Who is the main human protagonist of the original Pokémon anime series?

Ash Ketchum is the main human protagonist of the original Pokémon anime series.

Ash first appears in the opening episode, “Pokémon, I Choose You!”, and begins his journey from Pallet Town. His long-running goal is to become a Pokémon Master, and he travels through multiple regions with changing companions and teams of Pokémon.

Pikachu is Ash’s constant partner and first Pokémon in the anime. Their relationship begins awkwardly, because Pikachu initially dislikes entering its Poké Ball and does not trust Ash. After Ash risks himself to protect Pikachu, the pair become close friends and continue their journey together.

Ash is loosely based on Red, the player character from the first-generation games, but they are separate characters in their respective continuities. Ash eventually becomes the World Champion in Pokémon Ultimate Journeys: The Series, while the original anime storyline later moved to new lead characters in Pokémon Horizons.