Since his debut on his tenth birthday, Ash Ketchum has traveled across regions, becoming one of the most celebrated Pokémon trainers in the world. Accompanied by a diverse array of Pokémon, Ash has battled, befriended, and trained countless creatures throughout the years. With over seventy-eight Pokémon in his care across twenty-five seasons, some have certainly stood out more than others, both in terms of character development and battle prowess.
However, some Pokémon were underused, not receiving the screen time or attention they truly deserved. While Ash didn’t waste their potential, many of these Pokémon did not have the chance to fully showcase their skills. Here’s a look at the ten best Pokémon Ash didn’t utilize enough in the anime.
10. Snivy
First Appearance: “Snivy Plays Hard to Catch!”
Region: Unova
Snivy’s introduction is unforgettable. After abandoning her previous trainer, Snivy found herself joining Ash’s team following a battle that highlighted her sharp skills, including Leaf Tornado and Attract. Despite her potential to become a powerful Unovan ace, Snivy was overshadowed by Ash’s other Unova Pokémon like Pignite and Krookodile. Fans were disappointed that Snivy didn’t evolve, given her confidence and battle ability, which could have been fully realized with more focus from Ash.
9. Leavanny
First Appearance: “Sewaddle and Burgh in Pinwheel Forest!”
Region: Unova
Sewaddle’s evolution into Leavanny marked an impressive growth arc, from a rambunctious young Pokémon to a nurturing and skilled battler. Despite her versatility in both battles and everyday activities, Leavanny was placed on rotation in Ash’s team, which meant her potential was never fully explored. She had her moments, like using String Shot to help the team, but remained underused as the series progressed.
8. Noivern
First Appearance: “A Not-So-Flying Start!”
Region: Kalos
Noivern’s late addition to Ash’s team left little room for the Dragon-type Pokémon to shine. While Noivern demonstrated impressive development, particularly under the tutelage of Ash’s Hawlucha, it played a supporting role for much of the Kalos region. Noivern’s evolution was one of the more exciting moments, but it never managed to carve out its own space in Ash’s team, overshadowed by the prominence of Greninja.
7. Kingler
First Appearance: “Mystery at the Lighthouse”
Region: Kanto
Ash’s Kingler began as an underdog with little screen time before he made an unforgettable appearance in the Kanto League. After evolving from Krabby, Kingler dominated his battle against Mandi’s Pokémon. Despite his strength, Kingler was relegated to Oak’s lab after the Johto region, and despite being a fan favorite, he was rarely seen in later episodes. Kingler’s raw power was underappreciated, especially as Ash brought back older Pokémon for key battles.
6. Glalie
First Appearance: “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snorunt!”
Region: Hoenn
Snorunt’s journey from a mischievous thief to the powerful Glalie is a memorable arc in the Hoenn region. However, despite its potential, Glalie was underutilized after Ash’s journey through the Hoenn League. While it had strong performances in the league, including impressive victories, Glalie’s absence from Ash’s team after Hoenn remained a missed opportunity for further development.
5. Gible
First Appearance: “A Meteoric Rise to Excellence!”
Region: Sinnoh
Gible was a unique addition to Ash’s team during the Sinnoh region, with a personality that contrasted with his determined yet clumsy battling style. Although Gible showed promise and was a fan favorite, it was mostly sidelined until the Sinnoh League, with little time to showcase its growth beforehand. Ash’s inability to fully use Gible before the league left many fans feeling that this Dragon-type Pokémon’s potential was not fully realized.
4. Palpitoad
First Appearance: “Facing Fear with Eyes Wide Open!”
Region: Unova
Palpitoad had a strong debut, introduced during an exciting battle alongside Oshawott. Despite having excellent type coverage with Water and Ground moves, Palpitoad saw limited screen time, especially after Unova. Despite Ash’s notable battle with him in Unova’s major leagues, Palpitoad was sidelined and neglected, even during the Decolore Islands arc, where it was never utilized in battle.
3. Heracross
First Appearance: “A Sappy Ending”
Region: Johto
Heracross’ power was undeniable, and his relationship with Ash demonstrated growth and camaraderie. Yet, despite proving himself early in Johto, including a dramatic battle against Scizor, Heracross was left at Oak’s lab for much of Johto’s journey. His appearances were sporadic, and while he had an exciting role in the Battle Frontier and Sinnoh League, his full potential was never reached.
2. Naganadel
First Appearance: “The Professors’ New Adventure!”
Region: Alola
Naganadel, an Ultra Beast that befriended Ash during his Alola journey, had immense potential. Though it evolved from Poipole and contributed to Ash’s victory in the Alola League, Naganadel’s impact was diminished by its late entry into the series. Fans often felt that Ash’s bond with Naganadel could have been explored more deeply, especially considering the Ultra Beast’s unique origin and personality.
1. Primeape
First Appearance: “Primeape Goes Bananas”
Region: Kanto
Primeape’s underused potential remains one of the most regrettable missed opportunities in the Pokémon anime. Initially, Ash captured Primeape after a wild and chaotic encounter, eventually earning his trust and showcasing his raw power in the P1 Grand Prix. However, Primeape was sent off to train with a new trainer, and aside from brief flashbacks, it never returned to Ash’s team. This early decision to part with Primeape left fans wishing for more development between Ash and his first true Fighting-type Pokémon.
Ash’s journey has been filled with memorable Pokémon, but these ten stand out as those who didn’t get the screen time or development they deserved. While not every Pokémon can be the star, their untapped potential remains a lasting source of discussion among fans.