There are plenty of talented women in the Pokémon anime, whether they are aspiring young trainers, experienced Gym Leaders, or formidable Champions.
Ash has been fortunate to face off against so many talented trainers over the years, and although he has ultimately been able to overcome most obstacles put in his way, he has also been humbled by plenty of strong trainers that have taught him valuable lessons along the way.
10 May, Dawn, & Zoey All Became Formidable Battlers Through Their Intensive Contest Training
Pokémon Contests are predominately about putting on a show and looking great, rather than simply showing off complete power and strength like with battles. However, with Contests having the Battle Stage incorporated into the formatting, means that any winners must be considered rather competent and comfortable when it comes to battling.
May is one of the strongest examples of this, especially considering her lack of experience and knowledge at the start of her journey, compared to where she ended up. The likes of Dawn, Zoey, and Solidad may have also stood out along the way, over the course of Diamond & Pearl and Ruby & Sapphire respectively, but May's progression stood out above and beyond, especially considering her intense draw with Ash at the Terracotta Town Contest, a ferocious battle between Sceptile and Blaziken.
9 Fantina Wants To Be The Best Coordinator, Gym Leader, And Traveling Trainer
Fantina is not only shown to be the formidable Hearthome City Gym Leader and a Top Coordinator, but she also has a refreshing perspective on Pokémon battles, with her wanting to travel as a normal trainer, see the world and experience the trainer life with no restrictions.
While it is revealed and implied that several trainers were successful in defeating her, with eight badges being required to enter the Lily of the Valley Conference, the fact that she constantly wants to adapt and improve to be more than just a plain old Gym Leader, puts her up there as one of the strongest and most promising trainers across the entire Pokémon franchise.
8 Iris May Be Champion But Has Never Truly Hit The Pinnacle Of Consistency & Dominance
As one of Ash's travel companions for his Unova adventures, it wasn't until after the Black & White series that Iris became the region's champion, with this being revealed when she was reunited with Ash in Pokémon Journeys.
Being a Dragon-type specialist puts her in with esteemed company among many tough trainers that also focus on the same typing. However, despite being the Unova Champion, she lost to Ash in their World Coronation Series match, with Iris already being at a rating not particularly befitting of a Champion. She did still beat Ash back during their traveling days, with her beating him to win the Nimbasa Town Club Battle Tournament.
7 Misty Is One Of The Best Water Specialists In The Anime
With Misty becoming one of Ash's most iconic traveling companions alongside the likes of Brock, it is often forgotten that she was a strong trainer in her own right, especially when it came to Water Pokémon.
Misty may have lost to Ash on multiple occasions but she did pick up a win against Ash at the Whirl Cup where against all odds, her Psyduck managed to direct its headache-causing Psychic powers and defeat Ash's Kingler for the win. Misty even overcame her fear of Gyarados to obtain her own, cherish it and even utilize Mega Evolution, as shown during her battle with Ash in the Sun & Moon anime.
6 Bea Has Become One Of Ash's Toughest Rivals Ever
The introduction of the World Coronation Series to Pokémon Journeys has been a much-needed revamp to the structure of battles and general competition in the anime. It has allowed for some incredibly intense and unique battles, with Ash's series of bouts with Bea becoming some of the most intense fights of the lot, with them being competitive but in good spirits.
Now that Ash has himself a Lucario, it makes a change to see Ash facing off against Fighting-type Trainers that don't have the Aura Pokémon, allowing for others from the typing to shine, with Bea's intimidating Grapploct being a prime example.
5 Korrina Took Ash Several Attempts To Eventually Defeat
Ash has always had intense battles with Fighting-type Trainers and Gym Leaders, with his series of battles with Korrina being no exception. When Ash and friends first met Korrina, her Lucario easily defeated Ash's Pikachu, which not only sparked their friendship but they subsequently traveled together in order to find Lucarionite for her Lucario to Mega Evolve.
After obtaining the ability to Mega Evolve, the inexperience with Mega Evolution resulted in Lucario losing control in their second battle with Ash, resulting in a no contest. Despite losing to Ash and Pikachu in the third battle at the Shalour Gym, Korrina still looked formidable in defeat. They even battled again in Pokémon Journeys, with Mega Lucario looking strong as ever, even if it did fall to Ash's powerful Dragonite.
4 Agatha's Brief Appearance In The Anime Was Still Plenty To Show Off Her Terrifying Battling Prowess As An Elite Four Member
Agatha's only appearance in the main anime was at the Viridian Gym, where she humbled Ash off the back of his decent showing at the Ever Grande Conference in the Hoenn region. Ash wasn't aware at the time that Agatha was a member of the Elite Four, until it was too late and her Gengar was moving past Ash's Pikachu with relative ease.
After the battle, she effectively endorsed and acknowledged Ash, encouraging him to take on the Battle Frontier challenge. Agatha may not have been given much of a chance to show off her experience and power as an Elite Four member, but her battle with Ash and the way her Golbat handled Team Rocket, gave a glimpse at what she was capable of.
3 Lorelei Taught Ash A Valuable Lesson During His Time At The Orange Islands
Lorelei, known as Prima in the English dub, only made one major appearance in the anime but it ultimately humbled and taught Ash a valuable lesson in the process. This not only showcased her talent and power as an Elite Four member but helped Ash to improve and progress as a Trainer.
In the space of one episode, she showed off four Pokémon with Dewgong, Slowbro, and Cloyster all defeating random Trainers in educational battles, Cloyster also defeating Ash's Pikachu, and her Jynx helping to dispose of Team Rocket. Her name may well be disputed between those favoring Lorelei from the games and those backing Prima from the anime, but her talents as a strong and formidable Trainer cannot be disputed.
2 Diantha Was Another Mysterious Champion Not To Be Underestimated
Unlike most other Champions and Elite Four members, Kalos Champion Diantha was unable to register a victory against Ash in the anime. However, this doesn't mean that she wasn't a strong Trainer by any means, as both battles ended in inconclusive fashion with a Team Rocket interruption in one and Ash passing out in the other.
Her bond with her Gardevoir was clear for all to see and they were a formidable duo, especially when utilizing Mega Evolution. She was seen battling the likes of Magnus and Ash, but her might was also showcased when fending off and defeating Team Flare, with her playing her part as a fearless Champion.
1 Cynthia Backed Up Her Indominable Reputation
Cynthia's strength and power as a Pokémon Champion are well-known, both in the games and in the anime. Despite her kind heart and generally pleasant demeanor, her battle style is ruthless, with the likes of Paul discovering this first-hand when he lost in embarrassing fashion during a 6-on-6 battle with her.
Cynthia's Garchomp ripped through Paul's team of Pokémon all by itself before Paul conceded defeat and forfeited the battle. Cynthia has also beaten the likes of Aaron and Flint from the Elite Four at various points throughout the anime, further establishing her dominance as Champion.