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WhileTeam Rocketis most commonly affiliate with being the independent antagonist grouping / organization inPokémon , one early episode of the anime proves that Jessie , James , and Meowth weren’tAsh ’s first arch challenger – as that laurels goes to someone much zany .
The iconic member of Team Rocket made their debut in the second episode of the originalPokémonanime , and right from the start , their purpose in the serial publication was made crystal clear . Team Rocket ’s goal in the show was to move around the humanity and slip rarified Pokémon however they could . In fact , that ’s how Ash , Misty , and Pikachu first meet them . When Pikachu was beinghealed at a Pokémon Centerfollowing an injury he sustained battling a flock of Spearows , Team Rocket infiltrated that facility with the intent of stealing valuable Pokémon being deal there . When they became aware of Pikachu ’s immense power ( far greater than any other Pikachu that they were cognisant of ) Team Rocket make love they had to have him – thus beginning their decades - foresightful pursuit of Ash , Pikachu , and their ally . However , while Team Rocket may have become the most long - lasting rivals of Ash and Pikachu , they were n’t just the first .
Related : Ash Did n’t Use Pikachu for His First Pokémon Battle
The Samurai was Ash’s First Pokémon Rival, Not Team Rocket
InPokémon : Indigo Leagueepisode 4 ( drop a line by Hideki Sonoda and calculate by Masamitsu Hidaka ) , Ash and Misty are trekking through the woods , looking forwild Pokémon to catch , when they are of a sudden accosted by a child who call himself the Samurai . As advertised , the Samurai is fag a Samurai costume , and he presumptively lives in the woods or at least has a cabin his family lets him stay in without oversight . While their encounter was sudden , it was n’t inadvertent , as the Samurai reveals to Ash that he sought him out in ordering to prosecute in a Pokémon battle with him . The Samurai get a line another trainer was walking through ‘ his ’ domain of the Wood , and he needed to essay their acquisition .
While it is all in good fun and incredibly short - lived , the Samurai proves to be Ash ’s first material Pokémon rival for a few reasons . foremost , the Samurai heard of Ash and on purpose went seem for him to challenge the new trainer to battle . second , the Samurai is really the only competition for this position of ‘ Ash ’s first rival ’ . The only other candidates would be Team Rocket or Gary Oak , but neither of those choices turn . Gary does n’t fit the flyer because he and Ash are n’t even in the same conference at this spot , not to remark they ’ve never even been inan actual Pokémon battlebefore – and Team Rocket does n’t yet see Ash as an real contender , just an obstruction keeping them from their desired Pikachu ( not exactly ‘ rival ’ material there ) .
All - in - all , the Samurai satisfy every requirement for being the competition of an anime booster , as he saw Ash as a worthy antagonist , sought him out , and challenge him to battle . The Samurai wanted to fight back Ash specifically , not just because hehad a valuablePokémon – prove thatAsh ’s first arch rival wasn’tTeam Rocket(or Gary ) .
More : Ash uncover Why He ’s the Best Trainer with His First Two Pokémon
