The first episode of the Pokemon anime aired in Japan in April 1997. With that episode, audiences were introduced to Ash, Pikachu, Professor Oak, and other memorable characters. Since then, the show has introduced memorable characters like Misty, Brock, Team Rocket, May, Max, Dawn, Serena, Lillie, and countless others.
In addition to having great animation and awesome opening theme songs, Pokemon has also had some great quotes spoken by its cast of characters over the years. Ash Ketchum is an incredibly dedicated and persistent protagonist, so he’s made some inspiring declarations of intent and professions of loyalty. In other words, Ash and his friends have said some cool stuff, and, today, we are going to look at some Pokemon quotes still worth living by.
10 “There’s No Sense In Going Out Of Your Way To Get Somebody To Like You.”
This first quote comes from Ash Ketchum himself, and it teaches us to have more pride in who we are. Ash has always been a brash and energetic kid, and he rarely shows any self-consciousness or concern that others may not like him.
We can all learn from this 24-year-old 10-year-old kid and just be who we are without trying too hard to be a more likable or popular version of ourselves. We should just be who we are meant to be.
9 “It’s Lavender.”
This quote comes from James of Team Rocket after Meowth says, “Don’t worry your blue little head.” James corrects Meowth by telling him that his hair is actually lavender-colored.
This small exchange actually makes a strong point; we should always be proud of who we are. We shouldn’t let misconceptions about us go unattended. If your hair is lavender and someone calls it blue, you should correct them. That’s your lavender hair, and you shouldn’t let anybody take that away from you.
8 “Do You Always Need A Reason To Help Somebody?”
This is another quote from Ash Ketchum, and it challenges the idea of only helping somebody when there is something to be personally gained from it.
We should always be happy and willing to help people, and we shouldn’t need an inclination or reward to do so. We’re all human beings, and we all have our low points. The world would be a better place if there were always people there to help us at our low points.
7 “Hey, I’ll Use My Trusty Frying Pan As A Drying Pan.”
This one comes from Brock, the Rock-type Gym Leader of Pewter City and close friend of Ash Ketchum. He says this while he, Ash, and Misty are caught out in the rain at a dismal point in their journey.
Brock then puts his frying pan over his head and says these iconic words. Not only is it funny and creative, but it also shows us how to use what we have to make the best out of difficult situations. Brock could have just sat there soggy and sad, but he instead uses his frying pan as a makeshift umbrella.
6 “You See, Sometimes Friends Have To Go Away, But A Part Of Them Stays Behind With You.”
Ash is the person behind this line as well. Over the course of the series, Ash has had to let several of his partner Pokemon go their own way, whether it be leaving Greninja in Kalos for its own protection, Butterfree leaving with his new mate, or releasing Pidgeot in its home of Viridian Forest, Ash is no stranger to saying goodbye to friends.
However, this quote shows us that, even if those friendships are split apart by miles and miles of space, that doesn’t mean they’re over or that they never meant anything. We all leave little parts of ourselves with our friends.
5 “From Now On, I Swear I’ll Never Run Away And Leave My Friends Behind Again. No More Excuses.”
This is another quote from Ash Ketchum, and it comes to us from a low point in his journey. This one is a declaration of intent from Ash to show that he won’t abandon his friends anymore or let a daunting challenge cause him to turn tail and run.
We should all stand by our friends through even the most intimidating of challenges. Friends are there for one another through thick and thin, and Ash Ketchum understands this.
4 “A Caterpie May Change Into A Butterfree, But The Heart That Beats Inside Remains The Same.”
Pokemon involves a lot of transformation thanks to the process of evolution. However, the truth is that human beings evolve in their own way, as well. Beyond the physical process of growth and getting older, people change their personalities, tastes, and attitude over the years.
Despite that process of transformation, there is still at least a part of that same person underneath. In the same way that Butterfree is still Caterpie deep down, we are all just the culmination of all our past selves.
3 “You Can’t Expect To Win Every Single Battle…”
The full version of this quote is:
“You can’t expect to win every single battle, but love’s worth fighting for, and if you’re brave and courageous and never quit, you can come out a winner, just like me.”
This comes from Brock and is intended to console someone after a defeat in battle. As long as we don’t stop trying to better ourselves, overcome obstacles, and remember the importance of love, we will never truly have lost.
2 “I See Now That The Circumstances Of One’s Birth Are Irrelevant. It Is What You Do With The Gift Of Life That Determines Who You Are.”
This quote comes from the Legendary Pokemon Mewtwo in Pokemon: The Movie. After battling with Mew and prompting the other clone Pokemon to attack their donors, Mewtwo finally comes to this important realization and understands that the twisted nature of his creation doesn’t have to define him.
This is something that everyone can learn from. Even if one had a rough upbringing or came from a broken place, that doesn’t mean that they have to be defined by it. Actions and decisions determine who we are. It’s about the destination and not the starting point.
1 “We Do Have A Lot In Common…
This line also comes from Pokemon: The Movie and is delivered by Meowth of Team Rocket. The full quote is:
“We do have a lot in common. The same earth, the same air, the same sky. Maybe if we started looking at what’s the same, instead of looking at what’s different, well, who knows?”
What Meowth says here is incredibly poignant and easily earns the top spot on this list. Despite all the differences all of us have from one another, we will always have more in common deep down. We all live on the same planet and have the same needs. If we can just ignore the difference and focus on the similarities, maybe we can make this world a better place.
NEXT: Pokemon: 10 Important Notes For Building A Competitive Team
