Should Ash Re-claim his Butterfree, Primeape, Pidgeot, Lapras, Squirtle and Larvitar?

[owenpeterson]

It's quite an emotional moment when a character has to release and say goodbye to one of their Pokemon. Fans also tend to get upset when Ash this for some reason. But it is always possible for characters to reunite with and re-claim Pokemon. Perhaps the biggest example is Ash's Charizard. It left Ash's team to stay at the Charicific Valley, but at various points in the anime, returned to Ash's team.

Which gave me an idea: How about having Butterfree, Primeape, Pidgeot, Lapras, Squirtle, and Larvitar rejoin Ash's team? I've seen this done in fanfics.

Butterfree's departure was obviously a big tearjerker for a lot of fans (myself included). I guess they could have Butterfree return along with the Pink Butterfree to Ash's team explaining that their babies have all grown up. Have the Pink Butterfree live at Professor Oak's lab and have Ash's Butterfree alternate between staying at the lab and traveling with Ash.

Primeape's departure I was not pleased with. I'm not blaming Ash for it though unlike some of the comments I've read on YouTube. I think Anthony wanted to train Ash's Primeape himself just because it won the Fighting Pokemon Tournament. And if I recall from the episode, Anthony threw in the towel for his Hitmonchan for his daughter so he could spend some more time with his family. His decision to train Primeape is going back on his promise to his daughter IMHO. Not to mention that Ash only had Primeape for 5 episodes before this. When I say that the writers have warped minds when they make these dumb decisions, I truly believe it. Anyway, I'd have Anthony return Primeape to Ash and Primeape proves to be one of Ash's strongest Pokemon.

Pidgeot's departure is a little more understandable. It had to protect the Pidgeotto and Pidgey from the Spearow and Fearow. I'd suspect by this point the Pidgey and Pidgeotto have become capable of protecting themselves, which would lead to Pidgeot returning to Ash's team.

Lapras for the same reasons as Pidgeot regarding it's school of Lapras.

Squirtle likewise for the Squirtle Squad. Plus upon reunion with Ash would evolve into Wartortle and eventually Blastoise further down the road.

Larvitar for the same. Also it would evolve into Pupitar and eventually a Tyranitar.

I'd also like to see Ash's friends' released Pokemon return to them such as Misty reuniting with Togetic etc.

Thoughts?

 

[Klaud]

Re: Should Ash Re-claim his Butterfree, Primeape, Pidgeot, Lapras, Squirtle and Larvi

Squirtle has been seen here and there in some of the episodes , like in Battle Frontier and i could see him returning for a bit at some point .
But about the others , it's a high chance we will not , or only if Ash's story / journey changes and then still , half of the ones you named would most likely never appear .
I'd give Pidgeot the highest chance of the others named followed up with Primeape . Then comes Lapras and Butterfree , i'd give both the same chance, if one does appear, most likely the other will as well . And about Larvitar , i can't really remember the whole story , but i think it was never Ash's pokemon . Same as Haunter that you didn't mention . Those 2 got the smallest chance to appear if any at all.

And about others - We can't even be sure about the old friends/rivals appearing ever again , so that's a topic left , for when the trainers do come back .

 

[Solayoh]

Re: Should Ash Re-claim his Butterfree, Primeape, Pidgeot, Lapras, Squirtle and Larvi

Well Larvitar and Lapras were never really his, yes he caught Lapras in a Pokeball but it was always established the goal was to get it back to its family, he wasn't going to keep it long term.

Butterfree is happily married probably with a family so no, Squirtle has a job saving people's lives so no, Pidgeot has to protect its flock so no, and Primeape, is off living its dream being a P1 Champion, so no.

I'd like them to make appearances though. The trainer with Primeape could bump into Ash somewhere. Perhaps on his way back to pallet Ash could see his pidgeot with its flock, I'd like to think it had found love.

 

[L-05308]

Re: Should Ash Re-claim his Butterfree, Primeape, Pidgeot, Lapras, Squirtle and Larvi

The chances of Anthony giving Primeape back is Zero! It spent 5 episodes with Ash while it has spent over 15 years with Anthony. It baffles me that Primeape is still considered Ash's Pokemon. Imagine the situation, Anthony: You've spent the best part of your life with me but I'm going to give you to this complete stranger who you'll only remember if you try really hard.

 

[R!ck]

Re: Should Ash Re-claim his Butterfree, Primeape, Pidgeot, Lapras, Squirtle and Larvi

Butterfree, Lapras and Pidgeot were released, no? and Larvitar was never his mon I think.

Squirtle and Primeape are in "training" but I doubt Squirtle will leave the squad and Primeape's chances to return are almost 0.00001%

 

[JayTheCanadian]

Re: Should Ash Re-claim his Butterfree, Primeape, Pidgeot, Lapras, Squirtle and Larvi

Bufferfree will never return to Ash. Ash didn't have Butterfree very long at all....for like 10 episodes before it was released to be with the female butterfree.

Lapras was temporary even though Ash caught it so that it can be protected until it was released/returned to the herd. So it was part of the released list instead of temporary. Lapras however did help with Ash's gym battlers and the championship during the Orange League.

Lavitar was unofficially caught and Ash only had it temporary so that he and his friends would return it to its parent.

Ash was hoping to return for Pidgeot if Pidgeot was to return to him when that times come but it doesn't look like Ash will never find his Pidgeot anytime soon hoping to reclaim it depending on Pidgeot's choice....unless his Pidgeot comes to him, who knows.

Would like to see Squirtle return to Ash for good if Squirtle was to pass its leadership to another Squirtle who might have good leadership like Ash's to take over the squad. That was a guess I had if it was to happen that way. Guess we'll have to wait and see.

As for Primeape....Ash didn't have Primeape very long either before it left for training. Hard to say if Primeape would return. He didn't use Primeape much.

 

[Hidden Mew]

Re: Should Ash Re-claim his Butterfree, Primeape, Pidgeot, Lapras, Squirtle and Larvi

Squirtle has returned a couple of times, like in the Johto League and Battle Frontier, so it could return for a bit, but it wouldn't be able to return full time. It has a job with the Squirtle Squad fighting fires and saving lives. That's kind of more important than training with Ash and it's unlikely that it would evolve anyway. While it didn't show any signs of not wanting to evolve like Bulbasaur, I figured that being abandoned and being part of the Squirtle Squad implied that Squirtle didn't want to evolve.

Lapras definitely isn't going to come back. Ash's goal in capturing it was to bring it back to its family and they did that. Butterfree definitely wouldn't come back since it's living in the wild with the pink Butterfree. Primeape won't come back either since it's being trained under another trainer. Pidegot might appear when they go by the forests near Pallet Town, but I can't really see it coming back either when it would be stronger than the Pidgey or Pidgeotto could be. Larvitar was never Ash's Pokemon. He carried it and ordered it in battle a couple of times, but he never captured it. Similar to Lapras, the goal was always to bring Larvitar back to its mother, which they did. It leaves on Mount Silver, so I don't see how they could get it back anyway and I can't see Ash getting something like a Tyranitar.

 

[Dark/Legendary Master]

Re: Should Ash Re-claim his Butterfree, Primeape, Pidgeot, Lapras, Squirtle and Larvi

Ash can still call up Squirtle any time he wants. It's still his.
Butterfree and Lapras have their own lives now, hell I think Pidgeot should stay as leader of the flock as well.
Not sure if Primeape was released or not but I doubt it'd ever be seen again.
Larvitar depends on whether or not Larvitar is willing to go with Ash or not, seeing as that'd mean he'd have to part with his mother.

 

[garrison-san]

Re: Should Ash Re-claim his Butterfree, Primeape, Pidgeot, Lapras, Squirtle and Larvi

As others have pointed out, Larvitar never actually belonged Ash, so he's got nothing to re-claim there.

As for the others, no, they're long gone. Most of them had already fulfilled their respective arcs/purposes, which is why they were dropped from the show in the first place. A future Squirtle appearance doesn't seem outside the realm of possibility (since technically I think he does still belong to Ash), although I doubt that he'd re-join Ash's team on any long-term basis, and I don't see what's to be achieved by bringing the likes of Butterfree and Lapras back at all - their stories are over.

 

[Neo Blaze]

Re: Should Ash Re-claim his Butterfree, Primeape, Pidgeot, Lapras, Squirtle and Larvi

Ash never really gave Squirtle away, so using it again wouldn't be really him "reclaiming" it. It's always been and still is his Pokémon, even if he doesn't call up on it as much. Of the others, Pidgeot is the only one that has serious chances of returning, since it had IMO the least solid reason to leave and it's still somewhere close to Pallet Town if I'm not mistaken. But even that I can't see happen anytime soon.

Primeape is technically in the same position as Squirtle, but Ash has never ever called up on it again, so personally I consider it given away. I got some hope when Primeape was oddly enough shown at Oak's in Be An Arrow/It's Always You and Me, but nevertheless that's only a (non-canonical) opening.

And yeah, Butterfee and Lapras got solid reasons to be "released", Larvitar was never even really Ash's.

 

[pokemon fan 132]

Re: Should Ash Re-claim his Butterfree, Primeape, Pidgeot, Lapras, Squirtle and Larvi

Each of those pokemon hypothetically could be reintroduced in anime story again. Given how plotlines which leaded to their exclusion from narrative could be altered with new ones justifying comeback.

However which ones return would feel least forced and go within flow of stroryline, to warrant taking part of Ash standard line up or be kept as reserve residing at Oaks ranch is question of subjective nature depending on our affinities and what we consider needed or desierable to lift up our viewing experience.

For example Squirtle is still Ash pokemon. He can call him whenever he wants for big event with his teammates being able to fill up for him when their leader is absent. But even for long travels again working under presumption that Squirtle want to travel with Ash again on big journey, battle gym leaders and see new regions. Enthrusting position of Squirtle squad leader to deputy he chooses.

Afterall Suirtle squad was able to function without him when joining Ash on journey during Kanto, Orange Islands and start of Johto. So in reality he could be able to go on long journey again.

Pidgeot was absent for very, very long time. Although i wont use that as excuse since long absence means nothing as return of humans like Jessibelle in DP or Clair in BW proved not hindering ability that past pokemon or character becomes important again.

Looking back was never released, Ash left him with temporary job of protecting members of his own breed promising to return back for him. However how viable it is that after all this years Ash fulfills his promise reuniting with Pidgeot is another pair of sleeves. Granted i wish we got to see more from his Pidgeot proving to be very fast pokemon with lot of potential, but unfortunately writers plans were of entirely different nature.

Personally i would be ok with Pidgeot return to Ash team as long reasonable story is present behind it.

Primeape is another of Ash pokemon he still technically owns, considering he left it with P1 fighter Anthony to train and become stronger. Read:another halfassed excuse to free up Ash team slot for capture of new pokemon.

Its unlikely that we will see Primeape ever comeback to Ash again, but than again writers are capable of doing most unexpected things sometime. Making their decisions on whim and in who their interest was awakened again, so in grand scheme of things Primeape return is entirely up to them. Although my answer leans more toward no than yes.

Lapras after reuniting with Ash at end of Johto was fully grown up leader of its own herd being proud of his position and job of looking after everyone and keeping them safe.

Not sure how plausible his return to Ash in reality could be when he already found calling in life and something it enjoys in. Unless writers would create some entirely new plot based around him of loosing maybe status of herd leader by another more dominant alpha male, with members of breed expressing distrust to him. Leaving Lapras despondent and wanting to work on improving his strength, speed and move set trying to find Ash. To train under him to become strong enough to acclaim lost position back.

But realistically that would require lot of set up, focusing on pokemon which unless 1st gen of games receive remake again(maybe release on 3D console) wouldn't posess much of marketing value. And lot of effort and creativity, which is doubtful of writers wanting to throw upon themselves.

Butterfree was with Ash for relatively short time and unlike Lapras didn't just found path he wants to follow, but life mate with who he wanted to spend whole life. Making no sense to separate him from his partner, likely own kids becoming parent in meantime and peace it looked for.

Larvitar was still baby incapable of participating in big, demanding matches. Wanting to go back to his mother. Ash never really owned Larvitar who just enjoyed in his company and shelter/ comfort Ash devotedness and kindness offered. Being nice to see new unreleaved nurture like side of Ash character explored showing he has potential to be good father.

Maybe with a big if when Larvitar grows old enough and ready to set on world on his own it might be viable to join Ash and try under his guidance to forge battling skills and techniques. Something which could already theoretically happen given how it passed very, very long time since Larvitar got returned to its mother. Already probably reaching mature age.

Not to mention i feel it woukld be kinda interesting how would Ash handle Tyranitar line up in battles.
Learning how to use all kind of different pokemon, various types he didn't had experience to train and battle with, realize in what way to bring their true strength on surface and achieve mastery of all kind of pokemon species making best use of them. Which is one of imperatives in becoming master.

Opening foundation for some substantial character development in Ash realizing he doesnt know how to handle such power after Larvitar evolves not knowing how to bringt its full strength on surface,. Having to learn how to adjust to it and serve as valuable experience in becoming more poised, smarter and adaptive trainer.

So Larvitar return is another one i would be ok with.

As for the others, no, they're long gone. Most of them had already fulfilled their respective arcs/purposes, which is why they were dropped from the show in the first place. A future Squirtle appearance doesn't seem outside the realm of possibility (since technically I think he does still belong to Ash), although I doubt that he'd re-join Ash's team on any long-term basis, and I don't see what's to be achieved by bringing the likes of Butterfree and Lapras back at all - their stories are over.

I presume some of motivation present behind this would be: for continuity purposes and provide more substance to storyline strengthening it up.
To explore more on this particular pokemon specie providing fresh blood to Ash team giving them more development through sequel. Especially if mega evolutions of them are introduced.

For popularity reasons and nostalgia. Being another one of pokemon company attempts to allure back toward franchise and pokemon series huge number of older generation viewers which abandoned it when fad died out, when Misty left and when original VA line up was replaced.

Explanation:

Spoiler

Because blatant creation of pokemon Origins featuring Red adventure stated to be done for older fans.
Reuse of 4kids slogans and lyrics in new openings, return of Kanto starters, old game elements like Snorlax blocking road,
Charizard coming back permanently to Ash team stopping with his training at Charific valley for Unova currently residing at Oak lab etc.

All of this seems to me like part of campaign in strengthening audience interest for pokemon series and franchise in general. Which could use some boost given low ratings and waned interest nowadays.

So playing on card of popular older pokemon coming back isnt entirely outside of realm of possibilities imo.

Would i be ok with it personally? It depends on who out of oldtimers would return and under what circumstances that would happen.
But after Charizard permanent return after 13 years, this wouldn't surprise me to be honest.