History Characters / PokemonTheSeriesSunAndMoonAshsPokemon

[[redirect:Characters/PokemonTheSeriesSunAndMoon]]

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%% Please don't remove any spoiler tags for new characters until it has aired in the United States.
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%% All examples must explain the trope and how it applies in its context. All examples lacking the proper context have been commented out.
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[[center:[[WMG:''[[Anime/PokemonTheSeries Pokémon anime]]'' [[Characters/PokemonTheSeries characters index]]\\
[-'''Series-wide:''' [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesAshKetchum Ash Ketchum]] | [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesPikachu Pikachu]] | [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesTeamRocketTrio Team Rocket Trio]] | [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesTeamRocketTriosPokemon Team Rocket Trio's Pokémon]] | [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesTeamRocketOrganization Team Rocket Organization]]\\
'''Major Characters:''' [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesMisty Misty]] | [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesBrock Brock]] | [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesMay May]] | [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesDawn Dawn]] | [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesPaul Paul]] | [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesIris Iris]] | [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesSerena Serena]] | [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesLillie Lillie]] | [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesGoh Goh]] \\
'''Original Series:''' [[Characters/PokemonTheOriginalSeriesAshsPokemon Ash's Pokémon (Kanto, Orange Islands, Johto)]]\\
[[Characters/PokemonTheOriginalSeriesCast Supporting Cast]] | [[Characters/PokemonTheOriginalSeriesGymLeaders Gym Leaders]] | [[Characters/PokemonTheOriginalSeriesOneShotCharacters One-shot Characters]]\\
'''Advanced Generation:''' [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesRubyAndSapphireAshsPokemon Ash's Pokémon (Hoenn)]] | [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesRubyAndSapphireCast Supporting Cast]] | [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesRubyAndSapphireGymLeadersAndFrontierBrains Gym Leaders and Frontier Brains]] | [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesRubyAndSapphireVillains Villains]]\\
'''Diamond and Pearl:''' [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesDiamondAndPearlAshsPokemon Ash's Pokémon (Sinnoh)]] | [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesDiamondAndPearlCast Supporting Cast]] | [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesDiamondAndPearlGymLeaders Gym Leaders]] | [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesDiamondAndPearlVillains Villains]]\\
'''Black and White:''' [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesBlackAndWhiteAshsPokemon Ash's Pokémon (Unova)]] | [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesBlackAndWhiteCast Supporting Cast]] | [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesBlackAndWhiteRivals Rivals]] | [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesBlackAndWhiteGymLeaders Gym Leaders]] | [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesBlackAndWhiteVillains Villains]]\\
'''XY:''' [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesXYAshsPokemon Ash's Pokémon (Kalos)]] | [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesXYCast Supporting Cast]] | [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesXYRivals Rivals]] | [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesXYGymLeaders Gym Leaders]] | [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesXYMegaEvolutionSpecials Mega Evolution Special]] | [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesXYVillains Villains]]\\
'''Sun and Moon:''' '''Ash's Pokémon (Alola)''' | [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesSunAndMoonCast Supporting Cast]] | [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesSunAndMoonKahunasAndGuardianDeities Kahunas and Guardian Deities]] | [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesSunAndMoonAetherFoundation Aether Foundation]] | [[Characters/PokemonTheSeriesSunAndMoonVillains Villains]]\\
'''Journeys:''' [[Characters/PokemonJourneysTheSeriesAshsPokemon Ash's Pokémon (Journeys)]] | [[Characters/PokemonJourneysTheSeriesCast Supporting Cast]] | [[Characters/PokemonJourneysTheSeriesGalar Galar]] | [[Characters/PokemonJourneysTheSeriesOneShotCharacters One-shot Characters]]\\
'''Horizons:''' [[Characters/PokemonHorizonsTheSeriesLeadCharacters Lead Characters]] | [[Characters/PokemonHorizonsTheSeriesPokemon Pokémon]] | [[Characters/PokemonHorizonsTheSeriesAntagonists Antagonists]] | [[Characters/PokemonHorizonsTheSeriesSupportingCast Supporting Cast]]\\
'''Movies:''' [[Characters/PokemonMovies Movies 1 to 19]] | [[Characters/PokemonIChooseYou I Choose You!]] | [[Characters/PokemonThePowerOfUs The Power of Us]] | [[Characters/PokemonSecretsOfTheJungle Secrets of the Jungle]]-]]]]]
[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder:As a whole]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ash_alola_team_jn.png]]
[[caption-width-right:350:Ash's Alola team.]]

* AmbiguousGender: Besides Pikachu, none of the Alola team have confirmed genders. Nebby, Naganadel and Melmetal are biologically genderless however. The best the others get are implied hints.[[note]]Lycanroc's dialogue is translated as using male pronouns in [=SM126=], while all of them wear amulets for their Ultra Guardian attire compared to the ribbons usually equipped to Pokémon officially female, which implies that Incineroar, Rowlet and Lycanroc are all males.[[/note]]
* BadassAdorable: Everyone in the team was this to an extent, including Poipole and Meltan before their evolutions and Torracat before its second evolution. Apart from the always-present Pikachu, an electric mouse, we have Rowlet, a barn-owlet, Rockruff, a cute Rock-type puppy that evolves into Lycanroc, a wolf that is just as affectionate as his pre-evolved form, a Litten, who then evolved in a Torracat, a Fire-type cat that warms up to Ash after his capture and has a rivalry with his evolved form, which he finally manages to beat before evolving into an Incineroar himself, a playful Poipole, a Poison bee larva that befriends Pikachu, enjoys his Electric-type moves and expresses itself with drawings, who then evolved into a Poison/Dragon Naganadel off-screen, and Meltan, which is very similiar to mercury in appearence and developes a strong friendship with Rowlet before evolving in the colossus that is Melmetal.
* BadassCrew: In spite of their goofiness, this might be one of Ash's most battle-solid and strongest teams with all of its members never getting less wins than losses and having overall strong showings. Not to mention it has among its ranks a special form Pokémon, a Mythical Pokémon and (temporarily) an Ultra Beast with all three being powerhouses on their own right. Even the lowly Rowlet is shown capable of defeating things bigger than itself consistently and Incineroar was even able to [[spoiler:defeat Kukui's seemingly unstoppable Incineroar as a Torracat even after taking a nasty beating following Kukui's Incineroar boosting itself with Bulk Up and without the need to evolve mid-fight]].
* BecauseYouWereNiceToMe:
** The Alola team all joined Ash because of the kind things he did for them.
*** Rowlet decided to join Ash and became his other partner because he saved it from falling then brought it some food to eat when it got hungry.
*** Lycanroc joined Ash when he helped it learn a new move and used it to defeat a wild Pokémon in battle.
*** Incineroar came with Ash when he didn't leave its side when it was depressed about its mentor's passing.
*** Naganadel really wanted to be with Ash when he saved it from Team Rocket and showed it how PokéBalls work.
*** Melmetal decided to go with Ash when it saw its trusting nature and understood that it wanted to stay with Rowlet.
* BreakingOldTrends: The first team of Ash's that lacks the regional bird Pokémon, with Rowlet instead filling the role and having been raised by a flock of them. Meltan also exists as his first ever Steel-type, as well as his first ever officially caught Mythical Pokémon. He also never caught any Water-type Pokémon.
** [[spoiler:Additionally, instead of staying with Professor Oak following the end of his travels in the region, they actually stay with Professor Kukui.]]
* BrokenWinLossStreak: It is this team that [[spoiler:grant Ash his first league victory since the Orange League all the way back in the original series and his first ever league victory in a region based on the games.]]
* TheBusCameBack:
** They returned in ''[=JN037=]'' and [=JN112=] when Ash and Goh visited Alola.
** Ash uses a rotating team in ''Aim to be a Pokémon Master'' for his current roster, where he uses ''all'' of his Pokémon. Besides Pikachu, he adds Pokémon of different generations to his team. For each individual entry, see below.
* CharacterFocus: Compared to previous teams, all of Ash's Alola Pokémon largely get equal limelight, though spread about in lengthy durations through the series. Rowlet was used mainly through the Melemele and Akala trials. After its evolution and into the Ula Ula trials, Lycanroc got primary use. Torracat has yet to have a dominant era of focus, though gets key mini-arcs spread throughout the show, with Pikachu taking the vast amount of what's left. All four of them are signatures against different rivals as well.
* ContrastingSequelMainCharacter:
** Ash's Alola team maybe the exact opposite of his Kalos team but their loyal to each other and consider one another family. Also, Ash's Alola team have three members who can't fly while three of the Kalos group does, which two of their members also the opposite of each other.
*** Rowlet is laidback while Greninja is serious but they both value the friendship they share with their teammates and would choose their safety over their own.
*** Lycanroc takes defeats to the heart while Talonflame does not but they both are serious battler that usually rely on close range attacks over long range ones and don't go down so easily.
*** Incineroar doesn't show off itself while Hawlucha does as they both rush into things sometimes but they only do so in order to help others and would protect or help younger Pokémon.
*** Naganadel wasn't timid with its type disadvantage while Goodra was during their first stages but they both greatly admire Pikachu, although they do for different reasons as one looks up to him for his Electric-type moves while the other admires him for his strength, and ran away from their homes then return to them.
*** Melmetal does things on its own while Noivern does not in battle but they both quickly admire a member of their team and considers them a role model.
* DenserAndWackier: While they aren't all the wackiest of Ash's Pokémon, they are arguably the most consistently wacky team he's had, especially compared to his more serious Kalos squad just beforehand. Even Nebby as a ''Solgaleo'' gets the odd goofy moment.
%%* GenderReveal: Besides Pikachu, none of them had confirmed genders besides subtle hints, until the Ultra Guardians arc; all the Pokémon confirmed female wear bows with the Ultra Guardians symbol on it, with the rest wearing necklaces.[[note]]Rowlet, Torracat, Poipole, and Lycanroc, who all wear standard necklaces, would all be confirmed male through this supposed attire diversion.
* LetsGetDangerous: Despite the clownish nature of most of them off-time, they fight as well as most of Ash's Pokémon, and are among the most battle competent of the whole Alola class.
* LetsSplitUpGang: While in the Ultra Deep Sea, Ash dispatches all of them but Pikachu to assist the other companions.
* LimitBreak: All but Melmetal are trained to use a Z-Move in battle.
* OneOfTheKids: The majority of Ash's Alola team evolve at least once. Compared to most previous examples however, they tend to retain a lot of their original personality quirks (and sometimes even gain new ones) and often continue appearing in more playful scenes with the other Pokémon.
* OlympusMons: Not only the first team of Ash's to feature a mythical officially (Melmetal), but also an Ultra Beast (Naganadel), and a legendary as a recurrent GuestStarPartyMember (Nebby). Combined with Lycanroc being a rare Dusk forme which, like the other three, has never been caught beforehand, Nanu lampshades Ash's rather elusive team of Pokémon.
* PintSizedPowerhouse: A reccuring theme with the Alolan squad is that they tend to be compared to their direct evolution against various rivals throughout the season. The relationship dynamic between Ash's Pokémon and their evolutionary counterparts ranges between BigBrotherMentor towards straight up TheRival, but for the most part they were able to keep up well in a fight against them. The only exception to this trend is Cosmog, Poipole, and Meltan. The former two largely acts as KidAppealCharacter, whereas Meltan, while lacking rival fits this trope naturally until its evolution into Melmetal.
* TrueCompanions: Demonstrated especially well this series, since they rarely in their balls, so often interacting and bonding with each other, demonstrating their closeness. They are also shown to be close to the other classmates and their Pokémon, as shown when they protect them independently while in the Ultra Deep Sea. Also, they would lay down their lives for each other and protect one another from trouble.
* VitriolicBestBuds: Given the quirks divided between all of them, they are sometimes shown bickering without Ash as mediator. They do all care about each other, however. [=SM057=] shows how quickly they interchange between tussling and playing happily with each other.
[[/folder]]

!!Owned Pokémon

[[folder:Rowlet (Mokuroh)]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rowlet_7.png]]
->'''Voiced in Japanese by:''' Creator/MegumiHayashibara
->'''Voiced in English by:''' Roger Callagy

Rowlet is the child of a Toucannon and a Trumbeak. It befriended Ash after mistaking Mallow's Bounsweet for food. Its foster parents urged him to join Ash after they were saved from Team Rocket. It's a ditzy Pokémon that loves to sleep, especially in Ash's backpack.
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* AbhorrentAdmirer: [[ImpliedTrope It's hinted]] that it has a crush on Mallow's Steenee, but she just sees it as a minor everyday nuisance (after all, Rowlet's debut episode had it attempting to eat her).
* AbnormalLimbRotationRange: Like an owl, it can rotate its head to look behind itself or tilt its face at a 90-degree angle. The former is useful in battles as Rowlet can literally watch its own back, while the latter tends to be an expression of confusion.
* AllLoveIsUnrequited: [[ImpliedTrope Implied]]. In [=SM018=], Rowlet's attraction to Bounsweet doesn't seem to be out of thinking she's food but rather because it seems to have a crush on her ([[WingdingEyes heart eyes]] and all). But just like all the other times, Bounsweet still avoids it, and after evolving into Steenee, she can now effortlessly block off Rowlet.
* AnimalChickMagnet: During the montage of the Alola starters' trip through Hau'oli City, there's an image of Rowlet (encased in Popplio's bubble) grabbing the attention of a few girls. [[JustifiedTrope Justified]], as that is a trait of its particular line.
* AnnoyingYoungerSibling: Rowlet's inability to keep up with the flock and absent-mindedness earns it a scolding from Trumbeak, who only gets more miffed when Rowlet falls asleep while getting reprimanded.
* BadassAdorable: It's a cute, ditzy, round, owl-like creature, but can use Leafage pretty effectively and tears through Team Rocket's nets in a single swipe.
* BaitAndSwitch: After a collision between Brave Bird and Sky Attack in Ash's Alola League quarterfinal, it appears that both Rowlet and Hau's Decidueye have been knocked out. But Decidueye gets back up (albeit struggles to do so) and Hau is declared the winner...only for Hala to overrule the decision. Turns out Rowlet wasn't actually knocked out; it just fell asleep and gets back up none the worse for wear. The match then resumes and Rowlet is able to win using a combination of its newly mastered Feather Dance and Brave Bird.
* BewareTheSillyOnes: Though blundering and lazy, it's a formidable battler. When Litten accidentally torched it with Ember, Rowlet immediately went on the offensive after shaking off the fire. Litten, who had [[BullyingTheDragon intended to torch Lycanroc, Ash's powerhouse, just for bugging it]], was ''terrified'' to have angered Rowlet.
* BigEater: Ash comments how much Rowlet likes to eat while it scarfs down on melon slices and a banana.
* BlowYouAway: Part Flying-type and knows Peck. In [=SM118=] it learns Brave Bird.
* BunnyEarsLawyer: It's a sleepy goofball in terms of personality, but a pretty darn strong Pokémon with the unique skill to sneak up on opponents. Case in point, it impressively manages to snag a win against Hala's Crabrawler, before falling asleep ''in midair'', forcing Ash to complete the Grand Trial with only Pikachu. It also puts up an impressive fight against Olivia, managing to dodge ''Continental Crush'' while carrying Rockruff, and [=KOing=] her Probopass with Bloom Doom, only to be knocked out by Rockruff due to JerkassBall.
* TheBusCameBack:
** Its family made a brief cameo in [=SM018=], where Rowlet tried asking them for help looking for a Pom-Pom Oricorio. The Toucannon leader helps it to learn Seed Bomb in [=SM097=].
** Is part of Ash's rotating roster in [=JN138=], alongside Totodile, Corphish and Leavanny.
* CameraAbuse: Falls into the camera in [=SM055=].
* CrisisMakesPerfect: Rowlet learns Feather Dance shortly before Ash's League battle with Hau, but isn't able to master it until the very end of the battle to dodge Decidueye's Sky Attack.
* CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass: Despite its bumbling, lazy behavior, Rowlet has proved a quite effective and surprisingly stealthy opponent in most of Ash's battles.
* CuddleBug: Rowlet takes a liking to Ash, and will curl up against him or stuff itself in his backpack. Though, on occasion, it will get too affectionate and dig its claws into Ash's arm.
* CuteOwl: ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin by its appearances and other characteristics.
* DavidVsGoliath: The most notable instance of which is when Rowlet faces off against Hau's Decidueye, its final evolutionary form, in the League.
* TheDitz: Mistakes a wind chime for food and apparently doesn't seem to get that Mallow's Bounsweet is a Pokémon despite being fought off several times (though Bounsweet are mistaken for food by a large number of Alolan Pokémon).
* DivingKick: Its Tackle is depicted like this. When Ash orders it to use Tackle on a confused Salandit, Rowlet extends its claw and kicks it right in the throat and right out the 2nd-floor balcony.
* DontSplitUsUp: [[DefiedTrope Defied]]. Ash [[IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy initially spurns catching Rowlet]] because he realizes that its part of the family of Pikipek. Toucannon, however, sees that Rowlet likes Ash and encourages it to join him.
* {{Flight}}: Part Flying-type as it knows Peck until it learns Brave Bird in ''Aiming for the Top Floor!'' and learns Feather Dance in ''Imitation Is the Sincerest Form of Strategy!''.
* GoThroughMe: Rowlet defends Meltan from Meowth's Fury Swipes in ''Got Meltan''.
* GreenThumb: Is part Grass-type and knows Leafage. Rowlet also marks a return to the regular pattern of Ash catching the regional Grass-type starter, after not catching any Grass-types period in ''XY''. As of [=SM036=], it can use the Grassium Z-Move "Bloom Doom" while in [=SM075=] and [=SM097=], it learns Razor Leaf and Seed Bomb respectively.
* TheHeart: Rowlet maybe lazy and sleeps a lot but does have a big heart as it would risk its safety over its own whenever its friends were endanger.
* HeavySleeper: Getting water splashed on its face? Doesn't even notice. Caught up in Team Rocket's net when they snagged the class' Ride Pokémon? Still perched on the saddle, sound asleep. It takes the Lapras being dropped out from under it for Rowlet to finally wake up. Rowlet's sleeping habit is quite a feat under such circumstances. It even manages to fall asleep right after a battle while still flying.
** This characteristic is so inherent that in [=SM055=], Professor Kukui is absolutely stunned to ''[[OOCIsSeriousBusiness actually see it awake in the early hours]].''
* HeroicRROD: It manages to defeat Hala's Crabrawler, only to need recalling afterwards. Apparently the battle was so exhausting that Rowlet fell asleep afterward ''still flying''.
* InTheHood: Before its battle with Hau's Decidueye in the Alola League, its foster family makes it a hood based on Decidueye's. It wears the hood in its battles with Hau and [[spoiler: Kukui]], and it assists with his use of [[NinjaLog Feather Dance]].
* LetsGetDangerous: Despite its normally lazy, goofy demeanor, Rowlet shows a much more serious and capable approach on the battlefield, obeying Ash's commands succinctly and proving quite strong despite its novice level.
* LimitBreak: It can use the Normal-type Z-Move Breakneck Blitz and the Grass-type Z-Move Bloom Doom.
* {{Narcissist}}: Rowlet shows hints of this an evolution too early, gladly posing for the CameraFiend [=RotomDex=].
* NinjaLog: How Rowlet's Feather Dance move works. It sheds a layer of its feathers, leaving behind a decoy to take an attack in its place.
* NoSenseOfPersonalSpace: It just doesn't seem to get the hint that Bounsweet/Steenee doesn't want to be dive-bombed every time she uses Sweet Scent.
* NotAllowedToGrowUp: Swallows an Everstone in [=SM097=]. Unlike Ash's Pikachu or Bulbasaur or Dawn's Piplup, however Rowlet shows no disinterest nor disdain towards evolution; it just really likes the Everstone that it uses as ammo for Seed Bomb. That said, it's clearly content remaining a Rowlet so it can continue to sleep in Ash's backpack.
* OOCIsSeriousBusiness:
** Just how important is waking Professor Kukui up the morning of his wedding? Very, as Rowlet is awake, even though it's known as a HeavySleeper.
** In [=SM097=], after losing to Hau's Dartrix, the normally goofy and naïve Rowlet [[LetsGetDangerous becomes]] '' extremely'' serious in its attempt to defeat Dartrix in a rematch, to such an extent that it trains with its foster family and ends up learning Seed Bomb as a result, which shows that it found a reason to stay the way it is.
* OutOfFocus: A primary character in early Alola episodes and used prominently in all of Ash's trials throughout Melemele and Akala, it's spent most of its time sleeping in Ash's backpack or acting as comic relief in the ''Ultra Adventures'' season. It ascends back into focus in parts of ''Ultra Legends''.
* PintsizedPowerhouse: The smallest and one of the two unevolved members of the team, but it's no less formidable a fighter than the rest of them. Rowlet is also Ash's first starter Pokémon to have battled and defeated ''both'' of its evolved forms.
* RedOniBlueOni: The Blue to Meltan's Red; Rowlet is very laid-back compared to the {{Keet}} Meltan.
* RunningGag: Falls asleep at the most inopportune times, its love for Ash's backpack, and being attracted to Bounsweet/Steenee whenever she uses Sweet Scent.
* TheRuntAtTheEnd: Not just by species, either; Rowlet is initially slow on the uptake both literally (in its group's flight formation) and figuratively (confusing a ''wind chime'' for food).
* TheSlacker: It spends most of its time sleeping while ignoring its surroundings, which comes in handy against Ryuki; after Kiawe's Marowak was one-shotted due to being distracted by the music, Ash decides to use Rowlet specifically because it won't get distracted.
* SuperSpit: Its Seed Bomb attack has it spit out the Everstone it swallowed before swallowing it again.
* {{Sleepyhead}}: Rowlet sleeps most of the time when it doesn't get focus. This is a trait of its species; they use photosynthesis to store up energy during the day and become active at night, similar to real owls.
** To the point where, in [=SM055=], actually seeing Rowlet ''awake'' [[OOCIsSeriousBusiness stuns Professor Kukui to no end]], especially knowing Rowlet's HeavySleeper tendencies. It's immediately lampshaded:
--> '''Professor Kukui:''' [[LampshadeHanging Rowlet, you're never awake!]] What's going on here?
** [[spoiler: He even fell asleep in the middle of Ash's league match with Hau's Decidueye! Ash was not amused since the match was almost called in Hau's favor.]]
* StealthHiBye: Rowlet has a knack for sneaking up on others, which is used to its advantage in battle.
* StraightManAndWiseGuy: Rowlet is the Wise Guy to Popplio's Straight Man when they were separated from their Trainers. Rowlet drives Popplio crazy with its tendency to sleep randomly and freak out at the slightest provocation, causing more trouble for Popplio.
* TeamSpirit: Of Ash's current team, it works most frequently in team battles, its flying and evasiveness making for good maneuvers to protect the others.
* TennisBoss: Employs this tactic against Professor Kukui's Braviary in Ash's exhibition match; the two birds volley Rowlet's Everstone back and forth, with Rowlet handing a few hits.
* ThoseTwoGuys: Rowlet and Rockruff tend to serve as something of a PluckyComicRelief duo when neither is getting individual limelights. Expectedly [[{{Keet}} Rockruff]] has a higher patience level for Rowlet's behavior compared to most of the others. After Rockruff's evolution, this role seems to have been taken up by Nebby.
* TookALevelInBadass: Learns Razor Leaf in [=SM075=], Seed Bomb in [=SM097=], Brave Bird in [=SM118=], and Feather Dance in [=SM132=].
* TruthInTelevision: Rowlet's ditzy nature is akin to real owls, as they are among the least intelligent birds and are known to make life-threateningly stupid decisions.
* VegetarianCarnivore: It's an owl, but seems to be awfully fond of fruit.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Rockruff (Iwanko) -> Dusk Lycanroc (Dusk Lugarugan)]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rockruff_3.png]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dusk_lycanroc.png]]
->'''Voiced in Japanese by:''' Creator/MegumiHayashibara (Iwanko), Keiichi Nakagawa (Lugarugan)
->'''Voiced in English by:''' Haven Paschall (Rockruff), Michael Liscio Jr. (Lycanroc)

Though it was originally cared for by Professor Kukui, he allowed Ash to capture it after seeing the bond the two had developed. It eventually evolved into a Lycanroc, a form that has never been recorded before.
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* TheAce: The first fully-evolved member of Ash's Alola team, being able to hold its own against Lusamine's Clefable without help and take down the entirety of Nanu's team in a one on three match with only the aide of a single Sitrus Berry pick-me-up two battles through. It also manages to [[spoiler:win the Alola league]] for Ash. Lycancroc is so powerful that after an entire season where Kukui's Incineroar is portrayed to be all but invincible, Lycanroc becomes the first Pokémon in Alola who manages to injure Kukui's Incineroar leaving enough of a mark to force it to be switched out.
* AnimalJingoism: He's a canine Pokémon, and has a FriendlyRivalry with its teammate Litten, a feline Pokémon.
* AttackReflector: Learned Counter during the Ula'ula Island grand trial.
* BerserkButton: As Dusk Lycanroc, he hates getting dirty and flies into a rage if his opponent messes up his fur. This is Deconstructed in that its anger issues have caused it to ignore his trainer and lose, usually with Lycanroc calming when it realizes what it's done. It overcomes this in [=SM075=].
* BigBrotherWorship: As a Rockruff, it appeared to idolize both Gladion's Midnight Lycanroc and Olivia's Midday Lycanroc. [[BigBrotherInstinct Both would return the favor]] in the episode when Rockruff evolves.
* BigFriendlyDog: Well, wolf now, but it retains its friendly demeanor.
* BunnyEarsLawyer: Not as clearly as Rowlet, but Lycanroc is the [[{{Keet}} most hyperactive]] of Ash's Alola squad and occasionally shares Rowlet's dopey habits even after evolving. He's proven to be a very powerful and serious battler on its own accord, however.
* CanineCompanion: To Professor Kukui, and later Ash.
* CounterAttack: Learns Counter in [=SM077=]. [[spoiler:It is used as a FinishingMove to counter the Counter of Gladion's Lycanroc, earning Ash the title of Alola's first Champion.]]
* CuddleBug: He's very affectionate towards almost anyone. His cuddles are a bit painful due to the rock collar (which has a unique sound effect), but no one really minds.
* DishingOutDirt: He's a Rock-type, and it knows Rock Throw, Accelerock, and Stone Edge.
* EarlyBirdCameo: Dusk Form Lycanroc's anime debut was three months before its official debut in the ''[=UltraSun and UltraMoon=]'' games.
* FantasticScience: Professor Kukui posits that Rockruff evolved into ''Dusk'' Lycanroc because it saw the "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_flash green flash]]" that occurs the moment the Sun disappears from the horizon at sunset.
* FatalFlaw: His temper. While it's thankfully not a dominant aspect of his personality, his PowerIncontinence means he has problems controlling it when even just mildly annoyed. Nanu very quickly caught onto this and exploited it during his first match with Ash, even just using Krookodile's Intimidate ability started to drive Lycanroc off the handle.
* FightClubbing: In [=SM015=], Ash and Kukui discover Rockruff is taking part in a Pokémon Fight Club apparently spearheaded by two Lycanroc, one Midday and one Midnight.
* {{Foreshadowing}}: In [=SM015=], the [=RotomDex=] mentions that Rockruff suddenly becomes aggressive and act on their own when they are close to evolving. The personality change does happen to Rockruff in [=SM036=] and it eventually evolves an episode later.
* GetAHoldOfYourselfMan: Does this to Ash during the Grand Trial with Nanu by tackling him, getting him to realize it had mastered its BerserkMode.
* HeroicDog: In [=SM053=], it jumps in front of Lillie to protect her from Lusamine's Clefable's Moonblast attack without being commanded to do so. It also agrees to stay behind to assist Lillie while Ash goes after Lusamine, and is able to hold its own against Clefable without a trainer commanding it.
* JumpedAtTheCall: When Kukui gave Rockruff to Ash, Rockruff nosed the Poké Ball's button to capture itself.
* {{Keet}}: A very playful energetic dog, especially as Rockruff.
* LetsGetDangerous: It generally acts like a playful hyperactive puppy during casual times, even as Lycanroc, though proves extremely focused and serious whenever sent into battle.
* LimitBreak: As a Rockruff, he used Breakneck Blitz, and as Lycanroc, he's used Continental Crush, and after he learns Stone Edge and Ash receives the Lycanium Z, he can use his species' signature Z-Move, Splintered Stormshards.
* LoyalAnimalCompanion: True to its species' nature, Rockruff became loyal to Kukui and Ash even as a wild Pokémon, spending several episodes befriending and obeying them before Ash officially caught it.
* MarkedChange: Even after overcoming its rage issues, its red eyes remain red when it's using its full power.
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: It spent the whole of Olivia's Grand Trial in an aggressive, nasty temper, before accidentally [=KOing=] its own partner, Rowlet, stirring it from its mood immediately after realizing. It's not quite its hyper self afterward, reflecting on its actions even after Olivia reveals why.
* NeatFreak: After he evolves into Dusk Lycanroc, he will fly into a rage if he gets dirty.
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: A Rock Throw attack on a Sandygast in [=SM022=] knocked off its shovel, causing it to go berserk, evolve into a Palossand, and ''almost kill Litten and Ash's [=RotomDex=] with Giga Drain''.
* NobleWolf: It, for the most part, retains the same personality it had as a Rockruff, except when it's angered and its disposition becomes [[SavageWolf much more savage]].
* TheNoseKnows: Has a pronounced sense of smell akin to normal dogs, making him useful for searching for other Pokémon or people.
* OneOfTheKids: Compared to other Lycanroc in the anime that seem caring but fairly aloof, Ash's Lycanroc, while more serious than its Rockruff form, retains its playful, goofy side and has a FriendlyRivalry [[AnimalJingoism with Litten]].
* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: It clings onto the JerkassBall throughout most of [=SM036=], doing things like biting Ash just for hugging it and knocking out Rowlet when Ash attempted to continue a tactic he had devised earlier. He had originally thought that Rockruff was just filled with anticipation for Olivia's Grand Trial, but in reality [[spoiler:it is on the verge of evolution, with the aggression being a telltale sign of that for its species]]. Olivia quickly picks up on this and informs the others shortly after the battle ends. While Rockruff's temper had cooled by this point, it wasn't in a much better state, now being left in a remorseful HeroicBSOD from [[MyGodWhatHaveIDone hurting its own teammate]]. This continues in [=SM037=] when it runs off that night. When Ash pursues it, it bites Ash, [[WhatHaveIBecome disturbing itself even further]] into getting away from him. Eventually, it comes to the shore of Akala at sunset and starts evolving right as the Sun disappears from the horizon, taking the new Dusk Lycanroc form. Once it's evolved, it again becomes its old friendly self.
* OxymoronicBeing: [=RotomDex=] notes that despite it being a Rock-type, he loves shampoo and water because he's a NeatFreak.
* PreciousPuppy: As a Rockruff, he was a small and cute dog-like Pokémon.
* PowerIncontinence: Its rage mode (red eyes) unlocks great power, but it can't quite control it just yet; it only triggers when it's angered enough, and the only thing that angers it enough to trigger it is its mane getting dirty. He finally becomes able to control this power in [=SM077=], he no longer goes berserk and he can activate the power increase at will.
* RecurringCharacter: Though Ash didn't catch it until [=SM015=], it had been living with Ash and Kukui since the first episode.
* RedEyesTakeWarning: When angered, his eyes change to that of a Midnight Lycanroc. Once mastered, he uses this as a temporary power boost.
* RedHerring: It was revealed in [=SM015=] that it was actually a wild Pokémon that Kukui was studying, and hadn't actually captured for himself. Even Ash's classmates assumed that Rockruff belonged to Kukui.
* RedOniBlueOni: The Red to Litten's Blue; Lycanroc is very playful and hyperactive (especially as a Rockruff), which often annoys the calmer Litten.
* SingleSpecimenSpecies: Both Kukui and Olivia were bewildered by its evolution, and [=RotomDex=] has no data on this form, suggesting that, at least in the anime, it's the first and only documented member of its kind.
* SuperMode: His red eyes turn out to have been this all along; once he learns to control his temper, he can activate and deactivate this mode at all.
* ThirdOptionAdaptation: After much speculation about which form Rockruff would evolve into, both in-universe and out-of-universe, he evolves not into Midday or Midnight Lycanroc, but the new Dusk Lycanroc introduced in ''VideoGame/PokemonUltraSunAndUltraMoon''.
* ThoseTwoGuys: As a Rockruff, it and Rowlet tend to serve as something of a PluckyComicRelief duo when neither is getting the individual limelight. After it evolves into Lycanroc, it sometimes becomes such with Torracat through their {{Friendly Rival}}ry.
* TookALevelInBadass: Overcomes its rage issues and learns Stone Edge in [=SM075=] while battling against Tapu Bulu. Tapu Bulu even claps for it, showing that the deity has acknowledged Lycanroc's strength. The next episode has it learn Counter while showing Ash it can control that rage in battle.
* TurnsRed: As Lycanroc, it is prone to [[UnstoppableRage violent fits]] when its temper rises, with its eyes literally turning red. It later manages to control these, with Nanu implying this BerserkMode may be a way for Lycanroc to muster power, not too differently from Infernape's Blaze.
* WatchingTheSunset: Pivotal to how Rockruff evolved into Dusk Lycanroc, evolving during sunset just as the sky gained a green glimmer.
* WhatHaveIBecome:
** It starts to become extremely aggressive when nearing evolution. When this escalates into it attacking Ash and its own teammates, Rockruff became horrified by its behavior and attempts to run away.
** Its BerserkMode as a Lycanroc started this again until Lycanroc started gaining control of it during the Ula Ula trials.
* TheWorfEffect: After defeating Gladion and starting the battle with Kukui by injuring Incineroar, one would be forgiven for thinking that the rest of the fight would be a cakewalk with Lycanroc on Ash's side. Kukui's Braviary then defeated Lycanroc, if while taking notable damage, to remind you that the battle will not in fact be a cakewalk.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Litten (Nyabby) -> Torracat (Nyaheat) -> Incineroar (Gaogaen)]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/pokemon_litten.png]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/torracat_5.png]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ash_incineroar.png]]
->'''Voiced in Japanese by:''' Creator/ChinamiNishimura (Nyabby and Nyaheat), N/A (Gaogaen)
->'''Voiced in English by:''' Creator/LisaOrtiz (Litten and Torracat), H.D. Quinn (Incineroar)

A wild Litten that frequented the beachfront and market of Hau'oli City to gather food for an elderly Stoutland. After Stoutland passed away, Ash offered for it to join his team, which it accepted. It later evolves into Torracat during a battle against the Masked Royal, and into Incineroar after battling Professor Kukui's.
----
* AnimalJingoism: It has a rivalry with its canine teammate, Lycanroc, and usually acts irritably towards the latter's playful behavior.
* AshFace: Ash accidentally stepped on its tail while racing Pikachu on the beach. It blasted Ash in the face with Ember as a result.
* BareFistedMonk: Learns the Fighting-Type move Revenge in [=SM081=]. It would later serve as the FinishingMove against [[spoiler:Kukui's Incineroar, who is weak to Fighting-Type moves]].
* BigDamnHeroes: He shows up in [=SM016=] to rescue Popplio and Rowlet from Meowth and Mareanie.
* BloodKnight: It's usually aloof and just as eager to battle as any of Ash's Pokémon, but when the Masked Royal's Incineroar is involved, it becomes [[SeriousBusiness extremely]] [[{{Pun}} fired]] up.
* BreakingOldTrends: Compared to the usual trend of Ash's Fire Starters TookALevelInJerkAss later on, Litten starts out a jerk and mellows out by the time Ash catches it. [[spoiler:Also, while other Fire Starters evolve into their final form at the right moment usually just before the last legs of the journey, Torracat evolves into Incineroar ''after its final big battle and faints afterwards.'']] It's also the only one of Ash's Fire Starter to never learn Flamethrower, but it's the only one to learn Fire Blast.
* BreakTheCutie: The death of Stoutland in [=SM021=] causes it to become utterly silent and refuses to eat. It takes Ash in order to get to open up.
* TheBusCameBack: Is part of Ash's rotating roster in [=JN140=], alongside Snorlax, Oshawott and Talonflame. This is also the first episode where we get to see it in action as an Incineroar.
* ButtMonkey: Early in the series, you could expect something bad or amusing to happen to it almost every time it appears, happens less frequently as the show progresses.
* TheComicallySerious: The most reserved and aloof of Ash's Alola team, and thus often the target of jokes or wounded dignity much in the same way as Kiawe.
* CastingAShadow: Upon evolving into Incineroar, it has gained the Dark-type, and it has learned Darkest Lariat (as seen in [=JN140=]).
* CatsAreMean: Downplayed. While still a good guy deep down, Torracat is the most unsociable of Ash's Alolan team by a fair margin, especially as a Litten. It's also likes to hug his trainer even as an Incineroar.
* CatsAreSnarkers: As TheStraightMan to Ash's other Pokémon, it casts a lot of [[AsideGlance aside glances]] at its teammates.
* CatsHateWater: It refuses to take a bath in [=SM047=] and tries to avoid water activities in [=SM086=]. Of course, this is justified since he's a Fire type.
* CrisisMakesPerfect: He trained extensively for Ember, Fire Fang ''and'' Flame Charge, though didn't quite master any of them until faced against an opponent.
* CurbstompCushion: While Torracat still couldn't defeat the Masked Royal's Incineroar after evolving, he was the first opponent onscreen to effectively counter its attacks and actually lay some small degree of damage.
* CuteKitten: As a Litten he is an adorable kitten Pokémon.
* DefrostingIceQueen: Slowly warms to Ash throughout early episodes, and eventually accepts him as his trainer following Stoutland's death.
* DetectEvil: While Ash sees a wandering Sandygast as harmless, Litten immediately picks up on its malevolent intentions.
* DontSplitUsUp: Seeing his bond with Stoutland, Ash gave up on catching Litten. After Stoutland passes away though, Ash offers him a chance to join him, which he accepted.
* EarlyBirdCameo: Prior to joining Ash, it appeared in bit parts in several episodes before its proper introduction in [=SM007=]. In fact, it appeared in the first episode, where it singed Ash's face for accidentally stepping on its tail.
* FellAsleepStandingUp: [[spoiler:During Ash's battle against Kukui, it exerts the last of its energy evolving and is declared unable to battle while in the middle of its post-victory roar.]]
* FriendlyRivalry: Appears to have developed one with Ash's Lycanroc, as shown in [=SM045=]. Also seems to have gained one with the Masked Royal's Incineroar, even helping it in a tag-team match when Viren and his goons rig a battle royal.
* GuileHero: It tricks Team Rocket into thinking that it will join them when they capture it along with Rowlet and Popplio, only to betray them at the last minute.
* GleefulAndGrumpyPairing: Sometimes acts irritable or aloof, making it a good foil for the more playful Lycanroc.
* InterspeciesAdoption: Litten was taken in by an aging Stoutland
* ISurrenderSuckers: It accepts an offer from Team Rocket to join them in exchange for being set free after it, Popplio and Rowlet are captured. However, it turns on them at the last moment, freeing itself, Popplio, and Rowlet while also allowing all three of them the opportunity to send Team Rocket blasting off.
* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: It acts cold towards humans it doesn't know, but it gets along with other Pokémon and genuinely cares about its Stoutland companion and worries over its health.
* JumpedAtTheCall: After fighting Pikachu for a bit, it willingly jumps at Ash's Pokéball and captures itself.
* LimitBreak: It can use the Normal-type Z-Move Breakneck Blitz and later the Fire-type Z-Move Inferno Overdrive.
* TheNoseKnows: He sniffs the Masked Royal and immediately recognizes him as Professor Kukui.
* NoSell: Is able to stop a ''Blast Burn'' in its tracks and absorb it into the bell on its neck.
* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: Ash becomes seriously worried after Litten runs up to him in a panic during [=SM021=], begging for help with a collapsed Stoutland. For the rest of the episode, Litten does not do anything jerkish and even Team Rocket decides to lay off after Meowth realizes how grave the situation is.
* OneOfTheKids: Downplayed. Litten was already more of TheComicallySerious than his classmates, though when he evolves into Torracat, nothing changes about that.
* PlayingWithFire: Litten is Fire-type and can spit flaming hairballs. These are fairly weak to begin with, but it manages an impressively large fireball against an Alolan Persian. Stoutland also attempts to teach it Fire Fang, but Litten doesn't quite get that down until after it joins Ash. It also learns Flame Charge just before it evolves into Torracat. [=SM108=] it learns Fire Blast. It can also use the Fire-type Z-Move Inferno Overdrive,
* PowerStrainBlackout: [[spoiler: During the exhibition match against Kukui, Torracat had to use so much of its own energy and the energy it absorbed from Incineroar's Blast Burn that after defeating Kukui's Incineroar and evolving into one itself, it immediately faints standing up. This is significant because in all previous instances, a Pokémon is shown to get a second wind when they evolve. Torracat was so tired it used up all its current stage's remaining energy just to complete evolution process itself and let out one final roar.]]
* RecurringCharacter: He appears several times and gets a few limelight episodes before officially joining Ash's team.
* RecurringElement: Ash's third Fire-type in a row to know Flame Charge.
* RedOniBlueOni: The Blue to Lycanroc's Red; Litten is often annoyed by Lycanroc's playfulness.
* TookALevelInBadass: Evolved into Torracat in [=SM063=] after mastering Flame Charge. Torracat demonstrates its new power boost by putting up a much better fight against Masked Royal's Incineroar.
** While battling the Revengers in [=SM081=], it learns Revenge to turn the tide.
** The spirit of Stoutland helps it to learn Fire Blast in [=SM108=]. It's the first of Ash's Fire types to learn the move.
* TookALevelInKindness: After Ash displayed sympathy during [[spoiler:Stoutland's dying moments]], Litten accepted Ash as its trainer and became far less hostile and cold-natured.
* TrailersAlwaysSpoil: [[spoiler:Its evolution into Torracat was spoiled by a Corocoro magazine issue]].
* UndyingLoyalty: To the elderly Stoutland that took him in. [[spoiler:After Stoutland passes away,]] Litten offers food to Ash in the same way he offered food to Stoutland, signifying that he has accepted Ash as his new master.
* WorthyOpponent: Litten quickly becomes mesmerized by the Masked Royal's Incineroar due to its amazing power displays. Upon meeting it in person, he instantly darts in front of it and challenges it to a battle.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Poipole (Bevenom) -> Naganadel (Agoyon)]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/poipole_anime.png]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ash_naganadel.png]]

->'''Voiced in Japanese by:''' Creator/RikakoAikawa
->'''Voiced in English by:''' Creator/LisaOrtiz

An Ultra Beast that came from an Ultra Wormhole, Poipole took a great interest in Ash's Pikachu. It would later be caught by Ash himself at the request of Lusamine, who has allowed Ash to keep it until the Aether Foundation finds the Ultra Wormhole it came from. Ash eventually releases it back to its homeworld, it later comes back [[TookALevelInBadass now as a Naganadel]] to help save the day once more.

----
* AdorableAbomination: It's cute and friendly, but it should be kept in mind that it did originate from Ultra Space. [[spoiler:Subverted after its evolution, still remainds friendly towards Ash, but ''far'' from cute.]]
* BackForTheFinale: [[spoiler:Returns from Ultra Space in [=SM140=], now an evolved Naganadel.]]
* BewareMyStingerTail: Uses X-Scissor with it.
* BigFancyHouse: Ash caught it (or rather, it caught itself) in a Beast Ball, making it Ash's first Pokémon to be a caught in a non-standard Poké Ball since Totodile.
* CuddleBug: It's very affectionate towards Pikachu, to the point of making Togedemaru jealous.
* CurbStompCushion: [[spoiler:During the battle against Kukui, it ultimately can't match Tapu Koko's power, but it does land a few hits and engages in a spectacular, fast-paced duel.]]
* FaceOfAThug: [[spoiler: Even as the imposing Naganadel, it keeps its affectionate {{Keet}} personality.]]
* IChooseToStay: [[spoiler:It decides to stay with its hive in Ultra Space at the end of the Necrozma arc to help protect it.]]
* ImageSong: The third ''Sun and Moon'' Japanese opening, ''Future Connection'' is written from Poipole's perspective. Appropriately, the first part of the animation is played when [[spoiler:it has to say goodbye to the Ultra Guardians]].
* {{Keet}}: Extremely playful and curious, prone to screeching happy fits.
* KidAppealCharacter: It fills in for Nebby as the mischievous infant of the group.
* LanguageBarrier: Unlike most other Pokémon, Team Rocket's Meowth is unable to understand what Poipole is saying. It seems to understand what humans say as much as standard Pokémon however.
* TheLoad: Ash only planned to keep it until he found its home. It also doesn't get involved in any battles until [=SM084=], and even then, that was its only battle. [[spoiler:Subverted in [=SM140=]; as Naganadel, it helps ''greatly'' to fight off the rogue Guzzlord. It also defeats Kukui's Lucario quite easily in their exhibition match.]]
* MementoMacguffin: [[spoiler:The Ultra Guardians amulet it kept since it parted with Ash is the telling sign Naganadel evolved from his Poipole.]]
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: Tears up after Pikachu scolds it for poisoning Rowlet in self-defense in [=SM067=]. It quickly tries to make amends by helping to carry Rowlet.
* NonActionGuy: For a long duration it does not battle at all or even use an official attack. Only after it reveals it knows Fury Attack in [=SM084=] does Ash take interest in commanding it. [[spoiler:No longer the case after its evolution and return.]]
* NoBiologicalSex: The first genderless Pokémon to have been officially owned by Ash.
* OneOfTheKids: Remains the key {{Keet}} of the group, even after evolving into Naganadel. After defeating Kukui's Lucario, it spins around happily in front of the group's Pokémon like it did as a Poipole.
* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: When it's not being joyful in doing its paintings, the others realize that it could be trying to tell them something.
* OurDragonsAreDifferent: [[spoiler:Evolves into the part Dragon Naganadel during its time in Ultra Space.]]
* PoisonousPerson: The first Poison-type Ash has owned since Muk.
* PutOnABus: [[spoiler:Leaves Ash's party in [=SM090=], choosing to remain behind in its homeworld]].
* ShockAndAwe: [[spoiler:It's revealed to have learned Thunderbolt during its time in Ultra Space, making the only one of one Ash's Pokémon besides Pikachu to know an Electric move.]]
* TookALevelInBadass: [[spoiler:It comes back as Naganadel after the Alola League, and helps Ash fight off the rogue Guzzlord.]]
* TrailersAlwaysSpoil: [[spoiler:A preview of [=SM140=] revealed its offscreen evolution. The Ultra Guardians emblem gave it away that the Naganadel was Ash's Poipole all grown up.]]
* WhenHeSmiles: Naganadel pulls off a Poipole-esque happy look when it's first brought out in battle against Kukui.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Meltan -> Melmetal]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ashs_meltan.png]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/pokemonmelmetal.jpg]]
->'''Voiced in Japanese by:''' Creator/KentaMiyake
->'''Voiced in English by:''' Samantha Cooper (Meltan), James Weaver Clark (Melmetal)

A newly discovered Mythical Pokémon, which was one of many that arrived on the Alolan Islands. One timid Meltan amongst this group ends up befriending Ash's Rowlet, which Ash chooses to catch shortly after. During the Alola League, watching Rowlet score a victory for Ash gives Meltan the confidence to get even stronger to further support Ash. It calls upon all the other Meltan around Alola to gather and combine into a new form, which results in them evolving into a Melmetal.
----
* AnnoyingYoungerSibling: Rowlet is protective of Meltan, though its clinginess can get on its nerves, especially whenever the former accidentally whacks it with its spinning nut.
* TheBigGuy: Out of Ash's five-mon party, Melmetal is the one bringing the lion's share of the power. In the literal sense, it's also [[https://2eu.funnyjunk.com/pictures/The+boys_6fafa6_7283556.jpg by far]] the biggest mon on the team and the biggest Pokémon Ash has ever owned.
* BigEater: It loves devouring anything metal. By the final episode it chomps down on ''a steel girder'' like one devours a chocolate bar.
* BruiserWithASoftCenter: Even after evolving, it's still TheBabyOfTheBunch compared to the rest of Ash's team. When Melmetal is hit by a strong attack, it cries.
* CuddleBug: As Meltan it likes cuddling with Rowlet, which accidentally gets on Rowlet's nerves sometimes.
* CuttingTheKnot: Disables Faba's Hypno's Hypnosis by eating the amulet itself.
* ExtraOreDinary: It knows Flash Cannon. It's also the first Steel-type Ash has ever officially owned.
* {{Foreshadowing}}: After Ash's battle with Hau it sends out a signal to the other Meltan, letting you know its evolution into Melmetal is coming.
* FusionDance: In [=SM138=], it merges with its fellow Meltan, evolving into Melmetal.
* KidAppealCharacter: Following on from Poipole and Nebby.
* LeeroyJenkins: In its first battle as a Melmetal, it immediately charges at Gladion's Silvally before taking any direction from Ash.
* LittleGuyBigBuddy: Melmetal is the Big Buddy to Rowlet's Little Guy, with Rowlet fitting snugly in the hex nut on Melmetal's stomach. Played with since personality wise, Melmetal still acts the same [[BigBrotherWorship as when it was a tiny Meltan]].
* MegatonPunch: Melmetal's Double Iron Bash.
* MetalMuncher: It eats metal.
* MightyGlacier: As a Melmetal. It's a big and tough Steel type, but it's also rather slow.
* NoBiologicalSex: Like Naganadel, Melmetal is a genderless species.
* NonStandardCharacterDesign: Due to the nut being used by Team Rocket to fix their van, its nut is a darker hue compared to the other Meltan. It loses this trait after evolving into Melmetal.
* OddFriendship: This {{Keet}} makes friends with sleepyhead Rowlet.
* OlympusMons: The first Mythical Pokémon to be officially captured by a main character.
* OneOfTheKids: Like Lycanroc and Torracat, its more childlike facets remain even after evolving into the enormous Melmetal.
* PintSizedPowerhouse: As a Meltan, it's the smallest Pokémon Ash has owned, as well as one of the smallest Pokémon overall, but it can battle against much bigger opponents like Druddigon and Hypno.
* RecurringElement: The third KidAppealCharacter to be looked after by Ash in Alola, and the second to have a notable bond with Rowlet.
* RedOniBlueOni: The Red to Rowlet's Blue; Meltan is very hyperactive and curious compared to Rowlet's more laid-back nature.
* RubberMan: Meltan is capable of shapeshifting its metallic body, and Melmetal can extend its arms when using Double Iron Bash.
* ShockAndAwe: Knows Thunderbolt. This marks the first time one of Ash's Pokémon besides Pikachu knows an Electric move.
* TheSnackIsMoreInteresting: It is very easily distracted whenever there's metal nearby. During the Manalo Conference, it dives straight towards Faba's Hypno while it uses Hypnosis just so it can eat Hypno's pendulum.
* SpectacularSpinning: Double Iron Bash. Also the only thing Melmetal loves to do more than spinning is flexing.
* TrademarkFavoriteFood: While it has an affinity for all metal, it's become particularly infamous in Professor Kukui's house for eating frying pans. This stops when it evolves into Melmetal and it now devours steel girders instead. In ''[=JN037=]'', it munches on a steel pipe.
* UnskilledButStrong: Meltan doesn't have as much battle experience as Ash's other Pokémon and it sometimes acts without command, but its Flash Cannon is very powerful and oftentimes a OneHitKO. This applies even more after it evolves -- Melmetal is easily outsped and outmatched by Silvally's graceful movements, but the few hits that do manage to connect deal such heavy damage Pikachu has a rather easy time against Silvally afterwards. It is also shown to flinch from certain painful attacks and occasionally move without input from Ash, although Ash generally seems to be able to rein these traits in. The unskilled part is migitated after some training before the exhibition match against Kukui; Melmetal is able to perform its Double Iron Bash much faster, and it easily defeats Kukui's Empoleon.
* UseYourHead: Knows Headbutt. In [=SM130=], it's shown to be strong enough to completely shatter a Reflect from Faba's Hypno.
* TheWorfEffect:
** [[spoiler:A day after evolving into Melmetal, it loses to Gladion's Silvally in the League finals, though only ''after'' Silvally changes its type matchup to have an advantage over it, and it still manages to deal heavy damage to Silvally, allowing Pikachu to easily defeat it afterwards.]]
** [[spoiler: In the exhibition match, Kukui's Empoleon is shown powerful enough to force a switch-out from Pikachu to Melmetal. Melmetal's weight allows it to easily tank everything Empoleon throws at it and win decisively. It gets turned around when Kukui sends out Incineroar. Though Melmetal manages to keep toe-to-toe for a while, Incineroar soon knocks it out with a point-blank Blast Burn.]]
[[/folder]]

!!Companion Pokémon
[[folder:Rotom Dex]]
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rotomdex.png]]
->'''Voiced in Japanese by:''' Creator/DaisukeNamikawa
->'''Voiced in English by:''' Roger Callagy
->'''Voiced in Latin American Spanish by:''': Rolando de la Fuente

A Rotom who inhabits a Pokédex, it can use the onboard computer to communicate with Ash and other humans, and educate humans about the Pokémon that are in an area.
----
* AmbiguousSituation: The games and manga imply that his body was created by Clemont, though there is no indication of this being true for the anime counterpart.
* AmusingInjuries: Gets zapped by Pikachu for pulling his tail and burns its hands on Toucannon's beak.
* BerserkButton: It gets furious at its own Pokédex entry on Ash's Rotom Phone when the latter insensitively suggests that being a Pokédex is all the former is good for in its form, quick to point out its additional voice changing and recording functions.
* ButtMonkey: It's already been subjected to quite a lot of physical abuse--Ash even uses it as a springboard for Pikachu during a battle against Team Rocket.
* CameraFiend: Likes to take pictures whenever it gets the chance. In [=SM017=] it gains the ability to record video as well.
* CluelessDetective: Tries to solve the case of Ash's missing Z-Crystal by modeling itself after a famous detective it admires on TV, but not only does its lead on who the culprit is turn out to be completely wrong, it also turns out that [[spoiler: ''Rotom'' itself was the culprit all along, albeit unintentionally.]] In [=SM029=], it accuses Lillie of draining the energy of the others, on the sole basis that she's the only one that's not hungry when they wake up.
* ADayInTheLimelight: [=SM017=] focuses on it trying to solve the mystery of Ash's missing Electrium Z-Crystal, while [=SM057=] involves it getting stuck out of its Dex form and trying to return to Ash.
* DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment: A visual example where Rotom, while in the Pokédex, can express its emotions uninhibited, yet the 'dex's LCD screen will sometimes show the corresponding emoticon nonetheless.
* DoAnythingRobot: Subverted. When Sophocles asks it to scan the unhatched egg (that would later hatch into Snowy), Rotom points out that it has no such function. However, it can easily gain new abilities by [[PowerCopying linking up with electronic devices]].
* DudeWheresMyRespect: Even if it's inhabiting what is currently the most advanced piece of tech around, Rotom's "friends" think very little of it. Ash at one point nonchalantly leaves [=RotomDex=] behind, Rotom receives severe backlash from some of the critiques it's made, and the one guy who ''is'' interested in Rotom is not exactly the kind of attention Rotom wanted. Zigzagged since Ash has actually thanked Rotom for input at times.
* EncyclopaedicKnowledge: It's basically a sentient Pokémon encyclopedia, after all.
* FanBoy: It's a huge fan of ''Alolan Detective Laki'', a TV show that's popular in Alola. It even dresses up as Laki when solving a case.
* GoodCounterpart: To Meowth, being the talking, non-battling Pokémon of Ash's group.
* HauntedTechnology: It ''is'' a Rotom, after all -- [=SM057=] has it accidentally switch places with another Rotom that specializes in its appliances and it tries to get back to the Pokédex.
* {{Leitmotif}}: Looker's theme plays when it's in detective mode. Only in Japanese though.
* LiteralMinded: Ash tries to help Lillie get over her fear of Pokémon by telling her to view Rotom as a regular Pokédex, but Rotom insists on contradicting him and is unable to keep up the facade.
* MotorMouth: When delivering lengthy exposition, Rotom just won't stop. This comes to bite it (and Ash) in the rear when Ash was supposed to be delivering a report on regional variants. Since Ash was merely lip-syncing while Rotom imitates his voice, Ash's lips couldn't keep up and the charade was discovered. Kukui further exposing Rotom was just the clincher.
* MrExposition: As a sentient Pokédex, its purpose is to provide information on Pokémon and their world. It's so eager to do it, in fact, that it'll interrupt Ash's classmates when they try to explain things about Pokémon they know.
* MythologyGag: [=SM057=] has its misadventures start when a Wash Rotom is delivered to Kukui's house -- the place where you'd find the appliances to possess it in the 7th generation games.
* NaiveNewcomer: In a sense. Rotom knows a lot of technical info thanks to the Pokédex archives, but is surprised by the various oddities that are part of the anime. It is surprised to see a talking Meowth and the fact that Ash can convince a Pokémon to let itself be caught flies in the face of what it knows of battling and capturing.
* NonActionGuy: Presented only as a companion and MrExposition for Ash, and is technically not even a part of his Alola team so far. It is never shown using any Pokémon moves, even in situations where it would be useful for it to do so.
* NoBiologicalSex: Rotom are a genderless species, but while inhabiting the Pokédex it speaks in a male voice and speech pattern.
* OffscreenMomentOfAwesome: During a trip to Kanto, it manages to photograph and catalog ''the entire Kanto Pokédex'' within the space of a few hours.
* PowerCopying: By connecting himself to other machines, he can gain their functions. He uses this in [=SM017=] to gain the ability to record video, and again in [=SM023=] to gain the ability to record voices.
* RedHerring: The fact that ''Sword and Shield'' will still be using a Rotom Pokédex (albeit a different model) might mislead fans into thinking that Rotom would stick with Ash for the next series. That would not be the case, since Rotom chooses to stay in Alola instead.
* SacrificedBasicSkillForAwesomeTraining: Though inhabiting the [=RotomDex=] gives Rotom a wealth of knowledge and the ability to speak human language, Rotom's dex form is seemingly not battle functional. Rotom is still able to talk with other Pokémon, but it does so very sparingly.
* SchmuckBait:
** Rotom [[WikiWalk notes]] that Pikachu does not like being pulled on the tail and will bite those that try, and does just that to demonstrate. Pikachu electrocutes it (along with Ash and Kukui) instead. Later, after Pikachu's been healed up by Nurse Joy, Rotom decides to test Pikachu's health by pulling his tail, with predictable results.
** It also pats a Toucannon's beak after noting it can be heated up and used as a weapon and said Toucannon heats up its beak to burn Rotom.
* ShockAndAwe: Ash's Rotom Phone's Pokédex entry for it states that is a pure Electric type.
* TalkingAnimal: Thanks to the language software and voice synthesizer built into the Pokédex, Rotom is able to speak as long as it's inhabiting the device. Outside of the Pokédex, it indulges in typical PokemonSpeak.
* VerbalTic: In the Japanese version, it ends sentences with "roto", to represent that it is electric in nature. In the English dub, they forego these tics in favor of simply auto-tuning Roger Callagy's voice.
* WhatIsThisThingYouCallLove: After Ash befriends Rowlet and it allows Ash to capture it, Rotom was shocked and confused that Rowlet would purposely allow itself to be captured instead of traditionally battling.
* WikiWalk: It ''is'' the Alola Pokédex, after all. Aside from looking up information on Pokémon, Rotom also researches other terms that it's not familiar with. Upon visiting Kanto, it very quickly searches and takes information of the ''entire region's Pokémon'', except Mew, which it could not find, though it was HidingInPlainSight.
* WrongGenreSavvy:
** As noted in NaiveNewcomer, much of the [=RotomDex=]'s knowledge would be more applicable to the technical environment of the games than the oddities of the anime.
** Rotom thinks that watching a detective show would make you a great detective.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Cosmog -> Cosmoem -> Solgaleo/"Nebby" ("Hoshigumo")]]
[[quoteright:320:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/320px_nebby_anime.png]]
[[quoteright:320:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/pokemoncosmoem.jpg]]
[[quoteright:320:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/solgaleo_anime.png]]

A baby Pokémon spawned by Solgaleo and Lunala, left in Ash's care for reasons unknown.
----
* AdorableAbomination: Sure, it's a RidiculouslyCuteCritter, but it also posseses the ability to open wormholes and is a an Ultra Beast mon whom is the offspring of the legendary Solgaleo and Lunala.
* BackForTheFinale: Literally; returns for one last appearance in the final ''Sun & Moon'' episode.
* ButNowIMustGo: [[spoiler:Leaves the group in [=SM055=].]]
* CuteButCacophonic: In its first episode, it cries so loud that all the other Pokémon have to hide behind the desks and cover their ears until Mallow is able to calm it down.
* {{Expy}}: It's a baby that accompanies Ash during his journey and it is important to the plot, its cries hurt your ears, and it is part of a very powerful evolution line. It's basically an Expy of Larvitar from the Johto arc. Just like Squishy from ''[=XY&Z=]'', it is a nicknamed Legendary Pokémon accompanying the main cast, is important to the series' plot, and it shares a bag with another Pokémon.
* DimensionalTraveler: It can travel to other worlds through Ultra Wormholes.
* GentleGiant: The first things it does upon evolving into Solgaleo are accepting a hug from Lillie and licking Ash in the face, and it's large enough for Ash, Lillie, Gladion, Mallow, Lana, Sophocles, and Kiawe to all ride on its back.
* GooGooGodlike: As a Cosmog, it's an Ultra Beast-like baby Pokémon and the offspring of the Legendary Pokémon Solgaleo and Lunala.
* GrandTheftMe: [[spoiler:Gets possessed by Necrozma at the end of [=SM088=].]]
* GRatedSex: Basically how the parent Solgaleo and Lunala conceived Nebby.
* GuestStarPartyMember: Like Haunter and Larvitar before, he accompanies Ash as a wild Pokémon.
* InSeriesNickname: Its nickname is "Nebby". Like with Squishy, Nebby's species is unknown to everyone, thus it is nicknamed for the sake of having a name. Once it evolves into Solgaleo, the cast stop using this nickname and simply refer to it by its species name.
* LikeFatherLikeSon: The final form that Nebby evolved into is Solgaleo, just like its "father".
* LineOfSightName: It got its nickname based on his appearance as a Cosmog.
* MeaningfulName: "Hoshigumo" is a pun to the Japanese word for "nebula", "seiun". The kanji of "seiun" (星雲) are comprised by the kanji for "hoshi" (星, "star") and "kumo" (雲, "cloud"). In other words, an AlternateCharacterReading of "seiun".
* MegaNeko: Upon evolving into Solgaleo, it becomes a giant lion large enough for Ash, all of his classmates, and Gladion to ride on its back.
* MythologyGag:
** Nebby got its nickname from Lillie, like in the games.
** Nebby is known for not staying in Lillie's bag in the games and thus in anime, Nebby has a tendency has to leave Ash's backpack and explore much to Pikachu's dismay, though not as frequently since it apparently does like to stay in the backpack.
** The scene of Lillie hugging it as a Solgaleo is taken straight from the end credits of ''Sun''.
* OcularGushers: When it cries as a Cosmog, it cries waterfalls.
* OffscreenMomentOfAwesome: It took Ash to a world that was neither Ultra Deep Sea nor Poipole's world, where they saved an (unknown) Ultra Beast.
* PantheraAwesome: Evolves into Solgaleo, a giant white lion, in [=SM052=].
* PickyEater: When the class is trying to find out what Nebby (as Cosmog) eats, it refuses Pokémon food, some Poké Beans, a sandwich, a cake, a bowl of salad, and a bottle of Moomoo Milk. The only thing it likes is konpeito candies.
* PokemonSpeak: Unlike Squishy, Nebby makes intelligible noises. However, the way how PokemonSpeak works in Japanese, people have a much harder time to guess a species' name, which is why they can't just call Nebby "Cosmog" because it uses syllable combinations that wouldn't allude to its name unless you already knew it.
* PsychicTeleportation: It has the ability to teleport itself and others, which is problematic since it's too young to realize that arbitrarily zapping people to random places is unhelpful at best or dangerous at worst. As time goes on, it begins to use this ability more productively, such as in [=SM049=] when it warps Ash, Pikachu, and Snowy to Lillie, and then once again shortly afterward to dodge a Hypnosis attack.
* RidiculouslyCuteCritter: It's an adorable baby Pokémon small enough to fit in Ash's backpack alongside Rowlet.
* SillyWalk: When not floating, it crawls along the ground using its wisp-like "arms".
* SpannerInTheWorks: Nebby's Teleport-happy antics led to Lillie recovering from her TraumaInducedAmnesia and exposing Faba's cover-up scheme.
* SweetTooth: Its favorite food (and also the only thing it likes to eat) is konpeito candy.
* {{Telepathy}}: Can read minds to some degree, as it teleports people to places that they're thinking about.
* ThoseTwoGuys: Nebby and Rowlet sleep together in Ash's backpack, and Nebby has been shown to be amused by Rowlet's antics.
* TrademarkFavoriteFood: [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konpeito Konpeito]].
[[/folder]]

'''Movies:''' [[Characters/PokemonMovies Movies 1 to 19]] | [[Characters/PokemonIChooseYou I Choose You!]] ([[Characters/PokemonIChooseYouAshKetchum Ash Ketchum]]) | [[Characters/PokemonThePowerOfUs The Power of Us]] | [[Characters/PokemonSecretsOfTheJungle Secrets of the Jungle]]-]]]]]