Pokemon: All of Ash’s Love Interests, Ranked From Least to Most Likely

Throughout the original Pokemon anime series, Ash Ketchum meets and befriends many people and Pokemon. A lot of his human friends are also Pokemon trainers – some are Gym Leaders, others compete in Pokemon Contests. No matter what their ambitions are, Ash always supports his friends, and they support him too.

As the show went on, viewers started speculating about which female character might become Ash’s girlfriend. Some fans thought it could be someone he traveled with in the past, like Misty or Dawn. Others wondered if it might be a character from one of the Pokémon movies, such as Bianca or Melody.

Iris and Ash’s Friendship Had a Rocky Start

The Two Ultimately Learned How To Work Together

Iris is a Dragon-type Pokémon Gym Leader (and eventually Champion) who appears in the Unova region. She also appears as a character in the original Pokémon anime series. In the anime, Iris is a young Trainer from the Village of Dragons responsible for raising a baby Axew, a journey intended to help her grow emotionally. At the beginning of the Unova storyline, she’s portrayed as a bit shy and prefers exploring nature to socializing. After Ash and Cilan invite her to travel with them, Iris starts to become more outgoing, though she remains reserved. She and Ash are known for playfully arguing, and she even briefly leaves the group at one point.

As Iris and Ash traveled together, Iris started to really trust him. Both of their Pokémon teams improved – Iris’s Axew even fully evolved into a powerful Haxorus! They didn’t see each other for a while after Ash left the Unova region, but they met again at the Masters Eight Tournament. It was then revealed that Iris had become the Champion of Unova. They’re clearly close friends who enjoy battling together, and don’t seem to have any romantic feelings for each other.

Ash Acted as a Mentor for May

The Two Remain the Best of Friends

Growing up in Petalburg City as the daughter of Gym Leader Norman, people naturally expected May to become a Pokémon Trainer like him. But May wasn’t sure if that was what she really wanted. She decided to start her own journey, hoping to explore the world and discover her path. She chose Torchic as her first Pokémon because she thought it was cute. Like many beginners, May struggled at first to learn how to battle effectively with her Pokémon.

I’m such a fan of May’s journey! It was awesome seeing her meet Ash and Brock, and Brock really became her biggest guide. She blossomed into a fantastic Trainer, and discovering Pokémon Contests was the perfect fit for her – she just loved performing! Even after Ash headed off to Sinnoh, they stayed really close, and it was so sweet seeing May cheer him on during his battle with Leon near the end of the series. A lot of people ship them as a couple, and maybe there’s something there, but mostly they just seem like really great friends, which is lovely to see!

Dawn and Ash Continue To Support One Another

The Duo Have a Signature High-Five

Similar to May, Dawn was a new Trainer when she first encountered Ash and Brock. They offered her guidance on improving her skills, just as they had with their friend from the Hoenn region. However, Dawn differed from May in that she had a clear vision for her future. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Dawn aspires to become a famous Pokémon Coordinator, excelling in battles and creating impressive performances for Pokémon Contests.

A lot of fans consider Dawn to be one of Ash’s best friends. They even develop a special high-five that they do throughout their adventures together. While it’s never clearly stated if Dawn or Ash have romantic feelings for each other, they consistently support each other and even trade Pokémon at one point.

Melody Grew Close to Ash During the Events of the Second Film

Melody Even Kisses Ash as a Greeting

Image via OLM

Melody, a character in Pokémon the Movie 2000, comes from Shamouti Island, which is part of the Orange Islands. Unlike her sister Carol, Melody didn’t feel like she belonged on Shamouti Island, leading to resentment and a strained relationship between the two sisters. But Melody’s feelings about her home began to shift after she met Ash and learned about his life as a Pokémon Trainer.

I always thought Melody was so cool! When she became the Festival Maiden, she immediately tried to give Ash a little welcome kiss on the cheek – poor Misty was not impressed! At first, she didn’t seem to care much about being the Festival Maiden, but when Lawrence III started causing trouble for Shamouti Island, you could really see how much she loved her home. And can we talk about that ocarina playing at the end? She was the one who brought Lugia and the Legendary birds back to life! It’s pretty obvious she has a thing for Ash, but it’s never really clear if he feels the same way, which is a little sad, honestly.

Bianca Gave Ash a Farewell Kiss at the End of Pokémon Heroes

However, Some Believe It Was Actually Latias

In the movie Pokémon Heroes, Ash and his friends visit Alto Mare, a city modeled after Venice, located in the Johto region. They discover the story of Latias and Latios, two Legendary Pokémon whose father bravely sacrificed himself to protect the city. To keep them safe, Latias and Latios live in a hidden garden cared for by Lorenzo and his granddaughter, Bianca. Latias often disguises herself as Bianca to explore Alto Mare, as they are very close friends.

Bianca asked Ash for help after Team Rocket’s Annie and Oakley stole the Soul Dew and kidnapped Latios. Bianca and her grandfather were also captured, but Latios allowed Ash and Latias to find them using a shared vision. As a thank you, Bianca painted a picture of Ash and Pikachu and even gave Ash a kiss on the cheek. However, some fans still wonder if it was actually Latias disguised as Bianca, wanting to meet Ash herself.

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Misty Is One of Ash’s Oldest Friends

Misty Has Been Known To Get Jealous From Time to Time

I remember when Ash and Misty first met – it was a bit of a rocky start! It all began when a bunch of Spearow attacked Pikachu, and Ash, in a panic, grabbed Misty’s bike to rush to the Pokémon Center. Sadly, the bike didn’t survive the trip. Misty was understandably upset and insisted on following Ash until he paid her back. But as they traveled together through Kanto, she started to let the whole bicycle thing go, and it was clear she was just enjoying the adventure with her new friends.

Misty hopes to become the best Water-type Pokémon trainer, and Ash wants to be a Pokémon Master who has made friends with every Pokémon ever discovered. Throughout many adventures, even when they’re not traveling together, Misty and Ash become close friends, despite frequently arguing. Their connection leads many fans to wonder if there’s a romantic connection between them, though it’s never confirmed. Misty often shows jealousy when other girls like Ash, but she quickly insists she’d never want to be his girlfriend.

Serena Is Perhaps Ash’s Most Popular Possible Love Interest

Serena Developed a Crush on Ash During Their Journey Together

While many characters hint at feelings for Ash, Serena is unique in clearly showing her romantic interest in him. Originally from Vaniville Town in the Kalos region, Serena was raised by her mother, Grace, a former professional Rhydon racer. Despite knowing a lot about Pokémon care, Serena wanted to forge her own path, separate from her mother’s success. She eventually discovered her passion for Pokémon Performing and dedicated herself to becoming the Kalos Queen.

Serena, traveling with her Pokémon partner Fennekin, quickly joined Ash’s group at the start of their adventures in the Kalos region because she had a crush on him. Ash had supported her when they were children, and she looked up to him as a major inspiration. When Serena left to travel to Hoenn, the atmosphere shifted as she ran to say goodbye to Ash, strongly suggesting she kissed him. They shared a smile as she went down the escalator, leaving the rest of their friends shocked. This moment also surprised many Pokémon fans when it first aired.

2026-02-19 02:07