over their nearly opposite training styles. While Paul was harsh, distant, and sometimes plain cruel to his Pokémon, Ash insisted that the best way to raise Pokémon was through patience, caring, and friendship. Their rivalry came to a head after they competed in a [[Multi Battle|Tag Battle]] [[Hearthome City Tag Battle Competition|Tournament]] together, when Paul released his {{AP|Chimchar}} after it failed to meet his expectations. Ash then decided to take in the Chimp Pokémon and promised to make it strong using his own philosophy. Although Ash always considered himself on par with him Paul often bested him in battles as his own Pokémon were very powerful (He only kept Pokémon that were naturally very strong). Ash's Pokémon, while strong in their own right, were not yet equals. This came to a devastating defeat at [[Lake Acuity]] for Ash, losing a Full Battle while only knocking out two of Paul's Pokémon. Ash recognised that he had to take Paul more seriously and cautiously in future.

Soon after he started his journey, Ash met {{an|Iris}}, a wild girl who is (as he later learns) a possible successor of the [[Opelucid City Gym]] and wishes to be a {{t|Dragon}} Master, and {{an|Cilan}}, one of the [[Striaton Gym]] Leaders, who aspires to be the world's greatest [[Pokémon Connoisseur]]. After Ash earns their interest by telling Iris of his encounter with Zekrom, and battling Cilan for the Trio Badge, the three decide to travel together. During his time in Unova, along with his quest for the Badges, the three friends also competed in the local competitions [[Club Battle]], [[Clubsplosion]], and [[Pokémon World Tournament Junior Cup]]. Despite battling quite well, Ash failed to win any of the tournaments and managed to be the runner-up of two of the three. Despite these mishaps, he was not upset to see his friends win the competitions instead of him.

As their adventures started coming to a close, Ash and his friends decided to take the long way back to Kanto by sailing on a series of luxury liners through a chain of islands called the [[Decolore Islands]]. On the way, Ash met [[Alexa]], a Pokémon Journalist, from whom he learnt of the [[Kalos]] region. Soon after they reach Kanto, Ash split up with Iris and Cilan, who wished to go in separate directions to follow their own dreams.

Ash won his first Kalos Badge, the [[Bug Badge]], after defeating the {{ci|Santalune}} [[Santalune Gym|Gym]] Leader, [[Viola]]. The group was joined by Serena, who still remembered Ash rescuing her in her childhood and decided to start her own journey to reunite with him, although he initially did not remember the two of them meeting. Ash and Serena learn that Clemont was actually the Lumiose Gym Leader, who was exiled from his own Gym by his own invention. They help Clemont face Clembot, and after the issue was resolved, the two boys promised to battle after Ash fulfilled the original conditions set by Clembot (even if it was no longer necessary), to earn four Badges. With that, the group set off on their journey again. During their travels, they occasionally met the ninja boy [[Sanpei]], whose presence always led to a progress in Froakie's (and later {{p|Frogadier}}'s and {{p|Greninja}}'s) strength.

During their journey, Ash caught a lost and traumatized {{p|Goomy}}, which he raised into a {{p|Sliggoo}}, and later, a powerful {{AP|Goodra}}. After earning his fourth Gym Badge, Ash eventually faced Clemont in their promised Gym Battle, and won with Goodra's help, gaining his fifth Badge. Later, Ash and friends come across Goodra's [[Kalos Route 14|old home]], where they discovered it was taken over by a {{an|Florges}} and her companions. After saving Goodra's swamp from Team Rocket while simultaneously solving the issue concerning Florges, Ash left Goodra in the wetlands so it could act as the protector of its swamp and the Pokémon living in it. Sometime afterwards, when Ash reached [[Laverre City]] to challenge the [[Laverre Gym|Gym]], he made a new rival in [[Sawyer]], a novice trainer hailing from Hoenn. Along the way, Ash would also support Serena in her quest to become Kalos Queen, and gave her some helpful advice when she eventually lost, telling her that losing is simply another step towards victory.

Later in their journeys, Ash and friends reached [[Anistar City]] and, together with Professor Sycamore, they met the Gym Leader, [[Olympia]]. She revealed his Frogadier's past as a Froakie from before meeting Ash and a glimpse of Frogadier's, his friend's, Sycamore's, Team Rocket's, and his own fate, indicating that they would all play a vital role in Kalos's future. Ash challenged her to a [[Double Battle]], which he won using Frogadier and {{AP|Talonflame}}.

Shortly after, the group came across a mysterious Pokémon, dubbed [[Squishy]] by Bonnie, who was being pursued relentlessly by the [[Villainous teams|villainous organization]], [[Team Flare]], prompting the group to put it under their own protective custody. Some time afterwards, Ash and his friends got involved in a conflict in Sanpei's [[Ninja Village|home town]], which led to Frogadier evolving into Greninja, as well as achieving [[Bond Phenomenon]] for the first time. During another confrontation with Team Flare in [[Terminus Cave]], Ash learned Bond Phenomenon came at a cost, as he was able to share Greninja's senses, but also share its pain.

Later on, Ash met up with [[Alain]], who became intrigued by Greninja's Bond Phenomenon and requested to battle Ash. Ash put up a decent fight, but eventually lost. After his loss against Alain, Ash and Greninja began training to perfect Greninja's new form. Ash and Greninja later had a rematch with Alain and a battle against Diantha, during the latter Greninja even managed to reach its final Ash-Greninja form. Despite their training, the two were unsuccessful to master the transformation as Ash passed out during both battles from exhaustion from using the form.

Following the crisis, Ash helped Alain and Serena resolve their issues and bade farewell to his rivals. Later, after dropping Goodra off at the wetlands again, the group came across [[Xerosic]], one of Team Flare's Scientists. Ash, his Greninja, and his friends and the gang were ultimately able to foil Xerosic's plans and hand him over to Officer Jenny. The group soon reunited with Squishy and Z2, who requested Greninja's help to obliterate remaining negative energy left by Team Flare's crisis. Knowing this was for the sake of Kalos, Ash bade farewell to Greninja, before Greninja left with the two Zygarde. After releasing Greninja, Ash and the gang headed back to Lumiose City to say their final goodbyes. After bidding farewell to Serena, who headed for Hoenn, Ash separated from Clemont and Bonnie as well, and returned to Pallet Town.

Ash caught several Pokémon on Melemele Island, such as his {{AP|Rowlet}}, {{AP|Rockruff}}, and {{AP|Litten}}. Ash also got a [[Normalium Z]] after his fight with {{pkmn2|Totem}} {{p|Gumshoos}} on Melemele Island. Tapu Koko gave him a new Electrium Z after Ash won his grand trial battle with Melemele [[Island Kahuna]] [[Hala]]. In addition, Ash struck up a friendly rivalry with Lillie's brother {{an|Gladion}}. He then gained a [[Grassium Z]] and [[Rockium Z]] during his trial and grand trial on [[Akala Island]]. He also briefly reunited with Brock, Misty, and some of his Pokémon during a field trip to Kanto for an extracurricular activity.

One day, Ash was entrusted to take care of a {{p|Cosmog}} by {{p|Solgaleo}} and {{p|Lunala}}, which he saw in a dream. The Cosmog, nicknamed {{DL|Light trio (anime)|Solgaleo|Nebby}} by Lillie, took a liking to Ash and frequently caused trouble with its ability to {{m|teleport}} people around. In ''[[SM050|Faba's Revenge!]]'', {{an|Faba}} kidnapped Nebby while Ash's attention was elsewhere. When Ash and Lillie learned about this, they enlisted Gladion and {{an|Lusamine}} in helping them rescue it. When the four found Faba, they also found that he successfully forced Nebby to summon a {{DL|Ultra Beasts (anime)|Nihilego}} from an Ultra Wormhole. After Nihilego kidnapped Lusamine and retreated back into the Ultra Wormhole, Ash discovered that the incident caused Nebby to evolve into a {{p|Cosmoem}}.

During Kukui's and burnet's wedding reception in the aftermath of the incident, Ash and his friends were invited to join an {{an|Ultra Beasts|Ultra Beast}} response task force, known as the [[Ultra Guardians]], which they all agreed to. On their first mission, Ash and his classmates were assigned to capture a {{DL|Ultra Beasts (anime)|Buzzwole}} that had appeared through an Ultra Wormhole. The Ultra Guardians encountered it at [[Mahalo Trail]], where Ash eventually realized it preferred flexing to battling. As a result, Ash and Kiawe distracted it long enough for the former to throw a [[Beast Ball]] at it, successfully capturing it. Later, Buzzwole was brought to [[Melemele Meadow]], where [[Professor Burnet]] temporarily opened a new wormhole, allowing Buzzwole to return back home.

Later, Ash encountered a {{AP|Poipole}} who seemed strangely attached to Pikachu. After a while, Poipole was confirmed to be an Ultra Beast. Ash was permitted to capture it, though he failed several times as Poipole thought the catching process was a game. After Ash helped it understand what was really happening, Poipole allowed itself to be captured, and was allowed to stay with the group until they could find its Ultra Wormhole and send it back.

Ash led the Ultra Guardians investigation into mysterious dark clouds that appeared over the Alola region, causing all of the adults in Alola to lose their energy and motivation. The cause was revealed to be a {{DL|Light trio (anime)|Necrozma}} pursuing a {{DL|Light trio (anime)|Necrozma}}, which resulted in a massive battle against Necrozma. During this time, Nebby joined the fight; Necrozma possessed Lunala and then Nebby to become {{DL|List of Pokémon with form differences|Necrozma|Dawn Wings and Dusk Mane Necrozma}}, respectively; and the Ultra Guardians pursued Necrozma into [[Poipole's world]]. There, they learned about how Necrozma needed to regain its true form in order to release Nebby. After Ash and Gladion acquired Z-Crystals for Nebby and Lunala, the Ultra Guardians, with the help of their Pokémon, Lunala, Poipole's friends, and everyone else in Alola, shared their Z-Power with Necrozma, causing it to release Nebby. Afterwards, Ash and Nebby used {{m|Searing Sunraze Smash}}, while Gladion and Lunala used {{m|Menacing Moonraze Maelstrom}} on Necrozma. The combined Z-Moves fully restored Necrozma's light, giving it the strength to become its true form, Ultra Necrozma. Afterwards, the Ultra Guardians, Nebby, and Lunala traveled back to Alola through the Ultra Wormhole, while Ash said farewell to Poipole, who chose to stay behind in its world.

Later, Ash and his classmates arrived on Poni Island for their individual research projects for school. Ash's project was to have a grand trial battle. In ''[[SM109|A Grand Debut!]]'', Ash battled the newly-appointed Island Kahuna [[Hapu]] in a one-on-one battle and won. Letting Pikachu choose their reward for the completion, Ash received a [[Steelium Z]].

Following this victory, Ash entered the first-ever [[Manalo Conference]], along with his classmates. He eventually made it to the semifinals, where he faced off against the [[Team Skull]] Boss [[Guzma]]. After a tough match, Ash was able to defeat him and advance to the finals, where he was set to face Gladion. On the night before the final battle, Ash's {{p|Meltan}} fused with {{DL|Recurring wild Pokémon in the anime|Melmetal|its fellow Meltan}}, evolving into {{AP|Melmetal}}, which Ash ended up using as his first Pokémon in the finals. The match eventually resulted in a battle between the two Trainers' {{p|Lycanroc}}, with [[Ash's Lycanroc]] eventually emerging victorious, thus earning Ash the title of Alola League {{pkmn|Champion}}.

Ash is an only child who lived with his mother, {{Delia}}, until he left for his [[Pokémon journey]] at the age of ten. His main goal in life, as described in [[EP001|the first episode]], is to be the world's greatest [[Pokémon Master]]. One particular characteristic about Ash that has not changed over the course of the series, aside from his determination and his passion for raising and training Pokémon, is that he is incredibly selfless. He will often go to extraordinary lengths to earn a Pokémon's trust and respect, and to better understand a Pokémon that he sees as troubled. He is also very fair-minded and trusting, a true testament to his good-natured character.

Despite this, and previous dealings with [[Villainous teams|evil organizations]], Ash has retained a remarkably optimistic and naive outlook, a trait {{ashfr|his companions}} seem to share. He is quick to praise and has an unshakable trust in both his Pokémon and his friends. Also, Ash is determined to see the best in everybody unless he has a very good reason not to. An example would be Team Rocket's frequent 'sudden appearances' that coincide with their needs at that time, and Ash never questioning it until it is too late. Another example would be how he always praises {{an|Clemont}} for [[Clemontic Gear|his inventions]], no matter their high failure rate, and the near inevitable explosion, or {{an|Cilan}} for his various hobbies. Furthermore, even though almost all of his friends have large dreams, Ash fully supports them and has never doubted their ability to accomplish them, possibly due to his own highly ambitious goal. He also encourages Pokémon to do the best they can, even if they aren't his own, and has even helped train [[wild Pokémon]].

In the beginning, Ash had a bit of an inferiority complex, as well as some form of personal pride, most likely stemming from his [[rival]]ry with {{Gary}}. As a result, he had some bad habits, such as shamelessly boasting of his own skill if he were ever on a winning streak, and becoming angered easily if he were personally insulted, as seen in ''[[EP008|The Path to the Pokémon League]]''. Ash used to complain about things that were perfectly legal, like [[Giselle]]'s {{p|Cubone}} using a bone in ''[[EP009|The School of Hard Knocks]]'', or [[Blaine]]'s use of the lava in ''[[EP059|Volcanic Panic]]''. He even locked himself up in his room and sulked after losing to [[Ritchie]], although this anger was not entirely unfounded as the loss came as a result of both his Charizard's disobedience and Team Rocket wearing out his other Pokémon before the match began. He overcame his disappointment after seeing and listening to how Ritchie took his loss as a way to better himself as a Trainer in ''[[EP080|Friends to the End]]''. Fortunately, during his journey, Ash has gotten over this particular character trait and is now more accepting of criticism to his own skill, though he still gets upset if his Pokémon are insulted or degraded.  

Perhaps one of Ash's greatest rivalries was against [[Paul]] during his time in the [[Sinnoh]] region. On contrary of Ash, who strongly believed in the [[Friendship|bond between Trainer and Pokémon]], Paul's only concern was with a Pokémon's strength, believing that bonding only caused them to become spoiled and unmotivated. Due to this, aside from winning the [[Sinnoh League]], Ash's biggest goal during his Sinnoh travels was to ultimately change Paul's mindset and have the latter finally acknowledge him as a Trainer worth of his attention. After a long and exhausting journey, he finally managed to accomplish this after defeating Paul at the [[Lily of the Valley Conference]], after which Paul finally recognized Ash as his rival and equal.

Ash has changed a great deal over the course of the series, particularly in regards to his skill at [[Pokémon training]], but his earnestness, rashness, and determination have remained. Never straying from his goal, he has remained loyal to his friends, family, and supporters, but most of all his Pokémon. Ash became a great Trainer by learning to find and use the inner strength of each of his Pokémon by bonding with them. For example, when he received a banner filled with prints from his Pokémon in ''[[AG187|The Unbeatable Lightness of Seeing!]]'', he knew which Pokémon placed specific prints, showing his close bond with them. He also learns where their hidden abilities lie, as well as resorting to unorthodox strategies when fighting particularly challenging opponents. For example, he uses his Pikachu's speed to outmaneuver larger foes and attack. In another instance, his {{AP|Charizard}} defeated [[Gary's Blastoise]] by causing the field to overheat before mounting a close-quarters attack while Blastoise was blinded by the steam. He also prefers to train a Pokémon to be the best it can without forcing it to [[Evolution|evolve]], as evidenced by his treatment of {{AP|Gligar}} in ''[[DP085|Fighting Fear With Fear!]]''. He is happy when his Pokémon evolve but lets them choose whether or not they want to evolve instead of forcing them.

Physically, Ash is in very good shape, especially for someone 10 years of age. He has constantly been shown to have a lot of stamina, walking miles upon miles through all kinds of environments, while journeying between towns on his journey. He also has huge endurance, as seen when he took powerful attacks from various Pokémon head on and then recovering quite quickly. Furthermore, Ash has demonstrated himself to be a bit acrobatic, occasionally being able to keep up with {{an|Iris}}, who virtually grew up swinging and jumping through treetops. Ash has occasionally displayed great reflexes, being able to dodge attacks or catch falling objects out of the blue, and even being able to save himself, or others, in the last second during perilous situations. What's more, Ash has exhibited tremendous will power, as seen when he took attacks for long periods of time and keeps advancing, which also drives his "never give up" attitude when it comes to Pokémon battles. He is also strong, being capable of picking up heavy Pokémon such as Larvitar and Hippopotas.

Ash is also quite dense when it comes to matters of the opposite sex, more specifically in the field of [[Shipping|romance]]. Throughout the series, Ash has only displayed open interest in a [[Giselle|female]] only [[EP009|once]], and nothing came out of it. Though some girls in the series have actually shown obvious (and subtle) affection towards him, Ash meets it with nearly unfailing obtuseness, which some characters have also noticed. Even when it involves other people's romance, Ash is usually oblivious until someone points it out to him. Also, on a few occasions when it came to a matter of Pokémon love, with a male who's experiencing difficulty in gaining the attention of a female, while his friends will often mainly give advice in improving the male's looks or charm, Ash's advice is simply to be stronger. Despite this, however, it is shown on several occasions that Ash does seem to understand the concept of marriage, most notably in ''[[SM055|The Professors' New Adventure]]'', when he got excited by the news of {{an|Professor Kukui}} and [[Professor Burnet]]'s engagement, and subsequently worked with his classmates to organize a big wedding ceremony for them.

His father has not been introduced. The anime suggests that his father was once a Pokémon Trainer who began his journey in Pallet Town, and that he is still living. In the original, he is also confirmed to have a grandfather, whose son followed his footsteps. An interview with the series' storyboarder [[Masamitsu Hidaka]] confirmed Ash's father is a Trainer on his own journey. According to Hidaka, Ash's father may or may not be introduced in the series, depending on its necessity to further Ash's maturity and development as a Trainer. On the other hand, according to [[Pocket Monsters: The Animation|Takeshi Shudō's novelization]], Ash's father left home to go on a journey right after Ash was born, and never returned since. As he never registered his name in the Pokémon Trainer's list, his whereabouts are unknown.

As a Trainer, Ash has {{pkmn2|caught}} and [[Friendship|befriended]] a sizable number of Pokémon over the course of the anime. His philosophy on {{pkmn|training}} is that Pokémon are individuals and that a combination of trust, friendship, and hard work are needed to overcome adversity. In fact, several of Ash's Pokémon were caught because they allowed him to, after he befriended them. He seems to {{pkmn|battle}} best with Pokémon that are similar to Pikachu: ones that are [[Appendix:Metagame terminology#Sweeper|speedy and maneuverable, yet able to perform high-powered attacks]]; however, he is willing to work with any Pokémon that comes into his care.

Ash's battle style is generally spontaneous and fairly unorthodox, and his Pokémon often reflect these traits. He has been shown to use unusual strategies. For instance, during the {{series|Diamond & Pearl}}, he incorporated a twisting-spinning type maneuver in his Pokémon's offensive and defensive techniques, which eventually lead to him creating the original technique, [[Counter Shield]]. Also, sometimes he will use someone else's battle strategies as shown with [[Paul]] and {{an|Tierno}}, though when using the latter's, Ash stated that his own unique strategy is the one he can truly count on, instead of simply mimicking others.

Ash is very attached to his Pokémon, and prefers to battle and train with them personally. Furthermore, he cares about their opinion, even giving them the option of whether they should [[Evolution|evolve]] or not. As such, the majority of his Pokémon also share Ash's stubborn and reckless nature, persistently attempting to rise and continue the battle, even after receiving great amount of damage and being at the end of their rope. However, if it is by their own wish, or if he believes it is best for them, Ash will (if sometimes reluctantly) [[trade]] or [[Released Pokémon|release]] them, and in some cases, leave them with more experienced individuals so that they could get stronger.

====Unofficial====

This section is for the Pokémon that Ash had bonded with over the course of several episodes but never officially caught.

{| width="75%"

| {{InactivePoké|Ash|Solgaleo|Nebby Solgaleo anime.png|psychic|steel|disp="Nebby" → Solgaleo|link=Light trio (anime)#Solgaleo|size=200px}}

This section is for the [[Poké Ride|Ride Pokémon]] Ash used.

|type1=water

|type2=dark

|cap=A Poké Ride Sharpedo

|desc=Ash was first seen riding a [[Poké Ride]] {{p|Sharpedo}} around [[Melemele Island]].

|cap=A Poké Ride Tauros

|desc=Ash was first seen riding a [[Poké Ride]] {{p|Tauros}} around the [[Pokémon School]].

|cap=A Poké Ride Lapras

|desc=Ash was first seen riding a [[Poké Ride]] {{p|Lapras}} around [[Melemele Island]].

|cap=A Poké Ride Pelipper

|cap=A Poké Ride Stoutland

|desc=Ash used a [[Poké Ride]] {{p|Stoutland}} around [[Akala Island]].

|cap=A Ride Garchomp

|cap=A Poké Ride Mudsdale

|desc=Ash temporarily commanded a wild {{p|Cottonee}} in order to help him win over a love interest. With Ash's assistance, he was able to learn to dodge attacks and aim his own attacks better.

|desc=This {{p|Butterfree}} was found on [[Wayfarer Island]] as a {{p|Caterpie}}, where its lazy tendencies caused it to not evolve and be left behind by its swarm. To help it, Ash temporarily trained the wild Caterpie in order to help it evolve all the way to Butterfree so it wouldn't be left behind. Caterpie evolved into {{p|Metapod}} after it and Pikachu fended off a wild {{p|Ursaring}}. To save Pikachu from Team Rocket, it evolved into a Butterfree and teamed up with Pikachu to blast the trio away. Afterward, it shared a tearful goodbye with Ash as it returned to its swarm.

|desc=Ash temporarily commanded a borrowed {{p|Rhyhorn}}, in order to participate at the Rhyhorn race held at [[Odyssey Village]]. In the beginning, it was difficult for Ash to handle Rhyhorn, but the two gradually learned to work together.

This Florges is the leader of a Bug-type and Poison-type Pokémon army, and was responsible for the invasion of {{AP|Goodra}}'s homeland, due to her wanting the spring water for her {{p|Floette}}, as the water had healing properties. She battled Goodra, but lost after Goodra learned {{m|Ice Beam}}. She then cooperated with Team Rocket to kidnap Pikachu, Dedenne and a {{DL|Recurring wild Pokémon in the anime|Wooper}}, believing the lie that Team Rocket would help heal Floette. However, after Team Rocket betrayed Florges and stole all the water from the wetlands, along with the three kidnapped Pokémon, Florges and her army switched allegiances and worked with Ash and Goodra to set them free. She then worked with Goodra to restore the wetland, using {{m|Grassy Terrain}} in conjunction with Goodra's {{m|Rain Dance}} to restore all of the water and vegetation.}}

|desc={{p|Buzzwole}} entered [[Alola]] through an [[Ultra Wormhole]] at [[Melemele Meadow]], prompting the [[Ultra Guardians]] to embark on their first mission. They chased the Swollen Pokémon to [[Mahalo Trail]], where it was eventually caught by Ash. It was then brought back to Melemele Meadow, allowing it to return back home through a new wormhole opened by [[Professor Burnet]].}}

|desc={{p|Stakataka}} entered Alola through an Ultra Wormhole at the [[Pokémon School]]. The initial attempts by the Ultra Guardians to catch it failed due to it managing to avoid all of their Beast Balls, and during the following night, it moved to a construction site owned by [[Viren]], where it was mistaken for a pedestal for a statue of Viren. Once the statue was placed on top of it, Stakataka became angry and started rampaging around until Ash removed the statue. Stakataka then let itself be caught by Ash upon learning that he was doing it only to make sure it would get back home. Later, back at the Pokémon School, Stakataka was safely returned to its home dimension through an Ultra Wormhole.}}

|vaen=

|desc={{p|Pheromosa}} entered [[Alola]] through an Ultra Wormhole and began attacking Trainers who possessed [[Z-Crystal]]s, stealing the Z-Crystals afterwards. {{MTR}} fell in love with Pheromosa and thwarted several attempts by the Ultra Guardians to catch it. Pheromosa was eventually defeated by {{an|Bewear}}, allowing Pheromosa to be caught and returned home.}}

Ash, along with {{an|Misty}} and {{an|Brock}}, made cameo appearances in bonus chapters of [[Magical Pokémon Journey]]. In the bonus chapters, Ash and {{ashfr}} have mistakenly wandered into the world Magical Pokémon Journey is set in. The bonus chapters chronicle their attempts to return to their own world (of the {{pkmn|anime}}) and their encounters with various aspects of the Magical Pokémon Journey canon which differ from the anime's canon (such as the use of [[Poké Ball]]s).

Since Ash and his Pikachu have appeared in every animated Pokémon movie to date, likewise, Ash is a main character in every [[Pokémon manga#Movie manga adaptations|Pokémon movie manga adaptation]]. The same applies with Ash's team as they made similar appearances.

* Ash's hat in the [[original series]] was actually similar to {{ga|Red}}'s hat in his original design from {{game|Red and Green|s}} before undergoing several changes until the final design.

* Ash's birthday in the main series of the anime, according to [[Takeshi Shudo]]'s anime novelizations, is 10 years, 10 months, and 10 days ''exactly'' prior to the day he began his Pokémon journey. In [[M20]], Ash's birthdate is instead the same day he began his journey.