Ash Ketchum

*This article uses material from the “Ash Ketchum” article on the Pokemon Wiki at FANDOM is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License.*

**Ash Ketchum** is the main protagonist of the *Pokémon* anime series.

Hailing from Kanto region's Pallet Town, Ash is a brave young boy full of energy and passion who lets nothing stand in the way of his dream to be a Pokémon Master. On his journey, Ash is joined by several Pokémon and human companions whose friendships help him grow and mature as a trainer. Ash is nevertheless quite naïve and immature in many regards, but that won't stop him from being the best.

In the XP4 fics, Ash debuted in the XP4 Heroes Coalition - Kick-Off!.

In the AWA fics, Ash is a student at the AWA Academy and is part of Class 9.

## **Appearance**

Ash wears a few outfits, as seen in the Pokémon anime, he also has black hair and brown eyes, and always wears a cap. Over the past regions, he had different caps. Ash has two lighting bolts like - markings underneath each eye. Ash has a narrow, triangular, edgy, tuft of hair in the middle of his forehead, that come to point on the right side. Without the cap, Ash has a cowlick.

In the original series, Ash wears a white and blue short-sleeved jacket with gold trim, white collar and sleeves, a dark teal T-shirt, blue jeans with light blue cuffs, black and white sneakers with red dots, green fingerless gloves with light green borders and a red and white cap with a green stylized "L".

In the Advanced Generations series, Ash appeared with new clothing - a black and red cap with a green Poké Ball on it and wears a blue sleeveless hoodie with gold trim and a white hood, a black short sleeve undershirt with a red stripe, black fingerless gloves with light green borders, light blue jeans with knee stitchings, and blue sneakers.

In the Diamond & Pearl series, Ash appeared with another new outfit, consisting of a black vest with a white collar and yellow stripe, a white short sleeve undershirt, blue cargo jeans, black and red sneakers, and his hat's Poké Ball is blue.

In the Best Wishes series, Ash appeared with a new outfit, new hat and new sneakers, wears a red and white hat with a blue Poké Ball, wears a blue and white hooded jacket with a golden zipper, black baggy jeans, black fingerless gloves with red borders and his red high top sneakers.

In the XY series, Ash wears yet another new outfit, consisting of a blue collared shirt with short sleeves and white trim, black undershirt, darker blue jeans, a red and white hat, and red high top sneakers.

In the Sun & Moon series, Ash wears a new outfit different from his previous outfits. He wears a white and blue striped short sleeved loose shirt, brown capris with red outlines with baggy pockets and red folded sleeves at the edge of his capris and shades of blue sneakers. His hat is red, dark blue and gray and the Poké Ball design is white. Ash wears a Z-Ring on his left wrist which was later changed into a black Z-Power Ring. Unlike the other region clothes, he doesn't wear any fingerless gloves.

## **Personality**

Ash is very determined to be a good Pokémon trainer as seen in every episode. He shows a lot of sympathy towards Pokémon, usually helping and befriending Pokémon he meets on his long journey. He doesn't like trainers who mistreat Pokémon such as Damian and Shamus. He is a role model to many people such as May, Dawn, N, and Serena. Ash never changes his strategy of all-out attacking and using various Moves to defeat other Pokémon. Ash is generally kind, compassionate, and brave, but can be stubborn, hot-headed, short-tempered, impatient, cocky, reckless, and impulsive at times.

Ash's biggest fear is having any of his Pokémon leave him the way Pikachu almost did to him, after Team Rocket tried turning Pikachu against him when he had amnesia in the Advanced Generation series but didn't hold any grudge against his best friend due to knowing that it wasn't his fault. Although he tried to let go of his fears but it somehow comes back to haunt him no matter how hard he trained and tried with his Pokémon. His fears were one of his downfalls from perfecting the Ash-Greninja form, shown in XYZ series, besides not having enough faith and trust in his Pokémon, Greninja.

Since entering the Kalos region, Ash has demonstrated much greater maturity and level-headiness; both in and out of battles as he continues his journey to be a Pokémon Master. So far, the only Pokémon League he has won is the Orange League in the Orange Archipelago. Since entering the Alola region, Ash is shown to be far more enthusiastic than he did in the Kalos region, while at the same time kept his determination and his love for Pokémon.

Ash has a strong sense of justice to assist Officer Jenny, the Pokémon Rangers and the Police for their mission. He hated all source of evil organizations, such as Team Rocket, Team Aqua, Team Magma, Team Galactic, Team Plasma, Team Flare and Team Skull, and Pokémon Poachers such as Captain Crook, Iron-Masked Marauder, Rico, J, and other poachers, because they steal Pokémon from people or the wild and doing bad stuff to them. He would risk his own life to protect Pokémon and defeat criminals to put an end to their schemes.

Ash is interested to have Gym battles against Gym Leaders to earn Gym Badges to participate the Pokémon League. Ash also shown interest to Battle Frontier to battle Frontier Brains to Symbols. In Alola, Ash decided to participate the Trials to earn Z-Crystals to use a Z-Move.

## **XP4 Fanfics**

Ash is a member of the Heroes Coalition and is part of the Universal Guardians. He also attends Vanguard Academy as a student.

### **XP4 Heroes Coalition - Kick-Off!**

In Chapter 1, Ash alongside his team, the Universal Guardians and the Squad of Excellence are seen in Peach Creek City taking on a large number of Emotionless. And after getting rid of the creatures, Ash alongside everyone celebrated their mission's success.

### **XP4 Heroes Coalition - Neo-City Diaries**

In Chapter 7, Ash, alongside members of the Universal Guardians and Squad of Excellence, is present in the Mission Briefing Room in the Training Facility where Dr. Michael Pating brief them about their mission in the Halidom of Ylisse before departing.

### **XP4 Heroes Coalition - Awakening**

In Chapter 1, Ash, alongside members of the Universal Guardians and Squad of Excellence, arrives in a forest somewhere in Ylisse and appears to be lost. They later came across Chrom, Frederick, Lissa and Robin and quickly befriends them. After having conversation about the Emotionless, both sides decided to work together to eliminate the creatures. They decided to camp for the rest of the night.

In Chapter 2, Ash, alongside members of the Universal Guardians, the Squad of Excellence and Chrom's group, arrives in Ylisse and met up with Owain. Later, after Chrom decided to have a meeting with Frederick, Geo Stelar and Luna Platz, the rest decided to meet up with the Shepherds at the garrison. Later, Chrom and the others arrived and claims to have an announcement.

In Chapter 3, Ash, alongside his team, Gaius, Sully, Stahl and Panne, are seen walking around the large field somewhere in Ylisstol when they came across a group of Zealots and engaged in a battle with them. They managed to overpower them causing the red & blue colored simulation troopers to retreat. Confirming that Dr. Dolan Danger is in this world, they decided to head back to warn the others.

In Chapter 4, Ash, alongside Soul Eater Evans and Dan Kuso, cautiously walks around the garrison looking for the Blessed which everyone commented that they look like idiots.

In Chapter 5, Ash, alongside his team, Frederick, Maribelle, Virion, Kellam, Say'ri, Cherche and Vaike, are seen walking around a large field outside Ylisstol when they came across Dr. Dolan Danger and Jerry Jonny Torr McGee. After the doctor accidentally telling them his plans of obtaining the Ara-Ka Cube, much to everyone's disbelief. After that, the doctor ordered the Zealots to attack them but they quickly defeated them, prompting their enemies to flee.

In Chapter 7, Ash, alongside Donnel, Nowi, Lissa, Ryuuko Matoi, Ichigo Momomiya and Ricken, are gathered at one table in the garrison having a conversation. Everyone watches Lissa and Nowi argue over Donnel, much to their amusement.

In Chapter 11, Ash is at the garrison when they heard a noise, they ran to the corridors to see Ryuuko Matoi and Ricken chasing a strange hooded figure. Everyone went after the figure and led them to a large grassy fields, and reveals itself as a Pokemon known as Hitmonlee. The Pokemon then revealed that he stole an ancient alien artifact called the Ara-Ka Cube inside the castle. Everyone watches in horror as Hitmonlee uses the alien artifact to summon a zombified version of Emmeryn and Phila, much to everyone's disgust. Hitmonlee then summoned a large number of Emotionless, forcing Ash and everyone to fight. Ash then witnessed Donnel activating his *Gift*.

In Chapter 12 & Epilogue, Ash, alongside everyone, witnessed Donnel activating his Gift turning both Emmeryn and Phila back to life. After defeating the remaining Emotionless, forcing Hitmonlee to flee, life in Ylisstol went back to normal.

## **DreamTheater Intermix: The World Within**

Ash is a student in the City Saints Academy.

### **Biography**

In Chapter 18, Ash is mentioned by Lelouch Lamperogue.

## **Abilities**

Ash has shown be quite athletic, he can run, swing on vines, carry some heavy stuff, swim and is very good climber, shown in the show many times also it was shown in Pokémon 4Ever and in Lucario and the Mystery of Mew. Ash can take on a Pokémon attacks for a long period's of time without taking too much damage depending on the attack. Ash has grown to be an amazing battler also he has some performing skills, due to competing in some Pokémon contests also from watching May and Dawn. Ash does have good fishing skills and some cooking skills, due to spending a lot of time around friends who can cook.

Ash has the ability to sense and control aura, as it was shown in Lucario and the Mystery of Mew and once again in the Diamond and Pearl episodes, "Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! Part 1" and "Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! Part 2". Aaron's Lucario has stated that Ash's aura is the same as Aaron's, and Ash was able to use his aura to find and save Riolu. Ash only used his aura abilities when it has something to do with either Riolu or Lucario.

He also has the ability to use Bond Phenomenon, shown in the XYZ series, with one of his Pokémon, Greninja.

Ash sometimes displays the ability to understand the feelings of Pokémon due to spending a lot of time around them also some of the Mythical or Legendary Pokémon connect to him out of caring for them also for his strong will power to protect them, shown when Azelf chose to connect with him in the Diamond and Pearl Battle Dimension/Galactic Battles series and when Victini linked up with him in the movie Black/White Victini and Zekrom/Reshiram. When he’s connected to those kinds of Pokémon he can feel the pain they are in, sense they have been captured, see their thoughts and memories along with contacting him or appearing to him in his dreams as a way of asking for his help or to show him the danger they're all gonna be in also as a way of asking him to do something for them shown with Azelf, Victini, Solgaleo and Lunala.

## **List of** **Pokemon in his Ownership**

### **On Hand**

* Pikachu
* Dragonite
* Gengar
* Lucario
* Farfetch'd
* Dracovish

### **With Professor Oak**

* Charizard
* Bulbasaur
* Kingler
* Muk
* Tauros
* Snorlax
* Heracross
* Bayleef
* Quilava
* Totodile
* Noctowl
* Donphan
* Swellow
* Sceptile
* Corphish
* Torkoal
* Glalie
* Staraptor
* Torterra
* Infernape
* Buizel
* Gliscor
* Gible
* Unfezant
* Oshawott
* Pignite
* Snivy
* Scraggy
* Leavanny
* Palpitoad
* Boldore
* Krookodile
* Talonflame
* Hawlucha
* Noivern

### **With Professor Kukui and Burnet**

* Rowlett
* Lycanroc
* Incineroar
* Melmetal

### **In-Training**

* Squirtle
* Primeape

### **Released**

* Butterfree
* Pidgeot
* Lapras
* Greninja
* Goodra
* Buzzwole
* Naganadel
* Stakataka
* Pheromosa

### **Traded Away**

* Raticate
* Aipom

### **Traveled With**

* Haunter
* Larvitar
* Rotom Pokedex
* Nebby (Solgaleo)

## **Trivia**

* In the 20th Pokémon movie as well as previously in the anime, Ash's birthdate is confirmed to be the same day he began his journey.
* On a related note, Ash is still considered 10 years old in promotional materials as well as the first episode of Best Wishes despite the episode "Best Wishes Until We Meet Again!" strongly implying that at least a full year had passed since his time in Johto. Also, in the "Pikachu & Pichu" short (which aired at least two full series before Best Wishes) it is stated a full year has passed since Ash and Pikachu first met then, as well. Though he is still officially "10", this would make Ash chronologically around 12 (or, around 12-13, also if including his age in Takeshi Shudo's novelization. Takeshi Shudo also wrote the screenplay for the movie "The Spell of the Unown", which the Pikachu & Pichu short was originally shown with).
* Ash is the only human character to appear in every episode and season.
* Ash has a total of 49 Pokémon including different evolutionary forms (78 if all Tauros are included).
* Ash has caught at least one of the Starter Pokémon in every region.
* With the exception of the Orange Islands League and the Battle Frontier, Ash has never won a league tournament.
* Ash is the only known trainer to have ever defeated Tobias' Darkrai.
* In the Kanto region, Ash often turned his cap backwards when preparing for a battle or to capture a Pokémon. This habit wore off as time went on. However, he was shown turning his cap backwards when he was battling Tobias, presumably because Tobias was arguably the strongest trainer he'd ever faced, being the only one who was capable of beating all six of his Pokémon using only two of his own. Although in the Best Wishes series, Ash is seen turning his cap backwards more often. He recently turned his hat around in A Battle of Aerial Mobility! when he used Froakie to help defeat and capture Fletching.

* Ash has seen every legendary Pokémon from Kanto to Kalos.
* In *Tekken 6*, there is a female character named Eleonore "Leo" Kliesen, who can be customized to look like Ash Ketchum. Coincidentally, both characters were voiced by Veronica Taylor and sounded very similar. However, in Tekken Tag Tournament 2 and onwards, Leo's voice grunts are used in later games where it was performed by Veronica Taylor and Leo is now voiced by a German voice actor to speak in her native German language.
* Almost every character in the Pokémon anime are featured in the games, such as Misty (who even appeared as a trophy in *Super Smash Bros. Melee),*Brock (who appeared in *Pokémon Red/Blue* version), and Lyra (from *Diamond & Pearl*), as a Trainer♀ in *Pokémon HeartGold/SoulSilver* version and Gary, who appeared as main rival in *Pokémon Red/Blue* version default named as Blue. However, the only game Ash has ever appeared was in *Pokémon Puzzle League* for the Nintendo 64.
* According to Climbing the Walls!, Ash's favorite move is Thunderbolt, mostly since this is his Pikachu's most notable move throughout the entire series.
* Out of all the Pokémon Ash has ever had, his Pikachu is currently the only Electric-type that he's ever had.
* Ash was Veronica Taylor's favorite role to voice in her career.
* In the French dub, his name was changed to *Sacha* for unknown reasons.
* Aside from the Orange Islands, Johto, the second tour through Kanto and Sinnoh in the beginning, Ash sends all his Pokémon to Professor Oak when he goes to a new region.
	+ This is because according to Gotta Catch Ya Later! Ash wanted to start off a new journey with only his Pikachu because he wanted to have the feeling of leaving Pallet Town for the first time, as he did in Pokémon - I Choose You!
* Ash's name is based on one of the three options for one's name in Red/Blue/Yellow.
* So far, Ash has not officially caught a Pokémon of the Steel, Psychic, Ghost, or Fairy-types, a Legendary or Mythical Pokémon.
* Ash has, as of yet, not Mega Evolved any of his Pokémon that are capable of doing so.
* Similar to Veronica Taylor and Sarah Natochenny, Klariz Magboo, Ash's Filipino voice actress, voices both Ash and his mom.
* Ash has been held captive and use as a hostage for almost every villainous organizations in each Region he's been to.
	+ Team Rocket have taken Ash captive in almost every Region he's been to so he wouldn't get in their way. Sometimes, he was captured with his own Pokémon or others that weren't his so he wouldn't get in their way. Team Rocket only used Ash as a hostage for a Pokémon one time so far.
	+ Team Magma had Ash held captive because Pikachu had something they wanted while making sure he wouldn't get in their way.
	+ Team Galactic has held Ash captive so he wouldn't get in their way and as a hostage for a Pokémon.
	+ Team Flare did take Ash captive as they wanted to use one of the abilities he poses for their plans, Bond Phenomenon. Also, they are the first villainous organization to do so.
	+ Team Aqua and Team Plasma are the only villainous organizations by far not to have Ash held captive or as a hostage for any reason.
* Ash has some features similarities with "Max Taylor" from "Dinosaur King" like wearing on the head, having gloves, looks sporty, and pairing with an electrical partner.
* In the XP4 fics, Ash is revealed to be related to Kafuu.