Pokémonmade a major splash when the anime first debuted, all the way back in 1997. Its incredible staying power helped escalate Ash Ketchum into a household name, even among people who aren’t at all interested in anime orPokémon.
But Ash didn’t get to be the icon he is just by hanging around for 25 years. Ash’s exploits in thePokémonanime have helped to reinforce his reputation, and make him a legend among anime fans. While there have been ups and downs, Ash’s greatest moments showcase exactly the kind of hero that he is–someone brave, and driven by love for his friends, who dreams big and chases those dreams no matter what. Ash Ketchum is an excellent role model for any child, teaching them how to treat pets, friends, and even enemies. Here are 10 of Ash’s greatest moments from throughout his run.
10Ash Earns His First Gym Badge
Pokémon the Original Series, episode #5
Ash challenges Brock for his first gym badge, but is intimidated by Onix and calls it quits before Pikachu can get hurt. That brings Ash back for a rematch later, after he’s given Pikachu a supercharging at a hydroelectric plant. Pikachu manages to defeat Geodude easily, but Brock’s Onix gives Ash a lot of trouble. A stray thunderbolt hits the gym and starts a small fire, which triggers the sprinkler system.Ash realizes that Onix is soaked in water, which conducts electricity well, and is able to land an attack that takes Onix down.
This is the first time that fans get to see the wildly outside-the-box thinking that Ash would regularly employ in his gym battles. While some might argue it’s unfair, Ash still had to have the wherewithal to strike when the opportunity presented itself.
9Ash Rallies Against Lt. Surge
Pokémon the Original Series, episode #14
Ash attempts to challenge the Vermilion City Gym, but is easily defeated by Lt. Surge and his Raichu. Ash contemplates evolving Pikachu, but Pikachu vehemently rejects the idea, wanting to win “for Pikachu everywhere.” Ash comes up with a new strategy instead: use Pikachu’s superior speed to outmaneuver Raichu. This plan works brilliantly, but he can’t dodge every attack.So, when it came time to bear an attack from Raichu, Pikachu planted his tail in the ground, conducting the electricity away from him and helping to secure Ash victory.
Another example of Ash’s unorthodox approach to battling, it’s a good reminder that there’s more to a fight than just raw power. Ash’s victory here comes largely from his willingness to trust Pikachu, rather than trying to force evolution. It shows the power of Ash and Pikachu’s bond, even at this early stage.
8Ash Finally Wins a League Conference
Pokémon Sun & Moon, episode #139
Ash entered the Manalo Conference,the first-ever Pokémon League tournament in Alola, and made it all the way to the final round. Ash had made it this far before, only to lose, so tensions were high going into the final match. With Pikachu taken out from dueling Z-moves against his opponent Gladion, Ash fell back on Lycanroc, as did Gladion.Ash had worked hard with Lycanroc, helping it to master its powers after it went berserk a few times, so the tournament coming down to Lycanroc really showed how Ash caters to all his Pokémon.
The tournament victory was, of course, the culmination of everything that had happened inSun & Moon, far more than just this one scene. More than that, though, it proved that sticking to it and trying again and again, without getting discouraged, can actually take you quite far.
7Ash Defeats Gary
Pokémon the Original Series, episode #270
Ash’s rivalry with Gary Oak is one of legend, to the point where “Gary” is almost synonymous with “rival” in some circles. No matter what Ash tried, he was always a step behind Gary, and Gary let him know that whenever they encountered one another. In the Johto League, the two rivals finally got their long-awaited battle, and it was an incredible fight.It all eventually came down to Ash’s Charizard vs. Gary’s Blastoise, and despite the type disadvantage, Ash used clever tactics, like creating a veil of steam on the field, to ultimately win.
What’s great here is that, while Ash is happy that he wins, he doesn’t gloat like Gary would have.He and Gary actually have a heart-to-heart talkby the lake, and finally set aside their differences to become real friends. It shows that Ash really is the bigger man, and that underestimating one’s opponents can be a big mistake.
6Ash and Paul Finally See Eye to Eye
Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, episode #188
Paul is one of Ash’s most infamous rivals, known for his harsh treatment of his Pokémon and for abandoning Chimchar before Ash took him in. Paul represented the antithesis to Ash’s philosophy of friendship with his Pokémon, so when Ash faced Paul in the quarterfinals of the Sinnoh League, it was really a clash of ideals. Ash used the Infernape that had once been that Chimchar, showing Paul just how much the Pokémon had grown under Ash’s training.Once again, Ash is willing to let bygones be bygones, and helps Paul to grow as a person and a trainer.
Ash proved his means of training to be superior in this fight, and that the power of a bond can’t be underestimated. While Paul doesn’t show up much after this, he does demonstrate a clearly changed personality, showing how Ash makes those around him better by setting a good example.
5Ash Learns the Pain of Parting
Pokémon the Original Series, episode #21
Ash’s Butterfree was the first Pokémon that he caughton his journey, and while it hadn’t been that long of a time, the two grew close very quickly. However, Ash soon discovers that it’s Butterfree mating season, and decides to help his Butterfree find a mate. This eventually happens by having Butterfree defeat Team Rocket, winning the heart of the Pink Butterfree. However, now that Butterfree has a mate, it must leave Ash.Ash understands what’s best for Butterfree isn’t necessarily what he wants, and maturely agrees to say goodbye to Butterfree.
This is an infamously tearjerking scene, but it’s also an excellent moment of growth for Ash’s character. Even over just 20 episodes, Ash has learned that Pokémon training is about more than just his own desires, and that sometimes the right thing to do is also very hard, but it still must be done.
4Ash Becomes World Champion
Pokémon Journeys, Episode #132
In the culmination of the entire series up to this point, Ash is engaged in a battle with the undefeated Leon forthe right to the World Coronation Series’ crown. It comes down to Ash’s Pikachu vs. Leon’s Charizard, and it looks like Pikachu might not make it. Pikachu begins to see visions of all the Pokémon that Ash had caught on his journey cheering him on, and managed to rally for one final attack that would decide it all.The power of Ash’s bond with Pikachu was key to their success, but so was the bond with each and every Pokémon.
Ash’s victory proved his big dreams to have been attainable after all, even in spite of all the failures that he experienced along the way. Ash’s ability to persevere under pressure and through losses is one of his most admirable qualities, and this scene goes to show just what can be achieved when one doesn’t give up.
3Ash Discovers Charmander’s Owner
Pokémon the Original Series, episode #11
Earlier in the day,Ash saw a Charmanderwaiting patiently by the road, and left it assuming someone would come back for it. At the Pokémon Center, however, he and Brock overhear a trainer bragging about abandoning his Charmander, enraging both of them. They nearly get thrown out of the Pokémon Center for fighting, but Ash decides to go after Charmander, which is now stuck out in the rain.It’s only thanks to Ash’s courage to stand up for Charmander that the Pokémon survives.
This is a fantastic character moment for Ash, and one that fans never forget. It can inspire people to speak up when they see a person or animal being mistreated, and that’s something the world always needs more of. It shows that Ash doesn’t just talk; he’ll back up his words with actions, and would do so again on several more occasions (such as the aforementioned Chimchar).
2Ash Survives a Blizzard
Pokémon the Original Series, episode “Snow Way Out!”
Ash gets separated from Brock and Misty and must find a way to survive a brutal snowstorm that has moved in. Ash uses his Pokémon to excavate a snow cave and seal himself inside. Despite the brutal cold, Ash’s first concern is always his Pokémon; he even takes off his iconic jacket and wraps the Poké Balls in it to attempt to keep them warm.His Pokémon feel the same way, however, and come out of their balls to help him stay warm.In a moving scene, Ash concedes, “I guess we’ll all be cold together.”
This is just another instance of Ash risking his own safety for that of his Pokémon, taking his commitment to them very seriously. Many pet owners could stand to learn from Ash’s example, and the highlighting of his bonds with his Pokémon once again illustrates what Pokémon is really all about: forging strong bonds and caring for one another.
1Ash Faces Down the Flock of Spearow
Pokémon the Original Series, episode #1
From the very first episode, Ash Ketchum was quick to establish just who he was. While paired with an unwilling Pikachu, Ash struggles initially, having to drag Pikachu by hand to get him to follow along. However, when they come under attack from a flock of angry Spearow, Ash is willing to risk everything for Pikachu, using himself as a shield to stand between Pikachu and the Spearow.Pikachu is moved by Ash’s dedication to him, even after being so stubborn, and jumps forward, blasting the entire flock with electricity and fending them off.
There’s no scene in the entire Pokémon anime that represents who Ash is quite as well as this scene does. Ash is 100% dedicated to Pikachu from the very beginning, and he put himself on the line to prove it. He may be young and foolish, but he takes his responsibilities as a trainer very seriously. For this reason, Ash’s Spearow confrontation is undoubtedly thePokémonanime’s best scene starring Ash.
