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Ash Ketchum(JP) is the main character of the Pokémon anime series for 25 seasons and the Electric Tale of Pikachu manga. He travels with his very first Pokémon, a Pikachu.
In the earliest episodes, he made his journey to become a Pokémon Master with friends Misty and Brock, each with a goal of their own. Throughout the years, everything from Ash's clothes to the people he travels with have changed. He is first dressed in a dark undershirt, blue and white short sleeve jacket, and blue jeans. He is then seen wearing a dark blue hoodie in the Hoenn episodes, and a white shirt with a dark short sleeve jacket in the Sinnoh region. During the journey in Unova, he has white on his jacket and Kalos has entirely blue. His travels in Alola he wears shorts, same as Journeys.
He was the champion of the Alola region the official champion and has become the top Trainer in the Pokemon world after winning the Masters Eight Tournament of the Pokemon World Coronation Series.
Ash's only known family so far is his mother, Delia Ketchum, who lives in Pallet Town with her Pokémon, Mr. Mime. She's a caring, but somewhat overprotective mom that tries to ensure Ash did everything to make his life better, including reminding Ash to change his underwear every time they meet (Ash had actually been seen in his underwear, a pair of blue and white striped boxers, in a few episodes). Ash's father was mentioned in one of the earliest episodes, but his identity has never been revealed.
The names "Ash" and "Satoshi" (as in the creator of the Pokémon franchise, Satoshi Tajiri) were default choices for names in Pokémon Red. The surname "Ketchum" is a pun on Pokémon's famous slogan, "Gotta catch 'em all!"
In December 2022, it was announced that after 26 years, the newest series of the Pokémon anime, Pokémon Horizons: The Series would not feature Ash and Pikachu, but two new protagonists, Liko and Roy instead.
History[]
Pre-series[]
When he was a little boy, Ash went to the forest to look for wild Pokémon. However, during the trip in the woods, it started to rain, and Ash got lost and was so scared to the point of bursting into tears. Ash was forced to take shelter under a hollow tree. However, he noticed a group of Pokémon who were also seeking shelter from the rain. So, he invited them inside the tree and the Pokémon kept him safe and warm. This made Ash so happy that he wondered how much he wanted to become a Pokémon trainer to travel across the entire world with his Pokémon friends.
Ash at the age of six asked his mother if he can go to Professor Oak's Pokémon Summer Camp, for which she happily signed him up. However, Ash missed the camp due to breaking his alarm clock and overslept.
Ash attends Professor Oak's Pokémon Summer Camp, where he had previously met his childhood friend Serena. At one point during the camp, Serena had hurt her knee from falling over after being startled by a Poliwag. Ash had used his handkerchief to wrap up her injury, which she had kept, and returns to Ash in this episode.
Ash started his rivalry with Gary Oak, Professor Oak's grandson, after they both fished out an old Poké Ball then broke it in half. After that, Ash and Gary kept both half as a reminder of the day they started their rivalry.
Original series[]
Kanto[]
Ash begins his journey in the Kanto region, leaving his home of Pallet Town with the only First partner Pokémon that Professor Oak had left to give: a reluctant and moody Pikachu. Ash's quest begins in earnest to defeat all of the Gym Leaders and get to the Pokémon League as soon as he has gained Pikachu's trust, and he is joined by two Gym Leaders, Misty and Brock. They thwart the plans of Jessie, James, and Meowth, low-ranking members of the criminal organization Team Rocket who want to steal Ash's Pikachu and any other rare Pokémon they come across. Ash travels across the Kanto region, defeating Gym Leaders, collecting their badges, and capturing new Pokémon. After collecting all eight badges, Ash participates in the Indigo Plateau Conference, but he reaches the top 16 before losing to his friend Ritchie.
Orange Islands[]
After competing in the Indigo Plateau Conference and not performing as well as he had hoped, Ash journeys to the Orange Islands to receive the GS Ball from Professor Ivy, as it cannot be transported to Professor Oak by PC. During his time there, Ash competes in another Pokémon League, the Orange League and meets a new friend named Tracey Sketchit, a Pokémon watcher, replacing Brock, who stayed with Professor Ivy at that time. Ash faces and defeats the tournament champion Drake after collecting Orange Islands gym badges. When Oak cannot figure out how to open the GS Ball on Ash's return to Pallet, the Professor sends Ash to Johto to give the special Poké Ball to Kurt. The trio returns to Pallet Town, Tracey stays with Professor Oak as an assistant and Brock reunites with his friends.
Johto[]
While in Johto, Ash again competes in a Pokémon League, the Silver Conference. Ash defeats the Gym Leaders of Johto and competes in the Johto League. Ash defeats Gary Oak and causes him to reconsider his purpose in life. After advancing to the quarter-finals, Ash loses to Harrison, who informs Ash of the Hoenn region. As Ash goes back to Pallet Town, Misty receives word from her sisters that they are leaving on a world tour and have entrusted the Cerulean City Gym to her. Brock's family has also asked him to return. Ash leaves all his Pokémon (excluding Pikachu) in Professor Oak's lab, and he travels to Hoenn alone.
Ruby and Sapphire[]
Brock follows Ash to Hoenn and Ash gains two new companions, a Pokémon Coordinator May and her younger brother Max. Together, they go on another adventure. May collects five ribbons to participate in the Hoenn Grand Festival, but she loses to Drew in the Hoenn Grand Festival, placing her in the Top 8, and Robert takes the Hoenn Grand Festival Ribbon Cup. Ash defeats all eight Hoenn gym leaders and participates in the Hoenn League, but he loses to Tyson, in the quarterfinals, placing him in the Top 8. Tyson becomes the Winner in the Ever Grande Conference.
Ash continues his journey with Brock, May and Max in Kanto. Ash participates in Battle Frontier and gets seven frontier symbols after defeating Frontier Brains. However, Ash declines the offer to be a Frontier Brain, and decides to continue his Pokémon journey. May collects five ribbons to participate in Kanto Grand Festival but she loses to Solidad in the Kanto Grand Festival, placing her in the Top 4, and Solidad takes the Kanto Grand Festival Ribbon Cup. Bidding farewell to May, Max and Brock as they went back to their hometowns, Ash returns to Pallet Town. Afterwards, Ash battles with his rival, Gary. After seeing Electivire, a Pokémon from the Sinnoh region he has never seen before, Ash decides to travel to Sinnoh.
Diamond and Pearl[]
Upon arrival in Sinnoh, Ash reunites with Brock and meet Dawn, another Pokémon Coordinator, who travels with them as they go through the Sinnoh region in another adventure. Dawn earns five ribbons to participate in the Sinnoh Grand Festival. There, Dawn loses to Zoey, placing her second, and Zoey takes the Sinnoh Grand Festival Ribbon Cup. Ash defeats all eight Sinnoh gym leaders to participate in the Sinnoh League, Paul loses to Ash in the quarterfinal, then Ash loses to Tobias in the semifinals, placing him in the Top 4 and Tobias became winner of Lily of the Valley Conference. Bidding farewell to Dawn in Sinnoh and Brock one last time, Ash once again returns to Pallet Town.
Black and White[]
Ash, his mother Delia and Professor Oak take a holiday to the far-off Unova Region, where he meets and travels with would-be Dragon Master Iris and Striaton City Gym Leader, Pokémon Connoisseur, and sometimes detective Cilan. After winning all eight Unova badges and thwarting the sinister Team Plasma, Ash, Iris, and Cilan travel throughout the eastern side of Unova to prepare for the Unova League, but Ash loses to Cameron, in the quarterfinals, placing him in the Top 8, Cameron loses to Virgil in the semifinals, placing him in the Top 4.
Afterwards, Ash, Iris, and Cilan travel through the Decolore Islands before Ash makes his way back to Pallet Town and meets the investigative reporter Alexa, who is from the distant Kalos Region. Having arrived back in Kanto, Iris and Cilan travel to Johto whilst Ash and Alexa head to Kalos.
XY[]
Ash and Alexa arrive in the Kalos region and Ash is itching to get started in earning his Gym badges. But after Alexa informs Ash that her sister, a Gym Leader, is currently absent, Ash travels to Lumiose City where he meets boy-genius Clemont and his younger sister Bonnie, unaware that Clemont is, in fact, Lumiose City's Gym Leader; a fact he tries his best to hide. Ash also reunites with Serena, a girl from Vaniville Town whom Ash had met in his childhood. Serena earns three keys to participate in the Pokémon Showcase. Serena loses to Aria, placing her runner-up. After traveling with Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie to prepare for the Kalos League by defeating all eight Kalos gym leaders, Ash competes and advances all the way to the finals, where he loses to Alain, placing him runner-up. Alain was a temporary member of the evil Team Flare due to them misleading him. Once he discovers their true intentions, Alain reforms and joins Ash and his friends to stop Team Flare's plans. Bidding farewell to his friends in Kalos, Ash once again returns to Pallet Town.
Sun and Moon[]
Ash, Delia and her Mr. Mime are on vacation in the Alola region when Ash has an encounter with Tapu Koko, the Guardian deity Pokémon of Melemele Island, who presents him with the Z-Ring, a device that, when paired with a special crystal, allows a Pokémon to unleash a powerful move when synchronized with its trainer. This leads him to stay in Alola and enroll at the local Pokémon school. When he decides to undertake the trials necessary to master the power of the Z-Ring, Ash's new classmates Lana, Mallow, Lillie, Sophocles and Kiawe decide to accompany him. Ash takes part in the island challenges, and finally gains his first official league victory at the Alola League. After becoming champion of the first Pokémon League of Alola, Ash bids farewell to his classmates and Alolan family and Alolan Pokémon to return to Pallet Town.
Journeys[]
He and Pikachu travel to each of the eight regions (including Galar), accompanied by Goh as Research fellow. Ash wants to defeat Leon and Goh wants to catch each and every Pokémon including Mew. Chloe sometimes joins Ash and Goh on their adventure with her newly caught Eevee, who is incapable of evolving. Goh takes part in trial missions of a research project "Project Mew" to be a Chaser and find Mew. Ash defeats Leon in the final round of Pokémon World Coronation Series: Masters Eight Tournament and becomes Monarch. Goh and other members of Project Mew travel to Faraway Island to find Mew. They encounter Mew and Goh befriends Mew instead of catching it. With their goals accomplished, Ash and Goh depart separate ways.
Ash resumes his journey with Pikachu. Along the way, they reunite with Misty and Brock and decide to travel with them again. After traveling for a while, Ash, Brock, and Misty return to their homes. Then, Ash decides to travel again to meet and befriend new Pokémon in order to achieve his goal of becoming a Pokémon Master.
Pokémon[]
On hand[]
Traveling with[]
With Professor Oak/In rotation[]
- Pidgeotto → Pidgeot
- Bulbasaur ♂
- Charmander → Charmeleon → Charizard ♂
- Krabby → Kingler
- Muk
- Tauros (×30) ♂
- Snorlax
- Heracross
- Chikorita → Bayleef ♀
- Cyndaquil → Quilava
- Totodile ♂
- Noctowl (shiny)
- Egg → Phanpy → Donphan
- Taillow → Swellow
- Treecko → Grovyle → Sceptile
- Corphish
- Torkoal
- Snorunt → Glalie
- Starly → Staravia → Staraptor ♂
- Turtwig → Grotle → Torterra
- Chimchar → Monferno → Infernape ♂
- Buizel ♂
- Gligar → Gliscor
- Gible ♂
- Pidove → Tranquill → Unfezant ♀
- Oshawott ♂
- Tepig → Pignite ♂
- Snivy ♀
- Egg → Scraggy ♂
- Sewaddle → Swadloon → Leavanny ♂
- Palpitoad ♂
- Roggenrola → Boldore
- Krokorok → Krookodile ♂ (Sunglasses-wearing)
- Fletchling → Fletchinder → Talonflame
- Hawlucha ♂
- Egg → Noibat → Noivern
- Egg → Riolu → Lucario
- Dragonite
- Gengar
- Galarian Farfetch'd → Sirfetch'd
- Dracovish
With Professor Kukui/In rotation[]
In training[]
Released[]
- Caterpie → Metapod → Butterfree ♂
- Lapras
- Goomy → Sliggoo → Goodra
- Froakie → Frogadier → Greninja ♂
- Poipole → Naganadel
Traded away[]
Given away[]
Traveled with[]
Ride Pokémon[]
Temporary[]
- Pidgey
- Rattata
- Ponyta → Rapidash
- Porygon
- Weezing
- Arbok
- Meowth
- Hoothoot
- Staryu
- Psyduck
- Seaking
- Arcanine (Arcky)
- Pidgeot
- Flygon
- Lombre
- Mudkip ♂
- Hitmonlee ♂
- Pachirisu
- Piplup ♂
- Sudowoodo ♂
- Riolu
- Raichu ♂
- Spoink
- Mantyke
- Buneary ♀
- Happiny ♀
- Luxio ♂
- Venipede
- Cottonee ♂
- Cobalion
- Caterpie → Metapod → Butterfree
- Rhyhorn
- Scatterbug → Spewpa → Vivillon
- Skiddo
- Florges ♀
- Pancham ♂
- Luxray ♂
- Latias ↔ Mega Latias ♀
- Latios ↔ Mega Latios ♂
- Rayquaza ↔ Mega Rayquaza (shiny)
- Mamoswine
- Litleo
- Charjabug ♂
- Vulpix (Snowy) ♀
- Buzzwole
- Stakataka
- Pheromosa
Befriended[]
- Mewtwo
- Lugia
- Houndour
- Celebi
- Latias ♀
- Lucario ♂
- Mew
- Shaymin
- Giratina
- Arceus
- Azelf
- Zorua ♂
- Zoroark ♀
- Victini
- Reshiram
- Zekrom
- Meloetta
- Keldeo
- Sableye
- Genesect (Douse Drive)
- Skrelp
- Diancie
- Hoopa
- Volcanion
- Magearna
- Passimian (Tiny)
- Meltan
Badges obtained[]
Indigo League[]
- Boulder Badge (obtained from Brock)
- Cascade Badge (obtained from Misty)
- Thunder Badge (obtained from Lt. Surge)
- Marsh Badge (obtained from Sabrina)
- Rainbow Badge (obtained from Erika)
- Soul Badge (obtained from Koga)
- Volcano Badge (obtained from Blaine)
- Earth Badge (obtained from Jessie, James and Meowth, who were substituting for Giovanni)
Orange League[]
- Coral-Eye Badge (obtained from Cissy)
- Sea Ruby Bage (obtained from Danny)
- Spike Shell Badge (obtained from Rudy)
- Jade Star Badge (obtained from Luana)
Johto League[]
- Zephyr Badge (obtained from Falkner)
- Hive Badge (obtained from Bugsy)
- Plain Badge (obtained from Whitney)
- Fog Badge (obtained from Morty)
- Storm Badge (obtained from Chuck)
- Mineral Badge (obtained from Jasmine)
- Glacier Badge (obtained from Pryce)
- Rising Badge (obtained from Clair)
Hoenn League[]
- Stone Badge (obtained from Roxanne)
- Knukle Badge (obtained from Brawly)
- Dynamo Badge (obtained from Wattson)
- Heat Badge (obtained from Flannery)
- Balance Beadge (obtained from Norman)
- Feather Badge (obtained from Winona)
- Mind Badge (obtained from Liza and Tate)
- Rain Badge (obtained from Juan)
Battle Frontier[]
- Knowledge Symbol (obtained from Noland)
- Guts Symbol (obtained from Greta)
- Tactics Symbol (obtained from Tucker)
- Luck Symbol (obtained from Lucy)
- Spirits Symbol (obtained from Spenser)
- Ability Symbol (obtained from Anabel)
- Brave Symbol (obtained from Brandon)
Sinnoh League[]
- Coal Badge (obtained from Roark)
- Forest Badge (obtained from Gardenia)
- Cobble Badge (obtained from Maylene)
- Fen Badge (obtained from Crasher Wake)
- Relic BAdge (obtained from Fantina)
- Mine Badge (obtained from Byron)
- Icicle Badge (obtained fromCandice)
- Beacon Badge (obtained from Volkner)
Unova League[]
- Trio Badge (obtained from Cilan)
- Basic Badge (obtained from Lenora)
- Insect Badge (obtained from Burgh)
- Bolt Badge (obtained from Elesa)
- Quake Badge (obtained from Clay)
- Jet Badge (obtained from Skyla)
- Freeze Badge (obtained from Brycen)
- Toxic Badge (obtained from Roxie)
Kalos League[]
- Bug Badge (obtained from Viola)
- Cliff Badge (obtained from Grant)
- Rumble Badge (obtained from Korrina)
- Plant Badge (obtained from Ramos)
- Voltage Badge (obtained from Clemont)
- Fairy Badge (obtained from Valerie)
- Psychic Badge (obtained from Olympia)
- Iceberg Badge (obtained from Wulfric)
External links[]
- Ash Ketchum at Bulbapedia, the Pokémon wiki.
- Ash Ketchum at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Pokémon the Series characters | |
|---|---|
| Main characters | Ash Ketchum • Pikachu • Team Rocket (Jessie • James • Meowth) • Liko • Roy |
| Original series | Misty • Brock • Professor Oak • Gary Oak • Giovanni • Butch • Cassidy • Nurse Joy • Officer Jenny • Delia Ketchum |
| Ruby and Sapphire | May • Max |
| Diamond and Pearl | Dawn |
| Black and White | Iris • Cilan |
| XY | Serena • Clemont • Bonnie |
| Sun and Moon | Lillie • Kiawe • Mallow • Lana • Sophocles |
| Journeys | Goh • Chloe |
| Horizons | Friede • Amethio • Nidothing/Dot |
| Other media | Madoka Akagi |