Ash's 10 Best Pokémon Anime Quotes That Prove the Iconic Hero's Growth

Summary Ash started as a determined dreamer, evolved to learn from failure, and now aims to be a Pokémon master through constant growth.

Ash values effort, growth, and learning from mistakes, teaching viewers to persevere and improve constantly.

Ash's journey showcases friendship, perseverance, and humility, emphasizing the importance of cherishing memories and continuous learning.

The Pokémon anime is unambiguously aimed at younger audiences, and that's incredibly apparent when looking at its lead protagonist for over 25 years, Ash Ketchum. Ash is still a kid no matter what series one is looking at, and much of the world is new to him. As he reacts to and learns about the world around him, though, Ash grows substantially as a character; comparing his first season and last season is like night and day.

While Ash may not be a wizened old man, he's still learned a lot about life, and occasionally has some surprisingly profound things to say. Some are general quotes which could describe anyone's life, while other quotes are more specific to Ash and his situation. Still, these lines from Ash help to showcase his development as a character over the years, and how the Pokémon anime might have more to teach both kids and adults than anyone could've expected.

10 "I'm Ash, from the town of Pallet. I'm destined to be the world's number one Pokémon master! I can't be defeated by the likes of you."

Pokémon: The Original Series, Episode 1, "Pokémon - I Choose You!"

This line, spoken by Ash in the very first episode, is a bold declaration of his dreams and goals to a flock of Spearow, who are threatening both him and Pikachu. Pikachu isn't obeying Ash at this point, and the two are having a lot of trouble getting along, but when the Spearow attack, Ash defends Pikachu without a second thought. He has nothing to help him do this, but he bravely stands in their way anyway. It's the first glimpse at the friendship that Ash would eventually demonstrate with many other Pokémon.

This line really makes the first episode of the series, spoken at a climactic moment with incredible determination. Even from the beginning, with no skill or experience, Ash is already demonstrating the qualities that will eventually lead him to become that Pokémon master.

9 "You can turn any tight spot into a good thing. That's how we learned to battle together."

Pokémon Journeys, Episode 18, "Destination: Coronation!"

Ash speaks this line during his first World Coronation Series battle, referring to his and Pikachu's astonishing ability to turn the tables on their opponents even when things are looking grim. It reveals how Ash looks at Pokémon battling, constantly analyzing and trying to decide what the next move should be. Ash's analysis is more by gut than by knowledge, but approaching battles in this manner means that Ash never really gets too flustered when things aren't going his way.

Ash's quote here symbolizes that one should never give up, as there's always a chance to turn things around, if only you can find it. Keeping a cool head and watching carefully can always help no matter the situation, and this is definitely something that Ash had to learn the hard way over the years.

8 "Everybody makes a wrong turn once in a while."

Pokemon Heroes

Ash says this to Totodile after they lose a race because Totodile made a literal wrong turn (although it wasn't really Totodile's fault, as Latios and Latias had invisibly interfered), but the quote carries a lot more meaning than just its literal reading. One could also take it more metaphorically, as everyone makes mistakes and does things wrong sometimes. It's not important that one has made a mistake; only that they try better in the future.

This quote also shows how forgiving and kind Ash can be to his Pokémon. He's not mad or upset that he lost the race, and instead comforts Totodile, who felt at fault. This trait of his is a key element of what makes him such a great Pokémon trainer, and is an example for anyone as to how to lose gracefully.

7 "There's nothing we could ever do that's a waste of time."

Pokémon XY, Episode 113, "Performing a Pathway to the Future!"

Ash says this to Serena after she fails to dethrone the reigning Kalos Queen, Aria, in a Pokémon Showcase. Serena is in a contemplative mood, sitting outside and looking up at the Moon, when Ash comes out and joins her. Serena comments how things seem to come so easily to Ash, but he denies this, saying that he doesn't always know what to do, either, but he'd rather do something than nothing.

The quote essentially calls out that no activity is pointless, as even a failure can be learned from and become experience to ensure better performance next time. For Serena, it may be disappointing to lose, but on her first try she did make it all the way to second place, and that's pretty impressive. She learned a lot and had a lot of great experiences competing, and losing the title in the end doesn't change that--and if anyone knows that by now, it's Ash.

6 "I always try to do my best and I know I'm getting better."

Pokémon: Adventures in the Orange Islands, Episode 105, "Charizard Chills"

After Charizard is frozen solid in a battle with a Poliwrath, its tail flame is at risk of going out, and Ash spends all night trying to warm Charizard up and help it survive. Charizard is still very disobedient at this point, and so as Ash warms up Charizard, he confesses that he's not the greatest trainer, but that he's constantly trying his best and improving. Together they'll be able to do great things, but Charizard has to trust Ash before that can happen, and Ash's commitment and dedication to Charizard here proves that he can.

Ash started out the series a bit arrogant, so learning that he's not the best and that he has a lot of room to improve took him a while. Eventually, though, Ash started looking at his room for improvement as a gift, an opportunity to never stop growing and becoming better, both as a person and as a Pokémon trainer.

5 "You see, sometimes friends have to go away, but a part of them stays behind with you."

Pokémon the Movie: Jirachi: Wish Maker

Ash says this to Max near the end of Jirachi: Wish Maker, when Max frets about saying goodbye to Jirachi. At this point in time, Ash has had to say goodbye to a fair few friends already, from Butterfree and Pidgeotto all the way up to Misty, so he knows what he's talking about. Just because Max can't see Jirachi again doesn't mean that the friendship that they had is of any less value; those memories are precious on their own, and so long as you share those, it's as if you've never truly parted.

Obviously, having to say goodbye to someone, especially when it might be forever, is an incredibly difficult part of life, but it's something we all have to face at some point. It's an important lesson that kids must learn, and that includes Max. Treasure the time you have together, because you never know when the end might come.

4 "You have to challenge the best to be the best."

Pokémon: Ruby and Sapphire, Episode 84, "Who's Flying Now?"

Ash has always had a mentality that in order to achieve his dream of becoming a Pokémon master, he'll have to battle the strongest trainers he can find, and he never misses an opportunity when he meets such a person. As noted above, Ash understands that he can learn even from his losses, and by challenging the best, he gets to see how those best trainers operate and conduct themselves, teaching him how to do the same in the process.

One should never be afraid to challenge those who seem to have superior skill; you just might be surprised at the outcome, but even if not, there's a lot to be learned from those more experienced than you.

3 "There's no sense in going out of your way just to get somebody to like you."

Pokémon: Ruby and Sapphire, Episode 105, "Once in a Mawile"

Another rather simple observation from Ash, this actually is a bit deeper than even Ash intended. In the episode, Brock is attempting to get his Lombre to reciprocate the feelings of a Mawile, who has developed a crush on it, in order to grow closer to that Mawile's female trainer. Ash doesn't really understand why Brock is going to so much trouble, especially when it's not likely to work out well if it's forced.

This quote can be read as saying that changing yourself for someone else isn't a sustainable way to get them to like you; you need to be yourself, otherwise you're just lying to them. If anyone needs to hear a lesson like that, it's Brock, and even though it didn't sink in, it's still some pretty valuable advice.

2 "Keep moving ahead and you can't go wrong."

Pokémon XY, Episode 5, "A Blustery Santalune Gym Battle."

Ash makes this statement in response to Clemont asking if he knows where the gym is, and Ash says that he doesn't. For Ash, however, there's no point in standing around being lost; the only way to find the gym is by looking for it, after all, and so being on the move helps him to ensure he makes it to his destination.

There's definitely something to be said for not hesitating, which is an Ash Ketchum specialty, to be sure. While it can be foolish to charge in blindly, it can be just as foolish to wait around in fear. The only way to truly make progress is to keep on moving--sometimes even when you aren't sure which way to go.

1 "I want to take everything I learn, each day, and put it to use."

Pokémon Journeys, Episode 147, "The Rainbow and the Pokémon Master!"

In the final episode of the series, Ash says this to Pikachu as the two wait out a rainstorm. This is an Ash who's already become a champion, at a point where he could very well be resting on his laurels, but that's not enough for Ash. As he says just before this, becoming a champion wasn't his goal; being a Pokémon master is, and to him that means befriending all Pokémon. There's still so much to see and do, that he sees each day as a learning experience.

Even being the best doesn't mean that one has to stop learning and growing. There's always room to improve, even for a Pokémon world champion.