:''Ash redirects here. For the item attached to Ho-Oh, see [[Sacred Ash]]. For the ash found at the foot of Mt. Chimney, see [[volcanic ash]].''
----
{{CharInfobox|
color={{electric color}} |
corecolor={{electric color light}} |
bordercolor={{red color}} |
name=Ash Ketchum|
jname=サトシ |
tmname=Satoshi |
slogan=no |
image=SatoshiDP.png |
size=200px |
caption=Art from the {{series|Diamond & Pearl}} |
age=yes |
years=10 (as of [[EP001|debut]]) |
colors=yes|
eyes=Brown |
hair=Black |
gender=Male |
hometown=[[Pallet Town]] |
region=[[Kanto]] |
relatives={{Delia}}, Unknown father ([[EP002]]), Unknown grandfather ([[EP002]]) (Japanese only) ({{pkmn|anime}}) [[Mom]] ([[Electric Tale of Pikachu|manga]])
|trainer=yes |
trainerclass={{pkmn|Trainer}} |
game=counterpart|
counterpart={{ga|Red}}|
leader=no |
team=no |
brain=no |
anime=yes |
epnum=EP001 |
epname=Pokémon - I Choose You! |
enva=[[Veronica Taylor]] ([[4Kids Entertainment|4Kids]]) [[Sarah Natochenny]] ([[The Pokémon Company International|TPCI]]) |
java=[[Rica Matsumoto]] |
}}

'''Ash Ketchum''' (Japanese: '''サトシ''' ''Satoshi'') is the main character of both the [[Pokémon anime]] and the ''[[Electric Tale of Pikachu]]'' manga, and is believed to be based on the {{ga|Red|protagonist}} of the [[Generation I| first generation]] Pokémon games. He shares his Japanese name -- which can be taken to mean "wisdom" or "reason" (智) -- with the creator of the [[Pokémon]] franchise, [[Satoshi Tajiri]]. His English surname is a pun of the original English motto, "[[Gotta Catch 'em All!]]."

{{spoilers}}

==In the anime==
===Character===
[[Image:Anime Ash.png|200px|thumb|Ash Ketchum in the [[original series]]]]
Ash's main goal in life, as described in [[EP001|the first episode]], is to be the world's greatest [[Pokémon master|Pokémon Master]]. Ash began his journey at the age of 10 as a warm-hearted and well-intentioned but stubborn, rash and amateurish [[Pokémon Trainer]]. He was forced to accept the cheeky {{AP|Pikachu}} from [[Professor Oak]] as his [[starter Pokémon]] because he carelessly broke his alarm clock and woke up late on the day he was set to get his first Pokémon. He was determined to achieve his goal, however, and when Pikachu saw that he was willing to compromise his own safety to keep it safe he formed a strong bond of friendship with Pikachu. This would set his course for the future.
[[File:Ash fleeing spearow.png|thumb|left|250px|Ash trying to keep Pikachu safe]]
However, from that point, Ash still had a lot to learn about becoming a Trainer. His [[Ash's Butterfree|first Pokémon]] was {{pkmn2|caught}} by luck, he knew absolutely nothing about [[Pokémon battle|battling]], and was hesitant to admit it whenever he was wrong. Many of his first [[Gym]] [[badge]]s were given to him merely out of gratitude for his assistance rather than claiming an actual victory in battle over the [[Gym Leader]]s; of his first five gym battles, only his victory over [[Lt. Surge]] was an actual victory. Every time he thought he was doing well, he would somehow cross paths with his childhood [[rival]], [[Gary Oak]]. He always reminded Ash that he was always a step or seven behind, with Gary catching around forty-five Pokémon by the time Ash had only caught his {{AP|seventh|Kingler}}. This hampered matters further when, owing to his inexperience, his {{AP|Charizard}}, his most powerful Pokémon, refused to listen to him until [[EP105|Ash could prove himself]] to the powerful Fire-type.

Over time, Ash's dedication to his goal paid off. After earning his first eight badges he went on to compete in the [[Indigo League]], advancing to the fifth round - one further than Gary. After recovering from his defeat, he continued on to improve his skills; take on new challenges; and compete in more [[Pokémon League]] competitions - triumphing in the [[Orange League]] and the {{Gdis|Battle Frontier|III}}.

[[Image:Ashag.png|200px|thumb|left|Ash in the {{series|Advanced Generation}}]]
Ash has changed a great deal over the course of the series, particularly in regards to his skill at [[Pokémon training]], but his earnestness, rashness, and determination have remained. Never straying from his goal, he has remained loyal to {{ashfr|his friends}}, his family, and his supporters, but most of all his Pokémon. Ash became a great Trainer by learning to find and use the inner strength of each of his Pokémon by bonding with them. For example, when he received a banner filled with prints from his Pokémon in ''[[AG187|The Unbeatable Lightness of Seeing!]]'', he knew which Pokémon placed specific prints, showing his close bond with them. He also learns where their hidden abilities lie, as well as resorting to unorthodox strategies when fighting particularly challenging opponents. For example, he uses his Pikachu's speed to outmaneuver larger foes and attack. In another instance, his {{AP|Charizard}} defeated [[Gary's Blastoise]] by causing the field to overheat before mounting a close-quarters attack while Blastoise was blinded by the steam. He also prefers to train a Pokémon to be the best it can without forcing it to [[Evolution|evolve]], as evidenced by his treatment of {{AP|Gligar|Gliscor}} in ''[[DP085|Fighting Fear With Fear!]]''. He is happy when his Pokémon evolve but lets them choose whether or not they want to evolve instead of forcing them.
[[Image:AshAura.png|thumb|right|250px|Ash using Aura inside the [[Tree of Beginning]]]]
Early on, Ash originally trained not to further himself but instead to catch more Pokémon than Gary. He later slowed his pace which allowed him to focus on the individual traits of each Pokémon. At the [[Johto]] League [[Silver Conference]], with great humility and maturity, Ash finally won a battle against his old rival, signifying a great milestone in his history. His maturity has also increased in his dealings with Pokémon. This is shown when [[Ash's Primeape|a Mankey]] stole his {{AP|hat}} in ''[[EP025|Primeape Goes Bananas]]'', he screamed and yelled at it, even climbing trees just to get his hat back, but when [[Dawn's Ambipom|an Aipom]] did the same in ''[[AG179|Slaking Kong]]'', he stated merely that he would feel strange without a hat. When Aipom stole his hat again in ''[[DP009|Setting the World on its Buneary]]'', however, while it was under his ownership, he chased after it in the same manner as before.

In most episodes of the anime, especially those during the Johto League saga, Ash befriends someone who will influence him and cause him to strive to become a better Trainer. Although he is not a dependent individual, he is still young and has learned to make his way relying on his {{AP|friends}}, particularly the maternal skills of Brock. The honor of "best friend" is usually reserved for Pikachu but Ash has come to see his closest human friends in the same light over time; using the term for {{an|Misty}} and {{an|Brock}} in ''[[EP273|Gotta Catch Ya Later]]'' as well as {{an|May}} and [[Max]] in ''[[AG178|Battling the Enemy Within]]''.

He has traversed much of the [[Pokémon world]] and has thus far participated in four [[Pokémon League#Championship competitions|Pokémon League regional competitions]], but he is still learning new things about Pokémon all the time.
[[Image:AshWallace.png|thumb|200px|Ash in the [[Wallace Cup]]]]
Ash has gained a close connection with many [[legendary Pokémon]], including {{an|Mewtwo}}, {{an|Ho-Oh}}, {{OBP|Lugia|movie 2}}, {{OBP|Latias|movie 5}}, [[Lake guardians (anime)#Azelf|Azelf]], {{OBP|Shaymin|movie 11}}, {{an|Giratina}} and {{an|Arceus}}. In the English dub of the [[M02|second movie]], he was revealed to be "The Chosen One" - the one who would bring balance back to the world when it was disrupted. Although viewed as a normal human, Ash does have some special abilities, as he is said to have the same [[aura]] as [[Sir Aaron]], a legendary hero, and is theoretically able to manipulate it in much the same way. However, he has not received any training in this field, opting to continue his Pokémon journey instead. He has also been likened to an ancient [[aura]] guardian in ''[[DP056|The Keystone Pops!]]'', who also had a partner {{p|Pikachu}}. Later, in ''[[DP071|Pokémon Ranger and the Kidnapped Riolu! Parts 1]]'' and ''[[DP072|2]]'', Ash uses aura again to locate a lost {{p|Riolu}} and read Riolu's mind as well.

He has a [[Contest Pass]] for the [[Sinnoh]] region, though he has stated that the contest he got it for was the only one he intends on entering. He also has one for the Hoenn region as it was required to watch one of the contests held there. Ash carries half of a broken [[Poké Ball]] with him everywhere, while Gary has the other half, as a symbol of their ongoing, but now friendly, rivalry; [[Misty's special lure]], which she sent to him as a gift; and half of a ribbon he received in a contest against May before she left the group to compete in Johto. Ash also participated in the [[Wallace Cup]] on the suggestion of [[Wallace]] but he lost in the third round.

===Family===
[[File:Younger Ash DP138.png|thumb|left|220px|A young Ash]]
Ash lived with his mother, [[Delia Ketchum]], until he left for his Pokémon journey at the age of ten.

His father was never introduced. The anime suggests that his father was once a Pokémon Trainer who began his journey in Pallet Town, but it is unclear whether he is still living. An interview with the series' storyboarder confirmed Ash's father is a Trainer on his own journey. According to the same storyboarder, Ash's father may or may not be introduced in the series, depending on its necessity to Ash's further maturity and development as a Trainer.

Ash is an only child, breaking from the tradition of several other main characters, with the exception of {{an|Dawn}} and possibly {{Tracey}}, whose siblings are often a foil or focal point in their lives.
 

===Pokémon===
As a Trainer, Ash has captured and befriended a sizable number of Pokémon over the course of the anime. His philosophy on {{pkmn|training}} is that Pokémon are individuals and that a combination of trust, friendship and hard work are needed to overcome adversity. He seems to battle best with Pokémon that are similar to Pikachu: ones that are [[Appendix:Metagame terminology#Sweeper|speedy and maneuverable, yet able to perform high-powered attacks]]; however, he is willing to work with any Pokémon that comes into his care. Ash's battle style is generally spontaneous and fairly unorthodox, and his Pokémon often reflect these traits.

====On hand====
This section is based on the Pokémon with Ash in the most recent episode to air in Japan. For the current tournament, he also has access to any Pokémon at Professor Oak's lab.
{| align="center" width="100%"
|-
| {{ActivePoké|Ash|Pikachu|Ash Pikachu.png‎|electric}} ♂
| {{ActivePoké|Ash|Staraptor|Ash Staraptor.png|normal|flying|fir=Starly|mid=Staravia}} ♂
| {{ActivePoké|Ash|Torterra|Ash Torterra.png|grass|ground|fir=Turtwig|mid=Grotle}}
|-
| {{ActivePoké|Ash|Infernape|Ash Infernape.png|fire|fighting|fir=Chimchar|mid=Monferno}}
| {{ActivePoké|Ash|Buizel|Ash Buizel.png|water}} ♂
| {{ActivePoké|Ash|Gliscor|Ash_Gliscor.png|ground|flying|fir=Gligar}}

|}

====With Professor Oak====
{| align="center" width="100%"
|-
| {{InactivePoké|Ash|Bulbasaur|Ash Bulbasaur.png|grass|poison}} ♂
| {{InactivePoké|Ash|Kingler|Ash Kingler.png|water|fir=Krabby}}
| {{InactivePoké|Ash|Muk|Ash Muk.png|poison|size=190px}}
| {{InactivePoké|Ash|Tauros|Ash Tauros.png|normal|disp=Tauros (x30)}} ♂
|-
| {{InactivePoké|Ash|Snorlax|Ash Snorlax.png|normal|size=190px}} ♂
| {{InactivePoké|Ash|Heracross|Ash Heracross.png|bug|fighting|size=190px}}
| {{InactivePoké|Ash|Bayleef|Ash Bayleef.png|grass|fir=Chikorita|size=190px}} ♀
| {{InactivePoké|Ash|Quilava|Ash Quilava.png|fire|fir=Cyndaquil|size=190px}}
|-
| {{InactivePoké|Ash|Totodile|Ash Totodile.png|water|size=190px}} ♂
| {{InactivePoké|Ash|Noctowl|Ash Noctowl.png|normal|flying|size=190px}} [[File:ShinyGSStars.png|Shiny|link=Shiny Pokémon]]
| {{InactivePoké|Ash|Donphan|Ash Donphan.png|ground|fir=Egg|mid=Phanpy|size=190px}}
| {{InactivePoké|Ash|Swellow|Ash Swellow.png|normal|flying|fir=Taillow}}
|-
| {{InactivePoké|Ash|Corphish|Ash Corphish.png|water|size=190px}}
| {{InactivePoké|Ash|Glalie|Ash Glalie.png|ice|fir=Snorunt|size=190px}} ♂
|-
|}

====In training====
{| align="center" width="100%"
|-
| {{InactivePoké|Ash|Primeape|Ash Primeape.png|fighting}}
| {{InactivePoké|Ash|Charizard|Ash Charizard.png|fire|flying|fir=Charmander|mid=Charmeleon}} ♂
| {{InactivePoké|Ash|Squirtle|Ash Squirtle.png|water}}
|}

====Released====
{| align="center" width="100%"
|-
| {{InactivePoké|Ash|Butterfree|Ash_Butterfree.png|bug|flying|fir=Caterpie|mid=Metapod}} ♂
| {{InactivePoké|Ash|Pidgeot|Ash's Pidgeot.png|normal|flying|fir=Pidgeotto}}
| {{InactivePoké|Ash|Lapras|Ash Lapras.png|water|ice}}
|
|}

====Traded away====
{| align="center" width="100%"
|-
| {{InactivePoké|Ash|Raticate|Ash Raticate.png|normal}}
| {{InactivePoké|Dawn|Ambipom|AshAipom.png|normal|disp=Aipom}} ♀
|
|
|}

====Given away====
{| align="center" width="100%"
|-
| {{InactivePoké|Casey|Beedrill|Casey Beedrill.JPG|bug|poison}}
|
|
|
|}

====Unofficial====
{| align="center" width="100%"
|-
| {{InactivePoké|Sabrina|Haunter|EP024.png|ghost|poison}}
| {{InactivePoké|Ash|Larvitar|EP262.png|rock|ground}}
|
|
|}

====Temporary====
{| align="center" width="100%"
|-
| {{InactivePoké|Ash|Ponyta→Rapidash|Ash Rapidash.png|fire|link=no}}
| {{InactivePoké|Ash|Porygon|EP038.png|normal|link=no}}
| {{InactivePoké|Ash|Weezing|PLEEI Weezing.png|poison|link=no}}
| {{InactivePoké|Ash|Meowth|PLEEI Meowth.png|normal|link=no}}
|-
| {{InactivePoké|Ash|Arbok|PLEEI Arbok.png|poison|link=no}}
| {{InactivePoké|Ash|Hoothoot|Ash Hoothoot.png|normal|flying|link=no}}
| {{InactivePoké|Ash|Seaking|Ash Seaking.jpg|water|link=no}}
| {{InactivePoké|Ash|Hitmonlee|Ash Hitmonlee.png|fighting|link=no}} ♂
|-
| {{InactivePoké|Ash|Raichu|Ash Raichu.png|electric|link=no}}
| {{InactivePoké|Ash|Spoink|Ash Spoink.png|psychic|link=no}}
| {{InactivePoké|Ash|Mantyke|Ash Mantyke.png|water|flying|link=no}}
|
|}

* '''Ponyta/Rapidash''': Borrowed from [[Lara Laramie]] after she was injured and couldn't ride Ponyta in the race in ''[[EP033|The Flame Pokémon-athon!]]''. It evolved into Rapidash when it was racing against Dario's Dodrio during the race and earned Ash the win.
* '''Porygon''': Lent to by [[Dr. Akihabara]] to help stop [[Team Rocket]] from stealing Pokémon from the Pokémon Center's PC system in ''[[EP038|Computer Soldier Porygon]]'' however, this episode was not aired outside Japan.
* '''Arbok, Weezing, and Meowth''': Used during a Pokémon League exam in ''[[EP056|The Ultimate Test]]''.
* '''Hoothoot:''' Borrowed (with [[Brock]] and [[Misty]]) from [[Hagatha]] in order to navigate the haunted forest in ''[[EP121|Illusion Confusion!]]''.
* '''Seaking:''' Caught and released during the contest in ''[[EP168|Hook, Line, and Stinker]]''.
* '''Hitmonlee:''' Borrowed from [[Master Hamm]] in ''[[AG145|Pasta La Vista!]]'' to battle May with a {{p|Hitmonchan}}.
* '''Raichu:''' Trained during ''[[DP088|Camping It Up!]]''.
* '''Spoink''' and '''Mantyke''': Used in the Pokémon triathlon in ''[[DP091|One Team, Two Team, Red Team, Blue Team!]]''.

===Badges obtained===
[[Image:Asheightkanto.png|200px|thumb|right|Ash's eight [[badge]]s from [[Kanto]]]]
====Indigo League====
* {{badge|Boulder}} (''[[EP005|Showdown in Pewter City]]'')
* {{badge|Cascade}} (''[[EP007|The Water Flowers of Cerulean City]]'')
* {{badge|Thunder}} (''[[EP014|Electric Shock Showdown]]'')
* {{badge|Marsh}} (''[[EP024|Haunter versus Kadabra]]'')
* {{badge|Rainbow}} (''[[EP026|Pokémon Scent-sation!]]'')
* {{badge|Soul}} (''[[EP032|The Ninja Poké-Showdown]]'')
* {{badge|Volcano}} (''[[EP059|Volcanic Panic]]'')
* {{badge|Earth}} (''[[EP063|The Battle of the Badge]]'')

[[Image:Orangebadges.PNG|thumb|200px|right|Ash's four [[Orange League]] badges]]
====Orange League====
* {{badge|Coral-Eye}} (''[[EP085|Fit to be Tide]]'')
* {{badge|Sea Ruby}} (''[[EP093|Navel Maneuvers]]'')
* {{badge|Spike Shell}} (''[[EP103|Misty Meets Her Match]]'')
* {{badge|Jade Star}} (''[[EP108|Pokémon Double Trouble]]'')

[[Image:Johtobadges2.PNG|thumb|200px|right|Ash's eight badges from [[Johto]]]]
====Johto League====
* {{badge|Zephyr}} (''[[EP131|Fighting Flyer with Fire]]'')
* {{badge|Hive}} (''[[EP144|Gettin' The Bugs Out]]'')
* {{badge|Plain}} (''[[EP159|A Dairy Tale Ending]]'')
* {{badge|Fog}} (''[[EP182|From Ghost to Ghost]]'')
* {{badge|Storm}} (''[[EP209|Machoke, Machoke Man!]]'')
* {{badge|Mineral}} (''[[EP224|Nerves of Steelix!]]'')
* {{badge|Glacier}} (''[[EP238|Nice Pryce, Baby!]]'')
* {{badge|Rising}} (''[[EP254|Better Eight Than Never]]'')

[[Image:Ashs hoenn badges.png|200px|thumb|right|Ash's eight badges from [[Hoenn]]]]
====Hoenn League====
* {{badge|Stone}} (''[[AG016|The Winner By a Nosepass!]]'')
* {{badge|Knuckle}} (''[[AG031|Just One of the Geysers]]'')
* {{badge|Dynamo}} (''[[AG040|Watt's with Wattson?]]'')
* {{badge|Heat}} (''[[AG056|Going, Going, Yawn!]]'')
* {{badge|Balance}} (''[[AG070|Balance of Power]]'')
* {{badge|Feather}} (''[[AG085|Sky High Gym Battle!]]'')
* {{badge|Mind}} (''[[AG100|Solid as a Solrock]]'')
* {{badge|Rain}} (''[[AG111|Eight Ain't Enough!]]'')

[[Image:Ash's_Symbols.png|200px|thumb|right|Ash's seven {{Gdis|Battle Frontier|III|Frontier}} [[Symbol]]s]]
====Battle Frontier====
* [[Factory Head Noland|Knowledge Symbol]] (''[[AG136|The Symbol Life]]'')
* [[Arena Tycoon Greta|Guts Symbol]] (''[[AG149|Wheel... of Frontier!]]'')
* [[Dome Ace Tucker|Tactics Symbol]] (''[[AG153|Tactics Theatrics!!]]'')
* [[Pike Queen Lucy|Luck Symbol]] (''[[AG158|Queen of the Serpentine!]]'')
* [[Palace Maven Spenser|Spirits Symbol]] (''[[AG164|Ka Boom with a View!]]'')
* [[Salon Maiden Anabel|Ability Symbol]] (''[[AG170|Second Time's the Charm!]]'')
* [[Pyramid King Brandon|Brave Symbol]] (''[[AG190|Pace - The Final Frontier!]]'')

[[File:Ash Sinnoh Badge.png|thumb|2o0px|Ash's eight badges from [[Sinnoh]]]]
====Sinnoh League====
* {{badge|Coal}} (''[[DP018|O'er the Rampardos we Watched!]]'')
* {{badge|Forest}} (''[[DP037|The Grass Menagerie!]]'')
* {{badge|Cobble}} (''[[DP068|A Triple Fighting Chance!]]'')
* {{badge|Fen}} (''[[DP083|A Crasher Course in Power!]]'')
* {{badge|Relic}} (''[[DP102|Shield with a Twist!]]'')
* {{badge|Mine}} (''[[DP108|Dealing With Defensive Types!]]'')
* {{badge|Icicle}} (''[[DP127|Sliding Into Seventh!]]'')
* {{badge|Beacon}} ([[DP179]])



===Pokémon Competitions===
====Pokémon League ranking====
Ash placed in the [[Pokémon League]] [[Pokémon League Conference|competitions]] listed below.

{|class="expandable"
|-
!align="left"|List of competitions (heavy spoiler)
|-
|
* [[Indigo Conference]] (Top 16)
* [[Silver Conference]] (Top 8)
* [[Ever Grande Conference]] (Top 8)
* [[Suzuran Conference]]
|}

====Pokémon Championship battles====
Ash challenged the following Pokémon championships as well:

{|class="expandable"
|-
!align="left"|List of battles (heavy spoiler)
|-
|
[[Image:Orangecup.PNG|thumb|left|100px|Ash's Orange League trophy.]]
* [[Orange League]] (Champion)
* [[Battle Frontier (Generation III)|Kanto Battle Frontier]] (Champion)
|}

====Miscellaneous Competitions====
Ash has also participated in the following competitions:

{|class="expandable"
|-
!align="left"|List of competitions (heavy spoiler)
|-
|
* [[Alto Mare]] Canal Race (DNF)
* [[Bug-Catching Contest]] (Champion)
* [[Extreme Pokémon Race|Extreme Pokémon]] (Champion)
* [[Fire and Rescue Grand Prix]]
* [[Grass Tournament]] (Runner-up)
* [[Hearthome City Tag Battle Competition]] (Champion - with [[Paul]])
* [[Hearthome Collection]] (Runner-up) (Unique Award)
* [[P1 Grand Prix]] (Champion)
* [[Pokéathlon]] (Runner-up)
* [[Pokémon Balloon Race]] (Champion)
* [[Pokémon Contests]]
** {{to|Terracotta}} Contest (Unofficial) (Winner - Tied with {{an|May}})
** {{ci|Jubilife}} Contest
** [[Wallace Cup]] (Top 8)
* [[Pokémon Cosplay|Pokémon Cosplay Contest]] (Runner-up)
* [[Pokémon Orienteering]]
* [[Pokémon Summer Academy]] Triathlon (Winner)
* [[Pokémon Swap Meet]] Tauros Battling Competition (Winner)
* [[PokéRinger]]
** [[Crossgate Town]] (Champion)
** [[Squallville]] (Champion)
* [[Rota]] Tournament (Champion)
* [[Seaking Catching Day]]
* [[Sumo Conference]] (Champion)
* [[Twinleaf Festival]] Battle Tournament (Winner)
* [[Whirl Cup]] (Top 16)
|}

===Voice actors===
{{vatable|color={{electric color}}|bordercolor={{electric color light}}
|ja=松本梨香 [[Rica Matsumoto]]
|en=[[Veronica Taylor]] ([[4Kids Entertainment|4Kids]] dub) [[Sarah Natochenny]] ([[The Pokémon Company International|TPCI]] dub) [[Kayzie Rogers]] (a/k/a Jamie Peacock; ''[[Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon]]'' only)
|zh_cmn=賀世芳 ''Hè Shìfāng'' 李明幸 ''Li Míngxìng'' 汪世瑋 ''Wāng Shìwěi''
|hr=Saša Buneta Marko Torjanac
|cs=Radek Škvor
|da=Mathias Klenske
|nl=Christa Lips
|fil=Klariz Magboo
|fr_ca=Sébastien Reding
|fr_eu=Aurélien Ringelheim
|de='''Caroline Combrinck''' ([[EP001]]-[[EP157]], [[DP105]]-present) Veronika Neugebauer ([[EP158]]-[[DP104]])
|he=יהונתן מגון Yonatan Magon דניאל מגון Daniel Magon
|hu=Szvetlov Balázs Ungvári Gergely
|it=Davide Garbolino
|ko=최덕희 Choi Deok-Hyi 이선호 Lee Seon-Ho 안현서 An Hyeon-Seo
|no=Nils-Martin Crawfurd
|pl='''Hanna Kinder-Kiss''' ([[EP001]]-[[AG040]], [[DP053]]-present, all movies) Grzegorz Drojewski ([[DP001]]-[[DP052]])
|pt_br=Fábio Lucindo
|pt_eu=Maria João Luís ([[EP001]]-[[EP031]]) Sandra Faleiro ([[EP032]]-[[EP094]]) Sandra de Castro ([[EP095]]-[[EP128]], [[EP158]]-[[EP209]], [[AG093]]-[[AG177]]), [[DP001]]-present, [[Pokémon Live]]) Alexandra Sedas ([[EP129]]-[[EP157]]) Cristina Carvalhal (movies 3 and 4) Bárbara Lourenço ([[EP210]]-[[AG040]]) Raquel Ferreira ([[AG041]]-[[AG092]]) Ana Madureira ([[AG178]]-[[AG192]])
|es_la='''Gabriel Ramos''' Irwin Daayán ([[DP091]]-[[DP104]]) Emiliano Dionisi (movies [[M06|6]] and [[M07|7]])
|es_eu='''Adolfo Moreno''' Rafael Alonso Naranjo Jr. (movie [[M03|3]] and [[Mewtwo Returns]])
|sv=Dick Eriksson
|fi=Sari Moilanen Hanna Savikko
|ar=بثينة شيا Buthaina Shia
|ca=Enric Puig
|tr=Ahmet Taşar
}}

==In the manga==
===In the Ash and Pikachu manga===
Ash is a starring character in [[Ash and Pikachu]], a manga series based on the [[Johto]] saga of the Pokémon anime.

===In The Electric Tale of Pikachu manga===
[[File:Ash Ketchum Electric Tale.png|thumb|right|Ash in the [[Electric Tale of Pikachu]] manga]]
Ash Ketchum is a starring character in [[Electric Tale of Pikachu|The Electric Tale of Pikachu]], a manga series based on the anime. Ash's journey in The Electric Tale of Pikachu follows roughly the same plot as in the anime: first traveling the [[Kanto]] region to participate in the [[Pokémon League]], before embarking on a journey around the [[Orange Archipelago]].

While there are many similarities between the anime and manga versions of Ash, there are several differences as well. For example, while the anime version of Ash appears to be indifferent to love and romance, the manga version of Ash has a huge crush on Gary's sister, [[Daisy Oak|May Oak]]. He is also prone to quickly falling in love just like Brock, but to a much more subtle or less extreme degree.

Ash's appearance differs in the manga as well. He wears a red jacket, much like {{ga|Red}}'s, instead of the blue he wears in the anime. Also, for the duration of the [[Electric Tale of Pikachu volume 1|first volume]], he wears a different hat, which is solid red with a "PM" on the front. Beginning in ''[[ET05|The Human Race and the Pokémon Race]]'', his hat is changed to match the one he wears in the anime.

Ash owns many of the same Pokémon as in the anime, with a few exceptions: he captures a {{AP|Fearow}} and an {{p|Oddish}}. He also captures a {{p|Mankey}}, which he trades to a shady salesman for a map of [[Mt. Moon]], and a giant {{p|Slowpoke}}, which he trades to [[Gary Oak]].

====Pokémon====
{|border="1" style="border: 1px solid #000; border-collapse: collapse;" width=300px cellspacing="0"
|-
| align=center | [[File:025.png]] {{AP|Pikachu}}
| align=center | [[File:022.png]] {{AP|Fearow}}
| align=center | [[File:017.png]] [[Ash's Pidgeot|Pidgeotto]]
|-
| align=center colspan=3 | [[File:010.png]] → [[File:011.png]] → [[File:012.png]] [[Ash's Butterfree|Caterpie → Metapod → Butterfree]]
|-
| align=center colspan=3 | [[File:004.png]] → [[File:005.png]] → [[File:006.png]] [[Ash's Charizard|Charmander → Charmeleon → Charizard]]
|-
| align=center | [[File:001.png]] {{AP|Bulbasaur}}
| align=center | [[File:007.png]] {{AP|Squirtle}}
| align=center | [[File:043.png]] {{p|Oddish}}
|-
| align=center | [[File:015.png]] {{p|Beedrill}}
| align=center | [[File:099.png]] {{AP|Kingler}}
| align=center | [[File:089.png]] {{AP|Muk}}
|-
| align=center | [[File:128.png]] {{AP|Tauros}}
| align=center | [[File:131.png]] {{AP|Lapras}}
| align=center | [[File:143.png]] {{AP|Snorlax}}
|}

=====Traded away=====
{|border="1" style="border: 1px solid #000; border-collapse: collapse;" width=150px cellspacing="0"
|-
| align=center | [[File:056.png]] {{p|Mankey}} 
| align=center | [[File:079.png]] {{p|Slowpoke}} ({{pkmn2|giant}})
|}

* '''Mankey''': Given away for a map of [[Mt. Moon]] with false directions to find a {{p|Clefairy}}.
* '''Giant Slowpoke''': Given away to {{Gary}} for [[Daisy Oak|May Oak]]'s photo.

===In the Magical Pokémon Journey manga===
[[File:Ash and Brock MPJ.jpg|thumb|right|Ash and Brock in Magical Pokémon Journey]]
Ash, along with {{an|Misty}} and {{an|Brock}}, make cameo appearances in bonus chapters of the [[Magical Pokémon Journey]] manga. In the bonus chapters, Ash and co. have mistakenly wandered into the world Magical Pokémon Journey is set in. The bonus chapters chronicle their attempts to return to their own world (of the {{pkmn|anime}}) and their encounters with various aspects of the Magical Pokémon Journey canon which differ from the anime's canon (such as the use of [[Poké Ball]]s).

==In the TCG==
This listing is of cards mentioning or featuring Ash or his Pokémon in the [[Pokémon Trading Card Game]].

{| border="1" style="border: 1px solid #999; border-collapse: collapse; background: white;" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2"
|- style="background: #{{tcg lightning color}};"
!Name
!Type
!Level
!Rarity
!Set
!Set no.
|-
| {{TCG ID|7th Movie Half Deck|Ash's Torkoal|9}} || {{e|Fighting}} || - || - || {{TCG|7th Movie Half Deck}} (no English release) || 009/019
|-
| {{TCG ID|8th Movie Half Deck|Ash's Grovyle|1}} || {{e|Grass}} || - || - || {{TCG|8th Movie Half Deck}} (no English release) || 001/020
|-
| {{TCG ID|8th Movie Half Deck|Ash's Phanpy|4}} || {{e|Fighting}} || - || - || {{TCG|8th Movie Half Deck}} (no English release) || 004/020
|-
| {{TCG ID|8th Movie Half Deck|Ash's Swellow|7}} || {{e|Colorless}} || - || - || {{TCG|8th Movie Half Deck}} (no English release) || 007/020
|-
| {{TCG ID|9th Movie Half Deck|Ash's Aipom|10}} || {{e|Colorless}} || - || - || {{TCG|9th Movie Half Deck}} (no English release) || 010/019
|-
| {{TCG ID|ADV-P Promo|Ash's Treecko|36}} || {{e|Grass}} || - || - || {{TCG|ADV-P Promotional cards}} (no English release) || 036/ADV-P
|-
| {{TCG ID|Movie Random Pack Promo|Pikachu M|12}} || {{e|Lightning}} || 45 || - || {{TCG|Movie Commemoration Random Pack}} (no English release) || 012/022
|-
| {{TCG ID|Movie Random Pack Promo|Staraptor M|18}} || {{e|Colorless}} || 41 || - || {{TCG|Movie Commemoration Random Pack}} (no English release) || 018/022
|-
| {{TCG ID|DPt-P Promo|Pikachu M LV.X|43}} || {{e|Lightning}} || ''X'' || - || {{TCG|DPt-P Promotional cards}} (no English release) || 043/DPt-P
|}

==Trivia==
===Pokémon===
[[File:Ash catches a Pokémon.png|thumb|250px|Ash after catching a Pokémon]]
* Ash has captured each [[generation]]'s {{type2|Grass}} [[starter Pokémon]]: {{AP|Bulbasaur}}, {{AP|Chikorita}}, {{AP|Treecko}} and {{AP|Turtwig}}.
* Ash has also captured every {{type2|Fire}} [[starter Pokémon]] whose English names begins with a 'C' and whose Japanese names begins with a 'ヒ' ''hi'': {{AP|Charmander}} (''Hitokage''), {{AP|Cyndaquil}} (''Hinoarashi''), and {{AP|Chimchar}} (''Hikozaru'').
*Ash has captured, befriended, used, or otherwise had under his command at least one of every type of Pokémon except for {{type2|Dark}} and {{type2|Steel}}.
* In both the [[Timeline of events in the anime#Kanto|Kanto]] and [[Timeline of events in the anime#Johto|Johto]] story arcs, Ash managed to capture all three of the starter Pokémon for both regions. This trend was broken in the {{series|Advanced Generation}}, where he only captured {{AP|Treecko|Sceptile}}; instead the [[May's Blaziken|other]] [[Brock's Marshtomp|two]] were caught by {{an|May}} and {{an|Brock}}.
* The last Pokémon that Ash has captured in every [[region]] (except [[Sinnoh]]) are a part of {{cat|Pokémon that are part of a two-stage evolutionary line|one-evolution families}}, namely {{AP|Phanpy}} in [[Johto]], {{AP|Snorunt}} in [[Hoenn]], and {{TP|Dawn|Aipom}} in [[Kanto]]. Of these three, Aipom is the only one not to evolve under Ash's care.
* He always catches a local bird-like Pokémon of the region - {{AP|Pidgeotto|Pidgeot}} in Kanto, {{AP|Noctowl}} in Johto, {{AP|Taillow|Swellow}} in Hoenn, and {{AP|Starly|Staraptor}} in Sinnoh. Though not all of these Pokémon were captured in their first form, they all evolved into their final forms under Ash's care; the exception being Noctowl, who cannot evolve.
* As of the thirteenth movie, Ash has encountered every legendary Pokémon from the first four generations at least once.
* All of Ash's primate-based Pokémon have been under the control of someone other than Ash at some point ({{AP|Primeape}} is currently under Anthony's command, {{TP|Dawn|Ambipom}} was under Dawn's ownership and is currently being trained in [[Vermilion City]], and his {{AP|Infernape}} was formerly owned by Paul).
**All three of these primate-based Pokémon were also shown evolving on-screen, and none of them evolved in the care of their original Trainer (Primeape evolved in the wild just prior to Ash capturing it, Ambipom evolved under Dawn's care, and Infernape (also as a {{AP|Monferno}}) evolved under Ash's ownership).
* Ash also captured a member of each turtle-based evolutionary family.
* Three members of Ash's Sinnoh party have evolved while battling [[Paul]]: {{AP|Grotle}}, {{AP|Staraptor}}, and {{AP|Monferno}}. Of those three, Grotle and Staraptor both evolved while battling [[Paul's Honchkrow]].
* Ash has only caught Pokémon when he does not have a full party of six with one exception: his capture of {{AP|Krabby}}.
* Ash has two fully-evolved {{type2|Grass}} [[starter Pokémon]] ({{AP|Sceptile}} and {{AP|Torterra}}) and two fully-evolved {{type2|Fire}} starter Pokémon ({{AP|Charizard}} and {{AP|Infernape}}), however, neither of his {{type2|Water}} starter Pokémon ({{AP|Squirtle}} and {{AP|Totodile}}) have evolved at all, or even indicated their desire to.
* Ash has several Pokémon in common with his current rivals; Paul and Barry. He and Paul both own a {{p|Torterra}} and have owned a {{p|Gliscor}} as well as both training the same {{AP|Chimchar}} at some point. Like Ash, Barry owns a {{p|Staraptor}} and a {{p|Heracross}}. Other rivals of Ash's have had alike Pokémon; Gary has also owned a {{p|Squirtle}} and a {{p|Krabby}}, Morrison has a {{p|Gligar}}, and Tyson has a {{p|Sceptile}} and {{p|Donphan}}. Both had them on their league teams before Ash would later obtain them himself.
* All of Ash's {{type2|Flying}}s that he still owns, except for Charizard, have two immunities. Gliscor is immune to {{t|Electric}}- and {{type2|Ground}}s. Noctowl, Swellow, and Staraptor are all immune to {{t|Ghost}}- and Ground-types.
* Ash has traded away three Pokémon: {{AP|Butterfree}}, {{AP|Raticate}}, and {{AP|Aipom}}. Of these three, Butterfree was the only one Ash got back, and also the only one that is not a {{type2|Normal}}.

===Challenges/Gym related===
* In each region (except for the Orange Islands), Ash always loses against at least one of the [[Gym Leader]]s before challenging them to a rematch.
* In the [[original series]], Ash pinned his badges to the inside of his jacket. From Hoenn onwards, they have been kept in a case.
* Ash battled four legendary Pokémon, he has defeated two legendary Pokémon and also has been defeated by the other two.
* Ash has so far battled five [[Elite Four]] members, namely [[Lorelei]], {{EF|Drake}}, [[Agatha]], {{EF|Flint}} and [[Bertha]]. He has lost to all five without defeating a single Pokémon of theirs.
** In all of these battles, except Bertha, Ash used Pikachu in each one.
* The largest amount of episodes that Ash has gone without obtaining a [[badge]] was the gap between the {{ci|Snowpoint}} and {{ci|Sunyshore}} Gyms, ends in [[DP179]], where Ash finally won the Beacon Badge. The gap was a total of 52 episodes. The shortest amount of time between badges was the [[EP006|one-episode]] gap between ''[[EP005|Showdown in Pewter City]]'' and ''[[EP007|The Water Flowers of Cerulean City]]''.

===Miscellaneous===
[[File:Ash maid.png|200px|thumb|Ash crossdressing for the third time.]]
* The date of Ash's birth, according to [[Takeshi Shudo]]'s anime novelizations, is 10 years, 10 months, and 10 days ''exactly'' prior to the day he began his Pokémon journey. Being that the same novelization declares that Pokémon Trainers obtain their first Pokémon in April of the year following their 10th birthday, and the anime itself began broadcast on the first of that month in 1997 in Japan, Ash's birthday, if April 1 was the first day of his journey, would be May 22.
* Ash has crossdressed once in each anime series: The first time he did this was in ''[[EP026|Pokémon Scent-sation!]]'', in the [[original series]]. He crossdressed a second time in ''[[AG042|Love at First Flight]]'', in the {{series|Advanced Generation}}. ''[[DP062|Tanks for the Memories!]]'' marked the third time he crossdressed, in the {{series|Diamond & Pearl}}. Each time Ash has crossdressed, he was never willing to do so and was coerced or forced into it in some way.
** In addition to dressing as a girl, Ash has dressed up as fruit on at least two occasions. The first time, he dressed as an apple in ''[[EP107|Pokémon Food Fight!]]'' while the second he dressed as an {{wp|eggplant}} in ''[[AG104|Claydol Big and Tall]]''. On both occasions he was used to lure a large Pokémon.
* Several of the variety of {{wp|ash tree}}s, from which his name could be derived, are related to Kanto in some way: not only are there trees known as the "red ash", "green ash", and "blue ash", for the first three games, but also the "indigo ash", for the [[Indigo Plateau]].
* [[Arnold]] and [[Travis]] are both [[doppelgänger]]s of Ash. His first meeting with both of [[Arnold's mother|their]] [[Luana|mothers]] was being mistaken for them and embraced in a hug as the boys were away from home at the time.
* When [[Veronica Taylor]] was interviewed in the documentary "Adventures in Voice Acting", she stated that during her audition for the role of Ash, he was known as Casey at the time.

==Names==
{|{{bluetable|background: white}}
|- style="background: #{{electric color}};"
! Language
! Name
! Origin
|-
|Japanese
| サトシ ''Satoshi''
| Can be taken to mean 智 (wisdom; reason); named after [[Satoshi Tajiri]].
|-
|English, German
| Ash Ketchum
| Ketchum sounds similar to ''catch 'em''. First name can be found in Japanese name, S'''a'''to'''sh'''i. Also, Ash is a default name for {{ga|Red}} in {{game|Red and Blue|s}}. {{wp|Ash tree}}s are suggested as another explanation as well.
|-
|French
| Sacha Ketchum
| Similar to ''Ash''.
|-
|Korean
| 한지우 ''Han Jiu''
| 지 is from 智 ''satoshi''. Alternatively, 지우 can mean "close friend".
|-
|Chinese ({{tt|Mandarin|Taiwan and mainland China}})
| 小智 ''Xiǎo Zhì''
| 智 is from 智 ''satoshi''. Can mean "young wisdom"{{tt|*|or ”little knowledge”}}.
|-
|Chinese ({{tt|Cantonese|Hong Kong}})
| 小智 ''Síu Ji''
| Same as Mandarin name.
|}

==Related articles==
* [[Ashley]]
* [[Ashachu]]
* {{cat|Episodes focusing on Ash}}

==External links==
*[http://kari.beautiful-beast.net/satoshi/ Poké Master], the fanlisting for Ash
*[http://pokeani.com/chara/r-satoshi.html Satoshi's Profile] on [[Pokeani]] (Japanese)
*[http://www.freewebs.com/satoshi-kun/ SPURT!], shrine to Satoshi.

===On Bulbagarden forums===
* [http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/showthread.php?t=5254 Ash Club]

{{nav|Champions|Ash's Pokémon|Leaguetrainers|Animecharacters|Electric Tale of Pikachu characters}}
 
{{Project Anime notice|no}}

[[Category:Anime characters]]
[[Category:Electric Tale of Pikachu characters]]
[[Category:Ash and Pikachu characters]]
[[Category:Characters named after real people]]
[[Category:Champions]]
[[Category:Male characters]]

[[de:Ash Ketchum]]
[[es:Ash Ketchum]]
[[fr:Sacha]]
[[ja:サトシ]]
[[pl:Ash Ketchum]]
[[pt:Ash Ketchum]]