The Best 6 Pokémon Ash Has Used Over the Years

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With Ash and Pikachu’s journey in the anime finally ending, it is hard to believe that the duo has been in the anime for 25 years. I have watched every episode and movie that the two have appeared in. When they leave, I’ll stop watching the anime, and that’s how I always wanted it to be, although I never thought it would happen. Before that episode airs in Canada, let’s take a look at the Best 6 Pokémon Ash has used over the years, who have gotten him out of some sticky situations.

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1. Pikachu

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There is no way I can make this post without mentioning Ash’s partner in crime. Initially, Ash woke up late the day he had to choose his first Pokémon and got stuck with Pikachu. While their relationship started out rocky, they became best friends. Pikachu is the only Pokemon that Ash has taken on all of his adventures.

Pikachu started the trend of Ash’s battling style, which focuses on speed and power. Since the beginning of the anime, his signature move has been the thunderbolt. Later in the Hoen region, when fighting Roxanne, a rock-type gym leader, he learns a new move, Iron Tail. A move that he has kept for over 20 years. His finishing moves have changed in each journey he has taken with Ash, ranging from Volt Tackle, Electroball, and Electro Web. He is also able to perform Z-Moves and Dynamax.

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One of my favorite fights with Pikachu would be in the Battle Frontier arc against Brandon. A trainer that already beat Ash in two previous battles. To overcome this challenge, Ash reunites with his Kanto starters and faces Brandon for the third time. Ash uses Pikachu in the final match against Regice and wins with a Volt Tackle. The first legendary Pokémon that Pikachu would ever beat. I love this fight because Ash and Pikachu had to go back to their roots to figure out why they battled in the first place.

Over time, Pikachu has fought many powerful opponents, becoming Ash’s ace for over 25 years. I’m interested to see whether or not Pikachu will continue battling after becoming a world champion.

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2. Charizard

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He first appears in the anime as a Charmander that a trainer named Damian abandoned. Ash would take Charmander as his own. Through several battles, Charmander would evolve quickly into a Charizard. But when his power outweighed his trainer’s experience. Charizard lost respect for Ash and became disobedient as a result. It was not until the Orange Islands, in a near-death experience, that Charizard remembered the dedication Ash had for him. The two have been an unstoppable pair ever since.

Charizard has learned several moves over the years. Ranging from fire, flying, and dragon-type attacks Since his introduction, Charizard has only kept his flamethrower attack, which he frequently unleashes on Ash out of excitement. However, for most fans, their favorite move would have to be the seismic toss, an attack that Charizard has used on several opponents, including Magmar, Blastoise, Blaziken, and Articuno.

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My favorite fight with Charizard is when he goes up against Gary’s Blastoise in the Johto League. Despite the type advantage, this was a great matchup. Ash had to think outside the box. So he had Charizard melt the entire stadium to slow down Blastoise. Charizard was able to defeat Blastoise with a seismic toss. This match was a great way to end the rivalry between Ash and Gary, who had been competing since childhood.

Charizard is one of the most popular Pokémon in the franchise, and we’ll see different Charizard come and go as the series progresses. But I’ve got a soft spot for Ash’s Charizard and his origin story. His story made you always want to root for the Pokémon. I will miss seeing him after Ash departs from the anime.

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3. Greninja

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Greninja first appeared in the anime as a Froakie. We learn that Froakie had gone through several trainers before picking Ash as his trainer. After countless battles, Froakie would eventually evolve into Greninja. The bond that Ash and Greninja share allow the Pokémon to take on a unique form called Ash-Greninja, where the Pokémon resembles its trainer. This form is similar to mega-evolution.

Greninja’s fighting style matches Ash’s perfectly. He tends to use speed and power to overwhelm his opponents. His double team is unique and similar to Naruto’s shadow clone jutsu. While in Ash-Greninja form, he gets a huge power boost and often uses a massive water shuriken as his finishing move.

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Greninja played a critical role during the Kalos League. In a jaw-dropping semi-finals battle, Ash-Greninja defeated Sawyer’s Mega-Sceptile using a massive water shuriken. But hands down, the most memorable fight is against Alain in the championship match of the Kalos League. Ash-Greninja went up against Alain’s Mega-Charizard X. It was an intense match between the two mega-evolved Pokémon, but Charizard won with Blast Burn.

After their journey was complete, Greninja chose to stay in Kalos to help an old friend, Squishy, with a side mission. Because of the bond that Greninja shares with Ash, he can sense when his trainer is nearby. For example, when Ash visits Kalos to seek Greninja’s advice for Lucario. Hopefully, we get a fun cameo from Ash-Greninja in the new series.

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4. Lucario

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Since the 2006 Pokémon movie Lucario and the Mystery of Mew, fans have speculated that Ash would eventually get a Lucario. Over the past 17 years, the anime has made clever references to his ability to sense aura. Fans were ecstatic when Riolu hatched from the Pokémon egg that Ash received. The two have a special bond, and after evolving into Lucario, he is often Ash’s first choice in a battle.

Lucario is another Pokémon that matches Ash’s preference for using speed and power to overwhelm his opponent. Lucario is a steel and fighting type. After becoming Mega-Lucario, he is even more of a powerhouse. His double team is similar to the one Greninja uses. Mega-Lucario also has attacks like Aura-Sphere, which, when enhanced, resembles the Spirit Bomb from DBZ.

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My favorite fight with Lucario would be the rematch Ash had with Bea. He would use his Mega-Lucario to go up against Bea’s Dyna-Max Machamp. Lucario was able to match Machamp in every way imaginable. Lucario delivered an aura sphere, causing Machamp’s Dynamax to cancel out. In the end, Mega-Lucario emerged victorious after using force palm on Machamp.

I am glad that Ash finally got a Lucario after so long, but sad that we will not see him used in matches after Ash leaves the anime. I am 100% certain that if Ash had caught Lucario earlier in his journey. The Pokémon would be a regular battle partner, which Ash would use in different regions throughout his journey, like Charizard.

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5. Snorlax

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A Pokémon that Ash met while traveling the Orange Islands. Snorlax was threatening the vegetation that people were relying on for food. Ash, wanting to end this, caught Snorlax using Jigglypuff’s song to put him to sleep. After his journey through the islands, Snorlax resides with Professor Oak.

Different from Ash’s fighting style of using speed to outmaneuver opponents. Snorlax relies heavily on defense but can still overwhelm opponents with its raw power. Snorlax uses rest to tire out opponents and draw out a battle. When ready to end a fight, Snorlax often uses Hyper Beam.

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Despite being at Oak’s laboratory, Ash would continue to bring Snorlax back into his roster whenever he thought he could use his skills. When the Johto League began, Ash used Snorlax to fight several Pokémon belonging to his opponents, Gary and Morrison. These Pokemon include Arcanine, Nidoqueen, Hypno, and Steelix. Snorlax was able to beat the majority of the opponents listed with its hyper-beam.

Hopefully, we will get some cameos of Snorlax whenever we visit Oak’s laboratory. He’ll probably be munching on food or lounging around. But be warned: if you fight with Snorlax, he will pack a punch.

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6. Sceptile

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Introduced as a Treecko who lived in a run-down tree on the edge of death. Treecko was impressed by Ash’s intention of trying to help him save his home upon their first meeting. Unfortunately, the tree did not make it. After a battle, Treecko decides to join Ash on his journey. It is the only starter Pokémon that Ash owned in the Hoenn region. It became his ace next to Pikachu after evolving into Grovyle. Ash would continue using Grovyle in the Kanto Battle Frontier, and it eventually evolved into Sceptile.

Another Pokémon that uses speed and power to overwhelm opponents in battle. Sceptile can use grass moves, including Leaf Storm and Leaf Blade. When weakened significantly, Sceptile can activate the ability Overgrowth, increasing its grass-type attacks. Sceptile is seen using Overgrowth in a Pokémon match against May’s Blaziken.

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My favorite battle is when Ash has Sceptile join him in the Sinnoh semi-finals against Tobias. Tobias commanded his Darkrai to use Dark Void on Sceptile, putting him to sleep. When Darkrai used Dream Eater to finish the battle, Sceptile shocked the entire arena by waking up. Sceptile leaps towards Darkrai and delivers a powerful leaf blade, ending the match. Sceptile became the first Pokémon to defeat the legendary Darkrai.

I wish we saw Ash using Mega-Evolution with Sceptile. It would’ve been great to see Ash use Sceptile in the Kalos region against Alain. It might have changed the finals in that league. Hopefully, we can get some cameos with Ash’s Sceptile continuing to train.

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Farewell Ash, and Pikachu!

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So overall, those are the Best 6 Pokémon Ash has used over the years. He has caught a lot of different types over the years, and each of them has played a vital role in making Ash the trainer he is today. Do you agree with my list? Let me know in the comments. If you liked this, check out my 6 Moves in DBZ that Fans Love post.

I want to thank the creator, Satoshi Taijiri, for creating this universe that has inspired me my entire life. There have been so many points in my life where I have been depressed, and watching an episode of Pokémon has cheered me up. Ash and Pikachu, you have shown me that no matter how hard life gets, I should pursue my dreams to the best of my ability. If I want to be the very best. Pokémon is a franchise that has stood the test of time and is something I will enjoy watching and playing with my future kids.

Thank you so much for reading, and until next time.

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