Friendly Rivalries in Pokémon: The Series:
- Gary Oak wasn't this at first due to his huge ego and actually loved to bully/belittle Ash whenever the two met. However, Gary starts to mellow out considerably in the Johto series and never really picks on Ash anymore finally becoming this trope to him. However, this trope finally becomes deconstructed by the third main series where Gary decides to become a Pokémon Researcher like his grandfather and he and Ash just became full on friends. As of Journeys, he appears to be going this way with Goh.
- Ritchie is the first true friendly rival to Ash in the series. In fact, he is very similar to Ash in every way from a similar appearance to having similar Pokémon (Ritchie also has a Pikachu and Pokémon that Ash has either had or has such as Butterfree and Charmander). The only difference is that Ritchie is a cheerful, mellow Nice Guy while Ash is a Hot-Blooded Jerk with a Heart of Gold.
- Harrison from the Johto league is this as well. He even helps Ash against Team Rocket after the league ends (after he beat Ash).
- Morrison from the Hoenn league is definitely this. He's basically an even more Hot-Blooded version of Ash and the two of them will often compete over very small things. When Morrison had to face Ash in the Pokémon League, he was devastated as he had to fight against his good friend. To the point where Morrison lost the will to fight. Ash had to push Morrison out of that funk so that his friend could give him a good battle and it works.
- After Morrison is defeated by Ash, Tyson steps up to the plate as Ash's friendly rival. Like with Harrison, even after beating Ash in the league, Tyson remains friendly and helpful to Ash.
- Paul from the Diamond/Pearl series is definitely a subversion. Paul is meant to be the polar opposite of Ash meaning he's a guy who believes only in power in order to win instead of bonding with Pokémon like Ash does. Because of this, Paul has grown to despise Ash and verbally assault him whenever the two meet. Though he does end up seeing Ash as a Worthy Opponent after the latter beats him in the Pokémon League, since this happens near the very end of the series where Ash and Paul may not even see each other again, the fact if they're friendly rivals now is still debatable. However, this would be much proven false in Journeys where Paul finally came back where he and Ash have a friendly battle to help train Ash for the Master's League. Paul and Ash even have a friendly chat before Paul leaves wishing Ash luck.
- However, Barry definitely plays this trope straight most likely to make up for Paul. Barry's personality is very similar to Ash being very hot-headed and impatient but is always eager to battle Ash whenever the two meet. Interesting enough, Paul and Barry are also this where despite Paul completely demolishing Barry's team in the Sinnoh League, he still shows Barry some respect while the latter looks up to Paul.
- Trip from the Best Wishes series is another subversion but even moreso than Paul. While Paul hates Ash for how he raises his Pokémon, Trip hates Ash because he's from Kanto. And, like with Paul, it took getting beat in the Pokémon League to see Ash as a Worthy Opponent but happens near the end of the series.
- Like with Paul, the series gives Ash other rivals to fit this trope right. In this case, Stephan and Cameron. Stephan is Ash's ongoing rival throughout the series and Stephan is very nice toward Ash despite the latter constantly getting his name wrong. Cameron is the usual "Pokémon League rival" for Ash where his personality is actually the exact same as Ash: hotheaded, impatient, and very, very stupid.
- All of Ash's rivals from the XY(Z) series are this (Tierno, Sawyer, and Alain). Tierno sees Ash as a fun opponent to go against and Sawyer looks up to Ash greatly respecting his battle style even before the two had a proper battle. However, points go to Alain who had personality similar to Paul (being mostly apathetic toward others) but is a major Nice Guy toward Ash. Once Alain sees how Ash battles and that he has access to a unique form known as Ash-Greninja, Alain made it his mission to challenge all of the gym leaders and battle Ash in the Pokémon League finals. He got his wish and it should be noted that Alain's personality always brightens up whenever Ash is around.
- Gladion and Hau from the Sun & Moon series. In Gladion's case, he isn't affiliated with Team Skull in the anime like he was in the games and is much more calmer and reserve. And like with Alain, Gladion does have enjoyment when battling Ash, even laughing in excitement when the two face one another in the Alola League. What helps even more with this friendship is how Ash also acts like an older brother to Lillie (who is Gladion's younger sister who he is fiercely protective over). And Hau is much like Ritchie being a Nice Guy that is similar in personality to Ash. The only difference is that Hau tends not to take losses well but doesn't let that get in his way of his friendship and rivalry with Ash.
- As for other main characters, Dawn has always had friendly rivals (aside from Ursula), while May had Solidad and Drew (who only became so after seeing May's progress). Serena has Shauna, Nini and Aria.
- Played for Laughs in Pokémon: To Be a Pokémon Master when Ash's Corphish quickly develops this relationship with Misty's Clauncher, with Ash stating that they have a manly "friendship of the fists".
