A lot of Ash's Pokemon are acquired early on and naturally can't evolve until they've undergone considerable training, but some of the most iconic parts of his roster often remain unevolved even after overcoming considerable trials.
The official canonical reason why Pikachu never evolved is simple: Ash's first Pokémon has not wanted to evolve. This decision was first made clear in season 1, episode 14, "Electric Shock Showdown." In this episode, Pikachu was initially beaten and hospitalized by a Raichu belonging to Lt. Surge.
In universe, it's simply because Bulbasaur doesn't want to. As many have said, no one can, and it is especially not in Ash's character to do so, to force their Pokemon to evolve. Outside of the anime universe, we all know it's because the anime is mainly used for advertisement.
There is a moment in the episode where it is implied that Goh's Pikachu succeeded in evolving Ash's Pikachu into Raichu, but it's just to trick the audience. It's quickly established that Ash's Pikachu is still itself and not the Pikachu that evolved into Raichu.
Unlike nearly every other unevolved Pokémon in Ash's possession, there's actually an in-show reason for why Rowlet never evolved. Ash's Rowlet is a little bit of an air-head and accidentally swallowed an everstone, a special item that prevents Pokémon from evolving.
Back in the initial season of the anime, Pikachu wasn't Ash's only Pokemon that didn't jump right into evolution. Ash eventually had one of each of the lines of Kanto starter Pokemon, Bulbasaur, Squirtle, and Charmander. Out of the three, both Squirtle and Bulbasaur have remained in their unevolved forms.
Since then, multiple types of legendary Pokémon have been on-screen, and there are many reasons Ash never caught a legendary Pokémon. Some were too dangerous to train. Others preferred freedom to being caught. Additionally, many legendary Pokémon were hunted down for sinister reasons by villains.
Squirtle is the only member of Ash's original team of six (Pikachu, Butterfree, Pidgeot, Bulbasaur, Charizard, and itself) that has neither evolved nor ever explicitly refused to evolve.
After becoming a Pokémon Master, Ash Ketchum and his faithful Pikachu say goodbye to the anime. But he won't do it just any old way, as we will have more episodes to celebrate the hero of Pallet Town. An episode about his life that recalls his most iconic moments will air next week, on December 23.
Pikachu was Ash's starter Pokemon, given to him by his former owner Professor Oak. Due to his lateness in receiving a Pokemon, Ash was stuck with Pikachu as opposed to selecting him. Pikachu proved to be a spunky little creature, electrocuting Ash and refusing to go inside the Poke balls he threw at him.
Ash is berated several times for not being a good enough owner to handle his Charizard. Charizard doesn't take anyone's orders because he doesn't respect them. Despite the fact that Ash helped Charizard and risked his life for him, Charizard's level makes him view Ash as a weakling undeserving of his acknowledgment.
Time and time again, Pikachu has proven why he is Ash's strongest Pokemon. Pikachu partnered up with Ash when he first began his journey in the Kanto region, and though the two got off to a rocky start, their bond eventually grew to become inseparable.
In episode 46 of the XYZ season, "Facing the Needs of the Many!", Ash released Greninja in order to assist Zygarde and Squishy in destroying some of the remaining roots of the Giant Rock, which threatened to destroy Kalos and the whole world.
Ash Ketchum and Pikachu leaving Pokémon, will no longer be the main characters in 2023. After finally becoming the very best like no one ever was, Ash Ketchum's 25 year journey in the animated Pokémon TV series will soon be coming to end as the series will focus on brand new characters next year.
Ash Ketchum is finally leaving the Pokémon anime. Having accomplished his goal of becoming a Pokémon Master—and becoming the WORLD champion—Ash is ready to say goodbye to his journey and the audience that has watched him travel the Pokémon world with Pikachu since 1997 (Japan) and 1998 (North America).
According to Ash's profile in Pokemon Journeys, Ash is still 10 years old, which has not changed from when he first debuted in the anime. This age has been confirmed in almost every iteration of the Pokémon anime, and no matter which series he's in, Ash is always 10 years old.
Instead of Ash, whose journey is wrapping up soon in “Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series,” the new show stars dual protagonists Liko and Roy, who will uncover the mysteries of the Pokémon world.
Red will be the first name on the lips of Pokémon fans, in terms of a Trainer who could still beat Ash even in his current rich vein of form. Red appears at the end of the Gen II games, acting as the final boss of the Kanto region, as the Elite Four and Lance did for Johto.
But the news came as bittersweet for fans, with Ash's victory meaning he and his best buddy Pikachu will not be appearing in the next Pokémon series, which is set to debut later in 2023 in Japan, with new characters replacing the iconic duo.
Ash's first roster of Pokémon consisted of Pikachu, Butterfree, Pidgeotto, Bulbasaur, Charizard, and Squirtle.
Ash originally wanted a Squirtle to be his starter Pokémon, but Professor Oak told him it was taken by another Trainer. If Ash wasn't late, I think he and the water Pokémon would've been a good match.
The one exception to this is Meltan, which despite being a Mythical was but one of many. Many would say that Meltan's evolution Melmetal is the absolute rarest Pokémon he's captured and battled with, as it's still a Mythical Pokémon, and that's a fair point.
Ho-Oh (Japanese: ホウオウ Houou) is a Legendary Pokémon that Ash has sighted at a few significant moments in his journey. Legends say that Ho-Oh lived in the Tin Tower in ancient times.
With over 20 movies and multiple animated series, Ash Ketchum had plenty of opportunities to catch a legendary Pokémon. Despite the fact that he encountered nearly every known legendary Pokémon in the series, he has failed to ever tame one.