Throughout his journey,Ash Ketchumcaptivated us with his ability tomeet new friendsand connect with all kinds of differentPokemon. After many years, from catching Pokemon to then evolving them, and trying out different Pokemon in intense battles, he finally assembled a team that helped him claim the title of Pokemon Master.
However, despite the slogan of ‘Gotta Catch Em’ All,’ Ash always had a few rules about catching certain Pokemon. He would never catch Pokemon that his friends have, nor would he catch a Pokemon unless he felt it could fit into his team. As a result, Ash missed out on some incredible Pokemon.
10Pink Butterfree
The entire story of his own Butterfree, which he evolved all the way from a Caterpie is still a heart-wrenching part of Ash’s journey. However, the pink Shiny variant is possibly one of the rarest Pokemon Ash has met throughout his adventure.
Many fans of the game series are still awaiting their first encounter with a Shiny Pokemon, so the fact that Ash discovered one at all is quite remarkable. However, instead of capturing this beautifulBug-type Pokemon, Ash did what he believed to be the right thing, letting his own Butterfree fly off into the sunset with its newfound love.
9Fearow
After the Indigo League, Ash encounters a Fearow on his quest to obtain aspecial Pokeballfrom Professor Ivy. The Fearow is powerful and injures Ash’s Pidgeotto. In its reluctance to give up, Pidgeotto evolves into Pidgeot and, with the help of a Thunderbolt from Pikachu, manages to down the flying type.
When Ash tries to capture the Fearow, the Pokemon refuses to be caught, pushing the Pokeball back. After another battle with Pidgeot it retreats and manages to escape. While Ash’s Pidgeot is one of the most iconic Pokemon of the entire series, perhaps a Fearow would have been a fierce addition to his team.
8Jigglypuff
Jigglypuff is one of those Pokemon that annoyed Ash, which is most likely why he never actively pursued one. Often putting Ash and his friends to sleep with its majestic singing, and then furiously drawing on their faces, Jigglypuff is a Pokemon that could have been a valuable asset to Ash’s team.
With the ability to put both Pokemon and trainers asleep, there’s a high chance Ash could have won a lot more of his battles and claimed the title of Pokemon Champion earlier. That is, if he could have found a way not to fall asleep during Jigglypuff’s singing.
7Aerodactyl
Upon exploring Grampa Canyon where fossils from extinct Pokemon were discovered, Ash encountered an Aerodactyl. With Ash in claw, Aerodactyl took to the skies to battle it out with Ash’s disobedient Charizard. This battle showcased just how much Charizard wanted to be a fierce Pokemon, even if its pride could have injured Ash.
After exchanging attacks in the air, Jigglypuff’s singing puts both Pokemon, as well as all the trainers, to sleep. After they awaken, Aerodactyl is nowhere to be seen, and Officer Jenny announces that the entire incident had been a dream. Even though Ash definitely knows it wasn’t.
6Eevee And The Eeveelutions
Eevee is often seen as the starter equivalent of Pikachu, even having a game named after it inPokemon: Lets Go, Eevee. It’s this fact that makes it unbelievable to imagine that Ash has never caught an Eevee or any of the Eeveelutions, but sadly it’s true.
Ash has met Eevee many times on his adventures, so it’s still highly confusing why he never thought to capture one. The evolutions Eevee can potentially evolve into are each able to make a claim as to why they would fit perfectly into Ash’s team and help him win some Pokemon battles. We can only imagine that if Ash never had Pikachu, a Jolteon would have been the perfect companion.
5Pelipper
Pokemon live among humans and sometimes serve other functions rather than battling. Pelipper is often showcased as one of these types of Pokemon. With how useful as Pelipper is, including its transportation abilities as well as its usefulness against certain types in battle, it does raise the question of why Ash never thought of adding such an asset to his team.
Although the anime sometimes bends these traditional combat rulings, resistances to Fighting, Steel, Bug and Fire types, and complete immunity to Ground-type attacks all make Pelipper a great defensive Pokemon. However, its heavy weakness to Electric types probably meant it wasn’t quite strong enough for Ash.
4Haunter
Haunter is a significant Pokemon in Ash’s journey. The Ghost-Type Pokemon seemed to match Ash’s playful and prankster personality. It also showed its determination by winning a staring competition against Ash’s Charmander, albeit it used Lick to get that victory.
The slapstick humour and the bond with Ash really made you feel that Haunter would be a mainstay in Ash’s team during the first series. However, upon arriving with Ash to Sabrina’s Gym, Haunter felt more connected to Sabrina and decided to stay with her instead.
3Larvitar
Ash met Larvitar a few times, his most significant meeting was when his journey took him to the Marine Pokemon Laboratory where he received an Egg that was previously stolen by Pokemon Poachers. We as viewers are treated to a few highlights of what happened to the egg in between the time it was stolen and then brought to the Lab. None of these highlights are pleasant, as the egg narrowly avoids being destroyed several times.
The egg hatches into a Larvitar in the next episode, where it initially feels distrust towards Ash, Brock and Misty. It takes effort, but the Rock-Type Pokemon eventually comes to accept and trust the trio, although it still retains its discomfort around other humans. Even though Ash had allowed Larvitar to become close to him and his Pikachu, he decided it should be reunited with its mother on Mt. Silver instead of claiming the Pokemon as his own.
2Mewtwo
In a world filled with incredible Pokemon, Mewtwo stands out as a product of expert bioengineering. After being created, he is forced to serve as a weapon by Giovanni, and it’s because of this that Mewtwo’s core values are centred on the idea of proving the superiority of Pokemon over humans, firmly believing that they hold an elevated status.
However, Mewtwo’s perspective undergoes a transformation after he realises that it’s the love and friendship between humans and Pokemon that is the key to a harmonious existence. With its new way of thinking, the powerful Pokemon decides to erase the memories of all involved, deeming it a safer route for the well-being of both Pokemon and humans.
1Ho-Oh
Ho-Oh isn’t just the first-ever legendary Pokemon Ash sees; it also acts as the centrepiece that kick-started Ash’s entire journey of wanting to become a Pokemon master. The fact Ho-Oh leaves Ash the Rainbow Wing is a clear sign that Ho-Oh has some connection with the Pokemon Trainer.
However, despite Ash’s fascination with Ho-Oh and the desire to see it once again, he shows no indication of wanting to capture it. Instead, Ash wishes to battle the Pokemon, and he gets that wish in the movie I Choose You where he uses his Pikachu against it. Unfortunately, the result of the battle is never explained and Ho-Oh disappears once again.
