When it comes to Pokémon anime, Ash was never really one to implement that “Gotta Catch ‘Em All” attitude. Even over the course of 25 years, Ash has only captured a total of 78 Pokémon, and 30 of them were Tauros captured in a single episode.
While there are many reasons why Ash’s relatively low catch rate was actually a good thing, fans still can’t help but be disappointed by some of the big opportunities he’s missed over the years. There are a few occasions where a wild Pokémon was open to being captured or had a strong bond with Ash, but Ash ended up not capturing them. Here are 10 such Pokémon that Ash had the opportunity to capture but didn’t, leaving their potential unfulfilled.
10
Beedrill
Episode: Pokémon Gold and Silver“The bug stops here”
While in the Johto region, Ash participated in a bug-catching contest in the city of Ecruteak, alongside a recurring trainer named Casey. Casey struggled in the bug catching contest and had trouble with his Chikorita, pushing it a little too hard. Meanwhile, Ash managed to not only hunt but also successfully capture a Beedrill. This Beedrill was given to Casey, as thanks for helping defeat Team Rocket and because she loves Pokémon with black and yellow stripes, like her favorite baseball team.
Beedrill would have been an interesting addition to Ash’s Johto team, and Ash has such a long history of escaping Beedrill that flipping the script and giving him a Beedrill would have been quite interesting. Ultimately, Beedrill may have been a bit redundant, as Ash would have had Heracross to act as his Bug-type in the Johto region.
9
Haunted
Episode: Pokémon Indigo League“The Tower of Terror”
Ash went to Lavender Town after losing to Gym Leader Sabrina in hopes of finding a Ghost-type Pokémon that could help him defeat his Psychic-types. There, Ash found a haunted tower where Gastly, Gengar, and Haunter lived. This trio of Ghost-type Pokémon loved to play pranks, but the pranks went too far, causing Ash to have an out-of-body experience. Ash and Haunter bonded over the experience, leading him to join him in fighting Sabrina.
Instead of capturing Haunter, Ash just “befriended” him and brought him with him, although he could have easily captured him if he wanted to. Haunter would have been an interesting Pokémon for Ash, giving him a rare and powerful Ghost-type at the start of his adventure. Interestingly, Ash would end up getting a Gengar, the evolved form of Haunter, in Pokémon Journeys.
8
Dunsparce
Episode: Pokémon black and white“The path that leads to goodbye!”
Dunsparce is known as a rare and elusive Pokémon, something Ash was well aware of when he encountered one in the Unova region. Ash tried to challenge Dunsparce with the intention of catching it, but approached the Pokémon loudly, scaring it. Dunsparce launched a debilitating Screech attack, which gave him the opportunity to flee and escape, leaving Ash high and dry.
Dunsparce would have been an interesting Pokémon for Ash to capture, despite not being particularly powerful. Its rarity alone would make it a unique member of Ash’s team, and it managed to stun several Pokémon with that Screech, interrupting Axew and Pikachu along with Ash and his human friends. Perhaps Dunsparce had some hidden potential, but due to Ash’s failure to capture it, fans will never know.
7
Fear
Episode: Pokémon Indigo League“Panic at the Pallet Party”
The Spearow that Ash encountered in the first episode of the series evolved into a Fearow, which was just as much of a troublemaker as it was before the evolution. When Ash returned home to Pallet Town, he discovered that Fearow was threatening a group of Pidgey and Pidgeotto, and worked with his own Pidgeotto to combat the plague.. Ash’s Pidgeotto evolved into a Pidgeot during the battle, and Ash tried to catch this Fearow, but it eventually fell out of the ball and Ash was unable to catch it.
While Fearow itself isn’t a very exciting Pokémon, it would have been interesting to see Ash capture this particular Fearow since it had a history with it. It may have been a challenge for Ash to train this Fearow properly, but it clearly had some potential as it evolved in the wild.
6
Wimpod
Episode: Pokémon Sun and Moon“Partner promises!”
Ash encountered a group of Wimpod, a rather weak variety of Pokémon, who try to steal some items from his backpack while he and Pikachu rest. They chase the Wimpod, but soon discover that one of them has fallen into the crevices between some rocks and is having trouble escaping. Getting help from a wild Alolan Exeggutor, Ash manages to enter the space where Wimpod is trapped and help free him. He goes back to his friends, but soon turns and looks at Ash, almost suggesting that he pick him up. Ash doesn’t, however, and Wimpod returns home.
Wimpod evolves into the powerful but skittish Bug-type Pokémon Golisopod, which would have been an incredible addition to Ash’s Alola region team. This was probably not done because Golisopod is a signature Pokémon of Guzma, leader of the evil Team Skull and a trainer that Ash would eventually have to face.
5
Sponge
Episode: Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire“Pearls are a Spoink’s best friend”
Spoink is actually a recurring Pokémon that appears in a few episodes, following Ash and friends in a similar way to Jigglypuff. It was first found without the characteristic pearl that all Spoinks possess, and When Ash discovered how harmful it could be to not have a pearl, he promised to help Spoink get it.. Spoink loses the pearl again, however, and ends up with a blue pearl that Team Rocket tried to steal. The blue pearl is eventually returned and Spoink recovers his pink pearl, returning to the wild.
After getting close to this Spoink over several episodes, it seemed possible that Ash might actually catch Spoink, as he would with the recurring Sandile in Black and white. Ash has never owned a Psychic-type Pokémon, so Spoink would have been unique in that regard among Ash’s larger collection.
4
Luxury
Episode: Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, “Leading a mongrel!”
Ash first encountered Luxio when he stole food from them before retreating into the sewers. Ash followed him there and soon discovered that he was stealing food to help a Wailmer that had become trapped underground. Luxio is actually the leader of a group of Pokémon that live underground, in the sewers, and has been trying to take care of the trapped Wailmer. Ash and Luxio work together to free Wailmer, developing a bond of trust surprisingly quickly.
Luxio would have been the first Electric-type Pokémon Ash owned besides Pikachu, which would be interesting in and of itself. Ash likely wasn’t allowed to catch Luxio for this exact reason, as Luxio’s abilities are too similar to Pikachu’s to allow them both to feature heavily in the same series.
3
Grubbin
Episode: Pokémon Sun and Moon“First capture in Alola, Ketchum style!”
Not long after Ash arrives in Alola, he encounters a Grubbin, a small Bug-type Pokémon native to the region. Ash faces Grubbin in a forest battle, attacking it with Pikachu’s Thunderbolt, which it surprisingly manages to withstand. Ash throws a ball at Grubbin, but it explodes and retaliates, hitting Pikachu hard and ultimately defeating him, allowing Grubbin to fully escape the situation.. Ash is forced to take Pikachu to the Pokémon Center and regroup.
Grubbin evolves into the Electric/Bug-type Vikavolt, which is a rather unique type combination and, like Luxio, would have been the first Electric-type Ash possessed other than Pikachu. Grubbin’s Bug Typing would likely have helped him not fall into the same problems as Luxio, as he could have filled a different niche than Pikachu on the team. Unfortunately, it just wasn’t meant to be, and Ash never caught a Grubbin.
2
Ghost
Episode: Pokémon XY“Making friends and influencing villains!”
This episode features a Shiny Phantump, who is a member of a group of Phantumps who are furious with Team Rocket for eating their food. The Shiny Phantump is accidentally blasted off with Team Rocket, however, and lands near Ash and company. They quickly befriend him and agree to help him make new friends with other Pokémon. Phantump seems enchanted by stories about the world, suggesting he might actually enjoy embarking on an adventure with a trainer like Ash.. Eventually, he reunites with his old group and goes his own way.
Ash already owned a rare and shiny Pokémon, a Noctowl, so it would have been really cool for him to capture another one, especially after so many years. Phantump, as a Ghost/Grass type, would have been very good for Ash’s team, and XY Ash would certainly know how to put that to good use.
1
Lacias
Episode: Pokémon Journeys“The road most traveled!”
Ash discovered Latias when he was injured and fell into a nearby lake while invisible. Ash helped pull Latias out of the water so he wouldn’t drown and helped nurse him back to health. Latias returned the favor by secretly following Ash and helping him on several occasions, even saving his life from a dangerous fall at one point.. Latias finally asks Ash for help in freeing her partner, Latios, who has been captured by a Pokémon Hunter.
Not only did Ash manage to gain the trust of this Legendary Pokémon, but he also built a close relationship with it. Given how close it was to the end of the series, many fans expected Ash to catch Latias, as a way of showing how far he had come. However, this did not happen and Latias returned home to Alto Mare with Latios. It’s a shame, as this Latias is a Pokémon Ash absolutely should have caught it.