Ranking All of Ash Ketchum's Pokemon

Ranking Every Pokemon of Ash Ketchum

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Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re Ranking Every Pokemon of Ash Ketchum. For this list, we’ll be looking at each of Ash’s partners over the years, rating them from worst to best. However, we’re excluding those which he didn’t officially capture, like Raticate or Haunter. Which of Ash’s Pokemon is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

While not without its moments, at the end of the day, this Pokemon is more Dawn’s than Ash’s.

This forgettable flier’s cardinal sin is that it doesn’t do anything that Ash’s other regional birds don’t do better.

Ash’s first rocktype was a cool addition to the team, but was ultimately overshadowed by the rest of his Unova team.

This feisty bird flew all the way to a pretty cool track record, even if it feels like a retread of Ash’s other flying types.

Despite its potential, Scraggy never got to do much of anything. And don’t even get us started on how many Focus Blasts it missed.

There is something satisfying about watching Ash raise a small bug-type into its final form. Unfortunately, the resulting Leavanny spends more time on the sidelines than off it.

Admittedly, it is pretty cool that Ash caught a shiny Pokemon. Of course, it would’ve been cooler if Noctowl actually did anything afterwards.

It’s a real shame that ice types get the short end of the icicle spear. If it’d just been given the chance, Glalie could’ve easily defrosted into one of Ash’s strongest partners.

Its Draco Meteor is definitely memorable, but unfortunately, Gible was caught too late in the Sinnoh arc to get the shine it deserved.

This Hoenn water-type has a lot of personality, and the bubble beams to back it up. But, it’s hard to stand out when Ash has a more iconic crab Pokemon waiting in the wings.

It’s admirable how much Ash believed in this little guy. In fact, he probably believed in it a bit too much.

Even though their debut episode was never dubbed, Ash’s steed of Tauros made plenty of worthy appearances across the years.

In a refreshing reminder of Ash’s best qualities, he trained this water type until it could even beat its own evolution.

After rolling back onto the scene in the Battle Frontier, Ash’s Phanpy evolved and proved it could still dish out some serious damage.

This brawler Pokemon was only around for a handful of episodes, but his Mega Kick sure left an impression.

Ash is practically drowning with iconic water types. But, after Oshawott squared off against a mighty Hydreigon, the Unova starter totally earned its spot among the esteemed lineup.

#39: Mr. Mime

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After a thousand episodes of waiting, there’s nothing quite like seeing Ash finally bring Mimey into battle.

This quirky fire type had more heart than it knew what to do with. But, rest assured, its overheat attack still left some serious burns. Just ask Registeel.

Cool, quick, and effective, this is what all of Ash’s regional birds should have been like.

With all the sass a trainer could ever want, Snivy was a total scene stealer in Unova - at least, when Ash remembered its gender.

It took twenty years, give or take, but Ash finally got his hands on a fossil Pokemon. If its epic bout with Drasna’s Noivern is anything to go by, it was well worth the wait.

Even if he does eventually catch them all, there’s no forgetting Ash’s first real capture. There’s good reason Butterfree’s farewell is still one of the series’ most iconic moments.

On principle alone, befriending a firebird was the perfect way to reignite Ash’s love for regional flying types. Plus, it fought a freaking Moltres!

Outside of maybe Pikachu, Ash may not have a single Pokemon that loves him more than Bayleef. She proves it, too, with some worthwhile showings throughout Johto.

After some heartfelt bonding with Ash, Tepig lit a fuse to more self-esteem and a satisfying evolution into Pignite.

#30: Muk

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No other ‘mon could’ve made the Indigo League look this easy. Really, it just goes to show how offensively underutilized Muk’s been ever since.

Cyndaquil’s return in Sinnoh was a welcome treat, but really, the unexpected evolution was just a victory lap for an already iconic fire type.

Alola was a standout saga for Ash, but this charming addition to the team proved it was tough as steel in more ways than one.

After its amazing duel with Salamence in the Lumiose Conference, it’s clear why this dragon type earned a spot on Ash’s Varsity Kalos team.

In its very first fight in the whole series, Krabby evolved and utterly crabhammered the competition. After a showing like that, the only question is why Kingler isn’t used more.

After a brief training sabbatical, Ash’s Gliscor returned as one of his most powerful Sinnoh companions - and that’s saying something.

Pokefans may still be waiting for Ash to return for it, but that doesn't take away from how many iconic moments this inaugural flying type brought to the series.

You’d be hard-pressed to find any of Ash’s Pokemon that can chew up an opponent, do a victory dance, and still look this innocent.

Despite Ash’s embarrassing knowledge of type-matchups, this toxic Ultra Beast was a near-unforgettable addition to an already legendary lineup.

Ash’s Unova ground type is pretty much his unofficial ace of the region. He evolved twice, clinched plenty of wins, and did it all in style, too.

He may be part flying type, but this wrestling-inspired partner definitely lived up to his fighting half, too. After all, Ash didn’t make it to the Lumiose Conference finals for nothing. Hawlucha soared through unfavorable type matchups and intense rivalries on his way to becoming one of his trainer’s most reliable brawlers. More than that, the prideful Pokemon was also an excellent foil for Ash’s own development throughout Kalos. So, after the season dedicated plenty of time to their relationship, it’s plain satisfying to see Hawlucha flying press Alain’s Weavile into the last generation. No need for a count-out here, Hawlucha is definitely the winner.

Much like Farfetch’d in the earlier seasons, Ash’s Galarian partner didn’t command much respect at first. But, after honing both his leek and his skills, the regional variant evolved into quite the ringer. Sirfetch’d’s inaugural duel against Rinto’s Gallade pretty much says it all. He’s stronger, he’s cooler, and he even gets a sick shield to go along with it. Given how long it took for the ‘mon to spread its wings, it’s beyond gratifying to watch it sharpen its blade in some of Ash’s toughest battles ever. Not just anyone could have met Cynthia peck-for-peck, but clearly, this long-awaited evolution was making up for lost time.

With sunlight, water, and plenty of care, even a timid grass-type can grow into a towering tree. Sometimes, literally. Yep, Torterra held the weight of an actual oak on his back, which is an apt metaphor for how he basically carried Ash’s Sinnoh adventures. Not with the most victories or flashiest evolutions, but through some deeply rooted trainer bonding. There’s no substitute for watching Ash and Turtwig’s relationship sprout over the course of hundreds of episodes. Suffice it to say, that green thumb totally paid off, and the resulting Torterra even gave an Elite Four’s ace a good thrashing. Though, given the rich environment it grew in, that’s hardly surprising.

For someone who wanted to be a Pokemon Master, it took Ash until the Orange League to finally nab an ice type. In his defense, he chose a pretty great one to start with. Lapras wasn’t just another battler, it was basically the only reason Ash and the others could take on the Orange League at all. Its novel utility crafted an honest friendship between Pokemon and trainer that we’d never seen before. Though, as Drake learned firsthand, Lapras could still shoot a water gun with the best of them. Ash eventually released it back to the sea, but if their first reunion is any indication, their bond won’t be forgotten any time soon.

By the time Ash traveled to Alola, he’d developed quite the habit of befriending starter Pokemon. So, catching Rowlet wasn’t the surprising part, it was that the base stage bird absolutely ripped through every gym and rival in its path. At least, when it wasn’t falling asleep. That record is an impressive calling card for any Pokemon, much less one that never evolved. Although, since Rowlet pecked away Hau’s Decidueye, Ash’s partner clearly didn’t need the boost. Plus, it meant the feathery friend stayed cute, wholesome, and optimistic until the very end. It speaks to the best part about Rowlet - that he’s just as memorable out of battle as he is in it.

As Iris will attest, dragon types are notoriously difficult to train. That may be part of the reason Ash doesn’t have very many, and that even fewer evolved under his tutelage. Until Goomy, that is. Quite frankly, Ash battling with a fully-evolved dragon type was long overdue. So, to prove it was worth the effort, Goodra delivered an astonishing array of hype moments and unforgettable battles. Even compared to Ash’s utterly iconic Kalos lineup, this pseudo-legendary easily stole the show any time it stepped into the ring. Comparatively, Goodra wasn’t around very long, but his undeniable impact meant his farewell still hit all the right notes.

The only thing this Pokemon loves more than Ash is a good spoonful of sap. But, even though it's easily distracted, Heracross still managed to focus up when it came to supporting its trainer. As they bonded over the years, Heracross’ attention issues became less of a character flaw and more of a lovable quirk. Especially since the bug type had the results to warrant a few charming gags. After all, this is a ‘mon that can tank a super-effective fire blast and keep on swinging. That’s not even mentioning the duel with Tobias, either. Any Pokemon that’ll fight a Darkrai for you is definitely worth keeping around.

Ash may not have left Pallet Town with this water starter, but he still got his hands on one - and it came with its own sunglasses, too! The Squirtle Squad Captain wasn’t just an integral member of the original run, it's arguably the water type that Ash has ever caught. Across Kanto and Johto, Squirtle’s Skull Bash and Hydro Pump made quite the potent combination. Then, when it returned to help Ash conquer the Battle Frontier, the slick moves proved that training with the Squad had totally paid off. Sure, Ash has fished up more than his fair share of water types, but there’s no forgetting your first.

Pseudos and starters be damned, this is the Pokemon that finally won Ash a Regional League. It would be in the Hall of Fame even if it were a Rattatta. The fact it’s actually one of Ash’s coolest aces to date is just the Pokeblock on top. After all, no one could have predicted that the overzealous Rockruff would evolve and garner a resume this impressive. But, that’s precisely why it’s so poetic to see Lycanroc face off against its own Midnight form in the Manalo Conference finals. This Pokemon is more than a fantastic addition to the team, it’s a visual representation of why Ash deserved to beat Gladion.

For as powerful as it was in battle, Ash’s Grovyle was always the epitome of calm, cool, and collected. It served the trainer well across Hoenn, where the Pokemon’s Leaf Blade cut up most of the region’s gyms - and even a few League matches, too. Its next form had a lot to live up to, but Ash’s first fully-evolved grass type didn’t disappoint. In fact, Sceptile never so much as hesitated, even when its opponents were Blaziken or Dakrai. That just reinforces its best quality, which is that even across multiple years and evolutions, Sceptile’s never lost the cool factor that made him stand out in the first place.

This Pokemon may have been around since the very first generation, but Ash wasted no time catching it up to speed in the World Coronation Series. Before it even got a chance to battle, Dragonite’s capture already marked one of the sweetest recruitments since the early days. Then, Ash roared that friendship all the way to a win against Iris, who at that point was the champion of the Unova region. But, really, that’s just dragon-clawing the surface of its contributions. To put it into perspective, Dragonite was a part of every single one of Ash’s rank-up fights in the entire World Coronation Series. Clearly, the two dragon-rushed a few steps and went straight to unbreakable companions.

If you don’t count Pikachu, this seedling Pokemon was the first starter Ash ever caught. Naturally, it means that Bulbasaur is about as strong as an ordinary trainer’s ace - and then some. Just to prove it, the grass type slapped its vine whip in some of the series’ best moments. Not just in Kanto, either. After one look at his solar beam in action, it's clear why Bulbasaur has one of the longest tenures on Ash’s team, ever. Sure, it’s a bit small in stature, but the bud on its back ensures that it doesn’t wilt in the ring. Instead, Bulbasaur laid roots with Ash, and grew into a downright legendary teammate.

Something about Ash’s fire types always ignites the series’ best qualities, and Litten was no exception. The fiery feline had plenty of time throughout Alola to organically grow into a prideful Torracat. From there, the evolved starter set fire to most of Kukui’s team during their exhibition match. As a matter of fact, the only thing that seemed a match for it was its own evolution, Incineroar. But Torracat overcame that, too, and then evolved into Incineroar itself, just for good measure. Sure, a well-earned evolution never hurts. But, the best part is that Incineroar didn’t need it to secure the win. Evidently, it already held a flamethrower to Ash’s other fire types.

Ghost types often get a bad rap, but the Pallet Town prodigy has always seen the very best in Pokemon. So, when Ash showed Gengar the kindness it desperately needed, the mischievous ‘mon returned the favor in ginormous fashion - and that’s no hyperbole. On principle, a Gigantamax Pokemon is plenty cool, but it’s especially fitting given the high stakes of the World Coronation Series. Honestly, it’s surprising Gengar earned a spot on Ash’s team at all - let alone became a star player. But, in retrospect, it’s only natural Ash would circle back to his native region for a last-minute addition. Now, just imagine if he’d kept that Haunter from way back when.

There’s no other Pokemon the entire dex quite like this. Though, that’s for the best. Ash may have caught it while it snored, but there’s nothing lax about what happens when it steps onto the battlefield. On the contrary, this behemoth has a habit of going on absolute tears through enemy teams. There’s not a single Pokemon who wants to be on the wrong end of Snorlax’s hyper beam, and that’s putting it lightly. Thankfully, its penchant for knockouts doesn’t overshadow one of the most lovable personalities of any Pokemon Ash has ever caught. Just look at that smile! Truly, this snoring partner just can’t be beat in sleeping, combat, or sheer optimism.

For the most part, Ash’s Pokemon serve as complements to his own growth as a trainer. But, that just makes it all the more worthwhile when one comes around and incinerates the usual routine. Chimchar doesn’t just have the best character arc of any of Ash’s Pokemon, it has one of the greatest in the whole franchise, period. From an abandoned Chimcar, into a trusting Monferno, all the way to a roaring Infernape, watching the abandoned fire type prove Paul wrong is simply “Pokemon” at its best. It all culminates in one of the most hype League matches ever. Not for the action, but because it ends Infernape’s journey in a real blaze of glory.

Every step of the way, Ash has had to earn this aura Pokemon’s strength. First as an egg, then a Riolu, and finally as a fully-evolved Lucario. But it didn’t end there, either. No, then they got started mastering Mega Evolution. With so much love and effort poured into their relationship, it’s no surprise the new form is more than an average swords dance. Instead, Ash’s first Mega was an evolution for both the Pokemon and its partner. The whole storyline works because it’s not just an excuse for more action. It’s simply a result of Ash doing what Ash does best. He’s not a Pokemon Master for nothing, after all.

To this day, Ash’s Kalos team ranks among his absolute best. Although, that’s not entirely accurate to say, since most of its success lies on the shoulders of a certain water starter. On their own, Froakie’s evolutions are as satisfying as they come. But, for the first time, Ash took his bond with Greninja a step further than that. Instead of trainer and Pokemon, they were true partners in a way no one had ever been before. In that regard, the introduction of Ash-Greninja marked a perfect encapsulation of everything the series had been building to. Of course, it didn’t hurt that the new form put up some absolutely insane fights. At least, Alain certainly thinks so.

In what should have been a celebration of Ash’s skills, Charmeleon’s evolution only led to some serious moodiness and a crushing loss at the Indigo League. But, the ashes of defeat soon burned into one of Pokemon’s greatest storylines. Ash isn’t just given Charizard’s respect, he genuinely earns it over the course of a long and arduous character arc. As a result, their combined victory over Gary’s Blastoise is as much a win for their relationship as it is for the Silver Conference. Nowadays, the Kanto fire type is well-regarded as one of Ash’s most powerful companions, but only because of all the hard work it took to get there.

#1: Pikachu

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All it took was one thundershock, and just like that, a generation-defining partnership sparked to life. With it, the show announced that even among the battles, badges, and rivals to come, it would always be about Ash and Pikachu. Over twenty-five years and a thousand episodes later, it’s never lost sight of that. They’ve been together through quite literally everything. The exhilarating wins and the crushing defeats, to the clutch captures and tearful farewells. It’s no coincidence that, when it came down to it, every single one of Ash’s Pokemon believed in Pikachu to win it for them all. Ash and Pikachu’s bond is the one constant in the series, and quite frankly, it’s all “Pokemon” ever needs.