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Moreover, the direct answer solidifies the theory that Pikachu truly chooses to remain outside the Pokéball due to his strong connection to Ash.

Many Pokémon fans found this scene disturbing, but others found the verbal expression touching.

In a surreal, perhaps hallucinogenic response, Pikachu squeaks out, “It’s because I always want to be with you.” In one of the most infamous Pokémon twists, Ash gets seriously injured and asks Pikachu why he doesn’t want to go in the Pokéball. While this strong bond helps fans connect the dots regarding Pikachu’s Pokéball refusal, Pokémon the Movie: I Choose You! allowed fans to hear an explanation right out of Pikachu’s mouth. RELATED: Pokémon: Ash Won His First Championship Far Sooner Than You Remember Pikachu Shares the Pokémon Perspective Despite the kinship of the wild Pikachu, Ash’s Pikachu chooses to stay with Ash instead - a true sign of friendship and love. For example, in the heartbreaking episode “Pikachu’s Goodbye,” Ash decides Pikachu should be left with his own kind in the wild. Their bond only grows more precious with each episode, especially during emotional moments throughout the anime. This inseparability between Pikachu and Ash may in fact be the real key to why Pikachu will never enter a Pokéball. Afterward, Ash rushed Pikachu to the Pokémon Center, and the two became inseparable. Instead, Pikachu found the strength to fight against them with a strong thundershock. When a swarm of angry Spearows started to attack, Ash protected Pikachu and pleaded for him to enter the Pokéball to be shielded from the aggressive Pokémon. While Pikachu may have been standoffish toward Ash in the beginning, this certainly isn’t the case later on when the two become the best of friends.
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However, this theory doesn’t hold up as the series progresses. Some theories suggest that Pikachu hadn’t accepted Ash as his true owner, still attached to Professor Oak or whoever first caught Pikachu with a Pokéball. Though Pikachu’s screen time may be a factor, the reason behind his Pokéball refusal could be tied to a deeper explanation. RELATED: Pokémon: Ash Has Finally Broken One of His Worst Habits Pikachu’s Unique Bond With Ash Is Telling This also allows Pikachu to be a major actor in the story with more agency and less captivity. Thus, Pikachu’s out-of-the-Pokéball presence could, in large part, be due to the creators’ desire to keep Ash’s main buddy as close as possible. With Pikachu’s electric entrance in the anime and an entire game dedicated to the Pokémon, the mousy creature's popularity skyrocketed. This Pikachu also expresses a distaste for being kept in a Pokéball, instead following the main character around throughout the whole game. In this version, the protagonist’s rival snatches away an Eevee offered to Ash, leaving him with a newly caught Pikachu that Professor Oak offers in its place.

The story of Ash’s Pokémon journey in Pokémon Episode 1 “ Pokémon - I Choose You!” is similar to the Nintendo Game Boy videogame Pokémon Yellow. However, Pikachu proved to be rather feisty, shocking Ash when being picked up and swatting away the Pokéballs Ash threw at him. Although Ash was hoping to start his journey with Squirtle or Bulbasaur, the tardy trainer was happy to adopt Pikachu, as the others were already taken. Before Ash, Pikachu belonged to Professor Oak, and - just like the other starter Pokémon - was contained in a Pokéball. Pikachu was the very first Pokémon to join Ash’s team on his Pokémon journey, but Ash wasn’t the one to initially catch Pikachu.
