the anime Pokemon is full of trainers of all kinds and companions as cult as they are impressive both in their approach and in the fighting that they offer. All the interest of the series Pokemon -in addition to combat- relies on Sacha’s relationship with the other trainers who accompany him during one or more seasons. And among them, there are Master/Pokémon duos that have remained etched in the memory of fans. Besides, it may seem obvious, but we won’t discuss Ash’s ties to his own Pokémon, since his relationship with Pikachu, Amphinobi or even Charizard outclasses all those presented here. Each of the duos featured displays a different take on the trainer’s bond with Pokémon, and that’s what we’re going to see with ten examples that together represent all the most interesting duets in anime Pokemon.
#1 clem and dedenne
Let’s agree, Clem and Dedenne are not particularly interesting characters in the series XY. The fact that she’s very young doesn’t help, she acts like a real little sister to Ash and Serena. She doesn’t even fight, since she’s too young. But the fact that she is present here is no coincidence, since his relationship with Dedenne is a true mirror of what might have happened if Ash had met Pikachu a few years earlier. It also helps show how relationships evolve between Pokémon and young human children. Besides, we won’t talk about Serena here, since her most important relationship is above all with Ash and not with her Pokémon, a Fennec.
#2 Lilie and Snowflake
The relationship between Lilie and Flocon, her Alolan goupix is interestingsince she had never really been studied in the cartoon. Lilie is terrified of Pokémon. They really scare him. All the plot of the beginning of the anime Sun and Moon is based on her and her comrades who will try to help her overcome her phobia. And it will go through obtaining a Pokémon egg, a magnificent snow-white vulpix. The bond that unites them explains to the spectator that it is better to open his vision to others and that it is important to know how to overcome his fear of the unknown.
#3 undine and togepi
Even though Ondine is a rival of Sasha, she also has a lot of love for her Pokémons. Water-type champion, her favorite Pokémon is (strangely) not Water-type. As for Lilie, she will see it hatch, and a cute Togepi will come out of the egg who will immediately take her for her mother. The mother-child relationship between the two is interesting since it takes Ondine’s responsibilities up a notch, even though she was already the most sensible member of the trio. As well, his break with this Pokémon become a Togetic will be one of the most moving scenes of the anime.
#4 Stone and Onix
Pierre is a difficult character to pin down in the Pokémon anime. It primarily serves as comic character and mentor on the welfare of a Pokémon, and by extension, an animal. But in the anime, the Pokémon that best represents it is Onix, which will evolve into Steelix. He is powerful and is one of the only ones to have ever defeated Pikachu in single combat. It alone represents the brutality of the ground type but Pierre mainly uses it as a tool when the scenario requires it, like to make a ladder for example.
#5 james and eoko
James and Eoko certainly have one of the most touching relationships in the Pokémon anime., and proves how James is a good trainer ready to do anything to save his friend, who has become ill. He will end up saying goodbye to him, hoping that he will get back on his feet at the family mansion. It is moreover one of the rare relationships between a trainer and a Pokémon that ends relatively badly, without this trainer being a rival of Sacha. And again, it is now difficult to see the two members of Team Rocket as villains in the anime as they have become as important as the protagonist.
#6 Jessie and Abo
While we’re on Team Rocket, let’s talk about Jessie and her Abo, which will quickly evolve into Arbok. Despite his wickedness, Arbok will love Jessie deeply and knows he can count on her to take care of him. Their farewell will also be touching, when she agrees to let him stay in the forest, so that he can protect the wild Pokémon of the area by becoming the leader of an Abo packhe who learned to lead alongside Jessie.
#7 iris and coupenottes
Iris is perhaps the most controversial character in anime. Pokemon. Stubborn, prone to annoyances and she constantly makes fun of Ash by putting him down, calling him immature. Yet she is a tough trainer whose goal is to become a Dragon-type master. In combat and in training, she is very demanding with her Pokémon. And in the anime Journey she will become the Master of the United League. His efforts bear fruit and prove to the viewer that with motivation and an iron will, nothing is impossible when one has a powerful discipline.
#8 Aurora and Piplup
During all the episodes taking place in Sinnoh, Aurore is accompanied by Piplup. We were talking earlier about his relationship of rivalry with Sacha, it is all the more true that the courses of the two duos are similar. Piplup was too proud to let himself be trained by Aurore despite all her efforts.. And like Pikachu, it will refuse to evolve, but will be extremely jealous of Aurora’s other relationships with her Pokémon, like Hericendre. Over time, Piplup will be less intrusive, less temperamental and Aurora will trust him more often.
#9 goh and pyrobut
Goh is the Sacha of video games Pokemon. He wants to capture all Pokemon, including Mew. He is solitary and trusts few people, but he is very focused on justice issues, which will be the beginning of his relationship with his Pyrobut, then Flambino. They have the same relationship Ash had with Charmander.. First friends but distant, they will later develop a relationship of equals, based on mutual respect, always ready to sacrifice each other to save the widow and the orphan.
#10 flora and dusty
Hoenn was the first season not to include Ondine, Flora had a heavy responsibility to the fans. But his enthusiasm quickly won their hearts. She has always suffered from security issues that fans could relate to, but overcame them with the help of his friends and Pokémon, most notably his Torchic. Flora needed a strong Pokémon that could reassure her, and that relationship is truly unique in Pokémon. This is one of the first times a Pokémon played the role of a protector and not an accomplice.
Did this interest you? So don’t hesitate to check out one of our latest articles about Pokémon, like these ten facts about the ground type that you may not have known.
