Ash Ketchum has had an extensive life. Since he has died numerous times and risen again to tell the story, he has actually lived quite a few lives.
The majority of characters in films and television shows are fortunate—or unfortunate, depending on your point of view—to be brought back to life just once after passing away, but Ash has been granted this privilege sixn times in the Pokemon anime.
Why the writers feel the need to keep the poor guy experiencing death is a mystery, but in any case, it has set off a chain reaction and evoked deep memories for a lot of Pokemon fans. Here are the six instances in which Ash has died and come back to life, arranged chronologically and with as much detail as needed.
These Are All six of Ash Ketchum’s Deaths in the Pokemon Universe
1. The Tower Of Terror (EP023)
Ash’s first death—the lone death, if you don’t count the films as canon—fits perfectly with the overall absurdity of the Original Series because it is significantly less poignant than the few other deaths Ash would see in his lifetime.
Ash and friends enter the legendary Pokemon Tower in Lavender Town in search of a Ghost-type in preparation for their fight with Sabrina. For the gang, it basically becomes a haunted house experience, and it ends with Ash and Pikachu being knocked unconscious by a chandelier that falls on them.
The two are effectively killed by the Haunter who would later go with Ash, taking their souls from their bodies.
Ash likes his time as a ghost after experiencing some early post-mortem shock; he even lifts Misty off the ground without her knowing. But as soon as he and Pikachu decide they’ve had enough, they instantly return to their bodies, just in time for Misty and Brock to find them lifeless and unresponsive.
2. The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back
For good reason, the majority of Pokemon fans would think of this particular moment when they recall an Ash death. Every other death in the films strives desperately to capture the magic of this one, but it’s possible that they all fall short.
After nearly an entire night of mayhem, Mewtwo and Mew engage in an almost catastrophic last battle, but Ash finally decides he can stand the pointless battling and turns stone by stepping between the two Legendary Pokemon’s blasts. Pikachu, inconsolable over his death and attempting to resurrect him with electricity, sobs.
Scientific realism be damned, in the end, it’s the tears of all the Pokemon in the vicinity that bring him back to life.
Although this moment will always be remembered by most for being so emotionally devastating, it’s also the most extreme example of Ash’s kindness because it was because of that sacrifice that Mewtwo saw its mistakes. Not to mention the 3D reimagining of this film, which has both younger and older fans reaching for Kleenex again.
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3. Lucario And The Mystery Of Mew
The eighth film in the series is mostly set in the Tree of Beginning, which features a defense system made up primarily of red blobs that devour any threats that manage to get inside.
The red blobs go for everyone as soon as the Tree’s Guardians, Regirock, Regice, and Registeel, discover Ash and his group (along with Team Rocket) encroaching. They devour every human and leave every Pokemon Trainer-less and sad in their wake.
If Mew hadn’t remained a constant presence throughout the film, witnessing every remaining Pokemon weep for their Trainers, everyone would have remained dead. By using its abilities to break through the Tree’s defenses, it revives every person and forces the Regis to retreat.
However, it leaves Mew incredibly weak, which sets up the dramatic conclusion of the film, in which Ash nearly perishes once more.
4. Pokemon Ranger And The Temple Of The Sea
Here’s another uncomplicated act of bravery from Ash, which is meant to be the cause of his death. “Supposedly” because it’s unclear if Ash actually met his demise, although if not for the assistance of yet another legendary Pokemon, he most likely would have perished.
The principal foe of the movie, Captain Phantom, has caused instability in Samiya, a sea temple that is home to Water-type Pokemon. Ash and May must gather the crystals in the temple in order to save it.
Ash practically drowns when swimming through a flooded section of the temple in an attempt to get one of them. However, Manaphy uses Heart Swap to give Ash a lifeline and raise the crystal to the surface.
5. Pokemon The Movie: Black / Pokemon The Movie: White
Pokemon the Movies: Black and White, despite being two separate films, share a similar storyline: Ash and Victini become friends; they attempt to thwart antagonist Damon’s attempts to resurrect an old kingdom; Ash passes away and is brought back to life by Victini.
Despite their little time together, Ash, Pikachu, and Victini had a close bond, as evidenced by Ash and Pikachu’s insistence on staying with Victini while it is imprisoned by a barrier created by the castle’s Pillars of Protection.
The problem is that they are well above Earth’s atmosphere, so it will not be long before Ash apologizes to Victini for breaking his commitment to deliver it to the ocean and freezes to death. Later, the intense heat from Victini’s Searing Shot brings him back to life.
6. I Choose You!
Ash Ketchum’s death in the non-canonical, alternate universe remake of a movie, I Choose You, is the only one that rivals his Mewtwo Strikes Back death in terms of memorability, emotional effect, and complete lack of realism!
Ash Ketchum’s voyage begins in the same manner as usual until they come across the large flock of Spearow. It is then that he receives a fallen Rainbow Wing from Ho-Oh, which causes Ash’s competitor Cross to become agitated.
Ho-Oh’s primary protector, Marshadow, is enraged by his callousness and calls upon all the forest’s fauna to launch an assault on the human population.
After spending one final moment together (during which Pikachu strangely speaks to Ash in human language), Ash summons Pikachu to his Pokeball just before he succumbs to the attacks of all the possessed Pokemon surrounding him.
Ash is brought back to life with Ho-Oh’s assistance after Pikachu unleashes a furious, melancholic Thunderbolt, leading to what is likely the most tearful reunion in all of the Pokemon films.