Ash's friends

Ash's friends are the traveling companions that Ash Ketchum has had with him on his journey on his quest to become a Pokémon master. While he started his journey alone, many people have joined his party while touring thePokémon world; usually at least one new companion joins—and another leaves—every time a new region is visited. Johto is the only region where Ash did not acquire a new friend that would travel with him.

Misty

Main article: Misty

Misty joined Ash in Pokémon Emergency!, traveling with him because she wanted him to replace her bike, which was destroyed by his Pikachu. She would continuously travel with him until Gotta Catch Ya Later!, when she returned to Cerulean City nearly full-time to lead her family's gym, though she briefly traveled to Hoenn and met up with Ash's Advanced Generation group, and again to "escort" her back home.

Pokémon

Misty
Hometown: Cerulean City				First joined in: Kanto
Episodes Present
EP001-EP273, AG044-AG045, AG132-AG134, The Mastermind of Mirage Pokémon

Method	Pre-series	Kanto	Orange	Johto	Hoenn / Frontier	Sinnoh
Caught
Hatched
Evolved
Given
Released
Unknown

Brock

Main article: Brock

Brock first joined Ash in Showdown in Pewter City after Ash battledhim in the Pewter City Gym. After his father Flint offered to take over the duties of Gym Leader, Brock followed Ash through Kanto, leaving briefly from Poké Ball Peril to A Tent Situation to work forProfessor Ivy. After this episode, Brock returned to be with Ash andMisty until Gotta Catch Ya Later!, though he, unlike Misty, would return shortly, in You Can Never Taillow, sticking with Ash until the end of the series. He would again return in Two Degrees of Separation!, and is currently traveling through Sinnoh with Ash as of the latest Japanese episode. Of all of Ash's friends, Brock is his closest friend and treats him like a brother.

Pokémon

Brock
Hometown: Pewter City				First joined in: Kanto
Episodes Present
EP005-EP083, EP115-273, AG004-AG192, DP002-present

Method	Pre-series	Kanto	Orange	Johto	Hoenn / Frontier	Sinnoh
Caught
Hatched
Evolved
Given
Released
Unknown

Tracey Skechit

Tracey

Main article: Tracey Sketchit

After Brock left, Ash's traveling group was again down to two, as it had been for the first five episodes of Kanto. However, this would not last very long, as in The Lost Lapras, Tracey essentially invited himself along for the rest of the Orange Islands saga. Traveling with Ash, he wished to attain his ultimate goal of meeting Professor Oak, which he did when Ash returned to Kanto in A Tents Situation. After this, he remained in Pallet Town to be Professor Oak's assistant.

Pokémon

Tracey
Hometown: Unknown			First joined in: Orange Archipelago
Episodes Present
EP084-EP116, EP273, AG133, AG192

Method	Pre-series	Orange	Johto	Hoenn / Frontier	Sinnoh
Caught
Hatched
Unknown

May

Main article: May

Ash may have traveled to Hoenn alone; however, shortly after his arrival, he met May, a young girl who desired to travel around the world and a fellow Trainer who was just starting her journey. Though she initially did not care forPokémon battles, she eventually found Pokémon Contests, in which she competed in both Hoenn and Kanto. May traveled with Ash through the entireAdvanced Generation saga, from Get the Show on the Road to Home is Where the Start Is. She, like Misty, reappeared briefly during the Diamond & Pearlseries to compete in the Wallace Cup.

Pokémon

May
Hometown: Petalburg City			First joined in: Hoenn
Episodes Present
AG001-AG192, DP075-DP079

Method	Pre-series	Hoenn / Frontier	Post-Frontier	Sinnoh
Caught
Hatched
Evolved
Given

Max

Main article: Max

Max is May's younger brother. He did not have any Pokémon of his own because he was too young, but he often befriended certain Pokémon. He traveled with the group from There's no Place Like Hoenn until Home is Where the Start Is, when he went home toPetalburg City. However, he made a promise to Ash that as soon as he got some, he would battle Ash.

Max
Hometown: Petalburg City
First joined in: Hoenn
Episodes Present
AG003-AG192

Dawn

Main article: Dawn

Like his journey into Hoenn, Ash ventured to Sinnoh alone, where, inWhen Pokémon Worlds Collide!, he would meet Dawn. From that point, after saving Ash's Pikachu and having her bike fried in a similar way to May's and Misty's, Dawn would travel with Ash and Brock through Sinnoh, which she is currently doing as of the most recent Japanese episode.