It's a bittersweet time to be a fan of the Pokemon anime. Although Ash Ketchum's journey is set to end in the coming months, the past several episodes of the series have been a retrospective of Ash's adventure. Not only has he reunited with some of his most iconic Pokemon, like Squirtle and Butterfree, but Ash has even met up with some old friends.
By getting to see some of Ash's best companions return to the series, fans of the Pokemon anime may be nostalgic for the show's funniest moments and characters. While there are simply too many great moments to choose from, these eight humans and Pokemon that Ash has encountered are among the most memorable due to their comedic nature.
8 Mallow
Pokemon the Series: Sun & Moon was much different than any Pokemon season that came before it. Rather than travel across the Alola region defeating gyms, Ash enrolls in Pokemon School, befriending several of his classmates. Each of them gets a good chance to shine, but few can charm the audience like Mallow, the Grass-type Pokemon specialist.
While Mallow is the most supportive and positive member of Ash's class, she's also the funniest. Her seemingly endless energy often gets her into peculiar situations due to acting without thinking. Nonetheless, what makes Mallow one of Ash's funniest friends is that she remains such a bright force, even when dealing with her own trauma related to her mother.
7 Clemont
Clemont and his little sister Bonnie are quite the characters in the Pokemon anime. While Clemont serves as the Electric-type Gym Leader of Pokemon X & Y, in the game's respective anime season, he also becomes a member of Ash's traveling party. However, his fascination with science and technology often makes him the butt of the joke when they go haywire.
Though he boasts incredible intelligence and knowledge about the Pokemon world, Clemont can't quite make up for it in physical prowess or charm. His lack of self-esteem is often played for comedic purposes, which comes to the delight of his sister Bonnie. In their best moments, Bonnie tries to wing-man Clemont with various female characters, much to his embarrassment.
6 Serena
Serena boasts the pleasure of being one of Ash Ketchum's most interesting companions, having been a childhood friend of the Pokemon Trainer. She also has one of the most emotional journeys of Ash's companions, with her determination to become a Pokemon Performer being of incrediblw importance to her own self-worth and pride.
Nevertheless, Serena is not shy, and has plenty of humorous moments throughout her journey with Ash. Her secret romantic feelings for Ash are the subject of jokes in early episodes, though she also displays a rebellious streak towards her family and her friends. Serena's fear of Ghost and Psychic Pokemon also often adds levity to some of the group's scarier encounters.
5 Misty's Psyduck
Few Pokemon are as memorably funny as Misty's Psyduck, the Water-type Pokemon she catches in Episode 27 of the original series. Psyduck was destined to be a source of comic relief in the series, after Misty accidentally caught the Pokemon she never wanted. The two end up having a contentious relationship throughout their early adventures.
Although Psyduck truly cared for Misty, it often ended up in situations that required her help. Ironically, for a Water-type Pokemon, it was unable to swim, which just made Misty like it less. Thankfully, over the years, Misty's relationship with Psyduck has improved, although Psyduck remains absent-minded and often clumsy.
4 Iris
Ash meets Iris during his adventure in the Unova region, quickly becoming one of his most argumentative traveling companions. Nevertheless, the two become reliable friends, although Iris takes advantage of any opportunity to make fun of Ash for being immature. Despite her aggressiveness, Iris has her own flaws, too.
Notably, as a Dragon-type Pokemon fanatic, Iris has an intense fear of Ice-type Pokemon. To Ash's surprise, by the time Iris re-appears in Pokemon Journeys, she's ascended to become the Champion of the Unova region. Though she's greatly improved in her battling skills, Iris still retains her old personality and tendency to mock others, albeit in a loving manner.
3 Brock
Brock is one of Ash's most iconic traveling companions, journeying alongside him in four regions. The two have also reunited several times throughout Ash's travels in regions like Alola and Galar. Even though he acts as a supportive friend and aspiring Pokemon Doctor, Brock is perhaps one of Ash's goofiest friends throughout the anime series.
Oftentimes, Brock's maturity and intelligence goes out the window when he sees any female character. Brock's pursuit of characters like Officer Jenny and Nurse Joy often gets him into trouble, particularly when he's traveling with someone like Misty who isn't afraid to call him out. At the very least, Brock's romantic interests are more wholesome than they are creepy.
2 Meowth
Meowth, one third of the Team Rocket trio, is one of the few Pokemon in the anime series who can speak fluently. He's often the comedic relief of the Team Rocket team, clashing with his teammates as often as he confronts Ash and his friends. Nevertheless, he often proves to be willing to do anything to make his boss, Giovanni, happy.
Often, Meowth's most humorous moments come when he tries to fit in alongside other humans. With Jessie and James of Team Rocket, Meowth often joins in their various disguises, but he's the one who stands out the most. Nevertheless, he's certainly the quippiest and most clever of any Pokemon in the anime series.
1 Ash's Pikachu
As a Pokemon who been as present in the anime series as Ash Ketchum himself, Pikachu has had many opportunities to make audiences laugh. The Pokemon had a contentious relationship with his Trainer at first, though the two quickly bonded and became a powerful duo. Nevertheless, Pikachu's greatest strength has always been his personality.
Among Pikachu's most notable quirks is his ability to imitate others, which takes advantage of the series' animated nature. Out of any Pokemon in the series, Pikachu reflects Ash's personality the most, being determined for battle and often overzealous. Still, it never gets old when Pikachu electrocutes Ash every so often.