Since the Pokemon anime premiered in Japan in 1997, it's been clear that Ash Ketchum is no lone wolf. Throughout his journey, Ash has not only established bonds with his partner Pokemon, but with fellow Pokemon Trainers as well. Every season, Ash encounters new friends and rivals alike, some of whom join him on his quest to become the very best, like no one ever was.
Whether they're Gym Leaders Ash defeated in battle or rival Trainers with their own aspirations, Ash has had many friends of varying skill levels. The question is: which have been his strongest traveling companions throughout the course of the series? Warning: spoilers for all seasons of the anime up ahead!
10 Serena: Style Over Strategy
When Serena first began traveling with Ash in Pokemon the Series: XY, she had few aspirations to battle competitively. When she finally discovers her true calling in becoming a Pokemon Performer, she nevertheless becomes determined to win. Through her experiences at Pokemon shows, Serena quickly establishes a close bond with all of her partner Pokemon.
In the rare times when Serena enters a Pokemon battle, she's shown to be a competent and skilled Trainer. She was certainly a useful companion to Ash during battles, offering him solid support. Ultimately, since competitive Pokemon battling was not a priority for Serena, she pales in comparison to Ash's more victory-focused friends.
9 Goh: Gotta Catch 'Em All, Gotta Battle With Them More
Throughout Pokemon Journeys: The Series, Goh has proven to be a unique foil for Ash compared to his previous companions. Whereas Ash relies on instinct, Goh is more calculated and calm, though in some cases he can lose his temper. He also has an extensive knowledge of Pokemon, though this has backfired on him in battle when his strategies prove to be too formulaic.
Perhaps Goh's most impressive feat is in his goal of catching every Pokemon (a task made trickier in every generation of the games by certain elusive critters). Go has proven to be more prolific than Ash when it comes to filling in that Pokedex. While Goh is a promising trainer with a bright future in Pokemon battling, he lacks the experience to make him a truly standout Trainer.
8 Sawyer: A Worthy Opponent, Bested By Ash
It's true that Sawyer was never a permanent companion on Ash's journeys, though he did briefly travel with Ash and his friends in Pokemon the Series: XY. Originally from Hoenn, Sawyer first encounters Ash in Kalos when he loses a match against Clemont. Even when Sawyer loses a battle, he takes the time to reflect on what went wrong and politely accepts defeat.
Sawyer's biggest advantage, however, comes with his Sceptile, which demonstrates its ability to Mega Evolve during the Kalos League. With a powerful Mega Evolution like Mega Sceptile, Sawyer almost defeated Ash during the championship, only losing when Mega Sceptile faced Ash-Greninja. Still, Sawyer easily proved to be one of Ash's most skilled rivals.
7 Brock: Gym Leader Turned Personal Chef
Brock was certainly a skilled enough Pokemon Trainer to be given the responsibility of running Pewter Gym on behalf of his father, Flint. Brock was nevertheless ecstatic to have the opportunity to join Ash on his journeys as a caretaker for Ash, Misty, and their Pokemon.
As Ash's traveling companion, Brock preferred to assist Ash by offering suggestions for viable strategies, rather than participate in battles himself. Whenever he does, however, he's shown to be a very capable Trainer who has a strong bond with his Pokemon. Maybe someday this intriguing fan favorite will make another appearance to show off his rarely-seen battling capabilities.
6 Misty: A Water-Type Expert With Even More Potential
Ash and Misty's long-time companionship didn't begin in such a friendly way, with Ash stealing her bike in the very first episode of the anime. She initially began following him to force him to pay her back. Eventually, the two became close friends and traveled Kanto, the Orange Islands, and Johto together.
Misty's goal throughout the series was to become a Water-type Pokemon Master, a goal she achieves by becoming the sole Gym Leader of Cerulean City. By the time she returns in Pokemon the Series: Sun & Moon, she's boasting a Mega Gyarados, though she unfortunately still loses to Ash and his Pikachu. She may have a long way to go to live up to Ash's other companions, but she's shown a good deal of growth since the show premiered.
5 Kiawe: A Fiery Veteran Battler
Ash first meets Kiawe while helping him face off against Team Skull grunts. The two later become classmates together at the Pokemon School on Melemele Island. Much like his Fire-type Pokemon, Kiawe tends to be confident and intense when it comes to battling.
Kiawe also has an interest in Z-Moves, believing in their potential to make battles more thrilling. During his reappearance in Pokemon Journeys: the Series, he even challenges Goh to a match to see if he's a worthy enough rival for Ash. Kiawe certainly displays more experience than some of Ash's other companions, but for now he's still just his peer.
4 Dawn: A Dedicated Trainer With An Obedience Problem
Dawn became Ash's traveling companion during Pokemon the Series: Diamond & Pearl, soon discovering her love for those sometimes-tricky Pokemon Contests. Unlike May or Serena, Dawn's interest in Contests never compromised her desire to become a strong Pokemon Trainer. Even when she reappeared in Pokemon the Series: Black & White, she still competed in the Pokemon World Tournament Junior Cup.
Dawn's biggest flaws as a Trainer was her struggle to bond with her Pokemon, something Ash and many of his companions easily mastered. She's often seen bickering with her Piplup, and many of her Pokemon disobey her commands. However, she remains determined to grow stronger and is always steadfast in her goals.
3 Korrina: A Great Friend And Formidable Battler
Like Sawyer, Korrina was also a temporary traveling companion of Ash during Pokemon the Series: XY. When she first meets Ash and his friends, she claims her 99th successive victory by defeating Ash with her Lucario. Together, Ash and his friends help Korrina find a Mega Stone for her Lucario, the controversial mechanic of Mega Evolution giving her a new level of power as a Trainer.
Korrina returns during Pokemon Journeys: the Series to return the favor and help Ash find a Mega Stone for his own Lucario. Out of all the temporary companions Ash has had along his journey, Korrina has not only shown the most growth in her bonds with her Pokemon, but also got along with Ash and his friends better than most.
2 Professor Kukui: A Royal Talent And Pokemon Authority
As the teacher of Ash and his companions at the Pokemon School in Pokemon the Series: Sun & Moon, Professor Kukui often joined his students on various trips and adventures. Kukui is a highly skilled Trainer, even sometimes masquerading as the Masked Royal, participating in four-way Battle Royales as he does in the main series games.
Kukui also proves to be one of Ash's greatest opponents. During their exhibition match at the end of the Alola League, Ash narrowly claims victory. However, Kukui puts up a solid fight, even summoning the help of Tapu Koko, Guardian of Alola. Kukui displays an expertise in battling rarely seen in Ash's traveling parties.
1 Iris: Master of Dragons
Few of Ash's traveling companions have come as far as Iris has. When Ash first meets the aspiring Dragon-type Pokemon Master, she is a girl wandering the wilderness, mistaken by Ash for a Pokemon. Despite her experience in battle and unrivaled win streak, she's also prone to mistakes and has difficulty communicating with some of her Pokemon, particularly her disobedient Dragonite.
When she reunites with Ash in Pokemon Journeys: the Series, however, she reveals that she has not only gone on to battle Dragon Masters around the world, but she's already become the Champion of Unova. Iris shows no sign of slowing down: With her new title, she only began working harder at becoming the strongest companion Ash has ever known.