Ash Ketchum has caught many different Pokémon on his journeys in the anime. All these Pokémon have aided him on his journey to becoming a true Pokémon Master. Ash has caught various Pokémon to build standout teams in each region and generation, and he's acquired many more since his signature starter Pikachu.
Ash's most impressive and elite-level Pokémon have made numerous appearances throughout the anime. While some get much more exposure and time to show off their skills than others, the worth of Ash's best and most powerful Pokémon still manages to shine through. Said power is often shown through sheer force and offense, but on numerous occasions, Ash's smaller Pokémon have stepped up in a big way.
Updated on April 3rd, 2023 by Tom Steel: Following the events of Aim To Be A Pokémon Master, Ash Ketchum's journey as the main focus of the Pokémon anime has finally come to an end. In that time, Ash explored numerous regions, made countless friends and raised powerful Pokémon that would achieve extraordinary things. This list has been updated to look back on Ash's long Pokémon journey, at his strongest, most powerful and best Pokémon that he had by his side along the way.
30 Goodra
Evolved From Sliggoo: Episode 864
Goodra was a part of a solid team that Ash amassed during his Kalos campaign, that arguably should have won him his first Pokémon League title. Goodra put on a few impressive showings before it was released to defend its homeland, but came back to aid Ash in the Lumiose Conference.
Goodra disappointed in its Pokémon League showing, but the pure Dragon type still showed plenty of promise and potential of becoming one of Ash's very best Pokémon. Goodra is a pseudo-legendary with an incredibly diverse movepool that would be a valuable addition to any team.
29 Hawlucha
Caught: Episode 834
Ash's Hawlucha barely won more battles than it lost, but its tenacity and fighting spirit were an inspiration to its teammates. The Fighting/Flying type picked up some impressive victories over Wulfric's Abomasnow and a Mega Absol among others, but its value came in opening up battles and setting the stage for the rest of Ash's impressive Kalos party.
Hawlucha even cemented itself as one of Ash's best Pokémon in terms of personality. It took the young Noivern under its wing and protected it like a big brother. Hawlucha is by no means one of Ash's flashiest Pokémon, but is certainly one of the most spirited.
28 Corphish
Caught: Episode 297
Ash has caught and raised some large and powerful Pokémon over his many adventures, but there are some more unassuming Pokémon that have also impressive with their strength. Ash caught Corphish back when he was journeying through Hoenn, and the Ruffian Pokémon impressed with its fighting spirit and battling capabilities.
Hoenn was the first region where Ash didn't catch the regional Water-type starter Pokémon, but that hardly mattered, as Corphish quickly became one of Ash's best battlers. Corphish even picked up victories over large species like Alakazam, Arcanine, and Swampert, showcasing that it is not to be messed with, even in its unevolved state.
27 Incineroar
Evolved From Torracat: Episode 1,082
Ash's team in Sun & Moon achieved a lot in winning the Alola League, but there were still various missed opportunities. Ash came to own the powerful Incineroar but never got to use it properly in this final form, apart from a brief showing in Aim To Be A Pokémon Master. Instead, it's previous form Torracat impressed in its rivalry with the Masked Royal's Incineroar, which resulted in two fiercely competitive battles between the two.
Torracat eventually triumphed against Incineroar during Ash and Kukui's exhibition match at the Manalo Conference. It then evolved into Incineroar before fainting from exhaustion. Torracat was a crucial part of Ash's first championship-winning team and is easily one of Ash's best Pokémon, with Incineroar being one of his physically strongest and most powerful.
26 Lycanroc
Evolved From Rockruff: Episode 976
Lycanroc was another hero in Ash's Alolan campaign. Ash's Rockruff evolved into the rare Dusk Form and engaged in an intense rivalry with Gladion's Midnight Form. Lycanroc was the embodiment of tenacity and perseverance during the Alola adventures, making for one entertaining underdog story.
Ash raised an impressive team in Sun & Moon, but Lycanroc was the one to deal the final blow, securing Ash his first ever Pokémon League victory at the Manalo Conference. Lycanroc is often unfairly overlooked for being one of Ash's strongest and best Pokémon.
25 Sirfetch'd
Evolved From Galarian Farfetch'd: Episode 1,145
Despite being introduced in Pokémon's Gen I, Farfetch'd never garnered too much attention in the Pokémon anime, at least until Pokémon Journeys. Ash caught a Galarian Farfetch'd and through serious hard work and tenacity, it eventually evolved into the intriguing and formidable Sirfetch'd.
Sirfetch'd's efforts were often eclipsed by Ash's other Pokémon throughout Journeys, but it still put on stellar showings, especially during the Masters Eight Tournament. Not only did Sirfetch'd defeat Cynthia's Milotic, it put up a brave fight against the formidable Garchomp, as well as chipping away at Leon's Mr. Rime and Rillaboom.
24 Lucario
Evolved From Riolu: Episode 1,130
Lucario hatched as a Riolu from an egg Ash acquired. At first, the Pokémon distrusted Ash, since it didn't recognize his aura, but it warmed up to him and the rest of the team. Riolu helped Ash and Pikachu defeat Chairman Rose's Pokémon, evolving into Lucario to protect the worn-out Pikachu from harm. With its newfound strength, Lucario learned Aura Sphere and knocked out the opposing Pokémon.
Lucario later fought Mewtwo with help from Goh's Cinderace, but it didn't stop there. Armed with the art of Mega Evolution, Lucario excelled on numerous occasions but especially at the Masters Eight Tournament. Lucario proved itself as one of Ash's best and most powerful Pokémon as it defeated Cynthia's mighty Garchomp and Togekiss, as well as Leon's Mr. Rime.
23 Torterra
Evolved From Grotle: Episode 632
Torterra first joined Ash's team as a Turtwig, back when it could use its speed to its advantage to win battles. When it evolved for the first time into Grotle, the Pokémon had some trouble adjusting to its new size and lack of speed. Ash and Grotle learned how to use its new size and extra strength to their advantage, inventing creative new moves and battle strategies.
Grotle later evolved into Torterra and fought against Paul's Drapion. Although Buizel had weakened Paul's Drapion earlier, Torterra was defeated in battle. Despite the loss, Torterra's newfound strength, notable power, and moves like Leaf Storm impressed many viewers.
22 Donphan
Evolved From Phanpy: Episode 428
Donphan first hatched from an egg Ash acquired during his Johto adventures. It started as a young and energetic Phanpy before later evolving into Donphan. When it came to dishing physical damage to many opponents at once, Donphan was one of Ash's best and most powerful Pokémon.
Donphan was so skilled at Pokémon battles that Ash used it in the Silver Conference and the Lily of the Valley Conference. During the episode "Queen Of The Serpentine!" the talented Pokémon helped Ash defeat Lucy's Seviper.
21 Dragonite
Caught: Episode 1,095
Dragonite first met Ash as a Dragonair. Unlike the rest of the Dragonair at the time, this one had trouble flying. After Ash and Pikachu helped out Dragonair, he later helped them defeat Team Rocket. During that same episode, Dragonair evolved into Dragonite and saved Ash from falling.
Once Ash was safe and they had sent Team Rocket blasting off, Dragonite joined Ash's team. Dragonite helped Ash win against Korrina and her Lucario in the World Coronation Series, among many other impressive feats and performances. The best of these showings came in the ultimate showdown with Leon at the Masters Eight, where Dragonite defeated Leon's tricky Dragapult.
20 Buizel
Traded From Dawn: Episode 521
Buizel first started its journey with Dawn in Sinnoh. Dawn later traded Buizel with Ash in exchange for Ash's Aipom. Since Buizel had more interest in battling than in contests, this exchange worked well in Ash's favor.
Buizel's incredible Water-type moves helped when fighting Veilstone Gym Leader Maylene's Lucario. Both Pokémon had a tough battle, but it ended in a draw, with Maylene still deeming Ash worthy of the Gym Badge. Buizel also defeated Paul's Gastrodon at the Lily of the Valley Conference and weakened Paul's Drapion before it got knocked out.
19 Bulbasaur
Caught: Episode 10
Bulbasaur was one of the first Pokémon that Ash caught and the first starter Pokémon. Bulbasaur resisted evolving, desiring to prove it was strong enough to win battles without having to do so. Like Pikachu, Bulbasaur knew it wanted to stay the way it was.
Bulbasaur was plenty powerful for being an unevolved Pokémon and participated in notable competitions, including the Indigo Plateau and the Orange League. Bulbasaur is still one of Ash's most-used battlers and deserves to be considered of his best and strongest Pokémon of all time.
18 Bayleef
Grown From Chikorita: Episode 199
Bayleef will always be remembered as one of the Pokémon most attached to Ash, and it was this devotion that sometimes brought inspired it in battle. As a pure Grass type, Bayleef had useful Grass-type offense, but its physical bulk also saw it use powerful Normal-type moves with devastating effect.
Since Ash has owned several starter Pokémon over the course of his entire journey, many people often forget Bayleef, due to it never fully evolving into Meganium. Despite this, Bayleef recorded some impressive victories over powerful Pokémon, from Harrison's Houndoom to Chuck's Poliwrath and Machoke. It was one of Ash's best Pokémon thanks to its stats and undying loyalty, rather than overall power.
17 Gengar
Caught: Episode 1,101
Along with Lucario and Dragonite, Gengar was another popular Pokémon that Ash finally captured in Pokémon Journeys. The Ghost-type Pokémon certainly pulled its weight with some impressive battling performances.
Ash had his Gengar utilize the phenomenon of Gigantamaxing on multiple occasions, which helped Gengar become an actively vital part of the team. Gengar was used against Steven, Cynthia, and Leon at the Masters Eight Tournament, picking up impressive wins against Steven's Aggron and Leon's Inteleon.
16 Swellow
Evolved From Taillow: Episode 354
Ash first caught Swellow as a Taillow, back when it led a flock of other Taillow. The Pokémon challenged Pikachu to a battle and eventually lost after taking various Thunderbolt and Thunder attacks.
Taillow turned out to be just as gutsy when battling alongside Ash. With Swellow, Ash won the Crossgate PokéRinger and the Flying-type Pokémon didn't stop there. Swellow also defeated tough opponents like Katie's Scizor, as well as Tyson's Donphan and Hariyama. Swellow is criminally underrated among Ash's Pokémon and easily one of his best and strongest Flying types.
15 Squirtle
Caught: Episode 12
Ash owned all three of the original starter Pokémon, but Squirtle often falls under the radar considering how well Charizard and Bulbasaur served Ash in the anime. However, Squirtle still pulled its weight for its Trainer, even if it didn't register victories as important as the others managed.
Regardless, Squirtle remains one of Ash's best Pokémon of all time, proving that loyalty and effort can go a long way, and can sometimes be more valuable than sheer battling prowess. Fans still love Squirtle as undeniable proof of this.
14 Krookodile
Evolved From Krokorok: Episode 749
Krookodile doesn't just look cool, it fights with style against other Pokémon. Krookodile used to be called the Sunglasses Sandile and Sunglasses Krokorok. Despite its reputation, Krookodile had a good relationship with Ash and fought in various battles for him.
Ash used the Dark type Krookodile against Stephan at the Vertress Conference, and it eliminated both Stephan's Sawk and his Liepard. Viewers were baffled when Ash didn't use Krookodile again at the tournament, leaving many hoping for more future appearances in a manner similar to how Ash brought back Donphan for the Lily of the Valley Conference.
13 Pignite
Evolved From Tepig: Episode 734
Other than Krookodile, very few others from Ash's Unova team stood out. However, Pignite served as the best of the rest, while the likes of Snivy and Oshawott never truly lived up to their potential.
Pignite was a rare bright spark during Ash's humiliating defeat to Cameron at the Vertress Conference, as it finally brought down the impressive Hydreigon, as well as Ferrothorn. Ash's Pignite never fully evolved into Emboar, but still got to show off some of its burning spirit and powerful offense, proving itself one of Ash's strongest Pokémon in the Unova campaign.
12 Rowlet
Caught: Episode 943
Rowlet is the perfect representation of "don't judge a book by its cover." While it was yet another example of Ash not evolving a starter Pokémon, Rowlet was given personality and an explanation for not evolving. It had swallowed an Everstone and used it for the move Seed Bomb.
Rowlet defied odds and expectations by picking up huge wins against larger opponents, from Hau's Decidueye to Kukui's Braviary. Rowlet's sleepy and playful nature lulled opponents into a false sense of security, but Rowlet still possessed plenty of raw power and strength of its own to leave a lasting impression.
11 Quilava
Evolved From Cyndaquil: Episode 648
While in Johto, Ash caught all three of the starter Pokémon, just as he had done previously in Kanto, but once again, he didn't evolve them and take them to their full potential. However, his Cyndaquil picked up impressive wins over Bugsy's Scyther, Jasmine's Steelix and Pryce's Dewgong, even before it evolved into Quilava in the latter part of the Diamond & Pearl anime.
Quilava added Flame Wheel and Eruption to its arsenal before even utilizing a Flying-type move in Aerial Ace at the Lily of the Valley Conference. It helped knock out Nando's tricky Armaldo, but never really got to showcase its talent again, other than training Gengar in Journeys. It may have never evolved fully into Typhlosion, but Quilava still cemented itself as one of Ash's best battlers.