"I shall forge a path with these colors..."

When one thinks of empathy, it is the characteristic of feeling what someone else is feeling, otherwise known as feeling with them rather than for them (the latter being sympathy). This is a trait that drives along the story of Froakie as he first watches Ash battle against Clemont and then Team Rocket, as he is accepted into the team and watch it grow, as he evolves and evolves and then changes on a fundamental level when a situation turns for the worst and there is no hope to be found. Froakie, especially at the start, is a character that deals with the world through the lens of emotion, specifically regarding situations outside of himself; from there he then internalises his own form of judgement to pull out the strength to deal with it. Which is funny because at first glance you wouldn't think that Froakie would care about anyone beyond battling and protection; back then, he had a very clear viewpoint on the world with right and wrong, aggressors and victims, strong and weak. We see that when he first comes against Team Rocket and when he takes up the fight against Fletchling for Bonnie.

In these two situations, what were the strongest emotions? In the first, Ash's unwavering faith in Pikachu and in defeating Team Rocket. In the second, Bonnie's disappointment over losing Dedenne because of the stolen berry. And in both situations Froakie goes on alone to confront the instigator, even when it hurts him, even when he wasn't called up himself. And so he doesn't only pick up on others’ emotions but he acts on them himself, delivering his own brand of justice no matter the cost, empathy turned to compassion, mercy for the weak or unable delivered as a punishment to the antagonist.

(This is going to mean something, trust me.)

The Beginning

I honestly love the first few episodes (and especially the Fletchling catching episode) for what insight it gives for Froakie and his battling style, or rather, his motivation. Froakie doesn't really choose Ash because he wants to be strong - every starting Trainer has that aspiration (or at least many of them do). Froakie only revealed himself when Ash stands up to Team Rocket with Pikachu even though they're at a disadvantage against Wobbuffet and throws himself against the Reflect-ed Electro Ball to take the damage for Pikachu. Ash pays it back by taking it to the nearest Pokemon treating area, which ended up being the lab that Froakie escaped from, and yet Ash didn't back down from praising him even after hearing about Froakie's trouble with Trainers. And when Garchomp goes crazy from the failed control device Team Rocket slapped on it?

And when Garchomp is up upon Prism Tower, roaring in pain, attacking everyone in sight?

Who would dare help it, at the risk of themselves? Who knew it wasn't due to any fault of Garchomp, that it was hurting, that it was struggling and trying to break free from a faulty invention?

And it's interesting, because Froakie trails Ash here as soon as he is healed. He could've just gone off on his own or attacked Team Rocket for it, but instead he follows Ash's lead and goes on the defensive when helping out Garchomp. And after all is said and done (coughcough jumping off Prism Tower to save Pikachu cough), the very next day when Ash is leaving the Pokemon lab, Froakie goes in front of said Trainer and rolls over his Pokeball.

It's a veritable sign of trust from a Pokemon who has been rejected and has rejected many Trainers before. One can argue that Ash is experienced and Froakie would rather a strong Trainer than a weak one, but Ash hasn't won any battles that the frog could see. All Froakie saw was how much Ash treasured Pikachu as a partner, as a friend, and how Ash listened to the Pokemon with both Pikachu and Garchomp, helping them out even at the risk of his life. That Ash has trust in Pokemon himself, and for someone like Froakie? Someone with unimaginable power that not even he could foresee? Someone with a strong moral compass?

Even the fact that Froakie is the one with the Pokeball says a lot. Just the utmost choice in this capture, of a Pokemon actively choosing a Trainer instead of the other way around, is a very powerful concept. It shows individuality, a strong spirit, a kindred spirit. Froakie is choosing to believe in Ash the same way Ash believes in Pokemon. Froakie is choosing to stay with Ash and travel with him, sharing the journey and whatever comes their way. It's strange, unconventional, out of the box. Just like Ash is.

But things don't just go smoothly because you share something in common, even if it is something like passion or self-sacrifice. The episode after the capture shows that despite choosing each other Ash and Froakie still need to work on their connectedness and their overall relationship, as depicted through their view on Fletchling. Ash wants to catch it because it's fast. Froakie wants to battle it because it made Bonnie upset. This difference in view complicates the actual battle when Ash goes for Pikachu (type advantage) and Froakie steps up to bat regardless, going on to initiate the battle himself without any input from the trainer when Ash refuses. This is one of the problems that was cited with Froakie when they first met with Sycamore, that he doesn't listen to a Trainer and their commands at times— in the example that we see, it's because of a difference in viewpoint, which all comes down to what they are driven by. I also find this interesting as Olympia has mentioned that Froakie has been relentlessly training from the start, and when given an opportunity to display this strength he has only used it in the service of others (at least in the earlier episodes). And again, Froakie is not particularly sociable— he's usually disinterested when in the background and doesn't like physical affection/gets flustered by it. But he is driven by his moral compass to punish Fletchling for making Bonnie sad, even though he doesn't have much of a stake in any of it.

And Ash sees this as Froakie goes up against Fletchling again and again, despite losing again and again. Froakie doesn't give up, doesn't take no for an answer, will keep at it until his mission is complete. And that's like Ash. And Ash knows this feeling, of fighting the righteous fight.

So what does Ash do?

He merges their interests into one. Lets Froakie fight Fletchling, and then catch it after. He engages in a conversation with Froakie about the issue, explaining how he understands his position and stating it clearly, before putting up his proposition. He then goes through the effort of crafting a strategy to favour Froakie especially, finding a space full of ledges at different heights to give it a place to jump and negate the flying advantage that Fletchling has. And, well, we all know how the story goes (it works, they both get what they want - Ash caught it and Bonnie forgives it), and their partnership gets stronger as a result.

The Rivals

What happens after, to me, is very much a strange merging of both of their ideals. Ash has always been a little very much self-sacrificial, but Froakie starts to gain a hunger for battles that goes beyond just fighting for the little guy. Froakie wants to become strong just like Ash does and shares his craving for victory in battles, in Gyms or against random Trainers, but this hunger is usually brought out in very specific moments. One set of notable instances is against Sanpei and his Froagadier/Greninja, in which the frog was pretty playful/teasing in the first episode where they come in, and yet is still very much better than Froakie who has done nothing but seriously trained throughout his whole life. Very fun parallels against the very serious Froakie for sure.

(There is also the instance where Froakie lost to Penelope’s Sylveon in the kindergarten episode, which had really shaken his perception of Pokemon battles. First time this froggo went up against someone with their own unconventional strategies that played up to their own strengths, using emotions against him. Turning Froakie against himself, toying with his senses. I honestly like to think of it as the moment where Froakie starts to take training seriously and takes up the Gym Challenge with just as much gusto as the rest of the group, Trainer included.)

In these instances, the Pokemon that Froakie goes up against all have their own code of honour, their own pride, their own purpose for battles. Sanpei's Froagadier does it to improve alongside their trainer, trying to surpass the limits that the other ninja have made. Penelope's Sylveon does it to coax Pokemon to the kindergarden for the kids to play with in a safe yet tangible manner. Both of them are trained Pokemon with good Trainers, not just from the wild or in the wrong, so Froakie doesn't have much of a moral standing or more experience. And so Froakie has to measure up against this, has to be stronger against them with this in mind, has to be stronger despite this in mind. Against all of them Froakie has attempted to prove himself as capable of beating them in his own way, not giving an inch, but with his emotions at stake (pride and love)... that's when he struggles the most.

The one time he doesn’t struggle in a normal battle was when he faced up against Sawyer’s Treecko/Groyvle. What should have been a difficult Type matchup against him proves to be simple based on one factor: experience. For once, Frogadier was the one with more knowledge and power, and it was something that both he and Ash end up relying on whenever they battle Sawyer. And that’s all well and good until Sawyer managed to get a good enough grip on how Ash and Greninja behaved, exploiting a chance failed Bond to beat them down when they were already stressed with previous failures. This is important to Greninja in the same way that it is important to Ash— that the Bond has stagnated them, had made them predictable, has been their entire personality ever since they realised they could unlock it, and that has left them wide open for so long. And that loss, while it has stung, has helped to wake them up, to return them to their roots and their base desires, and to reflect on where they actually want to go (to delayed results).

It’s also important to note how the very evolution of Froakie to Frogadier (and to Greninja / Ash-Greninja) has been instigated over the rescue of both Pikachu and Sanpei’s Greninja. Saving the mirror who pushed you to greater heights and saving the best friend that has been at your Trainer’s side. Two major Pokemon in Greninja’s journey being in peril is what gets him to change, to grow, to grasp at more power to ensure their safety, and it really does call back to what Froakie’s principles is—to use his strength to protect those unable to protect themselves, fighting back against perceived unfair odds. And while we don’t actually get to see Frogadier/Greninja actually finish (or in the last case, even plan) a battle against Sanpei’s Greninja after their first bout, the fact remains that the Froakie who struggled against him because of the experience gap (in both having a Trainer and being trained) is now able to surpass him due to the strength of his emotions coinciding with Ash’s and their shared beliefs in the midst of chaos (where they admittedly thrive best).

(There’s something to be said about how Ash and Froakie work well in chaotic situations where anything goes and lives are at risk vs the ninjas who have lived in a static sort of peace being unprepared when someone eventually wants to overthrow it. There’s also something to be said about how Ash and Greninja come to a compromise of sorts which gives them greater power and how the Ninja Village eventually come to the same conclusion at the end of the attempted coup.)

The Team

We’ve pretty much discussed how Froakie initially viewed Fletchling and how that relationship was patched up afterwards, but this is not the only instance of him finding fault in other Pokemon. Froakie starts to really butt heads over a difference in ideals again with the arrival of Hawlucha, which is someone completely different to the usual rivals experienced on the road— now, the call is coming from inside the house, or in this case, from one of his new teammates. This time it's about Hawlucha’s tendency to take moves head-on, which contrasts against Froakie's swift dodging movements and attacking from a safe distance. Both of them share a strict moral code to protect those weaker than them and both aim to be strong, but this difference in fighting styles really put them in odds. What I find really interesting is that while Froakie still listens to Ash's commands in battle (when Ash called for both of them to dodge in a Double Battle), Hawlucha still went with his own methods and all Ash did was comment on his style. It shows how Froakie has went to trust Ash in battles now while Hawlucha is still a new member trying to find his rhythm now that he’s caught (and so working within a group instead of protecting a group).

But Froakie doesn't have this patience. He doesn't go the distance to try to understand where Hawlucha is coming from. Once Hawlucha attacks him for taking on moves meant for itself, Froakie doesn't hold back in making his thoughts known and fights back. And while Hawlucha has a short fuse and is quick to forgive, Froakie is the opposite. He holds on to his grudge against Hawlucha, a discontentment simmering underneath their interactions. It takes Ash himself being in danger and otherwise incapacitated to work with him, and even then it takes some time before they truly work together in battle and pull of the combo move.

At this point of time Froakie has already spent time with Hawlucha, has been the one to fight in the battle to catch him (resulting in a draw), and there is no threat at all within the Double Battle. The worst case in that situation was losing. But then again, Ash has also struggled a lot when dealing with losses in Kalos, and Froakie has seen this happen too (helping out in the Santalune Gym rematch), has also exhibited this (both of their reactions when they first battled against Sanpei), so the worst case scenario is a lot more impactful this time. Froakie, who has always been in charge of his own growth, is now finding his success threatened by one of his teammates, and to fail is a reflection of his own self-worth. So now he’s no longer just battling with himself in mind, but also attempting to police Hawlucha’s side to make sure that they stay winning. In this way, he’s taking over the Trainer’s role, and it takes having no Trainer at all for them to work together. The resolution to this issue was facing Team Rocket together, which is usually a point where through Pokemon battles characters and their partners get stronger, but considering their shared drive for justice, it’s a way for both of them to bond in real time and understand each other at long last. Not due to the presence of similar moral compasses, but by having it being applied in real time. After all, strength is strength at the end of the day, and using it against evildoers is the most worthy form of intent they can have.

By the time the next teammate comes in, Froakie has evolved into Frogadier in the waning light of sunset. As Frogadier he’s a lot more cool-headed, time and experience mellowing him out a lot (and also his screentime dramatically decreases for some reason). He’s amicable to both Goodra and Noivern, and the times he does spend near them he’s generally helpful—a distinctive change to how he has dealt with both Fletchling and Hawlucha. Considering how both Dragon-Types were a lot more frail around their introduction, this gentleness is most probably Frogadier considering them as someone to protect rather than to battle with. This period is where Ash faced the least amount of rivals (with Sawyer still being a beginner) and so focused his energy on ensuring the whole team was strong—an approach that first started with Froakie due to his headstrong attitude, but shifted to adapting to Hawlucha’s style, Goomy’s fear and Noibat’s newly-hatched state. As a result there isn’t much headway between them nor much with him and other Pokemon. It’s only when Olympia states her prophecy when Ash starts to focus on Frogadier again, setting him up with Talonflame as his Doubles partner in the Gym Battle that followed; an interesting choice considering how they first started off as enemies, morals opposed to each other, the first two Pokemon Ash caught in the region. It’s this familiarity as well as trust that gets them the Psychic Badge, and so paves the way for the inevitable changes that follow such heavy words.

The Evolution (Beyond Evolution)

XYZ is where we see the most of Greninja, and of course his bond with Ash (thus making it near impossible to talk about one without referencing the other). The prophecy in Anistar City first comes to life in the Ninja Village, in the middle of active upheaval, with a rogue ninja faction trying to impose their own ideals upon the entire clan. Once again, as per usual, Frogadier puts himself on the line to protect others, and once again he evolves as a result—but under the moonlight, with Pikachu unable to move away (and that’s Ash’s partner, his best friend), followed by the ravings of a second-in-command who overwhelms them with his belief in his leader’s superiority (and that’s wrong and unjust)… that need to become much stronger resonates the same time as Ash’s.

And so Frogadier evolves into Greninja, and then into someone greater that Greninja and Ash combined. And thus that need to protect, to be worthy of strength, to acquire strength in the first place—it’s all but amplified, dialled to eleven.

It’s been stated that the Bond Phenomenon does seem similar to Mega Evolution, albeit with its own intricacies and costs. Apart from Sawyer, Alain is the one ‘rival’ (I use this term loosely) who brings this type of power against Ash. What makes their battles noteworthy is not the fact that it is Battle Bond vs Mega Evolution, but it is usually one vs one (or at least focused as such). Alain’s longest and most strongest connection is with Charizard, and it is seen with their strength and their trust and even their strategies— in battles against him, Ash uses Greninja to match that energy. It is a far cry from the last Mega Evolution Ash faced, in which he worked with Pikachu against Korrina’s Lucario; in that case, it was a battle of familiarity, of nostalgia, of the march of time lending support but also needing a clear eye to honour what everyone brings to a battle. Now, it is a test of limits, of purpose, of what’s left to lose. After all, at this point Alain is out and about collecting energy to help Chespie, a situation that he takes full responsibility with. After all, at this point all Ash can see is the League and all it will entail.

The Bond Phenomenon is a methodological blindness, it is a trust fall, it is giving up your individualism for something amorphously greater than yourself. Greninja, who has always displayed a need for control even with other Pokemon in his team, has now bared himself fully to Ash in order to gain the upper hand in battle, and to him, the price is worthy. His appearance changes to reflect who he is connecting with, who he is merging with, who he is ultimately becoming. With the Bond they’re both rapidly approaching zero, and that’s an extension of the usual story of Pokemon and humans living together, it’s a lopsided view of evolution, and it is full immersion of the concept of empathy in and of itself.

Greninja visibly shows panic when Ash started to freeze up in their second battle against Alain, a side-effect that has become more frequent with their repeated exposure to the imperfect Bond. The two of them start to get wild, almost frantic when Diantha finally Mega Evolves Gardevoir; Greninja becomes almost uncharacteristically aggressive as the battle ramps up, eventually piercing through the water veil and gaining the Water Shuriken before the strain is too much. The cost is only problematic when someone else suffers it, but therein lies the problem— Ash and Greninja both share self-sacrificial tendencies, both of them crave power, and both of them yearn to be worthy (of what they have and who they have). It is very easy to brush off the side-effects when it can be explained as a matter of perseverance, even more easier when they are rewarded for their efforts. There is visible change whenever they use the Bond, they are actively getting stronger, and their hyper-adaptability (coughcough pain tolerance cough) makes it all too easy to brush off any downsides.

More than anything, the Bond Phenomenon showcases how narrow-sighted the two of them are, and when combined, how that obsessive trait leads to internalised emotions. Because any failure of the Bond is on themselves— and beyond that, any mishap is on themself as an individual. The problem about merging is that you can’t tell when one person ends and the other begins, and it’s very much the same here with Ash and Greninja. Could Ash fainting be due to his inability to deal with such raw power, or Greninja for pushing so much of it on him? Could Greninja struggling in battle be due to his own lack of expertise in this field, or is it because of Ash not knowing how to navigate in this new form? And so what once was the story of a wilful Froakie looking for the right one meeting a determined Ash ready to do what it takes to make good on his goals ends up being a tale of an entity rend in twain again and again in pursuit of pure power at last. The reason is lost, the emotion a constant. All that matters is mastering the unmasterable.

Their shared crashout at Snowbelle does give us a slight difference even though they are homologous at this stage—Ash walks off first, staying on the ground wandering around the same log. Greninja, however, is sitting up on a high branch, reflecting on his losses. He holds a fist before recalling the back-to-back losses and turning away in disgust, staying in place. Both of them brood, both of them don’t change. Don’t want to change. Why deviate from what feels right, or rather, what feels familiar? And while Serena’s award-winning snowball-throwing aim snaps Ash out of the fugue, for Greninja it was the memory of Ash’s nighttime guilt (of Ash standing by his bed in the Pokemon Centre apologising for the loss, mere moments before he left). That’s what gets Greninja moving—the pain of another, the injustice of Ash blaming himself of what the frog presumed was his own weakness, of all that self-loathing amounting to nothing but wasted time, before and now. It’s only in the midst of the snowstorm when he leaves, and encounters 10% Squishy, and reunites with Ash to save some Spewpa. It’s only when visibility is zero when they both get to look inwards, away from everyone who could ever know them.

And yet, they do not change their approach in the League. Despite their promise to ‘return to zero’ they still stick with 100% brute force, so much so that Ash begins his first match with Battle Bond at full effect. What changes is the power they wield, and in small increments: Greninja pulls out a larger-than-normal Water Shuriken at the tail-end of their match against Sawyer as the conclusion to their rivalry (revealing that their overwhelming strength still won out against experience), and against a flagging Mega Charizard X in the finals comes out the massive golden Water Shuriken. The latter was clearly a last stand from both Ash and Greninja, fighting back against an opponent whom they’ve never gotten close to beating before—the unmovable object against their unstoppable force. In the Crisis, Greninja never utilises this force, and in the series following that match such power on such a large scale is never used again. And it’s poetic, because all Ash wanted was to win a League and it’s so prominent here, it’s so obvious they would pull all the stops here, it’s such a sign that they would fail anyways and Ash would help Greninja up, both of them still shaky but having reached the final stage, for better or worse.

(While one can argue that the last match was directly before the Crisis and so the two finalists and their team were exhausted, it’s clear that they don’t suffer any injuries or even look tired. Also I think it’s stupid if they had the award ceremony right after the battle; Kalos would definitely be the region to take their time freshening up everyone and confirming that the stage is all well and good—for both the new Champion and for the Crisis ahead.)

And so, with Ash’s box ticked off with the League, Greninja’s want of helping others comes into play in the Crisis. When they were captured by Lysandre and being blasted by the Evil Rays™, Greninja manages to channel power through Ash in order to break both of their restraints. Which is unprecedented! Because the water veil was always to do with Greninja’s physical transformation. And this happens because instead of chasing strength, like every other time they’ve activated the Bond, it’s now because of love.

Love towards the world. The people living in it. The Pokemon living in it too.

And the determination to ensure their safety and continued existence, no matter the cost.

That’s what drives them to unlock their vision, that extra sense, to uncover where Chespie was. This strength they have—it’s not offensive. Just like when he was a Froakie, Greninja returns to the supporting role as the two of them lend aid in the Crisis, no longer leading or staying ahead. It’s Alain who ends up rescuing Chespie, and it’s Bonnie who calls the verdict with 100% Zygarde. In the end, after all that effort, they are not the chosen leaders Lysandre expects them to be. In the end, Greninja defaults to helping those who need their voices heard, their bonds strengthened, and their justice served. And that’s what ends up fuelling their longest held (and most strenuous) Bond to date.

The Crisis is truly the ‘start of zero’ for them—while Lysandre doesn’t succeed in wiping the slate of the world, both Ash and Greninja have returned to their starting position, more or less. Both of them well-meaning and courageous to a fault, helping Kalos rebuild in whatever ways they could. However, their base desires were always just a little different and that’s what causes their inevitable separation. After all, Ash can never be restrained to one region, ready to chase his next chance of making new progress on his goals, while Greninja was always disposed towards working for the greater good with the strength that he has. And so when Zygarde lays their plans, Greninja leaves Ash behind, alone once more.

Well, not actually alone. He’s still with Zygarde, no matter what JN tries to tell us, and he’s not necessarily bound to one place either. Just like his Trainer he’s travelling once more, this time around Kalos again, except with newfound knowledge, experience, and strength, with friends around the corner and a purpose to start him off from his origin point. And say what you will, but the knowledge gained from his experience in racing strength is what truly changed Greninja in the end.