10 Most Underrated Pokémon Used By Ash

Over his more than 25 years as the Pokémon anime’s protagonist, Ash captured and trained a wide range of incredibly skilled and powerful creatures. With each new generation, the hero gained new companions to aid him on his quest to become one of the strongest trainers in the world, making several of his monsters iconic and beloved parts of the franchise.

Lamentably, due to the popularity that some members of Ash’s team received, such as Pikachu or Greninja, some of his most hardworking and unique partners were overlooked by fans. These Pokémon were key members of the hero’s journey, helping him overcome massive challenges or simply enchanting fans with their whimsical and memorable personalities, only to later be forgotten.

10

Bulbasaur is a Mature and Powerful Warrior Despite Not Evolving

Despite being one of the most iconic Pokémon of all time, being a part of the first three starters, Bulbasaur was never able to get the same level of respect that Ash’s other partners got. This came from the fact that the creature vehemently refused to evolve, making it much less appealing for fans who were excited about seeing a monster grow in power.

Nonetheless, Bulbasaur more than proved itself capable of handling challenging battles, with an outstanding victory record. It also assumed a leadership role, maintaining order among Ash’s other Pokémon once it was sent to live in Professor Oak’s lab. Whether in battle or as a role model, Bulbasaur was one of Ash’s most dependable partners.

9

Gible Was As Eccentric as It Was Powerful

Ash is, without a doubt, one of the most formidable and admirable trainers in the Pokémon franchise, capable of turning even the weakest creatures into fearsome warriors. Nevertheless, from time to time, the hero would come across a creature that would prove challenging to train, even for him, with Gible being the best-known.

Due to this monster’s unique mind and inability to accurately follow instructions most of the time, several fans discard it as simply another comedic relief. In reality, when the time to get serious arrived, Gible would become a force of nature, dealing a significant amount of damage with its mighty Draco Meteor, one of the best attacks in the series.

8

Gliscor Had One of the Anime’s Best Character Arcs

One of the Sinnoh region team’s most interesting Pokémon, Gliscor has what many fans consider one of the best arcs in the series. When it was first introduced as a Gligar, this monster was presented as a genuine coward, scared of battles and strong opponents. It took plenty of hard work, both from itself and from Ash, to help it overcome fear and emerge as a fierce warrior.

Gliscor’s newfound courage came with a strength that audiences were not expecting. It managed to defeat truly terrifying opponents and was an important piece of Ash’s amazing performance in Sinnoh, although it still gets overshadowed by other heavy-hitters. Fans who grew alongside this creature hold a great deal of respect, but there is still a large portion of the fandom who disregard it as a coward.

7

Swellow Is One of The Best Flying-Type Pokémon Ash Ever Caught

Along his journey, Ash met and trained several Flying-Type Pokémon, a group of monsters known for their high attack and speed but lacking defense. Still, none of them were able to match the sheer tenacity and resilience of his Swellow, a Pokémon willing to defy the laws of nature in order to achieve victory.

Not only was this bird-like creature capable of withstanding Electric-Type attacks, which were its main weakness, and continuing the battle, but it was also an extremely agile fighter. Older fans might remember Swellow was a key part in the memorable and controversial Thunder Armor strategy, which enveloped both it and Pikachu in an electrical aura that prevented damage from outside forces.

6

Hawlucha Was Overshadowed By Other Kalos Giants

It is no secret among fans that Ash was involved in several of the best and most epic Pokémon battles in the franchise, during which his most iconic partners, like Greninja, were given a chance to shine. The impact left by these battles means that, even if by accident, some amazing monsters are left in the shadows, as occurred to Ash’s honorable Hawlucha.

This bird-like creature was one of the most intriguing and unique partners the hero ever had, as well as a brave and relentless combatant. Hawlucha was a vital member during the Kalos era, partaking in several awe-inspiring fights that deserve much more attention. Regrettably, Ash’s Greninja took most of the spotlight during this time, forcing team members like Hawlucha to not be as appreciated by fans.

5

Bayleef Is Dismissed Due to Its Affectionate Nature

Over the years, several fans have pointed out the high number of Pokémon that should have been evolved by Ash, as not doing so resulted in a lack of raw power for the boy. This, however, does not mean that all unevolved partners were weak, and Bayleef is the perfect example. Known for being an extremely affectionate Pokémon to Ash, this Grass-Type starter was a major part of the hero’s team during his time in Johto.

Bayleef never evolved past its second stage, but it was nonetheless a fearsome opponent in combat, holding one of the highest win-loss rates among Ash’s Pokémon. Several fans tend to ignore the major accomplishments of this creature due to two factors: never reaching its final stage and the strong attachment that it had toward Ash. This makes them ignore most of Bayleef’s epic battles, disregarding it as a comedic relief character.

4

Buizel Was an Impressive Fighter

After an impressive beginning as one of Dawn’s partners during Pokémon Contests, Buizel was given to Ash, as it held a fire for combat unlike anything the hero had seen before. This ability and desire to battle were key for the protagonist during several key battles, such as the one between Ash and Crasher Wake.

Similarly to what Pikachu accomplished in the past, Buizel proved itself capable of defeating the opposing Floatzel, the evolved form of this creature. It achieved this task without the need for a rematch, proving itself as a valuable team member. Buizel could also combine attacks in a rapid manner, resulting in inventive and devastating blows to the adversary.

3

Corphish Was Stubborn Yet Loyal

Often referred to as strong-headed and abrasive, Corphish is one of Ash’s Pokémon that fans often ignore in favor of the franchise’s best-designed monsters. Many fans will remember this creature for being outstandingly strong but hard to train, as it had little control over its strength and would often get in trouble.

Even then, Corphish is by far one of the most reliable and durable Pokémon ever to battle alongside, holding an incredible battle record. It was also loyal to a fault, never doubting Ash and doing its best to prove itself to its trainer. Without Corphish, it is more than likely that the protagonist’s journey would have been much harder.

2

Kingler Was a True Monster in Combat

When thinking about Ash’s most powerful Pokémon, most fans will immediately imagine his imposing Charizard conquering the battlefield or Lucario using its agility to take down opponents. Yet, they often forget the one creature who established itself as one of the protagonist’s powerhouses during its first-ever battle: Kingler.

After being caught as a Krabby, this Pokémon was left in the care of Professor Oak for several weeks, until Ash decided to have it join his team for the Indigo League. During its battle against Mandy’s Exeggutor, the fierce monster evolved into Kingler and went on to destroy the opponent’s entire team, awarding Ash his first 3-on-1 victory.

1

Glalie Was Virtually Unbeatable

Widely considered by Pokémon fans as one of Ash’s powerhouses who was unfairly forgotten, Glalie is the epitome of an underrated Pokémon. Captured late during the protagonist’s time in Hoenn, this Ice-Type monster was a major danger to opponents, holding an impressive track record that only a handful of other creatures on Ash’s team can claim.

Once it evolved from the cowardly Snorunt, Glalie never again lost a battle, either quickly defeating opponents or battling to the bitter end by achieving a draw. Many fans were shocked when, despite this amazing victory rate, the creature was abandoned by Ash before the Battle Frontier and never utilized again in a significant manner, causing several fans to forget about it.