ThePokémonanime has long been about Ash’s quest to become a Pokémon Master, but there’s reason to think that winning a championship wasn’t a necessary step in that plan. Even long before his Alola League championship win, Ash was a fantastic trainer, and could’ve achieved his goals without ever going on to win.
Despite canonically being only 10 years old, just as he was at the start of his journey, Ash Ketchum has had a long career as a Pokémon trainer that’s taken him all around the world. Having visited several distinct regions and encountered hundreds of species of Pokémon, there are few trainers in the world who could really stand up to Ash in the experience department, and that includesbig names like Leon, Cynthia, and Lance. Even when it comes to battling specifically, Ash has consistently ranked highly when he participates in regional championships. While winning was a good cap to Ash’s story, was it really necessary?
Ash’s Skills Were Already Apparent Long Before Becoming Champion
Ash’s Performance in Battle Was Worthy of Respect
While it’s common among fans to decry some of Ash’s early League losses,the fact of the matter is that Ash has been a top-tier battler since the very beginning. Ash entered the Indigo League, his first tournament, as one of 256 trainers, and still managed to finish in the top 16, a very impressive performance for a first-time challenger. In every subsequent League tournament, Ash managed to place in the top 8 or better, meaning he’s made it to the quarter-finals or higher 6 times.
That would be an impressive enough legacy on his own, but it’s worth looking at the circumstances that he faced in some of these tournaments. In the Silver Conference, Ash had to deal with battling unknown Pokémon in the form of Blaziken and Kecleon, putting him at a disadvantage that ultimately contributed to his loss. In the infamous Lily of the Valley Conference in Sinnoh,Ash went up against Tobias, a trainer in possession of multiple Legendary or Mythical Pokémon, such as Darkrai and Latios, who won with such ease thanks to their power that no other Pokémon he owns are known.
And then there’s his performance at the Lumiose Conference in Kalos, which saw Ash come in second place, losing to hisXY-era counterpart and rival, Alain. This match came down to the last Pokémon for each trainer, and could easily have gone either way if circumstances had been even slightly different.Ash’s cleverness in battle and determination to win were on full display in this match, proving that he was worthy of the title of champion, even if he didn’t secure it this time. If Ash were a pro athlete who achieved so many top 10 finishes, he’d certainly be considered one of the best.
Ash’s True Goal Didn’t Require Him to Be Champion
Becoming a “Pokémon Master” Isn’t About Battling
Throughout the series, from the first episode to the last, Ash’s stated goal is to become a “Pokémon Master.” Just what that meant was deliberately kept vague by the writers, but in the final episode ofJourneys, Ash decided for himself what becoming a master meant.For Ash, a Pokémon Master is someone who has met and befriended every Pokémon out there–a quest that can never truly end. While battling can bring out special bonds with his Pokémon, such asGreninja’s Bond Phenomenon, Mega Evolution, or even just his relationship with Pikachu, it’s hardly an essential component to meeting this goal.
Battling certainly has its advantages–it allows Ash to see what new Pokémon are capable of, and see how the bonds of other trainers stack up to his own. But even long before he was a champion, before he’d even competed in a single League tournament, Ash was already well on his way towards his own personal definition of master. Ash frequently meets and helps wild Pokémon, from the mundane, everyday varieties like Spearow to the rare and even Legendary, such as the Latias he helped in the final episodes ofJourneys.Ash has won the trust of many a Legendary Pokémon, and that’s arguably more important to his goal than winning is.
Ash often befriended Pokémon before catching them as well, even in scenarios where he did end up battling them, like with Bulbasaur. Many of his Pokémon he didn’t battle at all, with them instead choosing to go along with him. Even after catching Pokémon, Ash treated them with respect, and was willing to part ways with them, such as with Butterfree, if that was what was best for the Pokémon. By putting his Pokémon’s needs first, Ash proved that he was a trustworthy partner and far more mature than he would appear from the outside.
Ash’s Masters' Eight Win Made For an Exciting Finale, But It Wasn’t Necessary
Ash Taking Home the Title Was Deserved, Yet It Didn’t Need to Happen
In the final competition, the World Coronation Series andthe Masters' Eight Tournamentthat it led to, Ash had to defeat numerous incredibly skilled and difficult opponents, culminating in matches against fellow champions like Cynthia and Leon. Ash again proved his skill in battle, and had some truly exciting matches with these figures who had seemed to be so far above him once.However, winning the title only earned Ash respect among humans, not Pokémon, and thus didn’t do much to further his goal of becoming a master. Mew wouldn’t be impressed by his achievement, after all.
When it comes to ending Ash’s journey, one last tournament for all the marbles makes a lot of sense, from a narrative perspective. Ash quickly proved that he wouldn’t be resting on his laurels, though, and that makes sense since the champion title wasn’t his real goal. Despite being world champ, Ash continued on his travels as he always has, befriending Pokémon along the way and taking a step closer to becoming a master. While Ash’s World Champion title is well appreciated byPokémonfans, Ash would be just as close to his real goal even if he’d lost.
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Pokémon follows Ash Ketchum on his journey to become a Pokémon Master, accompanied by his loyal Pikachu. Released in 1997, the series explores Ash’s travels through various regions, where he encounters new friends and challenges, underscoring the themes of adventure and teamwork.
