Ash's Ultimate Goal

[Legacy]

Ok so he wants to be the world's greatest Pokemon Master...

So why does he choose to catch brand new Pokemon for each region? It seems to me that if he really wanted to become one of the best trainers...he would try to level-up the Pokes he already has. It wouldn't be neglecting his 'love' over 'power' attitude because he obviously loves the Pokemon he's already caught.

I wonder if he will ever change his strategy and use Charizard, Snorlax, etc. full-time?

Or does 'Pokemon Master' actually mean someone who has a close friendship and understanding of Pokemon...which Ash already has, therefore can achieve Masterhood with his current strategy?

 

[L-Z]

Yes, the definition of Pokémon Master is indeed very vague, but I'd imagine that a Pokémon Master will win the battle no matter what disadvantage he or she might face, and is able to make any Pokémon into a powerful battler, but also remembering love and compassion and things like that in training.

The reason why he has new Pokémon (save Pikachu) in every region is obviously because this anime, like many have already said, is merchandise-driven, and what better way is there to promote the new Pokémon than giving them to the main character? Besides, wouldn't it be boring to see Ash with the same six Pokémon for twelve years?

And there was a reason why he left Snorlax to Oak's: it was eating too much, and it was quite lazy.

 

[JB88]

I think the purpose of a trainer, is not to love the Pokemon you own, but never give up capturing new ones as well. What you're talking of is a collector, who neglects adoration of Pokemon and such. A trainer is not like that.

 

[PockyAddict]

I do admit that it is kinda vauge when it comes to the term "Pokemon Masters" but I think that it means making friends with Pokemon or something or being the best Pokemon trainer. In the early days of the anime i thought it meant that you have to catch all the Pokemon in the Pokemon world.

 

[Cybersai]

I think its just to win as many leagues as possible, challenge the Elite 4, stuff like that.

 

[Sleet]

His goal is claimed to be a Pokémon master, but that is vague, ill-defined, and not really followed through with. I think his goal in actuality is simply to get all the badges in a region and compete in and hopefully win the regional championship.

 

[pokemon fan 132]

In my opinion pokemon master means being the best or one of the best pokemon trainers in the world being worldwide recognized and respected.Considering how we already met masters at certain types like for example Lance(dragon type master) or Wallace who is labelled as contest master who are in that category,i believe Ashs goal is possible to achieve aswell.

As for him capturing new pokemon,not being enough focused on older ones,its quite simple.From real life prspoective like L-Z already pointed out this is merchandise-driuven show so he is promoting new pokemon.

From anime perspective it is logicall to catch new pokemon from new regions training them to be on high level,instead of using the old ones for years which would be kinda boring.

 

[Midnightmoon602]

I think pokemon master means trainers that are condsidered one of the best pokemon trainers like pokemon fan has said.

But if Ash did stayed with his pokemon from Kanto wouldn't that be a bit boring? i mean if he did i bet pokemon's rating will go down the drain.

 

[Legacy]

I'm not necessarily saying that he should have kept the same 6 pokemon for 12 years...

I worded it badly in the OP, but I guess I meant that 12 years in, do you think Ash should start training the 25+ or so Pokemon that he has collected and stop catching new Pokes?

I realize this is highly unlikely due to the merchandise-driven thing that someone mentioned, but if the writers are thinking about wrapping the series up within the next few years, wouldn't it be cool to see Ash train the old Pokes before the last hurrah and get Blastoise, Venesaur, Typhlosion, etc. possibly. If the Movie 12 posters indeed feature Ash's Monferno and Staraptor, then maybe Ash is becoming more willing to evolve them.

Even if he keeps most of them unevolved still, it would be cool to see the old ones come back and win Ash Ketchum a Championship!

When he keeps insisting on catching new ones, he hurts his chances of winning big battles in the League and against E4 IMO. If I were Ash I'd want to win at least one actual League title, then worry about catching new Pokes later.

 

[shanerz]

yeah dat is true he's such a waste gettin other pokemon nd never usin um:loopy: supose gotta catch em all:bounce:

 

[Ampharos King]

The whole "Pokemon Master" concept barely exists anymore. In fact, the only time they mention it is in the movies, and in a few episodes where Ash formally introduces himself.

 

[Shinx3000]

I'd say to prove he's worthy of becoming a master, he shows this by getting 5-6 pokemon from the region he is in and using them to challenge that region, then brining back his other pokes for a battle frontier where he needs the more experience he has with his previous pokemon. Pikachu is always with him because they were friends from near start and they will never be separated.

From a game/Anime perspective, if the writers want to advertise the game, they will want the main character (Ash) to use pokemon from that region and show how they can handle agains the gyms in that region and so on and to see what the pokemon from that region are like. Also, to do with new kids watching the show, they start each region fresh. Oaked Pokemon and only using pikachu because if a new generation of kids came in the start of a new region and series, and saw Ash's previs pokemon from the last series and gen, they'd probably wonder about them. Also its a way for the writers to show Ash can capture pokemon from a new region and be able to use them as part of him becoming a pokemon master.

 

[Trainer'sInsomnia]

It likely means "to be the best". Winning leagues and/or becoming champion and such imply that you are, because it means that you beat out everyone else.

If Ash loses, he's obviously not top dog right?

I think that building loving connections with Pokemon and stuff are part of what it would take to become master, rather than what it would mean to be one.

 

[Legacy]

I was watching some of the older episodes and its clear that a Pokemon Master in the anime is some sort of really really elite trainer.

I don't think theres some set criteria to become one...Masters are just the strongest trainers there are, despite how they do it.

I also agree that the writers have shyed away from the Master concept recently.

But if Ash's goal is to be a master still, he's def hurting himself by continuing to catch new pokes all the time...so i think his goal has changed. He just wants to do well in each region while meeting new friends

 

[Epic Meowth]

Pokemon Master is a vague term. I think Ash's goals have likely changed throughout the show. Keep in mind, the old tagline of "Gotta Catch Em All" is no longer used. Catching all the Pokemon might have been what originally constituted being a Pokemon "Master", but looking back on it now, it seems a naive and silly concept.

Have we ever SEEN a Pokemon Master in the show? Maybe there's no such thing, and the ATTEMPT to reach Master is what's important. Life's a journey, not a destination, right?

 

[Cybersai]

Have we ever SEEN a Pokemon Master in the show? Maybe there's no such thing, and the ATTEMPT to reach Master is what's important. Life's a journey, not a destination, right?

No. The strongest trainers we've seen in the show are the Elite 4 champions.

Lance, Cynthia, and likely Steven and Wallace are probably the strongest trainers we've seen so far.

 

[pokemon fan 132]

Pokemon Master is a vague term. I think Ash's goals have likely changed throughout the show.

I dont think his goal has changed,its just that this term isnt used so much like it used to be before.From Johto and onward he continued to mention couple of times how he wants to become pokemon master,which implies being best of the best,or the best.Its just not so often,like it was in bginning.Besides there is no need for him to constantly claime what is his goal.

Have we ever SEEN a Pokemon Master in the show? Maybe there's no such thing, and the ATTEMPT to reach Master is what's important. Life's a journey, not a destination, right?

Well no,but considering how we seen masters of pokemon types and branches(who are in categories of strongest trainers),i believe his goal exists aswell.
Considering how this is show about Ash and his journey,it wouldnt surprise me if we dont meet someone who is pokemon master,until show ends and he becomes one.