For over twenty-five years, Ash Ketchum and his loyal Pikachu were the face of the global Pokémon phenomenon. We’ve seen that yellow mouse restart power plants, take down Reggie’s Regice, and eventually become a World Champion. But behind every great trainer is a diverse team, and while Pikachu was the mascot, he wasn't always the heavy lifter.
In the high-stakes world of the Pokémon anime, some Pokémon transcended their base stats. They developed personalities, rivalries, and combat styles that would make a competitive Smogon player weep with joy. These are the Pokémon that defined generations, save Ash from certain defeat in the Pokémon League, and proved that a monster’s heart is just as important as its IVs.
From the lazy giants to the ninja-styled speedsters, here are the five best Pokémon in the anime (that aren't Pikachu).
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1. Charizard: The Standard-Bearer of Growth
It is impossible to discuss the anime’s best without starting with Ash’s Charizard. More than any other Pokémon, Charizard represents the "Hero’s Journey." Starting as a pitiable, abandoned Charmander, it evolved into a rebellious teenager (Charmeleon and early Charizard) before finally becoming Ash’s ultimate trump card.
The Power of Pride Charizard’s strength wasn't just in its Flamethrower or its mastery of Seismic Toss; it was in its narrative weight. For years, Charizard was the only Pokémon Ash had that felt truly "Elite." When Ash faced Articuno at the Battle Factory, he didn't call on Pikachu to clinch the win—he called on Charizard.
Charizard’s battle style in the anime often mirrors a "bulky special attacker" mixed with a "physical brawler." Signature Move: Seismic Toss (A move that, in the games, deals damage equal to level, but in the anime, involves a literal spinning orbital drop). Key Victory: Defeating Gary Oak’s Blastoise at the Silver Conference despite a massive type disadvantage. Defining Moment:* Training at the Charicific Valley, proving that even a powerful Pokémon must acknowledge there is always someone stronger to learn from.
Charizard’s legacy is so vast that it paved the way for every "Ace" Pokémon that followed. It set the precedent that Ash’s starter would eventually become a powerhouse capable of taking down Legendaries.
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2. Snorlax: The Undefeated Tank
If you ask a casual fan who Ash’s strongest Pokémon is, they might say Greninja or Charizard. If you ask a hardcore analyst of the Orange Islands and Johto eras, the answer is invariably Snorlax.
Caught on the Seven Grapefruit Islands, Ash’s Snorlax is arguably the most consistently dominant Pokémon in the entire series. Unlike many of Ash's other team members, Snorlax almost never lost a fair fight. It was the ultimate "Delete" button for Ash’s opponents.
The Anime "Cheat Code" While game-based Snorlax usually relies on Curse and Rest (standard "CurseLax" sets), Ash’s Snorlax was surprisingly agile. It famously used Protect to weather hits and Ice Punch to cover its weaknesses. But its most devastating asset was its sheer bulk.
Consider these stats from its anime career: 1. Versatility: It knows an incredible range of moves, including Hyper Beam, Body Slam, Mega Punch, and Hyper Speed Swimming (a move not in the games, but a testament to its anime-exclusive athleticism). 2. The Greta Sweep: During the Battle Frontier, Snorlax took down Greta’s Hariyama and Medicham back-to-back—two Fighting-types that should have easily countered it. 3. Durability: It once Took a Solar Beam to the face and barely flinched.
Snorlax provided a needed sense of gravity to Ash’s team. Whenever it came out of its Poké Ball, the tone of the battle changed. The opponent wasn't just Fighting a Pokémon anymore; they were trying to move a mountain.
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3. Greninja: The Bond Phenomenon
In the XY and XYZ series, the anime reached a peak of animation quality and tactical depth. At the center of this was Greninja. While Pikachu remained the companion, Greninja was the protagonist of the Kalos arc.
Beyond Mega Evolution What makes Greninja special isn't just its "Battle Bond" ability—which allows it to transform into Ash-Greninja—but its role as a "glass cannon" that actually worked. In the Pokémon games, Greninja with Protean is a top-tier threat because of its unpredictability. In the anime, Greninja won through sheer speed and the creative use of Water Shuriken.
The Ash-Greninja Move Set: Water Shuriken: Enhanced to massive proportions, even turning golden in the heat of battle. Aerial Ace: Used for close-quarters combat and rapid-fire strikes. Double Team: Not just for evasion, but for tactical confusion. Cut: Transformed into glowing energy blades reminiscent of a samurai.
Greninja’s rivalry with Alain’s Charizard remains one of the most debated topics in the fandom (mostly because Greninja should have won the Lumiose Conference). However, the "Ash-Greninja" form was so popular that the Pokémon Company officially integrated it into the Sun & Moon games via a special demo. It is the rare instance of an anime-original concept being so "best" that the games had no choice but to adopt it.
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4. Infernape: The Emotional Powerhouse
If Charizard is about pride, Infernape is about trauma and triumph. The story of Ash’s Infernape (starting as Paul’s Chimchar) is arguably the best-written character arc for any Pokémon in the history of the show.
Mastering the Blaze Abandoned by the cold, calculating Paul for being "weak," Chimchar joined Ash and eventually evolved into a powerhouse that used its inner rage to fuel its Blaze ability. In the games, Blaze is a standard ability that boosts Fire-type moves at low HP. In the anime, Infernape’s Blaze was essentially a "Super Saiyan" transformation.
When Infernape’s Blaze activated, the sky turned orange. The fire on its head grew into a pillar of flame. It wasn't just a stat boost; it was a narrative catharsis.
Why Infernape ranks among the best: The Paul Rivalry: It defeated three of Paul’s Pokémon in their final Sinnoh League match (Aggron, Ninjask, and Electivire), proving that Paul’s philosophy of "strength through cruelty" was inferior to Ash’s "strength through bonds." Tactical Brilliance: It used Flare Blitz underground to clear Toxic Spikes, a move that displayed a high-level understanding of over-world mechanics and field control. The Moveset: A terrifying mix of Mach Punch, Flamethrower, Flare Blitz, and Dig* allowed it to handle threats at any range.
Infernape didn't just win battles; it won our hearts. It was the ultimate underdog story, proving that even a Pokémon deemed "useless" by a master strategist could become a god-tier combatant in the right hands.
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5. Lucario: The Aura Master
Rounding out the list is the Pokémon that finally brought Ash the World Coronation Series trophy: Lucario. While Ash had many "Aura" moments throughout the series (most notably in Lucario and the Mystery of Mew), it wasn't until the Journeys era that he finally caught a Riolu of his own.
The Competitive Edge Ash’s Lucario is effectively a "Mega Lucario" powerhouse. In the Sword & Shield competitive meta, Mega Lucario (if it were allowed) with Adaptability was always a terror. In the anime, Lucario acted as the physical powerhouse that could trade blows with the champions of the world.
Key Achievements: Defeating Cynthia’s Garchomp: This is perhaps the single most impressive feat on this entire list. Cynthia’s Garchomp was framed as an invincible force for fifteen years. Lucario, using a massive Aura Sphere and the power of Mega Evolution, finally brought it down. Bullet Punch: Used with incredible precision to disrupt opponents' tempos. Reversal:* Taking the damage it received and dish it back out—a classic game mechanic utilized perfectly in the anime’s climax.
Lucario felt like the missing piece of Ash’s puzzle. It was the Pokémon that bridged the gap between Ash-the-Trainer and Ash-the-Hero. Its ability to communicate via Aura gave it a psychic link to Ash that even surpassed the one he had with Pikachu in terms of sheer combat synchronization.
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The Honorable Mentions
While these five stand above the rest, we would be remiss if we didn't mention the "almost" greats. Sceptile: The only Pokémon to single-handedly take down Tobias’s Darkrai. Sceptile was the king of the Hoenn region, known for its incredible speed and Leaf Blade prowess. Bulbasaur: The Pokémon that refused to evolve. Bulbasaur became the "Ambassador" of Professor Oak’s lab, but don't let its diplomatic role fool you; its Solar Beam and Leech Seed strategies were rock-solid. Dragonite:* Ash’s "Hugger" was a surprisingly effective Dragon Dance/Hurricane threat that dominated the early parts of the World Coronation Series.
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What Makes an "Anime" Best?
In the Pokémon video games, "best" is determined by Base Stat Totals (BST), Movepools, and Abilities. A Pokémon is good if it can survive a Choice Band-boosted Close Combat or outspeed a Dragapult.
In the anime, "best" is defined by: 1. Innovation: Can the Pokémon use the environment? (e.g., Charizard using Seismic Toss to spin through the air). 2. Resilience: Can it survive the narrative "big hit" to deliver a counter? 3. Growth: Does the Pokémon learn new moves during the heat of battle?
The five Pokémon listed above—Charizard, Snorlax, Greninja, Infernape, and Lucario—don't just have high stats. They have stories. They represent the different eras of Ash’s growth, from his beginnings as a rookie to his retirement as the Monarch of the Pokémon world.
Final Thoughts
Pikachu will always be the "Best" in terms of iconography, but the anime is a team sport. Without the tanking ability of Snorlax, the raw emotional power of Infernape, or the tactical speed of Greninja, Ash Ketchum would still be stuck in Pallet Town wondering why his Charmeleon won't listen to him.
These Pokémon reminded us that every monster has the potential to be a legend. They turned type matchups on their heads, broke the rules of engagement, and showed us that sometimes, a Water Shuriken can be just as iconic as a Thunderbolt. Whether you're a competitive VGC player or a weekend viewer, you have to respect the work these five put in. They didn't just fight; they made history.
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