List of major anime ships

Evidence

• Throughout their time together, Max has always shown great admiration for Ash. But he has also took pleasure out of taunting him for not knowing something.

• There's No Place Like Hoenn

Max was extremely excited to meet Ash, whom he recognized from watching the Silver Conference on television.

• Home is Where the Start is!

Max is so upset by Ash leaving that he runs off by himself. When Ash finds him, he reassures him that they will always be friends and promises to battle him someday after he becomes a Trainer. This makes Max happy leading him to accept the separation.

Name origins

• Alf comes from Max incorrectly referring to Ash by this name when they first met.

Similarities

• Both own a male walking Pokémon that has not evolved yet and can evolve twice.
• Both own an Electric-type, squirrel-like Pokémon that had a habit of shocking them and their friends with Discharge, but eventually gained control and stopped shocking them.
• Both own an evolved dual Ground-type that used to disobey them.
• Both have taken extra measures to cheer for Ash during a Gym battle. Dawn dressed up like a cheerleader for some of Ash's Gym battles while Iris played a drum during his battle with Roxie.
• They are Ash's only female friends that have not worn a Nurse Joy outfit (Misty wore one in A Chansey Operation, May in Claydol Big and Tall, Serena and Bonnie in Adventures in Running Errands! and Lana, Lillie and Mallow in Real Life...Inquire Within!).

Name origins

• Annemae is derived from the assumption that the name Annemae roughly means "rebellious pearl", but a closer breakdown puts it more at "favored pearl".

Evidence

• The Right Place and the Right Mime

Max is thoroughly impressed by Tracey's artistic skills and refers to him as sir. Tracey thanks him and says he could just call him by his first name. Max then imagines drawing Pokémon like he does. A bit later, Max asks Tracey if he could return the Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle that Professor Oak is giving to starting Trainers to their Poké Balls which Tracey lets him do.

Similarities

• Both wear a similar attire, including a green shirt and shorts. They are also the only male protagonists to wear shorts rather than pants.
• Both are the only main protagonists not to have an official in-game counterpart.

Trivia

• DebateShipping is also used for Tracey and Gilbert.

Evidence

• Pikachu Revolts

Misty is seen bandaging James's wounds after he and Jessie had lost their Pokémon to Butch and Cassidy.

• Forest Grumps

Misty gets separated from Ash and Brock and ends up with James and Meowth. Feeling sorry for the both of them, she gives some of her lunch to them. Later when everyone escapes the raging Ursaring, James and Misty are seen holding each other in happiness.

Alternate names

• AlternaShipping - Alternate name for James and Cassidy
• AlternateShipping - Alternate name for Butch and Cassidy
• OpressionShipping (misspelled)
• RomeoShipping
• TwerpyShipping
• WhinyShipping

Name origins

• Greeneye refers to James and Misty's eye colors.

Evidence

• Scare at the Litwick Mansion!

A group of Litwick and their Lampent leader open a mysterious vortex that nearly sucks in James, Jessie, and Meowth. Cilan is nearly sucked in as well after being hit by a Shadow Ball that knocks him off of his feet. He would have been sucked in completely but he is saved by James who grabs his arm. Earlier, James's life force had been drained by the Litwick who were accompanying him and his friends. Despite that and his feelings towards Ash and his friends, James decides to put his own safety aside and use what strength he has left to rescue Cilan. Some might argue, however, that he only rescued him as a return favor for Ash saving Jessie from the same fate. Others note that James chose to help who he may consider an enemy but did not attempt to try and save his friends before hand.

Alternate names

• GundamShipping

Name origins

• GundamSeiyuu refers to James and Cilan's voice actors, Shin-ichiro Miki and Mamoru Miyano, respectively, who both voiced characters in the Gundam anime franchise.

Similarities

• Both are Gym Leaders of the first city in which the player can obtain a badge in their respective regions.
• Besides being Gym Leaders, Brock and Cilan have other aspirations. Brock wanted to be a Pokémon Breeder (before deciding on becoming a Pokémon Doctor) and Cilan wants to be a Pokémon Connoisseur. In consequence, they both leave family members behind to tend the Gym.
• Both were the second person to start traveling with Ash through their respective regions.
  • Also both joined Ash after he met a female companion that invited herself on his journey.
• Both are good at cooking.
• Both have at least two brothers.
• Both keep potions on hand so that they can help injured Pokémon.

Evidence

• BWS01
• When almost bumping into each other they both bow their heads and apologize, and Brock lets Cilan pass by, watching with a concerned look on his as Cilan runs towards the Pokémon Center.
• Brock help Nurse Joy to heal Pansage, which Cilan is grateful for.
• Cilan compliments Brock on the soup he made.
• Cilan helped Brock with the dishes after lunch.

Name origins

Optic is derived from their unique eyes. Brock's eyes are always squinting and Cilan's eyes lack sclera.

Evidence

• Piplup, Pansage, and a Meeting of the Times

Dawn decided to let Cilan battle her first, much to the disappointment of Ash.

During his battle with Dawn, Cilan complimented her on her moves as well as her strong bond with Piplup.

Similarities

• Both have or have had fear of a certain Pokémon. Dawn was afraid of Plusle and Minun while Cilan is afraid of Purrloin. They also had to battle these Pokémon at some point.
• Dawn is the first of Ash's female friends to obtain an Electric-type Pokémon while Cilan is the first male.
• Both admire a Professor: Dawn admires Professor Oak, whereas Cilan admires Professor Icarus.

Differences

• Dawn overcame her fear of Plusle and Minun, whereas Cilan has not yet overcome his fear of Purrloin.
• Pachirisu is a pure Electric type, while Stunfisk is a dual Electric/Ground type.
• Cilan actually worked alongside a Purrloin in the episode Cilan and the Case of the Purrloin Witness. It was revealed in a flashback from Yes in Dee Dee, it's Dawn that Dawn took care of a Plusle and Minun back when she was in kindegraten, but she smothered them and they shocked her, causing her to become afraid of them.

Evidence

• Miracle Restoration, the Fossil Pokémon

Goh protects Chloe from an Aerodactyl.

• Pokémon Champion! The Battle of Big Eaters!!

Chloe get excited when Goh wins the eating contest and smiles at him.

• Galar Fossils! Stick 'Em Together!!

Goh protects Chloe from Boldore to which she blushes and thanks him and his Cinnderace.

Name origins

• Vermillion refers to Goh and Chloe's home town of Vermilion City.

Evidence

• Normally, Zoey is rather composed when faced with someone who puts down her friends, but with Paul she became more flustered than she usually would. Dawn is seen having to physically restrain her. Many would say that this would disprove the ship, but fans see it as Zoey becoming more emotional about what Paul thinks as compared to other people.

Similarities

• Both were the main rivals of the main protagonists during Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl.
• Both own a Gastrodon.
• Both share their hometown with a Gym Leader. Paul is from Veilstone City where Maylene leads the Veilstone Gym, and Zoey is from Snowpoint City where Candice leads the Snowpoint Gym

Trivia

• Paul and Zoey have a few Pokémon that are considered counterparts of each other:
  • Paul owns a Honchkrow while Zoey owns a Mismagius. Both evolved from Generation II Pokémon with the Dusk Stone and became a Generation IV Pokémon. They are also exclusive to some games.
  • Paul owns a Froslass and Zoey owns a Gallade. Both species evolve from a Generation III Pokémon with the Dawn Stone as a part of a branched evolution.
  • Paul owns an East Sea Gastrodon and Zoey owns a West Sea Gastrodon.

Name origins

• Against comes from Paul and Zoey's nature as rivals: both are essentially against Ash and Dawn respectively, despite the bonds (or lack thereof) they have with each other.

Evidence

• A Connoisseur's Revenge!

Despite there being a long line of people waiting, Burgundy specifically calls on Ash to visit her shop. She also puts her hands on his shoulders several different times.

• The Clubsplosion Begins!

Burgundy appears concerned when Ash's Scraggy's Hi Jump Kick misses Simisage during the Clubsplosion tournament, enough to declare it a "bad taste".

Similarities

• Both own or have owned an Oshawott.
• Both battled more than one of the Gym leaders at the Striaton Gym. In addition, they both used their Oshawott to battle Cilan.
• Both have crossdressed in order to enter a facility that they were denied access to. Ash disguised himself as a girl named Ashley to get into the Celadon Gym in Pokémon Scent-sation!, and once again in Beauties Battling for Pride and Prestige to gain access to the Flower Garden Troupe's Headquaters, while Burgundy desguised herself as an S-class Connoisseur named Taverne to get into Mr. Hattori's mansion in Clash of the Connoisseurs!.

Their entire interaction takes place during the episode All in a Day's Wurmple.

Hints
May's

• When Forrest tells May that she's "independent" and "self-sufficient", she begins to blush.

Forrest's

• Forrest comes to May's rescue when she is being double teamed by Team Rocket.
• When May says that she's trying to capture a Wurmple, Forrest offers to help her. He also gives her advice on how to catch one and what attacks it knows.
• While May and Forrest are scaling a cliff, a rock breaks under May's foot and she almost falls. Forrest catches her by putting his hand around her waist.
• Forrest told May that she was "independent" and "self-sufficient".
• Forrest considered traveling with May. He stated that he always wanted to travel, but was afraid to. He ended up not going with her, but he still overcame his fear of traveling thanks to May.
• When Team Rocket steals May's newly caught Wurmple, he sends his Heracross to stop them.

Name origins

• Bug is derived from Forrest helping May catch her Wurmple, as well as after Forrest's own Heracross.

Trivia

• Forrest was May's first Tag Battle partner.
• May brings a Pecha Berry to Forrest to snack on. Fans of the Ship note that the Pecha is in the shape of a heart.

They knew each other in their younger years, and were rivals during their time as Coordinators. Their entire interaction takes place during the episode Battling the Generation Gap!.

Hints
Johanna's

• Johanna seemed disappointed when Lila lost against Dawn in the final round.

Other hints

• At the beginning of the episode, it shows a flash-back in which Johanna and Lila shake hands, smiling at one another. Another flash-back also shows Lila and Johanna eating lunch together and discussing strategies, showing their close friendship/rivalry.
• When Dawn later enters the room, Lila and Johanna are smiling and laughing through the screen.

Name origins

• ContestCat is derived from both of them participating in Contests with feline-based Pokémon: Delcatty and Glameow.

Evidence

• The Club Battle Hearts of Fury: Emolga Versus Sawk!

After Iris defeats Stephan in the second round, he asks her to do her best in the semi-finals for him.

When Stephan asks Iris "Hey, does your Emolga know any Flying Type moves?" Iris gives an uneasy reaction and Stephan becomes overconfident stating there was no way Iris could beat him.

When Stephan becomes overexcited for his battle with Iris and jumps out onto the battle field Iris runs after him shouting, "WAIT WE HAVEN'T BEEN CALLED YET! IT'S TOO EARLY!"

Similarities

• Both have won a Battle Club-related tournament; Iris won the Club Battle while Stephan won the Clubsplosion. Also, they placed top 8 in each others winning tournament.

• Both of them seemed to get annoyed with Ash a lot during the series; Iris for Ash's immaturity, and Stephan for Ash always pronouncing his name wrong, and although everyone either pronounced his name wrong or called him a completely different name, he seemed the most annoyed when it happened with Ash.

During the events of Love, Petalburg Style!, Caroline believed Norman was having an affair with Petalburg City's resident Nurse Joy, around the time of Caroline and Norman's anniversary. It turned out to be a big misunderstanding in the end.

Hints

• Norman spent a lot of time with Nurse Joy, as she was helping him put together a surprise for his wife. However, the secretive nature that they went about gave Caroline the wrong impression in the first place, believing they were, in fact, having illicit relations. The fact she suspected it validated this pairing's possibility.

Name origins

• Fireworks is derived from the very display Norman and Nurse Joy were cooking up for him and Caroline.

Trivia

• The validity of this premise was suspected in canon and then later disproved in the same episode.

This is one of the few ships involving Gym Leaders that is comprised of minor characters (who aren't Gym assistants) and isn't a nevermetshipping. Their entire interaction takes place during the episode The Grass-Type is Always Greener!.

Hints
Gardenia's

• Gardenia expresses genuine interest in Cheryl's "mission" to find the enchanted honey, and offers her services to help without any invite. She also uses the article 'we' instead of 'you', cementing herself to Cheryl's cause, never mind all the helpful advice that give the group a destination to head for. She even admits to wanting to help, using her impulsive request for Ash to battle her as an example, when Cheryl says she doesn't want to be a bother to Gardenia.
• Gardenia is still bespelled by James's Pokémon when Cheryl mentions her Mothim, temporarily confusing her into assuming James had one too. She reacts to the confusion the same way she does Grass-types (infatuation), despite Mothim being Bug/Flying.
• She also admits to being happy to help treasure hunters, after rescuing Mothim, making it sound like those are the kind of people she likes compared to many other types of people.

Cheryl's

• Upon meeting Gardenia and Ash challenging her to a battle, Cheryl is nonplussed by the idea when Dawn reminds Ash they were already on a task: to help Cheryl. In fact, Cheryl even says it "might be fun" and wishes them to have a nice time.
• Cheryl spends her shot during Ash's introduction to Gardenia looking in Gardenia's direction. There's also no reason for her to be standing there, as she says nothing (Brock and Dawn weren't in the shot, and the situation wasn't anything special). She also only comments on Gardenia's Turtwig during the battle, and spends the rest of her time on the sidelines appearing engrossed in the action, saying nothing of Ash at all.

• She falls back on a quote her grandfather said later that evening in regards to Gardenia volunteering to help her out: "Witness a good Pokémon battle and something good always happens." She is likely implying that the "something good" that occurred is likely Gardenia herself joining them.

• After the battle, Cheryl personally introduces herself and tells Gardenia she was impressed with her battling, while only telling Ash she was sorry he lost.
• Mothim takes an instant liking to Gardenia after a compliment, perhaps reflecting Cheryl's own feelings, as she doesn't sound overly worried or chiding when she tells him not to get "too close to strangers." Given Cheryl's docile personality, it might indicate she's already comfortable with Gardenia and not simply being flighty.
• She voices self-doubt and concern of being a "bother" when Gardenia volunteers to show the group the way to the Combee wall; this is something she didn't do when Ash and his friends volunteer to help her with her Burmy, another just-as-daunting task, or when they joined her quest to find the Amber Castle themselves the the episode before.
• Cheryl expresses gratitude for Gardenia's supposed attempt at personally protecting her Mothim from Carnivine.
• Cheryl cries out, "Gardenia!" immediately after Mothim is freed from Team Rocket's robotic arm, even when Gardenia wasn't the one placed in harm's way. She then personally, much like her introduction, thanks Gardenia for saving Mothim.

Name origins

• Gaia is derived from their association with nature and Mother Earth, Gardenia being a Grass-type Trainer and Cheryl with her overall arboreal clothing scheme and gentle personality.

Trivia

• Both can also be found in Eterna Forest during various parts of Diamond and Pearl gameplay, and it is where they meet in the anime.

Hints
Gardenia's

The Grass-Type is Always Greener!

• Gardenia spends a lot of time fawning over Carnivine and Cacnea. She never spent anytime fawning over Ash's Turtwig. She also doesn't believe James is evil, claiming Grass-type Trainers cannot be evil.

James's

Once There Were Greenfields

• He battles alongside her. When she offers to train Cacnea, he's a lot nicer to her. He agrees to let her train Cacnea, despite his devoted attachment, and trusts her to train it well.

Name origins

• Grass is derived from both being seemingly Grass-type predominant when it came to their Pokémon partners.

Similarities

• Both own an Eeveelution from Generation IV. Zoey has a Leafeon and May has a Glaceon.
• Both own a Normal-type cat-like Pokémon with a two-stage evolutionary line. Zoey has Glameow and May has Skitty.
  • Both of the aforementioned Pokémon are Pokémon that Meowth has fallen in love with.

When they met, Ritchie and Misty actually get along well and they both like and respect each other. Since Ritchie is often seen as a clone of Ash, some people see this couple as another kind of Template:S, with less arguing.

Hints

Friend and Foe Alike

• When Team Rocket calls on Ash's hotel phone, disguised with Ritchie's voice, Misty answers. Jessie insults her calling her a "big mouth". Misty, who thought it was Ritchie, becomes really mad. When she hands over the phone to Ash she, notably, calls "Ritchie" Prince Charming instead of calling him something insulting, although this is probably nothing more than sarcasm. Ash asks who it is, but instead of answering she says angrily, "I knew that kid was too good to be true!" This could point out that Misty felt something for Ritchie, however it's more likely that she thought he was nice.

Name origins

• Indigo is derived from them having met at the Indigo League.

Hints
An EGG-sighting Adventure!

• When Officer Jenny calls herself the "World Famous Detective Jenny", she chooses to name the case "#26 in Detective Jenny's files: The case of the Vanishing Egg and the fate of the Beautiful Nurse Joy!"

Riding the Winds of Change!

• Officer Jenny and Nurse Joy work together to get the Gligar back to the forest.

Alternate names

• CloneShipping (another name for Professor Westwood/Officer Jenny)
• LesShipping
• PublicServantShipping

Similarities

• Both have used a bicycle-powered generator to charge up their Electric-type Pokémon.
• Both have lost a battle against Iris.

Additionally, they were both using a male Pokémon when they lost to her. Stephan and Sawk lost against Iris and Emolga. Ash and Pikachu lost against Iris and Excadrill.

Evidence

• Curtain Up, Unova League

Stephan was excited when Ash pronounced his name correctly for the first time.

Name origin

• Mustard refers to the color yellow which represents the Electric-type, referring to the fact that the first Pokémon seen in their possession was an Electric-type.

Evidence

• The Club Battle Hearts of Fury: Emolga Versus Sawk!

After Cilan reminiscences about Ash and Georgia's battle, he turns to Stephan, staring wide-eyed at him, then asks if he felt the spiciness of the battle. A little bit later Stephan becomes very interested with the food that Cilan makes for Ash's Snivy and asks if he could make food for his Pokémon too. Cilan happily agrees to it.

• Battle Club Finale: A Hero's Outcome!

Stephan named himself the judge of Cilan and Burgundy's Connoisseur battle. Before there battle even began, Stephan gave Cilan the win for the pre-game battle because he gave some wise words of wisdom. Later on his is greatly impressed by Cilan's evaluation of Ash and Iris's battle, not even bothering to judge Burgundy's skills, and said that it was no wonder that he was named an A-class Connoisseur by the Connoisseur's Association.

• A Clubsplosion of Excitement!

After Cilan tells Stephan that he has raised Sawk well at the Pokémon Center, Stephan blushes heavily.

• Commanding the Clubsplosion Crown!

Cilan prepared a special meal especially for Stephan and Sawk after he had made it to the final round of the Clubsplosion. He also smiles brightly at him before telling him to enjoy his meal.

Similarities

• Their eyes lack sclera.

Name origins

• Pers is derived from the French pers, which means blue-green and generally refers to eye colors, which are Stephan and Cilan's eye colors respectively.

Evidence

• Reunion Battles In Nimbasa!

Bianca instantly took a liking to Luke's Zorua and later admired Luke for having her. Throughout the entire Club Battle she'd often kept close proximity with Luke. Luke also comments about Bianca's energy saying that she must take a lot of vitamins.

• The Club Battle Finale: A Heroes Outcome!

Luke trusts Bianca to film his battle with Iris despite letting Ash handle filming his battle with Cilan earlier, for him and when he finds out she missed the battle, filming Zorua instead, he shrugs it off pretty quickly.

The next day, Luke wished to get closer to the action as his position in the stands did not capture the action. He wanted a much lower angle to make the battle appear more dramatic. Bianca then suggests that Luke go onto the battlefield and film but he says that they are not allowed to go down there. She starts taunting him afterwards saying that he wouldn't become a great film director if he wouldn't take the chance. Wanting to prove that he could take the chance, he ventures on to the battlefield with Bianca happily following from behind. She even holds the boom microphone for him while filming. At the end of the episode, Bianca leaves with Luke to help him make his documentary and spend more time with Zorua.

Name origins

• Raimon Town is where Bianca and Luke originally met.

Evidence

• Rivals: Today and Tomorrow

After Sawyer loses his notebook, Ash and his friends help him find it.

• A Full-Strength Battle Surprise!

Sawyer decides to follow Ash to Snowbelle City to watch his gym battle against Wulfric.

• Analysis Versus Passion!

After Ash's Pikachu knocks out Sawyer's Clawitzer with Thunderbolt, Sawyer says that the man he admires is back.

• A Riveting Rivalry!

After Ash defeats Sawyer in the Semi-Finals of the Lumiose Conference, they have a handshake in the middle of the battlefield as a sign of respect.

Name origins

• Sceptile is derived from the fact that they both own a Sceptile.

Evidence

• Emolga the Irresistible!

Bianca states that Cilan's food is delicious and that she gives it "five stars" to which Cilan is grateful for.

• Emolga and the New Volt Switch!

Bianca takes an interest in Cilan's catchphrases and begins to use them for herself. Later when Bianca leaves the group, Cilan promises to make her a meal the next time they meet.

• A Fishing Connoisseur in a Fishy Competition!

When the group decides they will enter a fishing competition, Cilan picks out a fishing rod for Bianca without even being asked to. A while later, Cilan briefly leaves the group to turn in his catch to the judges. When he exits the building, he sees Bianca struggling to hold on to something that she hooked. Immediately he runs to her side, even instructing Ash and Iris to move aside, and holds on to her fishing rod. While she was in charge of the reel, Cilan was the one to pull her catch, a Frillish, from the water.

• The Club Battle Hearts of Fury: Emolga Versus Sawk!

Bianca is clearly the most excited when Cilan announces "It's Evaluating Time!" during his battle with Luke.

Evidence

• All for the Love of Meloetta!

When Iris first meets Cynthia, she blushes heavily. Iris also had a hard time working up the nerve to ask Cynthia if she could have a battle with her.

Similarities

• Both have a Dragon type as their main Pokémon.
• Both are female Champions in the games.
• Both have a member of the Gible evolutionary line: Iris has Gible and Cynthia has Garchomp.

Name origins

• Shenlong is derived from the spiritual dragon of Chinese mythology.

Evidence

• It was revealed in The Clubsplosion Begins! that Bianca likes muscular Pokémon. This might also apply to humans and it's a build that Stephan fits.
• Reunions Battles In Nimbasa!

Upon meeting Stephan, Bianca asks him how his name pronounced which is something no one else has done. Both of the ways she asked, however, were incorrect although Stephan did not bother to correct her.

• The Clubsplosion Begins!

After knocking tripping and knocking Ash into a body of water as she usually does, Bianca collapses on to Stephan and keeps her face planted against his chest for a few moments. Later on after Stephan passes to the second round of the Clubsplosion tournament, Bianca becomes enamored with his Sawk then asks if she could poke his muscles. He agrees and after she's finished she says that Sawk is the greatest. Stephan looks extremely confident and flattered after Bianca says that.

• Search for the Clubultimate!

During the intermission of the Clubsplosion tournament, Bianca jumps on top of Stephan for a brief moment and wraps her arms around his neck. She then proceeds to squeeze his arms and his midsection in order to feel his muscles. Afterwards she grabs his arm and raises it in the air before announcing he is the winner of her "Macho Pokémon" contest.

• A Clubsplosion of Excitement!

Stephan shows noticeable excitement when he learns that he will face Bianca in the semi-final round of the Clubsplosion. Bianca also winks at him later on.

Similarities

• Both are rivals of Ash that he met in Unova.
• Both are part of a running gag. Bianca's is always knocking Ash into a body of water and Stephan's is no one being able to pronounce his name correctly.
• Both own a Fighting-type Pokémon which tends to be the powerhouse of their teams.
• Both at times display the similar personality traits of stubbornness and impatience.

Evidence

• Iris and Excadrill Against the Dragon Buster!

Georgia calls for Cilan's attention before she leaves and demands that he make her a delicious breakfast the next time they met.

• The Club Battle Hearts of Fury: Emolga Versus Sawk!

When Burgundy begins to mock Cilan after his loss to Luke, Georgia is clearly annoyed by her behavior. She then remarks sarcastically to Burgundy that she's "about as nice as they come". Fans see this as Georgia's way of defending Cilan.

• A Clubsplosion of Excitement!

Again, Georgia looks annoyed when Burgundy keeps bashing on Cilan after he had lost to Stephan in the Clubsplosion. She then replies to her rantings with "What did he ever do to you?".

• Commanding the Clubsplosion Crown!

Georgia holds her own Connoisseur contest similar to the one Cilan and Burgundy had in Club Battle Finale: A Heroes Outcome! and declares Cilan the winner of it during Montgomery and Stephan's battle.

Name origins

• Tarragon is derived from a plant commonly called a "dragon herb".

Information

This ship could be considered canon as one-sided due to Oshawott's major crush on Meloetta who showed much more interest in Ash than anybody else

Evidence

• All for the Love of Meloetta

Oshawott fell in love with Meloetta right when he first spotted it.

• Piplup, Pansage, and a Meeting of the Times

Oshawott became jealous of Dawn's Piplup when he saw that Piplup was in love with Meloetta as well.

• Expedition on Onix Island

Oshawott refused to battle Meloetta, even though it wanted to and the reason he refused was because he didn't want to harm it.

Oshawott (and Piplup) became protective of Meloetta when it was frightened by the Onix, with Oshawott learning Hydro Pump as he protected it.

• Unova's Survival Crisis

Oshawott cried his eyes out because he was devastated when Meloetta had to leave.

Evidence

Similarities

• Both are Electric-type rodents that can store electricity in their cheeks.
• Both are in the Field Egg Group and, if Pachirisu is female, would be able to breed.
• Both have received the same sickness that caused electricity to build up in their cheeks.
• Both frequently electrocute their Trainers.

Trivia

• Pachirisu was the first Electric-type to be obtained by a main character since Pikachu.
• Pachirisu was shown with balloons tied to its waist in Steamboat Willies! similar to the "flying Pikachu".

Name origins

• Electrocute is derived from the act of electrocuting, as well as a pun on the word "cute".

• Greninja and Braixen are often seen standing or sitting beside each other in some episodes of Pokémon the Series: XY and in a scene of Mad-Paced Getter. It is noted that during a scene where all of the Pokémon were eating Poké Puffs in Summer of Discovery, they were sitting within a very close distance.

• An Appetite for Battle!

In the shot where Bunnelby was seen picking up the bowls, Froakie and Fennekin were seen facing each other and smiling happily.

Greninja's hints

• The Bamboozling Forest!

When Fennekin became worried about the state of her tail, Froakie cleaned it with its frubbles. When Fennekin thanked Froakie, it blushed modestly.

• A Pokévision of Things to Come!

After Fennekin and Serena changed into their second costumes, Froakie was one of the Pokémon staring at them in awe.

• Summer of Discovery!

Froakie was seen standing in a defensive position in front of Fennekin, along with Pikachu and Chespin, when Trevor's Charmander seemingly charged at them.

• A Frolicking Find in the Flowers!

When Braixen and Pancham were practicing their performance routines for the showcase in Anistar City, Frogadier, Luxray, Hawlucha, and Bunnelby watched them practice in awe; Coincidentally, Frogadier is standing right behind Braixen.

Braixen's hints

• The Bamboozling Forest!

When Froakie cleaned Fennekin's tail with its frubbles, she thanked Froakie happily.

• Seeing the Forest for the Trees!

Braixen was the only one of Serena's Pokémon to join the search for Ash and Greninja during the snowstorm.

Similarities

• Both were the first Pokémon their Trainers obtained in Kalos.
• Besides Pikachu, both were the main battling Pokémon of their respective trainers in Kalos.

Name origins

• Insectivore comes from both having an advantage to bugs. Frogs, which Greninja is based on, have a main diet of bugs. Braixen, being a fire type, is strong against bug types.

• Piplup, Pansage, and a Meeting of the Times

Piplup put Oshawott's Scalchop on his head and Oshawott laughed at him when it fell off.

After Oshawott came back to the group when he retrieved his Scalchop after Dawn's Pachirisu kicked it, he saw Piplup was in love with Meloetta and he became jealous.

Oshawott attacked Piplup with Aqua Jet due to his jealousy.

When Ash told Oshawott to apologize to Piplup he did so without hesitation, although Piplup didn't accept Oshawott's apology which made him even angrier.

When Meloetta became thrilled about Piplup and Pansage's battle and began dancing with Piplup, Piplup looked at Oshwaott slyly and Oshawott looked furious.

• Expedition to Onix Island

Piplup laughs at Oshawott as he's being chased by a Krabby.

Oshawott and Piplup continue to fight each other for Meloetta's affections.

• Goodbye Junior Cup-Hello Adventure

When Dawn and Piplup are leaving for Johto, Piplup and Oshawott look away from each other angrily for a moment, but then burst into tears and hug each other, bringing their rivalry to an end.

Name origins

• Kodomo is derived from 子供 (child).

Evidence

• Due to their experience levels, the two are often sparring partners with one another. However, Axew is considerably more experienced than Scraggy is.

• Scraggy - Hatched To Be Wild!

Even before Scraggy's hatching, Axew took interest in his egg and liked to watch out for it. Later when Scraggy runs off in the middle of the night, Axew is the first to notice and alerts everyone.

• Scraggy and the Demanding Gothita!

Axew and Scraggy are shown to have a strong and friendly relationship in this episode. After their sparring match they are seen playing and splashing each other with water. Later when a Gothita takes a liking to Scraggy, Axew becomes almost jealous of it. He then becomes upset when Gothita's Trainer says that if she defeats Ash in battle that she will take Scraggy for herself. So much so that he has a nightmare about it later in the night. Once again, he's one of the first to notice Scraggy's absent but this time goes off by himself to try and stop Gothita.

• The Clubsplosion Begins!

Axew was pained to see Scraggy being mercilessly kicked by Angus's Simisage during the Clubsplosion tournament to the point where he had to put his hands over his eyes. However, he was very proud that Scraggy learned Focus Blast shortly after.

• Battling the Leaf Thieves!

Scraggy was the first to notice that Axew was missing after it was taken by a couple of Durant. Aside from Iris, he was clearly the most upset about Axew being missing. After they had found Axew, Scraggy gave him a light scolding for worrying him so much.

• The Path that Leads to Goodbye

Scraggy wondered where Axew was (and possibly Iris), and he became sad when Ash explained that Iris and Axew would be traveling on their own.

At night, Scraggy (and the rest of Ash's Pokémon) were looking out into the rain worried, and when Cilan told Ash they were all worried about Iris and Axew, Scraggy (and Pikachu) looked at Ash and nodded sadly.

Scraggy woke up the next morning before anyone else did and he set out to find Iris and Axew.

Similarities

• Both have had a member of the Gothita family taken likings to them. Katharine's Gothita liked Scraggy and Lewis's Gothorita liked Axew.
• Both are part of the Dragon Egg Group, but they cannot breed since they have the same gender.
• Both learned a new move while participating in one of the Battle Club's tournaments. Axew learned Outrage during the Club Battle, and Scraggy learned Focus Blast during the Clubsplosion.
• Both Axew and Scraggy had difficulty trying to master a Move, but were eventually successful. Axew had trouble trying to master Dragon Rage which he finally achieved in The Dragon Master's Path and Scraggy had trouble trying to master his newly learned Focus Blast which he successfully achieved in Unrest at the Nursery.

Name origins

• Kyoudai is derived from 兄弟 (siblings), referring to their kin-like relationship.

Oshawott's hints

• Emolga the Irresistible!

Oshawott is immediately smitten with Emolga upon first seeing her. Also, Oshawott interrupts her battle with Bianca's Minccino by jumping in front of the Attract meant for the other Pokémon.

Later on when Emolga is surrounded by a group of wild Swoobat, Oshawott lets himself out of his Poké Ball in order to protect her. He was hit by a Swoobat's Charge Beam forcing Ash to recall him to his Poké Ball.

• Emolga and the New Volt Switch!

When Emolga wanders off on her own while the others are sleeping, Oshawott and Axew follow after her. When they find her she lies to them in order to get some apples by telling them that she was ambushed by a group of wild Watchog. Angered, Oshawott fights valiantly in order to protect her and retrieves an apple for himself, Emolga, and Axew. Oshawott continues to protect Emolga even standing up to an enraged Simisear. However, he was easily defeated by the angry Pokémon.

• Crisis at Chargestone Cave!

At the Pokémon center, Oshawott continued to flirt with Emolga, much to her dicomfort.

Emolga's hints

• All for the Love of Meloetta!

When Emolga discovered Oshawott fawning over Meloetta, her reaction seemed uneasy and she looked at him with confusion, although the reason could've been due to the fact she was away getting an Oran Berry for Meloetta, and therefore, didn't realize what was going on. When flying down to them, she crashed into Oshawott and the two squabbled very imaturly.

After Meloetta felt better she sang a song that calmed down the fight, and Emolga looked at Oshawott and smiled.

Trivia

• Oshawott and Emolga are both part of the Field Egg Group, they have different genders and therefore can breed.

Name origins

• LethalAttraction comes from the fact that Oshawott usually ends up getting hurt while trying to protect Emolga. It also could be from the fact that Water-types are weak against Electric attacks.

Evidence

• Sticking with Who You Know!

Pikachu and Piplup spent nearly the whole episode hugging each other with hearts in their eyes. Even when Dawn returns Piplup to his Poké Ball, he lets himself out and goes back to hugging Pikachu. Of course, this was all a result of Professor Kodama's affinity machine which made pure Electric and Water-types inseparable.

• Memories are Made of Bliss!

Piplup becomes emotional knowing that the group is going to go their separate ways. He was hoping that Dawn would go with Ash and Brock to Kanto so that he could stay with Pikachu. When she decides she's going to stay in Sinnoh, Piplup runs off into the forest alone. Fans also note that even though Pikachu is Buneary's object of affection, she did not appear upset at all over the news of Pikachu leaving unlike Piplup. Pikachu becomes concerned and runs off too to look for him. When he finds Piplup, he latches on to him and starts crying. This causes Pikachu to also start crying.

Later on when they accept that they are going to separate, Pikachu and Piplup high five each other before hugging again.

Similarities

• Both were unwilling to obey their Trainers at first, but became friends after saving them from a group of attacking Pokémon. Pikachu saved Ash from a flock of Spearow, while Piplup saved Dawn from a swarm of Ariados.
• Both are actively kept outside of their Poké Balls.
• Both have expressed reluctance to evolve and prefer to remain in their current forms.
  • Both have battled against their evolved forms.
    • The reason both chose not to evolve is because they want to be able to prove themselves as powerful to their Trainers,

Name origins

• LightningPearl comes from Pikachu being an Electric-type and Pearl, under the basis that Pearl is relative to Dawn as a name and symbol. Also may be related to Template:S.

• With the Easiest of Grace

Togekiss shields Piplup before he is hit by Ash's Gible's Draco Meteor and then tells Gible he needs to be more careful so he doesn't hurt Piplup.

• Memories are Made of Bliss

When Piplup was devastated about Ash and Pikachu having to leave, Togekiss comforted him (and Pikachu) as they cried.

Name Origin

• MeteorShield is derived from Togekiss's act of protecting Piplup.