Ash Ketchum

Ash Ketchum, known as in Japan, is a fictional character in the Pokémon franchise owned by Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures. He is the protagonist of the Pokémon anime for the first 25 seasons and certain manga series as well as on various merchandise related to the franchise. In Japanese, the character is voiced by Rica Matsumoto. Hana Takeda voices six-year-old Ash in episode 1 of Pokémon Journeys: The Series. In the English dub, he was voiced by Veronica Taylor in the first eight seasons and has been voiced by Sarah Natochenny since season 9. Ash is a young man who travels with various companions, aiming to fulfill his dream to become a Pokémon Master; his Pokémon lineup greatly evolves over the course of the series, with its sole constant member being Pikachu. Ash is loosely based on Red, the player character from the Generation I games Pokémon Red, Blue, and Green. Satoshi Tajiri, the creator of Pokémon, has stated that Ash represents the 'human aspect' of the series, and that Ash reflects what he himself was like as a kid.
Due to the huge popularity, success, and longevity of the Pokémon anime series around the world since its debut, Ash has gone on to become one of the most well-known and recognizable fictional characters of all time. He is considered a pop culture icon and a figurehead character of the wave of anime in the late 1990s.
Ash has been criticized for being stuck in a 'floating timeline', as well as for his long-lasting inability to win any major Pokémon leagues. However, his longevity and persistence have also been positively received by news outlets such as CNN and the BBC. Ash's outfits through the anime, especially his various hats, are also considered to be just as iconic as him, and also have good reception, in particular, his first outfit from the original series.
Concept and creation
Named after creator Satoshi Tajiri, Satoshi, whose name can be taken to mean "wisdom" or "reason", was designed by Ken Sugimori and Atsuko Nishida, and intended to represent how Tajiri was as a child, obsessed with catching bugs. During localization of both for North American audiences, the character's name was changed in the anime to "Ash Ketchum", the first name taken from one of the possible default names players could select for the player character in Pokémon Red and Blue, and the surname tying into the former tagline (and, as of Pokémon XY, revived) for the series, "Gotta catch 'em all!".
Tajiri noted in an interview that between Japanese and US reactions to the series, Japanese consumers focused on the character Pikachu, while the US purchased more items featuring Ash and Pikachu, his Pokémon, together. He stated that he felt the character represented the concept of the franchise, the human aspect, and was a necessity. The character was given a rival named Gary Oak (Shigeru Okido in the Japanese version, after Tajiri's idol/mentor, Nintendo legend Shigeru Miyamoto), loosely based on Red's rival Blue. In an interview Tajiri noted the contrast between the characters' relationship in the games and anime; while in the games they were rivals, in the anime, Shigeru represented Satoshi's master. When asked if either Satoshi would equal or surpass Shigeru, Tajiri replied "No! Never!" Ash's character design was initially overseen by Sayuri Ichishi, replaced by Toshiya Yamada during the Diamond and Pearl storyline arc. Ash received a redesign in the Best Wishes! series, which included larger brown irises. In the XY series, he received minor changes, such as a decrease in the size of the 'birthmarks' on his cheeks. Ash received a major design overhaul for the Sun and Moon anime series, which started airing in Japan on November 17, 2016.
Voice actors
In Japan throughout the anime media, Rica Matsumoto has always provided the original Japanese voice of Ash. Hana Takeda voices 6 year old Ash in episode 1 of Pokémon Journeys: The Series. For the English dubbing, Veronica Taylor provided the voice of Ash in the first eight seasons of the English adaption of the Pokémon anime, which was dubbed by 4Kids Entertainment. At the time of her audition, Taylor stated that the character was temporarily named Casey, which was the name later given to a recurring character in Johto. After the script was translated from Japanese, the lines were adapted to fit the movements of the character's mouth (called lip flap). All the voices were recorded separately, so Taylor was the only one in the booth when she recorded her lines, which took approximately six to eight hours per episode. Taylor was often the first person to record, so she had to "imagine how the previous line will be said". "Luckily, I work with a great director who helps with the interpretation of the line, matching of the lip flap, and consistency of the voice". Taylor enjoyed playing Ash because of his "low, husky voice" and "energy and excitement".
Taylor commented that Ash and the other characters "loosened up" after the first ten episodes of the anime; she believed the writers were more relaxed and no longer felt the pressure of making sure everything was done correctly. Taylor commented: "I enjoy playing Ash now much more than I did in the very beginning because I can have fun with him more, and we kind of know him and can work out how he really would react. We have the classic Ash responses and things like that." Sarah Natochenny replaced Taylor in season nine when The Pokémon Company International (known at that time as Pokémon USA) took over the licensing, prompting a shift in recording studios.
For the Korean dubbing, Choi Deok-Hui provided the voice of Ash in the first five seasons and first two movies of the Korean adaption of the Pokémon anime, which was dubbed by Seoul Broadcasting System. An Hyeon-Seo replaced Deok-Hui in Pokémon movies three through five. Lee Seon-ho replaced Hyeon-Seo in season 6 and in the sixth Pokémon movie.
Appearances
In the anime
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.
In the series
The series starts with the episode "Pokémon, I Choose You!", with Ash's tenth birthday, which
according to Pokémon trainer registration bylaws allowed him to become a full-fledged Pokémon trainer and obtain a starter Pokémon. As a ten-year-old hailing from Pallet Town in the Kanto region, Ash was offered a choice between three Pokémon as his starter: Bulbasaur, Squirtle and Charmander. He received the electric type Pokémon Pikachu from Professor Oak in this episode, because he woke up late and all the other starter Pokémon had been taken by other trainers. After receiving Pikachu and a Pokédex, Ash left Pallet Town to start his journey. Since then Ash has traveled the world of Pokémon, competed in many challenges and caught newer Pokémon. He has met many companions.
Throughout the series, Ash's primary enemies are a criminal organization called Team Rocket, specifically the three comical and bumbling members, Jessie and James, and their talking Meowth. Ever since being defeated by Ash's Pikachu in the second episode, "Pokémon Emergency!", the three of them have obsessively never stopped chasing after them to steal Ash's Pikachu, maintaining the delusion that Pikachu is abnormally powerful and presenting it to their criminal boss would make them very rich. As the enduring comical villains of the series, the Team Rocket trio occasionally show signs of goodness, such as care and friendship with their Pokémon and each other, and despite their constant antagonism, they occasionally put their differences aside and work together with Ash against a common threat.
Ash also shows a deep love for Pokémon in the series, protecting wild Pokémon or his own from getting injured or trying to help them, despite getting significantly hurt himself. Ash seems to understand the feelings of Pokémon as he sometimes shares a link with them as he senses their pain, see their thoughts, memories, have them appear in his dream as a way of asking for his help for various reasons and hear what they are saying, although the abilities are usually shown mainly with Legendary Pokémon but it was once shown with a Mythical Pokémon. Also, Ash has shown to sometimes sense a Pokémon's presence or when one is coming.
Ash participates in the Pokémon league of Kanto, Johto, Heonn, Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos and Alola region. Over his journey, Ash has collected eight badges from each of the major regions of Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova and Kalos. He loses first six leagues but wins the Alolan Pokémon league and becomes Pokémon Champion. Ash also participates in Orange league and Battle Frontier and wins them, he obtains four badges from the Orange Archipelago and defeated the Orange Islands Champion to gain the Winners' Trophy. He collected all seven Frontier Symbols from Battle Frontier, and has been offered a position as a Frontier Brain, which he declined, he has completed all the Island Grand Trials, Melemele, Akala, Ula'Ula and Poni Island. After becoming Pokémon Champion, Ash participates in World Championship and after winning World Championship Master Tournament he becomes the new Monarch and continues his journey to become Pokémon Master.
In the video games
Ash Ketchum was first mentioned in a video game at the dialogue of Pokémon Play It!, and his first appearance in a game was later in Pokémon Puzzle League, both of which were never released in Japan. He has also appeared in Japanese educational video games Pokémon: Catch the Numbers!, I've Begun Hiragana and Katakana!, and Pico for Everyone Pokémon Loud Battle! for Sega Pico, as well as a player character in the English-language Windows games Pokémon Team Rocket Blast Off, Pokémon Poké Ball Launcher, and Pokémon Seek & Find, distributed by Perdue Farms.
In Pokémon Red, Blue, Yellow, and the remakes of Red and Blue, a character very similar to Ash (named Red) appears as a playable character as well as in cameos in Pokémon Black 2, White 2, Gold, Silver, their remakes, Sun and Moon. The anime re-imagined Red as Ash Ketchum, the same way it re-imagined Red's rival Blue as Gary Oak and Ethan (the protagonist of the second generation Pokémon games as well as their remakes) as Jimmy. Although they are counterparts, they are not the same characters because they originate from different canons and thus developed from different experiences.
Though Pokémon Yellow has certain plot aspects that were inspired by the anime series, the player character is still named Red rather than Ash.
In Pokémon Sun and Moon's demo, the player character, Sun, receives a letter from Ash, along with his Greninja, which is capable of assuming its "Ash-Greninja" form through its ability Battle Bond. Ash also makes a cameo in Ghost Trial of the full game, where one may see a blurry photo of him and his Pikachu in the back room.
Ash and his party from Pokémon Journeys: The Series were added to Pokémon Masters EX starting on August 28, 2022, to promote his upcoming battles in the Masters Eight Tournament.
In the manga
The portrayals of Ash in the manga The Electric Tale of Pikachu, and Ash & Pikachu, are very similar to the one in the anime. There are key differences in the manga, though. The Electric Tale of Pikachu is based on Ash's journey up until the end of the Orange Islands travel. Ash is usually seen traveling by himself during the course of this manga although he is sometimes joined by Misty and Brock in Indigo. Misty is the only one to join Ash in the Orange Islands. The Ash & Pikachu manga is similar, although it has the episodes from the anime like "The Fortune Hunters" and "A Goldenrod Opportunity" combined, but with a couple of changes. Manga author Toshihiro Ono cited Ash as one of his favorite characters to draw for the series, stating, "I want to go on a trip with Misty just like him! (And forget about job, rent, etc.)".
In Pokémon Adventures, Red depicts his appearance from what he wore in the games.
In other media
Although not parodied quite as frequently as the franchise mascot Pikachu, Ash still has many parodies and appearances in various other media, ranging from an unofficial fan-made film to several representations in web media, including many parodies on the YouTube channel Smosh.
Ash makes a brief cameo in the animated series The Simpsons, when, in the episode "Postcards from the Wedge", the character Bart Simpson is watching TV while doing his homework, and a parody of the Pokémon anime appears on TV, starring Ash (in what appears to be a loose parody of his Diamond & Pearl outfit) and Pikachu. Bart remarks "Wow, how does this show stay so fresh?", which is both a reference to the length of the anime, as well as referencing the length of The Simpsons itself in an ironic way. In the episode "The Perspiration Implementation" of the TV show The Big Bang Theory, Ash is mentioned by the character Sheldon Cooper when he attempts to ask a girl out by saying "And as Ash Ketchum said to Pikachu, I choose you", which specifically references how Pikachu was Ash's first Pokémon. In the episode "Chinpokomon" of the animated show South Park, a parody of Ash makes an appearance, along with a parody of Team Rocket's James, as characters in a TV show parodying Pokémon. The title itself is a reference to Pokémon.
A character wearing Ash's League Expo hat makes a cameo in the 4th episode of the 4th season of Rick and Morty.
Ash also makes appearances in several segments of the show Robot Chicken, including "Poké Ball High Life" and "Pokémon Tennis". In the show The Norm Show, the character Tommy thinks that he is Ash, and faces off against the character Norm in the episode "Artie Comes to Town". In the Japanese light novel series High School DxD, the character of the familiar master Zatouji is a clear parody of Ash, even his catchphrase being "Gotta catch 'em all!" Ash also features in an ADHD Short segment called "Pikachu Gets Pokémon Rabies".
A man wearing Ash's original outfit also appears in a few Taiwanese Subway ads teaching passengers basic safety procedures. A man wearing Ash's original League Expo hat is also shown in the third episode of season 4 of the show Metalocalypse. In the episode "Johnny'mon" of the cartoon show Johnny Test, the character Blast Ketchup is a blatant parody of Ash Ketchum. The title is also a parody of Pokémon.
A boy wearing Ash's attire from the original series can be seen in the episode "Operation: A.R.C.H.I.V.E." of Codename: Kids Next Door. Ash also appears in the Captain Tsubasa (2018) series as a spectator, in his Sun and Moon attire.
In the game Overwatch, the character Hanzo says the line "I choose you, spirit dragon", which is a reference to the phrase Ash frequently uses when sending out one of his Pokémon to battle, such as "Pikachu, I choose you!"
Ash also made a brief appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where he has a 'Pokémon battle' against Cartoon Donald Trump with Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller.
Reception
The book The Japanification of Children's Popular Culture cited Ash as an example of cultural identification, with the character going through similar motions players of the games had to in order to progress through them. It additionally emphasized the character's growth and development as the anime series progressed. UGO.com noted his hat as iconic and one of the coolest headgear in gaming, while Jian DeLeon of Complex praised him as "stylish," particularly his very first design. The Guinness Book of World Records 2011 Game Edition lists Ash as coming 37th out of 50 in a readers' poll of their favorite video game characters. However, he has been criticized by IGN for staying the same age, his lack of success, and the ambiguity about his father.
Ash has also garnered praise for serving as a role-model to children, and for his persistence despite being an underdog by Business Insider Australia. He has also been cited as a character that incentivizes trying to be the best person you can be, rather than the strongest, or most qualified by the BBC.
Ash's Manalo Conference win has been compared to basketball player LeBron James winning his first ring and film director Martin Scorsese winning his first Oscar.
References
External links
Ash Ketchum on Bulbapedia
Ash Ketchum on Serebii
Animated characters introduced in 1997
Animated human characters
Child characters in anime and manga
Child characters in television
Child characters in video games
Fictional Japanese people in video games
Fictional explorers in video games
Male characters in animated series
Male characters in anime and manga
Male characters in video games
Nintendo protagonists
Pokémon anime
Pokémon characters
Television characters introduced in 1997