Ash Ketchum: Difference between revisions

Ash {{pkmn2|caught}} his first Pokémon, a {{AP|Caterpie}}, in ''[[EP003|Ash Catches a Pokémon]]''.

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}}.

In ''[[EP017|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 {{p|Gyarados}} triggered a cyclone using {{m|Dragon Rage}}. Four of Ash's Pokémon, including Pikachu, had gone missing during the chaos, but they found their way back to him the following day. Ash and the others took a ferry back to the mainland from ''[[EP019|Tentacool & Tentacruel]]'' to ''[[EP020|The Ghost of Maiden's Peak]]''.

Many of Ash's first Gym Badges were given to him merely out of gratitude for his assistance, rather than claiming an actual victory in battle over the Gym Leaders. Of the first five Gym Badges that had been given to Ash in Kanto, only [[Lt. Surge]]'s {{Badge|Thunder}} in ''[[EP014|Electric Shock Showdown]]'' was earned from a victory in battle.

====''[[Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire]]''====

After hearing about a distant region called [[Hoenn]] from {{jo|Harrison}}, the opponent he lost to in the Silver Conference, Ash decided to journey there and take only Pikachu with him this time. In Hoenn, Ash met a girl named {{an|May}} and her brother, [[Max]], who he later learned were [[Petalburg Gym]] {{FB|Gym|Leader}} [[Norman]]'s children, and both of whom decided to join Ash on his travels. Shortly after the three companions left [[Petalburg City]], Brock rejoined the group when he saved them from a flock of angry {{p|Taillow}} and their {{AP|leader|Taillow}}. From that point onward, Ash journeyed through Hoenn with one old friend and two new friends, collecting Gym Badges in much the same fashion as before. Once May set her sights on becoming a [[Top Coordinator]], Ash supported her whenever he could while maintaining his focus on winning Badges. During these journeys, Ash and his friends ended up being entwined in the plots of the region's two rivaling [[villainous team]]s, [[Team Aqua]] and [[Team Magma]], with Pikachu actually getting possessed by {{DL|Kyogre and Groudon (Ruby and Sapphire series)|Groudon}} in the summit of their conflict. Thanks to {{TRT}}'s unintentional help, they helped save the entire Hoenn region.

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 traveled with him through Sinnoh as 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 philosophy. Although Ash always considered himself on par with him, Paul often bested him in battles as his Pokémon were very powerful, only keeping Pokémon that were naturally very strong. Ash's Pokémon, while strong in their own right, did not yet equal. 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 recognized that he had to take Paul more seriously and cautiously in the future.

[[File:Hearthome Collection Ash.png|thumb|220px|Ash in the Hearthome Collection]]

While in Sinnoh, Ash competed in two Pokémon Contests, once in [[Jubilife City]] and a second time in the [[Wallace Cup]] upon [[Wallace]]'s recommendation. He also competed against several [[Pokémon Stylist]]s in the [[Hearthome Collection]] fashion show in ''[[DP086|Arriving in Style!]]'', where he ended up in third place, winning the Unique Award for his original performance.

====''[[Pokémon the Series: Black & White]]''====

In ''[[Pokémon the Series: Black & White]]'', Ash traveled with Delia and Professor Oak on a trip to the [[Unova]] region. After losing in a battle to [[Trip]] and seeing the power of the [[Legendary Pokémon]] {{p|Zekrom}}, Ash became interested in traveling Unova to meet new Pokémon, as well as new friends. In Unova, he brought along only his Pikachu as he did in Hoenn.

====''[[Pokémon the Series: XY]]''====

In ''[[Pokémon the Series: XY]]'', Ash arrived at the Kalos region with Alexa, first visiting [[Lumiose City]], where he parted ways with the journalist and tried to challenge the [[Lumiose Gym]] at Prism Tower. He was forcibly ejected from the tower when the computerized security system, later revealed to be the [[Clembot]], found out that he didn't have any Kalos Badges. He was rescued by {{an|Clemont}} and {{an|Bonnie}}.

Ash brought an injured {{AP|Froakie}} to {{an|Professor Sycamore}}, who told Ash about an additional stage of Pokémon evolution he was researching called [[Mega Evolution]]. Assisted by Pikachu and Froakie, Ash calmed down an angry {{p|Garchomp}} belonging to Sycamore that was attacking Lumiose City. Ash saw a Mega Evolved Pokémon for the first time when a Mega {{p|Blaziken}} saved him and Pikachu from falling off of Prism Tower. Froakie then allowed itself to be captured by Ash, and Clemont and Bonnie started to travel with Ash.

Ash won his first Kalos Badge, the {{badge|Bug}}, 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 journey to reunite with him, although he initially did not remember the two of them meeting. Ash and Serena learn that Clemont was the Lumiose Gym Leader, who was exiled from his 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 progress in Froakie's (and later {{p|Frogadier}}'s and {{p|Greninja}}'s) strength.

====''[[Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon]]''====

Ash traveled with Delia to the [[Alola]] region after [[Mimey]] won the trip via lottery. It was shown that Ash gave his Kalos Pokémon to [[Professor Oak]], who gave him and his mother a Pokémon Egg to deliver to his cousin [[Samson Oak|Samson]]. While on [[Melemele Island]], Ash stumbled upon the [[Pokémon School]], where he met {{an|Lana}}, {{an|Lillie}}, {{an|Mallow}}, {{an|Kiawe}}, {{an|Sophocles}}, Samson, and {{an|Professor Kukui}} and learned about [[Z-Ring]]s and [[Z-Move]]s. Later on, he met {{DL|Guardian deities (anime)|Tapu Koko}}, the [[Guardian deities|guardian]] of Melemele Island, who gave Ash a Z-Ring and an [[Electrium Z]]. With these discoveries, Ash decided to remain in Alola to study at the school and learn more about Z-Moves, living with Professor Kukui.

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 into the Ultra Wormhole, Ash discovered that the incident caused Nebby to evolve into a {{p|Cosmoem}}.

Ash, his classmates, and Gladion then watched as the {{an|guardian deities}} helped Nebby evolve into the Legendary Pokémon Solgaleo and upgrade Ash's Z-Ring into a [[Z-Power Ring]]. With a [[Solganium Z]] he received from Nebby, Ash activated Solgaleo's Z-Move, {{m|Searing Sunraze Smash}}, and had Nebby opened up an Ultra Wormhole, allowing everyone to traverse through Ultra Space on Nebby's back. There, after Ash's Electrium Z temporarily transformed into a [[Pikashunium Z]], Ash and Pikachu used it to launch a {{m|10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt}}. The attack defeated Nihilego, weakening it long enough for Lillie and Gladion to pull their mother free from its hold. The Pikashunium Z then reverted to an Electrium Z. With their mission finished, Lusamine was taken back through the Ultra Wormhole to the Altar of the Sunne.

During Kukui 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 {{an|Professor Burnet}} temporarily opened a new wormhole, allowing Buzzwole to return home.

Later, Ash and his classmates arrived on Poni Island for their 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 {{OBP|Meltan|recurring|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}}.

====''[[Pokémon Journeys: The Series]]''====

Sometime after his return to Kanto, Ash joined Professor Oak in attending the opening of the new [[Cerise Laboratory]] in [[Vermilion City]]. During the opening ceremony, the head of the lab, [[Professor Cerise]], informed the attendees that a rare Pokémon would be appearing at the local port shortly. Ash eagerly rushed over there and found out the rare Pokémon was a Lugia. During this encounter, he also met a boy named [[Goh]], and the two shared a ride with Lugia throughout Kanto. When they later returned to the Cerise Laboratory, Professor Cerise was amazed by the information they had gathered about Lugia, and he asked them to become his [[Professors' aides|research assistants]]. They accepted the offer and were provided with their own room to stay in. Delia also left Mimey at the lab to take care of Ash while he stayed there.

Later, Ash and Goh traveled to the [[Galar]] region to watch the finals of the [[World Coronation Series]]. The match ended in the victory of Galar's undefeated Champion [[Leon]], thus making him the Monarch, the official strongest Trainer in the {{pkmn|world}}. Inspired by this, Ash decided he wanted to battle Leon himself. However, before he could challenge him, a [[Gigantamax]] {{OBP|Drednaw|recurring}} went on a rampage and started causing havoc. While Ash and Goh battled it, Pikachu ended up Gigantamaxing as well, therefore giving him enough power to defeat Drednaw. Leon, impressed by Ash's performance, accepted his challenge to a battle. After Ash lost, he decided to take part in the World Coronation Series as well and climb through its ranks to one day challenge Leon again.

One night, Ash's [[Dynamax Band]] began to glow. After learning about cases of Pokémon [[Dynamax]]ing in Galar outside of {{cat|Power Spots}}, Ash and Goh headed to investigate. Soon after arriving in the region, Ash and Goh ended up getting separated while in the [[Slumbering Weald]], where Ash encountered {{OBP|Zacian|recurring}}, whereas Goh encountered {{OBP|Zamazenta|recurring}}. Later, Ash encountered Leon and joined him in taking care of the Dynamax Pokémon rampaging around Galar. During this quest, they ended up encountering [[Rose|Chairman Rose]] and [[Oleana]], and Ash accompanied them to dine and spend a night at [[Rose Tower]]. When he departed the next day to rendezvous with Goh, {{TP|Goh|Eternatus}} emerged from the [[Hammerlocke]] [[Energy Plant]], starting the [[Darkest Day]] and prompting Ash to head there. At the [[Hammerlocke Stadium]], Ash re-encountered Rose and engaged him in a battle, eventually winning thanks to his newly evolved {{AP|Lucario}}. Reuniting with Goh, the two then engaged in a battle against Eternatus, after Leon had failed to stop it. With Zacian and Zamazenta's help, they successfully defeated Eternatus and sealed it away, ending the Darkest Day.

===Character===

In the beginning of the anime, 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 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 perfectly legal things, 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 of his 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 the 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.