Ash's friends

This article is about Ash's main and temporary traveling companions. If you were looking for a general list of people Ash has met on his journey, see Character of the day.

Photographs of Ash and all of his friends

Ash's friends are the traveling companions that Ash Ketchum has had with him on his journey on his quest to become a Pokémon Master. While he started his journey alone, many people have joined his party while touring the Pokémon world; usually at least one new companion joins—and another leaves—every time a new region is visited.

Johto is the only region where Ash did not acquire a new friend that would travel with him, excluding Brock, who came back after his absence.

In Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon, Ash's friends are not traveling companions, but rather classmates, since Ash is attending the Pokémon School instead of traveling around the Alola region. Later in the series, Ash and his Alolan friends form a team under the supervision of Aether Foundation, known as the Ultra Guardians.

Gallery


Ash and his friends in the original series (Indigo and Johto League sagas)	Ash and his friends in the original series (Orange League saga)	Ash and his friends in Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire

Ash and his friends in Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl	Ash and his friends in Pokémon the Series: Black & White	Ash and his friends in Pokémon the Series: XY

Ash and his classmates in Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon	Ash, his friend Goh, and their Pokémon in Pokémon Journeys: The Series	Ash and his friends in I Choose You!

Original series

Misty

Main article: Misty (anime)

Misty joined Ash in Pokémon Emergency!, traveling with him because she wanted him to replace her bike, which was destroyed by his Pikachu. She would consistently travel with him until Gotta Catch Ya Later!, when she returned to Cerulean City to lead her family's Gym nearly full-time. However, she briefly traveled to Hoenn and met up with Ash's Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire group in The Princess and the Togepi and A Togepi Mirage!. Misty met the same group again from The Scheme Team until A Real Cleffa-Hanger, when they accompanied her back home; and also in The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon. After a long absence, she and Brock reappeared in Alola, Kanto! and When Regions Collide!, where Ash and his classmates from the Pokémon School of Alola visited Kanto. She returned in Alola, Alola! and Heart of Fire! Heart of Stone!, where she and Brock visited Melemele Island. She reunited with Ash again in A Fated Face-Off! and both of them decided to travel with each other again until The Rainbow and the Pokémon Master!.

Pokémon

Misty
Hometown: Cerulean City
Occupation: Gym Leader, aspiring Water Pokémon Master
First joined in: Kanto
Episodes traveled with Ash
EP002-EP273, AG044-AG045, AG132-AG134, SM042-SM043, SM102-SM103, JN138-JN147 Mewtwo Returns, The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon

Method	Pre-debut	Original series			Ruby and Sapphire/Chronicles		Sun & Moon	Journeys
Method	Pre-debut	Kanto	Orange	Johto	Hoenn	Frontier	Sun & Moon	Journeys
Caught
Hatched
Evolved
Mega Evolved
Given
Released
Unknown/Other

Brock

Main article: Brock (anime)

Brock first joined Ash in Showdown in Pewter City after Ash battled him in the Pewter City Gym. After his father Flint offered to take over the duties of Gym Leader, Brock followed Ash through Kanto, leaving briefly from Poké Ball Peril to A Tent Situation to work for Professor Ivy. In The Rivalry Revival, Brock returned to be with Ash and Misty until Gotta Catch Ya Later!, though he, unlike Misty, would return shortly, in You Can Never Taillow, sticking with Ash until Home is Where the Start is!. He would again return in Two Degrees of Separation!, and so traveled through Sinnoh with Ash until Memories are Made of Bliss!. He and Misty also appeared in Alola, Kanto! and When Regions Collide!, where Ash and his classmates from Pokémon School visited Kanto, and returned in Alola, Alola! and Heart of Fire! Heart of Stone!, where he and Misty visited Alola. Brock reunited with Ash and Dawn in The Arceus Chronicles (Parts 2 to 4), while also meeting Goh for the first time. He reunited with Ash and Misty again in Must Be Our Heroes and the Witch! and all of them decided to travel with each other again until The Rainbow and the Pokémon Master!.

Pokémon

Brock
Hometown: Pewter City
Occupation: Gym Leader, Pokémon Breeder, former Research assistant, Doctor-in-training
First joined in: Kanto
Episodes traveled with Ash
EP005-EP083, EP116-EP273, AG004-AG132, AG133-AG192, DP002-DP191, SM042-SM043, SM102-SM103, JN139-JN147, JNS02-JNS04 Mewtwo Returns, The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon

Method	Pre-debut	Original series		Ruby and Sapphire		Diamond and Pearl	Sun & Moon	Journeys
Method	Pre-debut	Kanto	Johto	Hoenn	Frontier	Diamond and Pearl	Sun & Moon	Journeys
Caught
Hatched
Evolved
Mega Evolved
Given
Given Away
Unknown

Tracey Sketchit

Tracey

Main article: Tracey Sketchit

After Brock left to work for Professor Ivy, Ash's traveling group was down to two, as it had been for the first five episodes of Kanto. However, this would not last very long, as in The Lost Lapras Ash met a Pokémon Watcher named Tracey who essentially invited himself along for the rest of the Orange Islands saga. Traveling with Ash, he wished to attain his ultimate goal of meeting Professor Oak, which he did when Ash returned to Kanto in A Tent Situation. After this, he remained in Pallet Town to be Professor Oak's assistant in The Rivalry Revival. Ash has reunited with Tracey during his visits to Pallet Town in Gotta Catch Ya Later!, The Right Place and the Right Mime, Home is Where the Start Is!, and The Rainbow and the Pokémon Master!.

Pokémon

Tracey
Hometown: unknown
Occupation: Pokémon Watcher, Research assistant
First joined in: the Orange Islands
Episodes traveled with Ash
EP084-EP116

Method	Pre-debut	Original series	Ruby and Sapphire	Journeys
Caught
Evolved
Given Away
Unknown

Pokémon the Series: Ruby and Sapphire

May

Main article: May (anime)

Ash may have traveled to Hoenn alone; however, shortly after his arrival, he met May, a young girl who desired to travel around the world and a fellow Trainer who was just starting her journey and then ended up destroying her bike just like that of Misty. Though she initially did not care for Pokémon, she eventually found Pokémon Contests, in which she competed while in Hoenn and then later in Kanto. May traveled with Ash through the entire Advanced Generation saga, from Get the Show on the Road to Home is Where the Start Is!, after which she went off to Johto to compete in Contests there. She, like Misty, reappeared briefly during Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl to compete in the Wallace Cup from A Full Course Tag Battle! until Strategy with a Smile!.

Pokémon

May
Hometown: Petalburg City
Occupation: Pokémon Coordinator
First joined in: Hoenn
Episodes traveled with Ash
AG001-AG132, AG133-AG192, DP076-DP079 The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon

Method	Ruby and Sapphire		Diamond and Pearl
Method	Hoenn	Frontier	Johto	Sinnoh
Caught
Hatched
Evolved
Given

Max

Main article: Max

Max is May's younger brother. He does not have any Pokémon of his own because he is too young, but he often befriends certain Pokémon. He traveled with the group from There's no Place Like Hoenn until Home is Where the Start Is, when he went home to Petalburg City. However, he made a promise to Ash that as soon as he got his own Pokémon, he would battle Ash.

Max
Hometown: Petalburg City
First joined in: Hoenn
Episodes traveled with Ash
AG003-AG132, AG133-AG192 The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon

Pokémon the Series: Diamond and Pearl

Dawn

Main article: Dawn (anime)

Like his journey into Hoenn, Ash ventured to Sinnoh alone, where, in When Pokémon Worlds Collide!, he would meet Dawn, the daughter of a Top Coordinator wishing to follow in the footsteps of her mother. From that point, after saving Ash's Pikachu and having her bike fried in a similar way to May's and Misty's, Dawn would travel with Ash and Brock through Sinnoh, which she did until Memories are Made of Bliss! when all three friends split up.

Dawn rejoins Ash's group in Pokémon the Series: Black & White in Piplup, Pansage, and a Meeting of the Times! to compete in the Pokémon World Tournament Junior Cup. Dawn would leave the group in Goodbye, Junior Cup - Hello Adventure! and travel to Johto to compete in the Wallace Cup.

Having returned from her journey in Johto and around the world, she met up with Ash again in Pokémon Journeys: The Series during his research travel in Sinnoh with Goh to investigate Darkrai and Cresselia in Nightfall? Nightmares! and A Midsummer Night's Light!, also meeting Chloe before meeting them. She met up with them again in The Gates of Warp! and Showdown at the Gates of Warp!, helping to solve a crisis involving Dialga and Palkia. She reunited with Ash and Goh in The Arceus Chronicles (Part 1 through 4), and reunited with Ash and Chloe from A Flood of Torrential Gains! to Partners in Time!.

Pokémon

Dawn
Hometown: Twinleaf Town
Occupation: Pokémon Coordinator
First joined in: Sinnoh
Episodes traveled with Ash
DP003-DP191, BW086-BW093, JN075, JN089-JN090, JN129-JN132, JNS01-JNS04

Method	Diamond and Pearl	Journeys
Caught
Released	*
Hatched
Evolved
Given
In training
Traded
Trade

Pokémon the Series: Black & White

Iris

Main article: Iris (anime)

Iris is said to be a wild girl, as proven by the fact that she swings on vines. She decided to travel throughout Unova and the Decolore Islands with Ash from Enter Iris and Axew! until Best Wishes Until We Meet Again!

Her goal is to become a Dragon Master. She left the group in order to travel to Blackthorn City in the Johto region and challenge Clair, to gain more experience towards her goal. Iris returned in Thrash of the Titans!, where it was revealed she had unseated Alder to become the Champion of the Unova League. She returned to participate in the Pokémon World Coronation Series Masters Eight Tournament from Curtain Up! Fight the Fights! to Battling as Hard as Stone!.

Pokémon

Iris
Hometown: Village of Dragons
Occupation: aspiring Dragon Master, Champion
First joined in: Unova
Episodes traveled with Ash
BW002-BW141, JN065, JN115-JN118

Method	Pre-debut	Black & White		Journeys
Method	Pre-debut	Unova	Johto	Journeys
Caught
Evolved
Given

Cilan

Main article: Cilan (anime)

Cilan, a Pokémon Connoisseur and one of the Gym Leaders of the Striaton City Gym, travels with Ash and Iris in their journey through Unova and the Decolore Islands from Dreams by the Yard Full! until Best Wishes Until We Meet Again!.

Cilan decided to depart from the group in order to further his skills as a Pokémon Connoisseur, starting by heading to Dewford Town to take part in a fishing tournament held by Mr. Briney. He reunited with Ash and Brock and met Misty for the first time in Must Be Our Heroes and the Witch!, where he also revealed to Ash that he was already acquainted with Brock.

Pokémon

Cilan
Hometown: Striaton City
Occupation: Gym Leader, Pokémon Connoisseur
First joined in: Unova
Episodes traveled with Ash
BW006-BW141, JN139

Method	Pre-debut	Black & White
Caught
Evolved
Given
Released

Pokémon the Series: XY

Clemont

Main article: Clemont (anime)

Clemont is an inventor Ash met after being ejected out of the Lumiose City Gym. His backpack, called the "Clemontic Gear", carries a variety of inventions and gadgets. He traveled with Ash from A Battle of Aerial Mobility! until The Future Is Now, Thanks to Determination!, then rejoined the group in The Moment of Lumiose Truth!, he decided to stay in Lumiose City in Till We Compete Again! when Ash returned to Kanto. He and Bonnie reunited with Ash in The Future is Now, Thanks to Strategy! and Taking Two For The Team!, while also meeting Goh for the first time.

Pokémon

Clemont
Hometown: Lumiose City
Occupation: Gym Leader
First joined in: Kalos
Episodes traveled with Ash
XY003-XY062, XY067-XY140, JN103-JN104

Method	Pre-debut	XY	Journeys
Caught
Evolved
Given
Unknown

Bonnie

Main article: Bonnie (anime)

Bonnie is Clemont's little sister. She is a young and cheerful girl, who despite being too young to officially train Pokémon, holds a great interest in them. She is proud of her big brother's accomplishments but is not above criticizing him. She started traveling with Ash in A Battle of Aerial Mobility! and stayed in Lumiose City with her brother when the group went their separate ways in Till We Compete Again!. She and Clemont reunited with Ash in The Future is Now, Thanks to Strategy! and Taking Two For The Team!, while also meeting Goh for the first time.

Pokémon

Bonnie
Hometown: Lumiose City
First joined in: Kalos
Episodes traveled with Ash
XY003-XY140, JN103-JN104

Method	XY
Caring for
Befriended

Serena

Serena in her second outfit

Main article: Serena (anime)

Serena is a Pokémon Trainer from Kalos who met Ash once before when they were younger. While the daughter of a famous Rhyhorn racer, Serena eventually sets her goal to become Kalos Queen. She started traveling with Ash in Giving Chase at the Rhyhorn Race! until Till We Compete Again! where she traveled to the Hoenn region to participate in Pokémon Contests in order to further her skills. As revealed in Pokémon Journeys: The Series, she has since become a rising star in the region, working her way to the Master Rank and cooperating with Lisia to liven up the local Contests.

While traveling with Ash, she cut her hair short and changed into her new outfit in A Showcase Debut!. She briefly reunited with Ash in Reuniting for the First Time!, while also meeting Goh for the first time.

Pokémon

Serena
Hometown: Vaniville Town
Occupation: Pokémon Performer, Coordinator
First joined in: Kalos
Episodes traveled with Ash
XY007-XY140

Method	XY	Journeys
Given
Caught
Evolved

Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon

Lana

Main article: Lana (anime)

Lana is one of Ash's classmates. She enjoys many seafaring activities such as fishing while riding on Lapras. She was the first of Ash's classmates in Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon series to meet Ash when she accidentally fished him up while he was riding on a Sharpedo. Lana remained in Alola to accompany her father in a fishing survey to research Manaphy in Thank You, Alola! The Journey Continues!. Lana reunited with Ash in That New Old Gang of Mine!, where she also met Goh for the first time. She returned again in Helping the Hometown Hero!.

Pokémon

Lana
Hometown: Hau'oli City
Occupation: Pokémon Trainer, Ultra Guardian
First joined in: Alola
Episodes together with Ash
SM001-SM072, SM078-SM099, SM101-SM146, JN037, JN112

Method	Pre-debut	Sun & Moon
Caught
Evolved
Released
Unknown

Kiawe

Main article: Kiawe (anime)

Kiawe is one of Ash's classmates. He is very gruff compared to his classmates and makes deliveries between islands on his Charizard. Ash first spotted Kiawe flying on his Charizard when he was lost in a forest. They formally met while Kiawe was in a battle with Team Skull and Ash joined in, making Kiawe the last of Ash's classmates Ash would meet. Kiawe remained in Alola in Thank You, Alola! The Journey Continues! to resume his island challenge, with the goal of becoming Akala Island's next island kahuna and following in his grandfather's footsteps. Kiawe reunited with Ash in That New Old Gang of Mine!, where he also met Goh for the first time. He returned again in Helping the Hometown Hero!.

Pokémon

Kiawe
Hometown: Paniola Town
Occupation: Pokémon Trainer, Ultra Guardian
First joined in: Alola
Episodes together with Ash
SM001-SM072, SM078-SM099, SM101-SM146, JN037, JN112

Method	Pre-debut	Sun & Moon
Caught
Given

Lillie

Main article: Lillie (anime)

Lillie is one of Ash's classmates. Prior to Lillie's Egg-xhilarating Challenge!, she was terrified of physically interacting with Pokémon, and tended to freeze up whenever one Pokémon entered her personal space. She was the second of Ash's classmates he would meet. She was watching a Tauros race between Lana, Mallow and Sophocles as Ash accidentally stumbled upon the racing track and spotted Lillie on the other side. They became classmates when Ash enrolled himself at the Pokémon School shortly thereafter.

Over the course of the series, Lillie adopted her first Pokémon, Snowy, overcame her fear of Pokémon, and reaffirmed her family bonds with her older brother Gladion, her estranged mother Lusamine, and learned more about her long-missing father, Mohn. In Thank You, Alola! The Journey Continues!, Lillie left with her family on a journey in search of Mohn. She found her father in the Crown Tundra and reunited with Ash in The Homecoming Crown!, while also meeting Goh and Chloe for the first time. Lillie returned home to Alola in the following episode with her family and friends.

Pokémon

Lillie
Hometown: Hau'oli City
Occupation: Pokémon Trainer, Ultra Guardian
First joined in: Alola
Episodes together with Ash
SM001-SM072, SM078-SM099, SM101-SM146, JN111-JN112

Method	Sun & Moon
Caught
Hatched
Given
Released

Sophocles

Main article: Sophocles (anime)

Sophocles is one of Ash's classmates. He enjoys inventing helpful devices and machinery. He met Ash while he was having a Tauros race against Lana and Mallow and they ran him over when he accidentally stumbled upon the track. They became classmates when Ash enrolled himself at the Pokémon School shortly thereafter. In Thank You, Alola! The Journey Continues!, Sophocles left to spend his vacation at Mossdeep City's Space Center. Sophocles reunited with Ash in That New Old Gang of Mine!, where he also met Goh for the first time. He reunited with them in Lighting the Way Home! and Helping the Hometown Hero!.

Pokémon

Sophocles
Hometown: Hau'oli City
Occupation: Pokémon Trainer, Ultra Guardian
First joined in: Alola
Episodes together with Ash
SM001-SM072, SM078-SM099, SM101-SM146, JN037, JN096, JN112

Method	Pre-debut	Sun & Moon
Caught
Evolved
Unknown

Mallow

Main article: Mallow (anime)

Mallow is one of Ash's classmates. She is talented cook for both people and Pokémon, and is a self-proclaimed poster girl at her family's restaurant, Aina's Kitchen. She met Ash while she was having a Tauros race against Lana and Sophocles and they ran him over when he accidentally stumbled upon the track. They became classmates when Ash enrolled himself at the Pokémon School shortly thereafter. In Thank You, Alola! The Journey Continues!, Mallow remained in Alola, aiming to succeed her father as the Aina's Kitchen's owner and turn it into a place that caters to both humans and Pokémon. Mallow reunited with Ash in That New Old Gang of Mine!, where she also met Goh for the first time. She returned again in Helping the Hometown Hero!.

Pokémon

Mallow
Hometown: Hau'oli City
Occupation: Pokémon Trainer, Ultra Guardian
First joined in: Alola
Episodes together with Ash
SM001-SM072, SM078-SM099, SM101-SM146, JN037, JN112

Method	Pre-debut	Sun & Moon
Given
Evolved

Rotom Pokédex

Rotom

Main article: Rotom Pokédex (anime)

Rotom possessed Ash's newly acquired Alola Pokédex at the beginning of Loading the Dex!. Since then, it has accompanied Ash as one of his companions, with the hopes of fulfilling its dream of becoming the world's greatest Pokédex. In Thank You, Alola! The Journey Continues!, Rotom remained in Alola to work with the Aether Foundation at Aether Paradise. It reunited with Ash in That New Old Gang of Mine!, where it also met Goh for the first time.

Rotom
Hometown: Unknown
Occupation: Pokédex, Ultra Guardian
First joined in: Alola
Episodes together with Ash
SM003-SM100, SM101-SM146, JN037

Pokémon Journeys: The Series

Goh

Main article: Goh

Goh is a Trainer who had a chance encounter with Mew when he was younger. His goal as a Trainer is to catch Mew, and his dream is to eventually catch every Pokémon in existence. Goh first met Ash in his hometown of Vermilion City in Legend? Go! Friends? Go!, while he was pursuing a Lugia during a Raid Battle, despite owning no Pokémon at the time. The duo later became Professor Cerise's research assistants. Goh later caught his first Pokémon and partner, Scorbunny, in Mind-Boggling Dynamax! during his first excursion to the Galar region. Goh has temporarily separated from Ash in Time After Time!, Sword and Shield, Slumbering Weald!, Chasing to the Finish!, and Just a Scone's Throw From Here!. In Leaping Toward the Dream!, Goh joined the Project Mew research team in the hopes of furthering his dream. In This Could be the Start of Something Big!, Goh officially parted ways from Ash when he decided to tour different regions alone in order to become a stronger Trainer who can equal Mew.

Goh
Hometown: Vermilion City
Occupation: Pokémon Trainer, Research fellow
First joined in: Kanto
Episodes traveled with Ash
JN002-JN031, JN033-JN042, JN045-JN112, JN114-JN127, JN135-JN136, JNS01-JNS04

Method	Journeys
Caught (On hand)
Caught (Recurring)
Evolved (Recurring)
Revived
Form Change
Traded
Trade
Given away
Released
Other
For a complete list of Pokémon currently owned by Goh, see this page.

I Choose You!

Verity

Main article: Verity

Verity is one of Ash's traveling companions in I Choose You!, which is set in a continuity different from Pokémon the Series. She is a vibrant and tomboyish Pokémon Trainer who seems to enjoy adventures. Her mother is a famous Trainer back in her home region of Sinnoh. Because of that, she expects a lot from Verity, which puts a lot of pressure on her. She met Ash when they were both chasing after an Entei. She then joined him and Sorrel on a journey to the Raizen Mountains, where Ho-Oh was said to live. After meeting Ho-Oh, Verity left Ash and Sorrel to continue on her own journey.

Pokémon

Verity
Hometown: Twinleaf Town
Occupation: Pokémon Trainer
First joined in: Kanto
Episodes traveled with Ash
M20

Method	Pre-debut
Unknown

Sorrel

Main article: Sorrel

Sorrel is one of Ash's traveling companions in I Choose You!, which is set in a continuity different from Pokémon the Series. He is a young Trainer whose goal is to become a Pokémon Professor. He is interested in Legendary Pokémon. He met Ash and Verity when he chased after an Entei. Although he initially had no interest in interacting with them, he later met them again in a cave to shelter from a rain. The three Trainers became friends and decided to travel to the Raizen Mountains together, where Ho-Oh was said to reside. After meeting Ho-Oh, Sorrel left Ash and Verity to go on his journey and meet more Legendary Pokémon.

Pokémon

Sorrel
Hometown: Veilstone City
Occupation: Pokémon Trainer
First joined in: Kanto
Episodes traveled with Ash
M20

Method	Pre-debut
Unknown

Temporary traveling companions

Haunter

Main article: Sabrina's Haunter

Haunter briefly accompanied Ash from The Tower of Terror to Haunter versus Kadabra, helping Ash in the Gym battle against Sabrina before it was left with her.

Haunter
Hometown: Pokémon Tower, Lavender Town
First joined in: Kanto
Episodes traveled with Ash
EP023-EP024

Todd Snap

Todd

Main article: Todd Snap

Todd Snap accompanied Ash, Misty, and Brock from Pokémon Paparazzi to The Breeding Center Secret. He later meets up with Ash again in Moving Pictures during his journey through Johto, trying to take a photograph of the legendary Articuno. They meet an elderly couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, and Todd has the honor of taking their anniversary photo for them. Later on, in Freeze Frame Todd finally finds Articuno and manages to get a photograph of it. He then departs from the group once more.

Todd
Hometown: unknown
Occupation: Photographer
First joined in: Kanto
Episodes traveled with Ash
EP055-EP057, EP187-EP189

Ritchie

Main article: Ritchie

Ritchie accompanied Ash, Misty, and Brock from The Mystery is History to A Promise is a Promise while he was searching for a mysterious Pokémon that can be found in the Whirl Islands, which turned out to be a Lugia.

Pokémon

Ritchie
Hometown: Frodomar City (dub only)
Occupation: Pokémon Trainer
First joined in: Johto
Episodes traveled with Ash
EP220-EP222

Method	Pre-debut	Post-debut
Evolved
Unknown

Mr. Briney

Main article: Mr. Briney

Mr. Briney accompanied Ash, Brock, May, and Max as they traveled to Dewford from On a Wingull and a Prayer! until Sharpedo Attack!.

Pokémon

Mr. Briney
Hometown: Unknown
Occupation: Sailor
First joined in: Hoenn
Episodes traveled with Ash
AG018-AG019

Method	Pre-debut
Unknown

Professor Birch

Main article: Professor Birch

Professor Birch accompanied Ash, Brock, May, and Max as they traveled through the forests of Dewford from A Three Team Scheme! until Seeing is Believing!.

Pokémon

Professor Birch
Hometown: Littleroot Town
Occupation: Pokémon Professor
First joined in: Hoenn
Episodes traveled with Ash
AG027-AG028

Method	Pre-debut	Ruby and Sapphire
Befriended
Gives away

Cheryl

Main article: Cheryl

Cheryl accompanied Ash, Brock, and Dawn through the Eterna Forest from Some Enchanted Sweetening! until An Angry Combeenation!.

Pokémon

Cheryl
Hometown: unknown
First joined in: Sinnoh
Episodes traveled with Ash
DP030-DP032

Method	Pre-debut	Diamond and Pearl
Caught
Evolved
Unknown

Barry

Main article: Barry (anime)

Barry accompanied Ash, Brock, and Dawn from Barry's Busting Out All Over! until Jumping Rocket Ship! while Ash was trying to earn the Relic Badge. He then traveled with them to the Pokémon Ping Pong Tournament from Stopped in the Name of Love! until To Thine Own Pokémon Be True!.

Pokémon

Barry
Hometown: Twinleaf Town
Occupation: Pokémon Trainer
First joined in: Sinnoh
Episodes traveled with Ash
DP101-DP103, DP122-DP124

Method	Pre-debut
Caught
Unknown

Zoey

Main article: Zoey

Zoey accompanied Ash, Dawn, and Brock from Classroom Training! until A Pyramiding Rage! while the group was in Snowpoint City. During this time, she guided them around her hometown, watched Ash's Gym battle against Candice, and accompanied them to the Battle Pyramid.

Pokémon

Zoey
Hometown: Snowpoint City
Occupation: Pokémon Coordinator
First joined in: Sinnoh
Episodes traveled with Ash
DP126-DP128

Method	Pre-debut	Diamond and Pearl
Caught
Evolved

Lyra

Main article: Lyra (anime)

Lyra met Ash, Dawn, and Brock during the Johto Festival in An Egg Scramble!. She and Khoury accompanied them to Lilypad Town and left the group in Bagged then Tagged! when she returned to Johto.

Pokémon

Lyra
Hometown: New Bark Town
Occupation: Pokémon Trainer
First joined in: Sinnoh
Episodes traveled with Ash
DP143-DP147

Method	Pre-debut
Given
Unknown

Khoury

Main article: Khoury

Khoury met Ash, Dawn, and Brock during the Johto Festival when Lyra introduced them in An Egg Scramble!. He and Lyra accompanied them to Lilypad Town and left the group in Bagged then Tagged! when he returned to Johto.

Pokémon

Khoury
Hometown: New Bark Town
Occupation: Pokémon Breeder
First joined in: Sinnoh
Episodes traveled with Ash
DP143-DP147

Method	Pre-debut	Diamond and Pearl
Caught
Evolved
Given

Cynthia

Main article: Cynthia (anime)

Cynthia is the Champion of the Sinnoh region and has helped deal with several crises, particularly those involving Team Galactic and Team Rocket.

Pokémon

Cynthia
Hometown: Celestic Town
Occupation: Pokémon Trainer, Champion
First joined in: Sinnoh
Episodes traveled with Ash
DP151-DP152, BW085-BW086, BW096-BW097

Method	Pre-debut
Hatched
Caught
Evolved
Unknown

Bianca

Main article: Bianca (anime)

Bianca first met Ash in Minccino Neat And Tidy where she gave him his Badge case from Professor Juniper. She later accompanies him, Iris, and Cilan for a short time on their way to Nimbasa City. However, upon hearing that Ash had three Badges, she was inspired to catch up to him and left to collect Badges on her own. Since then, Bianca has temporarily joined the group numerous times during their journey from Emolga the Irresistible! until Emolga and the New Volt Switch!, then temporarily rejoined them from Crisis at Chargestone Cave! until Evolution Exchange Excitement!.

Pokémon

Bianca
Hometown: Nuvema Town
Occupation: Pokémon Trainer
First joined in: Unova
Episodes traveled with Ash
BW024-BW025, BW062-BW063

Method	Pre-debut	Unova
Caught
Evolved
Given
Traded
Trade

Luke

Main article: Luke

Luke first met Ash, Iris, and Cilan in his hometown where they helped him produce a movie. At the end of Movie Time! Zorua in "The Legend of the Pokémon Knight"!, he accompanies them to Nimbasa Town, where he stays with them during the Club Battle tournament, before heading back home at the end of The Club Battle Finale: A Heroes Outcome!.

Pokémon

Luke
Hometown: unknown
Occupation: Pokémon Trainer, filmmaker
First joined in: Unova
Episodes traveled with Ash
BW038-BW042

Method	Pre-debut
Caught
Unknown

Meowth

Main article: Meowth (Team Rocket)

After reportedly being "disbanded" from Team Rocket in Meowth's Scrafty Tactics!, Meowth was found unconscious by Ash's Tepig and Iris's Axew. The group nursed him back to health and invited him to accompany them so as to protect him from Trainers wanting to capture the only talking Meowth in Unova. He used his ability to speak to humans and Pokémon many times during their travels together.

He later revealed their travels to be a facade to gain their trust for a mission, and reunited with Jessie and James in Crisis from the Underground Up!.

Meowth
Hometown: Hollywood
Occupation: Agent of Team Rocket
First joined in: Unova
Episodes traveled with Ash
BW043-BW047

Stephan

Main article: Stephan

Stephan decided to travel with Ash and co. in Climbing the Tower of Success! after taking part in a competition with them. He left the group after winning the Clubsplosion tournament in Commanding the Clubsplosion Crown!.

Pokémon

Stephan
Hometown: unknown
Occupation: Pokémon Trainer
First joined in: Unova
Episodes traveled with Ash
BW069-BW073

Method	Pre-debut	Black & White
Evolved
Unknown

Meloetta

Main article: Meloetta (anime)

Meloetta decided to travel with Ash and his friends from Piplup, Pansage, and a Meeting of the Times! until Unova's Survival Crisis!.

Meloetta
Hometown: unknown
First joined in: Unova
Episodes traveled with Ash
BW086-BW097

Cameron

Main article: Cameron

After Dawn left the group after the Junior Tournament, Cameron decided to join Ash, Iris, and Cilan. He left the group after he won his eighth and final Badge against Marlon from Goodbye, Junior Cup - Hello Adventure! until The Road to Humilau!.

Pokémon

Cameron
Hometown: unknown
Occupation: Pokémon Trainer
First joined in: Unova
Episodes traveled with Ash
BW093-BW094

Method	Pre-debut	Black & White
Evolved
Unknown

N

Main article: N (anime)

After meeting with Ash and the others again in Saving Braviary!, he agreed to travel with them to Driftveil City. After an encounter with Team Plasma, N was forced to leave the group in Secrets From Out of the Fog!.

N
Hometown: unknown
Occupation: Ex-Team Plasma member
First joined in: Unova
Episodes traveled with Ash
BW114-BW118

Alexa

Main article: Alexa (anime)

Alexa, a journalist from Kalos, met Ash and friends in The Journalist from Another Region! on Harvest Island. She traveled with the group through the Decolore Islands, and joined Ash on his journey to Kalos, but officially split with Ash in Kalos: Where Dreams and Adventures Begin! because her sister Viola was away from Santalune Gym.

Pokémon

Alexa
Hometown: unknown
Occupation: journalist
First joined in: Decolore Islands
Episodes traveled with Ash
BW134-XY001

Method	Pre-debut
Caught
Unknown

Korrina

Main article: Korrina (anime)

Korrina, the Shalour City Gym Leader, met Ash, Serena, Clemont, and Bonnie in Mega Revelations! on their way to her hometown. The group accompanied her as she traveled to Geosenge Town to understand and master the Mega Evolution of her trusted partner, Lucario. She left the group at Pomace Mountain in The Bonds of Mega Evolution!. In An Adventure of Mega Proportions!, she accompanied Ash and Goh to Mega Island in search of a Lucarionite for Ash's Lucario.

Pokémon

Korrina
Hometown: Shalour City
Occupation: Gym Leader
First joined in: Kalos
Episodes traveled with Ash
XY030-XY034, JN084, JN085-JN086

Method	Pre-debut	XY	Journeys
Unknown
Evolved
Mega Evolved

Sawyer

Main article: Sawyer

Sawyer met Ash, Serena, and Bonnie in A Fashionable Battle! in the Laverre 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!.

In A Full-Strength Battle Surprise!, after battling Ash and winning, Sawyer decided to accompany him and his friends to Snowbelle City. In the following episode, he watched Ash battle Wulfric before leaving to train for the Lumiose Conference.

Pokémon

Sawyer
Hometown: unknown
Occupation: Pokémon Trainer
First joined in: Kalos
Episodes traveled with Ash
XY073-XY075, XY119-XY120

Method	Pre-debut	XY
Evolved
Given
Mega Evolved
Unknown

Squishy

Main article: Squishy

Squishy first met Ash and the group in From A to Z!. After saving it from Team Flare, the group took it with them with Bonnie taking care of it. Later, it left the group in Forming a More Perfect Union! and disappeared along with Z2.

Squishy
Hometown: Terminus Cave
First joined in: Kalos
Episodes traveled with Ash
XY094-XY136

Professor Kukui

Main article: Professor Kukui (anime)

Professor Kukui is the teacher of Ash's class in Pokémon School, and his caretaker while he stays in the Alola region. As teacher, Kukui often chaperones class trips.

By the end of Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon, Ash and his friends learn Professor Kukui is also The Masked Royal, the famous masked Trainer who fights in Battle Royals in the Battle Royal Dome with his partner Incineroar.

Pokémon

Professor Kukui
Hometown: Hau'oli Outskirts
Occupation: Pokémon Trainer, Pokémon Professor, teacher, Pro Wrestler (as The Masked Royal)
First joined in: Alola
Episodes together with Ash
SM001-SM072, SM078-SM099, SM101-SM104, SM109-SM116, SM119-SM146, JN037, JN112

Method	Pre-debut
Given
Evolved
Unknown

Olivia

Main article: Olivia

Olivia is the island kahuna of Akala Island. She traveled with Ash, his classmates, and Professor Kukui during their first group trip to the island. In Currying Favor and Flavor!, she watched over Ash's trial in the Lush Forest. In the following episode, Ash battled Olivia in a grand trial Double Battle and won.

Pokémon

Olivia
Hometown: Akala Island
Occupation: Island kahuna
First joined in: Alola
Episodes traveled with Ash
SM031-SM037

Method	Pre-debut
Unknown
Evolved

Gladion

Main article: Gladion (anime)

Gladion is Lillie's older brother, and Ash's rival in Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon. In Revealing the Stuff of Legend!, Gladion and Lillie reunited with Ash and the rest of Lillie's friends, and joined forces to rescue Lusamine, who had been abducted by a Nihilego.

In Filling the Light with Darkness!, it was revealed that Gladion had joined the Ultra Guardians as its seventh member. Together with Ash and his classmates, they traveled to Poipole's home world in Ultra Space, and were able to restore light to Necrozma.

Pokémon

Gladion
Hometown: unknown
Occupation: Pokémon Trainer
First joined in: Alola
Episodes traveled with Ash
SM052-SM054, SM087-SM090, JN111-JN112

Method	Pre-debut	Sun & Moon	Journeys
Caught
Evolved
Stolen
Unknown

Acerola

Main article: Acerola

In Tough Guy Trials!, Ash and his Pokémon arrived alone on Ula'ula Island to challenge its grand trial. There, he met Acerola and the island kahuna, Nanu. After being defeated by Nanu, Acerola joined Ash to help him train for his upcoming rematch, following Ash's defeat at Nanu's hands in an unofficial battle. Once Ash eventually won the rematch, she said goodbye to him and promised to visit Melemele Island sometime.

Pokémon

Acerola
Hometown: unknown
Occupation: Pokémon Trainer, librarian
First joined in: Alola
Episodes together with Ash
SM074-SM077

Method	Pre-debut	Sun & Moon
Caught
Unknown

Dia

Main article: Dia (Alola)

In Battling the Beast Within!, Ash and Pikachu were sent to an alternate dimension Hau'oli City that had been devastated by a Guzzlord. A Trainer named Dia and the Zeraora he befriended saved Ash and Pikachu from being devoured by the Ultra Beast. With the help of their Pokémon and the Z-Power granted by the alternate Melemele Island's Shiny Tapu Koko, Ash and Dia were able to send Guzzlord back to the world it came from.

Pokémon

Dia
Hometown: Hau'oli City (Ultra Ruin)
Occupation: Pokémon Trainer
First joined in: Alola (alternate dimension)
Episodes together with Ash
SM100-SM101

Method	Pre-debut
Befriended

Shaymin

Main article: Mallow's Shaymin

Shaymin is a wild Pokémon that Mallow cared for. It first appeared in Memories in the Mist!, where it encountered Mallow after being drawn to her strong feelings of gratitude towards her late mother. Mallow then decided to take it in until the time came for it to turn into its Sky Forme and fly away. In Thank You, Alola! The Journey Continues!, Mallow's brother Ulu returned home, carrying flowers that turned out to be Gracideas, which allowed Shaymin to change into its Sky Forme and fly away.

Shaymin
Hometown: unknown
First joined in: Alola
Episodes traveled with Ash
SM108-SM146

Chloe

Main article: Chloe

Chloe is Professor Cerise's daughter and a supporting character in Pokémon Journeys: The Series. Chloe occasionally accompanies Ash and Goh during their research trips, with these occurences happening much more frequently after she obtained her first Pokémon, Eevee.

Pokémon

Chloe
Hometown: Vermilion City
Occupation: Student, Research fellow
First joined in: Kanto
Episodes traveled with Ash
JN031, JN038, JN049-JN050, JN052, JN055, JN062-JN063, JN069, JN072, JN075, JN079, JN081-JN082, JN087, JN089-JN090, JN094, JN098, JN107, JN111-JN112, JN129-JN132, JN135-JN136

Method	Pre-debut	Journeys
Given
Adopted

Leon

Main article: Leon (anime)

Leon is the current Champion of the Galar region and the former Monarch of the World Coronation Series. Leon initially joined Ash and traveled to various locations to stop the Darkest Day, and would once again join him for a training session in the Wild Area.

Pokémon

Leon
Hometown: Postwick
Occupation: Pokémon Trainer, Champion, Monarch
First joined in: Galar
Episodes traveled with Ash
JN042-JN044, JN100

Method	Pre-debut	Journeys
Adopted
Evolved
Given
Released
Unknown

In the spin-off games

Pokémon Puzzle League

In Pokémon Puzzle League, some available player characters include Ash, Brock, Misty, Tracey Sketchit, and Ritchie.

Sega Pico series

In Pokémon Advanced Generation: Pico for Everyone Pokémon Loud Battle! and Pokémon Advanced Generation: Pokémon Number Battle!, Ash, Brock, May, and Max appear as a group. In both games, the available mini-games represent Ash's friends battling against the Team Rocket trio. In Pico for Everyone Pokémon Loud Battle!, they are referred to as Ash Team (Japanese: サトシチーム Satoshi Team).

Trivia

All first partner Pokémon (prior to Generation IX) have been owned by Ash or one of his friends.
Alexa is the only human companion, main or temporary, to accompany Ash through the end of one series to the start of the next.
Serena is the only one of Ash's friends that Ash has met prior to the beginning of the series.
Clemont is the first of Ash's friends that has left the group in the middle of a journey.
Ash's Alolan classmates are the first main characters who do not appear in every episode of their series during their time in the main cast following their debut.
- They are also the first main characters not to appear in any Pokémon movies released during their series in any form.
Goh is Ash's first traveling companion to be officially classified as a protagonist instead of simply a traveling companion.
- Goh is also the first of Ash's friends to have a rivalry with one of Ash's former rivals.
Goh is the only one of Ash's friends to not be present for the entirety of Ash's major tournament of their journey.
Eevee and its evolutions are the most frequently occurring Pokémon to be caught amongst Ash's travelling companions, with three of them capturing one each, and another two being captured by two temporary travelling companions.