How to make Ash more interesting/Badass ????

[AzuGazer]

Hm, you know, I've been thinking about something for a while, but gathering from the mini rival discussion, I'll say this: do you know why I loved DP!Ash? It was mostly because of Paul. I mean, just look at Paul; he was the opposite of Ash in any way, and from this whole rivalry, I really loved the way Ash interacted with him. Like, honestly, when was the last time we've seen Ash Ketchum so emotional?

I mean, that's why I'd arguably say that Paul was Ash's best rival in the anime. Gary and Trip were fine, but, with Paul, it really seemed like Ash had something to more to prove... As has years of pokemon battling experience, but with Paul, it's like... he had a number of questions that needed answering, and only he could answer: how will he defeat Paul with his own style? Does he really understand pokemon strategies the way Paul does? That sort of thing. Being the other side of the same coin is a weird thing, and how you cope with that is tough. I think that's what Ash was going through, being so emotional when it came to Paul.

Here's another thought, I remember from watching the Hoenn arc during the livestream, Ash was pretty emotional after he first lost to Brawly; the Dewford gym leader. Ash lost to him. It made Ash rethink his stance with strategy, and how he understood his pokemon... I guess. But right after the battle, he told his friends to shut up; which was.. really unlike him to be so angry! But, then comes the question of.. why was Ash so angry when he lost to Brawly? I think what made Ash 'tick' was when he thought that Brawly was this really lazy, non-nonchalant guy, and wham, he underestimated him, and lost.

Hm, from that comes this conclusion of this ramble of mine... I think what makes Ash so interesting are the interesting people he encounters. It's like a synchronize effect with Ash, imo. The more interesting and deep people Ash meets, the more interesting Ash gets to cope with them. So, again, how can Ash become more interesting? He should battle more interesting people. And by 'interesting', I mean the people in the anime who have something deep within themselves. Maybe they don't have to be necessarily like Paul, but, maybe someone who rubs-Ash-the wrong way so to speak, and generally... steps outside Ash's general beliefs, putting Ash in some uncomfortable situations, so he has to prove himself.

Eh, sorry if this doesn't make sense. XD My wording isn't the beeest~

makes perfect sense (Paul was the best rival, Gary Oak just has seniority)

it really is about the situations he is put in. weather it pushes him physically or mentally, he always gets more interesting... though i really wish they would make him Parkour more :I

 

[«Chuckles»]

Yes I would love to see parkour

maybe a new outfit like a bandana or even make Ash Ketchum look like Daryl Dixon

 

[DBZ fan]

More appropriate question would be what should be done to make Ash journey feel more meaningful and relevant to follow, giving out impression of his dreams and story moving somewhere with all hard work and struggles he made in previous generation paying of in end?
Rather than what should be done to make his character more interesting: Since thats up to personal opinion and perception of what kind of character and way he acts someone considers to be enjoyable or not. Being completely subjective.

Its no secret how pokemon anime has always been poor on maintaining continuity, keeping replaced companions who helped build Ash character or left impact on story relevant(rather than leaving them forgotten and unfinished never to be seen again), staying faithful to previous growth main characters went through building up on it and suffering from inconsistent plot.

And while anime is based on games being written primarily for new generation of kids there is no reason not to have better, more coherent plot, more attention to past and better development of characters. Since you can still advertize new pokemon and features while making main stars relatable to young viewers by building up on his experience and skill.

There are plenty of things available out there through which Ash character could be pushed forward without show losing on ligfhthearted tone and adventure aspect.
He still didn't won league, didn't challenged E4, champion etc not being even close to achievement of pokemon master dream. There are many things left unexplored about his past, such as father who could be introduced at some point being portrayed as master himself serving as ultimate test for Ash to prove if he has what it takes to become "best". Aka father vs son showdown.
Writers could expand on whole connection to Ho-oh being said how this pokemon shows himself only to special trainers out there giving some background, explanation about this.

We could see him after winning league leveling up as trainer learning how to develop new battling style, enter special harder challenges like Battle Frontier was, entering other leagues he didn't won and battle stronger trainers.
In DP Lucian himself said how winning champion league is one of steps someone needs to conquer on road of becoming master, but its not only one. So we don't know what other challenges and complex tasks Ash would need to accomplish before he becomes recognized as strongest trainer in world.

In such scheme of things Ash can thrive regardless of who is in cast,. Be it characters which criticize and motivate him like Misty still advancing as trainer because of encouragement and support to better himself as seen in Orange Islands and Johto not being beginner anymore, or more passive inexperienced ones like May or Dawn to who different kind of dynamic is fleshed out taking more of mentor role building up on maturity as AG/DP showed.

With that line of thought more consistent and stable cast wouldn't have hurt to have too because thanks to familiar face, previous bumps and events they passed together and developed friendship adds to Ash credibility and competence as trainer thanks to sharing history and flashbacks to past. Be it by keeping one of new characters for awhile for change or by doing continuation with someone from before(Be it May, Brock, Misty etc.).

Its only up to writers if they have motivation and courage to do step forward with Ash character, to break out pattern and inject something innovative, attractive and eventful to plot. Because thats desirable in long running shows like Pokemon to maintain people interest, give them something to stay loyal and keep it fresh and popular for many more years to come in future.

 

[Famon]

I wish Ash was voiced by ''Ryoko Shiraishi'' !

 

[Tak]

They could kill him off. I would find that interesting.

On a serious note, though, that is indeed my suggestion for this series. They've been butchering it from Generation 2 when he ditched all his old "best friends" to make room for the new ones. I was appalled when they did this the first time and am still appalled as they continue to restart Ash's roster, making Pokemon look like objects.

Except for Pikachu, who gets special treatment and shows no remorse for the abandonment of the other Pokemon.

It baffles me that a main moral of the Pokemon series is that Pokemon are friends and not objects, yet Ash dumps his Pokemon into the PC at every new generation. Although it is a kid's series, this is a poor lesson to teach kids.

 

[Gfx]

In my opinion, they screwed Ash up by not making him age really throughout the regions. He has travelled what 4 different worlds? And seems like the same age. Right now he should be 18 and just be cool. Pikachu should be incredibly strong considering the fact that he trains other Pokemon. He shouldn't be losing at all. Even if trainers have more bulky Pokemon, I don't think that they've travelled and battled as much as Ash. I'm a teenage guy and Id like to see the main character become one.

 

[Satoshi Ookami]

I wish Ash was voiced by ''Ryoko Shiraishi'' !

Now we're on Hayate run? Interesting how you keep on changing anime that Pokemon should change into.

In my opinion, they screwed Ash up by not making him age really throughout the regions. He has travelled what 4 different worlds? And seems like the same age. Right now he should be 18 and just be cool. Pikachu should be incredibly strong considering the fact that he trains other Pokemon. He shouldn't be losing at all. Even if trainers have more bulky Pokemon, I don't think that they've travelled and battled as much as Ash. I'm a teenage guy and Id like to see the main character become one.

This is exactly it... by now he should be 18 but... that would absolutely kill the main reason for Pokemon anime which is the same as Pokemon games.
That reason is... wait for it...!
Non-dependency. Because series are non-dependent and Satoshi always acts as new protagonist new fans don't need to watch all previous episodes to start anime. And can just watch new series. ;)
That's the main anime positive point for new fans.

 

[Famon]

Ash can show Immunity Or strong toleration to Fire , Electric and Bite attack since he often got Burn by Chariazrd , shocked By Pikachu and bitten by Turtwig & Gible ! (How does he even alive)
Anime can use it as Gag !!!