10 Pokémon Trainers Ash Should Never Have Been Able To Beat (& Why)

Ash may be the protagonist of the Pokémon series but that doesn’t mean he should always win and he should definitely have lost some key battles.

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Ash Ketchum is one of the most iconic protagonists because of how impactful he was to many fans during their childhood decades ago. From his many Pokémon battles with rivals, gym leaders, and others, Ash managed to come out on top regardless of how people felt about his wins.

Although Ash’s skills and techniques have somewhat improved throughout the Pokémon anime, some of his victories have left some fans questioning if he is a highly skilled trainer. Thus, it’s worth highlighting the many Pokémon trainers Ash shouldn’t have defeated throughout the anime.

10 Ash May Have Put Up A Great Fight With Korrina, But His Over-Reliance On Luck Helped Him Defeat Her (Pokémon The Series: XY)

Although fans find Korrina to rank highly among other Pokémon X gym leaders from a challenging perspective, her second battle against Ash proved otherwise. Although Korrina had Ash on the ropes and defeated two of his Pokémon during the Pokémon X & Y anime series, Ash managed to defeat Lucario by relying on Pikachu.

Although it was a spectacular fight from an animation and fan perspective, many had gripes with Ash relying on luck to defeat Korrina’s Lucario, who had no issues beating Pikachu up severely. Not only does this show fans that relying on luck is the key to victory, but it shows Ash’s true colors regarding Pokémon battling.

9 Ash’s Uses A Special Type Of Pokémon Transformation To Defeat Diantha’s Mega Gardevoir (Pokémon The Series: XY)

Diantha was one of Ash’s most challenging opponents he faced throughout all his journies and someone he shouldn’t have been able to defeat from a lore perspective. Although both trainers only used one Pokémon each in their battle, it’d make sense for Diantha’s Gardevoir to pulverize Ash’s Greninja based on the power gap between both trainers.

Further, Ash relied on a technique dedicated to him and his Greninja called “Bond Phenomenon,” which helped Greninja gain the speed and power needed to defeat Diantha’s Mega Gardevoir. Not only does this form not exist in the Pokémon games, but it feels like a trick the writer’s pulled to give Ash a victory over a Pokémon champion.

8 Ash Commands His Bulbasaur To Blow Away Aya’s Venonat’s Attack Even Though It Can’t Learn Pokémon Attacks Like Whirlwind (Pokémon)

There are many things about the Pokémon franchise that annoys dedicated fans. One of these aspects includes allowing Pokémon to learn attacks they shouldn’t learn like, Rhydon learning the move surf despite being a ground type Pokémon.

Not only does this concept reappear in Ash’s battle against Aya, but it paints Ash in a poor light regarding his battling expertise. During his battle with Aya’s Venonat, Ash commanded Bulbasaur to blow away his opponent’s attack. Although it’s an excellent strategy to use day-to-day mechanisms to achieve victories, Ash’s universe emphasizes that Pokémon can only use game-based attacks.

7 Ash Defeats Erika By Performing A Heroic Act & Not Through A Traditional Pokémon Battle (Pokémon)

Ash’s defeating Erika in the original anime isn’t the only time Ash would win a gym badge he didn’t earn, but it also shows how his morals change from left to right. Although Ash’s battle with Erika’s interrupted by Team Rocket, Erika decides to give Ash the badge without him needing to defeat her in a Pokémon battle.

Despite Ash’s heroic antics of saving Erika’s Gloom from doom, it wouldn’t sit well knowing that Ash wasn’t a fan of wanting to earn a badge through other means recalling his experience with Volkner during the Sinnoh anime.

6 Ash Creates A Strategy That Engulfs His Buizel’s Aqua Jet Attack In Ice To Defeat Crasher Wake (Pokémon The Series: Diamond And Pearl)

When ranking every Sinnoh Gym Leader from a likable standpoint, many fans argue that Crasher Wake is the best among some because of his charisma and fierce perspective toward Pokémon battling. Although he loses to Ash during their gym battle, some argue it was an unjustified victory for Ash considering how he combines moves to defeat Wake.

During their Pokémon battle, Ash commands his Buizel to use an “Ice Aqua Jet” combination maneuver against one of Wake’s Pokémon, which ends up securing him the victory. Although it’s a brilliant strategy, it’s something Ash shouldn’t be able to do since combing a foe’s attack to power one’s own isn’t applicable.

5 Ash Gains Sabrina’s Badge By Making Her Laugh And Not Defeating Her In A Honorable Pokémon Battle (Pokémon)

Although Sabrina gives Ash a thrashing in his first match-up against her, he does make a comeback, defeating her by utilizing a Pokémon who’s advantageous against psychic types, being his Haunter. Further, this may show that Ash understands type advantages, but how he earned Sabrina’s badge wouldn’t fly with some fans.

Sabrina’s known for ranking high among the best Pokémon gym leaders in the series; seeing her lose to Ash over a comedic gag performed by his Haunter isn’t a victory that would sit well with fans, especially those who challenged Sabrina in the games.

4 Ash Defeats Raymond’s Golem With A Thunderbolt Even Though It’s Resistant To Thunder Attacks (Pokémon: The First Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back)

Pokémon: The First Movie: Mewtwo Strikes Back is one of the best films in the Pokémon franchise because of how much Mewtwo impacted many fans’ childhood and the events in said film. Although Ash’s Pokémon battle with Raymond felt satisfying to see for most fans because of the toxic energy Raymond gave off, it’s a battle Ash shouldn’t have won.

When examining the Pokémon Raymond sent out in their battle, particularly his Golem, many fans would expect it to tank a thunderbolt from Pikachu, considering its ground typing. However, the anime allows Pikachu’s thunderbolt to do damage against Raymond’s Golem, wiping it out completely, which showcases how the writer’s helped Ash win the fight.

3 Pikachu Attacks Rhydon’s Horn To Enable It To Deliver A Devastating Blow Despite Attacking Pokémon Body Parts Being Unexistent In The Games (Pokémon)

Pokémon type advantages have been a staple since Pokémon Red & Blue, and many fans know which element in the Pokémon world is better than the other and vice versa. Fans also know that Pokémon can’t dodge attacks and aim for a specific part of a Pokémon’s body.

Further, this is where fans’ displeasure for Pikachu’s fight against Blaine comes into play. Not only does Ash call for Pikachu to aim a thunderbolt on Rhydon’s horn, but it’s a tactic that allows the electric creature to pull out a victory against a Pokémon who’d have no issue defeating it if they stood by the game’s mechanics.

2 Ash Develops A Strategy That’s UnAvailable In The Games & Ends Up Getting His Badge Without Defeating Brock In A Battle (Pokémon)

Brock can be a challenging gym leader to many trainers who start their journey with a Charmander or Pikachu via the Pokémon Yellow video game. Considering the disadvantages Ash had to deal with in his battle, he had no choice but to cheat to gain some leeway over Brock.

Although Ash’s tactic to use Brock’s gym’s sprinkler system allowed his Pikachu to use its thunder attacks on it, Ash would only end up getting Brock’s badge through easy means, regarding him giving it to him for being kind to his Pokémon. Further, it’s a battle that shows Ash earning a badge by being kind-hearted and utilizing weird tactics to win.

1 Ash’s Rowlett Got A Second Chance To Battle Hau’s Decidueye Despite Ash Losing Battles Because His Pokémon Fell Asleep In The Past (Pokémon The Series: Sun & Moon)

One of the most controversial battles that sparked much debate in the Pokémon anime community was Ash’s victory over Hau during the Alola Pokémon League. Not only did Ash defeat Decidueye with a Rowlett, but many fans found Melemele Island Kahuna Hala’s decision to be unjust toward his grandson Hau.

Although Ash’s Rowlett was sleeping after Hau’s Decidueye got up from his feet, Hala called for the match to continue despite Rowlett appearing down for the count. Even though this gave Ash’s fans some adoration because of his victory, it makes one question the logic behind Ash’s past losses regarding his Pokémon getting disqualified for sleeping during one of his Pokémon League battles.

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