The future of Ash's Aipom

[FabuVinny]

When it comes to this subject, two theories have emerged:

1. Ash will leave it at Professor Oak's lab in a couple of months, having done nothing useful.
2. Aipom has a new evolution in Diamond and Pearl and will travel with Ash to Shinou for that reason.

The second one makes more sense (though with no current proof) but I can also see the writers wanting Ash to have one and this being as good a time as any.

I have come up with a new theory that is slightly different, though not without precedent. While evolution is a possibility, this theory goes under the assumption that Game Freak have not given Aipom an evolution in Diamond and Pearl.

Brock's reasoning for bringing Forretress to Hoenn when he leaft behind Onix/Geodude/Crobat was that it had only evolved recently and he wanted to spend more time with it. Forretress had been around for longer than Aipom will have been and I can see Ash doing a similar thing here. (Note that that could still happen and result in a later evolution but I'm taking this further.)

If Ash takes Aipom to Shinou then he has another Pokémon to back up Pikachu - something he regretted not having at the start of Hoenn, particularly in Hoenn Alone. It will continue to be a useful filler in the lineup until Ash has built up a new team. At that point, the plot could then find Aipom returning to Professor Oak. (In Hoenn terms, I'm thinking at about a year in, between Corphish and Torkoal. So it would be similar to Ash's Heracross in that respect.)

I have no idea what is on the writer's minds with the new saga approaching, but I think that is a good guess.

 

[Doctor Oak]

I'd tend to agree with your theory. Though I'd say it hangs pretty much on whether they plan on doing another "fresh start" for D/P.

Still have no belief at all that just because he caught an Aipom an evolution for it is going to come out of the blue.

 

[Cybersai]

I still see Shinou taking the Johto approach, with Ash taking most of his current lineup with him there.

The only Pokemon I see him dumping at Oaks before he leaves is Donphan. Sceptile/Swellow/Corphish are the Bulbasaur/Charizard/Squirtle of AG, they're the "big 3" that he had throughout the saga, much like the Kanto trio. I imagine they'll be Oak'd eventually to make room for D/P pokes, but they should be there for a little while at least.

Maybe he'll use Aipom in the first Shinou Gym or something, and send him back after that. Maybe he'll be like Heracross was, or Glalie, one of those Pokemon that are only around for a short time before they get left at Oaks.

 

[munchlax_cutie]

I want ash to take back glalie!!!...he barely used it in hoenn...and precides glalie is the onli ice type pokemon ash has (with lapras gone)...AND ICE POKEMON RULE!!!!

 

[GreatLiver]

It could just be like Phanpy where, if it has no D/P evo, Ash leaves it with Oak when he begins, but takes it later since he barely spent time with it. It could also have an evolution in the fifth gen if it doesn't have one fourth that would evolve to start of that gen

 

[Nomekop Oen]

I'll go out on a limb and say Baton Passer.The attack still hasn't made it's debut in the anime and Aipom is one of a few Pokemon that learns it naturally.It could play a supporting role on Ash's team,holding it's own in battle for awhile and then passing on some stat raising moves when Ash switches out.A few BP'd Defense Curls to Scpetile couldn't hurt I guess.And I've got a hunch that Baton Pass might be fair game for both sides of a battle.

 

[AkivaraII]

Maybe it's there to be traded with a D/P Pokémon that evolves via trading? We haven't seen a trade-evolution actually occur on the show yet, I think....

I know that Ash normally doesn't trade, but they could think up a good reason for it, like Aipom really liking whatever trainer that Ash trades with, or wants to go in the same direction as they're travelling, or falls in love with one of their Pokémon, yada yada....

Then people would get angry that Ash "abandoned" yet another Pokémon.

 

[ugobama]

I dintn know Ash had an Aipom

 

[paperfairy]

I still see Shinou taking the Johto approach, with Ash taking most of his current lineup with him there.

Agreed. I'm betting on the D/P evolution theory, but that's just me~

Ash caught an Aipom in the last episode of the Grand Festival.

 

[Zak]

I guess it's safe to say no one cares about Spoilers in the topic title anymore, lol.

I was going to say something like Baton Passer. I personally hope it's niether of the most commonly said choices. Aipom's great, it got the shaft in Johto, we've never even seen one battle. It would be great for the writers to pull an unexpected and give an old character (who people thought were long 12 feet under) some screentime just for the hell of... well, giving it screentime. Baton Pass is a possibility, I was thinking it was going to have a key-move for battles. Or give it some sort of battle gimmick-move, enough to mainstream it. Why? Simple necromancy, it'd be awesome if they didn't focus too much on one generation at a time, but instead all of them equally. Hopefully they go for some more old-school captures, like (COMPLETELY RANDOMIZED) Cubone or Natu or whatever.

Of course that's extremely unlikely, but one can dream...

~Zak

 

[Illidan]

The Animé has always been about advertisment. If Aipom was added to Ash's lineup, there's a reason for it.

I'm opting to agree with the D/P Evolution theory. Let's just hope the Evolution actually looks cool.

 

[The Dude]

Aipom is there for the reason of being a psychotic crack-monkey. No other justification need be given. Now if they could just give us a rest with the hat-obsession, and just have Aipom be all-around-deranged, there would be some entertainment. Has Ash ever had a ball-popper Pokemon before? No? Then Aipom could be it. It's a problem Pokemon. Deranged Pokemon are attracted to Ash, especially crack-addled ones.
It should totally evolve to a chimp-esqwue Pokemon, but still with an ass-hand. And evolution, would, if possible, make it even more crack-addled!

 

[Duque]

Really, I think Ash caught aipom only because he NEEDS ends up an arc with a sixth pkm on his team, after all, despite aipom have or no a DP evolution.Might occure that aipom, like phanphy, only will have more utility on the future arc (Shinou League) with its DP evo (if he have).

 

[*Jasmine*]

Evolution? Hmm.... probably it will evolve into a stronger pokemon, because now its weak like a crap^^ I don't have long theories about Ash's Aipom. Its sweet and funny but isn't strong, if it evolves then will be much stronger. Probably it will evolve in next D/P season.

 

[Lil Brother]

Mmmm, it's spoilers in titles like these that are ruining my idea to stop watching raws and only see dubs... I love reading other fans' reactions/theories to things, but I can't possible do that if people don't know how to keep their mouths zipped up. :/

In all honesty, all I've seen Aipom as recently is a new Pokémon to have filler introduction episodes as we stall into D/P.

Ooooh, and can we avoid the whole "Will AG continue?" discussion in this thread? For the health for those who are already tired of it?

 

[Habunake]

I have a feeling his fetish of hats will lead him to grab a new held item, and evolve, such as a headband or something.

 

[ugobama]

I have had a question 4 a while though...If Ash caught primape pokemon in Kanto(Primape) and one that is from Jotoh(Aipom), then why not from hoenn(Slakoth)? Its kinda dumb, dont ya think?