Characters that would've been good companions with Ash

[Kutie Pie]

No one said Gold yet? (Guess it would've been obvious.)

Anyway, other characters directly from the games aside, I had actually though Casey was going to join the team in Johto when she first appeared. But I guess it was for the best, since she proved to be a bit annoying rather quickly what with her tending to go on about the Electabuzz baseball team when given the chance. She at least showed up a good few times throughout the Johto saga, but it probably was for the best she remained a minor, but recurring character.

(I'm a bit surprised she didn't end up with an Ampharos...)

Other than Casey, I don't have any other characters in mind. Any more gym leaders would've made Ash more of a Gary-Stu than he already is, even though they returned to that aspect in Best Wishes, but at least there was a 10+ season gap. Having it happen not long after Orange Islands would've been a bit below the belt, in a way, getting rid of one gym leader to replace with another. At least they gave us time to adjust before they did it in Best Wishes, and I suppose at least explained it... I think.

[CyberCubed]

Other than Casey, I don't have any other characters in mind. Any more gym leaders would've made Ash more of a Gary-Stu than he already is, even though they returned to that aspect in Best Wishes, but at least there was a 10+ season gap. Having it happen not long after Orange Islands would've been a bit below the belt, in a way, getting rid of one gym leader to replace with another. At least they gave us time to adjust before they did it in Best Wishes, and I suppose at least explained it... I think.

Don't forget Johto was all about reuniting the original trio, even though it didn't work out so well. Sadly if Tracey wasn't so poorly received I'm willing to bet that Brock would have stayed gone for Johto, but then come back for AG....and then Brock's return for Hoenn would have made much more impact.

[Timother]

I really liked Brock in the first place to be ash's companion...

[pokemon fan 132]

Don't forget Johto was all about reuniting the original trio, even though it didn't work out so well. Sadly if Tracey wasn't so poorly received I'm willing to bet that Brock would have stayed gone for Johto, but then come back for AG....and then Brock's return for Hoenn would have made much more impact.

It didn't work out well mainly because writers had no idea how to properly handle 3 years or longer regions before new games come out though. This was their first one finding themselves basically in front of wall, especially after GS ball was scrapped filling up time with too many fillers. It wasn't until Master Quest they picked things up providing direction through which show will go.

If they gave more focus on Misty water master career, and focused more on Brock, or if Johto lasted 2 years with 3rd being covered through filler saga things would probably end up better.

That being said i agree about Tracey joining cast for Johto, because he never really had chance to be developed and establish solid storyline around his character leaving too soon. Traveling through extra region to improve his drawing skills and gather new experiences as watcher by observing ton of new, recently discovered pokemon could had premise for some plausible development and some pokemon like Smeargle were perfect for him. Who knows maybe his Scyther would even evolve to Scizor for marketing purposes than.

As for AG, well you already know what group would be ideal imo. I would probably keep everything same, except instead of Max Misty would join cast in BF being intriguing to see expansion on her goal ranking up as trainer, and having two girls in cast could lift up group dynamic to new level of being interesting imo.

[BurningSociety12345543210]

Kanto- None
Johto- None
Hoenn- Brendan/some other yahoo>Brock
Sinnoh- May>Dawn / Anybody>Brock
Unova- Hilda> Iris

[matt0044]

Say what if Misty and Brock were dropped for Johto (hypothetically) and they had two new Gym Leaders or Trainers?

Maybe Silver could work. He could be out to stop Team Rocket and be sticking around Ash to take advantage how he hates Team Rocket too.

[SimH8]

I think it would be interesting if characters like Harrison and Jimmy joined the group for a while, they were cool characters who i would like to have seen more of.

Anyone could replace Cilan imo (maybe Brock) because I hate him. Maybe the above or Hilbert.

Hilda definitely instead of Iris. Iris is awful as well.

[BurningSociety12345543210]

I think it would be interesting if characters like Harrison and Jimmy joined the group for a while, they were cool characters who i would like to have seen more of.

Anyone could replace Cilan imo (maybe Brock) because I hate him. Maybe the above or Hilbert.

Hilda definitely instead of Iris. Iris is awful as well.

Ash travelling with both Hilbert and Hilda. That'd be funny to see. n_n Though Cilan isn't as bad as you make him sound.... o_o

[matt0044]

Ash travelling with both Hilbert and Hilda. That'd be funny to see. n_n Though Cilan isn't as bad as you make him sound.... o_o

It'd be funny if they were like twin siblings and gave Ash hell everyday.

[Patri25]

I prefer: Misty>Iris in Unova.

[00poke_maniac]

Reggie, Riley or Barry would have worked out for me in DP. Too much Barry? Nah....XDD If well, he was mature enough to take care of Ash and Dawn.

I always remember someone saying about if Chili joined the group....they would have gotten eaten by something in about 15 days of their journey. XD But I like Dento and Iris in their roles. Chili's a bit too hotheaded, and Cress is a bit too passive.

[CyberCubed]

I prefer: Misty>Iris in Unova.

Why would Misty be in BW over a BW-centric character who is the Champion in the BW2 games?

[pokemon fan 132]

Why would Misty be in BW over a BW-centric character who is the Champion in the BW2 games?

Same question could be asked for Brock who wasn't present in third and fourth gen games still being in cast. Anime doesn't have to follow games completely.
Title of this thread is what characters do you think would be good companions to Ash. If people rather want Misty as traveling companion in Unova instead of Iris, i have no problem with that.
Just like i don't mind if people would rather have Marina instead of Misty in Johto, Leaf instead of May, Reggie instead of Brock etc. Its their personal preference.

Personally i would welcome Misty becoming Ash traveling companion again because i found her more enjoyable and she has untapped potential to expand upon, being interesting to see follow up on her career ranking up as trainer.

[CyberCubed]

Same question could be asked for Brock who wasn't present in third and fourth gen games still being in cast.

He was there to be background. The main girl is always more important than the male sidekick...at least until Cilan came around.

[pokemon fan 132]

He was there to be background. The main girl is always more important than the male sidekick...at least until Cilan came around.

Brock didn't faded in background until Sinnoh, having pretty good role in AG series and he had his moments in Sinnoh too so im not sure if its fair to label him with such etiquette with character not needing to rece8vbe alot to be considered valuable. Bringing up how big his role was is irrelevant to this either, because it still doesn't change fact that writers kept him even after he stopped existing in games. Same applies to Jessie, James and Meowth still being in show and originally Misty was intended to stay past Johto too.

Its rather obvious how writers have free hands in deciding what characters will form cast even if they are from previous generation, as long they properly promote new pokemon fulfilling their part of obligation toward Nintendo and Gamefreak.

[matt0044]

What if Harley tagged along (assuming he wasn't at May's throat for dissing his cookies)?

[Foxyvulpixie]

Tbh, I thought Leaf from Pokemon Firered and Leafgreen would be a good companion, but she never made a single appearence in the anime yet T_T. I thought that would've been cool if they added her in the Kanto Battle Frontier saga (since she is also from Kanto).
Also, Hilda, but they used Iris instead of her xD. I don't get why the used Iris o_o;.

[Hero of Ideals]

Tbh, I thought Leaf from Pokemon Firered and Leafgreen would be a good companion, but she never made a single appearence in the anime yet T_T. I thought that would've been cool if they added her in the Kanto Battle Frontier saga (since she is also from Kanto).
Also, Hilda, but they used Iris instead of her xD. I don't get why the used Iris o_o;.

Before Best Wishes came and people only had little info, Black and White revealed the Musicals and some thought Hilda would be involved in it, causing a lot of Hilda hate then she had since debuted. Once Best Wishes came, people were getting use to Iris that Hilda demand grow, including Ash/Hilda growing little community. I figures since Iris had a role in the games plus her Champion status, she became Ash's Gen 5 travel partner along with Cilan, both with goals and rivals.

But Hilda and Mei would be great travel partners to Ash, even Hilda being the potential Hero of Truth/Ideals.

[vespiqueen]

I think Lyra would have been a great companion for Ash! She would have been fun to watch. Not so sure about her Khoury though..

[matt0044]

I think Lyra would have been a great companion for Ash! She would have been fun to watch. Not so sure about her Khoury though..

I wish they actually kept them around to try out a Five Man Band and to showcase HGSS.