The two leading characters of the Pokémon games and anime, Red and Ash, lead with the same pocket monster: Pikachu. The electric rat is unreliable when it comes to competitive play due to it being a middle evolution with weak defenses. That being said, both Red and Ash have brought the most out of Pikachu, taking it to League Championships and legendary battles. Though Red's and Ash's individual feats with the Pokémon series' mascot are worthy of note, one of them has developed a better Pikachu who would destroy the other in battle.
Fans of the Pokémon series can actually experience such a battle in game, as the mobile app Pokémon Masters EX brought Ash Ketchum into the game for its third anniversary this past August. In the phone app, Red’s and Ash’s Pikachus actually have completely different stats. Both function as speedy, hard-hitters; however, Red’s has more balanced stats with high Speed and Special Attack, whereas Ash’s has an insanely high Special Attack stat. This enables Red’s Pikachu to have a more technical role, while Ash’s Pikachu is hyper-specialized as a wall-breaker.
This distinction between the roles of Red and Ash’s Pikachus highlight the pros and cons of their training methods and illuminate who has made a more threatening Pikachu. Red’s Pikachu has a better stat distribution because he trains his Pokémon with an intense focus that has earned them a League title; Ash’s Pikachu has incredibly strong Special Attack because his strength is more dependent upon the relationship he shares with Ash than any actual training. While this makes it seem as if Red’s Pikachu is better than Ash’s in Pokémon, the truth is Ash’s Pikachu reigns supreme. Though he may be less reliable than Red’s Pikachu, Ash’s Pikachu has accomplished more impressive feats independent from his team and can always channel strength from his bond with Ash.
Why Ash’s Pikachu Is Better Than Red’s In Pokémon
Accepting that Ash’s Pikachu is stronger than Red’s may be a hard pill to swallow; after all, Red is the more accomplished Pokémon trainer, and Ash’s Pikachu has some truly embarrassing defeats like against Snivy. However, Ash’s Pikachu has also fended off against much stronger opponents and won. Just to name a few, Ash’s Pikachu beat Brandon’s Regice and a wild Tapu Koko and even drew against Tobias’s Latios. Defeating Legendaries that are as strong as the real gods of the Pokémon universe speaks to just how strong Ash’s Pikachu is. Even though he is very inconsistent, he can reach heights that Red’s Pikachu could never.
Indeed, Red’s Pikachu is severely limited by the mechanics of the Pokémon games. Where Ash’s Pikachu can randomly pull off a win against a legendary in a one-on-one match, Red’s has specific stats and levels that can be exploited by Pokémon who are inherently stronger. Even when Red’s Pikachu was at its strongest in Pokémon: HeartGold and SoulSilver, its level 88 stats could not save it from Ground attacks. Additionally, Red’s Pikachu always runs with “Static,” meaning it fails to take advantage of Pikachu’s better ability “Lightning Rod.” In comparison, Ash’s Pikachu is really only limited by its emotional bond with Ash and random circumstances.
Thus, Ash’s Pikachu is better than Red’s. Even though Red is a much better trainer, his Pikachu is hurt by low, pre-evolutionary base stats where Ash’s can seemingly attack with the power of Arceus if he wants to. This is even reflected in Pokémon Masters EX's stat distribution of Ash’s Pikachu; his 514 Special Attack can completely knock Red’s Pikachu out without trying.
