Bulbapedia - User contributions [en]

May (anime)

2008-07-30T22:15:38Z

ShadowDeeps:

{{CharacterInfobox|
name=May |
jname=ハルカ |
tmname=Haruka |
slogan=no |
image=[[Image:MayDiamondPearl.png|230px]] |
caption=May as she appears in the [[Diamond & Pearl series]] |
age=yes |
years=10 (as of [[AG001|debut]]) |
colors=yes |
eyes=Blue |
hair=Brown |
gender=Female |
hometown=[[Petalburg City]] |
region=[[Hoenn]] |
relatives=[[Max]] (brother), [[Norman]] (father), [[Caroline]] (mother) |
trainer=yes |
trainerclass=[[Pokémon Coordinator|Coordinator]] |
game=no |
leader=no |
team=no |
brain=no |
anime=yes |
epnum=AG001 |
epname=Get the Show on the Road |
enva=[[Veronica Taylor]] ({{4Kids}}) [[Michele Knotz]] ({{PUSA}})|
java=[[KAORI]] |
}}
'''May''' (Japanese: '''ハルカ''' ''Haruka'') is a ten-year-old [[Pokémon Coordinator]] from the {{pkmn|anime}} and a {{ashfr|traveling companion}} of {{Ash}}. Her goal is to compete in [[Pokémon Contests]] and win [[ribbon]]s, win the [[Grand Festival]], and become a top {{pkmn|Coordinator}}. She traveled through [[Hoenn]] and [[Kanto]] with Ash, [[Brock]], and her little brother [[Max]]. She is the daughter of [[Norman]] and [[Caroline]], and her [[starter Pokémon]] was a {{p|Torchic}} given to her by [[Professor Birch]]. Her Japanese voice actress is [[KAORI]], but is credited as 鈴木カオリ ''Kaori Suzuki'' in her Diamond & Pearl appearances. She is voiced by [[Veronica Taylor]] ({{4Kids}} dub) and [[Michele Knotz]] ({{PUSA}} dub) in the English-language dub, by ''Leyla Rangel'' in the Latin American Spanish dub, and by [[Tatiane Keplemaier]] in the Brazilian dub.

[[Image:May_Anime_Artwork.jpg|thumb|left|160px|May as she appeared during the [[Advanced Generation series]]]]
===Character===
May is a materialistic young girl who loves shopping and eating treats. She has a particular fondness for food especially noodles. She is generally very sweet and optimistic, though she shows a tougher side sometimes, such as when she argues with [[Max|her little brother, Max]]. Even though they argue often, she has shown that she cares for her brother very much.

She loves [[Cute Contest|cute]] [[Pokémon]] and flashy techniques, and sometimes takes an interest in helping other people with romantic problems. She loves making her own [[Pokéblock]]s with recipes that she made, including ones called "May's Purple Surprise" and "May's Pink Surprise" (Japanese: ''Haruka's Delicious'' and ''Haruka's Delicious 2'').

When May debuted in the anime, she did not like Pokémon at all and was only interested in becoming a [[Pokémon Trainer]] so she could travel. Though everyone expected her to challenge Pokémon Gyms, she decided to become a [[Pokémon Coordinator]]. Though she was initially shown to not know much about Pokémon or [[move|attack]]s, she gradually gained experience through her journey and soon became a good coordinator, as seen by her [[Grand Festival]] rankings in the [[Hoenn]] and [[Kanto]] regions.

During her journey, she gets a new rival in [[Drew]] who was one of her main inspirations to try harder to become a great coordinator. She also has another main rival in [[Harley]]. At the end of the [[Advanced Generation series]], she leaves to compete with Drew and Harley in the [[Johto]] region. May also seems to be sensitive about she and Drew being [[ContestShipping|a couple]] as shown in [[AG121|Hi Ho Silver Wind!]] and in later episodes too. May has [[Contest Pass|Contest Passes]] to compete in [[Hoenn]], [[Kanto]] and [[Johto]].

May reappeared from [[DP076]] to [[DP079]] to participate in the [[Wallace Cup]] alongside {{Ash}}, {{an|Dawn}} and [[Zoey]]. During this period, she wore the {{v|Emerald}} of her outfit. May made it all the way to the finals of the Wallace Cup, but narrowly lost to Dawn in the end.

May has a personal [[List of Japanese ending themes|ending theme song]], ''[[I won't lose! ~Haruka's theme~|I won't lose! ~May's theme~]]'', performed by [[KAORI]]. It was first used as background music in the episode ''[[AG166|Curbing the Crimson Tide]]'' and again in next episode, ''[[AG167|What I Did for Love]]''.
 

===Pokémon===
This listing is of May's Pokémon as of her guest appearence during the Wallace Cup Saga ([[DP076]] to [[DP079]]):

{|border="1" style="border: 1px solid #000; border-collapse: collapse;" width=575px cellspacing="0"
|-
| align=center colspan=2| [[Image:255.png]] → [[Image:256.png]] → [[Image:257.png]] 
[[May's Blaziken|Torchic → Combusken → Blaziken]]
| align=center colspan=2| [[Image:May's Eevee Egg.png]] → [[Image:133.png]] → [[Image:471.png]] [[May's Glaceon|Egg → Eevee → Glaceon]]
|-
| align=center colspan=2| [[Image:265.png]] → [[Image:266.png]] → [[Image:267.png]] [[May's Beautifly|Wurmple → Silcoon → Beautifly]]
| align=center colspan=2| [[Image:May's_Bulbasaur.PNG]] → [[Image:002.png]] → [[Image:Spr_4d_003_f.png]] [[May's Venusaur|Bulbasaur → Ivysaur → Venusaur]]
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | [[Image:007.png]] → [[Image:008.png]] [[May's Wartortle|Squirtle → Wartortle]]
| align=center | [[Image:446.png]] {{TP|May|Munchlax}}
| align=center | [[Image:300.png]] {{TP|May|Skitty}}
|}

====Borrowed====
{|border="1" style="border: 1px solid #000; border-collapse: collapse;" width=120px cellspacing="0"
| align=center | [[Image:107.png]] {{p|Hitmonchan}}
|}

Borrowed from [[Kyle Hamm]] in ''[[AG145|Pasta La Vista]]''.

===Ribbons===
====Hoenn ribbons====
* [[Fallarbor Town]] Ribbon
* [[Verdanturf Town]] Ribbon
* [[Lilycove City]] Ribbon
* [[Izabe Island]] Ribbon
* [[Pacifidlog Town|Pacifidlog Island]] Ribbon

====Kanto ribbons====
* [[Saffron City]] Ribbon
* {{Ka|Silver Town}} Ribbon
* [[Chrysanthemum Island]] Ribbon
* [[Gardenia Town]] Ribbon
* [[Mulberry Town]] Ribbon

====Johto ribbons====
[[Image:Mayjohtoribbons.jpg|thumb|left|125px|May's [[Johto]] ribbons.]]
* Three (Contest locations unknown)
 

===Grand Festival ranking===
May placed in the following [[Grand Festival]] competitions:
*[[Hoenn]] Grand Festival (Top 8)
*[[Kanto]] Grand Festival (Top 4)

===Other achievements===
*[[PokéRinger]] - Runner-up
*[[Pokémon Orienteering]] - Runner-up
*Unofficial {{to|Terracotta}} Contest - Winner (tied with {{Ash}})
* [[Wallace Cup]] - Runner-up

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

{| {{bluetable}}
|- style="background: #DDDDFF;"
!Name
!Type
!Level
!Rarity
!Set
!Set no.
|-
| {{TCG ID|8th Movie Half Deck|May's Munchlax|8}} || {{e|Colorless}} || - || - || {{TCG|8th Movie Half Deck}} (no English release) || 8/20
|-
| {{TCG ID|9th Movie Half Deck|May's Combusken|2}} || {{e|Fire}} || - || - || {{TCG|9th Movie Half Deck}} (no English release) || 2/19
|-
| {{TCG ID|"ADV-P" Promo|May's Torchic|37}} || {{e|Fire}} || - || - || {{TCG|"ADV-P" Promotional cards}} (no English release) || 37/"ADV-P"
|}

==Trivia==
* May was the first female video game [[Player|protagonist]] to travel with Ash.
* May is the only main character who has two of the same Pokémon as Ash.
* She is the only one of Ash's friends to catch more than one [[starter Pokémon]].
* She is the only one of Ash's friends who started off not liking Pokémon.
* She is the only beginner trainer that was not given an introduction by the [[Narrator]] in their first episode. Instead, she gave her own {{wp|Grammatical person|first person}} introduction.
* May was the second of [[Ash's friends]] to have a lead role in a Pokémon movie, the first being her brother [[Max]], though the ending is unpopular as Ash takes the spotlight for himself.
* May and Max are the only friends of Ash not to meet Ash's rival, [[Gary Oak]], at one time or another. Ironically, May took one of Professor Oak's {{TP|May|Squirtle}}, just as Gary had done when he started out. Also they both ended up getting an {{p|Eevee}} along their journeys and evolving it into an [[Eeveelution]] that would debut in the next generation that they premiered in.
* May and Max are two of three of Ash's friends who has had their father make an appearance in the anime. The other is Brock.
* When May reappears as a guest character, she appeared in five episodes, compared to the two episodes [[Misty]] appeared in for her guest appearance during the Hoenn saga. However, Misty also made a second guest appearance from ''[[AG132|The Scheme Team]]'' to ''[[AG134|A Real Cleffa Hanger]]'', a further three episodes. Misty also appeared in four {{g|Sunday}}/{{pkmn|Chronicles}} specials, an option not available to May.
*Strangely, like Ash has, May owns three Pokémon that have evolved twice. Two of them are starters from Kanto and Hoenn ([[Ash's Charizard]] and {{AP|Sceptile}}, [[May's Blaziken]] and {{TP|May|Venusaur}}), while the third is their native region's butterfly ([[Ash's Butterfree]], [[May's Beautifly]]).
*The only Pokémon that she has that remained unevolved are Munchlax and Skitty. Coincidently, both are {{type2|Normal}}, and each would only need to evolve once to reach their final stage.
*May is the only one of Ash's friends that has never owned a {{cat|Generation II Pokémon}} (except her brother Max, for obvious reasons).
*May is the only main character not to have released, traded, or given away any of her Pokémon.

===Names===
{| border="1" style="border: 1px solid #88a; border-collapse: collapse;" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2"
|- style="background: #ccf;"
! Language
! Name
! Origin
|-
|Japanese
| ハルカ ''Haruka''
| Contains ''haru'', which means "spring." ''Haruka'' also means "far away," which may relate it to Norman's Japanese name, ''Senri'' ("1000 [[wp:li (unit)|li]]").
|-
|English
| May
| Could be a reference to the Japanese name, as May is a month in spring.
|-
|French
| Flora
| Similar to ''Fleur'' Which means "flower".
|-
|German
| Maike
| From ''Mai'', May.
|-
|Italian
| Vera
| From ''primavera'', spring.
|-
|Spanish
| Aura
|Means "dawn".
|-
|Korean
| 봄이 ''Bom'i''
| 봄 means "Spring"
|-
|Chinese (all versions)
| 小遥 ''Xiǎo Yáo''
| From 遥 ''haruka'', far away.
|}

==Related articles==
* [[:Category:Episodes focusing on May|Episodes focusing on May]]

==External links==
*[http://www.namine.org/haruka/ Cherry Girl], the fanlisting for May
*[http://pokeani.com/chara/r-haruka.html Haruka's Profile] on [[Pokeani]] (Japanese)
*[http://pokeani.com/poke/r_poke-haruka.html Haruka's Pokémon] on [[Pokeani]] (Japanese)
===On Bulbagarden forums===
* [http://bmgf.bulbagarden.net/showthread.php?t=9031 May Club]
{{May's Pokémon}}
{{Coordinators}}
{{Animecharacters}}
[[Category:Anime characters]]
[[Category:Ash's friends]]

[[de:Maike]]
[[fr:Flora]]
[[ja:ハルカ]]
[[pl:May]]
[[pt:May]]

Ash Ketchum

2008-07-24T04:09:35Z

ShadowDeeps:

:''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]].''
----
{{FAC notice}}
{{CharacterInfobox|
name=Ash Ketchum|
jname=サトシ |
tmname=Satoshi |
slogan=no |
image=[[Image:SatoshiDP.png|150px]] |
caption=Art from Diamond/Pearl anime |
age=yes |
years=10 (as of [[EP001|debut]]) |
colors=yes|
eyes=Brown |
hair=Black |
gender=Male |
hometown=[[Pallet Town]] |
region=[[Kanto]] |
relatives=[[Delia Ketchum|Delia]], Unknown father ([[EP002]]), Unknown grandfather ([[EP002]]) (Japanese only) ({{pkmn|anime}}) [[Mom]] ([[Electric Tale of Pikachu|manga]])
|trainer=yes |
trainerclass={{pkmn|Trainer}} |
game=no |
leader=no |
team=no |
brain=no |
anime=yes |
epnum=EP001 |
epname=Pokémon! I Choose You! |
enva=[[Veronica Taylor]] ({{4Kids}}) [[Sarah Natochenny]] ({{PUSA}}) |
java=[[Rica Matsumoto]] |
}}

'''Ash Ketchum''' (Japanese: '''サトシ''' ''Satoshi'') is the main character of both the [[Pokémon anime]] and the manga [[The Electric Tale of Pikachu]]. His Japanese voice actress is 松本梨香 ''[[Rica Matsumoto]]'', his English voice actresses are [[Veronica Taylor]] ([[4Kids Entertainment]] dub) and [[Sarah Natochenny]] ([[Pokémon USA]] dub), his Brazilian voice actor is [[Fábio Lucindo]], his Italian voice actor is [[Davide Garbolino]], and his Spanish voice actors are [[Adolfo Moreno]] (Spain) and [[Gabriel Ramos]] (Latin America). In the first dub of [[The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon]] he was voiced by [[Kayzie Rogers|Jamie Peacock]].

Ash is apparently based on the main character of [[Pokémon Red and Blue Versions]], {{ga|Red}}. He shares his name with the creator of the [[Pokémon]] franchise, [[Satoshi Tajiri]]. His Japanese name can be taken to mean "wisdom" or "reason" (智), and his English name has many meanings. His English last name is a pun on the original English Pokémon motto, "[[Gotta Catch 'em All!]]". As for his first name, some note that "Ash" has the same letters found in ''S'''a'''to'''sh'''i''.

==In the anime==
===Character===
[[Image:Anime Ash.png|thumb|Ash Ketchum in the original series]]
Ash's main goal in life, as described in the first episode, ''[[EP001|Pokémon! I Choose You!]]'', is to be the world's greatest [[Pokémon Master]]. Ash began his journey at the age of 10 as a warm-hearted and well-intentioned but stubborn and unskilled [[Pokémon Trainer]]. He was forced to accept the irreverent {{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 he showed his willingness to give up his own safety to keep Pikachu safe, he formed a strong bond of friendship with his Pokémon which would set his course for the future.

However, from that point, Ash still had a lot to learn about becoming a Trainer. He [[captured Pokémon|caught]] his [[Ash's Butterfree|first Pokémon]] by luck, knew nothing about [[Pokémon battle|battling]], and showed a reluctance to admit when he was wrong. Many of his first [[Gym]] [[badge]]s were given to him out of pity or gratitude for his assistance rather than claiming a victory in battle over the [[Gym Leader]]s. Every time he thought he was doing well, he would somehow cross paths with his childhood [[rival]], [[Gary Oak]], who always reminded Ash that he was always a step or seven behind.

Ash's dedication to his goal paid off over time, and after earning his first eight badges, he competed in the [[Indigo League]], and advanced further in the rounds than Gary. After recovering from his defeat, he continued on to improve his skill, take on new challenges, and compete in more [[Pokémon League]] competitions.

Ash has changed a great deal over the course of the series, particularly in regards to his skill at [[Pokémon training]], but his earnestness and determination have remained. Never straying from his goal, he has remained loyal to 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 and learning 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, and defeated [[Gary's Blastoise]] with his {{AP|Charizard}} by causing the field to overheat and have Charizard mount a close-range attack while Blastoise was blinded by the steam.

[[Image:SatoshiAG.png|thumb|left|Ash in the Advanced Generation series]]
Additionally, during the first season of the series, while Ash originally trained not to further himself but instead to catch more Pokémon than his rival, Gary, he later slowed his pace which allowed him to focus on the individual traits of each Pokémon. At the [[Silver Conference|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 tremendously in his dealings with Pokémon, as when [[Ash's Primeape|a Mankey]] stole [[Ash's hat|his 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 ''[[AG178|Slaking Kong]]'', he stated merely that he would feel strange without a hat.

In nearly every episode of the anime, 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 [[Misty]] in ''[[EP273|Gotta Catch Ya Later]]'' as well as Brock, {{an|May}} and [[Max]] in ''[[AG177|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:AshAura.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Ash using Aura inside the [[Tree of Beginning]]]]
Ash apparently has a close connection with [[Legendary Pokémon]], especially {{p|Ho-Oh}} and {{p|Lugia}}. In the English dub of the [[The Power of One|second movie]], he was revealed to be "The Chosen One" - the one who would bring balance back to the world. 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]] and [[DP072]], Ash uses [[aura]] again to locate a lost Riolu and read Riolu's mind as well. However, these were one time deals, as Riolu had an unnaturally powerful aura.

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 also carries around a broken [[Poké Ball]], of which the other half belongs to Gary and is a symbol of their ongoing, but now friendly, rivalry, as well as [[Misty's special lure]], which she sent to him as a gift, and also half of a ribbon he received in a contest against May before she left the group to compete in Johto.
 

===Family===
Ash lived with his mother, [[Delia Ketchum]], until he left for his Pokémon journey at the age of ten.

His father is never introduced. The anime suggests that his father was once a Pokémon Trainer, but it is unclear whether he is still living. There has been much discussion in the fandom as to the identity of Ash's father, though the writers have chosen to not focus on this aspect of Ash's life. Common characters put forward by fans for the role are [[Giovanni]], [[Professor Oak]] and {{an|Silver}}. In [[Pokémon Live!]], Delia told Ash that Giovanni had once been her boyfriend, and that he was Ash's father. However, this has never been officially acknowledged.

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===
====On hand====



{|border="1" style="border: 1px solid #000; border-collapse: collapse;" width=345px cellspacing="0"
|-
| align=center | [[Image:025.png]] {{AP|Pikachu}}
| align=center | [[Image:396.png]]→[[Image:397.png]] [[Ash's Staravia|Starly → Staravia]]
| align=center | [[Image:387.png]] {{AP|Turtwig}}
|-
| align=center | [[Image:390.png]] {{AP|Chimchar}}
| align=center | [[Image:207.png]]→[[Image:472.png]] [[Ash's Gliscor|Gligar → Gliscor]]
| align=center | [[Image:418.png]] {{AP|Buizel}}
|-
|}

====With Professor Oak====
[[Image:Battle Frontier - Satoshi's Lineup 3.jpg|thumb|right|Ash surrounded by some of his Pokémon in the ''[[Battle Frontier (song)|Battle Frontier]]'' opening.]]

{|border="1" style="border: 1px solid #000; border-collapse: collapse;" width=400px cellspacing="0"
|-
| align=center | [[Image:001.png]] {{AP|Bulbasaur}}
| align=center colspan=2 | [[Image:098.png]] → [[Image:099.png]] [[Ash's Kingler|Krabby → Kingler]]
| align=center | [[Image:089.png]] {{AP|Muk}}
|-
| align=center | [[Image:128.png]] {{AP|Tauros}}(×30)
| align=center | [[Image:143.png]] {{AP|Snorlax}}
| align=center | [[Image:214.png]] {{AP|Heracross}}
| align=center | [[Image:155.png]] {{AP|Cyndaquil}}
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | [[Image:152.png]] → [[Image:153.png]] [[Ash's Bayleef|Chikorita → Bayleef]]
| align=center | [[Image:158.png]] {{AP|Totodile}}
| align=center | [[Image:Spr_4d_164_s.png]] {{AP|Noctowl}}
|-
| align=center colspan=3 | [[Image:DPEgg.png]] → [[Image:231.png]] → [[Image:232.png]] [[Ash's Donphan|Egg → Phanpy → Donphan]]
| align=center | [[Image:341.png]] {{AP|Corphish}}
|-
| align=center colspan=3 | [[Image:Ash's Treecko.png]] → [[Image:Ash's Grovyle.png]] → [[Image:Ash's Sceptile.png]] [[Ash's Sceptile|Treecko → Grovyle → Sceptile]]
| align=center | [[Image:324.png]] {{AP|Torkoal}}
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | [[Image:276.png]] → [[Image:277.png]] [[Ash's Swellow|Taillow → Swellow]]
| align=center colspan=2 | [[Image:361.png]] → [[Image:362.png]] [[Ash's Glalie|Snorunt → Glalie]]
|}

====In training====
{|border="1" style="border: 1px solid #000; border-collapse: collapse;" width=300px cellspacing="0"
|-
| align=center | [[Image:057.png]] {{AP|Primeape}}
| align=center | [[Image:Ash's Squirtle2.png]] {{AP|Squirtle}}
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | [[Image:004.png]] → [[Image:005.png]] → [[Image:006.png]] [[Ash's Charizard|Charmander → Charmeleon → Charizard]]
|}

====Released====

{|border="1" style="border: 1px solid #000; border-collapse: collapse;" width=300px cellspacing="0"
|-
| align=center colspan=3 | [[Image:010.png]] → [[Image:011.png]] → [[Image:012.png]] [[Ash's Butterfree|Caterpie → Metapod → Butterfree]]
|-
| align=center | [[Image:017.png]] → [[Image:018.png]] [[Ash's Pidgeot|Pidgeotto → Pidgeot]]
| align=center | [[Image:131.png]] {{AP|Lapras}}
|-
|}

====Traded away====
{|border="1" style="border: 1px solid #000; border-collapse: collapse;" width=200px cellspacing="0"
|-
| align=center | [[Image:020.png]] {{AP|Raticate}} (Traded for his Butterfree, and back again)
| align=center | [[Image:190 f.png]] [[Dawn's Ambipom|Aipom]] (Traded to {{an|Dawn}})
|}

====Temporary====
{|border="1" style="border: 1px solid #000; border-collapse: collapse;" width=400px cellspacing="0"
|-
| align=center | [[Image:024.png]] {{p|Arbok}} (Used during a Pokémon League exam)
| align=center | [[Image:110.png]] {{p|Weezing}} (Used during a Pokémon League exam)
| align=center | [[Image:052.png]] {{p|Meowth}} (Used during a Pokémon League exam)
| align=center | [[Image:119.png]] {{AP|Seaking}} (Released under Contest Rules)
| align=center | [[Image:106.png]] {{p|Hitmonlee}} (Borrowed from [[Master Hamm]] in ''[[AG145|Pasta La Vista]]'' to battle May with a {{p|Hitmonchan}})
|}

====Given away====
{|border="1" style="border: 1px solid #000; border-collapse: collapse;" width=200px cellspacing="0"
|-
| align=center | [[Image:DPEgg.png]] [[Misty's Togetic|Egg]] (hatched in [[Misty|Misty's]] arms)
| align=center | [[Image:015.png]] {{TP|Casey|Beedrill}} (given to {{an|Casey}})
|}

====Unofficial====
{|border="1" style="border: 1px solid #000; border-collapse: collapse;" width=400px cellspacing="0"
|-
| align=center | [[Image:093.png]] {{TP|Sabrina|Haunter}} (given to [[Sabrina]])
| align=center colspan=2| [[Image:DPEgg.png]] → [[Image:246.png]] [[Pokémon egg|Egg]] → {{AP|Larvitar}}
|}

===Badges obtained===
====Indigo League====
[[Image:Asheightkanto.jpg|thumb|right|Ash's eight [[badge]]s of [[Kanto]]]]
* [[Badge#Boulder Badge|Boulder Badge]]
* [[Badge#Cascade Badge|Cascade Badge]]
* [[Badge#Thunder Badge|Thunder Badge]]
* [[Badge#Marsh Badge|Marsh Badge]]
* [[Badge#Rainbow Badge|Rainbow Badge]]
* [[Badge#Soul Badge|Soul Badge]]
* [[Badge#Volcano Badge|Volcano Badge]]
* [[Badge#Earth Badge|Earth Badge]]

====Orange League====
* [[Badge#Coral-Eye Badge|Coral-Eye Badge]]
* [[Badge#Sea Ruby Badge|Sea Ruby Badge]]
* [[Badge#Spike Shell Badge|Spike Shell Badge]]
* [[Badge#Jade Star Badge|Jade Star Badge]]
====Johto League====
* [[Badge#Zephyr Badge|Zephyr Badge]]
* [[Badge#Hive Badge|Hive Badge]]
* [[Badge#Fog Badge|Fog Badge]]
* [[Badge#Storm Badge|Storm Badge]]
* [[Badge#Glacier Badge|Glacier Badge]]
* [[Badge#Plain Badge|Plain Badge]]
* [[Badge#Mineral Badge|Mineral Badge]]
* [[Badge#Rising Badge|Rising Badge]]
====Hoenn League====
[[Image:Ashs hoenn badges.jpg|thumb|right|Ash's eight badges from Hoenn.]]
* [[Badge#Stone Badge|Stone Badge]]
* [[Badge#Knuckle Badge|Knuckle Badge]]
* [[Badge#Dynamo Badge|Dynamo Badge]]
* [[Badge#Heat Badge|Heat Badge]]
* [[Badge#Balance Badge|Balance Badge]]
* [[Badge#Feather Badge|Feather Badge]]
* [[Badge#Mind Badge|Mind Badge]]
* [[Badge#Rain Badge|Rain Badge]]

====Battle Frontier====
* [[Factory Head Noland|Knowledge Symbol]]
* [[Arena Tycoon Greta|Guts Symbol]]
* [[Dome Ace Tucker|Tactics Symbol]]
* [[Pike Queen Lucy|Luck Symbol]]
* [[Palace Maven Spenser|Spirits Symbol]]
* [[Salon Maiden Anabel|Ability Symbol]]
* [[Pyramid King Brandon|Brave Symbol]]
====Sinnoh League====
* [[Badge#Coal Badge|Coal Badge]]
* [[Badge#Forest Badge|Forest Badge]]
* [[Badge#Cobble Badge|Cobble Badge]]
* [[Badge#Fen Badge|Fen Badge]]




===Pokémon Competitions===
====Pokémon League ranking====
Ash placed in the following [[Pokémon League]] [[Pokémon League Conference|competitions]]:
* [[Indigo Plateau Conference]] (Top 16)
* [[Silver Conference]] (Top 8)
* [[Ever Grande Conference]] (Top 8)

====Pokémon Championship battles====
Ash challenged the following Pokémon championships as well:
* [[Orange League]] (Champion)
* [[Battle Frontier]] (Champion)

====Miscellaneous Competitions====
Ash has participated in the following competitions:
* [[Bug-Catching Contest]] (Champion)
* [[Extreme Pokémon Race|Extreme Pokémon]] (Champion)
* [[Fire and Rescue Grand Prix]]
* [[Grass Tournament]]
* [[Hearthome Collection]] (3rd Place)
* [[P1 Grand Prix]] (Champion)
* [[Pokémon Balloon Race]] (Champion)
*[[Pokémon Contest]]s
**{{to|Terracotta}} Contest (unofficial) (Winner - Tied with {{an|May}})
**{{ci|Jubilife}} Contest
** [[Wallace Cup]] (Top 8)
* [[Pokémon Orienteering]]
* [[Pokémon Swap Meet]] Tauros-battling competition (Winner)
* [[PokéRinger]] (Champion)
* [[Seaking Catching Day]]
* [[Sinnoh Double Battle Tournament]]  (Champion - with [[Paul]])
* [[Sumo Conference]] (Champion)
* [[Whirl Cup]] (Top 16)
* [[Pokémon Cosplay|Pokémon Cosplay Contest]]
* [[Alto Mare]] Canal Race
* [[Rota]] Tournament (Champion)

==In the manga==
{{mangastub}}
The manga version of Ash Ketchum is based on the anime version, but there are many differences after both versions took different directions. For example, while anime Ash is indifferent to romance or members of the opposite gender (or same gender, some may argue), manga Ash has a big crush on Gary's sister, [[May Oak]]. He's also prone to quickly falling in love like Brock, but to a much less extreme degree.
===Pokémon===
[[Image:Satoshidengeki.PNG|thumb|right|Ash in [[Electric Tale of Pikachu]] manga.]]
{|border="1" style="border: 1px solid #000; border-collapse: collapse;" width=300px cellspacing="0"
|-
| align=center | [[Image:025.png]] {{AP|Pikachu}}
| align=center | [[Image:022.png]] {{AP|Fearow}}
| align=center | [[Image:017.png]] [[Ash's Pidgeot|Pidgeotto]]
|-
| align=center colspan=3 | [[Image:010.png]] → [[Image:011.png]] → [[Image:012.png]] [[Ash's Butterfree|Caterpie → Metapod → Butterfree]]
|-
| align=center colspan=3 | [[Image:004.png]] → [[Image:005.png]] → [[Image:006.png]] [[Ash's Charizard|Charmander → Charmeleon → Charizard]]
|-
| align=center | [[Image:001.png]] {{AP|Bulbasaur}}
| align=center | [[Image:007.png]] {{AP|Squirtle}}
| align=center | [[Image:043.png]] {{p|Oddish}}
|-
| align=center | [[Image:089.png]] {{AP|Muk}}
| align=center | [[Image:131.png]] {{AP|Lapras}}
| align=center | [[Image:143.png]] {{AP|Snorlax}}
|}

====Traded away====
{|border="1" style="border: 1px solid #000; border-collapse: collapse;" width=150px cellspacing="0"
|-
| align=center | [[Image:056.png]] {{p|Mankey}} (Given away for a map, which turns out to be fake)
|}

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

{| {{bluetable}}
|- style="background: #DDDDFF;"
!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) || 9/19
|-
| {{TCG ID|8th Movie Half Deck|Ash's Grovyle|1}} || {{e|Grass}} || - || - || {{TCG|8th Movie Half Deck}} (no English release) || 1/20
|-
| {{TCG ID|8th Movie Half Deck|Ash's Phanpy|4}} || {{e|Fighting}} || - || - || {{TCG|8th Movie Half Deck}} (no English release) || 4/20
|-
| {{TCG ID|8th Movie Half Deck|Ash's Swellow|7}} || {{e|Colorless}} || - || - || {{TCG|8th Movie Half Deck}} (no English release) || 7/20
|-
| {{TCG ID|9th Movie Half Deck|Ash's Aipom|10}} || {{e|Colorless}} || - || - || {{TCG|9th Movie Half Deck}} (no English release) || 10/19
|-
| {{TCG ID|"ADV-P" Promo|Ash's Treecko|36}} || {{e|Grass}} || - || - || {{TCG|"ADV-P" Promotional cards}} (no English release) || 36/"ADV-P"
|}

==Trivia==
*In [[EP009|the ninth episode]] Ash mentioned that he had been a Pokémon trainer for 2 months. This time frame is further reinforced when Ash learns that the Pokémon League will begin in two months when he [[EP065|returns to Pallet Town]] after earning his eighth badge - he arrives at Indigo Stadium [[EP074|nine episodes later]]. If time continued at this rate, he would be at least 20 years old in the latest Japanese episode, something that's implied strongly by {{MTR}} in ''[[DP002|Two Degrees of Separation!]]''. However, given that some episodes take place directly after each other, this time frame is clearly not consistent.
* Ash has been mistaken to be the son of two women from [[Kanto]] and the [[Orange Islands]]. The first time was in ''[[EP027|Hypno's Naptime]]'' where he was mistaken for a boy named Arnold, while the second was in ''[[EP108|Pokémon Double Trouble]]'' when [[Luana]] mistook him for her son [[Travis]].
*Ash has caught 48  different kinds of Pokémon, including evolutions and counting Larvitar, Seaking, Beedrill, Haunter, and Raticate, even though Larvitar and Haunter were not officially his, Beedrill was given away nearly immediately, and Seaking was released as part of contest rules. The original tagline for the dub was "[[Gotta Catch 'Em All!]]", but Ash has only caught 9.74% of the current number of Pokémon. This line was eventually dropped in 2003.
*Ash has caught or received 63 different individual Pokémon, 30 of which are his Tauros.
*Other than {{AP|Krabby}}, his many {{AP|Tauros}}, and {{TP|Casey|Beedrill}}, Ash has never caught a Pokémon when his [[party]] had six members.
*Ash's first choice of a starter was Squirtle. Later, it is revealed that Gary was the one who, in fact, chose Squirtle. Ash's second choice was Bulbasaur, while his third was Charmander.
*So far, every time Ash becomes the champion of something, he then battles and gets defeated by [[Gary Oak|Gary]] a few episodes later, before heading off to a new region. This has happened after his championing of the [[Orange League]] and the [[Battle Frontier]], which were both "filler seasons" before the start of even-numbered generations.
*[[EP241|At one time]], Ash was transformed into a {{p|Pikachu}}. This transformed state is sometimes referred to as [[Ashachu]].
*Ash has captured each [[generation]]'s {{type2|Grass}} [[starter Pokémon]] (Bulbasaur, Chikorita, Treecko, Turtwig).
*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 [[Advanced Generation series]], where he only captured {{AP|Treecko}}, while the other two were {{OP|May|Torchic}} and {{OP|Brock|Mudkip}}. However, it is possible that the trend will be reestablished in the [[Diamond & Pearl series]] story arc, as Ash has already managed to capture both a {{AP|Turtwig}} and {{AP|Chimchar}}, two of the Sinnoh region's starter Pokémon. This is unlikely, however, as {{an|Dawn}} already has the third, {{TP|Dawn|Piplup}}.
**However, he did command Piplup during ''[[DP046|A-Maze-ing Race!]]'', and Chimchar during its last few minutes on Paul's team.
*Ash has captured one {{type2|Flying}} Pokémon from each series region that players can encounter early in different games: {{AP|Pidgeotto}}, {{AP|Noctowl}}, {{AP|Taillow}}, and {{AP|Starly}}.
*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.
*With the exception of Koga, Ash had to either do some sort of heroic deed or re-challenge all of the Kanto Gym Leaders to earn his badge. This, however, never applied to his Earth Badge, as he never battled against Giovanni himself, instead challenging the Team Rocket trio that had constantly followed him.
*So far, Ash always befriends someone shortly before the regional tournament. That person will beat Ash later on in the semifinals.
*Though not as touched on anymore, a running gag in the English version of the series involved [[Delia Ketchum|his mother]] making sure that Ash changed his underwear every single day.
*A pattern has developed among Ash's {{t|Grass}} starters: {{AP|Bulbasaur}} never evolved, [[Ash's Bayleef|Chikorita]] evolved once and [[Ash's Sceptile|Treecko]] evolved twice. Many believe [[Ash's Turtwig]] won't evolve so the pattern continues.
*Ash's room, seen at the start of [[EP001|the first episode]], contains a lot of merchandise based off various Pokémon, including a bedspread with a [[Poké Ball]] pattern, a trash can with a {{p|Staryu}} on it, a big {{p|Snorlax}} [[Pokémon doll|doll]], a {{p|Poliwag}} pencil sharpener, a {{p|Clefairy}} bank, a {{p|Zubat}} mobile, a poster with {{p|Squirtle}}, {{p|Bulbasaur}} and {{p|Charmander}}, and a {{p|Voltorb}} alarm clock with a {{p|Pidgey}} inside it which he breaks in his sleep. He also has many books, a globe, a boombox, a television and a [[Bug Catcher]]'s net. Based on the slanting of the ceiling of his room, it is probably in the attic of his house.
*During his adventures in Kanto, Johto and the Orange Islands, Ash pinned his badges to the inside of his jacket. From Hoenn onwards, they have been kept in some form of case. It is unknown where the badges of Ash's previous journeys are, though it is assumed that they are kept somewhere in his house. Delia placed Ash's trophy from the Orange Islands on top of the television, though this was missing when Ash looked in his living room in ''[[AG191|Home is Where the Start Is]]''. Interestingly, the scene following it showed an identical trophy placed in Professor Oak's lab.
*Each time Ash successfully wins his eighth badge, all eight are stolen, though soon after returned. It is unknown if this will happen again in the [[Diamond & Pearl series]].
*The most badges Ash has ever gotten in the first thirty-five episodes were six badges in Kanto, which makes sense considering that Kanto was significantly shorter than any other saga (aside from the Orange Island saga and the Battle Frontier saga). In every other region thus far, he has only won two badges in the first thirty-five episodes.
*The only girl Ash has even shown a confirmed [[Shipping|interest]] is named [[Giselle]] whom appeared in ''[[EP009|The School of Hard Knocks]]''.
*The only {{type2|Fire}} starter Ash has not owned is {{p|Torchic}}.
*Ash is the only {{ashfr|main character}} that has caught a {{shiny2}} Pokémon, which is his {{AP|Noctowl}}.
*Ash has two rivals that started off with turtle-like Pokémon. Gary started with [[Gary's Blastoise|Squirtle]] and Paul started off with [[Paul's Torterra|Turtwig]].
*Ash also has two female friends that started off with bird-like Pokémon. May started off with [[May's Blaziken|Torchic]] and Dawn started off with {{TP|Dawn|Piplup}}.
*The characters of the anime that share Ash's voice actress, both in English and in Japanese, are usually female or Pokémon.
*In the case of Ash's Fire-type Pokémon, he always somehow saves them before capturing them, either from an abusive trainer or from other Pokémon.
*Because Ash began wearing his AG clothes before leaving for Hoenn and did not change into his DP clothes until after he arrived in Sinnoh, Ash wore the AG clothes during episodes from all three series.
[[Image:Ash maid.jpg|200px|thumb|Ash crossdressed for a third time.]]
*Ash has crossdressed once in each anime series: ''[[EP026|Pokémon Scent-sation]]'' was the first time, in the [[original series]], ''[[AG042|Love at First Flight]]'' was the second, in the [[Advanced Generation series]], and ''[[DP062|Tanks for the Memories!]]'' was the third, in the [[Diamond & Pearl series]]. Each time Ash has crossdressed, he was never willing to do so and was coerced or forced into it in some fashion.
**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 eggplant in ''[[AG104|Claydol Big and Tall]]''. On both occasions he was used to lure a large Pokémon.
**Ash has also had to dress up on numerous occasions as actual Pokémon to help out the [[characters of the day]]. He has so far been a Mr. Mime in ''[[EP064|It's Mr. Mime Time]]'', as an Octillery in ''[[EP215|Octillery the Outcast]]'' and as a Seviper in ''[[AG048|Zig Zag Zangoose!]]''.
*Ash has owned four Pokémon that have also been owned by [[Gym Leaders]]. [[Falkner]] ({{AP|Pidgeot}}), [[Flannery]] ({{AP|Torkoal}}), [[Winona]] ({{AP|Swellow}}), and [[Gardenia]] ({{AP|Turtwig}}). Coincidently, all of them either have bird or turtle-like Pokémon. Other Gym Leaders have owned Pokémon that happened to be either the evolved form or pre-evolved form of one of Ash's Pokémon. [[Lt. Surge's Raichu]] ({{AP|Pikachu}}), [[Cissy]]'s {{p|Blastoise}} ({{AP|Squirtle}}), [[Falkner]]'s {{p|Hoothoot}} ({{AP|Noctowl}}), [[Bugsy]]'s {{p|Metapod}} ({{AP|Butterfree}}), and [[Crasher Wake]]'s {{p|Floatzel}} ({{AP|Buizel}}).
*Ash last released a Pokémon during the original series. Since its end, he has been leaving his Pokémon at [[Professor Oak]]'s lab often, a [[EP061|habit]] he got from [[Misty]].
*All of Ash's primate-based Pokémon have been owned by two Trainers - [[Paul]] previously owned {{AP|Chimchar}}, {{ka|Anthony}} currently owns {{AP|Primeape}}, and Dawn currently owns Aipom which later evolved into {{TP|Dawn|Ambipom}}.
*All of Ash's Pokémon that have evolved twice ({{AP|Charizard}}, {{AP|Sceptile}} and {{AP|Butterfree}}) also have cross-generation counterparts on {{an|May}}'s team ({{TP|May|Blaziken}}, {{TP|May|Venusaur}}, and {{TP|May|Beautifly}}, respectively).
*Ash has the most Pokémon that know moves that [[Anime move errors|they can't learn in the games]]: [[Ash's Butterfree|Caterpie]] with {{m|Counter}}, {{AP|Charizard}} with {{m|Tackle}}, {{AP|Bulbasaur}} with {{m|Tickle}} (debatable), {{m|Dig}}, and {{m|Whirlwind}}, {{AP|Raticate}} with {{m|Hi Jump Kick}}, {{AP|Staravia}} with {{m|Gust}}, and {{AP|Larvitar}} with {{m|Harden}}.
*Although Ash is the main character of the Pokémon anime, he has never been featured on an English TCG card.
*Ash has three turtle-like, Basic-Stage Pokémon: Squirtle, Torkoal and Turtwig. Each corresponds to one of the three elemental types of the starter Pokémon, though Torkoal isn't a starter itself.
** A related coincidence is that three of the four female Gym Leaders own a turtle/tortoise-like Pokémon.
*Despite having 2 [[Soothe Bell]]s, Ash has yet to capture any Pokémon that evolve through happiness, while both Brock and Dawn have Pokémon on their team that undergo happiness evolutions at some stage ({{TP|Dawn|Buneary}} and {{TP|Brock|Happiny}}).
*Ash has owned at least one Pokémon of each type except {{t|Dark}}, {{t|Dragon}}, {{t|Steel}}, and {{t|Psychic}}.
*Discounting [[Koga]], who was a [[Gym Leader]] at the time of Ash's battle against him, Ash has so far battled three [[Elite Four]] members, namely [[Lorelei|Prima]], [[Drake (Elite Four)|Drake]] and [[Agatha]], losing to all three. He has met all four of Generation I Kanto's Elite Four, two of Generation II's, one of Hoenn's, and one of Sinnoh's. He has also met all five in-game champions (or their anime counterparts, at least).
*It is interesting to note that Ash's [[Diamond & Pearl series|Diamond & Pearl]] outfit looks much like {{ga|Lucas}}'s. The biggest difference between the two is the fact that Lucas wears a scarf, and that Ash retains the {{wp|baseball cap}} style for his hat, while Lucas's is a {{wp|flat cap}}.
*Four of Ash's Pokémon have been introduced to moves by someone else: {{AP|Pikachu}} and {{m|Iron Tail}}, {{AP|Swellow}} and {{m|Aerial Ace}}, {{AP|Turtwig}} and {{m|Energy Ball}}, and {{AP|Staravia}} and {{m|Brave Bird}}. Of these, three are [[TM]] moves in the games.
*Three of Ash's Pokémon were caught by him after first premiering in Pokémon movies: {{AP|Donphan}} (''[[Mewtwo Strikes Back]]''), {{AP|Aipom}} (''[[Spell of the Unown]]'') and {{AP|Buizel}} (''[[Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea]]'').
** Strangely, both Donphan and Aipom are {{cat|Generation II Pokémon}} and were both used in battle against him by an opponent during the opening credits of the movies.
*Altogether, if the movies are considered to be canon, Ash has seen at least twenty-eight different species of legendary Pokémon, and at least ten of them multiple times.
** In addition, Ash has a (usually hinted) connection or formed close bonds with at least five of those Pokemon: Ho-Oh, Lugia, Celebi, Latias and Lucario.

==Names==
{| border="1" style="border: 1px solid #88a; border-collapse: collapse;" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2"
|- style="background: #ccf;"
! Language
! Name
! Origin
|-
|Japanese
| サトシ ''Satoshi''
| Can be taken to mean 智 (wisdom; reason); named after [[Satoshi Tajiri]].
|-
|English
| Ash Ketchum
| Ketchum sounds similar to ''catch 'em''. First name can be found in Japanese name, S'''a'''to'''sh'''i. The Sat'''osh'''i in the Japanese name also sounds like Ash.
|-
|French
| Sacha
| Contains the English name: S-Ash-A
|-
|German
| Ash
| Same as English name
|-
|Korean
| 한지우 ''Han Jiu''
| 지 is from 智 ''satoshi''.
|-
|Chinese
| 小智 ''Xiǎo Zhì''
| 智 is from 智 ''satoshi''.
|}
==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://pokeani.com/poke/r_poke-satoshi1.html Satoshi's Pokémon pg. 1] on [[Pokeani]] (Japanese)
*[http://pokeani.com/poke/r_poke-satoshi2.html Satoshi's Pokémon pg. 2] 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]
 

{{Champions}}
{{Ash's Pokémon}}
{{Animecharacters}}
{{Leaguetrainers}}

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

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

Ash Ketchum

2008-07-24T04:08:47Z

ShadowDeeps:

:''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]].''
----
{{FAC notice}}
{{CharacterInfobox|
name=Ash Ketchum|
jname=サトシ |
tmname=Satoshi |
slogan=no |
image=[[Image:SatoshiDP.png|150px]] |
caption=Art from Diamond/Pearl anime |
age=yes |
years=10 (as of [[EP001|debut]]) |
colors=yes|
eyes=Brown |
hair=Black |
gender=Male |
hometown=[[Pallet Town]] |
region=[[Kanto]] |
relatives=[[Delia Ketchum|Delia]], Unknown father ([[EP002]]), Unknown grandfather ([[EP002]]) (Japanese only) ({{pkmn|anime}}) [[Mom]] ([[Electric Tale of Pikachu|manga]])
|trainer=yes |
trainerclass={{pkmn|Trainer}} |
game=no |
leader=no |
team=no |
brain=no |
anime=yes |
epnum=EP001 |
epname=Pokémon! I Choose You! |
enva=[[Veronica Taylor]] ({{4Kids}}) [[Sarah Natochenny]] ({{PUSA}}) |
java=[[Rica Matsumoto]] |
}}

'''Ash Ketchum''' (Japanese: '''サトシ''' ''Satoshi'') is the main character of both the [[Pokémon anime]] and the manga [[The Electric Tale of Pikachu]]. His Japanese voice actress is 松本梨香 ''[[Rica Matsumoto]]'', his English voice actresses are [[Veronica Taylor]] ([[4Kids Entertainment]] dub) and [[Sarah Natochenny]] ([[Pokémon USA]] dub), his Brazilian voice actor is [[Fábio Lucindo]], his Italian voice actor is [[Davide Garbolino]], and his Spanish voice actors are [[Adolfo Moreno]] (Spain) and [[Gabriel Ramos]] (Latin America). In the first dub of [[The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon]] he was voiced by [[Kayzie Rogers|Jamie Peacock]].

Ash is apparently based on the main character of [[Pokémon Red and Blue Versions]], {{ga|Red}}. He shares his name with the creator of the [[Pokémon]] franchise, [[Satoshi Tajiri]]. His Japanese name can be taken to mean "wisdom" or "reason" (智), and his English name has many meanings. His English last name is a pun on the original English Pokémon motto, "[[Gotta Catch 'em All!]]". As for his first name, some note that "Ash" has the same letters found in ''S'''a'''to'''sh'''i''.

==In the anime==
===Character===
[[Image:Anime Ash.png|thumb|Ash Ketchum in the original series]]
Ash's main goal in life, as described in the first episode, ''[[EP001|Pokémon! I Choose You!]]'', is to be the world's greatest [[Pokémon Master]]. Ash began his journey at the age of 10 as a warm-hearted and well-intentioned but stubborn and unskilled [[Pokémon Trainer]]. He was forced to accept the irreverent {{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 he showed his willingness to give up his own safety to keep Pikachu safe, he formed a strong bond of friendship with his Pokémon which would set his course for the future.

However, from that point, Ash still had a lot to learn about becoming a Trainer. He [[captured Pokémon|caught]] his [[Ash's Butterfree|first Pokémon]] by luck, knew nothing about [[Pokémon battle|battling]], and showed a reluctance to admit when he was wrong. Many of his first [[Gym]] [[badge]]s were given to him out of pity or gratitude for his assistance rather than claiming a victory in battle over the [[Gym Leader]]s. Every time he thought he was doing well, he would somehow cross paths with his childhood [[rival]], [[Gary Oak]], who always reminded Ash that he was always a step or seven behind.

Ash's dedication to his goal paid off over time, and after earning his first eight badges, he competed in the [[Indigo League]], and advanced further in the rounds than Gary. After recovering from his defeat, he continued on to improve his skill, take on new challenges, and compete in more [[Pokémon League]] competitions.

Ash has matured tremendously and changed a great deal over the course of the series, particularly in regards to his skill at [[Pokémon training]], but his earnestness and determination have remained. Never straying from his goal, he has remained loyal to 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 and learning 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, and defeated [[Gary's Blastoise]] with his {{AP|Charizard}} by causing the field to overheat and have Charizard mount a close-range attack while Blastoise was blinded by the steam.

[[Image:SatoshiAG.png|thumb|left|Ash in the Advanced Generation series]]
Additionally, during the first season of the series, while Ash originally trained not to further himself but instead to catch more Pokémon than his rival, Gary, he later slowed his pace which allowed him to focus on the individual traits of each Pokémon. At the [[Silver Conference|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, as when [[Ash's Primeape|a Mankey]] stole [[Ash's hat|his 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 ''[[AG178|Slaking Kong]]'', he stated merely that he would feel strange without a hat.

In nearly every episode of the anime, 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 [[Misty]] in ''[[EP273|Gotta Catch Ya Later]]'' as well as Brock, {{an|May}} and [[Max]] in ''[[AG177|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:AshAura.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Ash using Aura inside the [[Tree of Beginning]]]]
Ash apparently has a close connection with [[Legendary Pokémon]], especially {{p|Ho-Oh}} and {{p|Lugia}}. In the English dub of the [[The Power of One|second movie]], he was revealed to be "The Chosen One" - the one who would bring balance back to the world. 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]] and [[DP072]], Ash uses [[aura]] again to locate a lost Riolu and read Riolu's mind as well. However, these were one time deals, as Riolu had an unnaturally powerful aura.

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 also carries around a broken [[Poké Ball]], of which the other half belongs to Gary and is a symbol of their ongoing, but now friendly, rivalry, as well as [[Misty's special lure]], which she sent to him as a gift, and also half of a ribbon he received in a contest against May before she left the group to compete in Johto.
 

===Family===
Ash lived with his mother, [[Delia Ketchum]], until he left for his Pokémon journey at the age of ten.

His father is never introduced. The anime suggests that his father was once a Pokémon Trainer, but it is unclear whether he is still living. There has been much discussion in the fandom as to the identity of Ash's father, though the writers have chosen to not focus on this aspect of Ash's life. Common characters put forward by fans for the role are [[Giovanni]], [[Professor Oak]] and {{an|Silver}}. In [[Pokémon Live!]], Delia told Ash that Giovanni had once been her boyfriend, and that he was Ash's father. However, this has never been officially acknowledged.

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===
====On hand====



{|border="1" style="border: 1px solid #000; border-collapse: collapse;" width=345px cellspacing="0"
|-
| align=center | [[Image:025.png]] {{AP|Pikachu}}
| align=center | [[Image:396.png]]→[[Image:397.png]] [[Ash's Staravia|Starly → Staravia]]
| align=center | [[Image:387.png]] {{AP|Turtwig}}
|-
| align=center | [[Image:390.png]] {{AP|Chimchar}}
| align=center | [[Image:207.png]]→[[Image:472.png]] [[Ash's Gliscor|Gligar → Gliscor]]
| align=center | [[Image:418.png]] {{AP|Buizel}}
|-
|}

====With Professor Oak====
[[Image:Battle Frontier - Satoshi's Lineup 3.jpg|thumb|right|Ash surrounded by some of his Pokémon in the ''[[Battle Frontier (song)|Battle Frontier]]'' opening.]]

{|border="1" style="border: 1px solid #000; border-collapse: collapse;" width=400px cellspacing="0"
|-
| align=center | [[Image:001.png]] {{AP|Bulbasaur}}
| align=center colspan=2 | [[Image:098.png]] → [[Image:099.png]] [[Ash's Kingler|Krabby → Kingler]]
| align=center | [[Image:089.png]] {{AP|Muk}}
|-
| align=center | [[Image:128.png]] {{AP|Tauros}}(×30)
| align=center | [[Image:143.png]] {{AP|Snorlax}}
| align=center | [[Image:214.png]] {{AP|Heracross}}
| align=center | [[Image:155.png]] {{AP|Cyndaquil}}
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | [[Image:152.png]] → [[Image:153.png]] [[Ash's Bayleef|Chikorita → Bayleef]]
| align=center | [[Image:158.png]] {{AP|Totodile}}
| align=center | [[Image:Spr_4d_164_s.png]] {{AP|Noctowl}}
|-
| align=center colspan=3 | [[Image:DPEgg.png]] → [[Image:231.png]] → [[Image:232.png]] [[Ash's Donphan|Egg → Phanpy → Donphan]]
| align=center | [[Image:341.png]] {{AP|Corphish}}
|-
| align=center colspan=3 | [[Image:Ash's Treecko.png]] → [[Image:Ash's Grovyle.png]] → [[Image:Ash's Sceptile.png]] [[Ash's Sceptile|Treecko → Grovyle → Sceptile]]
| align=center | [[Image:324.png]] {{AP|Torkoal}}
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | [[Image:276.png]] → [[Image:277.png]] [[Ash's Swellow|Taillow → Swellow]]
| align=center colspan=2 | [[Image:361.png]] → [[Image:362.png]] [[Ash's Glalie|Snorunt → Glalie]]
|}

====In training====
{|border="1" style="border: 1px solid #000; border-collapse: collapse;" width=300px cellspacing="0"
|-
| align=center | [[Image:057.png]] {{AP|Primeape}}
| align=center | [[Image:Ash's Squirtle2.png]] {{AP|Squirtle}}
|-
| align=center colspan=2 | [[Image:004.png]] → [[Image:005.png]] → [[Image:006.png]] [[Ash's Charizard|Charmander → Charmeleon → Charizard]]
|}

====Released====

{|border="1" style="border: 1px solid #000; border-collapse: collapse;" width=300px cellspacing="0"
|-
| align=center colspan=3 | [[Image:010.png]] → [[Image:011.png]] → [[Image:012.png]] [[Ash's Butterfree|Caterpie → Metapod → Butterfree]]
|-
| align=center | [[Image:017.png]] → [[Image:018.png]] [[Ash's Pidgeot|Pidgeotto → Pidgeot]]
| align=center | [[Image:131.png]] {{AP|Lapras}}
|-
|}

====Traded away====
{|border="1" style="border: 1px solid #000; border-collapse: collapse;" width=200px cellspacing="0"
|-
| align=center | [[Image:020.png]] {{AP|Raticate}} (Traded for his Butterfree, and back again)
| align=center | [[Image:190 f.png]] [[Dawn's Ambipom|Aipom]] (Traded to {{an|Dawn}})
|}

====Temporary====
{|border="1" style="border: 1px solid #000; border-collapse: collapse;" width=400px cellspacing="0"
|-
| align=center | [[Image:024.png]] {{p|Arbok}} (Used during a Pokémon League exam)
| align=center | [[Image:110.png]] {{p|Weezing}} (Used during a Pokémon League exam)
| align=center | [[Image:052.png]] {{p|Meowth}} (Used during a Pokémon League exam)
| align=center | [[Image:119.png]] {{AP|Seaking}} (Released under Contest Rules)
| align=center | [[Image:106.png]] {{p|Hitmonlee}} (Borrowed from [[Master Hamm]] in ''[[AG145|Pasta La Vista]]'' to battle May with a {{p|Hitmonchan}})
|}

====Given away====
{|border="1" style="border: 1px solid #000; border-collapse: collapse;" width=200px cellspacing="0"
|-
| align=center | [[Image:DPEgg.png]] [[Misty's Togetic|Egg]] (hatched in [[Misty|Misty's]] arms)
| align=center | [[Image:015.png]] {{TP|Casey|Beedrill}} (given to {{an|Casey}})
|}

====Unofficial====
{|border="1" style="border: 1px solid #000; border-collapse: collapse;" width=400px cellspacing="0"
|-
| align=center | [[Image:093.png]] {{TP|Sabrina|Haunter}} (given to [[Sabrina]])
| align=center colspan=2| [[Image:DPEgg.png]] → [[Image:246.png]] [[Pokémon egg|Egg]] → {{AP|Larvitar}}
|}

===Badges obtained===
====Indigo League====
[[Image:Asheightkanto.jpg|thumb|right|Ash's eight [[badge]]s of [[Kanto]]]]
* [[Badge#Boulder Badge|Boulder Badge]]
* [[Badge#Cascade Badge|Cascade Badge]]
* [[Badge#Thunder Badge|Thunder Badge]]
* [[Badge#Marsh Badge|Marsh Badge]]
* [[Badge#Rainbow Badge|Rainbow Badge]]
* [[Badge#Soul Badge|Soul Badge]]
* [[Badge#Volcano Badge|Volcano Badge]]
* [[Badge#Earth Badge|Earth Badge]]

====Orange League====
* [[Badge#Coral-Eye Badge|Coral-Eye Badge]]
* [[Badge#Sea Ruby Badge|Sea Ruby Badge]]
* [[Badge#Spike Shell Badge|Spike Shell Badge]]
* [[Badge#Jade Star Badge|Jade Star Badge]]
====Johto League====
* [[Badge#Zephyr Badge|Zephyr Badge]]
* [[Badge#Hive Badge|Hive Badge]]
* [[Badge#Fog Badge|Fog Badge]]
* [[Badge#Storm Badge|Storm Badge]]
* [[Badge#Glacier Badge|Glacier Badge]]
* [[Badge#Plain Badge|Plain Badge]]
* [[Badge#Mineral Badge|Mineral Badge]]
* [[Badge#Rising Badge|Rising Badge]]
====Hoenn League====
[[Image:Ashs hoenn badges.jpg|thumb|right|Ash's eight badges from Hoenn.]]
* [[Badge#Stone Badge|Stone Badge]]
* [[Badge#Knuckle Badge|Knuckle Badge]]
* [[Badge#Dynamo Badge|Dynamo Badge]]
* [[Badge#Heat Badge|Heat Badge]]
* [[Badge#Balance Badge|Balance Badge]]
* [[Badge#Feather Badge|Feather Badge]]
* [[Badge#Mind Badge|Mind Badge]]
* [[Badge#Rain Badge|Rain Badge]]

====Battle Frontier====
* [[Factory Head Noland|Knowledge Symbol]]
* [[Arena Tycoon Greta|Guts Symbol]]
* [[Dome Ace Tucker|Tactics Symbol]]
* [[Pike Queen Lucy|Luck Symbol]]
* [[Palace Maven Spenser|Spirits Symbol]]
* [[Salon Maiden Anabel|Ability Symbol]]
* [[Pyramid King Brandon|Brave Symbol]]
====Sinnoh League====
* [[Badge#Coal Badge|Coal Badge]]
* [[Badge#Forest Badge|Forest Badge]]
* [[Badge#Cobble Badge|Cobble Badge]]
* [[Badge#Fen Badge|Fen Badge]]




===Pokémon Competitions===
====Pokémon League ranking====
Ash placed in the following [[Pokémon League]] [[Pokémon League Conference|competitions]]:
* [[Indigo Plateau Conference]] (Top 16)
* [[Silver Conference]] (Top 8)
* [[Ever Grande Conference]] (Top 8)

====Pokémon Championship battles====
Ash challenged the following Pokémon championships as well:
* [[Orange League]] (Champion)
* [[Battle Frontier]] (Champion)

====Miscellaneous Competitions====
Ash has participated in the following competitions:
* [[Bug-Catching Contest]] (Champion)
* [[Extreme Pokémon Race|Extreme Pokémon]] (Champion)
* [[Fire and Rescue Grand Prix]]
* [[Grass Tournament]]
* [[Hearthome Collection]] (3rd Place)
* [[P1 Grand Prix]] (Champion)
* [[Pokémon Balloon Race]] (Champion)
*[[Pokémon Contest]]s
**{{to|Terracotta}} Contest (unofficial) (Winner - Tied with {{an|May}})
**{{ci|Jubilife}} Contest
** [[Wallace Cup]] (Top 8)
* [[Pokémon Orienteering]]
* [[Pokémon Swap Meet]] Tauros-battling competition (Winner)
* [[PokéRinger]] (Champion)
* [[Seaking Catching Day]]
* [[Sinnoh Double Battle Tournament]]  (Champion - with [[Paul]])
* [[Sumo Conference]] (Champion)
* [[Whirl Cup]] (Top 16)
* [[Pokémon Cosplay|Pokémon Cosplay Contest]]
* [[Alto Mare]] Canal Race
* [[Rota]] Tournament (Champion)

==In the manga==
{{mangastub}}
The manga version of Ash Ketchum is based on the anime version, but there are many differences after both versions took different directions. For example, while anime Ash is indifferent to romance or members of the opposite gender (or same gender, some may argue), manga Ash has a big crush on Gary's sister, [[May Oak]]. He's also prone to quickly falling in love like Brock, but to a much less extreme degree.
===Pokémon===
[[Image:Satoshidengeki.PNG|thumb|right|Ash in [[Electric Tale of Pikachu]] manga.]]
{|border="1" style="border: 1px solid #000; border-collapse: collapse;" width=300px cellspacing="0"
|-
| align=center | [[Image:025.png]] {{AP|Pikachu}}
| align=center | [[Image:022.png]] {{AP|Fearow}}
| align=center | [[Image:017.png]] [[Ash's Pidgeot|Pidgeotto]]
|-
| align=center colspan=3 | [[Image:010.png]] → [[Image:011.png]] → [[Image:012.png]] [[Ash's Butterfree|Caterpie → Metapod → Butterfree]]
|-
| align=center colspan=3 | [[Image:004.png]] → [[Image:005.png]] → [[Image:006.png]] [[Ash's Charizard|Charmander → Charmeleon → Charizard]]
|-
| align=center | [[Image:001.png]] {{AP|Bulbasaur}}
| align=center | [[Image:007.png]] {{AP|Squirtle}}
| align=center | [[Image:043.png]] {{p|Oddish}}
|-
| align=center | [[Image:089.png]] {{AP|Muk}}
| align=center | [[Image:131.png]] {{AP|Lapras}}
| align=center | [[Image:143.png]] {{AP|Snorlax}}
|}

====Traded away====
{|border="1" style="border: 1px solid #000; border-collapse: collapse;" width=150px cellspacing="0"
|-
| align=center | [[Image:056.png]] {{p|Mankey}} (Given away for a map, which turns out to be fake)
|}

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

{| {{bluetable}}
|- style="background: #DDDDFF;"
!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) || 9/19
|-
| {{TCG ID|8th Movie Half Deck|Ash's Grovyle|1}} || {{e|Grass}} || - || - || {{TCG|8th Movie Half Deck}} (no English release) || 1/20
|-
| {{TCG ID|8th Movie Half Deck|Ash's Phanpy|4}} || {{e|Fighting}} || - || - || {{TCG|8th Movie Half Deck}} (no English release) || 4/20
|-
| {{TCG ID|8th Movie Half Deck|Ash's Swellow|7}} || {{e|Colorless}} || - || - || {{TCG|8th Movie Half Deck}} (no English release) || 7/20
|-
| {{TCG ID|9th Movie Half Deck|Ash's Aipom|10}} || {{e|Colorless}} || - || - || {{TCG|9th Movie Half Deck}} (no English release) || 10/19
|-
| {{TCG ID|"ADV-P" Promo|Ash's Treecko|36}} || {{e|Grass}} || - || - || {{TCG|"ADV-P" Promotional cards}} (no English release) || 36/"ADV-P"
|}

==Trivia==
*In [[EP009|the ninth episode]] Ash mentioned that he had been a Pokémon trainer for 2 months. This time frame is further reinforced when Ash learns that the Pokémon League will begin in two months when he [[EP065|returns to Pallet Town]] after earning his eighth badge - he arrives at Indigo Stadium [[EP074|nine episodes later]]. If time continued at this rate, he would be at least 20 years old in the latest Japanese episode, something that's implied strongly by {{MTR}} in ''[[DP002|Two Degrees of Separation!]]''. However, given that some episodes take place directly after each other, this time frame is clearly not consistent.
* Ash has been mistaken to be the son of two women from [[Kanto]] and the [[Orange Islands]]. The first time was in ''[[EP027|Hypno's Naptime]]'' where he was mistaken for a boy named Arnold, while the second was in ''[[EP108|Pokémon Double Trouble]]'' when [[Luana]] mistook him for her son [[Travis]].
*Ash has caught 48  different kinds of Pokémon, including evolutions and counting Larvitar, Seaking, Beedrill, Haunter, and Raticate, even though Larvitar and Haunter were not officially his, Beedrill was given away nearly immediately, and Seaking was released as part of contest rules. The original tagline for the dub was "[[Gotta Catch 'Em All!]]", but Ash has only caught 9.74% of the current number of Pokémon. This line was eventually dropped in 2003.
*Ash has caught or received 63 different individual Pokémon, 30 of which are his Tauros.
*Other than {{AP|Krabby}}, his many {{AP|Tauros}}, and {{TP|Casey|Beedrill}}, Ash has never caught a Pokémon when his [[party]] had six members.
*Ash's first choice of a starter was Squirtle. Later, it is revealed that Gary was the one who, in fact, chose Squirtle. Ash's second choice was Bulbasaur, while his third was Charmander.
*So far, every time Ash becomes the champion of something, he then battles and gets defeated by [[Gary Oak|Gary]] a few episodes later, before heading off to a new region. This has happened after his championing of the [[Orange League]] and the [[Battle Frontier]], which were both "filler seasons" before the start of even-numbered generations.
*[[EP241|At one time]], Ash was transformed into a {{p|Pikachu}}. This transformed state is sometimes referred to as [[Ashachu]].
*Ash has captured each [[generation]]'s {{type2|Grass}} [[starter Pokémon]] (Bulbasaur, Chikorita, Treecko, Turtwig).
*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 [[Advanced Generation series]], where he only captured {{AP|Treecko}}, while the other two were {{OP|May|Torchic}} and {{OP|Brock|Mudkip}}. However, it is possible that the trend will be reestablished in the [[Diamond & Pearl series]] story arc, as Ash has already managed to capture both a {{AP|Turtwig}} and {{AP|Chimchar}}, two of the Sinnoh region's starter Pokémon. This is unlikely, however, as {{an|Dawn}} already has the third, {{TP|Dawn|Piplup}}.
**However, he did command Piplup during ''[[DP046|A-Maze-ing Race!]]'', and Chimchar during its last few minutes on Paul's team.
*Ash has captured one {{type2|Flying}} Pokémon from each series region that players can encounter early in different games: {{AP|Pidgeotto}}, {{AP|Noctowl}}, {{AP|Taillow}}, and {{AP|Starly}}.
*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.
*With the exception of Koga, Ash had to either do some sort of heroic deed or re-challenge all of the Kanto Gym Leaders to earn his badge. This, however, never applied to his Earth Badge, as he never battled against Giovanni himself, instead challenging the Team Rocket trio that had constantly followed him.
*So far, Ash always befriends someone shortly before the regional tournament. That person will beat Ash later on in the semifinals.
*Though not as touched on anymore, a running gag in the English version of the series involved [[Delia Ketchum|his mother]] making sure that Ash changed his underwear every single day.
*A pattern has developed among Ash's {{t|Grass}} starters: {{AP|Bulbasaur}} never evolved, [[Ash's Bayleef|Chikorita]] evolved once and [[Ash's Sceptile|Treecko]] evolved twice. Many believe [[Ash's Turtwig]] won't evolve so the pattern continues.
*Ash's room, seen at the start of [[EP001|the first episode]], contains a lot of merchandise based off various Pokémon, including a bedspread with a [[Poké Ball]] pattern, a trash can with a {{p|Staryu}} on it, a big {{p|Snorlax}} [[Pokémon doll|doll]], a {{p|Poliwag}} pencil sharpener, a {{p|Clefairy}} bank, a {{p|Zubat}} mobile, a poster with {{p|Squirtle}}, {{p|Bulbasaur}} and {{p|Charmander}}, and a {{p|Voltorb}} alarm clock with a {{p|Pidgey}} inside it which he breaks in his sleep. He also has many books, a globe, a boombox, a television and a [[Bug Catcher]]'s net. Based on the slanting of the ceiling of his room, it is probably in the attic of his house.
*During his adventures in Kanto, Johto and the Orange Islands, Ash pinned his badges to the inside of his jacket. From Hoenn onwards, they have been kept in some form of case. It is unknown where the badges of Ash's previous journeys are, though it is assumed that they are kept somewhere in his house. Delia placed Ash's trophy from the Orange Islands on top of the television, though this was missing when Ash looked in his living room in ''[[AG191|Home is Where the Start Is]]''. Interestingly, the scene following it showed an identical trophy placed in Professor Oak's lab.
*Each time Ash successfully wins his eighth badge, all eight are stolen, though soon after returned. It is unknown if this will happen again in the [[Diamond & Pearl series]].
*The most badges Ash has ever gotten in the first thirty-five episodes were six badges in Kanto, which makes sense considering that Kanto was significantly shorter than any other saga (aside from the Orange Island saga and the Battle Frontier saga). In every other region thus far, he has only won two badges in the first thirty-five episodes.
*The only girl Ash has even shown a confirmed [[Shipping|interest]] is named [[Giselle]] whom appeared in ''[[EP009|The School of Hard Knocks]]''.
*The only {{type2|Fire}} starter Ash has not owned is {{p|Torchic}}.
*Ash is the only {{ashfr|main character}} that has caught a {{shiny2}} Pokémon, which is his {{AP|Noctowl}}.
*Ash has two rivals that started off with turtle-like Pokémon. Gary started with [[Gary's Blastoise|Squirtle]] and Paul started off with [[Paul's Torterra|Turtwig]].
*Ash also has two female friends that started off with bird-like Pokémon. May started off with [[May's Blaziken|Torchic]] and Dawn started off with {{TP|Dawn|Piplup}}.
*The characters of the anime that share Ash's voice actress, both in English and in Japanese, are usually female or Pokémon.
*In the case of Ash's Fire-type Pokémon, he always somehow saves them before capturing them, either from an abusive trainer or from other Pokémon.
*Because Ash began wearing his AG clothes before leaving for Hoenn and did not change into his DP clothes until after he arrived in Sinnoh, Ash wore the AG clothes during episodes from all three series.
[[Image:Ash maid.jpg|200px|thumb|Ash crossdressed for a third time.]]
*Ash has crossdressed once in each anime series: ''[[EP026|Pokémon Scent-sation]]'' was the first time, in the [[original series]], ''[[AG042|Love at First Flight]]'' was the second, in the [[Advanced Generation series]], and ''[[DP062|Tanks for the Memories!]]'' was the third, in the [[Diamond & Pearl series]]. Each time Ash has crossdressed, he was never willing to do so and was coerced or forced into it in some fashion.
**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 eggplant in ''[[AG104|Claydol Big and Tall]]''. On both occasions he was used to lure a large Pokémon.
**Ash has also had to dress up on numerous occasions as actual Pokémon to help out the [[characters of the day]]. He has so far been a Mr. Mime in ''[[EP064|It's Mr. Mime Time]]'', as an Octillery in ''[[EP215|Octillery the Outcast]]'' and as a Seviper in ''[[AG048|Zig Zag Zangoose!]]''.
*Ash has owned four Pokémon that have also been owned by [[Gym Leaders]]. [[Falkner]] ({{AP|Pidgeot}}), [[Flannery]] ({{AP|Torkoal}}), [[Winona]] ({{AP|Swellow}}), and [[Gardenia]] ({{AP|Turtwig}}). Coincidently, all of them either have bird or turtle-like Pokémon. Other Gym Leaders have owned Pokémon that happened to be either the evolved form or pre-evolved form of one of Ash's Pokémon. [[Lt. Surge's Raichu]] ({{AP|Pikachu}}), [[Cissy]]'s {{p|Blastoise}} ({{AP|Squirtle}}), [[Falkner]]'s {{p|Hoothoot}} ({{AP|Noctowl}}), [[Bugsy]]'s {{p|Metapod}} ({{AP|Butterfree}}), and [[Crasher Wake]]'s {{p|Floatzel}} ({{AP|Buizel}}).
*Ash last released a Pokémon during the original series. Since its end, he has been leaving his Pokémon at [[Professor Oak]]'s lab often, a [[EP061|habit]] he got from [[Misty]].
*All of Ash's primate-based Pokémon have been owned by two Trainers - [[Paul]] previously owned {{AP|Chimchar}}, {{ka|Anthony}} currently owns {{AP|Primeape}}, and Dawn currently owns Aipom which later evolved into {{TP|Dawn|Ambipom}}.
*All of Ash's Pokémon that have evolved twice ({{AP|Charizard}}, {{AP|Sceptile}} and {{AP|Butterfree}}) also have cross-generation counterparts on {{an|May}}'s team ({{TP|May|Blaziken}}, {{TP|May|Venusaur}}, and {{TP|May|Beautifly}}, respectively).
*Ash has the most Pokémon that know moves that [[Anime move errors|they can't learn in the games]]: [[Ash's Butterfree|Caterpie]] with {{m|Counter}}, {{AP|Charizard}} with {{m|Tackle}}, {{AP|Bulbasaur}} with {{m|Tickle}} (debatable), {{m|Dig}}, and {{m|Whirlwind}}, {{AP|Raticate}} with {{m|Hi Jump Kick}}, {{AP|Staravia}} with {{m|Gust}}, and {{AP|Larvitar}} with {{m|Harden}}.
*Although Ash is the main character of the Pokémon anime, he has never been featured on an English TCG card.
*Ash has three turtle-like, Basic-Stage Pokémon: Squirtle, Torkoal and Turtwig. Each corresponds to one of the three elemental types of the starter Pokémon, though Torkoal isn't a starter itself.
** A related coincidence is that three of the four female Gym Leaders own a turtle/tortoise-like Pokémon.
*Despite having 2 [[Soothe Bell]]s, Ash has yet to capture any Pokémon that evolve through happiness, while both Brock and Dawn have Pokémon on their team that undergo happiness evolutions at some stage ({{TP|Dawn|Buneary}} and {{TP|Brock|Happiny}}).
*Ash has owned at least one Pokémon of each type except {{t|Dark}}, {{t|Dragon}}, {{t|Steel}}, and {{t|Psychic}}.
*Discounting [[Koga]], who was a [[Gym Leader]] at the time of Ash's battle against him, Ash has so far battled three [[Elite Four]] members, namely [[Lorelei|Prima]], [[Drake (Elite Four)|Drake]] and [[Agatha]], losing to all three. He has met all four of Generation I Kanto's Elite Four, two of Generation II's, one of Hoenn's, and one of Sinnoh's. He has also met all five in-game champions (or their anime counterparts, at least).
*It is interesting to note that Ash's [[Diamond & Pearl series|Diamond & Pearl]] outfit looks much like {{ga|Lucas}}'s. The biggest difference between the two is the fact that Lucas wears a scarf, and that Ash retains the {{wp|baseball cap}} style for his hat, while Lucas's is a {{wp|flat cap}}.
*Four of Ash's Pokémon have been introduced to moves by someone else: {{AP|Pikachu}} and {{m|Iron Tail}}, {{AP|Swellow}} and {{m|Aerial Ace}}, {{AP|Turtwig}} and {{m|Energy Ball}}, and {{AP|Staravia}} and {{m|Brave Bird}}. Of these, three are [[TM]] moves in the games.
*Three of Ash's Pokémon were caught by him after first premiering in Pokémon movies: {{AP|Donphan}} (''[[Mewtwo Strikes Back]]''), {{AP|Aipom}} (''[[Spell of the Unown]]'') and {{AP|Buizel}} (''[[Pokémon Ranger and the Temple of the Sea]]'').
** Strangely, both Donphan and Aipom are {{cat|Generation II Pokémon}} and were both used in battle against him by an opponent during the opening credits of the movies.
*Altogether, if the movies are considered to be canon, Ash has seen at least twenty-eight different species of legendary Pokémon, and at least ten of them multiple times.
** In addition, Ash has a (usually hinted) connection or formed close bonds with at least five of those Pokemon: Ho-Oh, Lugia, Celebi, Latias and Lucario.

==Names==
{| border="1" style="border: 1px solid #88a; border-collapse: collapse;" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="2"
|- style="background: #ccf;"
! Language
! Name
! Origin
|-
|Japanese
| サトシ ''Satoshi''
| Can be taken to mean 智 (wisdom; reason); named after [[Satoshi Tajiri]].
|-
|English
| Ash Ketchum
| Ketchum sounds similar to ''catch 'em''. First name can be found in Japanese name, S'''a'''to'''sh'''i. The Sat'''osh'''i in the Japanese name also sounds like Ash.
|-
|French
| Sacha
| Contains the English name: S-Ash-A
|-
|German
| Ash
| Same as English name
|-
|Korean
| 한지우 ''Han Jiu''
| 지 is from 智 ''satoshi''.
|-
|Chinese
| 小智 ''Xiǎo Zhì''
| 智 is from 智 ''satoshi''.
|}
==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://pokeani.com/poke/r_poke-satoshi1.html Satoshi's Pokémon pg. 1] on [[Pokeani]] (Japanese)
*[http://pokeani.com/poke/r_poke-satoshi2.html Satoshi's Pokémon pg. 2] 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]
 

{{Champions}}
{{Ash's Pokémon}}
{{Animecharacters}}
{{Leaguetrainers}}

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

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

EP001

2008-07-02T03:03:02Z

ShadowDeeps:

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{{EpisodeInfobox2|
epcode=EP001 |
title_en=Pokémon, I Choose You! |
title_ja=ポケモン! きみにきめた! |
title_ja_trans=Pokémon! I Choose You! |
screen=yes |
screenshot=PokémonIChooseYou.gif |
broadcast_jp=April 1, 1997 |
broadcast_us=September 8, 1998 |
en_series=Indigo League |
en_op=[[Pokémon Theme]] |
ja_op=[[Aim to Be a Pokémon Master|めざせポケモンマスター]] |
ja_ed=[[Hundred and Fifty-One|ひゃくごじゅういち]] |
olmteam=Team Ota |
scenario=首藤剛志 |
storyboardn=1 |
storyboard1=湯山邦彦 |
directorn=1 |
director1=鈴木敏明 |
artn=2 |
art1=酒井啓史 |
art2=一石小百合 |
footnotes=*This is one of the few episodes storyboarded by executive producer [[Kunihiko Yuyama]].
*[[a:Category:EP001 screenshots|Screenshots on Bulbagarden Archives]] }}
'''Pokémon, I Choose You!''' (Japanese: '''ポケモン! きみにきめた!''' ''Pokémon! I Choose You!''), is the very first episode of the [[Pokémon anime]]. In the US, the first episode shown was ''[[EP015|Battle Aboard the St. Anne]]''. It was first broadcast in Japan on April 1, 1997 and was first broadcast in the United States on September 8, 1998.

In this episode, [[Ash Ketchum]] starts his Pokémon journey off to a rough start when he receives his [[first Pokémon]], the reluctant [[Ash's Pikachu|Pikachu]].

{{spoilers}}

== Synopsis ==
The episode begins the same way as [[Pokémon Red and Blue Versions|Pokémon Red]], down to the style of the images and the sound. A {{p|Nidorino}} and a {{p|Gengar}} are exchanging attacks in a {{pkmn|battle}}. After Nidorino dodges Gengar's attack, it leaps at it. At the same time, the [[Pokémon games|game]] starts coming to life, with the small frame enlarging to the entire screen, and the monochrome [[Pokémon]] fading into color.

The two are battling in a stadium at the [[Pokémon League]], watched by crowds of fans. Gengar dodges Nidorino's {{m|Fury Attack}}, and then jumps on its head to make an opening to put it to sleep with {{m|Hypnosis}}. As Nidorino falls {{status|Sleep|asleep}}, its {{pkmn|Trainer}} recalls it into its [[Poké Ball]], and then throws out another to take its place. The Gengar jumps back as an {{p|Onix}} comes out. It tries to {{m|Slam}} into Gengar face-first, but misses and hits the battlefield instead. It pulls back up, unphased.

This battle is being watched on television by a boy from [[Pallet Town]] named [[Ash Ketchum]]. He is now ten years old, which means he can become a [[Pokémon Trainer]]. Tomorrow, he will receive a [[starter Pokémon]] from [[Professor Oak]] and start his Pokémon journey, the first step on the long quest of his dream of becoming a [[Pokémon master]].

His mother enters the room and reminds him that it's 11 o'clock at night, and he should be asleep. He complains that he's too excited to sleep. As a compromise, his mother changes his television's channel to [[Professor Oak's lecture]], and tells him to go to bed when the program is finished.

That night, he dreams about the starter Pokémon as he tries to decide which one he wants. First, he dreams of choosing and sending out {{p|Bulbasaur}}, and then {{p|Squirtle}}. The night turns to morning, and Ash, still in bed, dreams about if he chose {{p|Charmander}}. Suddenly, he bolts awake to find that he threw his ball-shaped alarm clock in his sleep, and it has smashed against the wall. Afraid that he might have overslept, Ash bolts out of his house in his pajamas and runs as fast as he can to [[Professor Oak's Laboratory]].

Outside the laboratory, a crowd of people has gathered, including a group of [[Gary's cheerleaders|cheerleaders]]. Ash pushes through and bumps into his [[rival]] and the grandson of the professor, [[Gary Oak]]. Gary taunts him for being late, telling Ash that he's already received his starter Pokémon from his grandfather. He boasts to the crowd that he will make Pallet Town famous by becoming a Pokémon master. Ash, however, is more interested in finding out what Gary starter chose. Gary tells him that it was the best one, and then leaves in a red sports car, followed by the crowd.

Before Ash can say anything about how upset he is by his rival, Professor Oak approaches him. Ash drops his anger and asks about getting a Pokémon. Professor Oak seems doubtful that he's ready, since he showed up in his pajamas, but Ash insists that he's ready.

Inside Oak's laboratory, three Poké Balls are set up on a storage device, with a place for a fourth in the center. Ash decides that he would like to start with Squirtle, but when he opens the Poké Ball, he finds that it's empty. Professor Oak tells him it was taken by a Trainer who wasn't late. After this, he decides he'd like Bulbasaur, but this Poké Ball is also empty. He settles for his last choice, Charmander, but the final Poké Ball is also empty. The three were all taken by Trainers who arrived on time, and it seems there is no Pokémon left for Ash.

Professor Oak mentions that he has another Pokémon, but there's a problem with it. Ash wants it anyway. The fourth spot in the middle opens to show a Poké Ball with a lightning bolt mark on it. He picks it up and hands it to Ash. The ball opens, and in a burst of lighting, {{p|Pikachu}} comes out of the ball. Ash loves the cute Pokémon, and picks it up and hugs it. Pikachu doesn't like this, and shocks him with an {{t|Electric}} attack. Oak hands him a [[Pokédex]] and six Poké Balls, but gets shocked as well when he touches Ash.

When Ash steps outside the laboratory, he finds a small crowd has gathered as well, including his mother, who is sad to see him leaving. She gives him his [[bag]] full of supplies, and starts explaining everything she packed for him. He gets embarrassed and pulls it away. She sees Pikachu, and wonders why it isn't in its Poké Ball. He tries to get it in, but it hits the ball back every time. Ash says that they are friends, even despite Pikachu's behavior. His mother calls it weird, and in anger, it shocks the entire crowd with its electricity.

Soon, Ash has set off, trying to get a handle on the rebellious Pokémon by wearing rubber gloves and dragging it with a clothesline leash. After getting tired of dragging it along, he tries to talk to it and find out what's wrong, only to find out that Pikachu can't say anything but its name. He tries to convince it to get back in its Poké Ball, and pulls out his new Pokédex for information on it. However, the Pokédex explains that not all Pokémon like to be kept in Poké Balls. Ash decides to earn Pikachu's trust by treating it nicely, and unties the clothesline and takes off his rubber gloves. Pikachu turns away.

Then, a {{p|Pidgey}} walks out near them, and Ash scans it with his Pokédex for more information. He's eager to catch it, but Pikachu doesn't want to help him and instead runs up a tree. Frustrated, Ash decides to try and catch the Pidgey without Pikachu's help. He throws a Poké Ball at it, but the Pidgey breaks out easily. The Pokédex explains that a Pokémon should be weakened before it can be caught. Pikachu laughs at Ash. He tries again, this time attempting to throw his pajama shirt on top of the Pidgey, but the bird blows him off with a {{m|Gust}} and then hits him with a {{m|Sand Attack}} before it flies away. Pikachu laughs at Ash more. Ash turns and sees that a {{p|Rattata}} is digging through his bag, and scares it away. He scans it with his Pokédex, which mentions that Rattata is a forest Pokémon. Just as Ash questions why it came out into the field, the Pokédex explains that it sometimes leaves its habitat to steal from ''stupid'' travelers. Pikachu laughs at Ash even more.

Ash turns and sees a group of Pidgey in the field, and throws a rock at them, which only scares them away. However, he sees another bird Pokémon in the field and throws another rock at it, hitting it in the back of its head. When it turns to look at him, however, he realizes that he didn't hit a Pidgey; he scans it with his Pokédex and learns that this is a {{p|Spearow}}, which is considerably less friendly than a Pidgey. The Spearow swoops several times to attack him, and then spots and targets Pikachu instead. The Pokédex explains that wild Pokémon are sometimes jealous of trained Pokémon. Just as the Spearow is about to knock Pikachu out of the tree, Pikachu shocks it with an Electric attack, knocking it out of the sky.

The Spearow, however, cries for help, and Ash and Pikachu start running away from a flock of angry Spearow. Pikachu runs ahead of Ash, and the Spearow fly after it, attacking it until it falls to the ground. The Spearow start swarming around it, but Ash grabs his injured Pikachu and runs straight to a waterfall. He jumps into the river below to escape the Spearow, and is dragged into a large pond, narrowly swimming out of the path of a {{p|Gyarados}}.

On the shore of this pond, a [[Misty|girl]] is [[fishing]], and is excited to find that she has a bite. However, instead of a {{t|Water}}-type Pokémon, she pulls out Ash and Pikachu. She doesn't care about Ash, but is very concerned about the injured Pokémon in his arms. She tells him that he needs to take it to the [[Pokémon Center]] in [[Viridian City]], and points out the way to go. However, he hears the distant cries of Spearow, and turns to see the flock in the sky, flying towards him. He steals the girl's [[bicycle|bike]], putting the Pikachu in its basket, and rides away promising that he'll bring it back someday.

He quickly starts riding to Viridian City, with storm clouds above him and the Spearow in close pursuit. It starts to rain. He rides the bike over a ledge, and it falls on its side, knocking Ash and Pikachu off. Ash finds himself looking at his injured Pikachu lying on the ground, with the Spearow approaching and the storm growing worse. Desperate to save his Pokémon, he leaves Pikachu's Poké Ball next to it, and then stands before the Spearow, telling him to attack them in order to give Pikachu time to get inside its ball where it will be safe. However, just as the Spearow are about to dive on Ash, Pikachu leaps up and over Ash's shoulder, jumping at the flock of Spearow. The lightning from the storm is drawn to Pikachu, and it uses a massive Electric attack to take out the entire flock, as well as the girl's bike.

Once the storm has cleared, Ash and Pikachu both rouse from where they were knocked back on the ground, exhausted but victorious. Ash looks up and sees {{an|Ho-Oh}} flying through the sky, over the rainbow that had been left after the storm, however his Pokédex cannot identify it.

He continues on, carrying his new friend Pikachu in his arms as he walks the rest of the way to Viridian City.

== Major events ==
* Ash, [[Gary]], and two unnamed trainers begin their journeys.
* Ash starts with a {{AP|Pikachu}}.
* Gary starts with a {{TP|Gary|Squirtle}}*.
* The two unknown trainers start with {{p|Bulbasaur}} and {{p|Charmander}}.
* Ash meets Misty.
* Ash steals Misty's [[bike]].
* Ash reaches [[Viridian City]].
:''*Unknown before [[EP269|The Ties That Bind]].''
{{animeevents}}

=== Debuts ===
* [[Ash Ketchum]]
* [[Ash's Pikachu]]
* [[Professor Oak]]
* [[Delia Ketchum]]
* [[Misty]]
* [[Gary Oak]]

==== Pokémon debuts ====
* {{p|Gengar}}
* {{p|Nidorino}}
* {{p|Onix}}
* {{p|Dodrio}}
* {{p|Pikachu}} ({{OP|Ash|Pikachu}})
* {{p|Rattata}}
* {{p|Pidgey}}
* {{p|Spearow}} ([[Ash's Fearow|anime]])
* {{p|Sandshrew}}
* {{p|Mankey}}
* {{p|Gyarados}}
* {{p|Ho-Oh}} ([[Ho-Oh (anime)|anime]])
* {{p|Magikarp}}
* {{p|Voltorb}}

== Characters ==
=== Humans ===
* {{Ash}}
* [[Gary Oak]]
* [[Professor Oak]]
* [[Delia Ketchum]]
* [[Misty]]
* [[Gary's cheerleaders]]
* Residents of [[Pallet Town]]

=== Pokémon ===
[[Who's That Pokémon?]]: {{p|Pikachu}}
* {{p|Pikachu}} ([[starter Pokémon]], [[Ash's Pikachu|given to Ash]])
* {{p|Bulbasaur}} (Ash's dream)
* {{p|Charmander}} (Ash's dream)
* {{p|Squirtle}} (Ash's dream)
* {{p|Nidorino}} (unnamed trainer's)
* {{p|Onix}} (unnamed trainer's)
* {{p|Gengar}} (unnamed trainer's)
* {{p|Pidgey}}
* {{p|Rattata}}
* {{p|Spearow}} ([[Ash's Fearow|anime]])
* {{p|Sandshrew}}
* {{p|Mankey}}
* {{p|Dodrio}}
* {{p|Magikarp}}
* {{p|Gyarados}}
* {{p|Ho-Oh}} ([[Ho-Oh (anime)|anime]])

== Trivia ==
* The legendary bird Ash saw at the ending of the episode was {{p|Ho-Oh}}. This makes Ho-Oh the first [[Generation II]] Pokémon seen in the series.
* This is the first (but not last) time the Japanese title of a Pokémon episode is directly translated into English instead of rewritten.
* The shadowed trainer shown at the very beginning of the episode with the Nidorino and Onix was [[Bruno]].
* This is the only main series episode that does not have [[Team Rocket]] in it until season 8.
* In the Who's That Pokémon for this season, [[4Kids Entertainment]] always uses a Pokémon that is in that particular episode.
* Ash has a {{p|Voltorb}} clock, with a cuckoo clock {{p|Pidgey}} in it.
* This is the only episode where one can see Pikachu in its [[Poké Ball]].
* The widescreen opening mimics the opening to [[Pokémon Red and Blue Versions]], which seamlessly moves into a Pokémon battle Ash is watching on television.
* Pikachu's Poké Ball has a lightning bolt on it.
* Ash's first choice for a [[starter Pokémon]] was {{p|Squirtle}}. His second choice was {{p|Bulbasaur}} and his last choice was {{p|Charmander}}.
* [[Gary's Blastoise|Squirtle]] is actually the Pokémon that [[Gary]] chose, though this is not revealed until ''[[EP269|The Ties That Bind]]'', near the end of the Johto saga.
* The English voice actors started recording for the first season in April 1998.
* Ash tries and fails to capture a Pidgey, though he will [[EP003|later]] succeed in capturing [[Ash's Pidgeot|its evolution]].
* The Spearow that Ash throws a rock at (and subsequently angers) in this episode makes a return appearance in the final [[Kanto]]-based episode, ''[[Pallet Party Panic]]'', though it has evolved into {{p|Fearow}}.
* This episode can be found on the third [[GBA video]].
* This is one of the few episodes where [[Rachael Lillis]] provides the voice of Pikachu in a few scenes. This happened when another character spoke over [[Ikue Ohtani]]'s Pikachu voice and the audio could not be saved.
* Despite this episode's centering around receiving a [[starter Pokémon]], neither {{p|Bulbasaur}}, {{p|Charmander}}, or {{p|Squirtle}} actually appeared in the flesh until [[EP010]], [[EP011]], and [[EP012]], respectively. This is unlike the following generations where at least two of the starter Pokémon appeared in the first episode of that generation.
* This was the first episode dubbed by [[Master Sound]].
* The first [[Poké Ball]] ever seen in the anime was on Ash's television, and it was green.
* When Pikachu gets hit by the lightning bolt, the move it uses is similar to {{m|Shock Wave}}.
* In this episode, it is revealed that {{p|Spearow}} see in black and white.

=== Errors ===
* In the beginning, Pikachu's Poké Ball has a lightning bolt on it, but later the bolt is gone. After this episode, this Poké Ball is never again seen in the anime, due to the fact that Pikachu is never kept in it. However, it is revealed in [[EP054]] that Ash had six Poké Balls, even though he does not keep his Pikachu in any of them.
* When Ash runs up to Misty's bike, his shoes are not painted, making it look like he has socks on. Then, when he puts Pikachu in her bike, his shoes are painted red like Misty's.

=== Dub edits ===
* When Ash goes into Professor Oak's lab and looks at the Poké Balls, they are all labeled in Japanese. Later, when Ash picks up a Poké Ball, the labels are painted over.
* In the unedited/Japanese version, after Ash said to [[Misty]], "I'm okay," she slapped him. This was cut from the English dub due to direct violence controversy.
*When Delia switches the channel on Ash's TV, we see Professor Oak talking about tomorrow being the newest day for Pokémon students. However, when we see the whole view of the TV when Ash moves his head into view, look under Charmander, Bulbasaur, and Squirtle. They have their Japanese names written below each picture. But when they zoom in on each picture and then the camera eases out, the Japanese names are gone.
* When Ash speaks to Gary in this episode in the English dub, Gary acts as though it was the first time they've met when they've known each other since their early childhood.

==In other languages==
* European Portuguese: '''{{tt|Pokémon, Escolho-te a Ti|Pokémon, I Choose You}}'''
* Brazilian Portuguese: '''{{tt|Pokémon, Eu Escolho Você |Pokémon, I Choose You}}'''
* Canadian French: '''{{tt|Pokémon, c'est toi que je choisis !|Pokémon, I Choose You!}}'''
* Czech: '''{{tt|Pokémone, volím si tebe!|Pokémon, I Choose You!}}'''
* Dutch: '''{{tt|Pokémon, ik kies jou!|Pokémon, I Choose You!}}'''
* French: '''{{tt|Le départ|The departure}}'''
* German: '''Pika-Pikachu'''
* Italian: '''{{tt|L' inizio di una grande avventura|The beginning of a great adventure}}'''
* Korean: '''피카츄 너로 정했다!''' ''{{tt|Pikachyu Neoro Jeonghaetta!|Pikachu, I choose you!}}''
* Latin American Spanish: '''{{tt|Pokémon, ¡Yo te elijo!| Pokémon, I choose you!}}'''
* Polish: '''{{tt|Pokémon, wybieram cię!|Pokémon, I Choose You!}}'''
* Russian: '''{{tt|Покемон, я выбираю тебя|Pokémon, I Choose You}}'''
* Spanish: '''{{tt|¡Pokémon, te elijo a ti!|Pokémon, I Choose You}}'''
* Finnish: '''{{tt|Pokémon! Minä valitsen sinut!|Pokémon, I Choose You}}'''

{{EpisodePrevNext|
prevlink=List of original series episodes |
prevtitle=List of original series episodes |
nextlink=EP002 |
nexttitle=EP002: Pokémon! Emergency! |
series=Original series |
episodelist=List of original series episodes}}
{{Project Anime notice}}
[[Category:Original series episodes]]
[[Category:Episodes written by Takeshi Shudō]]
[[Category:Episodes storyboarded by Kunihiko Yuyama]]
[[Category:Episodes directed by Toshiaki Suzuki]]
[[Category:Episodes animated by Hiroshi "Kei" Sakai]]
[[Category:Episodes animated by Sayuri Ichiishi]]
[[Category:Episodes focusing on Ash]]
[[Category:Episodes focusing on Pikachu]]
[[Category:Episodes in which a main character is introduced]]
[[Category:Episodes in which a main character obtains a new Pokémon]]

[[de:Pika-Pikachu (Episode)]]
[[fr:Épisode 1]]
[[ja:無印編第1話]]
[[pt:EP001]]