Pokémon follows Ash Ketchum on his journey to becoming a Pokémon master. For over 20 years, Ash has continued to lead the franchise as one of its most recognizable characters. Multiple generations have grown up watching his battles and have been inspired by the way he treats his Pokémon.
He may not be the most successful main character in Pokémon, but he has undeniable charisma that has made him a fan-favorite for over two decades. Together with his partner Pikachu, the two have made their mark as icons in anime history.
10 Ash Is Always Willing To Try
Pokémon is a great anime for kids because of the various lessons it conveys. There’s a lot to admire about Ash Ketchum and fans have learned a lot from him.
By far the most valuable lesson would be Ash’s sense of adventure. Ash will always go out on a limb and try something new, no matter how intimidating the situation may be. Whether it’s a gym leader or legendary Pokémon, Ash is sure to face the challenge head-on.
9 He Takes Care Of His Pokémon
Ash is not a perfect trainer. He’s made a lot of mistakes throughout his career and has lost many battles. But the one thing that can’t be denied is that Ash loves his Pokémon. Ash’s care for his Pokémon friends is the reason he’s gotten as far and as strong as he has.
Though he’s no stranger to defeat, he never takes it out on his Pokémon and always makes sure to praise and encourage them.
8 Ash Loves To Battle Strong Opponents
What makes Ash so compelling as the main character is his love for battling. Pokémon has done a ton to convert viewers into fans of the games. But one of the biggest reasons a kid might decide to play Pokémon is they’re inspired by Ash Ketchum.
Ash’s straightforward drive to be the best has made him a charismatic figure. He’s constantly on the lookout for new and interesting challenges, which is a great character trait to pass on to fans.
7 He’s Inspired Generations Of Kids
Throughout the course of this franchise, there have been hundreds of thousands of kids who took their love for Pokémon with them into adulthood. Ash Ketchum has inspired countless individuals with his actions as the anime’s main character.
Ash is a fierce competitor and loyal friend. The actions he uses to reflect this are great lessons for young kids to learn. Ash and Pokémon fans have learned just how difficult progress can be, but to never give up and to always keep fighting.
6 Many Kids Were Introduced To Anime Through Him
Pokémon was the first anime many kids outside of Japan were introduced to. Most kids think of Pokémon as a normal cartoon and are unaware that it’s anime.
But as they get older and experience more Japanese animation, it becomes clear that Ash Ketchum is a typical anime character. This makes Ash a perfect primer for fans to understand future anime protagonists as they start branching out into the anime world.
5 Even Legendaries Bond With Ash
Ash has the unique ability to form special bonds with unlikely Pokémon –exemplified in the first episode. Ash and Pikachu started out on bad terms and fought a lot. But through his kindness and compassion, Ash convinced Pikachu to work with him and become partners.
This same charm has been used time and time again to recruit even legendary Pokémon to his side. Ash has demonstrated a clear knack for leadership.
4 Ash Is An Adaptable Trainer
For over two decades, Ash Ketchum has shown that he can be extremely adaptable. Ash has traveled to various regions and faced hundreds of different Pokémon. No matter where he is or who he’s with, Ash is a survivor who can make it out in the real world and thrive in spite of his obstacles.
Ash has shown that even when starting from scratch, he can build himself up to where he used to be and challenge even the greatest of trainers in any respective region.
3 He Never Gives Up On His Pokémon
Over the course of the anime, Ash has said an unfortunate goodbye to several Pokémon. Each new region sees Ash build up his team with only Pikachu remaining as his partner. But despite how often he lets Pokémon go, it’s never out of spite or disappointment in their performance.
Ash sticks by his Pokémon no matter what results they give him because he truly cares about them. In many instances Ash has given up a Pokémon so they can live on their own terms.
2 Ash Actually Managed To Win A Pokémon League Championship
Ash has challenged the Pokémon League in every region he’s traveled to. As a trainer who strives to become the best, he has no choice but to want to be the Pokémon Champion. But many fans believed that Ash would never achieve this goal, considering he lost every time.
But in the Alola region, Ash finally proved his doubters wrong and managed to secure his first-ever championship win. While this doesn’t make up for those years of losses, it shows a sign of positive growth for the character.
1 Ash Is An Independent 10-Year-Old
Sometimes when watching Pokémon, it’s hard to remember that Ash is actually a 10-year-old boy. Despite being so young, Ash set out on his own to become a Pokémon master. Though he has made a ton of friends along the way, Ash resets everything with each new region.
Every new series starts with Ash and Pikachu rebuilding their team up and meeting new companions. Perhaps Ash’s greatest strength is the courage required to be as independent as he is. It takes some real gumption to set out on your own and leave everything you know at such a young age.