Pokémon Anime Happy National Ash Ketchum day!

Happy National Ash Ketchum Day!
​

1 year ago today (Sept 15th), the wishes of many fans' hearts were granted. Ash defeated Gladion and was crowned Champion of the Alola League!

And after that, this happened.

Spoiler

In honor of that, I figured it would be fun to do an Ash Ketchum positivity thread! No matter how imperfect the anime can be, (and our boy Ash), he has impacted all of us somehow, especially if you grew up watching the anime.

So today, let's celebrate Ash Ketchum! Post pics, art, stories, or anything else Ash-related that suits your fancy. You can tell a story about your first memory of Pokémon/Ash, draw some special art, write a song, make a video or just CELEBRATE!

For those of you who don't know where to start, I'll post some 'questions' you can answer if you want.

Spoiler: Asks

• Favorite version of Ash's design?
• Favorite region (personality/story wise)?
• Favorite of Ash's teams, overall (by region)?
• Favorite singular Pokémon?
• Favorite League?
• Favorite quotes?
• Favorite movie?
• What was your first memory of the anime?
• Favorite episode?
• Are there any scenes that you still remember to this day?
• Favorite gym battle Ash has been in?
• Favorite non gym battle?
• What do you feel like you have in common with Ash?
• Coolest technique Ash pulled off?

Spoiler: My answers

[*]Favorite version of Ash's design? Journey's, like I mentioned
[*]Favorite region (personality/story wise)? XY, and original but ultimately Journey's. OG Ash is special to me tho bc he roasted people
[*]Favorite of Ash's teams, overall (by region)? XY, and Alola. Also Journeys
[*]Favorite singular Pokémon? UUUHHHHH hard... Torracat I think. Awesome character development and character in general. And that little hack Rowlet.
[*]Favorite League? SM&XY (even if they handled the ending weird)
[*]Favorite quotes? Hm... Cant think of any off the top of my head from Ash. But I do love Mewtwo's quote from the 1st movie!!!!
[*]Favorite movie? The first Pokémon Movie!!!
[*]What was your first memory of the anime? I honestly don't know...
[*]Favorite episode? The SM episode where Lana hooks Kyogre. SO BEAUTIFUL
[*]Are there any scenes that you still remember to this day? Swellow's Thunder Armor from Ash vs Tate and Lize. it was RIDICULOUS
[*]Favorite gym battle Ash has been in? Hmm... Ash vs Olympia, Ash vs Bea, Ash vs Grant... so many.
[*]Favorite non gym battle? Gotta agree, Ash vs Paul. I did like seeing Ash's Krookodile beat Iris Dragonite though
[*]What do you feel like you have in common with Ash? His deep love of Pokémon and his loyalty.
[*]Coolest technique Ash pulled off? Counter Spin is dope, Thunder Armor is... something else, and Ash using Iron Tail to ground Pikachu

Naturally, you don't have to use these questions. Add your own, answer all or none, or just chat about Ash stuff!

Of course, I think it goes without saying to keep things positive and respectful . It is a celebration, after all.

here is a little thing I wrote that's been on my mind.

Spoiler: On the Alola League

The Alola League win is in many ways, more important than anyone realizes, in my opinion. I am writing this to hopefully give some new insight and love to the league.

Like many fans, I really really really wanted Ash to win a league. Especially Kalos. He got so close, and I was so excited. Needless to say, I was a bit sad it didn't happen.

Then came Alola. Up until the very end, I didn't have much hope. Then, at the last moment, it happened. Ash countered a counter and won. the. battle. Joy filled me. After 20 years of being a die-hard Pokémon anime fan, Ash had won a league. I was just as stunned as him.

Later, I had moments of doubt. I would hear things about how his league wasn't 'good enough'. And plenty of other stuff.

Long story short, I came to realize this. The feat Ash accomplished is impressive, important, and special. Incredibly special.

Ash Ketchum became the first person ever in history to win the newly formed Alola League. This means he won't ever be 'just' another league winner, like Alain or Virgil or something. No matter who might win later, Ash will still, always and forever, be the first winner. Which means he will never be forgotten.

The writers allowed Ash to simultaneously make personal history and make actual history.

And the icing on the cake? Ash gets to go on to defeat Kukui, who is easily as strong as a member of the Elite 4, by my guess. To culminate everything? He gets to defeat a freakin LEGENDARY DEMIGOD Pokémon. By doing a flippin' Kamehameha super move with Pikachu. His starter and best friend. His PIKACHU got to take it all the way.
Ash got to be a boss. It was extravagant, over-the-top, gorgeous and earned. In less than a year, Ash raised a team of powerful Pokémon, deepened his bonds, and explored the full extent of their power.

Ash will never be forgotten. Congratulations, 1st Ever Winner of the Alola League

Now, let's celebrate!​

 

XY is definitely his edgiest, heh. I really did like it. Journey's for me strikes a wonderful balance between OG, XY and SM. Its this beautiful blend of childlikeness with a bit of edge and a classic feel.

@Skittle So happy to see your reply!! I was beginning to worry no one would post here which would be boring

I recently rewatched Sinnoh through BW through Kalos. Its been such a journey, watching now being older has given me such insight. And appreciation

I had a phase where I used to not like Ash at all, but he was super cool in Sinnoh. Paul is my favorite rival for Ash, I think Paul forced Ash to grow the most as a person.

Now that you mention the Pokémon master thing, I feel like I've had it figured out.

Spoiler

Simply put, being a Pokémon Master isn't just about winning leagues, but truly mastering what it means to be a trainer. To Ash, I think this means making friends with all kinds of Pokémon, building a bond with them, then bringing out their full power.
This also explains why he catches less Pokémon as time goes on. For him, its not about quality but quality. To raise a Pokémon to their fullest and helping them become strong. Like Torracot defeating Incineroar, Chimchar becoming an Infernape and defeating Paul, and so one.
Being a Pokémon Master is something that you can always get closer to, but also something that never ends

Also XY really has the best gym battles like, so many were so cool and had such cool techniques, like Draco Meteor climb!! Ash v Olympia is one of my favs too, and a memory that sticks in my mind

I oughta answers those asks for myself, I realize, lol

Thank you for sharing

 

My personal theory is that after Ash lost in Sinnoh so badly he got depressed in BW which is why he regressed to his childlike nature. Either that or Zekrom fried his brain in the 1st episode lol

For me it was somewhere in my teenage years that I didn't like Ash, but that was because I kept remembering how much he lost. But growing up more, I began to appreciate his good nature, his unwavering belief, his faith in friendship, and his love of Pokémon. I guess we do just understand him better as we get older. And I think I learned that it wasn't always about the win.

I just love how he always brings out the best in his Pokémon!! And I like when he has a little snark too, haha. I rewatched some of the OS and its so funny, honestly. He's straight savage sometimes

Spoiler: Asks

[*]Favorite version of Ash's design? Journey's, like I mentioned above
[*]Favorite region (personality/story wise)? XY, Sinnoh, but ultimately Journey's. OG Ash is special to me tho bc he roasted people
[*]Favorite of Ash's teams, overall (by region)? XY, Sinnoh and Alola. Also Journeys
[*]Favorite singular Pokémon? UUUHHHHH hard... Torracat I think. Awesome character development and character in general. And that little hack Rowlet.
[*]Favorite League? SM&XY (even if they handled the ending weird)
[*]Favorite quotes? Hm... Cant think of any off the top of my head from Ash. But I do love Mewtwo's quote from the 1st movie!!!!
[*]Favorite movie? The first Pokémon Movie!!!
[*]What was your first memory of the anime? I honestly don't know...
[*]Favorite episode? The SM episode where Lana hooks Kyogre. SO BEAUTIFUL
[*]Are there any scenes that you still remember to this day? Swellow's Thunder Armor from Ash vs Tate and Lize. it was RIDICULOUS
[*]Favorite gym battle Ash has been in? Hmm... Ash vs Olympia, Ash vs Bea, Ash vs Grant... so many.
[*]Favorite non gym battle? Gotta agree, Ash vs Paul.
[*]What do you feel like you have in common with Ash? His deep love of Pokémon and his loyalty.
[*]Coolest technique Ash pulled off? Counter Spin is dope, Thunder Armor is... something else, and Ash using Iron Tail to ground Pikachu

 

@Gazi
Your post really made me smile

I really do love Ash's kindness, and Alola is such a second home to him because it really fits with his personality. I really like all the points you made and they really resonate with me.

AND THAT CLIMBING THE LIGHTNING THING IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES TOO!!! I forgot to mention that! Electroweb is one of the best moves he's ever had imo. This is his best moveset too. So versatile!
Thank you for your input!!!