Ash Ketchum has had a long life. Since he has died and come back to life multiple times to tell the story, he has actually lived quite a few lives.
Most characters in movies and TV shows are lucky — or unlucky, depending on your perspective — to be brought back to life just once after dying, but Ash has been granted this privilege six times in the Pokemon anime.
Why the writers felt the need to keep this poor guy going through death remains a mystery, but in any case, it created a chain reaction and brought back vivid memories for a lot of Pokemon fans. Here are six instances where Ash died and came back to life, arranged in chronological order and with as much detail as possible.
Here Are All Six Ash Ketchum Deaths In The Pokemon Universe
1. Tower of Terror (EP023)
Ash's first death—the only one, if you don't count the movies as canon—fits perfectly into the overall absurdity of the Original Series as it's significantly less traumatic than some of the other deaths Ash has to witness in his life.
Ash and his friends enter the Legendary Pokemon Tower in Lavender Town in search of a Ghost-type Pokemon to prepare for their battle with Sabrina. For the group, it essentially turns into a haunted house experience, ending with Ash and Pikachu being knocked unconscious by a falling chandelier.
Both were killed by Haunter, who then accompanied Ash, taking their souls from their bodies.
Ash enjoyed his time as a ghost after experiencing a shock after his death; he even picked Misty up off the ground without her noticing. But as soon as he and Pikachu decided they had had enough, they immediately returned to their bodies, just in time for Misty and Brock to find them dead and unresponsive.
2. The first movie – Mewtwo strikes back
For good reason, most Pokemon fans will think of this particular moment when they think back to Ash's death. Every other death in the series has tried its best to capture the magic of this one, but they may all have fallen short.
After nearly a night of chaos, Mewtwo and Mew engage in a near-catastrophic final battle, but Ash eventually decides he can bear this pointless battle and turns to stone by stepping in between the blasts of the two legendary Pokemon. Pikachu, inconsolable over his death and trying to revive him with electricity, sobs.
Despite the scientific realism, in the end, it was the tears of all the Pokemon around him that brought him back to life.
While this moment will always be remembered by most for being so emotionally painful, it's also the most extreme example of Ash's kindness, as it was through this sacrifice that Mewtwo saw the error of his ways. Not to mention the 3D re-enactment of this film, which has fans young and old reaching for the Kleenex again.
Discover six incredible moments where Ash Ketchum defied death in the Pokémon universe! Discover the details and relive these epic scenes right here on AnimeZ.
3. Lucario and the Mystery of Mew
The eighth film in the series is set primarily in the Starting Tree, whose defenses are primarily made up of red spots that are capable of destroying any threat that enters inside.
The red blobs attack everyone as soon as the Tree Guardians, Regirock, Regice, and Registeel, discover Ash and his group (along with Team Rocket) invading. They devour every human and leave every Pokemon Trainer lifeless and sad.
If Mew hadn't kept appearing throughout the movie, watching every remaining Pokemon mourn their Trainer, everyone would still be dead. By using its ability to break through the Tree's defenses, it revived everyone and forced Regis to retreat.
However, this leaves Mew extremely weak, leading to the dramatic ending of the film, where Ash once again nearly dies.
4. Pokemon Ranger And The Temple Of The Sea
This was another uncomplicated act of bravery by Ash, which is said to have led to his death. “Supposedly” because it is unclear whether Ash actually met his death, although without the assistance of another Legendary Pokemon, he most likely would have died.
The film's main antagonist, Captain Phantom, has caused unrest in Samiya, a sea shrine inhabited by Water-type Pokemon. Ash and May must collect crystals in the shrine to save it.
Ash nearly drowns while swimming through a flooded part of the temple trying to retrieve one of them. However, Manaphy uses Heart Swap to give Ash a lifeline and brings the crystal to the surface.
5. Pokemon The Movie: Black / Pokemon The Movie: White
Pokemon the Movies: Black and White, although two separate films, have similar plots: Ash and Victini become friends; they attempt to stop the villain Damon's attempt to revive an old kingdom; Ash dies and is revived by Victini.
Despite not spending much time together, Ash, Pikachu, and Victini still share a close bond, as evidenced by Ash and Pikachu's insistence on staying with Victini when it was imprisoned by a barrier created by the castle's protective Pillars.
The problem is that they're so high above Earth's atmosphere that it won't be long before Ash has to apologize to Victini for breaking his promise to deliver it to the ocean and freezing to death. Then, the intense heat from Victini's Searing Shot revives him.
6. I choose you!
Ash Ketchum's death in the non-canon, parallel universe remake, I Choose You, is the only death that can rival his death in Mewtwo Strikes Back in terms of memorability, emotional impact, and complete lack of authenticity!
Ash Ketchum's journey begins in the same way as usual until they encounter a large flock of Spearow. He then receives a Rainbow Wing dropped by Ho-Oh, which causes Ash's rival Cross to become agitated.
Ho-Oh's main protector, Marshadow, was furious at his indifference and called upon all the animals in the forest to attack the humans.
After spending one last moment together (during which Pikachu strangely speaks to Ash in human language), Ash summons Pikachu to his Pokeball just before he is attacked by all the possessed Pokemon around him.
Ash is revived with the help of Ho-Oh after Pikachu unleashes a fierce and melancholy Thunderbolt attack, leading to perhaps the most tearful reunion in all of the Pokemon movies.
