Fans know that it has always been Ash Ketchum's dream to become the greatest Pokémon Master in history. To catch every Pokémon and train them to be the very best in order to win the Pokémon Leagues, are just some of the tasks one must accomplish to become a Pokémon Master. Granted, Ash is still on his way to becoming the Pokémon Master he dreams of. He is, however, one of the greatest Pokémon trainers within the franchise.
The countless encounters he's had on his journey, his battling strategies, and how he cares for his Pokémon are a few of the unique characteristics that separate Ash from the rest. These qualities are also what make him the greatest Pokémon trainer within the Pokémon anime's world.
10 Ash Doesn't Give Up On Chimchar
Fans of Pokémon: Diamond and Pearl know that Ash's Chimchar wasn't originally his. The fire-type starter Pokémon belonged to his rival, Paul, a trainer who viewed Pokémon as tools for battle rather than living beings. When Chimchar fails to reach Paul's expectations, despite working tirelessly to improve, Paul gives up on Chimchar and releases it.
Devastated, Chimchar begins to leave until Ash intervenes and asks Chimchar to become part of his team. The Pokémon agrees and the two continue to grow stronger together. Chimchar even reaches its final evolution and shows Paul that he was wrong. Ash's belief in Chimchar and willingness to work alongside it proves that he is the greatest Pokémon trainer.
9 Ash Protects A Distrustful Riolu
After being captured in a research facility where it was detained and fleeing from another set of captors, Riolu is distrustful of humans. When the Pokémon comes across Ash and his friends, it immediately attacks them with Aura Sphere. Instead of leaving the Pokémon alone after being attacked, Ash still attempts to befriend it. Ash notices that Riolu was hurt and wants to get it the help it needs. However, Riolu is still distrustful of Ash and is not willing to accept help.
Despite Riolu's animosity, Ash still does his best to help the Pokémon, even putting himself in harm's way when Pokémon hunters kidnap Riolu. It is through Ash's persistence that Riolu opens itself up to trusting humans again, even after being mistreated by them.
8 The Battle Bond With Greninja
Ash and all of his Pokémon share special bonds with one another. However, his bond with Greninja is completely unique. When Ash's Frogadier evolves into Greninja, a strange phenomenon begins to occur. When in battle, Greninja starts to take on his trainer's attributes. Ash also experiences the phenomenon and is able to see through Greninja's eyes and feels the damage that the Pokémon has taken.
This bond is different from Mega Evolution, which requires Mega Stone and a Key Stone to work. Greninja's transformation is the result of the shared trust between it and Ash. A trust so strong that it created its own unique transformation that has never been seen before.
7 Ash's Determination Even After Facing Countless Losses
Over the course of Ash's journey, he has had countless Gym Battles and has participated in a total of seven Pokémon Leagues. In those battles, Ash has faced multiple losses and has faced defeat in the majority of the tournaments he participated in. However, Ash does not give up after being defeated, but rather works to improve both his skills and those of his Pokémon.
It is his unwavering determination to reach his goal of being the Greatest Pokémon Master that sets him apart from other trainers. His belief in himself and his Pokémon, even after countless defeats, is what makes Ash Ketchum the best Pokémon trainer.
6 Ash Gives His Pokémon Their Best Chance
A quality that sets Ash apart from other Pokémon trainers is that he prioritizes his Pokémon's happiness over winning battles. Over the course of his journey, Ash has said goodbye to many of his Pokémon. Each going their own way to obtain their own happiness. Butterfree left to be with its mate, Primeape parted to train with Anthony in order to become a P1 Grand Prix champ, and Aipom was traded to Dawn so it could perform in the Contests it loves.
Instead of training Pokémon in order to create a team of powerhouses to win Pokémon Leagues, Ash prioritizes his Pokémon's happiness. He forms a team of partners built on trust and friendship, creating a strong bond that sets Ash apart from other trainers.
5 Ash Helps Gligor Overcome Its Fears
When Ash initially catches and trains Gligor, the Pokémon was a crybaby and not the greatest glider. As Ash gets to know the Pokémon, he learns that Gligor had both a fear of heights and battling other Pokémon. Some trainers within the franchise would have given up on the difficult Pokémon.
Despite Gligor sometimes getting on his nerves, Ash worked hard with Gligor to overcome its fears. By working as partners, Gligor is able to evolve into Gliscor and gain the confidence it needed to reach its fullest potential.
4 Ash Wins The Alola Championship
Ash came one step closer on his journey to becoming the greatest Pokémon Master when he won the Alola Championship. In this Pokémon League, Ash faced off and defeated other powerful trainers like Guzma and Gladion. In these challenging battles, Ash is able to show off his own growth and strength as a Pokémon trainer, as well as his love for Pokémon Battles.
By winning this championship, Ash has proven that he has what it takes to not only be the greatest Pokémon Master, but also the greatest Pokémon trainer.
3 Ash Has Faced Multiple Legendary Pokémon
Throughout the Pokémon series, Ash has come across various Legendary Pokémon. From meeting Mew to encountering Arceus, Ash may be the only Pokémon trainer that can say that he's come across every Legendary Pokémon there is. Not only that, but on a few occasions, he has offered to help the Legendary Pokémon when they appeared to be in trouble.
Although he may have never captured a Legendary, Ash has been able to forge friendship bonds with various Legendary Pokémon throughout his journey. Thus making him the Greatest Pokémon trainer there is.
2 Ash's Battle Ingenuity
Ash wouldn't be a strong Pokémon trainer if he didn't have a knack for Pokémon Battles. Over the course of his journey, Ash has become a talented battler, despite obtaining a few sympathy badges at the start of his journey.
Ash has proven time and time again that he is a strong opponent and can often gain the upper hand in the most unpredictable of ways. Ash's ability to form a strategy amidst the heat of battle or come up with completely Ash-original attacks are what sets him apart from other trainers.
1 Ash Sacrificed Himself For Pokémonkind
In Pokémon: The First Movie, Ash finds himself in the battle between Mew and Mewtwo over the fate of all Pokémonkind. As the two Legendaries battled each other, the other Pokémon present also battled one another. It was a painful and pointless battle that would only result in the Pokémon's suffering. So Ash does the only thing he could: he tries to stop the fighting by getting in between Mew and Mewtwo.
In doing so, he takes the full brunt of the two Pokémon attacks, and is petrified. It is through his sacrifice that the fighting is stopped and that Mewtwo comes to understand its mistakes. Thankfully, Ash is revived but no one can doubt that his sacrifice makes him the greatest Pokémon trainer.