Sorry, Misty But Brock Is Ash's Best Companion, And These 10 Iconic Pokémon Anime Episodes Prove It

Without a doubt, Ash's closest companion throughout his journey was Brock. Brock appears in over 500 episodes of the Pokémon anime, a feat shared by only Ash, Pikachu, and Team Rocket. While Brock didn't always get his fair share of the limelight, he still had plenty of opportunities over that time to stand out and show off his skills.

Brock often played a supporting role within Ash's traveling group, putting his big brother skills to use by ensuring that Ash and friends stayed well-fed and on track. Brock was often crucial to keeping the group on target to their destination, and provided valuable advice based on his experience as a gym leader and a Pokémon breeder, and eventually, as a Pokémon doctor. Brock also accomplished some significant achievements throughout the series, which are worth acknowledging.

10 Leave it to Brocko!

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, Episode #14

A lost Nuzleaf is causing some havoc, as it's terrified of humans. Brock comes in and uses his knowledge of Pokémon to help calm it down, approaching carefully, and using tactics like whistling a particular tune to ease Nuzleaf's fears. Brock is able to win the Nuzleaf’s trust with the help of his Bonsly, but soon they’re attacked by Team Rocket and captured. Brock’s Bonsly evolves to help them escape, and Brock is able to defeat Team Rocket singlehandedly. Nuzleaf is returned home, and everyone goes on their way.

This episode showcases how good Brock can be with Pokémon, even wild Pokémon that mistrust humans. It’s perhaps one of the first signs of Brock’s shift in focus from breeder to doctor, as Brock can’t help but want to aid the lost Pokémon. It’s also one of the few times Brock’s Pokémon evolves on screen, making it an exceptionally noteworthy episode.

9 Just Waiting On a Friend

Pokémon the Original Series, Episode #232

While exploring the mountains, Ash, Brock, and Misty stumble across an old mansion inhabited by a strange woman, who Brock immediately falls for. Calling herself Lokoko, she’s surprisingly receptive to Brock’s advances, and even agrees to marry him. However, Ash and Misty begin to notice signs that something’s not right at the mansion, and try to warn Brock. They discover the mansion’s original owner resembles Brock, but has been gone for 200 years. Lokoko is revealed to be an illusion created by the man’s Ninetales, which has waited for him all this time. Ninetales’ old Poké Ball is destroyed, allowing it to go free.

This episode toys with Brock’s girl-crazy reputation a bit, continuing his streak of bad luck with the ladies by having this one be an illusion. It’s a popular one with fans, as the Ninetales is an interesting character, and a rare example of a Pokémon outliving its master. Brock proves that he’s in it for more than just love, though, by helping Ninetales even after the deception is revealed--after all, he still cares greatly for Pokémon.

8 Showdown in Pewter City

Pokémon the Original Series, Episode #5

Brock’s debut episode sees him fulfilling his role as the leader of Pewter City gym. Ash challenges Brock, but is almost immediately forced to forfeit due to the sheer power and size of Brock’s Onix. While Ash is disappointed, a strange man shows him what Brock’s life is like, caring for nine younger siblings all alone. Ash supercharges Pikachu for his rematch, and impresses Brock with his increase in power. Ash wins the battle thanks to some outside-the-box thinking, and the strange man reappears, revealing himself to be Brock’s father. Brock’s father encourages Brock to travel with Ash, and stays to take care of the siblings.

Brock is given a strong introduction here, showing that he’s a responsible fellow as well as a skilled gym leader. Brock’s home life situation is a little over the top, but it works to show that Brock is experienced at caring for others, a role he quickly takes on for his traveling companions as well.

7 Love, Totodile Style

Pokémon the Original Series, Episode #153

Ash’s Totodile falls in love with an Azumarill that they meet at a lake, but struggles to impress the picky Water-type Pokémon. Azumarill’s trainer appears, and Brock soon falls for her, too. Brock agrees to help Totodile win Azumarill’s heart, and begins working with it to impress her. Azumarill is soon captured by Team Rocket, however, and so Totodile must save her. Despite successfully saving Azumarill, it soon becomes apparent that Azumarill has another love: Golduck. Brock comforts Totodile, saying that love is still worth fighting for.

While Brock’s love life is often the butt of jokes in the anime, Brock’s advice in this episode is actually fairly solid. It proves that despite the girl-crazy attitude, Brock does have a good understanding of what love actually is, and realizes when it’s time to call it quits.

6 When Regions Collide

Pokémon Sun & Moon, Episode #43

While Brock had been gone for some time in Sun & Moon, he did get to reappear (alongside Misty) in this episode. Here, it’s revealed that Brock has mastered the use of Mega Evolution. Brock has a match with Ash’s new friend, Kiawe, and absolutely dominates the field of battle with Steelix. Steelix Mega Evolves, and then takes a Z-move from Kiawe’s Turtonator and survives with ease. Brock is able to finish the battle and wins, proving his skills have only improved in Ash's absence.

It’s always great to see old characters like Brock and Misty return, so the episode is noteworthy for that alone. Brock’s mastery of Mega Evolution goes to show that he hasn’t let up on his battle skills, even with his new goal of becoming a Pokémon Doctor.

5 Poké Ball Peril

Pokémon the Original Series, Episode #83

After arriving in the Orange Islands with Ash and Misty, Brock soon becomes enamored with the local professor, Professor Ivy. He demonstrates his skill at caring for Pokémon by concocting a special meal for a Butterfree that won’t eat, and soon takes on domestic tasks around the lab, cleaning and cooking. Brock is impressed when Professor Ivy risks herself to save an injured Pokémon, and makes the decision to stay behind when Ash and Misty leave. The trio is broken up for the first time since coming together.

Brock shows that he isn’t just mindlessly following Ash around; Brock does have goals of his own, and he believes staying there will help with his goals. While his affections certainly play a role, Brock makes this decision with a clear head, revealing his more responsible side. Unfortunately for Brock, some unknown incident occurs, which ends up with Brock returning to Kanto and being unwilling to talk about what happened.

4 A Family That Battles Together Stays Together!

Pokémon Chronicles, Episode #5

A special episode focusing exclusively on Brock, it sees Brock returning to Pewter City after his adventures in Johto with Ash, only to find his mother is back, and has transformed the gym into a Water-type gym. Brock tries to get his father to fight back (literally, in a Pokémon battle), but it’s to no avail. Brock’s brother Forrest is especially upset, as he had been serving as gym leader in Brock’s absence. Brock challenges his mother himself, and easily defeats her, winning the right to return the gym to being Rock-type.

Revealing Brock’s mother, this episode goes a long way towards explaining why Brock is the way he is. With both parents constantly going off on their own whims, it’s easy to see why Brock had to step up and become the responsible parent to his siblings. Brock was forced to mature at a young age, and that fact shaped his character more than any other.

3 Pokémon Fashion Flash

Pokémon the Original Series, Episode #28

Brock asks the group to make a slight detour, so that he can visit a legendary site among Pokémon breeders. There, he meets Suzie, a breeder who has won awards for three years straight. Suzie has been struggling since a new salon opened up nearby--one secretly run by Team Rocket. Brock helps Suzie to reclaim some of her clientele, showcasing real Pokémon breeder techniques. Suzie decides to go on a journey of her own, and asks Brock to watch over her Vulpix.

One of the earliest episodes to focus on Brock’s goals, Suzie is a rare case of Brock behaving himself around a new girl, likely because he already had a long-established respect for her skill. Brock shows that his talents for preparing Pokémon food are truly notable, and Suzie’s trust in Brock’s abilities is what leads her to give him her Vulpix, making the Pokémon a symbol of his intention to grow as a breeder.

2 Heart of Fire! Heart of Stone!

Pokémon Sun & Moon, Episode #103

Brock and Misty pay Ash a visit while he’s in the Alola region. They head with Ash and his friends to Kiawe’s family farm, where a baby Kangaskhan has been injured. Brock puts his Pokémon Doctor knowledge to work, using a Comfey given to him by Nurse Joy to help calm its angry mother. Brock treats the injury, and soon Kangaskhan is good as new. Brock expresses interest in meeting Olivia, another Rock-type trainer, and when they encounter one another, they have a battle. The two bond quickly, and even defeat Team Rocket with a tandem Z-move.

A rare case of Brock’s interest in a woman being returned, Brock and Olivia make for a cute pair, although the relationship doesn’t go anywhere, since Brock must return to Kanto. More noteworthy is Brock putting his doctor training to use, showing that he really has been learning a lot, and has the bedside manner befitting a doctor.

1 The Brockster Is In!

Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, Episode #190

The Sinnoh Pokémon league has ended, and Ash, Brock, and Dawn are headed back to Twinleaf Town, realizing that this journey is soon to end as well. Team Rocket, following behind, manage to upset a group of Tentacruel, leading to them attacking the ship and poisoning a trainer’s baby Pokémon. Brock tries to help treat their injuries, but is in need of special berries. They search the ship high and low, only finding a few items that might help. Brock’s Happiny evolves into Chansey, and is able to use Soft Boiled, a move which heals Pokémon, helping the baby Pokémon to recover without berries.

This is the episode where Brock considers his new goal to be a Pokémon Doctor, after caring for the babies. It’s close to the end of his run as a main character, as training to be a Pokémon Doctor will require schooling, not travel. It’s this decision that prompts Brock to part ways with Ash, and it shapes his character from this point onward, giving him some of his biggest character growth in the entire series. For that reason, this episode is without a doubt one of the best Brock episodes in the Pokémon anime.