User:Hikaru Wazana/Ash's rivals

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Ash's Rivals

Note: This page is under development, feel free to increase it in some detail.

During the course of the anime, many characters have appeared in opposition to Ash. Similar to games in virtually every region Ash meets a new rival and battle it several times during the course of the region. Often an anime establishes three types of rivals in these areas:

Main Rival: Rival that usually wins the most battles and is finally defeated in battle in the main competition of the anime. Their attitudes are more rude and they usually stay one step ahead of Ash. Examples of this are Gary, Paul and Trip.

Ash's current rivals from XY series:Shauna, Trevor and Tierno

Friendly Rival: character who generally tend to have attitudes more generally friendly and tend to be in the same level of battles of the protagonist. Examples are Barry, Morrison and Bianca.

League Rival: character who often appears to meet Ash soon after the final battle against the main rival at the Pokémon League, every battle so far resulted in defeat for Ash. Their example is Tobias, Harrison and Tyson.

In the anime

Original series

The initial phase of anime stabilized only as Gary Oak rival for much of its course, but as the story continued in Johto way more characters entered. Misty also acted like rivals in many episodes, but it followed different goals.

Gary Oak

Main article: Gary Oak

Gary and his Umbreon

Gary is the first rival of Ash (and possibly the biggest one so far). He is the grandson of Professor Oak and began his journey along with his Squirtle, with a few appearances in the Kanto region he is eventually defeated in the league and finished in the top 32.

During the Orange League saga he goes in search of training, after rediscovering Ash, he defeats Ash's Pikachu with his powerful Eevee (which later evolved into Umbreon ) and go to the Johto region.

They eventually battle for the Silver Conference where Ash is victorious after a tough battle because of this Gary decides to become a Pokémon researcher.

He makes brief appearances during the Battle Frontier saga of the anime, where he defeats Ash's Pikachu again with his newly acquired Electivire and continues its journey to the Sinnoh region, where it creates a kind of rivalry with the Pokémon Hunter J and tries to help by a order in the plans of Team Galactic.

Pokémon

Gary Oak
Hometown: Pallet Town
Episodes Present
EP001, EP063, EP065, EP121, EP171, SS015, AG192, DP045, M01
Method	Kanto	Johto	Hoenn	Sinnoh
Gift
Caught
Unknown
Evolved

As of Showdown at the Po-ké Corral, Gary has more than 200 Pokémon in his collection including more than one of the same species.

Ritchie

Main article: Ritchie

Ritchie

Ritchie is a character that first appeared during the Indigo League arc, he and Ash team up to defeat the Rockets after they steal many Pokémon from trainers of the competition. They quickly become friends and soon after find out that it would face too, because the interference of Team Rocket and lack of control of his Charizard, Ash ends up being defeated in battle.

He appears again in the arch of Whirl Island where they both try to save a baby Lugia and a relative of the Team Rocket members.

His most recent appearance is in three episodes in Pokémon: Chronicles

Pokémon

Ritchie
Hometown: Frodomar City (dub only)
Episodes Present
EP220-EP222
Method	Pre-series	Post-Kanto
Evolved
Unknown

Casey

Main article: Casey

Casey

Casey is a beginner trainer from New Bark Town who first appeared in the early phase in Johto. In her first fight, it is completely defeated by Ash using only his Charizard. Once again, she battles against Ash and his Pikachu where she put up a good fight only to be stopped by the actions of Team Rocket. Both also competed in the Bug-Catching Contest where Ash wins the competition, yet it's he gives to her his newly captured Beedrill.

Pokémon

Casey
Hometown: New Bark Town
Episodes Present
EP118, EP161, EP261, SS011, SS017
Method	Johto
Evolved
Gift
Caught
Unknown

Harrison

Main article: Harrison

Harrison

Native to the region of Hoenn, Harrison helped Ash to rescue the flame of the Silver Conference that was with a wild Sneasel. After rescuing the flame, he captures the Sneasel with the help of his Blaziken.

He have a hard battle against Ash where he can able to beat Ash's Charizard despite the disadvantage of type with Blaziken, but he loses the next match against Jon Dickson.

After this, he decides goes to the Kanto region.

Pokémon

Harrison
Hometown: Littleroot Town
Episodes Present
EP265-EP272
Method	Pre-series	Johto
Gift Pokémon
Evolved
Unknown
Caught

Advanced Generation

Although the saga Advance Generation anime has never created a rival to Ash himself, many characters during the course of the series acted as his rivals at some points.

Morrison

Main article: Morrison

Morrison

Morrison first appears just before the Pokémon League in Hoenn region, he battles with his Beldum against Ash and Pikachu which results in a tie.

Shortly thereafter, Beldum evolves into a Metang in the competition.

He battles with Ash, in the beginning he battled in order to lose on purpose, but after Ash revolts, they battle at the same level.

Pokémon

Morrison
Hometown: Verdanturf Town
Episodes Present
AG118, AG126-AG132
Method	Pre-series	Hoenn
Unknown
Evolved

Tyson

Main article: Tyson

Tyson

Tyson is a veteran trainer Ash and his friends find during the festivities for the start of the competition in Ever Grande City. His main Pokémon is a powerful Meowth that he found abandoned after a wild brawl against a Persian.

He battles against Ash for the eighth position in the championship and wins after a tough battle. Then it is shown that he proved to be the winner of the competition.

Pokémon

Tyson
Hometown: Mauville City
Episodes Present
AG125-AG132
Method	Pre-series	Hoenn
Caught
Unknown

Diamond & Pearl

Diamond & Pearl is, so far, the series which introduced the largest amount of rivals. In addition to Ash's rivals, some of Dawn's battled against Ash as well at one point or another.

Paul

Main article: Paul

Paul

Paul is an experienced Trainer from Veilstone City. Much of his rivalry with Ash was due to a disagreement over which Pokémon training method was correct. While Paul would focus on strengthening his Pokémon through heavy training sessions, Ash believed that developing a bond with his Pokémon was the best way to achieve good results. This caused many confusing arguments between them throughout the series.

Paul is also the original Trainer of Ash's Infernape, who was released when it was a Chimchar after failing to meet Paul's expectations during the Hearthome City Tag Battle Competition.

Despite his starter Pokémon being a Turtwig, which evolved into a Torterra before its introduction, Paul's main Pokémon is an Electivire that he trained since it was an Elekid and was used in the last battle against Ash in the Lily of the Valley Conference.

Pokémon

Paul
Hometown: Veilstone City
Episodes Present
DP002-DP003, DP006, DP015-DP016, DP040, DP046, DP050-DP052, DP064, DP067, DP074, DP077-DP078, DP081, DP100, DP118, DP127-DP128, DP131-DP132, DP155, DP163, DP182-DP189, M13
Method	Kanto/Johto/Hoenn	Pre-series	Sinnoh
Gift
Caught			(×3)
Evolved
Given Away
Released			(×3)
Unknown

Barry

Main article: Barry

Barry

Barry is a hyperactive Trainer and a fan of Paul. Ash first met him in Hearthome City, where they had their first battle which ended in a defeat for him. Like Dawn and Kenny, Barry is from Twinleaf Town. He is the son of Palmer, one of the Sinnoh Frontier Brains.

He battled Paul during the Lily of the Valley Conference, but lost to him.

Pokémon

Barry
Hometown: Twinleaf Town
Episodes Present
DP101-DP103, DP110-DP111, DP140-DP141, DP157, DP163, DP182-DP189
Method	Pre-series
Caught
Unknown

Conway

Main article: Conway

Conway

Conway is a knowledgeable Trainer who was Dawn's tag partner during the Hearthome City Tag Battle Competition. Thanks to his experience and strategies, they both reached the finals of the tournament, where they faced Ash and Paul but lost to them after the evolution of Paul's Elekid.

He appeared again during the four-part Pokémon Summer Academy arc.

His latest appearance was at the Lily of the Valley Conference, where he battled Ash once again. He was able to trick Ash with his strategies, but lost after a hard battle.

Pokémon

Conway
Hometown: Unknown
Episodes Present
DP050-DP052, DP088-DP091, DP182-DP185
Method	Pre-series
Unknown

Nando

Nando

Main article: Nando

Nando is a collected Trainer and Coordinator who enjoys music. When Ash first met him, he was questioning whether he should challenge Gyms or compete in Contests. He decided to do both after having a battle with Ash and Dawn.

He was the first opponent Ash faced in the Lily of the Valley Conference, and although he battled well, he was eventually defeated.

Tobias

Main article: Tobias

Tobias

Tobias is a very powerful Trainer who competed in the Lily of the Valley Conference. Very little is known about him except he managed to obtain the eight required Badges to enter the Sinnoh League using just his Darkrai.

He faced Ash in the semifinals of the competition. During the battle, his Darkrai managed to defeat three of Ash's Pokémon before being knocked out by Ash's Sceptile. Tobias then sent out Latios, who defeated Ash's other two Pokémon until it drew against Pikachu. After that, Tobias won his next match and became the Champion of the competition.

Pokémon

Tobias
Hometown: Unknown
Episodes Present
DP183-DP189
Method	Pre-series
Unknown

Best Wishes/Black & White

Similar to the original series (in the Kanto region, specifically) is the first time that Ash's rival is mainly a beginner trainer. From Minccino-Neat and Tidy!, is also introduced one of these two rivals presents in games Black and White.

Trip

Main article: Trip

Trip

Trip is the main rival of Best Wishes, despite being a rookie trainer, he defeats Ash's Pikachu in his first battle, much of this is due to the effect caused by Zekrom into Pikachu.

He battles Ash again in A Rival Battle for Club Champ! in a battle 5x5, he lost only two Pokémon into battle and win several Ash's Pokémon with one blow.

He reappears again in the arc in the town of Castellia.

Trip is a fan of Alder, which he watched a Pokémon battle when he was younger and had contact with his idol, which inspired him to train hard and strong following with the intention of facing his idol.

Pokémon

Trip
Hometown: Nuvema Town
Episodes Present
BW001, BW010, BW022, BW031, BW039-BW040, BW052, BW070-BW072, BW090-BW093, BW103-BW104
Method	Unova
Given
Caught
Evolved

Bianca

Bianca

Main article: Bianca

Bianca is a beginner trainer who first appeared in Minccino-Neat and Tidy!, she is sent by Professor Juniper to deliver a badge case to Ash. She quickly becomes friends with the characters and joins the group in Emolga the Irresistible!, later she made an attempt to capture one wild Emolga and leaves the group in the next episode to try to win more badges.

She reappears in the arc of Club Battle's tournament, as one of the participants, but is defeated in his first match. She appears again in several episodes during the Ash's journey in Unova region.

Pokémon

Bianca
Hometown: Nuvema Town
Episodes Present
BW013, BW024-BW025, BW037, BW039-BW042, BW049, BW062-BW063, BW070-BW073, BW103-BW108
Method	Unova
Caught
Evolved
Given
Trade
Traded

Stephan

Main article: Stephan

Stephan

Stephan is a trainer Ash and his friends meet during the trip to find Nimbasa City. His main Pokémon is a Zebstrika that first appeared as a Blitzle. He reappears in the arc of the Club Battle's tournament, as one of the participants.

Stephan proves to be itself a powerful Trainer who thanks to his hard training and dedication to their Pokémon can win the Clubsplosion tournament after defeating powerful trainers including the former champion of competition.

Pokémon

Stephan
Hometown: Unknown
Episodes Present
BW032, BW039-BW042, BW069-BW073, BW103-BW108
Method	Unova
Unknown
Evolved

Cameron

Cameron

Main article: Cameron (Unova)

Cameron has made his first appearance in Goodbye, Junior Cup - Hello Adventure!, trying to participate in the World Tournament Junior Cup. However, he arrives late for the competition, after he reunites with Ash and his friends again when they took their leave to Dawn believing he had the necessary requirements to participate in the Pokémon League. In The Road to Humilau! he battled Marlon in a Gym battle.

His main Pokémon is a Riolu that usually follows him outide its Pokéball.

Pokémon

Cameron
Hometown: Unknown
Episodes Present
BW093-BW094, BW103-BW108
Method	Pre-series	Unova
Unknown
Evolved

Virgil

Virgil

Main article: Virgil

Virgil is a rescue worker, a job which he carries out together with his father Jeff and his older brother Davey. He owns an Eevee and all of its evolutions. He intends to enter the Unova League, making him another one of Ash's many rivals.

Pokémon

Virgil
Hometown: Unknown
Episodes Present
BW102-BW108
Method	Unova
Caught	(x7)
Evolved
Unknown	*

XY series

Initially, Tierno was Ash's primary rival for the first part of the XY series, with Trevor serving as a minor secondary rival. During the second part of his Kalos journey, however, Ash struck up serious rivalries with Alain and Sawyer. Alain wished to test the unique power of Ash and his Greninja, while Sawyer looked up to Ash and made it his goal to surpass him.

Alain

Alain

Main article: Alain

Alain is a former pupil of Professor Sycamore, an extremely powerful Trainer who went on a journey to join the possible maximum power generated by Mega Evolutions. Without him knowing it ends up being manipulated by Team Flare in their actions in Kalos acting as a personal agent of leader's organization Lysandre.

After meeting Ash, he decides to participate in the Pokémon League to maximize the potential of his Charizard. He first appears as the protagonist of the Mega Evolution special episodes, later Alain is introduced into the main series in the XY & Z arc.

Pokémon

Alain
Hometown: Unknown
Episodes Present
SS029-SS035, M17, XY068, XY094, XY106, XY107, XY116, M19, XY123, XY068, XY125-present
Method	Kalos
Given
Caught
Evolved

Tierno

Main article: Tierno (anime)

Tierno in the anime

Tierno debuted in Summer of Discovery! along Shauna and Trevor.

Pokémon

Tierno
Hometown: Santalune City
Episodes Present
XY039-XY042, XY065, XY090, XY112, XY113, XY125-present
Method	Kalos
Caught
Given
Evolved

Trevor

Tierno in the anime

Trevor is a Pokémon Trainer and photographer from Lumiose City who first appeared in Summer of Discovery!along with Shauna and Tierno, and his Charmander. Like in the games, his goal as a Trainer is to meet every Pokémon in the Pokédex as stated during his introduction. Throughout his journey, Trevor aims to take pictures of all the Pokémon he encounters.

Pokémon

Trevor
Hometown: Lumiose City
Episodes Present
XY039-XY042, XY080, XY086, XY090, XY112, XY113, XY125-present
Method	Kalos
Given
Evolved
Caught

Sawyer

Sawyer

Main article: Sawyer

Sawyer met Ash, Serena and Bonnie in A Fashionable Battle! in the Laverre City Gym, where he was asking for a Gym Battle with Valerie. He recognized Clemont as the Lumiose City Gym Leader, as he had had a Gym Battle with him in Battling with Elegance and a Big Smile!. He left the group in Rivals: Today and Tomorrow!.

Pokémon

Sawyer
Hometown: Unknown		First joined in Kalos
Episodes traveled with Ash
XY073-XY075
Method	Pre-series	Kalos
Evolved
Given
Unknown

In the movies

Rafe

Rafe

Main article: Rafe

Rafe is one of the main characters in Destiny Deoxys, much like other rivals, he acts in rude way to Ash. Them face off in a Tag Battle in Battle Tower of Larousse City, where he is victorious.

During the crisis in the city, he and Ash put their differences aside and join to help the city.

Pokémon

Rafe
Hometown: South City
Episodes Present
M07
Method	Pre-series
Unknown

In the manga

Rafe

Ash & Pikachu

Rafe

Pokémon Journeys: The Series

Bea and Ash rivalry in Pokémon Journeys: The Series

Trivia

• Gary, Paul and Alain notably are the only ones Ash's rivals that appeared in a movie in person: Gary appears in a flashback of his fight against Giovanni and Mewtwo in the first movie and Paul walking into a location appears similar statues of Dialga and Palkia present in the city of Solaceon during the credits in the thirteenth movie.
  • However, most rivals of Ash in the Sinnoh and Unova region appear in static images during the credits of the thirteenth film.
  • With his flashback in The Dream Continues! and Let's Join Hands, Gary is only rival to have appeared in all series of anime.

• Similar to that, disregarding the counterparts of the main games, Gary and Ritchie are the only rivals who appeared in one game in the series himself and also the manga-based anime.

• All main rivals battled Ash's Pikachu in their first battle against Ash.

See also

• Rival