Ash Ketchum: Difference between revisions

{{Pokémon character

| sex = Male

| age = 10

| nickname = Golden Rookie

| first = {{EP|001|Pokémon, I Choose You!|Pokémon, I Choose You!}}

| category = anime

| images = yes

=== Background ===

Before Ash becomes a [[Pokémon Trainer]], he lives with [[Delia Ketchum|his mother]] in a house in [[Alabasteria]]. Nothing is known about his father, and he is not mentioned in the series.

[[File:XY007_02.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Serena and Ash as children at summer camp]]

[[File:Ash Kanto.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Ash at the Beginning of His Journey]]

Ash Ketchum is ten years old at the beginning of his journey and has now finally earned his license as a [[Pokémon Trainer]]. He dreams of becoming the world's greatest Pokémon Master. However, he oversleeps the session with Professor Oak, where players can choose one of the [[Kanto]] [[Starter Pokémon]] [[Bulbasaur (Anime)|Bulbasaur]], [[Charmander (Anime)|Charmander]], or [[Squirtle (Anime)|Squirtle]]. Ash arrives too late, as the last one to arrive before him was his rival [[Gary Oak]]. This leaves only [[Ash's Pikachu|Pikachu]], who is somewhat difficult to control. The two have a few difficulties at first, but after a tense situation in which they are pursued by a swarm of [[Habitak (Anime)|Habitak]] and Ash protects Pikachu, and Pikachu chases the Habitak away with [[Thundershock]], the two quickly become friends. The thunder shock also accidentally destroys the borrowed [[bicycle]] of [[Misty (anime character)|Misty]], whom he happened to run into. From then on, Misty accompanies Ash, demanding that he pay for her bike.

After their victory, Ash, Misty, and Tracey head home. Before they can do so, however, they encounter a horde of Lapras, Ash's former family, so Ash decides to release Lapras. In Pallet Town, they unexpectedly meet Brock, who is very depressed when asked why he isn't with Professor Ivy. Tracey, a big fan of Professor Oak, decides to stay with him to assist him. Brock, on the other hand, rejoins Ash and Misty.

[[File:Ash Johto.jpg|thumb|200px|left|Ash and his friends at the beginning of their Johto journey]]

After Ash enters the Hall of Fame on the Orange Isles, he travels to [[Johto]] with Misty and Brock. In the Johto region, Ash must once again compete against eight Gym Leaders. In the episode ''[[Hands Off Totodile!]]'', he meets [[Professor Lind#In the anime|Professor Lind]] shortly after his arrival in [[New Borkia]]. Ash catches his first Johto Pokémon, [[Ash's Heracross|Heracross]], in ''[[A Special Friend]]'', before catching [[Ash's Bayleaf|Chikorita]], a [[starter Pokémon]] from the region, in ''[[Chikorita's Rescue]]''.

In the episode ''[[The Flame of Ho-Oh]]'', the [[Silver Conference] finally begins. In ''[[Old Rivals]]'' and the following episode, he finally defeats his old rival Gary. However, he ultimately loses to his new friend Harrison in ''Time of Goodbye. After coming to terms with their defeat, Ash, Misty, and Brock part ways, as both Gym Leaders must return to their respective Gyms. Ash returns to Pallet Town and decides to go to Hoenn, as he learned about the region from Harrison and wants to explore it with his own eyes. He also decides to start from scratch and therefore only takes Pikachu with him.

[[File:Ash's Pikachu Hoenn.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Ash and Pikachu in Hoenn]]

In Hoenn, Ash must also prove himself against eight Gym Leaders to participate in the [[Hoenn Championship]]. Pikachu suffers a power overload due to [[Team Rocket (Anime)|Team Rocket]] in the episode ''[[Finally in the Hoenn Region]]'', so he takes it to [[Professor Birk#In the anime|Professor Birk]]. However, it escapes from his lab and attacks Ash, who tries to calm it down, because it has lost control. Ash is able to calm it down, demonstrating their close bond. He doesn't shy away from helping his partner, even if it puts himself in danger. Team Rocket then appears, and Pikachu is trapped in a machine, from which it escapes by discharging its electricity overload into it, destroying [[May (anime character)|May]]'s bike in the process. To Ash's relief, Pikachu is now healthy again, and May decides to accompany him. Ash takes on a kind of mentoring role for her, teaching her the basics of being a Trainer. For example, in ''[[The Gate to the Past]]'' he explains to her how to catch a Pokémon.

In ''[[All in One!]]'', Ash competes against May in the [[Terracotta Town]] contest to say goodbye to her, and ends in a draw. The two share their ribbons and carry them with them from then on as a good luck charm. May and Max then return to Hoenn, and Brock sets off for [[Marmoria City]]. When Ash returns to [[Alabaster]] in the episode ''[[Every End Has a Beginning!]]'', he learns about [[Sinnoh]] from Gary and sets off by ship with only Pikachu, and involuntarily also with Scythe.

[[File:Ash Arrival Sinnoh.jpg|200px|left|thumb|Ash Reaches Sinnoh]]

Ash's Sinnoh adventure begins very difficultly, as [[Team Rocket (Anime)|Team Rocket]] immediately attempts to capture Pikachu, separating him from his Trainer. Ash catches a [[Ash's Staraptor|Staraptor]] to search for him. The injured Pikachu is found by [[Dawn (Anime Character)|Dawn]] and defended from the crooks, which is how the rookie meets Ash in the episode ''[[Reunited at Last!]]'' and joins him. He also meets Brock again and immediately meets his new rival [[Paul]]. In Jubilee Town, Ash participates in the competition there, but is eliminated by [[Zoey]], a Sinnoh Coordinator. In the following episode, his Staralive evolves into [[Ash's Staraptor|Staravia]]. Before that, he also catches a [[Ash's Torterra|Turtle]]. In [[Oregon]], he faces the [[Gym Leader]] [[Veit#In the anime|Veit]], against whom he only defeats in the rematch shown in ''[[Confidence is Half the Battle]]''.

[[File:Ash Tobias defeats Tobias.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Ash after his defeat against Tobias]]

In the [[Sinnoh League]], which begins in "[[The Tournament is Open]]," Ash defeats [[Nando]], [[Conway]], and Paul before losing to [[Tobias (Sinnoh)|Tobias]] in the semifinals. In ''[[The Farewell!]]'', his, Brock's, and Dawn's paths finally diverge: Dawn stays in Sinnoh to pursue her dream of becoming a top [[Coordinator|Coordinator]], while Ash and Brock return to [[Kanto]]. There, the boys say goodbye to each other, as Brock now wants to become a Pokémon doctor. Ash continues to pursue his dream to become a Pokémon Master.

[[File:Ash Unova.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Ash and Pikachu in Unova]]

Ash arrives in [[Unova]] by plane with [[Professor Samuel Oak#In the anime|Professor Oak]] and [[Delia Ketchum|his mother]] and meets [[Professor Ash#In the anime|Professor Ash]] upon landing. Suddenly, dark clouds gather, and strong electrical charges trigger an electromagnetic pulse, depriving [[Ash's Pikachu|Pikachu]] of the ability to use [[Electric]] attacks. Ash realizes this must be caused by a strange Pokémon that appeared in the dark cloud: [[Zekrom (anime)|Zekrom]], as it turns out later. But no one suspects that Pikachu is ill.

After this, Ash separates from Iris and Cilan, who want to continue their journey alone, and returns to [[Alba]] with [[Alba]] in ''[[Chasing the Dream!]]''. After a reunion with his mother, old friends, and his Pokémon, he decides to travel to [[Kalos]] with Alba, as he wants to participate in the league there. He leaves all of his Pokémon except Pikachu with Professor Oak and receives a new outfit from his mother before they depart.

[[File:Ash Kalos.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Ash and Pikachu in Kalos]]

Accompanied by [[Alba#In the anime|Alba]], Ash and Pikachu reach ''[[Kalos, Land of Dreams and Adventures!]]'', more specifically: [[Illumina City]]. There, Ash encounters [[Clemson (anime character)|Clemson]] and his sister [[Benedict (anime character)|Benedict]]. Ash and Clemont agree to a battle, but the battle is interrupted by [[Team Rocket (anime)|Team Rocket]]. Ash is protected by a Froakie, which is seriously injured in the attack. Ash takes the Froakie to the laboratory of [[Professor Sycamore#In the anime|Professor Sycamore]], where it is able to fully recover. After helping Ash calm a rampaging Garchomp, it joins the young trainer from Pallet Town. On the way to [[Nouvaria City]], Ash, with Froakie's help, catches the robin Pokémon [[Ash's Talon|Dartiri]].

After the Manalo Conference ends, Ash is unsure what to do next. However, after being told by [[Mayla#In the anime|Mayla]] that it is important to understand the wider world, he decides to return to Pallet Town and travel the world. After saying goodbye to his friends in ''[[Thank You, Alola! The Journey Continues!]]'', he boards the plane to Kanto, leaving all of his team Pokémon—except Pikachu—in Professor Kukui's care.

[[File:Ash Goh.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Ash, Pikachu, and Goh]]

In the [[Legend? Go! Friends? Go!|sequel episode]], Ash sees a [[Lugia (anime)|Lugia]] appearing in [[Orania City]] and pursues it. From a ledge, he jumps onto its back, where he shortly afterwards encounters [[Goh]], who has also jumped onto the Legendary Pokémon. The Pokémon allows the boys to ride on its back as it flies across the sky and dives deep into the sea. The shared experience leads to a bond between the two boys. After Lugia disappears, Ash and Goh return to [[Professor Cherry]]'s laboratory, where they inform everyone present about their encounter with Lugia. Impressed by the report, the professor offers them the opportunity to assist him in his research. Ash and Goh agree and move into the laboratory together, where they live from then on.

[[File:MZ11 04.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Ash and Pikachu start a new beginning]] In ''[[The Rainbow and the Pokémon Master!]]'', Ash decides to travel to Pallet Town, while Misty and Brock also return to their hometowns, but announces that he wants to travel again there. He meets Tracey and [[Ash's Pidgeot|Pigtail]] again, who rejoins his team. He also encounters Gary again, who asks him how close he is to his goal now that he is a monarch. Ash ponders the question for a while by a lake and finally answers Gary that a Pokémon Master is someone all Pokémon trust. Since Latios didn't trust Ash, he still has work to do. Therefore, he decides to set off alone with Pikachu once again and travel again. This is the last episode in which he appears.

=== General ===

Already in the [[Pikachu|first episode]], it becomes clear that Ash wants to become a Pokémon Master and gives his all for it. He is very ambitious and determined. When saying goodbye to his mother, he seems happy to finally be able to leave. His courage becomes clear during the first battle against Team Rocket. Ash's ambition is also evident when, upon entering a town with a Gym, he wants to visit it immediately, without visiting the city's attractions, as his friends often want to do. He is also tempted to challenge supposedly stronger opponents, such as [[Lauro#In the anime|Lauro]], the Champion of [[Unova]].

Ash's ability to sense and manipulate [[Aura]] is a special ability of his, as can be seen in the movie ''[[Pokémon 8: Lucario and the Mystery of Mew]]''. In ''[[Pokémon Ranger: The Taking of Riolu – Part 1]]'', Ash is able to find [[Riolu (Anime)|Riolu]] using this ability. Finally, Ash also receives a [[Ash's Lucario|Riolu]], which only wanted to hatch in his presence after sensing his aura.

[[File:Ash Pikachu.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Ash and Pikachu in ''[[Pikachu's Farewell]]'']]

Ash initially finds it difficult to make friends with [[Ash's Pikachu|Pikachu]] because it is as stubborn as he is. However, when the two are attacked by the Habitak and Pikachu is not feeling well, he becomes concerned, and it becomes clear that the two already have a close bond despite their problems.

Over time, the bond between the two grows stronger, and the two become best friends, always supporting each other. For example, Ash is not afraid to throw himself in front of Pikachu to protect it from enemy attacks or to jump off cliffs, as seen in ''[[Pikachu - Pikachu]]'' or ''[[Time for a Rematch!]]'', to save his friend. Even though Pikachu doesn't speak human language, Ash seems to be able to interpret its facial expressions and gestures and understand it accordingly. Ash respects Pikachu's wish not to evolve and knows that it is strong enough to survive even as a Pikachu. This is evident in the fact that he uses it against many Gym Leaders and in other Trainer Battles, even when Pikachu has a type disadvantage. When Pikachu is injured or sick (e.g., electrically overloaded), Ash shows how much he cares for it, as it looks after it and immediately seeks help. If Pikachu loses control due to external influences, only Ash can calm it down and stop it, even if the electric shocks put him in danger. This can be seen in ''[[Pikachu in Distress]]''.

Ash initially wants to catch as many Pokémon as possible on his journey, ideally more than his long-time rival Gary. But over time, he realizes that he doesn't want to focus on quantity, but rather on quality, and usually only catches Pokémon that appeal to him because of their personality (e.g., Ash's Infernape|Infernape]] or those with which he has formed an immediate bond through adventures with and/or protection). Ash also owns a few Pokémon, such as Paul's former Chimchar, which belonged to another trainer, but is able to integrate it into his team, alleviate its fears, and emphasize its strengths, allowing it to evolve. He always trusts them and relies on their abilities, so type advantages and disadvantages in battles are irrelevant to him, which also means that he often loses battles he could otherwise have won.

Starting in Hoenn, Ash trains his Pokémon more specifically, seeing them as equal partners, specifically for Gym Battles and the League, and teaches them new moves like Aero Ace and Iron Tail. To make his Pokémon stronger, he sometimes places them in the care of other trainers if he is sure this is best for them. Examples include Ash's Charizard and Gliscor. He also releases some of his partners, like Ash's Butterfree, for their own good. Saying goodbye is always difficult for him. He cries at most of them, an emotional reaction rarely seen in Ash.

He is initially unimpressed with Misty, the first of his future companions, but promises to pay for her broken bike. This doesn't seem to interest him much, however, as Pikachu's condition is much more important to him.

He tries very hard to do this and refuses Misty's help several times. However, one notices that he also has a sensitive side, as he cares deeply for Pikachu after his defeat and is deeply moved by Brock's story. He doesn't admit that he didn't know during the first battle that Thunder attacks are just as ineffective against Rock-type Pokémon as Flying attacks, but instead says that he simply forgot. He is less kind to Misty at this point. He seems happy to have Brock as a companion, but doesn't want Misty to travel with them and even runs away without paying for the broken bike. This shows that he is carefree, but also doesn't really have a guilty conscience. In "[[I Believe in Sisters]]," however, he notices that she's no longer following them and asks Brock why she doesn't want to enter Cerulean City. He then says that girls are simply incomprehensible. At first, he doesn't want to accept the Fountain Badge because he wants to win all the badges fairly in battle, but then he would have accepted it if Misty hadn't prevented him. After receiving his badge, he teases Misty, saying that he would have been better. This shows that he enjoys arguing with her. The fact that he doesn't ask where Brock has been all this time makes it clear that he's more focused on himself and not too much on his friends at this point.

When Misty and Brock leave Ash's team, Ash is upset and sad. He remembers them from time to time in his later adventures, such as when he initially traveled alone with Max and May in [[Hoenn]]. He always carries the lucky charms he received from them upon their departure. Whenever he meets Misty again, Ash is very happy, and they argue less often, making the most of their time together. This also shows that both have matured somewhat.

Ash takes on a kind of brotherly role for [[Max]]. He cares for him and is rarely annoyed by him and his know-it-all attitude. For example, when Max runs away with the badge out of disappointment after [[Norman]]'s loss to Ash in the Gym Battle, Ash comforts him and reacts with unusual empathy, so Max apologizes and gives him the badge. Even when May announces that she will no longer travel with Ash and that Max must therefore return home, Ash is able to cheer him up by promising to always be friends with them and to compete against Max later.

[[File:Unova-Trio.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Ash's friends in Unova]]

Benny also holds Ash in high regard. He rarely seems annoyed by his assessments, as Iris is, and admires him for being an expert in so many different fields.